City of Laredo Public Health Department

Laredo Public Health held a #ribboncutting ceremony and #unveiled two new #WellnessKiosks at Barbara Fasken Recreation Center and Cigarroa Recreation Center! These kiosks provide #free health items like #Narcan, #essential hygiene products, pregnancy tests, and more, along with critical community resources. Together, we're building a #healthier, stronger Laredo! #LaredoPublicHealth Esta ma?ana, Laredo Public Health inauguró dos nuevos quioscos de bienestar en el Centro Recreativo Barbara Faskeny el Centro Recreativo Cigarroa. Estos quioscos ofrecen artículos esenciales de salud gratuitos, como Narcan, productos de higiene, pruebas de embarazo y más, además de recursos comunitarios importantes. ?Juntos estamos construyendo un Laredo más saludable y fuerte!

?? What an incredible morning! Our Wellness Fest & Healthier Texas Community Challenge Grand Finale was a #success! ?? We had a fantastic turnout and celebrated our top participants who were awarded prizes for their #dedication to a healthier #lifestyle! ?? The event was full of energy with #Zumba, #free health screenings, and more to support our community’s #well-being. Thank you to everyone who joined us in this celebration making Laredo a #healthier place! ?? #LaredoPublicHealth View more photos of the event here: https://lnkd.in/gxANzQex ?? ?Qué ma?ana tan increíble en el Wellness Fest y Gran Final del Healthier Texas Community Challenge! ?? ?Tuvimos una gran participación y celebramos a nuestros mejores participantes, quienes fueron reconocidos y premiados por su compromiso con un estilo de vida más saludable!?? El evento estuvo lleno de energía con Zumba y pruebas de salud gratuitas para apoyar el bienestar de nuestra comunidad. ?Gracias a todos por unirse a nuestro esfuerzo por hacer de Laredo un lugar más saludable! ??

Sam Houston State University and City of Laredo Public Health Department Launch Pilot Study on the Impact of Environmental Stressors on Aging The City of Laredo Public Health Department, in collaboration with Sam Houston State University’s (SHSU) Department of Public Health in the College of Health Sciences, and other regional health agencies, is launching a pilot study on the Impact of Environmental Stressors on Aging. The pilot project will assess metal toxicity levels and exposure to particulate matters (air pollutants) in older adults and their potential impact on neurological health. This initiative, part of SHSU’s Border Health Initiatives, will partner with Cameron County Public Health (CCPH), Laredo Public Health (Laredo-PH), and Hidalgo County Health & Human Services (HCHHS) to evaluate environmental exposure risks in individuals aged 60 and older, with a total of 60 participants (i.e., ±20 per jurisdiction) set to be enrolled. The study aims to measure metal levels through blood and urine tests, assess particulate matter exposure using an air sampler, and conduct comprehensive health evaluations to analyze neurological health. In addition to testing, an essential component of the initiative is to educate participants, community members, and stakeholders on the public health risks associated with metal exposure and air pollution. By identifying potential health risks, the findings from this study will provide evidence-based insights to inform future public health interventions with a specific focus on older populations. The City of Laredo Public Health Department will play a critical role by providing clinical support as a community partner, assisting in specimen collection, household level air pollution measurement, and conducting neurological assessments. SHSU will supply necessary materials, equipment, and training to ensure the study is implemented effectively. Findings from this research will help support efforts to secure larger grant funding for expanded epidemiological studies, strengthen local health departments, and advocate for increased public health resources at the state and federal levels. The partnership between the City of Laredo Public Health and Sam Houston State University’s Department of Public Health is a groundbreaking step in addressing environmental public health risks in our community. By combining research, clinical expertise, and public outreach, we are paving the way for stronger public health interventions that will protect and enhance the well-being of our residents. The Pilot Study on the Impact of Environmental Stressors on Aging is scheduled to launch August – September 2025 following months of preparation, including finalizing legal agreements, securing institutional approvals, and engaging with stakeholders. Community outreach efforts will also be prioritized to ensure strong participation in the study. #PilotStudy #Environmental #ParticulateMatter #AirPollutants #NeurologicalHealth #Aging #Stress

Our Laredo Public Health leadership team had the opportunity to attend the latest Laredo LEADS session on Public Health Law! ?? Led by Alexandra Hess, JD, MPH, this session explored the role of legal epidemiology in shaping public health policies and advancing community health. Thank you to our partners for this insightful discussion! #LaredoPublicHealth #LEADS #PublicHealthLaw #Leadership

Today, we #honor the heart of our department—our #dedicated employees! ?? Your hard work and #commitment keep our community #safe and #thriving. Thank you for all that you do! ?? #EmployeeAppreciation #LaredoPublicHealth #ThankYouTeam Hoy celebramos el corazón de nuestro departamento: ?nuestros dedicados empleados! ?? Su esfuerzo y compromiso mantienen a nuestra comunidad sana y fuerte. ?Gracias por todo lo que hacen! ??

Thank you to everyone who joined our Laredo Breastfeeding Coalition meeting! We discussed DSHS Let's Talk - Safe Infant Sleep Community Training and encouraged our partners to participate and integrate it into their programs. We also talked about our Lactation Station which will be used at community events to support breastfeeding families and gather feedback through a more inclusive survey. Other key topics included upcoming events like our Nurse-Family Partnership Open House happening on March 4th, the latest CDC Maternal Mortality Data, and the importance of becoming a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite. If any community organization is interested in joining the coalition, please reach out to Alejandra Rodriguez (956) 236-9697. Let's continue working together to support breastfeeding families in our community! #LaredoPublicHealth #LaredoBreastfeedingCoalition #LBC #HealthyTexasMothersAndBabies #HTBM #NFP #Breastfeeding #TexasMotherFriendlyWorksite #LactationStation

Laredo Public Health Department Offers Accurate Information on Measles and Community Protection Laredo, Texas – The City of Laredo Public Health Department is committed to keeping our community informed and protected. At this moment in time, we want to advise residents that there are no confirmed cases of measles in our community. Our Epidemiology Department continues to monitor public health trends and remains vigilant in tracking potential health threats in surrounding areas. Laredo Public Health has been actively providing information and guidance to educational institutions, healthcare providers, and the community to promote prevention efforts and awareness. The health and safety of our residents remains our top priority. Laredo has consistently maintained higher-than-average childhood vaccination rates compared to state and national levels, significantly reducing the risk of a measles outbreak in our community. Currently, there is no recommendation for additional booster doses of the measles vaccine for individuals who have already received their routine immunizations. We urge the community to rely on credible sources for health information, as misinformation can cause unnecessary fear and confusion. The Laredo Public Health Department remains dedicated to providing timely and accurate updates to ensure the well-being of all residents.

Laredo Public Health Department Conducts H5N1 Influenza Tabletop Exercise This morning, The City of Laredo Public Health Department #successfully conducted its first-ever High Consequence #Infectious Disease (H5N1) Preparedness #Tabletop Exercise. This event marks the first in a planned series of annual tabletop exercises aimed at #enhancing Laredo’s #emergency response capabilities. The lessons learned from these exercises will provide future information for #response training, ensuring that all #stakeholders remain ready to swiftly and effectively take action in the event of public health crises. Held at the #LaredoPublicHealth Auditorium, the #H5N1 Preparedness Tabletop Exercise brought together key stakeholders from #local, #state, and #international agencies to increase #synergy in emergency preparedness #protocols for infectious disease #outbreaks. The exercise simulated a real-world H5N1 avian #influenza outbreak scenario, challenging participants to collaborate on containment strategies, risk communication, and healthcare surge capacity #planning. The discussion provided an opportunity to evaluate the region’s #preparedness, enhance #coordination among local agencies, and identify potential gaps in response plans. Dr. Richard A. Chamberlain, Laredo Public Health Director remarked, “Infectious disease threats like H5N1 remind us that preparedness is not an option—it is a necessity. This exercise brought together essential agencies to coordinate our response efforts, ensuring that Laredo is equipped to handle any public health emergency. The collaboration and dedication demonstrated today reaffirm that we are not only prepared but committed to continuous improvement in protecting our community.” As Laredo takes a #leading role in emergency preparedness, The City of Laredo Public Health Department remains #dedicated to creating #partnerships, enhancing response #strategies, and ensuring the #well-being of residents. The annual preparedness exercises will continue to build #resilience, ensuring that Laredo remains at the forefront of public health response. Click on the link below to view photos from the H5N1 Preparedness Tabletop Exercise: https://lnkd.in/ghQSfc_s

??♂???♀? There’s still time to #join the Healthier Texas Community Challenge! It’s easy—just download the app, register under City of Laredo, and log your daily activity to earn points. The top 15 participants will have a chance to win a bike or a Fitbit at our finale event! ?? ?? Save the date: March 8 at Jovita Idar’s El Progreso Park! Stay tuned for more details. ?? #LaredoPublicHealth #HealthyLaredo #HealthierTexasCommunityChallenge #StayActive ??♂???♀? ?Aún puedes unirte al Healthier Texas Community Challenge! Es muy fácil: descarga la app, regístrate bajo City of Laredo y registra tu actividad diaria para ganar puntos. ?Los 15 participantes con más puntos tendrán la oportunidad de ganar una bicicleta o un Fitbit en nuestro evento final! ?? ?? Aparta la fecha: 8 de marzo en Jovita Idar’s El Progreso Park. ?Pronto más detalles! ?? #LaredoSaludable #DesafíoComunitario #Actívate

Laredo Public Health Director Dr. Richard Chamberlain Earns Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional Credential Laredo, Texas – The City of Laredo’s Public Health #Director, Dr. Richard Chamberlain, has officially earned his #certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), making him one of only three #certified lifestyle medicine professionals in Laredo. This prestigious credential reflects his dedication to addressing the root causes of chronic disease through evidence-based, sustainable health interventions. The Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional #designation is awarded to #healthcare leaders who demonstrate #expertise in six key pillars of lifestyle medicine: whole-food, plant-predominant nutrition, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections. Dr. Chamberlain completed over 50 credit hours of specialized #training and passed a rigorous certification exam to achieve this milestone. “I am proud to bring this expertise to Laredo’s public health efforts,” said Dr. Chamberlain. “This certification reinforces our commitment to addressing chronic disease at its core and integrating proven, sustainable health strategies into our programs. By championing lifestyle medicine, we can create a healthier, more vibrant community while setting a strong example for professional growth within our city.” This certification aligns with the Laredo Public Health Department’s mission to #promote long-term well-being and #disease prevention. Dr. Chamberlain’s #leadership continues to drive #innovative, evidence-based approaches to improving public health outcomes for Laredo residents. #LaredoPublicHealth #LaredoPublicHealthDirector #CertifiedLifestyleMedicine #Congratulations #LifestyleMedicine #Healthcare #Nutrition #StressManagement #PhysicalActivity #Sleep #PositiveSocialConnections #RiskySubstanceAvoidance