CT Public Health

From the water we drink and the air we breathe to the animals we interact with, our health is connected to the world around us. That's the idea behind One Health, an approach that brings together experts in human, animal, and environmental health to tackle challenges that affect us all. Here in Connecticut, that teamwork is happening every day, from monitoring mosquito-borne illnesses and preventing rabies to protecting our drinking water and keeping our communities healthy. The choices we make in our homes and communities matter, too! 💚 As we approach One Health Day on November 3, we're recognizing these connections and thanking the veterinarians, public health professionals, environmental experts, and community members who help protect the health of our state. Learn more about One Health: ow.ly/BwEf50ZZmW2 ow.ly/E10L50ZZmW0 #OneHealth #PublicHealth #Connecticut

⏰ 5 days left to enter! Have you been working on a radon poster or video? Now’s the time to submit it! 🎨 Kids Poster Contest: Create a poster about radon and lung cancer prevention. 🎬 Teen Video Contest: Create a 30-second video about radon and lung cancer prevention. Open to Connecticut teens ages 14–18. 📅 All entries are due November 5, 2026. Don’t miss the deadline! Get your final touches in and submit your entry by November 5. 👉 Learn more: ow.ly/49Rp5101Opb

Hurricanes. Flooding. Winter storms. Power outages. Extreme heat. Connecticut gets a little bit of everything. 🌦️ Knowing what hazards you may face is an important part of being prepared. Our Connecticut DPH Preparedness Guide breaks down the hazards we experience throughout the year and what you can do to prepare for each one. Because you can’t always predict what’s coming, but you can know what to do. Be prepared, not panicked. Explore the guide: ow.ly/Jtg050ZRp90

👻 The spookiest thing this Halloween? This fact: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Connecticut. 🫁 Let’s turn awareness into action. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether lung cancer screening is right for you. Early detection can save lives! Learn more: ow.ly/qS6U5101KqC #CTDPH #LungCancerAwarenessMonth #LungCancerScreening #LungHealth #PinkandPearl

🎃 Trick or treat? When it comes to hepatitis, knowing the facts can help you protect your liver. Hepatitis B and C can cause few or no symptoms. Hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccination, and hepatitis C can be cured with treatment. Knowing your hepatitis status can also help you understand your risk for liver cancer and what steps you can take to protect your health. This Halloween, skip the tricks & get the facts! Talk with your health care provider about hepatitis screening, vaccination and treatment. Learn more: ow.ly/nxM25101PNA

Halloween etiquette 101: 🎃 💡 Light on = come on over! 🌑 Lights off = they’re sitting this one out. Respect the porch light. Respect the candy stash. Have a safe and happy Halloween! 👻 #CTDPH #HalloweenSafety #TrickOrTreat #SpookySeason

⏰ Changing your clocks this weekend? It's a good reminder to check a few other things off your seasonal to-do list, including your immunization records! As you prepare for the colder months, take a few minutes to make sure you and your family are up to date on recommended vaccines. 💙 ✔️ Visit ow.ly/H3R450ZX9nj to access your immunization records, then talk with your healthcare provider about any vaccines you or your loved ones may need. #KeepCTHealthy #PublicHealth #Vaccines

Your house: “Let’s renovate!” Your 1950’s paint: 👁️👄👁️ If your home was built before 1978, it may contain lead-based paint. Renovation projects that disturb old paint can create lead paint chips and dust. Before you start renovations: 🏠 Find out when your home was built 🔎 Consider having your home inspected for lead 🛠️ Use lead-safe work practices 👷 Hire an EPARRP-certified firm Know the lead risks before you renovate. Learn more: ow.ly/Wfmv50ZP9RC #NLPPW2026 #CTDPH #LeadFreeFuture

POV: Your costume is serving… but can you actually SEE? 👀🎃 Before you head out: 👁️ Keep masks and hats from blocking your vision ✨ Add reflective elements or glow sticks so you can be seen in the dark 🗡️ Skip sharp or oversized accessories 💄 Test Halloween makeup before the big night Be spooky. Be visible. Be safe. #CTDPH #HalloweenSafety #SpookySeason #TrickOrTreat

When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. This #WorldStrokeDay, know the signs and remember to B.E. F.A.S.T.: ⚖️ B – Balance loss 👁️ E – Eye or vision changes 🙂 F – Face drooping 💪 A – Arm weakness 💬 S – Speech difficulty ⏱️ T – Time to call 911 A sudden, severe headache with no known cause can also be a warning sign. If you notice signs of a stroke, call 911 right away—even if the symptoms go away. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital. Knowing the signs and acting quickly can make a difference. Learn more: ow.ly/AfJk50ZUzpq #StrokeAwareness #BEFAST

The candy bowl at 3 a.m.: 😰 Me at 3 a.m.: 👁️👄👁️ Enjoy that Halloween haul this weekend, just remember: moderation is key. Your body will thank you. 🎃🍬 #HappyHalloween #TrickorTreat #SpookySeason #CTDPH

Do you know if your child had been exposed to lead? You might not. Many children exposed to lead have no obvious signs or symptoms. A blood lead test is the only way to find out if a child has been lead poisoned. Save this as a reminder to ask about lead testing at your child's next appointment. #NLPPW2026 #CTDPH #LeadFreeFuture

About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. But there’s another number worth knowing: more than 4 million breast cancer survivors live in the United States. Today, we have tools to detect breast cancer earlier and treat it. Staying up to date on recommended screening and paying attention to changes in your breasts can help you catch potential problems early. If something feels or looks different, talk with your healthcare provider. Learn more about breast cancer screening and Connecticut resources: ow.ly/8yGq50ZUvBz #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastHealth #Connecticut

When you spent 12 hours perfecting the costume and forgot to check the forecast. 😭🎃 Before trick-or-treating, make sure you're ready for the weather, too. It gets cold fast this time of year and hypothermia is NOT a part of the costume. 👻 #CTDPH #HappyHalloween #TrickOrTreat #SpookySeason

Stroke prevention isn’t just one thing—it’s part of taking care of your health every day. ❤️ Ahead of #WorldStrokeDay on Oct. 29, consider starting a conversation with your healthcare team about some of the factors that can affect your risk of stroke, including: 🩺 Blood pressure ❤️ Cholesterol 🩸 Diabetes 💓 Atrial fibrillation (AFib) 🚭 Tobacco use Ask questions, talk about your health goals and decide together what next steps are right for you. Learn more: ow.ly/8wVI50ZUztE #StrokePrevention #HeartHealth

Lead can be hiding in plain sight. 🫣 It can be found in paint and dust in older homes, bare soil, plumbing fixtures, some consumer products and more. Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure, and many children who are exposed don't have obvious signs or symptoms. The good news? There are steps you can take to reduce exposure and protect your family. During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we're sharing what Connecticut families should know about lead, including how to keep kids safe, when to talk to your child's healthcare provider about testing, and how to check your home for lead hazards. 🕵️ Save this post and follow along all week. #NLPPW2026 #CTDPH #LeadFreeFuture

Infection prevention takes all of us. 🧼🩺🦠 This International Infection Prevention Week, we’re giving a shoutout to the people working every day to prevent infections and keep our communities safer. 👏 Infection preventionists 👏 Nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals 👏 Epidemiologists and public health professionals 👏 Laboratory professionals 👏 Environmental services and cleaning teams 👏 Facilities and engineering teams 👏 Occupational health professionals 👏 Pharmacists 👏 Emergency medical services 👏 And the many others working behind the scenes to prevent the spread of infection From monitoring for infections and investigating outbreaks to cleaning and disinfecting spaces, caring for patients, testing samples, maintaining safe healthcare environments and putting prevention practices into action — infection prevention is a team effort. To everyone doing this work across Connecticut: thank you for helping keep patients, healthcare workers and our communities safe. 💙 Learn more: ow.ly/XcTy50ZUXqc #IIPW #InfectionPrevention #PublicHealth

🎬 There’s still time to make your 30 seconds count! Connecticut teens ages 14–18 can enter our Radon Video Contest by creating a short video about radon and lung cancer prevention awareness. 🎥 Live action, animation, stop motion or your own creative style. ⏱️ 30 seconds. One message. Real impact. 📅 Entries are due November 5, 2026. Got an idea? Start creating! 👉 Learn more: ow.ly/oWe750ZZ44u

You can have viral hepatitis without feeling sick. Hepatitis B and C can cause few or no symptoms. Over time, chronic infection can damage the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer. Testing can help you find out if you have hepatitis B or C so you can take steps to protect your liver and get care if you need it. Talk with your health care provider about whether hepatitis screening is right for you. Find a hepatitis test in CT: ow.ly/LGn050ZZ60R

Emergency preparedness, but make it kid-friendly. 👶 Think about the things your kids rely on every day, plus a few things that can help keep them comfortable, occupied and feeling a little more like themselves. Be prepared, not panicked. Find more preparedness tips in the Connecticut DPH Preparedness Guide (p.16-17): ow.ly/5uh250ZRp6I