How “secret shopping” teens prevent access to tobacco: Fel Pajimula explains

April 5, 2017.Reading time 7 minutes.

For National Public Health Week (April 3-9th), we’re celebrating by featuring unsung public health heroes who make our communities safer and healthier. Each day, we’ll highlight a public health worker through their own words, sharing their work and why they’re committed to serving our community. Today, we talk with Fel Pajimula of our Tobacco Prevention […]

What if a health worker came to you? And spoke your language?

February 6, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

On this Monday afternoon at the community room at Southwood Square in Kent, Natalie Kotar brings out her whiteboard and begins a conversation about healthy drinks—all in Russian. Here, she’s known as Natasha, an affectionate nickname in Russian for Natalie. The seniors living here have met in the community room, a few feet from the […]

Parents, help your dollars shape local investments for kids. Survey open!

January 23, 2017.Reading time 2 minutes.

Cross-posted from BestStartsblog.com We know that parenting is hard work. Help shape Best Starts for Kids investments by sharing your insight. The Best Starts for Kids survey is open until January 27th! How is childcare working or not working for you? Do your kids get the check-ups they need? What are ways that we can […]

King County selected as one of six national sites to “ReThink Health”

December 8, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

The King County Accountable Community of Health (ACH) is gaining some national attention as a leader in improving health systems and the health of our communities. This week, the King County ACH was selected by ReThink Health to participate in a national cohort all working towards similar goals. The cohort is designed to forge partnerships […]

¿Cuáles son las necesidades y fortalezas de las familias de King County? La primera encuesta de salud que responderá estas preguntas.

December 1, 2016.Reading time 1 minute.

Spanish blog post about the Best Starts for Kids Child Health Survey. For related information about the survey in English, visit, “What are the needs and strengths of King County families? First-ever health survey to provide answers.“ Escrito por José Niño De Guzmán and Lisa Jaffee ¿Reciben los niños de nuestra región los exámenes médicos recomendados? […]

A way forward: Sowing community solutions in the Chinatown-International District

November 16, 2016.Reading time 8 minutes.

In the first of a three-part series on health in the Chinatown-International District, we learned that data pointed to some unexpected findings: – Diabetes is the leading cause of death; – The neighborhood has experienced a 64% increase in young children since 2010; and, – More people report having poor mental health than anywhere else […]