GCPH Blog

On March 13, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the United States has remained under a state of emergency declaration. Recently though, President Joe Biden announced that he plans to end the public health emergency on May 11, 2023.

The last few days of February and the first few days of March mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW); this is an annual campaign meant to educate people about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope, support, and visibility to individuals and families impacted by eating disorders. This year’s theme for the week is Strength through Experience and Knowledge - It’s Time for Change, focusing on education as an important tool for change.

January is Radon Action Month! Radon is a colorless, tasteless radioactive gas that comes from rocks in the soil. This gas can enter people’s homes through their basements, mainly through cracks in the foundation, dirt floors, or openings around pipes. Radon is a concern because it can lead to lung cancer, in fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Smoking combined with long-term radon exposure can put people at an even higher risk for developing lung cancer. The only way to know if your home has radon is to test for it.