National Health Center Week (August 7 – 13) is an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades.

Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, they offer support and love. In moments of triumph, they offer hope and a vision for the future. Let’s come together this week to celebrate the roles Community Health Centers have played in both our recent moments of loss and triumph.

EACH DAY OF NHCW 2022 IS DEDICATED TO A PARTICULAR FOCUS AREA:
Sunday, 8/7: Public Health in Housing Day
Monday, 8/8: Healthcare for the Homeless Day
Tuesday, 8/9: Agricultural Worker Health Day
Wednesday, 8/10: Patient Appreciation Day
Thursday, 8/11: Stakeholder Appreciation Day
Friday, 8/12: Health Center Staff Appreciation Day
Saturday, 8/13: Children’s Health Day

This year we have announced our first ever Capital Campaign to support the consolidation and expansion of services in Amherst County. This property will include a brand new 22,000 square feet facility hosting primary and immediate care, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services. We will continue to improve access to health care for all by integrating all of these services under one roof. The community will be able to utilize our drive thru pharmacy and patients can access our wellness center equipped with exercise equipment and a kitchen. Johnson Health Center has successfully expanded access to health care in the Central Virginia region for over 20 years serving over 27,000 patients annually. With multiple locations in Lynchburg, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties, we lead the way in integrated care that’s accessible for everyone in our community. You can support our expansion during National Health Center Week by giving today. Your donation will help us reach our capital campaign goal of 1 million dollars by the end of 2023. Johnson Health Center’s mission is to improve access to health care for all, will you help us continue to fulfill our mission by giving today?

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Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays causes most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer. To lower your skin cancer risk, protect your skin from the sun and avoid indoor tanning.

Facts about Skin Cancer 

• Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes.
• Even if it’s cool and cloudy, you still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage.
• Anyone can get skin cancer, but some things put you at a higher risk.
• The most common signs of skin cancer are changes on your skin, such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal or a change in a mole.

What are the Risk Factors for Skin Cancer? 

• Lighter, natural skin color
• Skin that burns, reddens easily or becomes painful in the sun
• Blue or green eyes
• Blonde or red hair
• Certain types and large numbers of moles
• A family history of skin cancer
• A personal history of skin cancer
• Older age

Summer is full of outdoor activities. You probably put sunscreen on yourself and your kids when you go to the pool or the beach. But do you know you should protect your skin with more than just sunscreen anytime you’re outside?

Sun protection is important all year round, and it’s best to use several different kinds. When you’re working in the yard, watching a ballgame, or taking an afternoon walk, make sun safety an everyday habit so you can avoid getting a sunburn and lower your chance of getting skin cancer.

Sun Safety Tips

• Wear a light long-sleeved shirt or cover-up
• Wear a hat with a wide brim that shades your face, head, ears and neck
• Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays
• Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection

Source: CDC

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PEDIATRIC IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE 

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Starting at age 45, regular screenings can help prevent colorectal cancer. Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important.

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

• A change in bowel habits
• Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement)
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way
• Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away
• Weight loss and you don’t know why

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer. The only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.

Screening Tests

Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer, including some that you can do at home. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test, and how often to be tested.

Stool Tests

• The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) uses the chemical guaiac to detect blood in the stool. It is done once a year. For this test, you receive a test kit from your health care provider. At home, you use a stick or brush to obtain a small amount of stool. You return the test kit to the doctor or a lab, where the stool samples are checked for the presence of blood.
• The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool. It is also done once a year in the same way as a gFOBT.
• The FIT-DNA test (also referred to as the stool DNA test) combines the FIT with a test that detects altered DNA in the stool. For this test, you collect an entire bowel movement and send it to a lab, where it is checked for altered DNA and for the presence of blood. It is done once every three years.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

For this test, the doctor puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum. The doctor checks for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and lower third of the colon.

How often: Every 5 years, or every 10 years with a FIT every year.

Colonoscopy

This is similar to flexible sigmoidoscopy, except the doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. Colonoscopy also is used as a follow-up test if anything unusual is found during one of the other screening tests.

How often: Every 10 years (for people who do not have an increased risk of colorectal cancer).

CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)

Computed tomography (CT) colonography, also called a virtual colonoscopy, uses X-rays and computers to produce images of the entire colon, which are displayed on a computer screen for the doctor to analyze.

How often: Every 5 years.

Source: CDC

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A healthy diet and lifestyle are important in preventing and managing heart disease. Eating certain foods can actually increase your heart disease risk, but changing your eating habits can be tough. Below are eight heart-healthy tips to get you started on the right path to lowering your risk for heart disease.

• Control your portion size. How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Use a small plate or bowl to help control your portions and be sure to look at the appropriate serving size on the food’s nutrition label.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. These are great sources of vitamins and minerals, and they are low in calories and rich in dietary fiber.
• Select whole grains. Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health. Choose whole wheat or whole grain breads and flours.
• Limit unhealthy fats. Limiting how much saturated and trans fats you eat is an important step to reducing your blood cholesterol and lowering your risk of coronary artery disease.
• Choose low-fat protein sources, such as lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and eggs.
• Reduce the salt in your food. Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease.
• Plan ahead and create daily menus.
• Allow yourself an occasional treat. Allow yourself an indulgence every now and then. A candy bar or handful of potato chips won’t derail your heart-healthy diet. But don’t let it turn into an excuse for giving up on your healthy-eating plan.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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• Help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the New Year. Talk with your doctor about getting your COVID-19 vaccine.
• Don’t forget your annual flu shot! The flu shot is still recommended and is safe to get with the COVID-19 vaccine. Both work to protect you against different viruses, so it is important to receive both vaccines.
• Continue to wear a mask and social distance from others.
• Wash your hands regularly, using soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important before eating and after using the restroom.
• Get enough sleep each night! Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep per night. For a healthier sleep, stay consistent – go to bed and wake up at the same time each morning.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less salty or sugary treats. Tips for eating healthy. 
• Move more, sit less. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week (30 minutes on 5 days).
• Rethink your drink. Choose water over sugary or alcoholic beverages.
• Don’t use tobacco. You can quit today!
• Be sun safe. Wear layered clothes and apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Source: CDC

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Handwashing has always been important, but it is especially crucial now as we enter into flu season and as COVID-19 continues to spread. Washing your hands regularly can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, but it’s important to be sure you are washing your hands correctly. A quick rinse isn’t enough to kill the germs.

Why is handwashing important?

• You frequently touch your eyes, nose and mouth without even realizing you are doing so. These are all entry points for germs.
• Germs from unwashed hands can get into foods and drinks and multiply, making people sick.
• Unwashed hands allow germs to spread on surfaces such as door handles, toys, tables, etc.
• Diarrheal and respiratory infections commonly spread through unclean hands.

Effective Handwashing 

• Wet your hands with clean running water
• Lather your hands with soap and rub them together
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds
• Rinse your hands with running water
• Dry your hands with a clean towel

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Do I need to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have already had COVID?

Yes. Getting vaccinated adds another layer of protection for you. Even if you’ve had a previous infection, the vaccine acts as a booster that strengthens the immune response.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines are key to preventing diseases. COVID-19 vaccines expose the body to material that prompts an immune response. The immune system builds antibodies that can fight the virus. Producing immunity can take a couple of weeks.

What happens when I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The vaccine protects you from COVID-19 and helps make the illness less severe. Most side effects are mild and go away in a couple of days. This is normal and is your body’s way of showing you that it is building up protection against COVID-19.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?  

You may experience mild side effects after getting the vaccine. These are mild and will go away.

• Pain at injection site
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Chills
• Fever

I just got the COVID-19 vaccine. Now what?

Continue to wear your mask, stay at least 6 feet apart, avoid crowds, wash your hands and stay home if you feel sick. Most COVID-19 vaccines require a second dose, so don’t forget to schedule your next dose.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine free?

Yes. You will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine, regardless of income or insurance coverage.

Do I need a flu shot if I’ve gotten the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. It’s important to get both a flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine. Both work to protect you against different viruses.

Source: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/patient-education/

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Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health. Your body needs it to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods.

Your body makes all the blood cholesterol it needs, which is why experts recommend that people eat as little dietary cholesterol as possible while on a healthy eating plan.

Dietary cholesterol is found in animal foods, including meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.

Preventing High Cholesterol

• Make healthy eating choices
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Regular physical activity
• Quit smoking
• Limit alcohol

Managing High Cholesterol

• Take your medicine as directed
• Make healthy lifestyle changes
• Talk with your healthcare team
• Check your cholesterol regularly

Many people are required to take medication to manage their high cholesterol. This video explains why these medications are prescribed and how they help manage your cholesterol levels. If you have additional questions or concerns about your cholesterol, talk with your provider today.

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A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a process involving the community to identify and analyze community health needs. This provides a way for communities to prioritize health needs, and to plan and act upon unmet community health needs.

In 2018, Centra aligned the Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) for all of its hospital systems so that moving forward they all follow the same three-year timeline. In addition, Centra committed to “raising the voice of the community” by creating a CHNA process that was driven by the community through collaboration with key leaders and stakeholders in the service area to ensure rigorous data collection and the development of an Implementation Plan that contributes to long-lasting social changes and positive health outcomes.

As a result, the Partnership for Healthy Communities (PHC) was formed. PHC is a regional planning initiative led by Centra, Centra Foundation, the Community Access Network, the Central Virginia, Piedmont, and Pittsylvania/Danville Health Districts in collaboration with the Bedford Community Health Foundation, Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, Johnson Health Center, and United Way of Central Virginia.

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