Seniors

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects millions of people

**If you have noticed significant changes in your mood or behavior since the seasons have changed, you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder and should contact your health care provider or a mental health specialist. When the days start to get shorter in the fall and winter, many people start to experience short periods [...]

Neighborhood and Built Environment have major impact on health

Communities that endure health and safety risks like high rates of violence, or unsafe air and water have a major impact on health and quality of life. Knowing that unsafe communities produce unhealthy residents is what made neighborhood and built environment a social determinant of health. The four components of neighborhood and built environment are: [...]

What is Health Literacy?

Health literacy is a key component of improving health and fostering a trusting relationship with healthcare professionals. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines personal health literacy as “the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.” Every [...]

Education plays a role in health and life expectancy

Exercise, eating healthy, and regular medical appointments are well-known factors in a person’s overall health; however, a surprising factor – education – has been studied and is now included as a factor of life expectancy. The County Health Rankings interactive model identifies education as a Social and Economic Factor, which accounts for 40% of a [...]

September is dedicated to Suicide Prevention Month

*If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call or text 988 Although it’s important to address suicide prevention year-round, September is set aside as a dedicated month to address the very difficult topic. At the local level, the County Health Rankings (data from 2016-2020) show that Cambria County experienced 126 deaths by [...]

Economic Stability affects all aspects of health

Economic stability is a major domain of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) affecting nearly every aspect of a person’s health. “Poor families and individuals are most likely to live in unsafe homes and neighborhoods, often with limited access to healthy foods, employment options, and quality schools,” writes Healthy People 2030. According to Healthy People 2030, [...]

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

This June for Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, everyone should take time to learn more about brain health. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s and 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. In Cambria County, the Department of [...]

Transportation affects every Social Determinant of Health

Imagine having a doctor’s appointment in two hours and your friend who planned to take you was called into work last minute; you no longer have a ride. There are other options: You could take the bus, but you aren’t within walking distance of a stop. Even if you were near a bus stop, the [...]

Local Food Coordinator Position will enhance food system projects across Cambria County

Building and strengthening relationships between food distributors and those who need better access to healthier foods is a priority of the Local Foods, Local Places initiative in Cambria County. With this goal in mind, the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health collaborated with 40 local stakeholders, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (The Food Bank), Aetna [...]

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