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New Canaan health director outlines winter outreach: flu surge, radon kits and expanded trainings
Summary
New Canaan’s health director introduced staff and described winter programs including free radon test kits, ongoing flu vaccinations for children by appointment, and expanded mental-health trainings for employees and residents.
Amy Lahaney, director of health for the town of New Canaan, introduced her public‑health staff and outlined the department’s winter outreach at the Health and Human Services Commission meeting. Lahaney said the department is continuing free child flu vaccinations by appointment and will distribute free radon test kits at Vine Cottage as part of Radon Awareness Month.
Why it matters: Lahaney warned that influenza activity is already higher than typical for this time of year and that early peaks can strain local services. “We definitely are peak—we’ve definitely had a peak before Christmas,” she said, noting that COVID-19 and RSV remain low while flu is elevated. The department is monitoring state respiratory‑surveillance data and will circulate the Connecticut Department of Public Health link with meeting minutes.
The presentation also highlighted prevention work at local venues. Shannon Valerie, a health‑department staffer, described a series of programs including workplace health screenings (about 20 employees attended a recent screening), an upcoming skin‑cancer screening at SchoolHouse, and QPR suicide‑prevention workshops. Valerie said the department plans smaller, more frequent mental‑health first‑aid trainings for stronger participant engagement: “I try to keep it around 12, and just try to do them more frequently,” she said.
Radon and measles: Lahaney confirmed the department will make free radon test kits available and said Connecticut reported one measles case in December. She advised residents to use the kits and watch for posted outreach about distribution and upcoming talks.
Process and next steps: Commissioners asked staff to update handouts where year labels were incorrect and to circulate the state respiratory‑surveillance site with the minutes. Staff also said they will continue to pilot employee mental‑health sessions and expand public offerings, and they will report back on attendance and follow‑up procedures.
The commission voted to approve the meeting agenda and minutes earlier in the session and later adjourned without additional formal actions related to the health‑department report.
