Health
Contact
Julie Federman
Health Director
Bangs Center
70 Boltwood Walk
Amherst, MA 01002
Ph: 413-259-3077
Fx: 413-259-2404
Hours
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Monday - Friday
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Overview
While the Health Department and Board of Health both work to promote health in the Amherst community, the two bodies have very different roles.
The Board of Health is responsible for making health policy for the Town of Amherst, which includes:
- Creating new policy
- Holding public hearings on existing policies
- Hearing variance requests for existing policies
The Health Department is responsible for implementing the policies of the Board. As a result, the Department is responsible of the enforcement of policy, including inspections and fines.
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Health Advisory
| The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has reported a 3-year-old horse from Lancaster has been diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). EEE infection was confirmed by the State Laboratory Institute yesterday. He developed symptoms on August 12 and died the following day. A horse from Warren, also in Worcester County, was diagnosed with EEE earlier this summer. “These horse cases bring our attention to the risk of human disease,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Alfred DeMaria. “Historically, Worcester County has been an area of low, but not zero, risk for EEE while WNV presents a greater risk. What this emphasizes is the need for people to take precautions against mosquitoes no matter where they live in Massachusetts.” DPH warns residents to be on the lookout for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can spread germs that can make you very sick and may even cause death. |
DPH Warns: Be on the Lookout for Mosquitoes!
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Protect yourself and your loved ones by avoiding mosquito bites:
- Use bug spray when outdoors
- Wear long sleeves and other clothing to help reduce mosquito bites
- Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active (sunset to sunrise)
- Install or repair door and window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home
- Remove standing water from around your home (in bird baths, tires, bottles or cans) so mosquitoes can't breed there
Information about Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) is available by calling the Massachusetts Department of Public Health information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968) or the Epidemiology Program at 1-617-983-6800. The daily arbovirus update is available by visiting the DPH Arbovirus page.
Board of Health Amends the Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Regulation
The Amherst Board of Heath has been engaged in the review of the Town of Amherst Regulation Prohibiting Smoking In Workplaces and Public Places. During the Board of Health meeting of April 29, 2010, the motion was made and seconded to approve the regulation as amended with an effective date of
June 1, 2010; the motion passed by a unanimous vote of the Board of Health.
For more information and view the amended regulation, visit the Amherst Board of Health webpage.
Mission Statement
To promote the health and well-being of the community through the core functions of assurance, assessment, policy development, and promotion.
The Board and the Department meet their mission by focusing on the following practices:
- Assurance: ensuring that all Amherst residents have the services necessary to maintain or restore good health either by providing services directly, by coordinating the delivery of services by other agencies, and by policy or regulation development
- Assessment: systematically collecting, assembling, analyzing, and making available information regarding the health of the community, including statistics on health status, community health needs, and epidemiological studies of health problems
- Policy Development: developing and implementing comprehensive public health policies, regulations, and legislation
- Promotion: providing services and educational opportunities that encourage healthy environments and lifestyles
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