Healthy eating is a key part of overall well-being, and National Nutrition Month is the perfect time to focus on making informed food choices and building healthy habits! This year’s theme, "Beyond the Table," highlights the many factors that influence what we eat, including food access, sustainability, and cultural food traditions. Throughout the month, Healthy Savannah will share resources, tips, and local initiatives to help you nourish your body and community.

Join us in celebrating by exploring nutritious recipes, supporting local food initiatives, and making small changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle! 

Creating a supportive work environment for breastfeeding employees is a shared effort between businesses and their teams. Understanding both the federal PUMP Act and Georgia’s state law (O.C.G.A. § 34-1-6) helps employers provide the best possible support while ensuring compliance with existing protections.

Georgia’s law goes a step further by requiring paid lactation breaks for eligible employees, offering a broader level of protection beyond the federal requirements. Both laws aim to provide breastfeeding employees with private, designated spaces to express milk and the flexibility they need to balance work and family life.

Employers can foster a more inclusive and family-friendly workplace by:

• Providing private lactation spaces for nursing employees.
• Encouraging open communication about breastfeeding needs.
• Staying informed about state and federal requirements.
• Collaborating with employees to create a culture of support

Employees can also play a role by understanding their rights, communicating their needs, and working with their employers to find solutions that benefit everyone. By working together, businesses and employees can build a workplace culture that values and supports working parents and their families.

If you’re interested in learning more or exploring ways to implement breastfeeding-friendly policies, Healthy Savannah is here to help! Let’s work together to create a healthier, more supportive community.

For the past five years, Healthy Savannah has been bringing the community together for our Healthy Walk every Tuesday at 7:30 AM. Walking is one of the simplest ways to improve your health, and we’re proud to have built a strong, supportive group that stays active together! Thank you to everyone who has supported our initiative and kept this movement going! 

Join us on March 25th at Scarborough Sports Complex (on Skidaway and Bona Bella Avenue) at 7:30 am to celebrate our 5-Year Healthy Walk Anniversary! Whether you’ve walked with us before or are joining for the first time, we’d love to see you there! 

See pictures of some of our healthy walks below!

We are excited to share that our HPV Vaccination Equity Initiative (HPV-VEI) has officially wrapped up! On February 1st, we hosted a special celebration brunch to honor our incredible Community Health Advocates for their dedication and vital role in making this initiative a success.

In addition, our HPV-VEI team—Patricia Merritt (HPV VEI Coordinator), Dr. Virginia Dick (Evaluator), and Dr. Elsie Smalls (previous Adult Immunization Strategy Manager)—traveled to Athens, GA, on February 4th for the HPV-VEI Convening. There, they shared updates and final conclusions on our efforts to increase HPV vaccination awareness and access in Savannah.

We are so grateful for everyone who contributed to this initiative and helped us take another step toward a healthier community!

We hosted a Breastfeeding Advocacy stakeholder meeting on February 21st with 15 attendees from academia, public health, and lactation consulting! The event sparked strong support, with many participants eager to contribute in making Chatham County more breastfeeding friendly.

Discussions highlighted the challenges of implementing the Pump Act and the need to engage small businesses in creating lactation-friendly workplaces. Identifying breastfeeding-friendly hospitals was also a key focus to encourage early breastfeeding success. Our goal? Ensure 70% of our partners comply with Pump Act regulations.This is just the beginning! The next stakeholder meeting is set for summer, as we continue working toward a more breastfeeding-friendly Savannah.

Do you know any breastfeeding friendly workplaces? Whether it’s your employer, your favorite local business, or a nonprofit organization, we want to partner with them to celebrate and recognize their efforts in making Savannah a healthier place to live. Nominate a business or nonprofit today! Email our breastfeeding strategy manager, Dr. Elsie Smalls, at elsie@healthysavannah.org.

The holidays may be behind us, but flu season is still in full swing! The flu can spread well into the spring, so it’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting a flu vaccine. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and missed work or school.

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, now is the time! Check with your local pharmacy, healthcare provider, or local health department to get vaccinated and stay healthy through the rest of the season.

Healthy Savannah wants to hear from YOU! What does living a healthy lifestyle mean to you and your community? Is it nutritious meals, regular exercise, access to healthcare, or something else?

Your voice matters, and your input will help guide our efforts to make Savannah a healthier, more vibrant place to live. Share your thoughts by answering a quick survey and be part of shaping our community’s future.

Click here to share your perspective! Together, we can build a healthier Savannah!

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do for you and your family. One way to do that is to get regular physical activity. Increased physical activity can improve your sleep, reduce stress, and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Start your fitness journey with us on our weekly healthy walks! Check out February's schedule below. 

We are joining other local and national organizations in supporting the Moving Matters campaign, part of the Active People, Healthy Nation℠ initiative, to help promote the benefits of physical activity, encourage people to find small ways to incorporate movement into their day, and remind people that physical activity can be fun.

Visit cdc.gov/MovingMatters to learn more about the campaign and explore ways to get moving!

Looking for fresh, nutritious, and high-quality ingredients to support your healthy lifestyle? Whole Foods Market has you covered! With a commitment to organic produce, sustainable sourcing, and wholesome options for every diet, Whole Foods makes it easy to nourish your body while supporting responsible food choices.

From fresh fruits and vegetables to healthy snacks and pantry staples, you’ll find everything you need to create balanced, delicious meals. Visit your local Whole Foods Market and take a step toward healthier eating today!