Public Health Columns
The first three years of a child’s life are a rollercoaster. From the first words to the sleepless nights, parents and guardians do what they can for their child to grow and thrive. But what happens when they notice certain delays or concerns in their child's development and don’t know what to do?
Published March 3, 2024
You probably know someone in your life who has suffered from a fall. While falls are common – especially among older adults – they are not a normal part of aging.
Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 years and older, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s so common that one in four older adults report falling every year.
Published Feb. 11, 2024
February is a time devoted to young smiles. It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, which highlights the importance of oral health at a young age.
Published Jan. 12, 2024
As we step into the new year, many set new health and wellness goals for themselves. There’salso another step you can take to make your home a healthy a safe place as well.
January is National Radon Action Month. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk. Testing radon levels in your home is simple, affordable and can save lives.
What is radon?
September is National Preparedness Month
Published September 5, 2023
Published August 15, 2023
August marks World Breastfeeding Month and throughout the month, Henderson County WIC is celebrating by promoting the many benefits of breastfeeding.
The theme for this year is "Enabling Breastfeeding – Making a Difference for Working Parents." This coincides with the commitment at WIC to make breastfeeding manageable with the help of nutritionists and the Breastfeeding Peer Counselors Program.
Despite the numerous proven benefits, many women struggle to breastfeed due to lack of family, employer and community support.
Published July 3, 2023
Libraries are a great resource to nourish your mind, but did you know you can nourish your body at one as well?
The library at Blue Ridge Community College is home to a seed library, which opened in January. It’s a great resource to supply the community with a free source of seeds and encourage the growing of healthy, home-grown foods.
Published April 10, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Pediatrician Dr. Anne Smith knows firsthand the impact diseases have on young lives that could have been prevented through routine vaccination.
Published March 3, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
For many, pets are family. And just as it’s important to keep your loved ones safe and healthy, so too is the health of your cats and dogs.
Published Feb. 6, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
We are fortunate to live, work and play in Henderson County for many reasons, including being ranked as one of the healthiest counties in North Carolina.
Published Jan. 7, 2023
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Winter certainly made its debut last month in Henderson County. The winter storm over the Christmas holiday weekend sent temperatures near or below zero, leading to power outages and frozen water pipes.
Winter storms come in the form of snow, freezing rain, ice and — as we recently experienced — high winds and extreme cold. Their impact can cut off heat, power and communication services. They also put older adults, children, sick individuals and pets at greater risk.
Published Nov. 7, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Whether it’s the stomach bug, flu or other ailments, school nurses are seeing a lot of illnesses going around the classroom.
Published Oct. 13, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Teens are back in school, but also making a return is e-cigarette use among youth.
Results from the recent annual National Youth Tobacco Survey showed that 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use. That’s 2.5 million youth nationwide.
Published August 29, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
September is here, which means it’s time for the North Carolina Apple Festival and North Carolina Mountain State Fair.
The North Carolina Apple Festival takes place Sept. 2-5 in downtown Hendersonville. Shortly after comes the North Carolina Mountain State Fair from Sept. 9-18 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.
Published August 2, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
How clean is your favorite restaurant in Henderson County? Now you can find out with the Henderson County Department of Public Health’s online inspection database.
Published July 11, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Prevention is a key aspect of many public health activities. When it comes to proper gun safety in the home, preventative measures can be the difference between life and unnecessary death among children and teens.
June 2, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
Several food recalls have made headlines recently, notably the recall of Jif brand peanut butter and powdered infant formula.
Published May 2, 2022
By Andrew Mundhenk, Henderson County Dept. of Public Health
We are all ready to get outside and enjoy the activities Western North Carolina has to offer. But the warmer weather also brings out mosquitos and ticks, and the diseases they can carry with them.
According to preliminary data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, there were more than 1,000 cases of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses in 2021. These insects are typically most active in the spring, summer and early fall in North Carolina.
Published: Wednesday, October 2, 2019
By BEVERLY CLARK
Times-News Columnist
When my grandson visited this summer, he introduced me to a television series called “Stranger Things.” He said that the show was scariest during the first season, so he watched it with me. But he assured me that I could watch the remaining two seasons without him. He’s so thoughtful. I finished the popular science fiction TV show and enjoyed the story, but personally found a few scary moments beyond what he predicted.
Published: Wednesday, September 4, 2019
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
School is back in session—finally! Parents have completed their checklists for school supplies. Schedules are still hit or miss. Homework can be a challenge. Is anything easy this time of year?
Published: Wednesday, August 7, 2019
By SARAH MCDANIEL
Times-News Columnist
A few weeks ago, I was installing information about heat safety on a display board. This particular board is in the main entrance of the office building where I work, a sunroom-type area with wall-to-wall windows which causes the space to heat up – much like a greenhouse. As I organized posters and photos, beads of sweat formed on my forehead. The irony of the topic wasn’t lost on me.
Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2019
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Everyone has priorities. Some are non-negotiable like paying a tax bill. Some involve negotiating with family members about whether or not everyone should attend a family reunion. How about the day-to-day decisions we make about what to eat? Some are healthy choices; some not so healthy. But whatever we choose, our personal priorities about health shape those decisions.
Published: Wednesday, June 5, 2019
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
What’s the big deal about measles? With the almost daily news coverage of measles outbreaks, you might be asking yourself this question. Didn’t we get rid of it years ago?
Even though measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, due to a highly effective vaccination program, it’s still showing up each year. The disease is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreign visitors) who get measles while they are in other countries.
Published: Wednesday, May 1, 2019
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
It’s not often that you’re told to go play in the street. In fact, you may hesitate because inevitably you hear a mom voice firmly telling you to stay out of the street. But in this case, you can ignore mom. Yes, you’re officially invited to get outdoors and go play in the street at Hendersonville’s first Open Streets event.
Published: Wednesday, April 3, 2019
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Students from Carolyn Evan’s horticulture class at Blue Ridge Community College made quick work planting lettuce, radicchio, broccoli, kale and herb seedlings in the Health Department’s five raised beds. Working steadily, they pulled out aging kohlrabi and cabbage to make room for cool-season vegetables. Herbs were moved to one bed, and tender broccoli seedlings were placed next to the herbs. Lettuce seedlings filled an entire 4 x 8-foot bed.
Published: Wednesday, March 6, 2019
By BEVERLY CLARK
Times-News Columnist
Several years ago, I lost two friends within six months of one another. I still think of them both from time to time, but thoughts of them are always with me when it’s time for my colonoscopy.
This may sound strange until I tell you that both of my friends lost their lives to colon cancer. I don’t know whether either death could have been prevented but having a screening test is my own small way of trying to lower my own risk.
Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2019
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Do you have a cat or a dog or both? My pet family consists of an old white, blind male terrier/chihuahua mix, a new beagle/dachshund female whose age is unknown but seems to have puppy speed and energy, and an elderly calico cat who fortunately tolerates dogs but delights in ambushing the blind one.
Published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
January is well known for folks making heartfelt resolutions to improve finances, spend more time with kids or spend less time on social media to name a few examples. I suggest dropping the resolution list this year and instead consider reframing the way we think about improving our health.
Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Adults who use social media can certainly relate to the strong pull of digital addiction. Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are such an integral part of many people’s lives that cutting the connections is unthinkable for adults.
The same goes for our children. Cutting or just limiting teen and kid screen time can be an even bigger struggle.
Published: Wednesday, November 7, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
It’s hard for me to remember a time when the internet didn’t exist. Or when I didn’t own a cell phone. Or now a smartphone.
For those who remember the Jetsons cartoon from the 1960s, talking on a videophone to someone else seemed very science fiction. I was certain it would be hundreds of years before we could use such technology. I was wrong.
Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Do you remember playing dodge ball in elementary school? Some classmates who took the game too seriously delighted in throwing the ball hard and fast. I couldn’t dodge the ball fast enough, and thus I frequently suffered sharp stings from multiple reddish-pink balls hitting an exposed arm or leg. I had no way to protect myself beyond moving, ducking and jumping.
Published: Wednesday, September 12, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
On Oct. 10, 1918, Henderson County began to feel the seriousness of Spanish flu also called the “grippe.”
According to the French Broad Hustler, County Health Officer Dr. A. B. Drafts received an order from state authorities to limit public gatherings. The Board of Health further ordered schools, churches, shows, etc. to be closed through Oct. 19.
Published: Wednesday, August 1, 2018
By BEVERLY CLARK
Times-News Columnist
One thing I especially enjoy about warm weather is being able to spend time outdoors. My personal preference involves long hikes through the woods and snacks beside running water. Other people prefer summer picnics, back yard barbeques or church socials. Whatever your activity, if food is involved, following basic food safety guidelines can prevent a bout of foodborne illness, sometimes referred to as “food poisoning.”
Published: Wednesday, July 4, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Do you take selfies? It’s hard to imagine anyone not indulging in a bit of vanity from time to time with a smartphone. The share of Americans that own smartphones is now 77 percent, up from just 35 percent in the Pew Research Center’s first survey of smartphone ownership conducted in 2011. (Note to my Mom and Dad: Get with it.)
Published: Wednesday, June 6, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
It’s already that time of year — warmer weather, outdoor activities and summer fun. However, along with the good comes the bad — the ticks and mosquitoes.
Published: Wednesday, May 2, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, began in 1972 with the goal of improving participants’ health and nutrition. This Federal grant program continues to meet its goals, but the benefits extend much further. We typically consider only the practical or tangible benefits such as participation or food packages. But it also makes a strong economic impact in our county.
By Steve Smith, Health Director
Past surveys by various public health institutions to gauge the public’s perception of their role have yielded mixed results in terms of awareness, knowledge and trust. The awareness and trust of these entities including local health departments are generally high, but specific knowledge of their services and legal obligations are often limited. Public health has long understood that it needs to do a better job representing its mission and the value of services to the community.
Published: Wednesday, April 4, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Published: Wednesday, March 7, 2018
By Beverly Clark, Health Promotion Coordinator, Henderson County Department of Public Health
We regularly hear news stories of our country’s struggle with opioid overdoses. Many of us know at least one person who has lost a child or family member to an accidental overdose. It is often through those firsthand experiences that we have learned just how easily someone can become addicted to a painkiller.
Published: Wednesday, February 7, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
As I read the articles in January by Times-News reporter Rebecca Walter about the opioid crisis in Henderson County, four words kept reappearing in one form or another—community awareness and effort.
Published: Wednesday, January 3, 2018
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
Since November, our community has been challenged with a pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak. Whooping cough is often thought of as a disease of the past, but unfortunately, it’s making a comeback.
Some have wondered if those who refuse vaccines have caused this outbreak. But the truth is that most of the confirmed cases are individuals who have been vaccinated. But that begs the question: why should anyone get the vaccine if it’s not as effective?
Published: Wednesday, November 1, 2017
By KIM HORTON
Times-News Columnist
We all have a favorite holiday, and November, December and January offer something for everyone—treasured traditions and food. It’s a high-risk time when one piece of pumpkin pie or a single extra-large decorated gingerbread man could set you back several hundred calories. It’s entirely possible to gain several pounds before it’s all over.
