By Samantha Simmons, MS So, What Exactly Is Public Health? Every April, communities across the country celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW), a time to recognize the people, programs, and systems that quietly keep our families, neighbors, and communities healthy. Here in Burke County, April 6–12, 2026, gives us a perfect excuse to pause and think about what public health really means. Unlike a visit to your doctor, which focuses on treating individual health issues, pu
By Samantha Simmons, MS For many families, providing healthy meals is one of the most meaningful ways to care for loved ones and help children grow strong. But for others, access to nutritious foods, reliable nutrition information, or breastfeeding support can sometimes feel out of reach. Here in Burke County, families come from many different backgrounds and life experiences, and not everyone has the same access to the resources that support healthy nutrition. Programs like
By Samantha Simmons, MS Why Choking Awareness Matters Mealtimes and playtime are essential parts of childhood, offering opportunities for growth, learning, and connection. However, they can also present serious safety risks for infants and young children. Choking is one of the leading causes of injury-related emergencies in children under the age of four. Raising awareness about choking hazards, both food-related and non-food-related, helps parents and caregivers recognize ri
By Samantha Simmons The Awareness Gap For many people, cervical cancer is not something they think about until it directly affects them or someone they love. Because it often develops silently, without obvious symptoms in its early stages, cervical cancer can go unnoticed for years. Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers when awareness, screening, and prevention tools are used. Raising awareness is essential to protecting health, saving lives, and empowering individu
By Samantha Simmons and Christina Musumeci For many, the holiday season brings warmth, celebration, and connection. But for others, this time of year can intensify feelings of stress, loneliness, or grief. Here in Burke County, where mental health challenges affect individuals and families from all walks of life, it’s important to remember that the holidays don’t look or feel the same for everyone, and that’s okay. Why the Holidays Can Be Difficult Even though the season is o
By Christina Musumeci This holiday season, make sure to keep you and your loved ones healthy and happy by practicing safe food prep and storage. From turkey to stuffing to everything in between, all foods must be handled appropriately to avoid foodborne illness. Here are some simple tips for storing, thawing, handling, cooking, and reheating your turkey: Store 🧊 Keep your turkey frozen until you’re ready to prepare it. Avoid storing it in a cooler or outside in the snow, as
By Christina Musumeci October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remind ourselves of the importance of early detection and breast self-awareness. Awareness helps us become knowledgeable about the warning signs and the risk factors and take action. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, accounting for 1 in 3 of all new female cancers. However, when it’s caught early, breast cancer is far more treatable. T
