Foundation for a Healthy North Dakota

03/20/2026

It's a common question in any household with young children: "Did you remember to brush your teeth?"

Today is World Oral Health Day, and we know it can be a challenge getting kids to understand why dental care and oral hygiene are so important. The FDI World Dental Federation has some fun activity and coloring sheets to get yours involved in the conversation! 🦷 🪥

Get them here: bit.ly/48Qtsit

03/18/2026

It's normal to worry about our kids' safety, but sometimes we forget to look around our very own homes for potential hazards. During National Poison Prevention Week, brush up on your knowledge of common household dangers by revisiting our educational webinar with Carma Hanson of Safe Kids Grand Forks:

In this educational webinar, Safe Kids of Grand Forks Coordinator, Carma Hanson, will discuss the safety of children in homes with many standard items used f...

03/13/2026

Everyone knows a good night's sleep is crucial to our physical and mental health ... but lots of us either don't get enough of it or don't get good quality.

Here are five sleep recommendations for adults, courtesy of the World Sleep Society:

1. If daytime napping is a habit, don't exceed 45 minutes per day.

2. Avoid consuming caffeine 6 hours before bedtime.

3. Only use your bed for sleep and sexual activity. Don't use it for work or general leisure activities.

4. Avoid heavy, spicy, and sugary foods 4 hours before bedtime.

5. Maintain a suitable room temperature (between 60°F and 67°F) when sleeping.

Learn more: bit.ly/4rWh6iv

03/10/2026

With your help, we're making the place we love and call home a healthier place to live for everyone.

Your one-time or recurring donation to our organization supports our work — and the well-being of all North Dakotans.

Learn more: bit.ly/3Pssz8r

03/04/2026

Human papillomavirus is not just one virus. It's actually a family of more than 100 types of viruses, some of which can lead to various forms of cancer.

Today is International HPV Awareness Day. Learn more about the causes of human papillomavirus and HPV-related cancers, and ask your healthcare provider — or, if you're a college student, your campus student health service — about the HPV vaccine: bit.ly/4aXFVDc

03/02/2026

Flu season is at its peak, and young kids, people with chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma, or diabetes, and adults 65 years and older are at a greater risk of developing serious flu complications.

If you missed getting the flu shot earlier this fall, there is still time to protect yourself! Ask your healthcare provider or contact your clinic, local public health office, or pharmacist about getting the flu vaccine.

02/27/2026

With documented cases of measles rising across the country, you may be wondering: Do I need to worry?

The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is to talk with your medical provider about getting vaccinated. In addition, ND Health and Human Services regularly updates its website with exposure locations and details on how long to monitor symptoms if you were present during the dates and times.

Learn more: bit.ly/4kPwivO

This page contains information about measles, measles data, resources for schools and child care facilities on measles, measles resources for healthcare providers, measles vaccine, MMR and MMRV vaccine information

02/25/2026

Indoor winter activity idea: The American Dental Association has a bunch of cute coloring and activity sheets at the link below to help get kids more interested in taking care of their teeth! 🦷 They're available for free to print at home or work in celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month. Get them here: bit.ly/3LDG7uM

NCDHM Month, National Children’s Dental Health Month.

02/23/2026

TOMORROW! We'll be gathering virtually on Tuesday, February 24th at 12 noon CST to hear from Teri Mills and Dr. Donna A. Gaffney of Grandparents for Vaccines. They'll be sharing more about their volunteer-led movement and ways to get involved. Registration is still open! https://bit.ly/4rLSOrx

02/20/2026

Our friends at North Dakota State University's Center for Immunization Research and Education (CIRE) are hosting a must-attend webinar next week! Join Elizabeth Skoy, PharmD, and Andrea Polkinghorn, BSN, RN, to dive into the history, roles, and system-level implementation of shared clinical decision-making in vaccinations.

When: Tuesday, Feb 24 | 12 PM – 1 PM CT
The Bonus: Free CE credits are available for attendees!

Register here: bit.ly/4rE7tF8

02/19/2026

Join us on Tuesday, February 24th to learn more about a dedicated group of grandparents working to ensure kids get the best possible start in life! Grandparents for Vaccines is a volunteer-led movement mobilizing grandparents around the country to share their stories of growing up in a world before diseases like measles and polio were preventable. Sign up is free! https://bit.ly/4rLSOrx

02/17/2026

The biggest predictor of dental health in adulthood is the quality of dental care a person receives as a child. 🦷 🪥

Bismarck State College (BSC) Mystic Smiles is a non-profit dental clinic that provides specialized pediatric dental care for folks with limited financial resources. The clinic accepts Medicaid and also offers a sliding scale fee, two things that are difficult to find in many communities!

Read more:

New nonprofit clinic is working to close the dental care gap in North Dakota