February 2024

More than 350 Live Well partners are united to make Allegheny County healthy for all to live, learn, work and play!

The Live Well Allegheny update contains information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share.

Be sure to follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on all ACHD news.

Women’s Heart Health Awareness

Cardiovascular disease, explained more in-depth in our January edition of the newsletter, is the number one cause of death for women in the US. The American Heart Association’s campaign, Go Red for Women encourages everyone to come together to motivate, educate, and support each other to sustain longer and healthier lives.

Remember, heart disease is a term that encompasses a variety of different diseases affecting the heart. The most common type in the United States is coronary artery disease, which can cause heart attack, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmias. In Allegheny County, 11% of adults 35 years and older have ever been told by a health care provider that they had a heart attack, coronary heart disease, or a stroke. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol are also important prevention strategies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 12-13 point reduction in systolic blood pressure (this is the top number on your blood pressure reading) can reduce heart disease risk by 21%, stroke risk by 37%, and risk for death from heart disease or stroke by 25%.

The American Heart Association recommends:

• Learning hands-only CPR: Many people go without help when suffering a cardiac arrest because bystanders are afraid to touch them. Find a CPR certification class in your area:
  • Red Cross Training | Take a Class | Red Cross.
  • American Heart Association CPR & First Aid
• Knowing your numbers: Begin a routine to regularly monitor your blood pressure. Encourage a friend or family member to do it alongside you. Take a look at this webpage from the American Heart Association to learn more about how to monitor your blood pressure at home and what the numbers mean. They also have a section on choosing an at-home blood pressure monitor. Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home | American Heart Association.
• Joining “Research Goes Red”: Help more women be seen, counted, and represented in cardiovascular research: Research Goes Red | American Heart Association.
• Making well-being work for you: Make sure you are taking care of your mental health and wellbeing just as much as your physical health. Learn what kind of de-stress and self-care practices work best for you.
  • Tools and Resources (cdc.gov)
  • Coping with Stress (cdc.gov)
  • Caring for Your Mental Health – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)
  • Psychiatry and Mental Health | AHN
  • Behavioral Health Services | UPMC – Pittsburgh, PA
• Raising awareness: Talk to your friends and family about heart health. Share what you’ve learned from this newsletter, as well as the information in the links shared above. Providing folks with accurate and important health information empowers them to take actionable steps to improve their health and wellbeing.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month. Teen dating violence (TDV) affects millions of young people in the US and beyond. This type of violence can be physical, verbal, and emotional. This means that it can take place in-person, online, or though other forms of technology, similarly to online bullying TDV affects lifelong health and wellbeing, but it is preventable, and it is on all of us to help our young people grow up violence-free.

Across the US, 1 in 4 adolescents report verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual dating violence each year. In Allegheny County, 8.0% of adults experienced threats of physical violence by an intimate partner in 2021, slightly less than 10% in Pennsylvania overall. At this time, we only have this data for adults 18 and over in Allegheny County. According to a 2017 CDC survey, LGBTQ+ students are at a 2 to 3 times greater risk of experiencing dating violence than non-LGBTQ+ students (LGB Teen Dating Violence Data | CDC).

The CDC has an evidence-based, violence prevention program called Dating Matters: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships. It focuses on 11-14 year olds and includes teaching healthy relationship skills and reducing the behaviors that increase the risk for dating violence. There are also programs for parents that teach and encourage parents to talk to their children about healthy and safe relationships. Check out their webpage for excellent resources on this topic.

Dating Matters provides teenagers with the dating guidance they’re seeking but may not be asking about.

Live Well Schools, do you have any form of a healthy relationship-curriculum in your adolescent classrooms? Consider ways to incorporate healthy relationship lessons for adolescents just before and during the typical age that they begin to date.

Here is a list of resources for talking to teens about healthy relationships, and to support folks who may be dealing with violence in a current or past relationship:

• Human Services (DHS) – Allegheny County, PA
• Additional Resources | Intimate Partner Violence | Violence Prevention | Injury Center | CDC.
• Resources for Victims of Teen Dating Violence | Youth.gov
• Healthy relationships for young adults | Love is Respect
• Break The Cycle

If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, please visit this link from the Department of Human Services for resources in Allegheny County: Intimate Partner Violence Resources – Allegheny Connect.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

National Dating Abuse Helpline:  1-866-331-9474

What is REACH?

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) received a cooperative agreement from the CDC for the to work in nine priority communities in the county to reduce racial health disparities. A diverse coalition of more than 25 partners are working to increase access to healthy foods, breastfeeding resources, adult vaccinations, and physical activities.

Those of you who are familiar with Live Well Allegheny or have been reading our newsletter for a long time may already be aware of the ACHD REACH Program. However, we want to remind our community members and partners just what REACH is all about. Each month, we will be highlighting a strategy area of REACH, or a specific project within the REACH coalition. See what the REACH coalition accomplished in the first 5 years, from 2018-2023: Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Story Map.

This month, we are going to focus on the strategy area of breastfeeding. There are two main organizations involved in our breastfeeding strategy, both focused on the goal of improving breastfeeding rates in Black and African American communities in Allegheny County. They aim to do this by improving access to services and support, implementing policies to make it easier on parents to pump at work, and making network of local lactation providers more robust.

Check out the REACH site here: REACH – Live Well Allegheny.

Take a look at the REACH flyer here, available for download: ACHD REACH One-Pager.

Who is involved?

Black Women’s Policy Center

• Continue policy work to address the disparities in the rate of breastfeeding between Black and White women in the REACH communities.
• Level Up Greater Pittsburgh Pay Equity Campaign launched in 2022: Addresses pay equity and the creation of breastfeeding family-friendly workspaces where Black women feel respected, valued, and protected.
• Work with local companies to develop workplace policies that align with the PUMP Act, which gives nursing parents the right to break time and private space to pump milk during the workday. 

Healthy Start Inc. and the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle

• Establish a Clinical-Community Lactation Network (CCLN) committed to improving the breastfeeding continuum of care and deepening the impact, connection, and sustainability between clinical and community perinatal support providers.
• Coordinate and provide professional development, such as Breastfeeding 101 training across community-based and clinical lactation professionals.
• Expand existing strategies and identify new strategies to increase Black breastfeeding duration at six months postpartum.
• Promote a village approach to change the future of breastfeeding in the Black community via education, advocacy, and on-demand phone, virtual, and in-person support.

Let’s Get Walking, Allegheny County! 

It can be difficult to get enough exercise during the winter months, especially when there is ice and snow on the ground and frigid temperatures in the air.

Every step counts, especially when it comes to heart health! During American Heart Month, let’s challenge ourselves to take more steps each . Whether it’s a quick stroll or a brisk walk, every movement brings us closer to a healthier heart. Tips for Getting More Active Minutes

If you cannot safely walk outside, or do not have access to a gym or treadmill, try going for walks around your closest mall or museum. Alternatively, why not dance to your favorite music in your living room to work up a sweat? Get started slowly and work your way up to 150 minutes of physical activity per week (or almost 22 minutes per day) to aid in preventing chronic diseases!

Find a local walking or hiking group in Allegheny County.

Venture Outdoors often hosts hiking and walking events for a low cost at all levels of difficulty. Some even function as walking tours, incorporating facts about the history of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and notable sites along the way.

Check out Meetup.com to find dates and times for various walking, hiking, and running groups.

Explore your local municipal parks or check out the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Preserve nearest you:

• Trails and Hiking – Allegheny County, PA
• Explore Our Preserves – Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (waterlandlife.org)

Look for Facebook groups local to your area, such as Pittsburgh Hiking or PGH Walks.

Founded in 2022, Pittsburgh Girls Who Walk has become a popular walking group among young women but is open to all ages.

Community Health Survey

 The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is encouraging residents to participate in a community health survey.  The community health survey for residents covers a variety of topics such as health care access, chronic disease, health risk behaviors, environment, maternal and child health, and mental health and substance use disorder. Survey results will inform the Health Department on its progress towards the goals laid out in the Plan for a Healthier Allegheny, a multi-year countywide plan that focuses on physical, behavioral, and environmental health across the county.

 “Results from this survey will help the Allegheny County Health Department better understand the health needs of our community,” said Dr. LuAnn Brink, Deputy Director for the Allegheny County Health Department Bureau of Data, Reporting & Disease Control. “When Allegheny County residents participate in this survey, it helps us gather the information we need to plan for and take action to improve health equity and ensure that we have a healthier Allegheny County for all.”

The Public Health Assessment Survey is a web-based survey that is focused on achieving broad and diverse participation among county residents. The survey is compatible with smart phones and will remain open through April 2024. The Health Department hopes to have 3,000 participants from the county’s population of almost one million adults.

The survey is available at https://bit.ly/pghachd.

According to the CDC, six in ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more chronic diseases Chronic Diseases in America | CDC. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources.

Thank you & be well!

Happy New Year!

More than 350 Live Well partners are united to make Allegheny County healthy for all to live, learn, work and play!

The Live Well Allegheny update contains information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share.

Be sure to follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on all ACHD news.

We have a new community partner!

The Chronic Disease Health Alliance

The CDHA is a conglomerate of local organizations joined together to form a “super team” to provide resources and aid in the fight against chronic disease.

Their Mission: Bridging the gap in healthcare by providing low income and food scarce communities in Allegheny County with access to quality nutrition resources and education for the prevention, management, and reversal of chronic disease.

Check out their website for more information: CDHA (cdhapgh.org)

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

At one time in the US, cervical cancer was a leading cause of cancer death for women and individuals with a cervix. Today, screening and prevention have immensely reduced the impact of cervical cancer. Read more about cervical cancer here.

Across the United States, thousands of people will be diagnosed in 2024 and as many as 4,000 may die Cervical Cancer Statistics | CDC. In Allegheny County, there are 6.4 cases per 100,000 people with a cervix. Due to social, environmental, and economic disadvantages, certain groups in the US bear a disproportionate burden of cancer than others. People of Color can experience disparities in the delivery of healthcare they receive, even in the same city or the same doctor’s office. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino folks have higher rates of cervical cancer than all other racial/ethnic groups, with Black/African American people having the highest rate of death from the disease. The incidence rates of cervical cancers are also much higher in rural Appalachia than in urban areas of the same region Cancer Disparities – National Cancer Institute.

Encouraging regular screening and prevention tools are absolutely key to decreasing the rates of cervical cancer.

A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure recommended for women and people with a cervix, usually beginning at age 21 and repeating every 3 years. It is possible that a doctor may recommend them with more frequency for a higher risk patient. This test collects biological samples from the cervix to identify changes or abnormalities in cervical cells and quickly detect potentially developing cancers. While many folks get these done at a gynecologist’s office, some Primary Care Physicians can conduct this test too. Check with a trusted health provider regarding where and when to get this done. Here are some places to check out in Allegheny County if you do not have a Primary Care Physician or Gynecologist:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers and Sliding Fee Clinics (Pages 2 and 3)
• Pittsburgh Family Planning Health Center
• Allies for Health and Wellbeing
• Adagio Health and the Department of Human Services can screen you to see if you are eligible for free Breast and Cervical Cancer tests. Click on the links or call 1-800-215-7494

Many cases of cervical cancer are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV). Nearly half of all sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. Getting vaccinated before one begins to engage in sexual activity can prevent a large majority of cases. 

The Allegheny County Health Department Immunization Clinic offers the HPV vaccine! Explore their web page on the county website for more information about available vaccines, how to make an appointment, and how to get in touch with them with any questions or concerns: Immunization Clinic – Allegheny County, PA.

Males can and should also get the HPV vaccine, as HPV can cause anal, oral, and penile cancers as well. The HPV vaccine is currently recommended around age 11 or 12, but check out this CDC page for more information, and to see how many doses are needed for each age range.

What Can I Do?

Live Well Communities can use trusted messengers to speak to their community about getting regular Pap smears and getting their children vaccinated for HPV. Please also share this information via any upcoming newsletters and social media posts. Check out these short, informative videos from the CDC that you can share online: Pediatricians Answer Questions About the HPV Vaccine | CDC.

Housing and Community Environment Program

The Housing and Community Environment Program (HCE), under the Allegheny County Health Department, works to keep housing and neighborhoods safe from public health and safety hazards.

Have you contacted your landlord about an issue in your home and nothing has been done? ACHD takes complaints, contacts the landlord, then offers to the resident at no cost, a full inspection for violations of our regulations. A report will be provided to the resident and landlord through the mail with information on follow up. Emergency situations such as sewage, lack of heat or other utilities will have a faster turn-around than other violations. It is important to note that contacting ACHD cannot be used as grounds for an eviction. ACHD inspectors are looking for anything that could result in a health or safety problem.

Do you have a neighbor not keeping their trash contained or otherwise drawing pests? We can take a complaint on that as well and contact them before going to inspect the outside of the property.  Additionally, ACHD takes complaints about facilities like boarding homes, hotel/rooming houses, and public pools and bathing places. Everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy environment, and we can help with that.

To report a concern, you can call 412-350-4046 or use the Allegheny County Self-Service Portal. Select Request Service/File Complaint, then select Health Department, and then select the Housing tab. ACHD cannot help until it knows about it!

Did You Know?

Giant Eagle has a Mobile Market that travels weekly to ten Pittsburgh-area communities that are experiencing issues with food access.

This Mobile Market contains over 700 grocery items including meat, dairy, frozen and dry goods. In addition, fresh produce is always sold at half price.

SNAP and WIC are also accepted.

Current locations include Sheraden, Larimer, Homewood, Mt. Oliver, Hazelwood, Glen-Hazel, Rankin, and Braddock. Check out the Mobile Market’s schedule here: Giant Eagle’s Mobile Market.

Are you fully protected?

Although the holidays may be behind us, it is not too late to get vaccinated for the most common viruses going around. Every winter, as people spend more hours indoors and may be attending more crowded indoor activities, rates of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) go up. You can prevent severe symptoms and hospitalization by getting up-to-date vaccines on each of these viruses.

Who should get the RSV vaccine?

At the moment, the CDC is recommending that adults 60 years and older get vaccinated for RSV, as well as pregnant people from week 32 to week 36 of pregnancy to protect their infants under 6 months of age. For other babies, it is possible to get preventative antibodies. Because we are past the peak of RSV season, most of the US stops giving the RSV vaccine after January, but talk to your doctor for further information, and please consider one for the fall of 2024.

PSA from Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Check out this PSA about COVID-19 vaccination and see some familiar faces from ACHD’s REACH coalition!

Video: PSA from Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh: COVID-19 Vaccination

Still Working from Home?

Physical activity breaks are a great way to relieve anxiety and help stay focused! Try going for a quick walk or doing yoga, push-ups, or squats between tasks. Learn more about the benefits of physical activity.

Good News about Tobacco Use Among Teens!

E-cigarettes are still the most commonly used tobacco product among youths. However, from 2022 to 2023, current e-cigarette use among high school students declined from 14.1% to 10.0%!

Continued public health monitoring and the implementation of evidence-based tobacco control strategies, including effective youth interventions, media campaigns, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, and other tobacco prevention policies might further reduce youth tobacco product use.

Keep up the good work, Live Well Communities!

Check out the CDC press release here.

According to the CDC, six in ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more chronic diseases Chronic Diseases in America | CDC. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources.

Thank you & be well!

More than 350 Live Well partners united to make Allegheny County healthy for all to live, learn, work and play!

The Fall update contains information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share.

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

New Resources for Educators to Empower Vape-Free Youth

E-cigarettes (also called “vapes”) have been the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth since 2014. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently launched the Empower Vape-Free Youth campaign earlier this year to encourage middle and high school educators to speak with students about the risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction. The campaign comes with resources for educators to help students avoid or quit vaping.

These resources are great tools for Live Well Schools and other partners. With the campaign, educators can access a fact sheet about vaping, a conversation card, and a variety of video resources that are all less than two minutes long.

The resources for Empower Vape-Free Youth can be found below:

• Empower Vape-Free Youth Fact Sheet
• Empower Vape-Free Youth Conversation Card
• All other resources can be found here

A goal of the Allegheny County Health Department’s Plan for a Healthier Allegheny is to reduce the rate of people who use tobacco products, including vaping. Check out the PA Quitline for resources to help quit using tobacco products. It is a free service that offers free coaching with no judgement. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit https://pa.quitlogix.org/en-US/Enroll-Now to Enroll Now!

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-⁠home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.

Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping.

This is excellent timing for the winter holidays, a time of year when we know that many people gather in larger groups indoors, increasing the likelihood of seeing more respiratory virus cases than at other times of the year.

Take an at-⁠home test:

• If you begin having COVID-⁠19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
• At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
• When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines

Go to COVID.gov to order your tests.

If you have any trouble doing so online, call 1-800-232-0233 or TTY: 1-888-720-7489. Please spread the word in your community!

You can voluntarily report positive or negative COVID-19 test results through MakeMyTestCount.org to help with public health efforts.

September Live Well Learning Collaborative

In September’s Live Well Collaborative we learned about the basics of child passenger safety. Some key takeaways and resources from the speaker series included:

• PA Laws of Love – child passenger safety laws vary from state to state, the laws in Pennsylvania are listed below:
  • Birth – 2 years ­– must be secured in a rear-facing seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer.
  • Birth – 4 years – must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle.
  • 4-8 years– must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat.
  • 8 years and older: must be in a seat belt.
• NHTSA Car Seats and Booster Recommendations – goes into further details about how to select the best car seat for your child from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Car Seat Loan Programs this resource is from the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) and is funded by the PA Department of Transportation.
• Car Seat Check / Fitting Station Location – assistance is given on how to properly fit car seats to personal vehicles. There are Fitting Stations throughout Allegheny County that provide this free service. Use the search function in the link to locate a fitting station and schedule an appointment.

If you missed the live speaker series, you can watch September’s event here.

October Live Well Learning Collaborative

In October’s Live Well Collaborative we learned about the Rethink Your Drink Campaign. Some key takeaways and resources from the speaker series included:

• Sugary drinks are the leading sources of added sugars in the American diet.
• Free Rethink Your Drink Campaign Resources (found here):
  • Rethink Your Drink Toolkit
  • Live Well Allegheny Speaker Series: Rethink Your Drink Launch (April)
  • Campaign materials request form
  • Social Media Packet
  • Campaign Videos

If you missed the live speaker series, you can watch October’s event here.

Bethel Park Farmers Market was nominated and made it to the “Top 5 Observer-Reporter Best of the Best for 2023”! The Bethel Park Farmers’ market offers visitors fresh, delicious, and healthy foods and drinks every Tuesday in season. Check them out at their website here.

Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative and Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh were interviewed by Talk Pittsburgh. They shared opportunities that both organizations provide to advocate for the critical impact that play has on the development of children. Watch the interview here.

If you’re a Live Well partner that would like to share a success story with us, send them to [email protected].

If better health is the gift you want to give yourself this holiday season, try these tips to add more movement to your day and healthy foods to your plate.

1.Stay active.

Even a few minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity can deliver some health benefits and count towards reaching the recommendations.

2. Eat healthy.

Eating well supports muscles and bones, boosts immunity, helps the digestive system function, and helps with weight management among other health benefits. Good nutrition involves eating a variety of healthy foods. For examples of healthy eating for a healthy weight check out this page from the CDC.

3. Plan activities that don’t center around eating.

Here are some ideas for shifting the focus away from food during the holiday season:

• Volunteer in your community; it might turn into an activity you enjoy year-round.
• Try a seasonal activity such as ice skating or winter hiking.
• Make a “walk and talk” date with a friend or family member. Skip the blended coffee drink and explore an area that is new.
•  Visit the museum or exhibit you’ve been wanting to see.

Rethink Your Drink is a campaign that promotes education on the effects of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages and to encourage healthier beverages choices. Materials are available to participate in the campaign through the use of our toolkit with activities, sharable social media messages, promotional water bottles and stickers.

Check out our two newest Rethink Your Drink Campaign videos. In the fourth campaign video Devon Kroesche, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist gave recommendations on how to Rethink Your Drink. View the video here. In the fifth campaign video here, Maddie Putzi, a dietitian with the Allegheny County Health Department talks about the WIC program and how to Rethink Your Drink for your family.

The Borough of Emsworth kindly gave out more than 60 Rethink Your Drink water bottles, recipe cards, and written materials at their annual Halloween parade. It was a great success for the Borough and for our campaign. The kids were thrilled to get new water bottles alongside their many other treats! Thanks Emsworth!

CDC BOLD Grant Press Release

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) was selected as one of 43 recipients nationally of the Centers for Disease Control’s BOLD grants supporting public health programs to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), receiving $1.85 million in funding over the next five years. Allegheny County is one of the oldest regions in the United States, with 19.7% of the population 65 years or older.

Over five years, the coalition will collaborate to improve health disparities, educate communities, health care providers, and other professionals and increase community-clinical access. Developing and implementing an Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias strategic plans includes various activities ranging from community outreach events, professional educational events, and dissemination of information and resources. The plan will include input from grassroots and faith-based organizations working on community health and education in Allegheny County.

Read more from the official press release here: CDC BOLD Grant Press Release.

CDC REACH Grant Press Release

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a second $5.5 million Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant to the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD). The program provides funds to build strong partnerships to improve health, prevent chronic disease and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities in selected communities. Along with funding, the CDC provides expert support to REACH recipients.

In Allegheny County, the Live Well Allegheny REACH Program is a collaboration between ACHD and many community partners focused specifically on improving health outcomes for Black and African American residents. In addition to ACHD programs and clinics, partners include Allegheny County Economic Development, Food Trust, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Just Harvest, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Faith-Based Health Collaborative, Royally Fit, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Healthy Start Center for Urban Breastfeeding, Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle, Black Women’s Policy Center, Bethany Community Ministries, the Black Equity Coalition, and the Urbankind Institute.

With the funding awarded by the CDC REACH Program, ACHD and its many partners plan to:

• Improve breastfeeding rates by linking even more Black mothers to breastfeeding information, education and support;
• Increase trail mileage, access to existing trails and improve the built environment to encourage outdoor activities by continuing to partner with the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County;
• Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables using voucher programs for things like farmers markets and produce prescription programs to create a clinical linkage to more nutritious food; and
• Increase vaccination rates by improving access to vaccination opportunities.

The Live Well Allegheny REACH Program focuses on the following municipalities and neighborhoods:

Clairton, Duquesne, McKeesport, North Braddock, North Versailles, Rankin and Wilkinsburg and the neighborhoods of the Northside, Homewood/Larimer, Hill District, Garfield, Hazelwood, West End and the Hilltop in the City of Pittsburgh.

Read more from the official press release here: CDC REACH Grant Continued Funding Press Release.

According to the CDC, six in ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources. This month the focus is on risk factors that can be linked to chronic disease.

More than 350 Live Well partners united to make Allegheny County healthy for all to live, learn, work and play!

The Fall update contains information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share.

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

According to the CDC, six in ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources. This month the focus is on risk factors that can be linked to chronic disease.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a broad term that describes conditions characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The two most common inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Types of IBD

Common Symptoms

• Persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding/bloody stools
• Weight loss
• Fatigue

For additional resources visit the CDC’s page dedicated to IBD information.

More than 350 Live Well partners united to make Allegheny County healthy for all to live, learn, work and play!

This June update contains information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share.

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

According to the CDC, six in ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources. This month the focus is on risk factors that can be linked to chronic disease.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common brain condition that causes repeated seizures. In the U.S., approximately three million adults and 470,000 youth younger than 18 have epilepsy. In Pennsylvania, 133,000 residents have epilepsy, broken down into 16,900 residents under 17 and 116,100 residents over 18 (Source: CDC).

Causes of Epilepsy

Epilepsy can be caused by many different conditions that affect a person’s brain which include:

• Stroke
• Head injury
• Childbirth complications
• Infections
• Genetic disorders

Preventing Epilepsy

Sometimes epilepsy can be prevented. There are some ways to reduce the risk of development of epilepsy which include:

• Prevent traumatic brain injuries
• Lower the chances of stroke and heart disease through eating well, exercising, and not smoking
• Get vaccinated, immunizations can lower your chances of infections that can lead to epilepsy
• Wash your hands and prepare food safely, an infection called cysticercosis is the most common cause of epilepsy worldwide and is caused by a parasite that can be prevented through good hygiene
• Stay healthy during your pregnancy, some problems during pregnancy and childbirth can lead to epilepsy.

For additional resources visit the CDC’s page dedicated to epilepsy information.

More than 350 Live Well partners united to make Allegheny County healthy for all to live, learn, work and play!

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

According to the CDC, six in ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources. This month the focus is on risk factors that can be linked to chronic disease.

Tobacco Use

Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Every day in the United States, approximately 1,600 young people under age 18 try their first cigarette, and nearly 200 end up smoking daily.

Tobacco Use in Pennsylvania

National data shows declining rates of current smokers, however 14 percent of Allegheny County and Pennsylvania adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2021. You can find local smoking estimates in your ZIP Code here.

Side Effects of Tobacco Use

Cigarette smoking can lead to disease, disability and harm nearly every organ in the body. Chronic health conditions associated with smoking include:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Lung diseases
• Type 2 diabetes

The damage extends beyond the person who smokes. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome.

Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke exposure occurs when people breathe in smoke exhaled by people who smoke or from burning tobacco products. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk of SIDS, impaired lung function, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks. A national survey (NHANES) reported that approximately half of children with asthma are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home.

Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigarettes/vapes)

E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine—the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other products—flavorings, and other chemicals.

E-cigarettes entered the U.S. marketplace in 2007, so long-term health effects are still under investigation. However, the negative health effects of nicotine are well-documented:

• Nicotine is highly addictive
• Nicotine can impair brain development, which continues into the mid-20s
• Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant adults and developing fetuses
• E-cigarettes are the most used tobacco product among youth. In 2022, 2.5 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, including 3 percent of middle school students and 14 percent of high school students

This is the latest Live Well Allegheny e-update, with information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share with your own networks.

We have 350+ partners united in our efforts to make Allegheny County healthy for all!

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

Hello Live Well Partners!

April is the official kick off for our “Rethink Your Drink” campaign. Sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading source of added sugar in the American diet. People who regularly drink these sweet drinks are more likely to face health problems, such as weight gain, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and cavities.

Some tips to rethink your drink include:

• Choose water
• Add flavor enhancers, such as berries, lime, lemon or cucumber to water
• Add a splash of 100 percent juice to sparking water
• Bring a reusable bottle to help remind you to drink water

April is also Minority Health Month. The focus of this health observance is to raise awareness about improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority communities by providing its members with culturally competent health care services, information and resources.

Improving health outcomes for our residents of color is a priority in Allegheny County. The Plan for a Healthy Allegheny  has set a goal to decrease disparities in life expectancy and chronic diseases in the county. We are working with our partners on a number of strategies, including increasing community-based screenings and the number of health care providers of color. Learn more in our Live Well Story.

Warm regards.

Dannai Wilson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Community and Family Health
Allegheny County Health Department

According to the CDC, six in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources.

Childhood Obesity

Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults. Obesity prevalence was 12.7 percent among two- to five-year-olds, 20.7 percent among six to 11-year-olds, and 22.2 percent among 12 to 19-year-olds, based on data from the CDC. Obesity prevalence was 26.2 percent among Hispanic children, 24.8 percent among Black children, 16.6 percent among White children, and 9 percent among Asian children.

Childhood Obesity in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, obesity prevalence among high school students:

• White students 14.3 percent
• Black students 8.6 percent
• Hispanic students 14.6 percent
• Asian students 6.4 percent

Source: Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (2019)

Added Sugars

The leading source of added sugars in the U.S. diet are sugar sweetened beverages, desserts and sweet snacks. The average daily intake of added sugars was 17 teaspoons for children and young adults aged 2 to 19 years.

• By sex, the average intake was 18 teaspoons for boys and 15 teaspoons for girls

By age and race/ethnicity:

• Among 2 to 5-year-olds, the average intake was 13 teaspoons for Black children, 12 teaspoons for White children, 11 teaspoons for Hispanic children and 7 teaspoons for Asian children.
• Among 6 to 11-year-olds, the average intake was 19 teaspoons for Black children, 18 teaspoons for White children, 16 teaspoons for Hispanic children and 12 teaspoons for Asian children
• Among 12 to 19-year-olds, the average intake was 20 teaspoons for Black young people, 20 teaspoons for White young people, 15 teaspoons for Hispanic young people and 14 teaspoons for Asian young people

Risk Factors

• Poor nutrition
• Physical inactivity
• Genetics
• Medication use

This is the latest Live Well Allegheny e-update, with information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share with your own networks.

We have 350+ partners united in our efforts to make Allegheny County healthy for all!

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

Hello Live Well Partners!

We all know the saying, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.” We also know that the lion and lamb often change places, as they did this year. While it was originally a reference to astronomy, it perfectly sums up the changing weather – we see everything during the month of March.

Whether it’s the lion or the lamb in charge, take the opportunity this month to get outdoors. The Allegheny County parks system includes nine parks and more than 12,000 acres of year-round recreational activities. Check out the Allegheny County Parks Event Calendar and the Allegheny County Parks Program and Event Guide to find out what’s near you.

Looking for something off the beaten path? The Allegheny County Parks Trails Web Tool allows users to customize a printable trail map that can be used for hiking or other park activities. Starting with simple things, like increasing our physical activity on a regular hike in one of our parks, is a great way to take a “step” toward better health.

We’re also fortunate to have a number of local state parks. You can learn more about their offerings with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Event Calendar.

And, of course, Live Well Allegheny has resources to help all of us on the journey towards improved health. Our resource directory is a great place to find healthy activities and Live Well Partners in your area.

Warm regards.

Dannai Wilson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Community and Family Health
Allegheny County Health Department

American Lung Association Launches New Patient and Care Giver Network

Are you a person with lung disease, or a caregiver of someone with lung disease? The American Lung Association has launched a new patient and care giver network provides critical support, education, and access to vital resources, including emerging research and clinical trials. The network aims to support the more than 34 million Americans that live with COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and other lung diseases.

Resources include disease-specific online communities, on-demand and live webcasts, lung disease management tools, and regularly scheduled e-newsletters. Visit the American Lung Association website.

According to the CDC, six in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Tobacco smoke is the primary cause of COPD in the United States.

COPD Trends

Since 2011, seven percent of adults in Allegheny County (about 70,000 people) annually report ever having received a COPD diagnosis from their physician. Chronic lower respiratory disease, primarily COPD, was the fourth leading cause of death during this time period. These rates are consistent with state and national estimates.

Symptoms of COPD

• Frequent coughing or wheezing
• Excess phlegm, mucus, or sputum production
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble taking a deep breath

For more COPD information and resources visit: COPD-CDC.

This is the latest Live Well Allegheny e-update, with information to help make Allegheny County a healthier place for all. Please feel free to share with your own networks.

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

Hello Live Well Partners!

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

To help prevent heart disease, you can:

• Eat a healthy balanced diet
• Increase regular physical activity to at least 2.5 hours per week
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol products
• Have your blood pressure and blood sugar checked regularly

The Allegheny County Health Department recently released its community health improvement plan, work that we did alongside community partners and residents. The Plan for a Healthy Allegheny 2023-2027 aims to improve the overall health of everyone living, learning, and working in the county. Please be sure to check it out later in the e-update.

Warm regards.

Dannai Wilson
Deputy Director
Bureau of Community and Family Health
Allegheny County Health Department

According to the CDC, six in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a progressive disease that commonly manifests with mild memory loss and can progress to the loss of one’s ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.

Alzheimer’s Disease (and dementia) in Allegheny County

In Allegheny County, 7 percent of Medicare beneficiaries were treated for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, based on 2021 data. Based on race/ethnicity data, the Black community has a higher incidence compared to white, Hispanic, or Asian communities at 8 percent.

Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Factors that can increase someone’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease include:

• Age
• Family history
• Genetics
• Other risks
  • Head injury
  • Heart-head connection (or brain health)

Live Well Partner Resource: Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania provides support, education, training, and other resources to increase knowledge and to support those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. They offer both in-person and online education, support groups, and additional resources like the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline (800-272-3900).

For more information visit their website.

Happy Holiday Season!

This is the latest Live Well Allegheny e-update. It is full of information that will help in making Allegheny County healthy for all. This can also be shared with your own networks.

We have 350+ partners united in our efforts to make Allegheny County healthy for all!

Be sure to like and follow the Allegheny County Health Department on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all ACHD news.

Greetings from the Director’s Office,

On behalf of everyone at the Health Department, I wish you a peaceful and joyous holiday season and a happy new year!

Please be safe and be kind,

Dr. Debra Bogen
Director, Allegheny County Health Department

According to the CDC, six in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases. Each month this section will highlight a common chronic disease and provide educational resources.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so brain cells die.

Stroke Rates in Allegheny County

In Allegheny County, the median stroke rate is 3.3 percent of adults who have ever been told by a health care provider that they have experienced a stroke. However, in some communities that rate rises to 6.6 percent.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Medical conditions that increase your risk:

• Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sickle cell disease

Lifestyle factors that increase your risk:

• Eating a diet high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol
• Not getting enough physical activity
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Tobacco Use

Signs of Stroke

If any of the following signs appear suddenly, call 911.

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance
• Severe headache with no known cause