Health Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.
703-246-2411 TTY 711
10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of Health

Department Resources

Empowering Lives Through Chronic Disease Self-Management

Binbin Yang leading CDSMP workshop
Binbin Yang leading CDSMP workshop at Lake Anne House

Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 

Chronic conditions — like heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes — are persistent health conditions that require ongoing management and care. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) empowers those living with chronic disease to care for their physical and mental well-being through education, skills, and support.

Binbin Yang, Senior Community Health Specialist who works primarily with the Chinese community, in collaboration with Silver Light Seniors Association conducts a CDSMP workshop in Chinese. Participants meet every Monday for six weeks at Lake Anne House, where they develop skills, set goals, and create personalized action plans for the following week. “The action plan is a crucial part of CDSMP,” said Binbin.

“Participants utilize self-management tools and skills they learned from the workshop, integrate their cultural traditions and routines into the action plan, gradually change their health behaviors, and become better chronic disease self-managers.”

Chunquan Zhang and his calligraphy
Program participant, 89-year-old Chunquan Zhang, shared his action plan of the week: calligraphy. Zhang says practicing the precise movements required in calligraphy enhance hand-eye coordination and fine motor control. Calligraphy also helps him remain sharp and focused, as the rhythmic nature of calligraphy has a calming effect and helps reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall mental well-being.

By taking things one week at a time, participants are able to incorporate accessible and lasting techniques they can use to manage their illness.

By the end of the six-week program, participants often demonstrate significant improvements in pain levels, exercise, cognitive symptom management, fatigue, and increased confidence in their ability to manage their chronic illness.

To learn more about the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program email hdoutreach@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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