Health Education Programs
Bike/Walk Promotion
Our Health Educator is an adviser for the the Fairfield Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee advocating for a safer and more sustainable walking and biking environment in Fairfield. To support these efforts, the Health Department applied for and received state grant funds to pay for the shoulder striping and signage to create the Town’s first bike route from the Brookside/Mill Plain area to the Unquowa/Post Rd. area. Since 2015, two more bike routes have been created, the Shoreline Bike Route and the Library to Library bike route. In addition, 4 bike repair stations, 3 bike air pumps, and 6 bike racks have been installed or are pending installment along these designated bike routes and popular destinations in Town. These groups are committed to improving the Town's biking and walking environment. Here's more information about the implemented and planned bike routes.
Diabetes and Chronic Disease Support Group
The Fairfield Health Department and partners, Fairfield Senior Center and Rehabilitation Associates Inc., will launch the Diabetes and Chronic Disease Support Group for the 2023-2024 year. The purpose of this group is to have participants receive support from one another, have the ability to ask questions, and participate in group discussions. Each month will focus on a different health topic and includes guest speakers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6 in 10 adults in the United States have at least one chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, and arthritis. Additionally, the CDC states that chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month (September through June) from 1-2pm at the Fairfield Senior Center (100 Mona Terrace). The group is facilitated by Courtney Sansonetti, RD, CDE from Rehabilitation Associates Inc., and Santina Jaronko, DrPH, CHES from the Fairfield Health Department. All sessions are FREE and registration is recommended through the Senior Center.
For more information please visit www.fairfieldct.org/health or visit the Fairfield Health Department’s Facebook page to stay up to date on monthly topics and speakers.
2023-2024 sessions dates:
- October 10, 2023
- November 14, 2023
- December 12, 2023
- January 9, 2024
- February 13, 2024
- March 12, 2024
- April 9, 2024
- May 14, 2024
- June 11, 2024
The Healthy Living Program is based off the CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) intended to help individuals who are at high risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes. The program is free, but participants must be able to and commit to attending regularly. This is a 12-week program. The program will be led by Santina Jaronko, DrPH, CHES, Assistant Director of Health, Community Health.
Pre-Registration is required. Contact Santina Jaronko at 203-256-3150 at sjaronko@fairfieldct.org.
Know Your Numbers Program
This is one of our newer programs that we have started in collaboration with the members of Get Healthy CT. In an effort to get people to better understand their “heart health” we encourage residents to know the numbers that are the key to understanding your heart health. If you don’t know your numbers, click here to find more information on what those numbers are and how you can figure some out on your own and get tested for others. This program also provides resources on how you can work to lower your numbers if they are not where they should be.
Upcoming Screening Dates, Locations, and Times: Will be posted here once scheduled.
Matter of Balance
Our Assistant Director of Health, Community Health is a Master Trainer for the Matter of Balance program which is an evidence-based program that was developed by the Partnership for Healthy Aging. This program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Comprised of eight two-hour sessions, participants learn how to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. For questions or more information please contact Santina Jaronko at 203-256-3150 or sjaronko@fairfieldct.org.