PODER en SALUD (PeS)
The PODER en SALUD (Power in Health) project is focusing this Fall and Winter season on circulating respiratory viruses.
Did you know that 19,000 people died last year in the U.S. because of the flu? And that RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) causes 14,000 deaths annually among people over 65? Respiratory viruses circulate all year round, but since the COVID-19 virus impacted the world, communities worry about seasonal “tripledemics”, which refers to the prevalence and co-circulation of Influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 all at once to the extent that it overwhelms emergency departments and affects the health of many families.
Flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all respiratory viruses, but there are differences in how they spread. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by learning more about each.
Information Hubs
COVID-19
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can lead to respiratory illness. Variants of the virus have continued to spread across the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, and coronavirus surges are expected during each Fall and Winter. The majority of Americans have not received the updated COVID-19 vaccine and existing vaccinated groups are losing their immunity protection over time. Find ways to stay protected this season.
Flu (Influenza)
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes lungs. It can be mild or severe and sometimes lead to death. Children are most likely to get sick from the flu. The best way to prevent it is by getting the flu vaccine each year, which protects you from the four virus strains expected to circulate that season.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms. Infection can be serious for infants and older adults, as well as anyone with an underlying health condition or weakened immune system- such as cancer or congenital heart disease. If you are pregnant or age 60 or older, a vaccine is available to protect you from severe RSV.
To learn more about other PODER en SALUD (Power in Health) project activities, click here.
Core Partners
PROCEED Inc.
Lead Organization
PROCEED, Inc., (herein called PROCEED) is a multicultural, minority-governed, and not-for-profit community-based health and human services organization that has been serving the Elizabeth and Union County, NJ, communities since 1970 through collaboratively designed and developed programs. Approximately 15,000 Union County residents access services through one or more of our six interdependent departments, including the National Center for Training, Support, and Technical Assistance (NCTSTA), which is dedicated to public health workforce development and the advancement of social service agencies throughout the U.S. and its territories
