July 2025 Summit County Health News

July 17, 2025

July is a time of energy, sunshine, and celebration—it is a heartfelt invitation to embrace all that summer has to offer. It’s the perfect month to explore the outdoors, whether that means hiking our beautiful trails, biking through town, or simply taking a walk in the fresh air. Being active outside not only strengthens our bodies, but also boosts our mood and supports overall mental well-being. Long summer days give us more time to connect with others, enjoy local events, and build a sense of community. As we embrace this vibrant season, let’s take advantage of the abundant warmth and sunlight to create healthy habits that last all year. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and make time for fun and movement every day.

 With an unwavering commitment to public health,

—Dr. Phil Bondurant

Stay Active (and Safe!) in the Summer Heat

Summer is a great time to stay moving—but hot temps can make it tricky! Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while being active:

  • Beat the heat: Exercise in the early morning, later in the evening, or opt for the indoors when it’s too hot.

  • Hydrate often: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after activity.

  • Dress smart: Choose light, breathable clothing and wear sunscreen daily.

  • Listen to your body: Slow down or take breaks if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or overly tired.

  • Mix it up: Try water-based activities like swimming or plan fun indoor exercise with dance, yoga, or bodyweight workouts.

A little planning goes a long way to stay safe, stay cool, and keep moving!

Take Our Summer Safety Pledge
Protect a life. Win cool prizes! Summit County’s Health Promotion team is committed to helping you make your summer safe and fun! Make your pledge today, share the safety tips you learn with friends and family, and be a role model. 

*Opportunity drawings for fun prizes every Monday for 10 weeks June through August. Sign the pledge for a chance to win!

Reducing Food Waste: A win-win!

You can save money by fine tuning your grocery spending and reduce your environmental impact by sending less food to the landfill.

Check out these tips for reducing food waste:

  • Audit your food waste! Hold onto the food waste you create for a week in a 5 gallon bucket in the garage, or keep food waste bagged in the freezer to reduce the smell. At the end of the week, ask yourself: “What kind of food waste do I create? Is it scraps from my food prep process? Are there parts of meals I didn't finish eating? Is it purchased food that I simply didn't eat in time?”

    Getting to know your food waste can help you identify where you can make changes such as: buying less, meal prepping more intentionally, or leaving reminders for yourself that you have leftovers to eat.

  • Ever notice yourself throwing away your leftover herbs? Keep herbs fresh for longer by setting the stems in a cup of water in the refrigerator or wrap a wet paper towel around the cut ends. You can also freeze them for use in a homemade soup stock.

  • When you do create food waste, check out these options instead of sending it to the landfill:

Watch Out for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are caused by cyanobacteria—microscopic aquatic bacteria that can produce toxins harmful to humans, pets, and livestock. These blooms often appear in still water like lakes or ponds and can look like spilled paint, surface scum, or green foam. Always check water conditions before swimming, especially during warmer months. Stay updated through the Utah DEQ’s recreational water quality site.

Fishing? It’s safe—just clean and cook your catch properly.

Pet owners: Know the symptoms of exposure and act fast if your dog gets sick. Common symptoms of HAB exposure in dogs include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors, and/or seizure.

Learn how to identify potential blooms:

The photos in this gallery were taken of HABs in Utah, but do not include all possible appearances. Remember: “When in doubt, stay out!” | Graphic: Utah DEQ

For more tips on staying safe, check out this HAB safety guide.

Celebrate Cultural Diversity, Advocate for Mental Health Services for All

The month of July is dedicated to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness. This month is a great opportunity to:

  • Be open-minded about the experiences of others and educate ourselves on the history of marginalized communities:

    • BIPOC populations are faced with disproportionate amounts of historical trauma and are less likely to get treatment for medical or behavioral health issues due to cultural barriers, stigma, and lack of access to care.

    • According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), suicide is the third leading cause of death among Latino Americans 10 to 24 years-old and Latino men 25-34 years-old. There are many barriers to mental health care for our Latino community members including experiences of racism and discrimination and mental health stigma. Shortages of medical providers with diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds can lead to language barriers and issues with cultural competence to treat individuals from diverse backgrounds.

  • Take note of and share local and regional resources with those who may be in need.

    • Look around you and notice what avenues you can use to advocate for our BIPOC community. Here are resources in Summit County that offer mental health services in Spanish and English:

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please call the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at 435-658-9998.