Marion County Health & Human Services

12/02/2025

12/01/2025

Flip the switch—it’s National Christmas Lights Day! ✨ From classic white to rainbow brights, ’tis the season to stroll the neighborhood and soak in the glow.

Need more lights? The City of Salem is hosting its annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 6 at Riverfront Park. Enjoy holiday music, carriage rides, a visit with Santa and more! The festivities start at 5:30 p.m.

Bonus: a brisk walk can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, strengthen your heart, and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke? Grab a jacket and get those steps in!
🎄👟

12/01/2025

Calling all middle school students! We've partnered with Polk County Health Services, Salem Health and Capital Community Media for a Middle School Healthy Choices Video Contest!

You are invited to enter a video contest that highlights healthy choices you make. The #1 top rated video will be awarded $100!

The challenge:
1. Form a group of 2-4 friends
2. Choose a messaging topic related to making healthy choices
3. Submit by January 14, 2026

Winners will be announced on January 31, 2026, at a Red-Carpet Awards Night at Capital Community Media. Scan the QR code for more details or visit https://tinyurl.com/mtmxuytc.

Salem Health Polk County Health Services Dallas, Oregon

11/30/2025

**Multi-Language Post**
World AIDS Day is almost here. It's important to remember all those who lost their lives to AIDS. Each of us can do something to prevent new HIV infections. Find out more about HIV testing, prevention and treatment at www.endhivoregon.org.

Ya casi es el Día Mundial del SIDA. Es importante recordar a todos aquellos que perdieron su vida por el SIDA y que cada uno de nosotros puede hacer algo para prevenir nuevas infecciones de VIH al hacerse la prueba de detección. Más información sobre preve nción y las pruebas de VIH en www.endhivoregon.org

11/29/2025

💡 Lights, Camera 🎥, HEALTHY! Marion & Polk County High-School Aged Teens - We're challenging you to show us the healthy choices you and your friends make. Form a group (2-4 teens) and create a short video for a chance to win for you and your school/organization!

The Challenge:
1. Form a team of 2-4 teens.
2. Choose a topic about making healthy choices.
3. Submit by January 14, 2026

The Awards:
• 1st Place: $1,000
• 2nd & 3rd Place: $500
The top video creators will get the star treatment at our Red-Carpet Awards Night on January 31, 2026, at Capital Community Media

Scan the QR code for all the rules and to enter or visit https://tinyurl.com/mtmxuytc.

Salem Health Polk County Health Services Dallas, Oregon

11/28/2025

Many young people report that their first gambling experience occurs around 9-11 years of age. Children who have early exposure to gambling experiences, including lottery tickets, are four times more likely to develop a gambling problem.

This holiday season, . Lottery tickets aren’t for kids.

11/28/2025

The holiday season can be a difficult and stressful time for many. That’s why it’s so important to stop and listen to your own needs, too. Text or call 988 whenever you need someone to talk to. You can also chat with a trained counselor online at 988oregon.org

11/28/2025

La temporada navideña puede ser una época difícil y estresante para muchos. Por eso es tan importante detenerse y escuchar sus propias necesidades. Envía un mensaje de texto o llama al 988 cuando necesites hablar con alguien. También puedes chatear con un consejero capacitado en línea en 988oregon.org/es/

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Marion County Health & Human Services. Our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen on Friday, November 28, with regular business hours.

Our crisis services will remain open throughout the holiday.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday.

11/26/2025

🦃🍽️ Thanksgiving Food Safety Reminder 🧼🥧

As you prep your holiday feast, keep your family and friends safe with a few simple tips:
• Wash your hands often: Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before cooking, after handling raw turkey, and before eating.
• Thaw safely: In the refrigerator, in cold water (changed every 30 minutes), or in the microwave—never on the counter.
• Cook it fully: Turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, thigh, and stuffing (if stuffed).
• Avoid cross-contamination: Use separate cutting boards/utensils for raw turkey and ready-to-eat foods.
• Chill leftovers fast: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and enjoy them within 3–4 days (or freeze).

Clean hands + safe food = a happier holiday. 💚

11/26/2025

**Multi-Language Post**
Get kids involved in meal preparation! 🥦🍅 Let them pick out fruits and veggies at the grocery store or farmers market, and then have them help wash, peel, and chop them for meals.

When kids are involved in food preparation, it can encourage them to try new foods and learn where our foods come from 👩‍🌾 And with WIC, you can get fresh, canned, or frozen fruits and veggies to accommodate your families specific needs and preferences! 🙌

Not enrolled in WIC yet? Learn more about the benefits and get started today: WIC.MCHEALTHY.NET

¡Involucre a los niños en la preparación de las comidas! 🥦🍅 Permítales elegir frutas y verduras en el supermercado o en el mercado, y luego pídales que le ayuden a lavarlas, pelarlas y cortarlas para las comidas.

Cuando los niños participan en la preparación de alimentos, es más probable que se animen a probar nuevos sabores y aprendan de dónde provienen los alimentos. 👩‍🌾 Y con el WIC, ¡usted puede obtener frutas y verduras frescas, enlatadas o congeladas para satisfacer las necesidades y preferencias específicas de su familia! 🙌

¿Aún no se inscribió en el WIC? Obtenga más información sobre los beneficios y comience hoy mismo: WIC.MCHEALTHY.NET

11/25/2025

November is Diabetes Awareness Month!
Holidays like Thanksgiving can be full of hidden sugar in every dish—but small swaps can make a big difference. Try these simple ideas for a healthier (and still delicious!) holiday meal:

🥔 Use fresh sweet potatoes instead of canned.
🥛 Swap heavy cream for whole or low-fat milk in mashed potatoes, casseroles, or pie fillings.
🍶 Add Greek yogurt to mashed potatoes for extra protein and creaminess.
🧈 Cut the butter in half for every recipe—it still tastes great!
🍎 Replace cranberry sauce with unsweetened applesauce or fresh fruit.
🥖 Choose whole-grain rolls for more fiber.
💧 Sip sparkling water or infused water instead of sugary drinks.

A few small changes can go a long way toward supporting your health—without giving up your favorite flavors!