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NDDH
celebrates
40 years
BROOKLYN – The Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) is celebrating 40 years of preventing illness, promoting wellness and protecting public health in northeastern Connecticut. The district, one of the oldest in Connecticut, was formed July 1, 1973.
“We are grateful for the work of the visionary community leaders who recognized the value of a district health department 40 years ago,” said Susan Starkey, NDDH director of Health. “They planted the seeds that grew a strong public health system in northeastern Connecticut. Today, NDDH is fortunate to have a dedicated Board of Directors, highly skilled staff and supportive public health partners who are working to make the ‘Quiet Corner’ a healthier place to live, work, learn and play.”
NDDH provides public health services for the towns of Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Sterling, Thompson, Union, and Woodstock. To commemorate their anniversary, the health department has launched an educational campaign to thank their many public health system partners.
“One of the reasons that so many more people are aware of public health is because of the strong partnerships we share with so many local organizations, said Linda J. Colangelo, NDDH Education and Communications coordinator. “The partners who make up our HealthQuest Northeast Connecticut coalition are demonstrating how community health can improve when people and agencies pool resources and pull together to achieve common goals.”
HealthQuest is a collaborative health and wellness partnership of NDDH, Day Kimball Healthcare, EASTCONN, Generations Family Health Center, Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Plainfield Public Schools, Plainfield Recreation Department, Quinebaug Valley Community College, Representative Mae Flexer, Senator Donald Williams, businessman Steven Townsend, TEEG, Town of Putnam Economic & Community Development, WINY Radio, and Woodstock Academy.
In highlighting the accomplishments of the coalition and other valued community partnerships, Starkey pointed to the success of the 2012 Follow the Fifty Models of Heart Health Campaign that helped 130 women achieve heart-healthy lifestyles; the WriteSteps School Walking Initiative that increases physical activity in local schools, community garden initiatives that improve access to better nutrition, tobacco-free campuses, and community-clinical partnerships that allow people to better manage their chronic illnesses.
“We do so value our coalition partners, the media outlets who help to get our public health messages out, and all of the community stakeholders who make up our public health system,” said Starkey. “These partners are all contributing to the success of NDDH as we work together to build healthy communities. I thank everyone for everything they do.”
NDDH serves over 85,000 residents in 12 towns in northeastern Connecticut, covering approximately 438 square miles.