CDC - UNCAS Health District

Drug Overdose Deaths Decrease in Connecticut (But Challenges Remain)

March 12, 2025March 6, 2025 by Uncas Health District

The use of nalaxone can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses

Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined between 2022 and 2023, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While this is a positive trend, the CDC cautioned that drug overdoses remain a persistent public health issue and are ranked as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

Nationally, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. fell 4 percent, from 32.6 deaths per 100,000 people to 31.3. The decrease was driven by 20 states where the drug overdose death rate fell significantly, including Connecticut. This rate was largely unchanged in 25 states and went up in six states.

Although Connecticut’s drug overdose death rate remained above the national average at 35.2 per 100,000 people, this marked a 12.6 percent decrease from 2022. The fatal overdose rate in Connecticut fell for opioid-related overdoses and synthetic opioids other than methadone but rose slightly for cocaine and psychostimulants with the potential for abuse.

To see the CDC’s complete findings, click here.

Uncas Health District’s services include efforts to reduce harm from drug overdose, including a syringe exchange program, increasing access to naloxone to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, and connecting people with drug treatment services. More information is available here.

DPH Stresses Importance of Radon Testing During Winter Months

January 16, 2025 by Uncas Health District

In recognition of National Radon Action Month, which takes place in January, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) urges Connecticut residents to test their homes for radon gas, the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. However, experts say smokers exposed to radon do have a much higher risk for developing lung cancer.

A naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium, radon is found in rock, soil, and water. While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil or from well water and become an indoor air health hazard.

“Radon is a silent killer. It is tasteless, odorless, and cannot be seen, leaving people unaware that it could be in their homes. Testing indoor air for radon and reducing elevated levels is important and could save your life or the lives of your loved ones,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD.

The DPH Radon Program recommends that Connecticut residents test the air in their homes every two years. Testing homes for radon is recommended during the winter months and is simple and inexpensive. To support radon awareness, in 2024, DPH provided approximately 2,780 free radon test kits to 36 local health department partners for distribution.

Learn How to Get Your Free Radon Kit from Uncas Health District Here

Test kits can also be purchased from local home improvement or hardware stores or online from the American Lung Association by visiting their Radon Test Kit Store.

The EPA suggests fixing your home if it has high levels of radon gas (4.0 pCi/L or higher) to reduce the risk of lung cancer. If your home has medium levels of radon gas (between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L), you might want to fix this problem to lower your chance of getting lung cancer. Mitigation is easy, effective, and can be relatively inexpensive.

Radon levels can be reduced by hiring nationally certified radon mitigation professionals. For a list of nationally certified radon mitigation specialists or to learn more about radon, please visit www.ct.gov/RadonPros.

What Vaccines Do You Need? Check Out CDC’s New Assessment Tool

August 8, 2024 by Uncas Health District

Vaccination isn’t just for kids — adults need to stay protected too. Understanding which vaccines you need as an adult can be challenging, especially with varying recommendations based on factors like age, lifestyle, and medical history. To make this process easier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has introduced a new online resource: the Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool.

What is the Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool?

The Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool is a user-friendly online tool designed to help individuals 19 years and older determine which vaccines they may need. With just a few clicks, you can receive personalized vaccine recommendations based on your age, lifestyle, health conditions, and other risk factors. This tool is particularly useful for those who may be unsure about their vaccination status or who want to ensure they’re up-to-date with the latest vaccine guidelines.

How Does the Vaccine Assessment Tool Work?

The tool works by guiding you through a series of questions about your health, lifestyle, and any potential risk factors. These questions cover areas such as:

Age: Certain vaccines are recommended at different stages of life, such as the shingles vaccine for those 50 and older.
Lifestyle: Factors like your occupation, travel plans, or living situation can influence vaccine recommendations. For instance, healthcare workers may need additional vaccines due to increased exposure to certain diseases.
Medical History: Your past medical conditions or current health status, such as pregnancy or chronic illnesses, can affect which vaccines are recommended for you.

Once you complete the questionnaire, the tool provides a list of vaccines that are recommended for you, along with links to more information about each one. This can include vaccines for influenza, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis B, and more. The tool also helps you understand the timing of each vaccine and whether any are due soon.

Why Use the Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool?

Staying up-to-date with vaccinations is essential for maintaining good health and preventing the spread of preventable diseases. The CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool simplifies the process of determining which vaccines you need, making it easier than ever to stay informed and protected. Whether you’re catching up on missed vaccines or ensuring you’re prepared for the next flu season, this tool is a valuable resource for managing your health.

Taking Control of Your Health

Don’t leave your health to chance. The CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool empowers you to take control of your health by providing personalized vaccine recommendations tailored to your unique circumstances. By using this tool, you can ensure you’re doing everything possible to protect yourself and those around you from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Visit the CDC’s website today to try out the Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool and stay on top of your health.

Tick Bite Bot: Interactive Tool Kit for Tick Bites Now on Uncas HD Website

July 24, 2024 by Uncas Health District

We are excited to announce a new feature on the Uncas Health District website — a cutting-edge interactive tick bite management tool provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This tool is designed to help you assess tick bites and provide clear, step-by-step instructions for safely removing ticks and taking appropriate actions afterward.

Ticks can be a serious health concern, potentially transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. With the CDC’s interactive tool, you can quickly evaluate any tick bite you or a loved one may experience. The tool will guide you through the process of identifying the type of tick, understanding the potential risks, and following the recommended procedures for removal.

Once the tick is removed, the tool will also offer crucial information on what to do next, including monitoring for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses and seeking medical attention if necessary. This ensures that you are well-informed and prepared to take the appropriate steps to protect your health.

Take Me to the Tick Bite Bot

When to Take an At-Home COVID-19 Test

October 23, 2023August 31, 2023 by Patrick McCormack

At-home COVID-19 testing is one of our best tools to prevent the spread of the virus-alongside getting vaccinated and boosted. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing infection, hospitalization, and serious illness, but no vaccine prevents 100% of infections. As the virus continues to evolve and cases are projected to spike seasonally, at-home testing helps you to determine if you have COVID-19 so you can prevent spreading it to others. Here are key scenarios and considerations to help you determine when you should take an at-home COVID-19 test and what to do when you get your results.

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When to Take an At-Home Covid-19 Test

You have symptoms of COVID-19.
Refer to the CDC site for more information on COVID-19 symptoms.
You had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Wear a high-quality mask after you find out you’ve been exposed, and get tested 5 days after exposure.
You will be with someone who is immunocompromised or at high risk for severe COVID-19.
Wear a high-quality mask as an additional precaution.
You plan to attend an event or gathering.
Consider testing right before you go to an indoor gathering as a precautionary measure.

If Your At-Home Covid-19 Test is POSITIVE

You should stay home and isolate away from others for at least 5 days after testing positive.

When to end isolation:

After 5 days if you have been fever-free for 24 hours and you had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19.
After 10 days if you had moderate or severe illness and/or you are immunocompromised. Consult your healthcare provider for further guidance.
If you ended isolation but your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, you should restart your isolation from day 0 and consider re-testing.
Consider taking an at-home COVID-19 test to ensure you’re no longer infected.

Continued precautions:

After you have ended isolation and no longer experience symptoms, wear a high-quality mask through day 10 when around others.

Treatment and care:

If you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek medical care immediately.
If you are at high risk for severe COVID-19, consult your health care provider right away to discuss whether you need antiviral medication.

If Your At-Home Covid-19 Test is NEGATIVE

Re-test 24-48 hours after your first test, especially if you are continuing to experience symptoms. A negative test doesn’t rule out infection.

Continued precautions:

If you were exposed to COVID-19, take precautions to protect yourself and others (i.e. retesting, wearing a high-quality mask) for 10 days after exposure, even if you test negative. Follow the CDC guidelines on COVID-19 exposure.
Knowing your COVID-19 Community Level can help you decide if you should take additional precautions, especially if you tested as a precaution before attending a gathering or spending time with someone at high risk.

Treatment and care:

If you continue to receive negative test results but symptoms persist, contact your healthcare provider.

Recommendations are from the CDC and current as of February 2023. For the latest COVID-19 information and testing guidelines, visit CDC.gov/coronavirus