LIVING WELL IN ESSEX COUNTY | | | | |
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- Growing Up - Children's Services
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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal (colon) cancer is one of the most common cancers in Essex County and the most commonly occurring cancer. Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. The colon and rectum are part of the body’s digestive system.
Screening guidelines by age are:
45-75 — colonoscopy every 10 years for average-risk patients.
76-85 — selective testing based on individual factors, such as overall health, life expectancy, and previous screening history.
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Director's Message - Spring Into Wellness | | | |
Dear Community Members,
As the snow finally begins to recede from the Adirondack peaks and the mud starts to settle in, there is a familiar sense of renewal across Essex County. While we can't rule out a March snowstorm and we wait for the black flies to make their debut, March is the perfect time to prepare for a healthy and active season outdoors.
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Living in Essex County means sharing our landscape with incredible wildlife, but it also means staying vigilant about the risks that come with warmer weather. Here is what you should know as we transition into spring.
Ticks Don't Wait for Summer
In our region, blacklegged ticks become active when temperatures rise above freezing.
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The Adirondack Uniform: When you head out to clear brush or walk the trails, remember: tuck pants into socks. Light-colored clothing makes it much easier to spot a tick before it reaches your skin.
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Daily Checks: Make a full-body tick check a part of your daily routine for yourself, your kids, and your pets.
Bats and Our Shared Environment
Bats are waking up from hibernation across the North Country. While they do a fantastic job of keeping our mosquito populations in check, bats can carry the rabies virus. Though not all bats have rabies, rabies has been found across all bat species in NYS.
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Keep Your Distance: Rabid bats may show unusual behavior like fluttering on the ground, flying during the day, or biting people or animals.
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Did You Know: If a bat is found in a room where someone was sleeping, do not let it out the window. Try to safely capture it and contact us for further guidance.
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Vaccination is Key: Our spring rabies clinics are a great way to ensure your dogs, cats, and ferrets are protected. A vaccinated pet is the best shield for your family.
Spring Cleaning for Health
A little bit of yard work now can prevent unwanted critters this summer.
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Clear the Perimeter: Removing old leaf litter and woodpiles from near your foundation reduces the damp habitats where ticks thrive.
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Seal the Gaps: Check your eaves, attic vents, and chimneys for any small openings. Sealing these now prevents bats from moving in before they start raising their young.
Enjoy the longer days and the returning sunshine. By taking these few small steps, we can all stay safe while enjoying the spring.
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Sincerely,
Linda Beers
Director of Public Health
phone: 518-873-3500
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Take Charge of Your Health: Colorectal Cancer Screening Matters
We believe these two impactful videos need to be shared again. These public service announcements focus on a vital message: regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term health.
Why It Matters
Early Detection Saves Lives: Screening can often catch issues before they become serious, allowing for early treatment when it is most effective.
Know the Timeline: Medical guidance now recommends that individuals at average risk begin regular screenings at age 45.
Next Steps to Take
Talk to your doctor about which screening option is right for you.
Schedule your screening today—it is one of the most effective ways to stay ahead of your health.
| | Ken, a local colorectal cancer survivor, who emphasizes the crucial role of screening in saving lives. Watch Ken's story and discover why 45 is the new 50 when it comes to colorectal cancer screening. | | Krissy has a family history of the disease, which prompted her to get screened before age 45. She shares her experience with overcoming fear and why you should get screened too. | | |
#GetFitEssexCounty!💪
🏀 March Madness Challenge! 🏀
We are bringing tournament energy to your fitness routine! This month, our bracket puts your favorite exercises head-to-head. You decide which move stays and which one goes!
🗳️ How to Participate
Every Monday, we will post a poll featuring two rival exercises. The move with the most votes becomes the official workout of the week!
👟 How to Play
• Vote Every Monday: Check our Facebook or Instagram pages each Monday to cast your vote for the exercise you want to do.
• Perform the Daily Move: Once the winner is announced, incorporate that exercise into your daily routine for the remainder of the week. Since March 1st is a Sunday, we are kicking things off early with 8 Push-ups!
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Track the Bracket: Watch as the winning exercises advance toward the center trophy. The champions from Weeks 1 and 2 will eventually face off against Weeks 3 and 4 to crown the ultimate winner for your health!
For videos on modifications of the exercises, follow the link 👇
Modifications
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We have compiled the latest data to help you understand the current landscape of rabies investigations, pet vaccination efforts, and wildlife testing in our community.
Take a look at the figures below to see how these important safety initiatives are shaping up for 2025. (click images to enlarge)
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Keep your pets protected and our community safe. Our free 2026 rabies clinics are officially confirmed, and registration is now open. Please follow the link below to secure your spot.
(click here to register)
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Growing up with Children's Services | | |
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month observed in March is dedicated to increasing awareness about the experiences of people with developmental disabilities. The goal is to highlight individual accomplishments, support equal rights, and promote inclusion. People with these disabilities are active members of their communities, contributing through work, volunteering, and personal relationships.
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Children with Special Health Care Needs Program
The Children with Special Health Care Needs Program is a statewide initiative in New York. The Department of Health manages this program to support children with special needs and their families.
The main goals are to:
Connect families to necessary health and support services.
Find and address gaps in care.
Help families resolve concerns.
Improve access to quality health care.
Follow the link for more local information (click here)
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Upcoming Baby and Me Groups👶🏻
Stepping Stones Psychological Services, PLLC is offering free support groups for parents and caregivers of children ages 3 and under, as well as those who are expecting.
Led by Dr. Maria Rheaume and her team, these groups take a person-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, and family-guided approach. The program is designed to help community members connect and tap into their own resilience.
When & Where:📍
Elizabethtown: Wednesdays, March 18 – May 13 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Elizabethtown Social Center, 7626 US-9)
Keeseville: Wednesdays, March 18 – May 13 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (1 Mill Street)
Cost:
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These groups are free and funded by the New York State Council on Children and Families.
Registration:
To register, please call 518-834-0200.
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Essex County WIC, in partnership with ADK Action, obtained over 500 lbs. of fresh, local produce and eggs from Juniper Hill Farm to distribute to our WIC families. This included butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, potatoes, and onions.
WIC staff attended the annual Food Justice Summit at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake on February 26th to gain insight and build connections with other regional organizations and individuals vested in community efforts for supporting equity and health through nutrition.
| | | | (L to R) WIC Acct Clerk, Stephanie DeZalia; WIC Coordinator/Nutritionist, Cecile MacFarlane RDN, CDN; and WIC Nutritionist, Emily French.) | | | | |
Stay Safe & Healthy, Whatever the Season | | |
We’re hitting the road and bringing the Health Department out into communities across the county!
Through our Health Department Road Show, our team will be visiting towns to share information, resources, and opportunities to connect with health department programs.
To help you keep track of where we’ll be, we’ve created an interactive calendar that shows upcoming stops and event details.
📅 Take a look to see when we’ll be coming to a town near you. (click here)
We’ll continue adding new dates and locations, so be sure to check back often as the calendar will be updated regularly.
We look forward to seeing you around the county!
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Healthy People in Healthy Communities | | | | |
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