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Serving the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, New Hartford and Simsbury, CT |
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Health Matters
A quarterly publication of the
Farmington Valley Heath District
Winter 2026 |
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95 River Road
Canton, CT 06019
860-352-2333
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In this issue...
- Upcoming Food Insecurity Summit
- Our Respiratory Disease Dashboard for 2025-2026 is live
- Radon test kits
- and more!
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Join us in January for our first ever Health In All Policies Summit, brining together community members and local experts for a solutions-focused discussion. The topic for 2026 is Food Insecurity.
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Be Ready on the Road: Building a Car Emergency Kit
Emergencies can happen when you least expect them. From a flat tire in a snowstorm to being stuck in traffic during a heatwave, having a well-stocked car emergency kit can make a big difference in keeping you safe, comfortable, and prepared.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder: What You Need to Know
As the days grow shorter and sunlight decreases in the fall and winter, many people notice changes in their mood, energy level, sleep patterns, and appetite. For some this is a temporary adjustment. For others, it may be due to Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern.
Read More
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Health District Receives Tobacco Cessation Funding
The Farmington Valley Health District is proud to announce that we have received funding from the Tobacco Health and Trust Fund through a contract with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. This funding will enable us to offer multiple programs designed to support youth in our communities, including INDEPTH and
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This hearty soup combines creamy potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and the gentle heat of jalapeno with a touch of smokiness for depth and warmth. Perfect for when the weather turns crisp and the days get shorter, this soup is filling enough to serve as a meal on its own. It’s simple to make on a busy weeknight, and it freezes beautifully for quick dinners later on.
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Stay informed of what’s circulating in your community!
FVHD will be maintaining dashboards to track rates of flu, COVID, and RSV in our communities. Updates weekly on Mondays.
(Tip: For the best viewing experience, click the full-screen button in the bottom right of each data dashboard.) |
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Free Tests for an Invisible Hazard in Your Home
Beginning in January of 2026, the FVHD will partner with the following locations across the Farmington Valley to offer free, easy to use radon test kits to residents:
- Avon Free Public Library
- Barkhamsted Building Department
- Farmington Valley Health District, Canton
- Granby Building Department
- Hartland Town Hall
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Staff Spotlight: Jeremy Shields
Jeremy recently earned his certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to perform inspections independently and interpret and enforce the food code.
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Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men
Author: Leonard Sax
In
Boys Adrift, physician and psychologist Leonard Sax explores why an increasing number of American boys are becoming disengaged, unmotivated, and underachieving. He attributes this trend to a combination of social, cultural, and biological influences, identifying five key contributing factors: changes in education, excessive video game use, over-medication for ADHD, exposure to endocrine disruptors, and the decline of positive male role models. Sax offers practical guidance for parents and educators to help boys regain motivation, resilience, and a sense of purpose.
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The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How To Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships
Author: Christina Furnival
Illustrator: Katie Dwyer
In The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How to Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships, licensed mental health therapist Christina Furnival addresses a common childhood challenge — how to handle unkind peers. Written for children ages 4 to 7, the story follows a young child who learns to navigate a difficult friendship by setting clear, respectful boundaries.
Through storytelling, the author teaches young children how to stand up for themselves when faced with unkind behavior, explaining that true friends do not make you feel "small". Rather than simply advising children to "be kind", Furnival's book provides practical, evidence-based strategies for dealing with bullies, such as stepping away from negative situations or seeking support from a trusted adult.
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