community care hub

National Public Health Week promotes health equity

The first week in April is National Public Health week (NPHW) and is dedicated to the people, services, and systems that work tirelessly to promote health in every community across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “strengthening the public health infrastructure in our nation means helping protect people from [...]

Make your vision a priority in March

National Save Your Vision Month is observed every March by the American Optometric Association and is a reminder to make your vision a top priority. In rural communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that roughly one-third of adults live with a disability and 1 in 12 adults report having three or [...]

CDC updates guidance for respiratory illnesses

On March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new Respiratory Virus Guidance to help people lower health risks posed by a range of common respiratory viral illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV. If you think you have a respiratory virus, stay home and away from others if you are experiencing respiratory [...]

Racism still a driver in preventing healthy lives

Racial and ethnic disparities prevent millions of people from living their healthiest lives possible. Throughout the United States, racial and ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of illness and death due to health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease compared White people. While the self-reported health status of Black and African Americans [...]

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Developing good dental hygiene and visiting the dentist from an early age is important for lifelong healthy teeth and gums. Every February the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of dental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cavities are the [...]

November is American Diabetes Month 

More than 1 in 3 adults are considered prediabetic; however, most don’t know they have it. November is American Diabetes Month and a time to raise awareness about this important public health issue. According to Healthy People 2030, more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes. It is also the seventh leading [...]

Here to help brighten their future: Meet new CHW Tracey

Tell me about yourself! I’ve lived in Johnstown for the last 21 years. I’m from the state of Maryland. I’m married without any little kiddos, but do have grandchildren here in Johnstown. I enjoy cooking. I’m very much a home-body. What drew you to the CHW position in the first place? Do you have any [...]

Evidence in favor of CHWs continues to grow

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a critical piece of healthcare. When the Community Care HUB, an initiative of the 1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health, was formed in 2020 the group knew just how critical CHWs would be to Cambria and Somerset counties. What is a CHW? A Community Health Worker is a frontline public [...]

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: [...]

Supporting those you supervise: Meet CHW Supervisor Samantha Graham

Tell us about yourself I grew up in Geistown most of my life. I went to a private Christian high school where I met my husband. We reconnected in college and have been together 14 years and married for 8 years. We have two kids (ages 7 and 5) and a Rottweiler mix that we [...]

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