Programs and Services
The District provides the following comprehensive local public health services: environmental health, communicable and chronic disease control, school and oral health, public health emergency planning, record keeping and data management. The District also works with federal, state and local agencies, community groups, academia, and other health-related organizations to coordinate existing programs and to plan and implement new ones. The District is divided into two different areas that include Environmental and Community Health.
- The Environmental Health Program enforces state statutes, the Connecticut Public Health Code, local ordinances, and regulations relating to public health issues. This division reviews septic system design, inspects septic systems, and conducts soil testing for new and repairs of sewage disposal systems. It provides permits and inspects construction sites of all private wells. Services also include inspection and testing of public bathing areas and outdoor swimming pools throughout the summer season. The BBHD food protection inspection program is a major component of the environmental health area. District staff inspects restaurants, cafeterias and eating facilities in the public and private school systems as well as temporary food service events. The environmental health staff also responds to complaints related to garbage, sewage, lead paint, oil and chemical spills and air pollution. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to the regulation of barber/beauty/nail salons and control of insects and rodents.
- The Community Health Program monitors and provides follow up in communicable diseases reported by physicians and laboratories and provides rabies clinics for cats and dogs and potential human exposure to rabid animals. Other responsibilities include planning for public health emergencies and outbreaks of disease including bioterrorism. This includes the creation and implementation of mass vaccination clinics if necessary. Residents of Burlington and Bristol are able to receive low-cost vaccinations for a number of diseases as well as testing for tuberculosis during our immunization clinics. The clinic is located at the District office. Influenza clinics are also offered to residents for this service. In addition, the community health staff provides basic health screenings and education at monthly clinics. This service is provided free of charge to residents. Lead poisoning is one of the most common yet preventable diseases in children. Even relatively low levels of lead may lead to permanent damage to the nervous system and brain, interfere with growth, and contributes to learning disabilities. The District provides comprehensive lead services by public health nurse and environmental health staff. The current action level is equal or greater than 20 micrograms/deciliter or greater than 15 micrograms/deciliter - less than 20 micrograms/deciliter with 2 tests results 3 or more months apart. The Bristol-Burlington Health District Dental Program for the Elderly offers dental exam, cleaning and referral services to Burlington and Bristol residents who are 60 years of age or older. This program receives funding from the North Central Area Agency on Aging, the Teddy Bear Jamboree and the Women’s Services Organization of Bristol. A donation of $50 per person/per visit is requested.