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- Jan. 29 Summit County Health News
Jan. 29 Summit County Health News
Mental Health Community Survey
Mental health challenges touch all of us. You might not know it, but someone close to you—a friend, neighbor, spouse, or child—could be struggling. In Summit County, about 40% of residents now receive behavioral health services and 20% of students face mental health challenges, so your input matters.
Past survey results from three years ago led to:
Peer-led youth programs to connect students with support.
A trained peer recovery workforce, including certified Peer Support and Family Support Specialists.
Summit County’s first sober living / recovery housing options.
Alcohol and drug free social programs for safer community connection.
There are less than two weeks left to take the survey, so please take a few minutes to fill it out right now at summitcounty.info/mhsurvey26 and make a difference in our community!
Solid Waste Action Plan Underway
Summit County is working on an Action Plan addendum to our 2018 Solid Waste Master Plan, and your input matters!
> What’s an Action Plan Addendum?
In plain terms, it means we’re taking another look at the 2018 Solid Waste Master Plan to find practical strategies that will allow us to extend the life of our landfill another 10 years beyond current projections.
> Is the community involved in this process?
Yes! Earlier this month, we launched the public engagement efforts for this process via a Flash Vote survey to better understand the community’s current waste practices, priorities, and values. Now, we’re excited to share the results with you. View the survey dashboard HERE.
> What’s Next? Join Us In Person!
We invite you to take part in the next phase of public engagement at one of our upcoming events. At these events, you’ll learn more about the survey results, the action plan process, opportunities to reduce waste, areas where we need your help, and share insight directly with Summit County’s waste diversion experts from our Landfill and Sustainability teams!
North Summit v. South Summit Basketball Game
Friday, February 6, 2026, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
North Summit High School, 111 East 100 South, Coalville
Snyderville Basin Open House
Tuesday, February 10, 2026. 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Mountain Regional Water Building, Conference Room, 5739 Paintbrush Road, Park City
Stay tuned for more updates on waste reduction and diversion efforts in the months ahead!
Why Care About Folate So Much When Talking About Pregnancy?
Folate generally is used to describe vitamin B9 & it’s different forms (man-made & naturally occurring). The body needs folate to make new cells and low folate levels during early pregnancy can increase the risk of a baby having neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are serious problems with a baby’s brain or spine. Two common ones that occur in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy are spina bifida (where the spine doesn’t close properly) and anencephaly (where parts of the brain and skull don’t form)1,2
Many women don’t realize they’re pregnant until after the neural tube has already formed and closed. That’s why starting a prenatal vitamin with folic acid before getting pregnant helps protect the baby. If you can become pregnant, it’s recommended to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.1 Folic acid is found in most prenatal vitamins as well as enriched breads, pastas, rice, flours, grains, and grain products while folate is naturally present in foods such as beef liver, eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, avocado, bananas, and legumes.3,4 :
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, can get pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy.
References:
Cold Weather Safety in Summit County: Know the Risks and Available Resources
Winter in Summit County brings extreme cold that can be dangerous, especially for individuals without reliable heat or shelter. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures increases the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other serious health complications. Taking precautions and knowing where to find help can save lives.
A Code Blue Alert is issued when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures of 18°F or below (including wind chill) for two or more hours. During Code Blue events, additional protections and resources, such as short-term shelter options and transportation assistance, are activated under Utah law to support people experiencing homelessness and others at risk.
More Information:
Winter Air Quality in Summit County: What You Should Know
Winter in Summit County can trap cold air beneath warmer layers, causing pollution to build up near the ground and reducing air quality. Reduce exposure by avoiding idling, limiting wood burning or burning responsibly, combining errands, and using public transit or carpooling when possible.
Maintain cleaner indoor air by changing HVAC filters regularly, using HEPA air purifiers in frequently used rooms, sealing drafts, and ventilating briefly on clear days. Limit indoor combustion (candles, incense, smoking) and ensure carbon monoxide and radon detectors are working.
Choosing cleaner heating, reducing emissions, and following local advisories help protect health across Summit County. For current readings and local guidance, see our air quality page.
Interested in a clean air project at home or for your business and want additional support? Check out DAQ's new incentive finder tool to identify relevant grants, rebates, and tax credits available at the local, state, and federal level.
Tobacco and Nicotine Quit Resources
Are you looking to quit using tobacco or nicotine products? Way To Quit has free quit resources including 1-on-1 coaching and nicotine replacement therapy to make quitting easier. Visit WaytoQuit.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. For youth between the age of 13-17 looking to quit, the My Life My Quit program offers free 1-on-1 coaching available at mylifemyquit.org.