Protecting Air Quality in Colorado

The Perinatal Nurse Support Program

What's up in public health this week? The health department recently launched a new Perinatal Nurse Support Program (PNSP). This program provides support for pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use. They work alongside families during pregnancy and early infancy, offering education, resources, care coordination, and encouragement. In this episode, Senior Public Health Nurse Kinsi Shriner and Maternal, Family, and Nutrition Programs Manager Leigh Ann Frost join us to discuss the need for the program in our community, the services it provides, plans for its first year, and how community partners can get involved. Resources: * Learn more about the Perinatal Nurse Support Program [https://www.larimer.gov/health/maternal-child-and-family-health/perinatal-nurse-support-program] * Participant interest form [https://form.jotform.com/261026093107044] * Care provider referral form [https://form.jotform.com/261024319161043] Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

Ground-Level Ozone 101

What's up in public health this week? Ground-level ozone is Larimer County's most pressing air quality issue. This week, we're joined by Mike Silverstein and Kelsey Simpkins from the Regional Air Quality Council. Mike serves as their Executive Director and Kelsey is the RAQC's Communications and Program Manager. They explain how ground-level ozone forms, how it impacts our health, and steps we can all take to improve our air. Resources: * Sign up for ozone alerts: Text "BetterAirCO" to 21000 or visit simplestepsbetterair.org [https://simplestepsbetterair.org/] * Learn more about air quality planning and how you can get involved: raqc.org/aq-planning [https://raqc.org/aq-planning/] * Learn more about RAQC programs: * Simple Steps Better Air [https://simplestepsbetterair.org/] * Clean Air Auto Repair [https://www.cleanairautorepair.org/] * Engines Off [https://www.enginesoff.org/] * Accessible Bikes for Community [https://raqc.org/aq-planning/] Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

A Closer Look at Ticks in Colorado

What's up in public health this week? Ticks may be small, but they can have a big impact on human and animal health. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Chris Roundy, Medical Entomologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to discuss ticks, tickborne illnesses, and practical steps people can take to prevent tick bites while enjoying Colorado's outdoors. We also discuss CDPHE's tick surveillance efforts, including the state's long-running passive surveillance program and its new active surveillance program. Dr. Roundy explains how these programs help public health officials better understand where ticks are found, which species are present in Colorado, and what that means for disease prevention across the state. Resources: * Learn more about tick-borne diseases [https://cdphe.colorado.gov/communicable/animal-related-diseases/tick-borne-diseases] * Submit a tick [https://cdphe.redcap.state.co.us/surveys/?s=3YA7W4C4DMNLWTPC] Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

Prescribing Connection: Supporting Health Through Community and Creativity

What's up in public health this week? In this episode, we continue our conversation about social prescribing - an emerging approach to supporting health and well-being that connects people with community resources, groups, and activities that support overall health beyond traditional medical care. As our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) team continues their work to promote social prescribing throughout the county, we sit down with Jo Buckley, LCDHE's CHIP Coordinator and Mimi Ferrie Lee, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Dandelion Arts Collective, to discuss how the arts, social connection, and community engagement can positively impact mental and physical health. Resources: * Previous episode on social prescribing [https://rss.com/podcasts/healthier-together/2585549/] * Larimer County's Community Health Improvement Plan [https://www.larimer.gov/health/strategic-planning-health-equity-and-partnerships/larimer-county-community-health-improvement-plan-2024-2029] * Dandelion Arts Collective [https://www.dandelionartscollective.org/] * SocialRx [https://www.socialrx.com/] * Book recommendations: * Art Cure by Daisy Fancourt [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/231680073-art-cure] * Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61358662-your-brain-on-art] Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org [healthiertogether@larimer.org].

Know Before You Go: Tools to Prevent West Nile Virus

What's up in public health this week? As we enjoy the outdoors this summer, a common risk we encounter in Larimer County is West Nile Virus. This week, we’re joined by Alison Barbee, Communicable Disease Epidemiologist here at the health department, to discuss how West Nile Virus is transmitted, common symptoms, who is most at risk for severe illness, and what residents can do to protect themselves. Plus, learn how mosquitoes are trapped and tested and how you can explore that data in our new West Nile Virus dashboard. Resources: * Learn more about West Nile Virus: larimer.gov/westnile [https://www.larimer.gov/health/communicable-disease/west-nile-virus] * Explore the dashboard [https://apps.larimer.org/api/health/west-nile/?_gl=1*e0o5uq*_ga*MTYzOTE4MDYzNi4xNzc5MzEzOTUy*_ga_QNLMFKNV2P*czE3ODExNTU3NTgkbzM1JGcwJHQxNzgxMTU1NzU4JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..] Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at healthiertogether@larimer.org.