February 1, 2023

March is National Nutrition Month®

This year's theme is "Fuel for the Future." Eating with sustainability in mind is a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help you create healthy habits that are sustainable and celebrate your unique needs.  

Orange County Health Department offers nutrition services. For more information, check out our website at https://www.orangecountync.gov/594/Nutrition-Services

Upcoming Diabetes Classes

Do you or a family member have diabetes or pre-diabetes? We are now recruiting for our Diabetes Self-Management Education Services, where you can get the support and information you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and manage your diabetes.

Service Overview:  An American Diabetes Association Service that is 10-hours of education on the basics of diabetes prevention and management. Services are led by a multi-disciplinary team trained in diabetes.  Class topics include living with diabetes, monitoring blood sugars, nutrition, medication management, exercise, managing sick days, and complication prevention. Additionally, we provide an education manual and prizes to help participants better manage their diabetes. 

Upcoming Class Schedule:

• March 16 and 23

Cost: The classes are free to county employees and family members and we also accept most insurances.

Register: Please email Renee Kemske (rkemske@orangecountync.gov) or call us at 919-245-2380.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum). If you’re 45 to 75 years old, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you’re younger than 45 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you’re older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening.

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.

March is Women's History Month

The National Women’s History Alliance, which spearheaded the movement for March being declared National Women’s History Month, has announced the women’s history theme for 2023, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” 

For information regarding local Women's History Month activities at the Orange County Public Library, please see their webpage at: https://www.orangecountync.gov/3009/Library.

March 5-11 is National Groundwater Awareness Week

Groundwater Awareness Week (GWAW) is an annual observance established in 1999 to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. The event is also a platform to encourage yearly water well testing and well maintenance, and the promotion of policies impacting groundwater quality and supply. 

For more information regarding Orange County Health Department's Environmental Health Services, including well testing, please see our webpage at: https://www.orangecountync.gov/641/Environmental-Health

March 5-11 is National Poison Prevention Week

When poison happens, Poison Centers are ready 24/7/365 with fast, free treatment advice by calling Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) or visiting poisonhelp.org. Whether it’s a question or an emergency, Poison Help can provide life-saving information when people need it most, and calling a Poison Center is faster and more accurate than an internet search. On average, 90% of poisonings happen in American homes each year, and more than 70% of people who call Poison Help get the help they need right where they are—saving the cost of a trip to a doctor or hospital.

This year National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is March 19-25, 2023. NPPW is a week dedicated to raising awareness about poison control centers and the Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222).

For information regarding Orange County Health Department's Healthy Homes program, please check out our webpage or contact Stephen Johnston at sjohnston@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2372

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, or a booster please bring your vaccination card with the record of your previous doses. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot.

Adults and children aged 6 months and up can be vaccinated and boosted! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088.

Chapel Hill
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30am - 4:30pm
By appointment only. Please call 919-913-8088 for appointment information.

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The following data is based on the data available as of 01/25/2023 according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). NCDHHS reports 39,216 COVID-19 cases and 158 deaths in Orange County, with 108 new cases and 0 deaths in the last week.

Orange County COVID-19 vaccinations:
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with One New Booster Dose: 39% 

For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every Wednesday around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website.