April 28 Health News

April 28, 2026

Inside this email:

Director’s Message

Can you believe we are almost into May!? I am so grateful for any and all precipitation we have received!

With so much uncertainty around weather patterns and world conditions generally, I am reminded how much I need to take time to pause, breathe slow and deep, take a moment to check-in to ask what my body needs, and what I can do to care for my emotions. When I am not listening to my body, I easily dismiss my needs, run faster than I have strength, and find that I am depleted when it comes to the things that matter most - building and maintaining relationships. This includes my relationship with myself, a higher power, my loved ones, my neighbors, colleagues, and community. Some things that I have found helpful are to take 10 minutes each morning and evening to reflect on the day ahead or the day that is ending to express gratitude for all the things that are going well and find an outlet for the feelings and emotions that come up. That outlet might be playing with my cats, talking through challenges with my therapist, taking time to fully feel and process things that weigh on my mind, attend a yoga class or a spiritual refuge, dance, talk to a trusted friend, or take a walk outside. If you feel that you are starting to be impatient with others, easily irritated, hesitant to give others the benefit of the doubt, take a moment to pause, check-in, and see what you need to take care of you. You matter, you have unique needs, you have a unique role to fulfill, and you can be your best when you are taking care of you.

If you or someone you know are in a moment of crisis, call 988 to get immediate help.

Forward in health!

Kendra Babitz

Deputy Health Director

Utah Community Clean Energy Program Approval

Summit County Council approved the Utah Community Clean Energy Program earlier this month! This program gives Utahns in participating communities the power to choose clean, reliable, affordable electricity, supporting healthier families, communities, and the environment. The ordinance was approved by the Public Service Commission on March 4 and by County Council on April 15. This means Summit County Rocky Mountain Power customers will automatically support investment in clean energy at a residential rate of $4 per month, with a non-residential rate based on usage. Customers may opt out at any time. Notices will be sent in late 2026, before automatic enrollment begins in early 2027.

Learn more about the Utah Community Clean Energy Program here.

Summit County Receives PPHR Recognition

Summit County Health Department received Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) recognition from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) earlier this month. PPHR is a criteria-based training and recognition program that helps local health departments prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. This recognition reflects Summit County Health’s commitment to maintaining strong emergency preparedness plans, building partnerships, and supporting the health and safety of our community.

Summit County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Chris Crowley receives PPHR recognition at NACCHO’s 2026 conference in Baltimore.

Tick Season is Here

Ticks are most commonly encountered in Utah from snowmelt through mid-July, with the Rocky Mountain wood tick being the species residents are most likely to see. While the risk of Lyme disease in Utah is extremely low, ticks can still spread other illnesses, so prevention is key. Wear long clothing, use tick repellent, avoid grassy and brushy areas when possible, and check your body and gear carefully after spending time outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it promptly and carefully using tweezers or another safe method. Click here to learn more.

Safe Medication Disposal Can Prevent Prescription Drug Misuse

Unused or expired medications can create real risks at home, especially for teens. Many young people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family or friends, often from medicine cabinets that aren’t locked or regularly cleaned out. Safe disposal is a simple, effective prevention strategy. Removing unused medications reduces access and helps protect youth from harmful or addictive substances. Parents and caregivers can also support prevention by talking with youth about the risks of misuse; for tips, visit Know Your Script. Summit County residents can use medication drop-off locations in Kamas, Park City, and Coalville to safely dispose of medications.

The Importance of Vitamin D

Did you know astronauts need vitamin D during space missions? We need it here on Earth too to keep our bones strong and support overall health. Click here to launch your vitamin D knowledge rocket.

Sunlight provides vitamin D

Sunlight is an important source of vitamin D because the body can produce it when the skin is expose to Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. In general, 15-30 minutes of sunlight exposure at least 2-3 times per week is often recommended, depending on your skin tone (around 15 minutes for fair skin and 30 minutes for dark skin). Fear not if you prefer to keep sunscreen in your routine, especially if you have a history of sun sensitivity or skin cancer in the family. Research suggests that sunscreen use doesn't significantly reduce vitamin D synthesis. For those who'd rather skip the sunscreen for their short vitamin D window, that's a valid choice too, just be mindful of prolonged exposure and reapply when spending extended time outdoors.

Food sources of Vitamin D

The best food source of vitamin D is cod liver oil but there are other foods sources rich in vitamin D including:

  • Salmon & tuna

  • Milk

  • Cheese & yogurt

  • Eggs

  • Fortified cereals

  • Mushrooms

Vitamin D supplement

General guidelines recommend about 600IU/Day for men and woman aged 1-70 years old. One of the best ways to know whether you are getting enough vitamin D is to ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels.