Do you know that you can have a positive impact on the well-being of others in Fairfax County? As we ring in 2024, why not consider making a positive impact on the health and well-being of others in your community? 

1. Get involved.

Fairfax County offers a variety of opportunities: 

• Join a Fairfax Food Council Work Group. The Urban Agriculture Work Group supports urban agriculture in the Fairfax area by helping people successfully grow food in our Northern Virginia climate and soil, supporting land sustainability, and exploring policy and systems change to improve and increase healthy urban agriculture. The Food Access & Literacy Work Group facilitates information-sharing to engender collaborative and innovative initiatives to increase the number of healthy food access points in the Fairfax community, especially in the areas of highest need. The Work Group also supports making food literacy and nutrition education programming available through a variety of avenues.
• Live Healthy Fairfax and the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax provide many opportunities to engage and improve the health of your community. From healthy eating and active living to healthy environment and behavioral health, there is sure to be a project that fits your interests. 

2. Get vaccinated and encourage others to do the same.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious illness from vaccine preventable diseases. By getting vaccinated you are protecting yourself, as well as the people around you.  

• Everyone 6 months and older should get the updated COVID-19 vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine. Visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you. 
• People who are 60 years or older, pregnant, or parents of infants should talk to a healthcare provider about RSV immunization. 
• Make sure your child is up-to-date on their routine immunizations. See childhood and required school immunizations.

3. Learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your community from disease-carrying insects. 

The Fairfax County Disease Carrying Insects Program provides a variety of educational materials for the community. Find information and resources on how to keep your yard and home tick and mosquito-free. Even during the winter months, blacklegged ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease, are active when the temperature is greater than 40 °F.

4. Volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

MRC volunteers play a crucial role in supporting the public health system in Fairfax County (as well as the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church), assisting in emergency response, operating vaccine clinics, educating the community on emergency preparedness, and more. MRC volunteers do not need to have a medical background. 

Join the Fairfax Medical Reserve Corps.

5. Get trained to save lives.

Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board offers free, virtual trainings that can help you save a life.

• REVIVE! Training teaches people how to recognize an opioid overdose, what to do and what not to do in an opioid overdose, and how and when to administer naloxone. Participants who complete the training will receive a free box of naloxone so they have the knowledge and the materials needed in the face of an opioid overdose. Classes are offered virtually and in English and Spanish.  
• Mental Health First Aid teaches people the risk factors and warning signs associated with mental health problems, the importance of early intervention, and how to help someone who is in crisis or experiencing a mental health or substance abuse challenge. 

Wishing all a healthy new year!