City of Worcester Health & Human Services

New time!

Tomorrow is the Town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts Medication Take Back event. Hosted by Shrewsbury, MA Police Department at the Shrewsbury Senior Center (98 Maple Ave.) from 9 am - noon.

The event is free, anonymous, and open to the public to bring in expired or unused medications for safe and proper disposal. No sharps will be accepted.

The Worcester Division of Public Health celebrates community partnerships, which are key to preventing and overcoming public health challenges. This celebration of Worcester’s Health Heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that when we work together, we win together. Keep connecting, stay connected!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydaIT0Q89ME

1 in 8 women who have given birth recently experience symptoms of postpartum depression.

Use this resource for symptoms, risk factors, and treatment, and learn more at cdc.gov/reproductive-health/depression/index.html

Next Thursday, Oct. 31, at 11 am, the public is invited to attend the dedication of the Massachusetts Vietnam Interactive Memorial, as we honor the brave men and women who served in the Vietnam War.

The project is presented in partnership between the Veterans Services Division, Worcester Technical High School, and the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans.

Infant mortality is the death of an infant before their first birthday.

Learn more, including common causes and grief resources, at http://cdc.gov/maternal.../infant-mortality/index.html

The Division of Public Health Lactation Tent is now available. It is for community partner agencies to have at events so that breastfeeding mothers have a privacy option while breastfeeding.

To see if the tent is available for your next event, contact DPH at [email protected], 508-799-8531, or 25 Meade Street, Room 200.

Next Saturday, Oct. 26, the Town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts Medication Take Back event returns. Hosted by Shrewsbury, MA Police Department at the Shrewsbury Senior Center (98 Maple Ave.) from 10 am - 2 pm.

The event is free, anonymous, and open to the public to bring in expired or unused medications for safe and proper disposal. No sharps will be accepted.

Last chance for individuals, community organizations, bands, and floats to register and participate in Worcester's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.

If you're interested, please visit http://tinyurl.com/VetParade24Reg

"We all have an interest in investing in and supporting the health and well-being of our communities, and we will continue to work together toward this goal. Because a healthy, more equitable Worcester is good for everyone."

Read Commissioner Dr. Matilde Castiel's full op-ed, co-written with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts's Jeff Bellows about the Fitness in the Parks Program and a NEW outdoor Fitness Court coming to Worcester this month.

Opinion: Fitness in the Parks program makes Worcester healthier, happier The ultimate goal is to provide Worcester residents with opportunities to engage in healthy eating, active lifestyles and community building.

This week we opened up our doors to community partners to host a “Spinning Babies” training to support community doulas and members of the Massachusetts Doula Coalition. Spinning Babies “shows you what to do for an easier birth with practical birth preparation baby positioning to fit the pelvis and reduce pain in childbirth.” This training was led by Lorenza Holt, MPH who is a doula, a Spinning Babies trainer, and also Co-Founder of the Massachusetts Doula Coalition. This was a grant funded program through the REACH grant and City of Worcester Department of Public Health.”

A week from today, Maydee Morales will lead a discussion about the Trauma of Poverty as part of the Trauma Training Tuesday series.

One in three children lives in poverty, and the American Academy of Pediatrics considers experiencing poverty to be an Adverse Childhood Experience.

Join via Zoom beginning at noon on Oct. 15: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81768933438?pwd=am9HZmxxSkg1TmRDTDBFRzMzdjlnUT09

There is still time for individuals, community organizations, bands, and floats to register and participate in Worcester's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.

If you're interested, please visit http://tinyurl.com/VetParade24Reg

Infant mortality is the death of an infant before their first birthday.

Learn more, including common causes and grief resources, at cdc.gov/maternal-infant-health/infant-mortality/index.html

The Division of Public Health spent last week tabling in Town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts at the Shrewsbury, MA Police Department & Shrewsbury, MA Fire Department Community Night and then at the Spirit of Shrewsbury!

Engaging with the community, sharing health resources, and celebrating .

The City of Worcester has officially launched its FY25-29 Municipal Strategic Plan.

Explore the municipality's public service priorities and goals for the next five years while it strives to make Worcester the best-managed city in the country: https://www.worcesterma.gov/city-manager/strategic-plan

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is hosting focus groups to understand why Black and Hispanic residents are more likely to be injured in car crashes than white residents.

Focus groups take place at Worcester Public Library on Oct. 15 and 24. You are eligible to participate if you:
1. Are a Massachusetts resident who lives in Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, Brockton, Holyoke, Springfield, or Worcester
2. Identify as non-Hispanic Black, or Hispanic/Latino of any race
3. Are 18-34 years old
4. Are able to read and speak English

To sign up and learn more, visit mass.gov/crashinjurystudy

The Veterans Services free health clinic is under way now until 2 pm on Worcester Common and inside City Hall. Stop by to pick up resources and get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Open to the public!

REMINDER: Tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 27, is the Veterans Services Division's free health clinic, which is open to the public. It will take place from 10 am - 2 pm on Worcester Common.

Free blood pressure exams, flu and COVID-19 vaccines, massages, and blood donation opportunities will be available.

Veterans Services Director Dr. Joe Robinson was a recent guest on Talk of the Commonwealth with Hank Stolz, where he talked about this week's Veterans Health Clinic, as well as the Veterans Day Parade and other observances.

Hear everything he had to say:

Worcester Hosts Veterans Health Clinic & Pushes for Bigger Veterans Day Parade Join the Veterans Health Clinic on Worcester Common this Friday, September 27th from 10 AM to 2 PM for free health services, including shots, blood pressure exams, and massages. Dr. Joe Robinson, Director of Veterans Services, shares details and discusses expanding the Veterans Day Parade on Novembe...