Tag Archive for: #warrencountyhealthdepartment

Warren County Health Dept. Launches Smile Warren Kids Dental Program To Promote Oral Hygiene

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The Warren County Health Department’s new oral health initiative, Smile Warren Kids Dental Program, is designed to provide oral health education and dental hygiene supplies to children throughout the county.

The program, funded by Delta Dental Foundation, began at Soul City Head Start with children engaging in hands-on lessons on proper oral hygiene. The children learned the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing daily, eating healthy foods, and visiting the dentist regularly to help prevent cavities and maintain good oral health.

Each child also received a dental hygiene kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a brushing timer and educational materials to encourage healthy habits at home.

The Smile Warren Kids Dental Program was created to increase oral health awareness while reducing barriers to preventive care by providing children with the tools and knowledge they need to care for their teeth. The program will continue to expand throughout the county by partnering with schools, childcare centers, and community organizations to reach more children and families.

Research underscores the importance of early oral health education. According to data from the National Children’s Oral Health Survey conducted by the Delta Dental Plans Association, parents in the United States report that about 30%—approximately 8.6 million—of children ages 6 to 12 have missed school due to an oral health problem, not just for routine dental checkups. This finding highlights the need for preventive efforts like the Smile Warren Kids Dental Program to support children’s health and school attendance.

The Smile Warren Kids Dental Program is one of many efforts by the Warren County Health Department to improve community health through education, prevention, and strong community partnerships. Additional educational sessions will be offered throughout the coming months as the program continues to grow and serve more children across Warren County.

For more information about the Smile Warren Kids Dental Program or other Health Education services offered by the Warren County Health Department, please contact the Health Education Division at 252.257.6017 or visit www.warrencountyhd.com.

Warren Co. Memorial Library

Naloxone, Other Opioid Reversal Medications Available In Vending Machine Outside Warren County Memorial Library

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It looks like a newspaper box, but the contents of this special vending machine outside the Warren County Memorial Library are life-saving resources to reverse opioid overdoses.

The Warren County Health Department joined the library and other local partners at a ribbon cutting on May 29 to announce the placement of the Naloxone vending machine outside the library.

It’s available 24 hours a day and includes an instructional video as well as risk-reduction supplies such as Naloxone, fentanyl/xylazine testing strips, medication lockboxes and more. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is the opioid overdose reversal medication that has proven results saving the lives of individuals who have overdosed from opioid drugs, according to information from Warren County officials.

Guest speakers included Warren County Health Director Dr. Margaret Brake, Library Director Tanika Alston and Emergency Services Director Chris Tucker.

In her remarks, Alston stated, “We are excited to be part of this initiative aimed at preventing overdose deaths and creating a healthier community for everyone.”

The health department’s Health Educator Brittley Harris highlighted the supplies displayed in vending machine and described their use.

Supporting partners participating in the ceremony included representatives from Warren County Government, Emergency Medical Services, Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center, Parks & Recreation, Trillium Health Resources and Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition.

In addition, the Health Department also provides the ONEbox™ emergency overdose reversal kits containing two doses of the opioid reversal medication, Naloxone, to local organizations, businesses, churches and county government offices. This will enable anyone in those places to administer naloxone quickly and safely to a person overdosing in an effort to save their life. If your business, church or organization is interested in receiving the ONEbox™, please call 252. 257.6017.

Health Department staff also provide training on how to use the kit.

ONEbox™ (Opioid Naloxone Emergency Box) is a self-contained, video-enabled opioid overdose reversal kit intended to contain two doses of the opioid reversal medication Naloxone, along with personal protective equipment and video instruction (in English and Spanish) that are activated when ONEbox™ is opened. ONEbox™ was invented by West Virginia native and entrepreneur Joe Murphy, who created the box after seeing the devastation the opioid crisis caused in his hometown community in Huntington, West Virginia.

Both the free vending machine supplies and the ONEbox™ are available to the community thanks to a grant partnership with Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition.

Brake said, “We are pleased that our local partners support Naloxone training and access for populations most at-risk for overdose. We also recognize the importance of having access to the right tools at the right time to help in preventing an overdose. Awareness has never been more critical.”

Tucker noted that, “anyone is susceptible to overdose, not just those individuals experiencing addiction to drugs. Deaths from overdose are preventable through the timely administration of Naloxone/Narcan and appropriate response to overdose situations.”

Anyone interested in receiving free training on Overdose Prevention, Naloxone/Narcan administration and Hands-Only CPR can attend a two-hour training on Tuesday, June 24 at the Warren County Emergency Services Building. Please contact Chris Tucker 252.257.1191 or Rhonda Mushaw 252.257.6012 for more information and to register. Naloxone/Narcan will be available to those individuals who participate in the training.

Warren County Health Dept. Hosts “Healthy Hearts” Workshop At Perfecting Praise Ministries Saturday, Feb. 22

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– information courtesy of Warren County government

The Warren County Health Department will host a second workshop in celebration of February Heart Health Month. The agency will partner with Perfecting Praise Ministries to conduct a “Healthy Hearts” Community Event on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the church located at 1216 US Highway 158 Business West, Norlina (Food Lion Shopping Center). The guest speaker will be Dr. Phil Mendys. Registration begins at 9:30 am. The workshop is from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Register by Thursday, Feb. 20 by calling 252.257.6017 or 252.257.6012. The health department will offer free health screenings. A light lunch will be provided.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. The health department joins the American Heart Association in raising awareness about cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease. The three-pronged focus is to 1) educate communities about heart disease and stroke; 2) share effective strategies to enhance heart health; and 3) learn steps that you can take to save lives such as Hands-Only CPR from Warren County EMS.

In addition, participants will also get information on other services and community resources.

Did you know?

  • Infants and children need CPR including breaths.

 

  • More than 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside of the hospital each year. 40 percent are related to sports. Nearly 20 percent are infants.

 

Join the community of lifesavers and be ready to step up for a loved one, a neighbor, friend or co-worker.

Warren County Health Dept. Hosts Women’s Heart Health Lunch And Learn Feb. 13

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Today is National Wear Red Day! The Warren County Health Department invites member of the community to join the national movement by not only wearing red today, but by sharing photos on Facebook and tagging the health department in the posts.

Not into Facebook? Send photos to tanishalyons@warrencountync.gov and we can post the pictures on the event page. This will create a vibrant display of unity and commitment to this important cause.

The health department continues its observance of Heart Health Month with a Women’s Heart Health Lunch and Learn session on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Warren County Memorial Library.

Participants will hear an informative discussion about the effects of heart disease on women and also will learn some strategies to improve women’s heart health. A light lunch will be provided. RSVP to this program at 252.257.6037.

Some startling statistics about women’s heart health:

  • Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, and yet only 44 percent of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat.

 

  • Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms and accounts for more than one-third of maternal deaths. Black women have some of the highest maternal mortality rates.

 

  • Between 10 percent and 20 percent of women will have a health issue during pregnancy, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during pregnancy greatly increase a woman’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life.

 

 

Warren County Health Dept. Gets Part Of $3M Federal Grant To Combat Opioid Use Disorder

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The Warren County Health Department will get $600,000 in federal funds over the next four years to expand recovery and treatment services for people affected by substance use disorder, including opioid use.

It’s part of a $3 grant awarded to the Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition, which manages  the Health Resoures and Services Administration Rural Communities Opioid Response Program in several counties, including Warren..

The health department will receive $150,000 annually over the next four years. Dr. Margaret Brake, health director and Wenona Mills, nursing director, attended a press conference in Wilson, joining partners from other counties included in the grant.

Carole Johnson, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, made the announcement. HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Brake said she is excited to get the funding that will enhance local efforts to assist individuals and families experiencing substance use disorder. The health department collaborates with local behavioral health providers, law enforcement, emergency services, faith-based and community organizations to ensure that those needing assistance have access to appropriate treatment and recovery services. She said the money will help expand SUD services in the county.

 

 

Warren County Health Fair April 5

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The Warren County Health Department will hold its annual Health Fair on Friday, Apr. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 at the Lion’s Den (fairgrounds) in Warrenton. In case of rain or other inclement weather, the event will be held at the Warren County Armory Civic Center. 

This year’s health fair will feature several exhibitors and food vendors, according to Crystal Smith, interim Warren County manager. Exhibitors include Halifax-Warren Smart Start, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, Warren County Emergency Medical Services, Warren County Emergency Services, Hope Regional Medical Center, Warren County Memorial Library, On Target Preparedness, Warren Hills, Elite, Therapeutics Alternatives, Henderson Fire Department, N.C. Forestry Services and Trillium Health Resources.

Local food trucks on site are Moots Mobile, The Wandering Dawg, Wing Master E. & Trinity Eats, Sims & Sims and Big Red’s. 

The health fair is designed to provide information about local programs/services, health screenings, food and fun activities for the entire family. The health fair is part of a week-long celebration to observe National Public Health Week. For questions about the health fair, please call the Warren County Health Department at 252.257.1185.

Warren County Has Additional Drop-Off Locations For Discarded Meds

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There are two additional locations in Warren County where residents can drop off unused or outdated prescription medications, thanks to some federal grant funds for rural communities.

One location is at the Warren County Senior Center, located at 435 W. Franklin St. in Warrenton and the second drop-ff site is at Lake Gaston DrugCo in Littleton, according to information from Crystal Smith, senior assistant to Warren County Manager Vincent Jones.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office was awarded annually $25,000 for a three-year period from the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, a federal program under the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. The grant comes from Nash UNC Health Care; the primary goal is to partner with stakeholders and provide awareness of substance and opioid use disorder throughout the county through presentations and various community events, Smith said in a press statement.

The sheriff’s office is working with the Warren County Health Department and Warren County EMS to implement the program, which includes a drug take-back program twice a year and education components aimed at prevention. Further outreach plans are being developed for the school setting, to be completed in spring 2024.

Warren Health Dept. Seeks Community Input To Community Health Assessment

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The Warren County Health Department is in the process of completing its four-year community health assessment and asks county residents to contribute to the assessment by taking a short survey to identify key health needs and concerns.

The survey is a list of questions related to personal behaviors, risks, health goals and priorities, as well as overall health. This community health opinion survey questions are formed by a diverse representation of community citizens, businesses and key stakeholders.

The purpose of this assessment survey is to learn more about the health and quality of life of Warren County residents. The results from the surveys will be used to help develop plans for addressing major health and community issues in Warren County.

All information is confidential and respondents’ opinions and answer choices will not be linked to them in any way.

This health assessment tool provides a way for communities to voice any unmet health needs or concerns. It is important to have this survey tool to collect data from the community as it helps Warren County Health Department and other county agencies with areas of improvement. This will allow Warren County to determine what social determinants of health the community prioritizes.

The survey can be found at www.warrencountync.com, Warren County Health Department Facebook page, and at https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/lMyK41pb. Printed copies are available for pick-up at the Warren County Health Department.

The Warren County Health Department is located at 544 W. Ridgeway Street, Warrenton, NC. For more information about the Community Health Assessment, visit www.warrencountyhd.com.

COVID-19 Vaccinations Update: Appointments Filled for Current Supply

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The Warren County Health Department has filled the COVID-19 appointment schedules based on current available supply of the vaccine. The public is asked to call the Warren County Health Department at 252-257-1185 after February 8, 2021 to check on the vaccine availability in Warren County at the Health Department.

If you already have an appointment scheduled to get your shot at the Warren County Health Department, you need to come at your scheduled time. If you do not have an appointment, but you have provided the Health Department with you name and contact information, you are on a waitlist and will be called when new appointments become available. The Health Department will inform the public as soon as additional vaccination clinics are scheduled.

Warren County residents can contact other local vaccine providers such as neighboring hospitals (Maria Parham, Granville Health Systems, etc.), health departments in other counties, and physician practices to see if appointments are available. You do not have to get your vaccine in your county of residence.

To help protect each other, our neighbors, families and loved ones, please continue to practice the 3Ws – wear a face covering, wait at least 6 feet apart from others and wash your hands frequently. These actions will help us to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Warren County and save lives.

(Warren County Health Department Press Release)

No Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Warren Co. to Date

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Information courtesy Warren County Health Department

As of early afternoon on April 2, 2020, Warren County does NOT have any confirmed cases of COVID-19.

This does not mean the county is free from harm; every Warren County resident should heed Governor Roy Cooper’s Stay at Home Executive Order and only leave home for essential activities.

Wash your hands, maintain 6-feet of distance from other people and please stay home if you are sick. As we know, not everyone who is experiencing symptoms has been tested, and it is possible for someone to carry the virus and be an asymptomatic carrier (this means they do not show symptoms).

Have health-related questions about COVID-19? Call the Warren County Health Department at 252-257-6000.