Broome County Health Department

03/30/2026

Broome County saw a decrease in flu cases for the week ending 3/21/26, with 117 lab confirmed cases reported, and 4 hospitalizations.

It is never too late for both children and adults to get their annual flu vaccine at their doctor's office or local pharmacy. 👍

Respiratory Illness Prevention Strategies
https://health.ny.gov/.../communicable/respiratory_viruses/

Click the link to view the NYS Weekly Respiratory Report https://www.health.ny.gov/.../com.../influenza/surveillance

03/30/2026

Happy National Nutrition Month! Did you know that your diet can have a big impact on lead poisoning? Babies, toddlers, and pregnant people are the most at risk for lead poisoning, but a diet full of Vitamin C, Iron, and Calcium can help limit the body's absorption of lead.

Growing your own food can be a great way to get access to fresh and nutritious produce but be mindful of lead exposures! Soil near roads can still be contaminated from when we used leaded gasoline and chips of lead paint can flake off from homes or sheds built before 1978. Plant your garden at least 3 feet away from any buildings and consider using a raised bed or gardening bag with fresh soil. And remember to always wash your hands after gardening and your produce before eating!

To learn more about lead poisoning prevention, visit our website at broomecountyny.gov/eh/healthyhomes

03/30/2026

Visit our STI clinic for testing and treatment. Every Tuesday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM. Call 607-778-2839 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are available upon availability.
Visit: https://www.gobroomecounty.com/hd/clinics-and-screenings for more information.

03/30/2026

March is Va**ng Awareness Month, the New York State Quitline is reminding New Yorkers that free and confidential help is available to quit va**ng and other to***co products.

Chat with a specialist or request a call-back at nysmokefree.com

Adults 18+ may qualify for free ni****ne replacement therapy.

Learn more through our program To***co Free Broome & Tioga

03/29/2026

WIC is here to support your breastfeeding journey!👩‍🍼WIC is proud to provide breastfeeding benefits for your family, including:

👥 Peer Counselor support at local WIC clinics.
👩‍⚕️ Guidance from lactation and breastfeeding experts.
🍽️ Nutritional education for breastfeeding moms.
💕Access to breastfeeding supplies and pumps.

Learn more about the different ways WIC is here to support breastfeeding for your family: https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/get-support-wic

03/28/2026

Gardening is a great way to grow fresh produce and show your little ones where foods come from! Start planting in early spring (herbs, veggies, or flowers) and talk about what you’re grateful for as you care for them. By summer, you'll have something tangible to enjoy! 🌱

Don’t have the yard space to plant? Grow plants in pots on your windowsills instead! You can also look into community gardens and public green spaces near you to get in touch with nature in your neighborhood!

03/27/2026

Big shoutout to the incredible staff and contractors from Broome County Health Department who recently completed Lead Inspector Training! 👏

Their commitment to learning and protecting our community from lead exposure makes a real difference-especially for our most vulnerable residents. This important work helps ensure safer homes, healthier families, a stronger future for everyone in Broome County.

03/27/2026

We cannot wait to get back into the SPRING of things with a Meet Up Monday for littles ones in Whitney Point! 🌱🌷⛅️ Join us on March 30th for stories, play, and kid-safe spring cleaning tips!

03/27/2026

Join us to celebrate National Public Health Week in April and show support for your local health department.

We are hosting a Fun Run (walk or roll). Join us at Otsiningo Park on 4/11 at 9am for the 5k or 10am for the 1k. ♿

Register today: https://tinyurl.com/publichealthrun

Moving your body is good for your health. It helps to decrease stress and anxiety.

Follow our event to stay informed: https://www.facebook.com/events/911192568335120🏃🏾

03/26/2026

On this day in 1953, Dr. Jonas Salk announced that he had successfully tested a vaccine against polio! It would take another couple years and international trials involving 1.8 million children before the inactivated polio vaccine was fully approved and available, but Salk's announcement was a glimmer of hope! In 1953 there were 35,500 cases of polio in the United States. By 1961, there were only 161. In 1979, polio was eradicated in the US!

Let's keep it that way! Make sure you and your family are up to date on polio vaccines!

03/26/2026

🫜Happy National Nutrition Month!🥗 The Food Service Guidelines initiative of our Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) grant is completely focused on nutrition and healthy eating. We love to direct traffic at mobile food pantries, teach about fruit at a tabling event, conduct nutrition assessments, educate elected officials, build gardens... the list goes on and on! If you ever see us out and about, don't be shy to say hi!

03/25/2026

We’re excited to see the impact of Math & Movement at Whitney Point Central School District’s Caryl E. Adams Primary School!

This innovative approach is made possible through the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant, helping bring more movement into the school day and support student success.

By combining physical activity with math lessons, students are building confidence, staying engaged, and strengthening their multiplication skills in a fun, interactive way.

A new approach to teaching math is getting students on their feet and more engaged in the classroom at Whitney Point’s Caryl E. Adams Primary School.