Learn more about Happiness Is Health (By Andrea Carlstrom, Director of CCPH)
I’ve always been the forever optimist. And while I am fully aware that my “sunshine and rainbows” approach to life is not always shared by those around me (and is probably annoying or overwhelming depending on where someone’s headspace is), happiness and gratitude have certainly helped me cope with some of the most dire situations I have faced in life.…
Learn more about A Year in Review: Chaffee Community Clinic (By Abigail Smedly, CCPH)
In May 2022, Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) launched a pilot program called the Chaffee Community Clinic (CCC) in Salida and Buena Vista. The inspiration for this initiative came from the most recent Community Health Assessment, where access to basic medical and dental care and services for mental health and substance use disorders ranked high among concerned Chaffee County citizens. …
Learn more about Perspective: Representing the USA at 4 Feet Tall (By Sophia Gibb, CCPH)
My name is Sophia Herzog-Gibb, and I am 26 years old. I have a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, and am excited to have the opportunity to share my story with you. I was raised in a family of two average sized parents in a small town called South Park, Colorado, with a population of 450. There were no tryouts…
Feeding children is one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. Not only does feeding your family take a lot of time, energy and money, it’s also rife with hard decisions. How do I introduce solid foods to my baby? Should I let my kid eat all that Halloween candy? What do I do when my high schooler is making…
Learn more about We Are Chaffee Story Sharing (By Lisa Martin, Community Advocacy Coordinator, CCPH)
Be Human. Share Stories. Who doesn’t LOVE a great story?! Stories are much more than just a recitation of facts and events; they are central to human communication and cognition. Storytelling sparks a connection between human beings; you’ve all felt that connection, that power from a simple story. Inevitably we interpret the meaning in stories to understand others and ourselves…
During the month of February, we are excited to talk teeth. The Chaffee County Oral Health Program has been busy going to schools and providing dental services to students. We offer screenings, dental cleanings, sealants, fluoride varnish and Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) applications. Sealants are a thin liquid resin dripped into the cracks of permanent molars to protect them from…
Learn more about National Radon Awareness Month (By Wano Urbanos, Chaffee County Public Health)
By now most Americans are aware that radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. For most non-smokers, radon gas is public enemy #1. But what exactly is Radon? Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium in the soil, with a release into the air that we breathe. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Radon…
Learn more about 6 Steps to Winterize Your Skin (by Sheree Beddingfield)
6 Steps to Winterize Your Skin (by Sheree Beddingfield) Winter is upon us and with the colder temperatures many people struggle with dry skin. As we heat our homes, the dry air of these Colorado mountains becomes even drier. Here are six steps to protecting and hydrating your skin that should help. 1. Use a non-drying soap in the…