Health Department

Members of the community are invited to attend a World AIDS Day Commemoration to recognize the impact and progress surrounding HIV/AIDS in Northern Virginia. World AIDS Day is honored globally to remember those who have been lost due to HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to celebrate progress being made for people living with HIV/AIDS or at risk of future infection.  This year, organizations from across Northern Virginia will join together to host a World AIDS Day Commemoration on Monday, December 1, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center (1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria, VA 22314). City of Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins will read a commemorative proclamation and a panel featuring people living with HIV and health experts will discuss their experiences and vision for the future. The event will include entertainment from local musician Tony Craddock and the Northern Virginia World AIDS Day Choir. Attendees are encouraged to attend to remember those lost, learn about local services and find ways to get involved. Gift cards will be given to the first 30 attendees, and the event hosts will provide light refreshments and raffles. Attendees may wear holiday attire and a red ribbon, provided at the event, in memory of those lost to HIV-related illnesses. The event will be hosted by the Alexandria Health Department, Fairfax County Health Department, local chapters of the National Council of Negro Women, local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the Northern Virginia Business and Professional Women’s Club. About HIV/AIDS Over 32 million people have died of AIDS and HIV-related illnesses worldwide. As of 2023, over 2,000 Virginians are living with HIV. Anyone can get HIV and develop AIDS, but due to systemic racism and barriers to care, HIV disproportionately affects people who identify as Black and people who identify as Hispanic in Virginia. However, around the world, progress is being made. As access to treatment has improved, people with AIDS are living longer, healthier lives.   Further, people around the world take steps every day to prevent future HIV infections by educating themselves on HIV and AIDS, practicing safe sex, and receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP.  Additionally, through medical treatment, people with HIV can lower the amount of HIV in their body so much that it is untransmissible to others through sex.  The best way for an individual to help prevent AIDS and take charge of their own health is by getting tested for HIV. Affordable, confidential HIV testing is available in Northern Virginia all year. Visit our sexually transmitted infections page to learn about local, free and affordable options. To learn more about this event, visit the City of Alexandria website.

Namrata Khanal, MPH, BSN, RN Namrata Khanal, a nurse from the Fairfax County Health Department’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) unit, was recognized by the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC) at their annual meeting in Roanoke on Monday, October 20. Namrata was presented with the Joan Williamson Wonder Nurse Award, awarded to a nurse who goes “above and beyond” to provide excellent care, works as a team player, and serves the community. Namrata’s role helps families facing difficult challenges by providing them with high-quality care that goes beyond basic medical needs. She also connects families with resources in the community that support their long-term health and well-being. These resources include mental health support for mothers during and after pregnancy, as Namrata firmly believes that when parents are healthy, their babies have a better chance to be healthy too. “I feel very honored and humbled to be recognized,” Namrata said. “I’m so grateful to my coworkers for always supporting me, our MCH team, and the leadership at the health department for making this program possible.” She also thanked the families she works with, saying, “I truly appreciate the clients and families who trust us and allow us into their homes to take care of them.” The VNPC’s mission is to make sure every pregnant woman, new mom, and baby in Virginia gets the best care possible. The Wonder Nurse Award is named after Joan Williamson, a respected OB nurse and one of the founders of VNPC.  Get more information about Maternal and Child Health services or learn more about public health nursing in Fairfax County.

In 2025, 36% of households—or 1.5 million people—in the DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia) reported experiencing food insecurity within the past year. Food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to nutritious food, can have a significant impact on one's mental and physical health, including an increased risk of obesity and chronic disease, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Addressing food insecurity requires collaboration at every level, from the individuals growing fresh produce to organizations distributing it to the community. On Wednesday, October 8, the Fairfax Food Council and the Emergency Food Strategy Team, which is led by the Food Access Program, hosted a meeting between fresh food producers and emergency food distributors. Representatives from 25 organizations across the DMV are gathered at the Fairfax County Government Center to discuss opportunities and challenges involved in receiving, storing, and distributing fresh food donations. Attendees also brainstormed practical solutions to improve collaboration, sharing what each could offer and how they could fill gaps in the food system. "This joint meeting fostered an insightful exchange between fresh food producers and emergency food providers. It surfaced real challenges and generated actionable solutions that will strengthen our local food system, from transportation and storage to donor education and community engagement," said Elisa Solomon, community health specialist with the Fairfax Food Council. This meeting aimed to strengthen partnerships and find ways to make fresh food at food pantries more accessible to the community. "This marked an important step toward stronger coordination between fresh food producers and emergency food providers, with the potential to reshape how food reaches our communities," said Elisa. "This is just the beginning. We're excited to build on this momentum and welcome partners from across the food system to help turn shared insights into action and lasting change." The Fairfax Food Council currently partners with 75 community organizations across Fairfax County and its surrounding areas. Learn more about the Fairfax Food Council and how you can get involved. Subscribe to the Food Council newsletter (found under the Health and Human Services section) to receive updates about food access and literacy, donation opportunities, urban gardening and activities and resources from around Fairfax County.