Author: ACHD

About ACHD

Created in 1957, the Allegheny County Health Department is charged with protecting the environmental and public health of 1.2 million County residents through Pennsylvania Act 315 , the Local Health Administration Law.

Health Screenings & Flu Shot Clinics

No-cost flu shots and screenings for chronic diseases, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

OCTOBER	TIME	LOCATION
7th	3-5 PM	Propel Hazelwood Charter School
8th	5-8 PM	Caliguiri Plaza (Allentown)
13th	5-8 PM	Gualtieri Manor (Beechview)
14th	3-4 PM	Propel Hazelwood Charter School
	5-8 PM	Frank Mazza Pavilion (Brookline)
15th	5-8 PM	Carrick Regency (Carrick)
18th	2-4 PM	Hazelwood Below the Tracks (5007 Lytle Street)
20th	5-8 PM	Morse Gardens (Southside)
21st	2-4 PM	Finello Pavilion (Oakland)
22nd	5-8 PM	Murray Towers (Squirrel Hill)
24th	10 AM-2 PM	SOKO Community Market (Hill District)

For more information, call or text the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy at 412-342-8276

(Download this page as a PDF)

September is National Recovery Month

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many new challenges that have had an impact on those with substance use disorder. Emotional stressors such as potential job loss, working full-time from home without child care and a decrease in face-to-face social interaction have created additional barriers for people to seek treatment or access treatment or recovery support when they want or need it. The Overdose Prevention Project at the Allegheny County Health Department works with partners to provide resources to individuals and communities to address substance use disorder.

September is National Recovery Month. The month-long campaign aims to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders, while supporting those with substance use disorders to live a healthy and rewarding life. The Health Department joins in celebrating the gains made by those living in recovery in all its forms.

According to Allegheny County’s Fatal Overdose Dashboard since 2008, Allegheny County, has experienced fatal overdose rates higher than those seen throughout much of the country. There were 3,180 fatal drug overdoses in Allegheny County between 2014 and 2019 and 89% of these overdose deaths were opioid-related. While accidental overdose deaths in Allegheny County dropped 33% from 2017 (738) to 2018 (492), there are still far too many people dying from overdose, with 570 lives lost to overdose in 2019.

While treatment and harm reduction services are still available and being offered for those in need, ACHD and its partners have worked extremely hard to provide tools so that communities are safely prepared to respond to overdose. Tools include information about treatment options and Naloxone distribution to Allegheny County communities. For those in recovery that may be at risk for recurrence of use or those in active use currently at risk of overdose, family members or friends should have Narcan available at home. Narcan is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Visit bit.ly/AlleghenySaferUse for tips to prevent overdose and infection and resource information to access harm reduction services.

Throughout the month of September and October, ACHD and its partners have hosted multiple Narcan giveaway days and resource fairs in priority communities that were identified through ACHD’s overdose surveillance and community engagement efforts.

Join us in recognizing those who continue their struggle by attending one of these upcoming events.

Celebrate National Breastfeeding Month

Breastfeeding has health benefits for both baby and mother and the longer a baby is breastfed, the greater the benefits. Women who don’t breastfeed are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancer as they age. Infants who are fed breastmilk are at lower risk of developing ear infections, diarrhea, asthma, and obesity. More information about the benefits of breastfeeding are provided by the Centers for Disease Control at this link.

Dr. Debra Bogen, director of the Allegheny County Health Department, said that infants benefit from breastmilk through the thousands of components it contains that interact to protect them from infections and to grow and develop optimally. For women, starting from the earliest stages of pregnancy, their bodies prepare for lactation. Breastfeeding is then part of the way women adapt to post-delivery.

For example, breastfeeding helps the uterus to shrink down to a pre-pregnancy size and reduces postpartum bleeding. It also uses fat stores that were added during pregnancy. It is for this reason that people refer to breastfeeding as part of the 4th trimester, Dr. Bogen said.

“The health impacts of breastfeeding for both women and infants are undeniable,” Dr. Bogen said. “But remember, although breastfeeding is natural and optimal – it is not always easy. Women and families need support to breastfeed successfully – from health professionals, family, friends and community.”

August is National Breastfeeding Month and the theme is Many Voices United. According to the United States Breastfeeding Committee, “Now, more than ever, we must come together to identify and implement the policy and systems changes that are needed to ensure that every family that chooses breastfeeding has the support and resources they need to succeed.”

Breastfeeding initiation rates have risen slowly and steadily for the past 20 years in the United States. As of 2017, 84% of all infants born in the U.S. received at least one breastmilk feeding. That was up from 76% in 2010.

However, the rates of exclusive breastfeeding and the duration of breastfeeding lag behind the Healthy People 2020 goals set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2017, 58% of infants were still being fed any breastmilk at age 6 months and only 35% at 12 months.

With supportive employers and communities, women are more likely to reach their own breastfeeding goals and the national recommendations of exclusive breastmilk feeding for the first 6 months of life and continuation of breastfeeding with the addition of solid food until at least 12 months of age.

The Allegheny County Breastfeeding Coalition is working to do this by encouraging breastfeeding friendly workplaces.

Allegheny County Breastfeeding Coalition

In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, the Allegheny County Breastfeeding Coalition (ACBC) in collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) accepted nominations for the 24th Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award. The ACBC makes a conscientious effort to recognize workplaces, public places and other sites away from home that put forth an effort in accommodating breastfeeding. The ACBC and WIC announced the United Way of Southwestern PA, a fellow Live Well Allegheny Workplace, as the winner of the 2020 Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award.

“We’re honored to be recognized by Allegheny County Health Department as both a Live Well Allegheny Workplace and a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace,” said Bobbi Watt Geer, president and CEO, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. “Every day, we’re on the front lines helping people throughout our region live fully. Though the coronavirus pandemic has hit our community hard, especially struggling families, we know there’s power in doing everything we can to practice self-care. And we know that starts with us. I’m proud to be part of the United Way team that prioritizes health and well-being, inside and outside our offices.”

The United Way strives to create a breastfeeding friendly environment for staff when they return to work. The organization provides a comfortable and welcoming space for breastfeeding mothers, and its policies include providing pumping time for mothers returning to work and supporting a lactation room that provides privacy and refrigeration spaces. The entire organization is very supportive of their coworkers breastfeeding journeys.

According to Dannai Wilson, Allegheny County Health Department Maternal and Child Health Program Manager, “It is important for workplaces to support breastfeeding as it has shown to be a return on their investment with reductions in healthcare costs, employee absenteeism, turnover, increased retention, morale, and loyalty.”

Research has proven that supportive employers and communities improve the odds of families reaching their breastfeeding goals and the national recommendations of exclusive breastmilk feeding for the first 6 months of life and continuation of breastfeeding with the addition of solid food until at least 12 months of age. The ACBC is dedicated to supporting and initiating efforts to normalize breastfeeding to improve health outcomes of families in every community across Allegheny County. If you are interested in working with the ACBC or the Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award, please contact Sharon Leavitt.

The ACBC will be accepting nominations for the 25th Breastfeeding Friendly Place Award starting in March of 2021.

Support for Moms and Babies

Are you a mom looking for breastfeeding support? There are a lot of resources available.

If you have questions about breastfeeding or need help, please call the Breastfeeding Help Line at 412-687-2243 that is managed by the Allegheny County Health Department, Maternal and Child Health Program. The helpline is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. All calls are referred to registered nurses, certified lactation counselors, and an internationally board-certified lactation consultant. Staff will help you start breastfeeding; answer questions and problem solve with you so that you can continue breastfeeding your baby.
The Healthy Start Center for Urban Breastfeeding offers breastfeeding support provided by Certified Lactation Consultants (CLCs) to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. They also have events and trainings. More information is available at their web site.
The Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle has organized meetups for moms of African descent to provide support for breastfeeding. More information is available at their web site.

Healthy Streets Dormont

During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has been challenged to think differently. The Borough of Dormont, a Live Well Allegheny Community, is doing just that with the implementation of the Healthy Streets Dormont Project.

Residents organized a petition and made a presentation to council to create safer outdoor spaces for walking, biking, or cycling with less interference from traffic and provide room for people to get outside and keep at least 6 feet from others. The Healthy Streets Dormont Project launched on June 8. It will run through June 30 and then.

During this time, Grandin Avenue and Memorial Drive will be open to only local traffic and deliveries. The Dormont Pool parking lot is also closed to traffic except one row of parking for park users. There are signs around the streets and parking lot to explain the closures.

“We saw an opportunity for the borough to be flexible and creative in light of the changing needs of our residents during the COVID-19 shutdown,” said Jen Mazzocco, Vice President of the Dormont Borough Council. “People were going out in their neighborhoods more often to get some exercise and a break from the indoors. Many of us witnessed our neighbors using the streets to give social distancing space to others they passed, so when we saw the presentation, we thought it could possibly be a way to make outdoor physical activity easier and safer during a time when that was so important to our community’s physical and mental wellbeing.”

The pilot is just in its beginning stages, but the council is already looking at the advantages of the program and gathering information on whether to expand it. The Traffic, Parking, and Planning Commission has been tasked with creating a more sustainable, comprehensive plan for the program.

“I’d love to see a network of ‘healthy’ streets that cross the borough and help create safer paths to our park, pool and business district as well as provide more open space for those who don’t live close to those places. That will require a lot more data and planning, and we are hoping the pilot gives us some good information to start that process,” Mazzocco said.

Dormont encourages and welcomes all ideas and feedback for the program. More information about the program can be found on the Borough of Dormont website: http://boro.dormont.pa.us/healthy-streets-dormont/

Supporting Brain Health with the Alzheimer’s Association

Alzheimer’s disease is increasingly recognized as a public health crisis. According to the former U.S. Surgeon General and CDC Director, Dr. David Satcher, “Alzheimer’s is the most under-recognized threat to public health in the 21^st Century.” Communities around the country, including Allegheny County, are taking a public health approach to this disease due to the large burden, major impact, and opportunity for intervention.

The burden is large: The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is projected to increase from five million to 14 million by 2050. Not only is it the most expensive disease in the US, it also accounts for more deaths each year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

The impact is major: Alzheimer’s impacts more than just the individual diagnosed; families, healthcare providers, and community members are all affected by the emotional, physical and dollar costs of this disease. Additionally, 95% of people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias have at least one other chronic condition. Dementia can complicate management of co-occurring conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or stroke.

The opportunity for intervention: Communities are focusing on early detection and diagnosis, reducing risky health behaviors, collecting and using surveillance data, developing workforce competencies, and mobilizing partnerships such as our Live Well Allegheny partner, Alzheimer’s Association of Pittsburgh.

To reduce health behaviors that increased the risk for dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association is spreading awareness of the heart-brain connection. The heart and brain are closely linked — harm or damage to one can affect the other. For example, when blood pumps to the brain, there is a complex network of blood vessels that delivers nutrients and oxygen to brain cells. High blood pressure can damage, narrow, and scar these blood vessels over time. When this happens, parts of the brain may become damaged due to lack of oxygen and nutrients and this can result in cognitive/brain decline. So, high blood pressure increases the risk for both heart disease and dementia. also increases your risk for Similarly, obesity increases the risk of both heart disease and brain’s health.

While there is no way to definitively prevent Alzheimer’s disease, adopting key lifestyle habits can reduce the risk of illness of the brain and the heart.

What ten lifestyle habits help maintain brain health?

Participate in regular cardiovascular exercise
Education – keep learning
Quit smoking
Manage blood pressure and diabetes
Reducing risk of falls
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
Get enough sleep
Manage mental health and stress
Remain socially engaged
Challenge your mind with play and games

For more information on efforts in our community, please contact: Sara Murphy at smurphy@alz.org. For additional information and support please contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 helpline at 1.800.272.3900.

For resources about Alzheimer’s and the heart-brain connection, please view:

https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/healthy-brain-initiative-protecting-heart-and-brain.pdf

https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10_ways_to_love_your_brain

https://alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures

https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/the-public-health-approach

https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/core-areas/brain-health-risk-reduction

National Minority Health Month

April is National Minority Health Month! The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is teaming up with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) to launch the Move Your Way campaign. For the second consecutive year, the theme is Active and Healthy.

This month, the observance looks a lot different than past promotions as our nation navigates a global pandemic. We are advised to self-quarantine, and the phrase social distancing is now a household name. Students are studying with screens, and adults are juggling families and work from home, here in Allegheny County and across the country. All of these factors increase anxiety and stress and decrease opportunities for physical activities. Live Well Allegheny and the REACH initiative wants to keep families safe and healthy during this time. So this April, we are highlighting how you can stay active even if you stay at home.

We are joined by local and national partners working together to improve health outcomes and highlight the benefits of incorporating small amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity into our schedules as recommended by the 2nd edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Simple changes to one’s daily routine can transform lives and reduce the risk of chronic diseases and other conditions that often are more common or severe among racial and ethnic minority groups.

Although there are behavior changes that we can do to improve personal and community health outcomes, there are also system changes that must take place to truly bring about equity to ensure that you have a quality life no matter what zip code you reside in. That you have access to healthcare, hospitals, grocery stores, farmers’ markets and transportation. The first step is calling out the inequities occurring and recommending solutions to the problem.

Recently, the Allegheny County Health Department and the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health worked to do just that and issued a series of equity briefs to bring attention to inequities and disparities related to five focus areas, including chronic disease. They looked at how race, education and income influence one’s health and access to information and services. This month, we’re promoting the problem and seeking solutions.

Gyms like Freedom Fitness Facility may be closed to the public, but they are open online. Owner Charles Cook is churning out a home fitness series on his Facebook Page. You can get active with regular workouts. The videos are approximately 12-15 minutes long and use lightweight dumbbells or exercise bands, however, most sessions do not require equipment.

REACH partners are getting in on the online action! Robert Boatright of Grind Hard Training produced a Quarantine Workout series on YouTube and is providing live workouts, including spin classes and family fitness, via Zoom.

The Be Healthy and Smart Initiative (BHS) created by Pittsburgh Obama Academy PTSA is taking steps to help Obama students and the community get fit and healthy. The Facebook Page features self-quarantine yoga workouts and hip hop classes.
You can also download popular apps, such as Sworkit, which was co-founded by Black Enterprise’s 2015 Techpreneur Ben Young. Sworkit provides customized 5-60 minute strength, pilates and stretching workouts that require no equipment. Another app geared at the African-American community is GrpFit. The app offers customized workouts, on-demand classes, and a fitness community for people of color.

A to B: Transportation Options

According to the American Public Transportation Association, people use some form of public transportation 34 million times each weekday in the U.S. In Allegheny County, there are many options for transportation; however, navigating those options can be hard. A to B is an online tool designed to help riders find inclusive and accessible transportation options that meet their personal preferences, abilities, and needs. Developed by transportation providers and advocates in the Transportation Working Group, including Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh a Live Well Allegheny community partner, the tool currently includes 28 options from 20 transportation providers.

A to B is free, voluntary, and anonymous. To use A to B, visit www.AtoBAllegheny.com, answer a short survey of questions, and get matched to possible transportation options. The questionnaire takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. Users should be sure to answer all applicable questions to receive the best results. A to B will not map specific trips, but rather find the best connection to options for riders.

If you have questions about A to B or would like help using the tool, call (412) 562-5104 (TTY 711), Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5PM or leave a message after hours. Transportation providers can also call this number to be listed in the tool.

We’re excited about the addition of this tool in our region. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified that access to transportation supports health and reduces healthcare costs. Ensuring that all residents of Allegheny County can get from point A to point B can have a profound positive impact on health and wellness.

Learn more about this topic and the A to B Tool with these resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/transportation/

https://myaccessride.com/a-to-b/

https://www.atoballegheny.com/#targetText=A%20to%20B%20is%20a,leave%20a%20message%20after%20hours.

https://pittsburghseniornews.com/2019/07/04/launch-of-a-to-b-an-online-tool-to-find-transportation-options/

https://www.apta.com/news-publications/public-transportation-facts/

Three Additional Members Join the Live Well Initiative

September 3, 2019

PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today announced the addition of three Live Well Allegheny members, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Tarentum Borough and Jump with Jill. There are now 193 community partners, 68 municipalities, 51 restaurants, 33 workplaces and 18 school districts participating in the campaign that have chosen to make health a priority in Allegheny County.

Earlier today County Executive Rich Fitzgerald presented the United Way with its official Live Well designation during a lunchtime walk that was organized by the workplace’s Wellness Committee as part of the Spark Pittsburgh Step Challenge.

“Today was a great day to continue our walk towards a healthier county with the new United Way of Southwestern PA CEO Bobbi Watt Geer and staff,” said Fitzgerald. “The organization is the latest recipient of the Live Well Allegheny Workplace designation. Group walks, like today’s walk from the United Way’s offices in the Strip District to the Courthouse and back, are just one way they’re working together to be a healthier organization. Step by step, we’re on our way to a healthier Allegheny County.”

Following is more information about the newest Live Well Allegheny members:

Live Well Allegheny Workplace

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania will provide healthy cafeteria options, healthy food options during company meetings and functions and a private area for use by breastfeeding employees. The organization has also promised access to an on-site area for exercise classes and physical activity, to locate safe and accessible outdoor walking or running paths and trails and to provide standing desks for their employees. Additionally, the United Way will allow and encourage paid time off for employees to have preventive cancer screenings, create and sponsor employee athletic teams and activities, and insure employees have access to comprehensive health insurance.

“The United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community we serve, and that includes our employee team,” said Bobbi Watt Geer, President & CEO of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. “We are committed to promoting employee health and well-being through our Wellness Committee’s coordination of year-round activities. I am proud that we live our values and mission at the United Way.”

Live Well Allegheny Community

The Tarentum Borough will promote physical activity by encouraging walking and bike riding and by developing indoor and outdoor wellness trails accessible to residents of all abilities. The borough will promote and support farmers’ markets, encourage involvement with community volunteer activities and promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters. Tarentum will also utilize websites and social media to provide information on physical activity, nutrition, stress management, tobacco cessation, and other health and wellness related initiatives.

“I applaud Tarentum for making a commitment to improving the health and wellness of residents,” said County Council Vice President Nick Futules, who also represents District 7. “They are also taking action to improve access to fresh and healthy food and physical activity, and to reducing tobacco use and smoking rates within the municipality.”

Live Well Allegheny Community Partner

Jump with Jill activates community outreach by holding a live rock and roll show that informs the audience about the benefits of health and nutrition. The group has performed the show 3,500 times for over a million kids across six countries.

Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with the Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participants can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well.

Babb Inc. finds a fun way to stay active at work with the Annual LiveWell Open!

Babb Inc., a Live Well Allegheny Workplace, is leading the way in encouraging workplace wellness. In June, the Wellbeing Department hosted the 4^th Annual LiveWell Open Golf Tournament in concurrence with the 2019 U.S. Open.

The team set up a 5-hole par-16 mini-golf course in the Ballroom of the Babb Inc. historical building located on Pittsburgh’s Northside. To enhance workplace culture and encourage participation, trophies, prizes, and, of course, bragging rights were awarded to the top golfers in the men’s and women’s categories. Practice rounds were held the week leading up to the tournament that took place on Wednesday, June 12.

This type of event creates friendly competition between coworkers and provides an opportunity for people to get up and move during the day. More than 20 people participated in the tournament. Babb, Inc. continues to grow their culture with different activities, such as the LiveWell Open, that reflect their belief that employee care and wellbeing is the number one priority in any organization.

Another way that Babb, Inc. is promoting wellbeing and engagement is through the 4^th Annual SparkPittsburgh Step Challenge, which runs September 1 through October 15. This free and friendly challenge is designed to help organizations move towards better health and wellbeing one step at a time. Along with competing against other organizations, all steps contribute to Pittsburgh’s total step count to help make a difference in the health and wellbeing of the city!

This year, SparkPittsburgh is excited to announce the addition of Cleveland to the campaign (SparkCleveland)! Through the success of Pittsburgh, the partners hope to continue to expand Spark across the nation to help improve lifestyles across America. Visit www.SparkPittsburgh.com to join the challenge today!

One Community and One Restaurant Join Live Well Allegheny Campaign

July 2, 2019

PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced today that Verona Borough and Bridges and Bourbon, a Penn Avenue restaurant, have joined the Live Well Allegheny campaign. Now participating are 67 communities, 51 restaurants, 32 workplaces and 18 school districts that are making health a priority in Allegheny County.

“Welcome Verona and Bridges and Bourbon. We are grateful to have you and to see even more organizations join us in our efforts for a healthier community,” said Fitzgerald. “We are most successful when we all work together. We look forward to having even more communities, restaurants, workplaces and schools join us in this campaign for greater wellness.”

Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive and innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The campaign is being led by the Allegheny County Board of Health and ACHD Director Dr. Karen Hacker.

“It has been a pleasure to watch the progress made with the Live Well Allegheny initiative,” said Dr. Hacker. “I became Director a few months before the campaign was launched and it has been a signature effort of ours throughout my tenure. It is incredible to see all the work done over the years by community partners, municipalities, school districts, places we work and places we eat. While we have had significant successes, there is more to do. If you haven’t joined the Live Well effort, please apply now.”

Following is more information about the latest Live Well Allegheny partners:

Live Well Allegheny Community

Verona Borough will encourage community involvement through volunteer activities, will provide facilities or policies that encourage walking and bike riding and will promote and support farmers markets. The borough has also promised to request vending machine companies add healthy foods and to work with the companies to post nutritional contents for the foods offered. Developing walking maps and outdoor wellness trails accessible to residents of all abilities, promoting smoke-free and tobacco free buildings and perimeters, and utilizing web sites and social media to provide information on physical activity, nutrition, stress management, tobacco cessation, and other health and wellness related initiatives are also in Verona’s plans.

“I am so pleased to learn that Verona is the newest community in District 7 that has made a commitment to improving the health and wellness of residents,” said Council Vice President Nick Futules, who is the County Council Member representing District 7. “I applaud the community’s commitments and look forward to seeing the results of its efforts.”

Live Well Allegheny Restaurant

Bridges and Bourbon will eliminate trans-fat oils in its cooking, be smoke-free, and will provide a location to store bicycles at or near the restaurant. It has also committed to offer vegetarian fare options and healthier beverage options, offer brown rice and other whole grains as an alternate to white rice and white bread, and offer low-fat milk as an alternate to cream for hot beverages. Other options will include healthy side dishes.