Virginia State Office of Rural Health

10/23/2026

Job of the Day! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and be inspired by new opportunities or share it with a friend! Have a great weekend!

https://www.3rnet.org/jobs?oid=103415

Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Financial Manager to be responsible for managing cashiering, special disbursement, accounts payable and general ledger functions for Western State Hospital (WSH) and the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents (CCCA). This position will be also....

10/22/2026

Unlock new skills with the latest courses in the CDC Rural Public Health Training Plan. These free, self‑paced trainings can help you strengthen your expertise in data analysis, policy development, environmental health, and more to better support rural communities.

Register on CDC TRAIN and earn free continuing education credits.
https://bit.ly/4dQOm6f

10/21/2026

Flu activity in Virginia is currently on the rise. For our rural communities, that means it's crucial to stay vigilant: get your flu shot, practice good hand hygiene, and if you’re feeling unwell, give yourself time to recover before returning to work or community events. Let’s protect ourselves and support our neighbors this flu season.

With colder weather right around the corner, the folks at the Virginia Department of Health want you to know this year‘s flu is nothing to sneeze at. https://www.wavy.com/news/health/vdh-says-this-years-flu-season-starting-earlier-than-normal/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WAVY_TV_10

10/20/2026

National Women's Blood Pressure Awareness Week is October 18–24, a time dedicated to highlighting the serious impact of hypertension on women's health.

Nearly half of women in the United States are living with high blood pressure, yet many do not know they have it. This creates a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and other preventable health complications.

For women in rural communities, access to regular screenings and preventive care can be limited, making awareness and early detection even more critical. Encouraging routine blood pressure checks, supporting local clinics, and sharing reliable health information can make a meaningful difference.

Together, we can help ensure rural women have the resources and knowledge they need to monitor and manage their blood pressure.

Fact sheet:https://womenshealth.gov/sites/default/files/_documents/2026/nwbpaw/NWBPAW26_HealthyBP_FactSheet.pdf

10/19/2026

is one month away! Join and on Nov. 19 as we celebrate the and recognize the impact of rural communities. See how to participate at powerofrural.org.

10/15/2026

Governor Abigail Spanberger highlighted new investments and initiatives to support jobs, healthcare, and economic growth in rural Virginia during this week’s Rural Prosperity Summit. Read more about the announcements below.

https://www.governor.virginia.gov//newsroom/news-releases/2026/october-releases/name-1124887-en.html

Abigail D. Spanberger, Commonwealth, Governor of Virginia, governor, virginia, VA

10/14/2026

Our rural communities deserve strong, healthy smiles and access to the resources that make that possible. Good oral health supports overall well‑being, helping families thrive wherever they live.

A lifetime of health starts with good . 😁

VDH offers resources to help Virginians understand the strong connection between oral health and overall health. Gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, lung conditions, stroke, and pregnancy complications.

Good dental hygiene helps prevent gum disease.

Healthy mouths support healthier living—this month, make oral health a priority for total health.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/oral-health/resources/

10/08/2026

We’re in the final month of hurricane season which ends November 5th, the perfect time to make sure you’re prepared.

Now is the time to check your emergency kits at home and at your workplace. A well‑stocked kit can make all the difference during a storm.

Your Emergency Kit Should Include:
• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlights, batteries, and charging packs
• First-aid supplies and medications
• Important documents stored safely
• Backup power options
• Supplies for pets and family members with special needs

For businesses, consider adding:
• Emergency contact lists
• Backup copies of critical records
• Safety gear for staff
• Plans for communication and continuity of operations

A little preparation today builds a lot of resilience tomorrow.

Learn more about hurricane readiness at NOAA: https://www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep

Be ready for hurricane season. Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you have multiple ways of receiving forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. ,

10/07/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Virginia, making this a meaningful time to raise awareness about prevention, early detection, and the importance of regular screenings.

Join us in sharing this important reminder and helping keep breast health top of mind across Virginia, especially in our rural communities.

Female had the highest rate of all cancers in Virginia from 2019-2023. You can learn more about these numbers and other at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/data/virginia-cancer-dashboards/top-cancers-in-virginia/

10/06/2026

Food Is Medicine in Rural Communities through Primary Care Strategies

Food Is Medicine programs can help rural communities address nutrition, chronic disease, and food access by connecting primary care with community food resources.

A new resource from the Center for Health Care Strategies highlights three strategies states can use to expand these efforts.

👉 Read more: https://www.chcs.org/scaling-food-is-medicine-through-primary-care-three-strategies-for-states/

This blog post offers three strategies for state Medicaid agencies to strengthen the role of primary care in connecting Medicaid members to FIM interventions.