Virginia Department of Health

Introducing Health Bites

Health Bites is an interactive online nutrition education tool designed to help you and your family enjoy healthier lives. The interactive website provides fun, informative videos on nutrition and ideas on simple and healthy recipes. If you are a WIC participant, the site will allow you to complete modules, to receive nutrition education credit for WIC. Visit www.HealthBitesVA.org to have a world of nutrition and health information at your fingertips!

Hajj 2013

The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, takes place this year from October 13 through 18. Three million people from around the world are expected to attend. Travelers to Saudi Arabia should be aware of health risks and take proper precautions, including being up-to-date on vaccinations. Close contact with crowds of people increases the risk of catching or spreading infectious diseases. Several diseases of concern for travelers to the Hajj include Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), meningococcal disease, polio, hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever. Vaccines are available for a number of these diseases. Pilgrims, especially individuals with pre-existing major medical conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system, should consult with their healthcare provider prior to pilgrimage to the Hajj. Pilgrims may also reduce their chances of becoming ill by washing their hands often, not touching their mouths, noses or eyes and avoiding contact with sick people.

Additional health-related information regarding the Hajj may be found at the CDC and WHO websites.    

• More information about MERS

Virginia Health Information
'Virginia Health Information' is a resource for patients and consumers looking to learn about and compare options on everything from obstetrical services, to heart care, to pricing information on commonly performed medical procedures. Virginians can use VHI information to make informed health care purchasing decisions and as the basis for an informed conversation with their health care providers. 

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the month, advocates across the country join health care providers, business leaders, policy makers, faith-based groups and community partners to educate the public about the impact of domestic and sexual violence.

Physical and psychological abuse by a partner has serious health consequences.

• 25-30 percent of women are abused by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
• In Virginia, every four days, a woman is killed by an intimate partner.
• In addition to injuries sustained during violent incidents, victims of abuse often suffer other adverse health effects including arthritis, chronic neck, back, or pelvic pain, migraine headaches, gastrointestinal problems, pregnancy complications, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

If you are being abused:

• Talk to your healthcare provider.
• Call the Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-838-8238. The hotline is available 24 hours a day. It offers confidential support and can direct you to resources that are available in your community.

If you are a health care provider and need resources to help screen, assess and refer patients experiencing domestic violence visit VDH’s Project RADAR page http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ofhs/prevention/dsvp/projectradarva/ or call the VDH Sexual and Domestic Violence Healthcare Outreach Coordinator at: 804-864-7705.

Stand up! Speak Out Against Bullying!

Bullying is a significant public health problem that can have a serious and lasting impact on those bullying, those being bullied, and on bystanders who witness bullying. This month, schools and communities are shining a light on the importance of  bullying prevention through education, special events and activities for youth and adults. Research indicates that 20-30 percent of youth and teens are involved in bullying and many more witness bullying incidents. Youth with special needs and LGBTQ youth tend to be at increased risk for being bullied. More >>

During this month of awareness, it is important to keep in mind that effective school- and community-based bullying prevention efforts involve sustained comprehensive interventions. 

Visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ofhs/prevention/preventbullyingva/ and choose Taking Action to access a list of Best Practices in school-based bullying prevention.

Food Safety Tips for Packing School Lunches

As children head back to school this fall, packing a healthy lunch from home is a great way to make sure your child is getting the nutrition needed. However, perishable lunch foods, such as cold cut sandwiches and yogurt, when not properly packed and kept cool can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Since children are among those highly susceptible to foodborne illness, taking extra precautions when preparing and storing their lunchboxes may help prevent foodborne illnesses.

Here are a few tips on packing the perfect lunch box and keeping the food packed in a safe way.

• Clean the lunchbox before and after use as a method for protecting meals from cross-contamination.
• Keep perishable foods cold. Easy methods are to pre-chill the lunch items and/or to use freezer gel packs or frozen juice boxes above or below the foods.
• Remind your child to wash his or her hands before eating lunch.
• When your child comes home, promptly throw away uneaten perishable food items and discard all single-use plastic and paper waste.

For more information:

• VDH Food Safety