Boston Public Health Commission

Fight the bite and protect yourself from West Nile Virus! The risk level of the virus is low. Test samples from Hyde Park, Mattapan, Brighton, Allston, and South Boston tested positive for West Nile Virus. Risk of the virus in Boston typically increases throughout the summer. The best way to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus is by avoiding mosquito bites.

Learn about the symptoms of West Nile Virus and how to protect yourself at boston.gov/bphc-mbi.

Looking for a rewarding career? We are hiring state certified EMTs to join Boston EMS. Starting pay is $35 an hour and the residency requirement has been temporarily suspended. We’re accepting applications through September 6th. Apply today: https://tinyurl.com/BostonEMSRecruiting

Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Steward Health Care announced the planned closure of Carney Hospital in Dorchester. Carney Hospital is a critical resource for many of Boston's residents.

If you are a patient or family member impacted by the planned closure of Carney Hospital, visit mass.gov/StewardResources.

You can also call the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 (Toll-Free: 1-800-847-0710). Our teams can help you find primary care providers, social services, free clinics, and more.

We’re using CDC grant funding to help residents live safer, healthier lives. This funding supports our work around health equity, housing and harm reduction, workforce development, and more!

Thank you CDC for joining us in Boston to discuss our ongoing work to serve our residents. We're grateful for the opportunity to showcase what's possible for public health at the local level.

Photo credit: CDC

You can protect yourself and your community from respiratory illnesses.

People who are at high risk for respiratory illness should take enhanced precautions. This includes adults aged 60+, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant people, and people with chronic conditions.

Learn more at boston.gov/covid-19.

Essential breastfeeding support should be available to all mothers & families so infants can have optimal nutrition. During National Breastfeeding Month, learn how states & communities can support breastfeeding at tinyurl.com/mrx7uc43

Every mother’s experience with breast feeding is different. Each baby is unique, and breast feeding can be a learning process. Here’s what to expect: https://bit.ly/37n9KAO

Extreme heat can affect everyone at any age. If you need to be outside, take breaks often and stay hydrated. If you observe someone who appears passed out, call 9-1-1 immediately.

High temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses like heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Find ways to keep cool in the heat at boston.gov/heat.

Late last week, Governor Healey signed a gun safety bill into law, creating the most significant change to Massachusetts gun laws in the last decade. This comes after years of debates, negotiations, and advocacy.

Thank you to Governor Healey and legislative leaders who worked hard to get this law over the finish line. A special thank you to the families impacted by gun violence and advocates who remained steadfast in their call for stronger gun laws.

Once implemented, this legislation will change how Massachusetts approaches firearm sales and ownership. This legislation includes:
• the elimination of "Ghost Guns",
• expanding laws outlining a court's ability to remove guns from someone considered a threat,
• and extending the list of areas where carrying a firearm is forbidden.

Earlier this week, the Governor held a bill signing ceremony. Senate and House Leadership, coalition groups, and advocates from across that state gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.

At the Boston Public Health Commission, we’re committed to a public health approach to violence prevention, intervention, and response and to providing Boston residents with programs and services to help them stay healthy and safe from gun violence.

Last week, members of our team attended NACCHO360! This conference brings public health leaders from across to nation to learn, network, and share experiences and best practices across local health departments. It was an honor to share about our work in Boston and to learn from our fellow colleagues across the nation.

This year's theme focused on partnership, collaboration, and innovation. These values are critical to the public health field and the work we do at the Boston Public Health Commission to help our residents live healthier, happier lives.

Thank you to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for hosting this important conference!

Viral hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver. It can cause both short-term and long-term liver disease.

Talk to your healthcare provider about testing or treatment. Getting tested could save your life.

Call the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050 or visit HELPSteps.com for help finding a healthcare provider near you.

Fight the bite and protect yourself from West Nile Virus! The risk level of the virus is low. Test samples from Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Roxbury, and West Roxbury tested positive for West Nile Virus. Risk of the virus in Boston typically increases throughout the summer. The best way to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus is by avoiding mosquito bites.

Learn about the symptoms of West Nile Virus and how to protect yourself. Learn more at boston.gov/bphc-mbi.

We aim to support Boston's parents before and after they give birth. Our meal delivery pilot program aimed to improve maternal and mental health outcomes for families of color in Boston.

We partnered with The Little Cocoa Bean Company and Feast & Fettle to provide 14 families with snacks, meals, breastfeeding kits, and home visits from nurses.

“Even though this is currently a one-time pilot, this program is part of a larger push to address maternal health inequities and improve access to culturally responsive services and resources,” said Uchenna Ndulue, Director of the Child, Adolescent, and Family Health Bureau at the Boston Public Health Commission.

Learn more about how we support Boston's families at boston.gov/bphc-hbhc.

During the City of Boston’s Heat Emergency, over the last three days, Boston EMS saw a 13% increase in call volume, responding to a total of 1,300 medical emergencies. We are grateful to our members for handling this increased workload during extreme temperatures, while continuing to serve residents with compassion and professionalism.

Our team was out on City Hall Plaza yesterday to celebrate ADA Day! It was an honor to join the many organizations and people increasing resource access and inclusion for people with disabilities in Boston. Thank you to everyone who attended and shared their experiences on the historic day!

Join us for ADA Day on City Hall Plaza! Celebrate the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with resources, music, food, and friends. It will be hot outside, here's what to know to keep cool tomorrow:

• Please bring your water bottle to refill at the Boston Water and Sewer Commission water truck (as much as you like!).
• There will be an MBTA bus next to the tent to provide close by AC.
• City Hall will be open for AC breaks.
• There will also be misting tents on the Plaza available to use at anytime.

Our team will be on the Plaza with resources and giveaways. We're excited to join Boston Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities to commemorate this important day and hope to see you there!

Extreme heat can affect everyone at any age. If you need to be outside today, take breaks often and stay hydrated. If you observe someone who appears passed out, call 9-1-1 immediately.

High temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses like heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Learn the signs of heat-related illness and more at boston.gov/heat.

Call or text 988 if you or a loved one may need crisis support. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:
• Thoughts of su***de
• Mental health or substance use crises
• Emotional distress

988 also offers services in Spanish and for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Learn more about services for Black mental health, LGBTQIA+ supports, and more at 988lifeline.org.

Graphic by SAMHSA

Boston residents deserve to live long, healthy lives. Our Live Long and Well Agenda aims to close gaps in premature deaths while improving health outcomes across Boston's neighborhoods.

But we can’t do this work alone. We’re partnering with communities and organizations across the city to help make a healthier Boston for all.

Learn more at boston.gov/live-long.

Announcing: A heat advisory has been declared in the City of Boston from Tuesday, July 9 through Friday, July 12.

boston.gov/news/mayor-wu-urges-caution-warm-weather-forecasted-throughout-week

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. You may also know noroviruses as viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, or food poisoning. It is not related to the flu (influenza), which usually causes respiratory illness.

Learn more at boston.gov/bphc-norovirus.

Protect yourself from tick-borne illnesses this summer! Check yourself and others for ticks after being in an area where ticks likely are. This is the best way to prevent tick-borne illnesses. You may find ticks on the legs, in the groin, in the armpits, along the hairline, and in or behind the ears. Deer ticks are very small, but look for new “freckles”.

Learn more about how to prevent tick-borne illnesses at boston.gov/bphc-ticks.

We support Boston parents before and after they give birth. We just finished a 10-week meal delivery program for postpartum families in Boston to improve maternal and mental health outcomes among families of color.

We partnered with The Little Cocoa Bean Company and Feast & Fettle to provide 14 families with snacks, meals, breastfeeding kits, and home visits from nurses.

“Even though this is currently a one-time pilot, this program is part of a larger push to address maternal health inequities and improve access to culturally responsive services and resources,” said Uchenna Ndulue, Director of the Child, Adolescent, and Family Health Bureau at BPHC.

Protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses this summer!

Mosquitoes in Boston can spread West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. In Boston, they are most active and most likely to carry disease from July to September. But, they can spread disease until the first hard frost. People over age 50 are most at risk of experiencing serious illness if infected with West Nile Virus. Eastern Equine Encephalitis can cause serious illness in any age group.

Learn more at boston.gov/bphc-mbi.