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A Note from the Public Health Director
In February, we were honored to welcome more than 70 community partners to our annual Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) gathering. Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn, share ideas, and explore the concept of social prescribing, an approach that connects people to community resources such as social groups, arts, volunteering opportunities, and other activities that foster health and a sense of belonging. Events like this remind me that improving community health is truly a collective effort.
For me, March brings reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic, now six years behind us. That experience tested every part of our public health system, from disease response and data systems to communication, partnerships, and the resilience of both our workforce and community. In a recent episode of the Healthier Together podcast, I reflected on those years, the challenges we faced, and the lessons that continue to shape how we prepare for the future. While it was an extraordinarily difficult time, it also strengthened collaboration across our community and reinforced the essential role of public health in keeping people informed, connected, and safe.
Thank you for the work you do every day to support the well-being of our community. We look forward to continuing this work together.
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Healthier Together
Healthier Together: Larimer County’s Public Health Podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at the work, people, and partnerships that help keep our community healthy. Each episode shares trusted, local public health information while exploring how programs and staff across the department support the well-being of everyone who calls Larimer County home.
In the March 19 episode, Larimer County Public Health Director Tom Gonzales reflects on the lasting lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic and how those experiences continue to shape public health preparedness, communication, and community partnerships today.
“COVID-19 tested every part of our public health system,” said Gonzales. “It was a difficult time, and it taught us invaluable lessons. Those lessons continue to shape how we support our community, how we communicate with one another, and prepare to protect the health of every person in the future.”
The podcast was created to make public health more visible and accessible, highlighting the real stories behind the work and the people dedicated to improving health across Larimer County.
New episodes of Healthier Together are released every Thursday and are available on major podcast platforms. Learn more at larimer.gov/healthier-together.
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March is National Nutrition Month
Food connects us to our families, our cultures, our communities, and our own well-being. Every meal tells a story: where ingredients were grown, how they were prepared, and the traditions and seasons that shaped them. The foods we eat nourish not only our bodies, but also our relationships and sense of belonging.
March is National Nutrition Month, a time to explore how food choices support health at every stage of life and to celebrate the many professionals and programs that help make healthy eating accessible for everyone.
| | A few of our wonderful WIC staff! | | |
March also includes Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, which recognizes the expertise of registered dietitians who translate nutrition science into practical guidance that helps people live healthier lives. In public health, dietitians play a critical role in supporting families, preventing chronic disease, and helping communities build healthy food environments.
One of the ways our department supports nutrition and healthy starts is through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. WIC supports families from the moment they learn they’re expecting until their child turns five by providing:
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Personalized nutrition education
- Healthy foods through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that also support our local economy.
Learn more about WIC at larimer.gov/wic.
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Late last month, the annual Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) event brought together more than 130 attendees from across Larimer County for a morning of connection, conversation, and a shared commitment to improving our community's well-being.
This year’s event highlighted the power of social prescribing, linking people to non-clinical community supports like physical activity, arts and culture, volunteering, nature, food access, and others. This practice helps strengthen connections and foster belonging, so it can play an important role in improving health outcomes and advancing the CHIP focus areas of strengthening our social environment and supporting mental health with an emphasis on equity.
Attendees heard updates on ongoing CHIP initiatives and engaged in a thoughtful panel discussion featuring Mark Wallace, MD, MPH; Laura Swink, PhD, OTR/L; and Lauren SinClair, LPMHC. Each panelist shared how social prescribing shows up at their organizations and with their clients and patients to support mental health, strengthen social environments, and advance health equity.
To close the event, participants took part in an interactive activity to identify activities, resources, and supports they could connect to and help others connect to build a more supportive and connected community.
Want to learn more or get involved with the CHIP? Visit larimer.gov/chip.
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Spring and Summer Travel Safety
Whether you’re planning a staycation or traveling abroad this spring, a little preparation can help keep your trip safe and healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a few simple steps before and during travel.
Start by checking destination-specific health guidance and travel advisories, especially since conditions around the world can change quickly due to disease outbreaks, natural disasters, or areas experiencing conflict or civil unrest. Knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead and stay safe.
A few additional travel health tips:
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Prevent illness: Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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Protect your skin: When outdoors, wear a hat and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
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Prevent bug bites: Use an effective insect repellent, especially in areas where mosquitoes or ticks are common.
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Pack a travel health kit: Include prescription medications, travelers’ diarrhea medicine, over-the-counter pain and fever reducers, antihistamines for allergies, and basic first aid supplies like bandages and antibiotic ointment.
Taking a few simple precautions can help ensure your spring travels are memorable for all the right reasons.
| | | | Women have always been at the heart of public health, leading efforts to protect communities, advance science, and expand access to care. Today, women continue to make up the majority of the public health workforce, serving as epidemiologists, nurses, health educators, policy leaders, researchers, and community advocates working to address challenges ranging from infectious disease to mental health, climate impacts, and health equity. | | |
One Colorado trailblazer who helped shape modern public health was Florence Sabin (1871–1953). A groundbreaking scientist, Sabin became the first woman to hold a full professorship at Johns Hopkins University and the first woman elected to the National Academy of Sciences. During her research career at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, she made major contributions to understanding tuberculosis and the immune system.
After retiring and moving to Colorado, Sabin launched a second career in public health advocacy. In the early 1940s, she led a successful campaign to modernize Colorado’s public health system. The resulting “Sabin Health Laws” strengthened disease surveillance, improved laboratory capacity, and expanded tuberculosis control, dramatically reducing TB rates across the state.
Her legacy is honored with a statue in the United States Capitol, recognizing her lasting impact on science and public health. Today, her work continues to inspire the next generation of public health leaders working to build healthier, more resilient communities.
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