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Articles by Andrea Carlstrom
Op-ed: CCPH celebrates National Public Health Week from April 6-12, 2026
Ready. Set. Action! That is the theme of this year’s National Public Health Week, which will kick off on April 6 and last through April 12.
Op-Ed: We Are Chaffee aims to guide county’s future
While not perfect, Chaffee County is a pretty special place to live. However, 2025 has been a challenging year for public health professionals, and Chaffee County Public Health has experienced its fair share of adversity. We were alarmed by the dismantling and deresourcing of national pillars of health and science, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.
Chaffee County unites for health amid public health crisis
While not perfect, Chaffee County is a pretty special place to live. However, 2025 has been a challenging year for public health professionals, and Chaffee County Public Health has experienced its fair share of adversity. We were alarmed by the dismantling and deresourcing of national pillars of health and science, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.
Op-ed, by Andrea Carlstrom, Natl. Public Health Week
These are unprecedented times. And while the public health field is always a dynamic one, it feels as though the stakes are currently high, and the uncertainty of the future is more fragile than ever before. As I sit here pondering what to say about recognizing National Public Health Week, which is April 7-14, for once I am speechless. Our national, state, and local public health systems have undoubtedly been through tremendous strain over the past five years.
National Public Health Week April 7-14
These are unprecedented times. And while the public health field is always a dynamic one, it feels as though the stakes are currently high, and the uncertainty of the future is more fragile than ever before. As I sit here pondering what to say about recognizing National Public Health Week, which is April 7-14, for once I am speechless. Our national, state, and local public health systems have undoubtedly been under tremendous strain over the past five years.
Guest Column: CCPH celebrates National Public Health Week
It’s that time of year when we celebrate our local public health system. And, whether you consider yourself and the work you do as public health or not, the theme of this year’s National Public Health Week, observed April 1-7, is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” This includes you. Throughout this week, public health professionals encourage everyone to make small changes to improve their health.
CCPH provides update on respiratory illness season
It’s a new year, which typically means a time of reflection, retrospection and resolution. And while many of us are setting out with big plans to prioritize our health and wellness as we embark upon a new year, we are also unfortunately in the midst of respiratory illness season. On a daily basis, Chaffee County Public Health is hearing about waves of various illnesses hitting the community, and they range from mild to severe while also impacting otherwise healthy individuals.
Guest Column: Chaffee County Public Health provides COVID updates
The nights are getting cooler, the mornings darker, and there is a faint smell of crisp autumn leaves in the air. And, as fall starts to creep in on us, so does respiratory illness season. While Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) and its healthcare partners have been paying close attention to trends and predictions related to influenza and RSV, we are also acutely aware that there has been a steady stream of COVID cases making its way throughout our county over the past few months.
Chaffee County Public Health provides COVID updates
Chaffee County, CO – The nights are getting cooler, the mornings darker, and there is a faint smell of crisp autumn leaves in the air. And, as fall starts to creep in on us, so does respiratory illness season.
Chaffee County Public Health provides COVID updates
The nights are getting cooler, the mornings darker, and there is a faint smell of crisp autumn leaves in the air. And, as fall starts to creep in on us, so does respiratory illness season. While Chaffee County Public Health and its healthcare partners have been paying close attention to trends and predictions related to influenza and RSV, we are also acutely aware that there has been a steady stream of COVID cases making its way throughout our county over the past few months.
Chaffee County’s story
by Andrea Carlstrom and Lisa Martin Marketing professionals have known for years that a good story can persuade people to buy products. But can we use storytelling for community good? The simple answer is yes. Community storytelling can raise awareness about the issues faced by its members, build relationships and create deeper understanding and compassion for others living and working within a community.
County celebrates Public Health Week
On behalf of Chaffee County Public Health, please join me in recognizing National Public Health Week, April 3-9. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” According to the American Public Health Association, “Our cultures have always shaped our health.
Three years later, fed emergency comes to an end
It’s hard to believe that Chaffee County will be hitting its 3-year anniversary of its first COVID-19 case in March. And what a complex, uncertain and surreal 3 years they have been. First, I want to personally thank Chaffee County for its unwavering leadership, consistent generosity and community support throughout the entire pandemic. Our county has proven that it is a special place to live and serve.
Three years later, fed emergency comes to an end
It’s hard to believe that Chaffee County will be hitting its three-year anniversary of its first COVID-19 case in March. And what a complex, uncertain and surreal three years they have been. First, I want to personally thank Chaffee County for its unwavering leadership, consistent generosity and community support throughout the entire pandemic. Our county has proven that it is a special place to live and serve.
COVID level moves to medium
Dispatchist News from around the globe in real time Client login News Sources Countries People Categories Organizations Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom reported Friday morning that for the first time “in a very long time,” the COVID-19 community level has moved from low to medium Photo Albums Elks Christmas Baskets Relaxation Dental hosts Smiles for Freedom Salidans celebrate Dia de los Muertos Salida celebrates a spooky Halloween Boys & Girls Clubs honor Club Heroes...
Pandemic continues as life goes on
The summer of 2021 was supposed to feel normal, moving past the COVID-19 pandemic with hope, optimism, and promise. Then the Delta variant came along and overturned any notion of normalcy. COVID-19 incidence climbed before our eyes, the healthcare system surged as workforce shortages increased, and the policies and protocols that we had imagined abandoning, such as mask wearing and quarantine, continued to get in the way of the “summer of freedom” that we had all looked forward to.
Embarking upon a journey without orders, restrictions
Significant changes are underway for our response to COVID-19. For two years we have worked tirelessly to protect the lives and livelihoods of Chaffee County residents and visitors. While we assumed that development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and accompanying vaccination program would result in the end of the pandemic, we did not foresee some of the additional hurdles that would arise before the finish.
It’s time to live with COVID-19
If you had asked me at the end of 2020 what 2021 would look like, I would have said hopeful, promising, even “normal.” Unfortunately, that didn’t come true. I recall hearing in December 2020 that a COVID-19 vaccine was on its way, thinking the pandemic soon would be behind us. So, here we are at a new year, once again full of hope and promise.
It’s time to live with COVID-19
If you had asked me at the end of 2020 what 2021 would look like, I would have said hopeful, promising, even “normal.” Unfortunately, that didn’t come true. I recall hearing in December 2020 that a COVID-19 vaccine was on its way, thinking the pandemic soon would be behind us. So, here we are at a new year, once again full of hope and promise.
Pandemic is far from over as virus cases surge in Colorado
It’s hard to fathom that it has been 20 months since our lives were dramatically transformed by the COVID-19 global pandemic. While many in our society, especially in Colorado, have chosen to move on from this traumatic experience, going back to normal despite the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus, the pandemic is unfortunately not over. If you had asked us last year what fall 2021 would look like, this is not what we would have described.
"Lives are being lost, health care system is crumbling and health care system is surging"
It’s hard to fathom that it has been 20 months since our lives were dramatically transformed by the COVID-19 global pandemic. And while many in our society, especially in Colorado, have chosen to move on from this traumatic experience, going back to “normal” despite the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus, the pandemic is unfortunately not over. If you had asked us last year what fall of 2021 would look like, this is not what we would have described.
What’s safe for unvaccinated kids
It’s summer in the Rockies, and while this summer definitely feels more normal than summer 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic is not behind us yet. While we have been successful in vaccinating the majority of our highest risk populations in Chaffee County, we have seen a lull in vaccine demand with eligible populations and are eagerly anticipating vaccinating those younger than 12 when approved to do so.
Not the time to tempt fate
It’s hard to believe that we have been living amidst a global pandemic for over a year now. Early last March, it was clearly just a matter of time before our beloved Chaffee County experienced its own personal relationship with the pandemic. Little did we know the impact this would have on all of us locally, nationally and globally. Coordination and collaboration have been a significant driver of Chaffee County’s success in managing the pandemic.
Yellow means continued work ahead for county
Last Saturday morning Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment moved Chaffee County from Orange to Yellow on the statewide COVID-19 Dial. This was not due to a fundamental improvement in our public health metrics but rather was reflective of the agency “changing the markers on the field.” This change in the dial will allow us to increase our capacities for restaurants, gyms, churches and many other venues that have been operating under tight restrictions.
Doing the right thing during the tough times
If you had asked me at the beginning of 2020 what my outlook for the year was, I would have said full of promise and hope. Our county had experienced its fair share of tragedy and stress, and 2020 started off on a positive note. During the past seven months, 2020 has proven to challenge these feelings, but come to find out, we are a resilient, compassionate, and determined county.
Health director addresses Chaffee response to COVID-19
There are no words to accurately describe the events of the past several months. I am at a loss on what to say, don’t know where to begin, or I get pulled in a different direction due to so many competing priorities. However, there have been many lessons learned throughout this pandemic journey, and while it is not over yet, I would like to share my observations and perspectives that I have gathered. This is by no means exhaustive.
‘Thank you, Chaffee County, for prioritizing health’
Over this holiday weekend, I can’t help but feel tremendous gratitude despite such uncertain and challenging times. I am grateful for a public health team that is dedicated, thoughtful and determined, even on a bad day.
National Public Health Week is April 6-12
Special to The Times In observance of National Public Health Week, April 6-12, I would like to thank each and every Chaffee County Public Health staff member and community partner for making the past year a successful one in the population health landscape of Chaffee County and our region. Our public health system is being put to the test in an unprecedented and uncertain time.
Housing-health conundrum: Be part of the solution
It is a well-known fact that Chaffee County, along with the entire state of Colorado, is experiencing a challenge in providing all residents with safe, secure and affordable housing. Here at the Department of Public Health, we see firsthand, every day, that housing is not just about homes. Housing is about overall health and well-being – for our teachers, public servants, tourism industry employees and the entire community.
Guest opinion
It is a well-known fact that Chaffee County, along with the entire state of Colorado, is experiencing a challenge in providing all residents with safe, secure and affordable housing. Here at the Department of Public Health, we see firsthand, every day, that housing is not just about homes. Housing is about overall health and well-being – for our teachers, public servants, tourism industry employees and the entire community.
Volunteer: It’s good for your health
The Arkansas Valley is no stranger to volunteerism. Countless nonprofit and informal agencies solicit the time, treasures and talents of Chaffee County residents on a regular basis for the good of the cause. According to the Envision Chaffee County Community Action Plan, volunteerism is a strength of our community with more than 30,000 hours a year (16 years!) donated to the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife alone.
Vaccines save 33,000 lives each year
Today, there are outbreaks of measles in Oregon, Washington, New York, Texas and Illinois and individual cases in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky and New Jersey. More than 206 people had been confirmed to have the disease in 2019 alone – a threefold increase from the same period in 2010. Believe it or not, measles was declared eradicated from the United States in 2000. Now we hear daily of families afraid to leave home with their newborn for fear of contracting the disease.
Guest opinion
In observance of National Public Health Week, April 2-8, I would like to thank every Chaffee County Public Health staff member and community partner for making the past year a successful one in the population health landscape of Chaffee County and our region. Our department, a small but mighty team of 16, has been busy.
County celebrates National Public Health Week - TheMountainMail.com: Free Content
During the 2016 National Public Health Week we would like to acknowledge the staff of Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH). These staff members work tirelessly to improve the health and wellness of Chaffee County residents.
Get the gift of health this holiday season - The Chaffee County Times: Free Content
While there have been no confirmed cases of influenza in Chaffee County yet this season, several upper respiratory and stomach bugs have been making their way throughout the community. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated. This year’s vaccine is said to be the closest match to the current flu virus strain in comparison to recent years. Whether by flu shot or nasal spray vaccine, the chances of getting the flu and spreading it are significantly decreased when vaccinated.
The gift of health this holiday season - TheMountainMail.com: News
In the midst of a season filled with holiday parties, shopping, concerts and other joyous activities, it is not fun to be sick, whether from the flu, a common cold or a stomach illness. Not only can illnesses get in the way of holiday and winter cheer, but they can also interfere with work, school and exercise. In addition, many sicknesses are extremely contagious among family members, neighbors, classmates and co-workers. kAm(9:=6 E96C6 92G6 366? ?@ 4@?7:C>65 42D6D @7 :?7=F6?K2 :?
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