Residents Asked to Provide Feedback Through 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey

Residents are invited to provide feedback for the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey, to help local hospitals and Healthy Montgomery determine programs and services to best meet the health needs of the community. The survey is conducted every three years and is an important way to learn what priorities are most important to residents. The survey is a project of the Montgomery County Hospital Collaborative, comprised of Adventist HealthCare, Holy Cross Health, MedStar Health and Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital.

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and the information it gathers is essential to ensuring the community’s health needs are met. Find the survey at tinyurl.com/2025CHNAsurvey.

Results from the 2023 CHNA report can be found on the Healthy Montgomery website.

Free, Nationally Recognized Six-Week Virtual Diabetes Management Workshop Starts Wednesday, Jan. 15

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Community and Population Health program—in partnership with the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence—is offering a six-week, free online workshop to help people manage diabetes. Starting Jan. 15, all sessions of the Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) will be held on Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Additional classes will be on Jan. 22, 29 and Feb. 5, 12 and 19. Registration is required.

Participants will learn how to stay active, make better food choices, solve problems, make decisions and cope with the challenges of living with diabetes. The workshop also covers ways to improve eating habits, get more exercise and keep a healthy weight.

The workshop may be especially beneficial for residents in the following zip codes, where diabetes rates are higher than in other parts of the County: 20871, 20872, 20874, 20876, 20877, 20879, 20886 and 20912.

People with diabetes or those who care for someone with diabetes can register for the DSMP workshop online or by contacting Duwem Onwubiko at 240-777-1858.

Black Women’s Sexual Health and Wellness Event on Tuesday, Dec. 3, Will Help Commemorate World AIDS Day

Montgomery County will commemorate World AIDS Day, officially designated as Sunday, Dec. 1, with a free breakfast program and workshops focused on Black women’s sexual health and wellness from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The event, co-sponsored by the alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

This year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Breaking the Silence Together: Celebrating Black Women’s Strength in HIV Awareness, Sexual Health and Wellness,” highlights the importance of addressing racial disparities in sexual health outcomes. The County’s African American Health Program, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, will provide free on-site HIV testing during the event.

“World AIDS Day reminds us of the progress we have made in addressing the HIV epidemic, but there is still work we need to do to eliminate racial health disparities and health outcomes,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Black women have faced significant barriers in accessing resources. By bringing attention to this issue, we can empower residents with the tools and information needed to prevent and treat HIV.”

The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place in Downtown Silver Spring.

Free tickets and more information about the event can be found here.

The day will kick off at 9 a.m. with the fourth annual World AIDS Day Solidarity for Health Equity Breakfast. Following the breakfast, residents may attend educational workshops free of charge:

• 12:30-2:30 p.m. “Embracing Pleasure: A Journey to Wellness and Empowerment.” Interactive workshop exploring pleasure as essential to sexual health and overall wellness. Register here.
• 12:30-2 p.m. “PrEP Now . . . .Not Later.” Discussing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its benefits for Black women. Register here.
• 2:30-4 p.m. “I Am a Quintessential Woman.” Participants will explore ways to enhance their personal and communal strengths. Register here.

As a Federal priority jurisdiction for the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, Montgomery County is committed to ending HIV transmission by 2030. The Black Women’s Sexual Health working group was established to address disproportionate risks faced by Black women and is developing strategies to reduce disparities in sexual health.

Residents are encouraged to get tested for HIV, seek treatment if they test positive and explore prevention options like PrEP. Free or low-cost HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, treatment and prevention services are available through Montgomery County’s Sexual Health and Wellness Services, part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information, visit the County’s Sexual Health and Wellness Services’ “Do It For You” website or call 240-777-1760.

African American Health Program to Host ‘The Park Goes Pink for Breast Cancer’ on Saturday, Oct. 12

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) African American Health Program (AAHP) will host its inaugural “The Park Goes Pink for Breast Cancer,” a free event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Wheaton Regional Park.

The AAHP is partnering with Maryland State Delegate Pamela Queen, Montgomery County Recreation, the Montgomery Parks Department and McFarland and Associates to celebrate breast cancer survivors and caregivers and to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Wheaton Regional Park is located at 2000 Shorefield Road in Wheaton. On-site parking is limited. Free shuttle service from Kennedy High School (1901 Randolph Road in Wheaton) will be available for attendees.

“Breast Cancer Awareness Month highlights the importance of early detection and the need for regular screenings and education to address this life-threatening disease,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I applaud the County’s African American Health Program and Delegate Queen for organizing and hosting ‘The Park Goes Pink for Breast Cancer.’ I encourage everyone to attend the event on Oct. 12 to take advantage of free health screenings and to learn more about the resources available for those affected by breast cancer and their caregivers.”

The event will include free health screenings, giveaways, raffles, music and local vendors. Breast cancer survivors and caregivers will receive special recognition. Free food and drink will be offered while supplies last.

“I am pleased to partner with the County on this important event,” said Delegate Queen. “As a 15-year breast cancer survivor whose late diagnosis resulted in aggressive treatment including chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation, I know first-hand the importance of education and awareness programs to increase early breast cancer detection. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for females in Maryland after lung cancer and there are significant racial disparities between Black women and White women for breast cancer mortality with Black women diagnosed more often at a later stage.”

The event is free, but registration is encouraged. To register, click here.

The African American Health Program is funded and administered by DHHS and implemented by McFarland and Associates. For more information, visit the AAHP website.

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to Hold Free Annual ‘Right from the Start’ Maternal Health Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 10

The “Right from the Start” event is free, but online registration is required. Holy Cross Hospital is located at 1500 Forest Glen Rd.

The fair focuses on supporting Black children and families from preconception through early childhood. It is organized by DHHS's Babies Born Healthy program, the African American Health Program (AAHP), Early Childhood Services and the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes program,

Coinciding with National Breastfeeding Month, the event will cover topics such as breastfeeding, preconception, prenatal health, community support for families, doula support, developmental milestones and mental health.

In 2022, Black/African American births accounted for 35 percent of fetal and infant losses despite representing only 21 percent of all births in the County.

Nina Ashford, DHHS chief of public health services, will deliver the opening welcome. Other speakers will include:

• Kisha Davis, Montgomery County health officer
• Barbara Harrison, Howard University College of Medicine
• Tiffaney Mills, Milestones
• Whitney Dula, Babies Born Healthy program, DHHS
• Crystal Trent Paultre, Babies Born Healthy program, DHHS
• Karen Bernal, Improved Pregnancy Outcomes program, DHHS
• Jennifer Whitehead Smith, Kennedy Krieger Institute

Event highlights include activities for kids, prizes and giveaways and complimentary refreshments.

The Babies Born Healthy program works to decrease disparities and reduce infant mortality among babies born to Black/African American women by providing care coordination services to help at-risk pregnant women connect with resources and to help them stay healthy through their pregnancies. For more information, visit the DHHS website.

The AAHP is one of DHHS’ three minority health programs. It works to eliminate health disparities and improve the number and quality of years of life for Black/African Americans and people of African descent. For more information, visit the AAHP website.

Early Childhood-Child Care Support Services connects comprehensive services that support and build a successful child care delivery system through coaching, consultation, professional development and individualized support. For more information, visit their website here.

The Improved Pregnancy Outcomes program works to increase healthy pregnancy outcomes and address related racial disparities by improving healthcare systems and community resources.

Residents Encouraged to Join State, Local Health Officials for Listening Session on Public Health Priorities on Tuesday, July 30

Maryland’s Commission on Public Health, in partnership with Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services, will host a public listening session in Rockville for Montgomery County residents from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, to share their thoughts and offer ideas related to public health improvements with the commission.

The event will be held in the seventh-floor hearing room of the County Council Office Building, which is located at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. It will be televised live on County Cable Montgomery and streamed on Facebook.

Community members who attend the meeting in person will be invited to share their comments. Residents wishing to speak should sign up here. Those who attend virtually should also sign up and will have the opportunity to submit comments in advance, following pre-registration. Those comments will be shared with the commission during the meeting and recorded.

This is the last in a series of five regional public listening sessions across the State. This session, and others like it, will help the commission identify opportunities to improve the delivery of public health services across Maryland.

“This listening session is an opportunity for our residents to voice their needs and concerns about public health to state and County leaders,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.” By sharing their thoughts and experiences, residents can help shape a more effective and responsive public health system. It’s crucial for everyone, especially those who may feel their voices aren’t always heard, to participate and contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve our community’s health and well-being.”

The Maryland General Assembly established the Maryland Commission on Public Health to assess the foundational public health capabilities of State and local health departments and analyzing the State’s ability to respond to major public health challenges.

The commission will recommend improvements for public health departments in several areas including:

• Organization: Enhancing the structure and efficiency of public health departments.
• Information Technology: Optimizing IT usage, information exchange, data collection and reporting.
• Resources: Ensuring adequate personnel, funding and effective contracting processes.
• Communication: Improving engagement and communication with community members and groups.

Montgomery County will provide sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids or services upon request—with as much advance notice as possible, preferably at least three business days before the event. For more information, contact Stella Sharif-Chikiar at 240-777-1603 or send a request to Stella.Sharif-Chikiar@montgomerycountymd.gov.

For more information on the Maryland Commission on Public Health, please visit https://smchd.org/coph/.

Nominees Sought for Second Annual Early Care and Education Excellence Awards

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Child Care Support Services (CCSS) is seeking nominees for the second annual Montgomery County Early Care and Education Excellence Awards. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Self-nominations are encouraged.

“The Early Care and Education Excellence Awards are a way for us to recognize the dedicated professionals who play a crucial role in shaping the future of our youngest residents,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These educators work tirelessly to provide high-quality early care and education, ensuring our children have the best possible start in life. I encourage everyone to participate in this opportunity to celebrate their hard work by submitting nominations. It is important to highlight these professionals' incredible impact on our community.”

The County established the Early Care and Education Excellence Awards in partnership with early care and education associations to recognize and honor dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that the community’s youngest children (birth to age 5) receive the highest quality early care and education. A panel of child care organization representatives will make award selections. Awardees will be honored at the Montgomery County Early Care and Education Fall Conference on Oct. 18.

• English-language nomination form.
• Spanish-language nomination form.

There are five nomination categories:

• Infant and Toddler Educator Award. Honors a center-based or family child care teacher or assistant teacher who cares for children from birth to age 3.
• Preschool Educator Award. Honors a center-based or family child care preschool teacher or assistant teacher who cares for children ages 3-5.
• Before and After School Educator Award. Honors a center-based or family child care teacher or assistant teacher who cares for children before and after the school day.
• Educator Support Professional Award. Honors a center-based or family child care teacher’s aide or supportive professional who cares for children birth to age 5.
• Innovative Leadership Award. Honors an innovative leader or organization in the early care and education system. This leader/organization works to champion inclusive, equitable and quality policies and practices in early care and education and considers the needs of the child, family and provider in their scope of leadership.

Parents, caregivers, colleagues, directors/administrators, community leaders and others are encouraged to submit nominations for early care and education professionals. Educators can self-nominate or recommend a fellow educator.

In October 2023, the County’s CCSS presented the first Early Care and Education Excellence Awards to eight selected individuals from more than 250 nominations.

Visit the DHHS CCSS website for more information. The Montgomery County Early Care and Education Initiative Action Plan for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 is available here.

Free ‘Back-to-School’ Vaccinations for Available for School-Aged Children at Multiple Locations

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is offering free vaccinations for school-aged children (pre-K through high school) at locations throughout the County until the end of September.

Maryland law requires students to be vaccinated against a variety of diseases. Visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website to learn more about the 2024-25 school year vaccination requirements.

Free vaccines are available to County school-aged children who are missing any required immunizations. Appointments are preferred. Schedule an appointment here. A parent must be present and bring an ID and immunization record if available.

The “back-to-school” vaccine offerings include:

• Tdap
• Meningococcal (MCV4)
• Meningococcal B
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• COVID-19

Vaccination appointments are available at the following locations:

• Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring. 240-777-1050
• Germantown Health Center, 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown. 240-777-3380
• Silver Spring Health Center, 8630 Fenton Street, 10th floor, Silver Spring. 240-777-3160
• School Health Services Immunization Center, 4910 Macon Rd., Rockville. 240-740-4430

Visit the Immunization Program website at montgomerycountymd.gov/immunizations for more information.

Asian American Health Initiative Accepting Applications for Healthy Community Grant Program Through Monday, Aug. 5

Montgomery County’s Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), a program of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Healthy Communities Fund grant program. The grant program offers $1.5 million in funding to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations in providing linguistically and culturally responsive services to the County’s diverse community.

Organizations can apply for up to $150,000 in funding for FY25. Application forms are posted on the AAHI website and application submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5.

“Supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander community organizations through grants is vital to ensuring equity and inclusion in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “These grants empower grassroots organizations to provide culturally relevant services, address unique challenges and enhance the overall well-being of our AAPI residents. Investing in these organizations strengthens the fabric of our diverse community and promotes a healthier, more inclusive County for all.”

This is the fourth year AAHI has offered grant funding to community organizations and the third year that the Health Communities Fund is being administered. The Healthy Communities Fund for AAPI aims to fund AAPI-serving organizations to deliver programs in behavioral health, senior wellness and health and social support services to meet the complex needs of their communities.

Montgomery County is one of the most diverse communities in the U.S., with more than 49 percent of the population identifying as minorities. AAPI communities account for about 15 percent of the total population. The AAPI community can be further broken down into multiple groups, each characterized by a unique mix of language, culture, religion and social norms. Because of the growing diversity and wide range of languages, cultures and socioeconomic status within AAPI communities, providing community health education, services and programs to people of AAPI descent is more complex and requires custom approaches to reach the at-need communities.

The Healthy Communities Fund is funded by the AAHI and administered by the Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County Inc. (PCC).

A recording of an information session held on July 1 is available on AAHI’s website.

To ensure equitable access to funding and support AAPI-serving organizations in developing successful programs and writing compelling grants, AAHI will offer grant writing and program development consultations through Community Development Professionals LLC to 40 AAPI-serving organizations during the grant application period. This one-on-one technical assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizations will have two 90-minute self-paced workshops and one 60-minute consultation with a grant-writing expert. Register for the consultation here.

For questions about the Healthy Communities Fund, email AAHI@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Resident Input Sought on Prioritizing Key Health Needs at Meetings Scheduled Throughout April

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will hold in-person public meetings throughout April to seek resident input to prioritize the important health needs identified in the 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). During these events, attendees will receive a brief presentation on the identified needs and then participate in a paper voting process to prioritize them.

Registration is required to attend the meetings and can be completed online via Sign Up Genius or by calling 240-777-4385, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call to register if language interpretation or other assistance is needed.

“It is important for our residents to be actively involved in prioritizing the important health needs identified in the 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment, so that they can contribute their insights and shape the direction of our health initiatives,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Through this collaborative process, we can ensure that our resources are allocated effectively to address the most pressing health concerns facing our community.”

The remaining meetings will take place at the following libraries:

• Aspen Hill Community Library, Medium Room. 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville. Monday, April 22. 6-7 p.m.
• Chevy Chase Community Library, Medium Room. 8005 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase. Wednesday, April 24. 6-7 p.m.
• Gaithersburg Regional Library, Medium Room 2. 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg. Monday, April 29. 6-7 p.m.

Significant health needs identified in the CHNA are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Access to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Services
• Access to Human Services Needs, such as Education, Income, Housing, Employment, Food and Personal Social Services
• Access to Parks, Public Spaces, Wellness and Recreation
• Access to Quality Dental Health Services
• Access to Quality Primary Care Health Services
• Access to Specialty and Extended Care
• Access to Technology
• Access to Transportation
• Active Living and Healthy and Nutritious Eating
• Cultural and Language Competence
• Environmental Health
• Health and Human Services System Navigation
• Injury and Disease Prevention and Management
• Maternal and Early Childhood Health
• Pedestrian Safety
• Safe and Violence-Free Environment
• Social Associations and Community Connectedness
• Waste Management

Language and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available at each meeting upon request and must be requested when people register. Requests for interpretation must be made five business days before the scheduled event.

A staffed children’s corner and light refreshments will be available at each meeting. Meetings have a registration limit of 50 participants, except for the event at the Maggie Nightingale Library, where the limit is 20 participants due to room capacity.

If people cannot attend in person, but want to vote on the significant health needs, they are encouraged to do so online via Survey Monkey through April 30. Surveys are available in six languages in addition to English and are available at the following links:

• Amharic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Amharic
• Chinese: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Chinese
• English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HR35X8D
• French: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/frnch4
• Korean: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Krean
• Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spnish1
• Vietnamese: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Vietmese

For questions or comments, email Elizabeth Beck at Elizabeth.Beck@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Various Programs and Events for Teens and Their Parents to be Offered During ‘Care Be Aware’ Teen Mental Health Week April 6-13

Montgomery County’s “Care Be Aware” Teen Mental Health Week from Saturday, April 6, to Saturday, April 13, will address critical mental health needs of teenagers in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will showcase programs and events offered by Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), Montgomery County Recreation and the Department of Health and Human Services.

“For far too long, there was a stigma about talking publicly about mental health,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I am pleased that those times have passed, and we are proactively encouraging our youth and their families to gather and learn about the resources we offer to help. Through the ‘Care Be Aware’ Teen Mental Health Week, we collaborate across multiple departments to address and engage young adults about their mental health. Teenagers are currently going through difficult times, and I appreciate the Montgomery County Public Libraries for coordinating this important event.”

According to study findings using data from the 2019 Global Burden Disease Study published in a recent issue of JAMA Psychiatry, “there was a high prevalence of mental disorders affecting children and youths, indicating that more than 1 of 10 (or 293 million) individuals aged 5 to 24 years globally live with a diagnosable mental disorder.”

The week-long “Care Be Aware” initiative will commence, with great generosity from the Friends of The Library Montgomery County, with a poetry slam featuring Grammy-nominated artist Queen Sheba and a resource fair to connect parents and teens with mental health professionals and local organizations offering support services. The kickoff will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center and Library at 11701 Georgia Ave., in Silver Spring.

A full schedule of events is available on the MCPL website.

The “Care Be Aware” Teen Mental Health Week events aim to shed light on mental health issues impacting teenagers, connect residents with mental health professionals and support services and encourage open discussion while fostering a sense of community and belonging for teens.

Throughout the week, various departments, libraries, schools and recreation centers will host engaging activities, allowing teens to develop healthy coping mechanisms and express themselves creatively. Teens can participate in interactive workshops on stress management, anxiety reduction and building healthy relationships.

For additional information about “Care Be Aware” Teen Mental Health Week, contact Tyler Chadwell-English via email at tyler.chadwell-english@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The Montgomery County Crisis Center provides free telephone and walk-in crisis services 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Services are provided by telephone (240-777-4000) or in person at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville (no appointment needed). If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or needs emotional support, call or text 988.

RespectFest: Celebrating Healthy Relationships and Raising Awareness About Dating Violence Will Include Virtual Events and In-Person Festival on April 7

“RespectFest” is a program featuring online activities and an in-person event from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center to celebrate healthy relationships among young people and raise awareness about unhealthy and abusive ones. The program will be hosted by the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.

The festival on April 7 is open to middle and high school students, their parents and youth-serving providers. It will include free food, performances, yoga, a resource fair, prizes, games and activities. There will be content booths where students can participate in activities related to dating violence prevention and intervention.

The winners of the Council’s 2024 RespectFest video contest will be announced during the event.

Up to eight Student Service Learning (SSL) hours are available to Montgomery County Public School students for participating in the virtual and in-person activities.

More information, including all workshop registrations and a list of all activities, about RespectFest is available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/chooserespect/RespectFest.html.

The schedule of virtual events will include:

• Monday, April 8. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Consent for High School Students
• Wednesday, April 10. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Bystander Intervention for High School Students

In addition, there will also be online activities that students can do on their own.

Co-sponsors of the event, along with the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, are the Sheriff's Office, the State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County, the Commission for Women, County Police and Montgomery County Public Schools.

Annual Health Rankings Show Montgomery Among Healthiest Counties in Maryland and the United States

Montgomery County is one of healthiest counties in Maryland and in the United States, according to the annual County Health Rankings (CHR). The 2024 report does not provide a ranking for each county within a state, but does show metrics on how a county’s health outcomes and underlying factors are relative to other counties in their state and with nationwide metrics.

The CHR, a collaboration of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, annually compares counties within each state on more than 30 factors that impact health. The factors include social determinants such as education, jobs, housing, exercise and commuting times.

“I am proud that we continue to be ranked among the healthiest counties in Maryland and in the United States, and I appreciate that the report acknowledged the importance of civic infrastructure, including broadband access, libraries and equity,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We should acknowledge that we do have areas that we can improve but with our County health officials, hospitals, community based nonprofit health providers and other stakeholders working together, I know that improving health outcomes for our community’s residents remains a priority.”

Highlights from the 2024 report include:

• Montgomery County has some of the lowest rates of premature death (from any cause), and higher life expectancy than the average in Maryland and the U.S. However, disparities continue to exist across racial and ethnic populations within the County.
• Montgomery County has many healthier behaviors, including a lower percentage of adults who smoke, are obese or report being physically inactive, than most other jurisdictions across Maryland and the U.S.
• Montgomery County has significantly lower teen birth rates.
• Montgomery County has a higher ratio of primary care physicians, dentists and mental health providers per resident than Maryland and U.S. averages.
• Montgomery County has higher vaccination rates and fewer preventable hospital stays than most jurisdictions.
• Montgomery County has seen continued progress in reduction of air pollution.

Additionally, the County has many social and economic factors that rank better than state and national averages. These factors include median income, education, high school graduation rates, unemployment rates, deaths from injury—including motor vehicle crash rates, homicide and suicide rates, voter turnout and census participation.

• Low rates of physical inactivity—Montgomery County has a 17 percent rate of physical inactivity, compared to Maryland at 21 percent and the United States at 23 percent.
• High accessibility to exercise opportunities—Montgomery County has a 100 percent rate, compared to Maryland at 92 percent and the United States at 84 percent.
• Low rates of alcohol-impaired driving deaths—Montgomery County has a 24 percent rate, compared to Maryland at 29 percent.
• Low rates of uninsured residents--only 7 percent of Montgomery County residents are uninsured, compared to the United States at 10 percent.

Several factors influence how well and how long people live. These include behavioral habits such as physical activity, nutrition and smoking. Other factors reflect those from the built environment, such as access to affordable housing and well-paying jobs.

“We are excited to see that Montgomery County continues to rank as one of the healthiest communities in Maryland and the U.S.,” said Kisha Davis, County health officer. “The report highlights the benefits of healthy behaviors, access to healthcare, high rates of physical activity and social connectedness as protective factors in our community. This is an achievement to be celebrated. And while we celebrate this success, we also recognize that there continue to be disparities, especially in our communities of color. We continue to work to break down inequities so that everyone can enjoy these health benefits.”

To see the full report, visit the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps website.

National Public Health Week, April 1-7, Will Be Recognized Through Daily Themes

Montgomery County will commemorate National Public Health Week (NPHW), April 1-7, by highlighting daily themes through a series of social media posts and hosting community events. This year’s theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.”

The spotlighted daily themes can be found on the County’s Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook platforms in addition to Healthy Montgomery’s X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

The daily themes are:

• Civic Engagement (Monday)
• Healthy Neighborhoods (Tuesday)
• Climate Change (Wednesday)
• New Tools and Innovations (Thursday)
• Reproductive and Sexual Health (Friday)
• Emergency Preparedness (Saturday)

“Recently, Montgomery County was named one of the healthiest counties in the State of Maryland for health care resources and outcomes,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “A strong public health system creates healthier families, stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all. During National Public Health Week, we are promoting the theme of ‘Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We are All Public Health.’ If you can, join our virtual public health events throughout this week that offer information on how to improve your health and some of the work we are doing.”

Residents are invited to attend the NPHW events:

• Tuesday, April 2. 6:30-7:30 p.m. GardenRx: Cultivating Health through Gardening, By Gardening and Beats. Gardening Educator: Kimani Anku. Brigadier General Charles E McGee Library, 900 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring. The event is free, but registration is required.
• Wednesday, April 3. 5-6 p.m. via Zoom. Zip Code and Health Equity Report Presentation. Presenters: Chunfu Liu and Nathan Lorei. Montgomery County has consistently ranked No. 1 for overall health outcomes in Maryland by County Health Rankings since 2014. Despite this, a close examination of population subgroups and geographic areas reveals great disparities in health outcomes and factors contributing to health outcomes across communities and population subgroups within the County. Together, the Zip Code Ranking Project and the Health Equity Report will inform approaches in prevention, promotion, policy, practice and planning for existing and new health programs to meet the public health needs of Montgomery County. The event is free, but registration is required.
• Wednesday, April 3. 4-5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Conversations on Climate Change: Perspectives from Students and Professionals. Presenters: Laura Anderko and Advika Agarwal. Speakers will share their work and connection to climate change, how it has impacted them and why/how they are involved in the climate change/environmental health space. Panel will be opened at the end of the presentation to discussion and questions from the audience. The event is free, but registration is required. Target Audience: Youth, grades 6-12 (primary audience); general public (secondary audience)
• Thursday, April 4. 10 a.m.-Noon via Zoom. The Intersection of Community Risk Reduction and Public Health. Presenters: Beth Anne Nesselt, Lt. Irvin Smith, Oscar Mendez and Anthony Ramirez. This session promises to shed light on critical connections between community risk reduction and public health, with a focus on the invaluable insights garnered from the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service's experience. Speakers will share innovative strategies, collaborative approaches and best practices aimed at enhancing community well-being and safety. The event is free, but registration is required.

Public health promotes and protects the health of people and communities where they live, learn, work and play. Public Health Services' programs, part of DHHS, monitor health status and implement intervention strategies to contain or prevent disease (including bio-terrorism and emerging diseases); foster public-private partnerships, which increase access to health services; develop and implement programs and strategies to address health needs; provide individual- and community-level health education; evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs and strategies; license and inspect facilities and institutions affecting public health and safety; and monitor, assess and communicate community population health data and information via Healthy Montgomery, the County’s community health improvement effort.

DHHS is also hosting several staff appreciation events throughout the week.

NPHW is sponsored by the American Public Health Association, the national membership and advocacy organization for public health. Read more about NPHW on the association’s website.

Follow DHHS on X (formerly Twitter) and on Facebook. Follow Healthy Montgomery on X and Instagram. Follow NPHW on X.

Free Spring ‘Back-to-School’ Vaccination Clinic Will Be Held on Friday, March 29, in Silver Spring

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will hold a free, “back to-school” vaccination clinic for school-aged children (pre-K through high school) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, March 29, at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring.

Free vaccines are available to Montgomery County school-aged children who are missing any required immunizations. The Dennis Avenue Health Center is located at 2000 Dennis Ave., in Silver Spring.

“It is important to keep children healthy, and ensuring they are up to date on required immunizations should be a top priority,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This is a great opportunity for parents to take advantage of the free vaccinations offered at this upcoming clinic.”

No appointment is needed. A parent must be present and bring an ID and immunization record if available.

The “back-to-school” vaccine offerings include:

• Tdap
• Meningococcal (MCV4)
• Meningococcal B
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• COVID-19

For questions relating to this upcoming clinic, contact the DHHS Immunization Program at 240-777-1050. 

Visit the Immunization Program website for more information on locations where year-round appointments are available.

Maryland law requires students to be vaccinated against a variety of diseases. Visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website to learn more about vaccination requirements for the 2024-2025 school year.

CDC Issues New Guidance for COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illness Prevention

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidance on protection for common respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, flu and RSV.

The nation is in a better place than it was in the early months of the COVID-19 health crisis. There are effective vaccines and new treatment options that lessen the severity of illness. More than 98 percent of the U.S. population now has some protective immunity from vaccination, prior infection or both.

With vaccines and treatment options, the nation is entering a new phase for COVID-19. It continues to circulate in the community, but hospitalization and death rates have decreased.

The CDC is now recommending the following prevention strategies for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses such as flu and RSV:

• Stay up to date on vaccinations, including an annual flu shot, RSV vaccine for certain age groups and the latest COVID-19 shots.
• Practice good hygiene habits, including regular hand washing and covering a cough.
• If you do test positive for COVID-19 or flu, get treatment that will lessen the duration and severity of illness.
• If sick, stay home and away from others. This goes for COVID-19, as well as other respiratory viruses. Stay home and isolate from others until symptoms are getting better and you are fever-free for 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medication).
• When leaving isolation, resume normal activities, but continue taking precautions for the next five days when around others indoors. This includes:
• Masking
• Physical distancing
• Take steps for cleaner air such as opening a window
• Testing
• If you test positive for a respiratory illness such as COVID-19, but do not have any symptoms, take precautions for the next five days.

The prevention strategies can be especially helpful if respiratory viruses are causing a lot of illness in the community.

Montgomery County libraries are receiving new supplies of COVID-19 test kits over the next few weeks that will be available for free to residents.

Visit the County’s COVID-19website for additional information and for links to more detailed information from the CDC.

Health and Human Services to Offer Free, Virtual, Six-Week Diabetes Management Program Starting Thursday, Feb 22

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Public Health Services, in partnership with the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence, will offer a free community-based Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) beginning Thursday, Feb. 22. The six-week program will be held virtually from 5:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday.

The DSMP was created at Stanford University and is a nationally recognized diabetes prevention and management program. The program provides education on the physical aspect of managing diabetes and the emotional aspect. It is designed to improve an individual’s average blood sugar level (A1C) and reduce complications associated with diabetes.

“It is important to manage diabetes to reduce complications, and this program offers important information to help not only with the physical aspects, but the emotional aspects too,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I urge those with diabetes or taking care of someone with diabetes to register for this free program.”

The program has demonstrated proven health benefits and complements the diabetic medical management services people receive from their health care providers. Participants will enhance their ability to maintain active and fulfilling lifestyles, improve problem-solving and decision-making skills and address the challenges of living with diabetes. Workshop topics will include improving food choices, increasing physical activity and practicing coping skills to maintain nutrition and a healthy weight.

Individuals with diabetes or caregivers of persons with diabetes can register for the DSMP workshop online at https://forms.office.com/g/5c6PphXRxp or by calling Kiera Abdul at 443-750-4267 or T’Kia Pearson at 240 777-1244.

Mental Health Identified as Most Important Need in 2023 Community Health Assessment

Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has released the 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), and the report shows that mental health is the most important health issue to residents and stakeholders surveyed. The CHNA details the health and socioeconomic needs, issues and barriers of the community.

Key health needs and issues are identified in the report, and these will be used to create a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The full CHNA report is available on the Healthy Montgomery website.

Residents, community partners and stakeholders are invited to attend a virtual town hall on from 3-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, for a more detailed look at the report’s findings. The town hall will offer an overview and introduction to the CHNA. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation during a moderated session.

The event will be of most relevance to stakeholders and community partners who will reference the CHNA’s data and findings. Advance registration for the virtual town hall is required to receive login information. Register for the Zoom event here.

Important health needs identified in the report are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Access to behavioral health and substance use services
• Access to human services’ needs, such as education, income, housing, employment, food and personal social services
• Access to parks, public spaces, wellness and recreation
• Access to quality dental health services
• Access to quality primary care health services
• Access to specialty and extended care
• Access to technology
• Access to transportation
• Active living and healthy and nutritious eating
• Cultural and language competence
• Environmental health
• Health and human services’ system navigation
• Injury and disease prevention and management
• Maternal and early childhood health
• Pedestrian safety
• Safe and violence-free environment
• Social associations and community connectiveness
• Waste management

“I appreciate this report to help us understand where we are making progress and where we can do more. The good news is that Montgomery County has healthier outcomes as compared to the State of Maryland across a range of indicators,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The data also shows that that we need a continued focus on public health-related efforts to address some areas. We have made access to mental health services a priority and will continue our focus on this and other important issues.”

Some findings collected from residents and stakeholders that informed the CHNA:

• Mental health was identified as the most important health problem overall.
• Residents shared that they are experiencing a lack of mental health insurance and substance use benefits and a lack of bilingual and culturally competent mental health providers to meet the needs of the community.
• Low crime and safe neighborhoods are the most important factors making up a healthy community.
• Residents indicated that it was difficult to find a medical provider to support gender-affirming medical care.
• Better access to family planning services and information is needed throughout the community.
• High costs of medical and dental care were a barrier reported by residents.
• Transportation to doctor's and dental appointments was a barrier for residents, with many stating that they must take multiple buses to get to an appointment or ask someone to give them a ride.
• Zip codes 20838, 20886, 20879, 20906, 20851, 20912, 20902, 20877 and 20903 had rates of uninsured individuals above the County’s average of 9 percent.
• Residents indicated that they do not have enough money to buy healthy foods to eat.
• Poor eating habits are affecting the health of the community.
• Diabetes, arthritis, obesity and heart disease are among the most common health issues reported by residents.
• Residents reported the need for more linguistically and culturally appropriate information about where to go for help to get health and human services.

“Montgomery County’s CHNA is community-developed and driven,” said Christopher Rogers, acting chief of Public Health Services. “This CHNA describes health needs, issues and barriers from the perspectives of more than 2,500 County residents and stakeholders. In working collaboratively with community leaders and residents, we can now translate this information into action, creating or enhancing programs and policies meant to help support greater access and more equitable health outcomes.”

If you would like to know more about the CHNA, email Christopher Rogers at Christopher.Rogers@montgomerycountymd.gov.