What's up in public health this week?

February is Heart Health Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Tobacco and nicotine use is responsible for 1 in 4 cases of heart disease. Destini Hall, our Senior Health Educator for Tobacco and Youth, and Nina Wickens-Bhowmik, one of our Population Epidemiologists, join us this week to share how nicotine prevention and cessation can lead to better heart health.

The Colorado General Assembly recently began a new legislative session. Kimberly Baker, Larimer County's Health in All Policies Coordinator, joins us to share a bit about the bills she's watching this session and how they impact public health.

What's up in public health this week?

The Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC recently announced changes to the recommended childhood immunization schedule. We asked our Medical Officer, Dr. Paul Mayer, to explain what these changes mean for parents and caregivers in Larimer County. Plus, two of our amazing public health nurses, Shannon Williamson and Julie Shanley, share a bit about our immunization clinic.

Winter weather has arrived! Lauren Craft, our Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator, shares tips for staying safe during the winter.

We’re excited to share our first extended episode! In this special monthly edition, we go beyond the headlines to bring you in-depth conversations, practical guidance, and a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening every day at your local public health department.

This episode features four segments:

Outbreaks & Other Inconveniences

public health tips and guidance for caretakers

Communicable Disease Epidemiologist, Abi Collingwood, breaks down one of the most common (and stressful) questions for parents and caregivers: Is my child too sick to go to school or daycare? Abi shares practical guidance on when to keep kids home, when it's ok for them to return to school, and how these decisions help protect the health of the whole community.

What’s Public Health Got to Do With It?

how public health shows up in unexpected places

Jo Buckley, Community Health Improvement Plan Coordinator, joins us to talk about the importance of social connection and the role volunteering plays in community health. Learn how building connections and helping others can improve mental and physical health and strengthen communities in ways that are deeply tied to public health outcomes.

Community Questions

answers to common community questions

Senior Administrative Specialist, Alyssa Bermejo, walks through the process for new parents to obtain an official birth certificate for their child. She covers what to expect, common questions, and helpful tips to avoid scams and fraud.

Between Two Germs

our feature interview

Heidi Nafman Onda, co-founder of The White Ribbon Project, shares her journey of being diagnosed with stage three lung cancer, discovering that radon exposure in her home was the most likely cause, and navigating treatment. She shares how this experience led her to start The White Ribbon Project in order to build community for people with lung cancer, challenge stigma, and advocate for increased research, screening, and treatment.

What's up in public health this week?

We are right in the middle of respiratory virus season and with flu activity spiking, we asked Communicable Disease Epidemiologist, Abi Collingwood, to share what the current data looks like in Larimer County and how we can keep ourselves and others healthy. Why is there a respiratory virus season? What can you do to avoid the flu? Why are respiratory viruses a public health concern? Listen for answers to these questions and more.

January is also Radon Action Month. 50% of homes in Larimer County have harmful levels of radon. Environmental Health Planner, Lea Schneider, joined us to explain what radon is, how it impacts our health, and how you can test and mitigate your home.

Welcome to Healthier Together: Larimer County’s Public Health Podcast.

Hosted by Tom and Joanna from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, Healthier Together is a new podcast all about local public health—what’s happening now, why it matters, and how it affects you and your loved ones.

Starting January 15th, we’ll share short weekly episodes with timely updates on local public health news, plus monthly deep dives that take you behind the scenes of public health work in Larimer County. You’ll hear from our staff in the field, learn from community partners, and get clear, approachable answers to your public health questions.

From air quality and disease prevention to emergency preparedness, this podcast is for everyone who calls Larimer County home.

Follow Healthier Together wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes begin January 15th. In the meantime, stay well, stay connected, and remember, we really are healthier together.