What is Community Health?

Community health is a field of study that specializes in the mental and physical well-being of individuals in geographic region. The health of a community is affected by the demographics, economics, and social influences that exists within the community.

At its core, community health aims to improve the lives of many people through policy change, education, and collaboration with other local organizations. The health district seeks to provide accessible health resources and advocate for policy change to reinforce healthy behaviors in our community.

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Latest News

State Mosquito Monitoring Program Begins Testing for Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases

New Haven, CT – The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program today announced it is [...]

03
Jun
May 19 Reopening

Effective Wednesday, May 19, 2021 All remaining restrictions will be lifted, except masks will continue [...]

06
May
Don’t Put Your Bug Spray Away Just Yet

Unfortunately as the summer months have progressed, mosquito activity and the isolation of mosquito-borne illness [...]

17
Sep
Living with Chronic Pain

According to the National Institutes of Health, chronic pain affects about 20% of the U.S. [...]

17
Sep
CDC Investigates Outbreak of Serious Lung Disease Associated with E-Cigarette Use

As of early September more than 450 cases of lung illness associated with vaping are [...]

17
Sep

FVHD Community Health Department Programs

I want to

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas released in rock, soil, and water formed from the breakdown of uranium. Levels in outdoor air pose a low threat to human health. However, radon can enter homes from surrounding soil and become a health hazard inside buildings. Radon does not cause symptoms. You can’t see it or smell it, but an elevated radon level in your home may be affecting the health of your family. Breathing radon over prolonged periods may damage lung tissue. Exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the country each year. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has radon, your risk of developing lung cancer can be much higherTesting your home is simple:Testing your home is easy and will only take a few minutes of your time. Place a radon test in the lowest lived-in level of your home for 2 to 7 days. Then mail it to the lab to process your results.While supplies last, you can obtain a free radon test kit at partnering local health departments/districts – please contact FVHD for your free kit today: 860 352 2333

Radon Fact Sheets

Lead Poisoning Prevention:

The mission of the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program is to protect the health and safety of the people of Connecticut. We strive to prevent lead poisoning and promote wellness through education and a wide range of program activities that relate to lead poisoning prevention, specifically childhood lead poisoning prevention.Childhood Lead Poisoning is the most common pediatric public health problem, yet it is entirely preventable. Once a child has been poisoned, the impairment it may cause is irreversible. Lead harms children’s nervous systems and is associated with reduced IQ, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities, among other health outcomes. While lead paint in homes built before 1978 continues to be the most common source of lead exposure, there are other sources of lead that can poison a child or adult.  No amount of lead is safe for the body.

Learn more about Lead Poisoning and Prevention

Immunizations

Follow the link below to find immunization schedules for the following categories:

  • 0-18 Years
  • Catch-Up Schedule
  • Adult Schedule by Age Group
  • Recommended Vaccinations Indicated for Adults Based on Medical and Other Indications
  • Adult Contraindications and Precautions

Vaccines.gov, your best shot at good health

Access immunization schedules

Mental Health Resources

43.8 million adults experience mental illness each year, and nearly 1 in 25 Americans live with a serious mental illness.

Mental illness is not a personal failure. In fact, if there is failure, it is to be found in the way we have responded to people with mental and brain disorders

– Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland Director-General of the World Health Organization

Ways to get help for a mental illness

Call Your Doctor

If you have insurance, start by calling the number on the back of your medical insurance card. If you have lost your card, visit the company website.

Connect to Family, Friends, and Support Groups

Healthy Lifestyles

Learn about how you can better your health by exploring a variety of helpful resources, hand picked by the staff at FVHD.

Helpful Resources

Programs & Services

Matter of Balance is an evidence-based falls prevention program that aims to reduce the fears people have around falling. This program teaches balance and strength building exercises while empowering people to make positive lifestyle changes

The Year of Resilience is a program that aims to teach resiliency traits to young teens.

This year long program helps people make real sustainable changes to their diet and exercise to delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The Live Well series is a set of evidence-based programs such as Live Well with Chronic Conditions, Live Well with Diabetes and Live Well with Chronic Pain. These programs teach chronic disease management skills to improve quality of life for those who suffer with chronic disease or those who are caretakers for disease sufferers.

Video Resources

Talking to your Doctor

Women’s Health

Seniors Living Alone

Vaping

Suicide Prevention

Stress

Our Community Health Staff

Leesa Philippon
RGH Coordinator

lphilippon@fvhd.org

x 324

Justine Ginsberg
Community Health Coordinator

jginsberg@fvhd.org

x 312

ANNA LARSON, MPH
COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSOCIATE

alarson@fvhd.org

x 315

KIRSTEN CAREW, MPH
EPIDEMIOLOGIST

kcarew@fvhd.org

x 314