Public Health Columns
Published April 11, 2024
The first three years of a child’s life are a roller coaster. From the first words to the sleepless nights, parents and guardians do what they can for their child to grow and thrive. But what happens when they notice certain delays or concerns in their child's development and don’t know what to do?
Published March 3, 2024
You probably know someone in your life who has suffered from a fall. While falls are common – especially among older adults – they are not a normal part of aging.
Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 years and older, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s so common that one in four older adults report falling every year.
Published Feb. 11, 2024
February is a time devoted to young smiles. It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, which highlights the importance of oral health at a young age.
Published Jan. 12, 2024
As we step into the new year, many set new health and wellness goals for themselves. There’salso another step you can take to make your home a healthy a safe place as well.
January is National Radon Action Month. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk. Testing radon levels in your home is simple, affordable and can save lives.
What is radon?
September is National Preparedness Month
Published September 5, 2023
Published August 15, 2023
August marks World Breastfeeding Month and throughout the month, Henderson County WIC is celebrating by promoting the many benefits of breastfeeding.
The theme for this year is "Enabling Breastfeeding – Making a Difference for Working Parents." This coincides with the commitment at WIC to make breastfeeding manageable with the help of nutritionists and the Breastfeeding Peer Counselors Program.
Despite the numerous proven benefits, many women struggle to breastfeed due to lack of family, employer and community support.
Published July 3, 2023
Libraries are a great resource to nourish your mind, but did you know you can nourish your body at one as well?
The library at Blue Ridge Community College is home to a seed library, which opened in January. It’s a great resource to supply the community with a free source of seeds and encourage the growing of healthy, home-grown foods.
Published April 10, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Pediatrician Dr. Anne Smith knows firsthand the impact diseases have on young lives that could have been prevented through routine vaccination.
Published March 3, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
For many, pets are family. And just as it’s important to keep your loved ones safe and healthy, so too is the health of your cats and dogs.
Published Feb. 6, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
We are fortunate to live, work and play in Henderson County for many reasons, including being ranked as one of the healthiest counties in North Carolina.
Published Jan. 7, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Winter certainly made its debut last month in Henderson County. The winter storm over the Christmas holiday weekend sent temperatures near or below zero, leading to power outages and frozen water pipes.
Winter storms come in the form of snow, freezing rain, ice and — as we recently experienced — high winds and extreme cold. Their impact can cut off heat, power and communication services. They also put older adults, children, sick individuals and pets at greater risk.
Published Nov. 7, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Whether it’s the stomach bug, flu or other ailments, school nurses are seeing a lot of illnesses going around the classroom.
Published Oct. 13, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Teens are back in school, but also making a return is e-cigarette use among youth.
Results from the recent annual National Youth Tobacco Survey showed that 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use. That’s 2.5 million youth nationwide.
Published August 29, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
September is here, which means it’s time for the North Carolina Apple Festival and North Carolina Mountain State Fair.
The North Carolina Apple Festival takes place Sept. 2-5 in downtown Hendersonville. Shortly after comes the North Carolina Mountain State Fair from Sept. 9-18 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.
Published August 2, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
How clean is your favorite restaurant in Henderson County? Now you can find out with the Henderson County Department of Public Health’s online inspection database.
Published July 11, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Prevention is a key aspect of many public health activities. When it comes to proper gun safety in the home, preventative measures can be the difference between life and unnecessary death among children and teens.
June 2, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Several food recalls have made headlines recently, notably the recall of Jif brand peanut butter and powdered infant formula.
Published May 2, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
We are all ready to get outside and enjoy the activities Western North Carolina has to offer. But the warmer weather also brings out mosquitos and ticks, and the diseases they can carry with them.
According to preliminary data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, there were more than 1,000 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses in 2021. These insects are typically most active in the spring, summer and early fall in North Carolina.
