Public health

June 24, 2019

Take the Bus! Let Grand Valley Transit do the driving for you

by Sarah Brooks Grand Valley Transit (GVT) is the local bus system in Mesa County, serving Grand Junction, Fruita, Clifton, and Palisade.  GVT operates 11 routes in Mesa County with service Monday-Saturday, except on holidays. Though buses run on a schedule, the SPOT app also shows the real-time location of […]
April 9, 2019

Prescription Drug Safety Starts with You

by Cassidy Foster Many times, people are prescribed medication and are unsure of what to do once the medication is no longer needed. A lot of people hang on to the medication with the thought, “I may need this later,” whether it is a painkiller, an antibiotic, or maybe even […]
June 19, 2018

Vaping – what you can’t see can hurt you

by Anne Nederveld My oldest child is starting high school in the fall, and so naturally I am beginning to think about things that she’ll face in this new environment. I‘ve recently heard a lot about vaping at area high schools, and specifically about “Juuling.” As a health care provider, […]
September 1, 2016
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Remaining cautiously optimistic about Suicide in Mesa County- it’s the ONLY option.

by Greg Rajnowski I’m always skeptical of people that use “ONLY,” “ALL,” “NEVER,” “NOTHING,” “EVERYONE,” and “ALWAYS,” in their expressions. For me, it’s kind of like the scene in Star Wars: Episode III, where Anakin states, “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy,” and then Obi-wan ironically states, […]
June 28, 2016
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HIV Testing: Awareness, access and taking control of your health

By Jeffrey Basinger, Director of Regional Programs, Western Colorado AIDS Project Who would’ve thought 30 years ago there would still be a need for organizations to help individuals infected with or at risk of acquiring HIV and other diseases? Today, more than 600 people receive support through the Western Colorado […]
June 14, 2016
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One of the best gifts you can give

by Sherri Burns When is the last time you had the chance to save someone’s life?  It is not something that most people think about on a daily basis, but it is easier than you think.  Saving someone’s life could take as little as 30 minutes, and doesn’t cost anything.  […]
February 16, 2016
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The Elephant in the Room: Prediabetes and What You Need to Know About It

by Lindsay Maurer EP, LMT, CKTP Imagine you’ve just been to your doctor for your annual physical and he or she tells you that you have prediabetes.  Don’t let the “pre” in prediabetes fool you into thinking it’s not really a problem now.  Eighty-six million Americans have prediabetes—that’s 1 out […]
January 15, 2016
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The less you smoke, the more you live

by Paula Anderson Quitting tobacco is tough. Have I smoked?   No. But as Smoking Cessation Liaison for Primary Care Partners, I’ve talked with hundreds who do smoke. Most of them would like to quit tomorrow, and almost all of them wish they’d never started – 22% of Mesa County residents […]
November 3, 2015
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Flu and Wildfire: Spot the Difference.

By Andi Goddeyne I love fall. I love the leaves changing, I love apple cider and I love the fashion. I love it all, except flu season. Flu season I don’t love so much. The real kicker? I attend a large university. There are thousands of humans running around one campus. […]
August 21, 2014
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Wash your hands to stay healthy

By Tamalynn Kirby/School District 51 One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is also one of the easiest: Wash your hands. There’s no standard that dictates how often you should wash your hands; it really depends on your activities. There are certain occasions when you must wash your hands: after using the […]