About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. But there’s another number worth knowing: more than 4 million breast cancer survivors live in the United States. Today, we have tools to detect breast cancer earlier and treat it. Staying up to date on recommended screening and paying attention to changes in your breasts can help you catch potential problems early. If something feels or looks different, talk with your healthcare provider. Learn more about breast cancer screening and Connecticut resources: ow.ly/8yGq50ZUvBz #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastHealth #Connecticut

When you spent 12 hours perfecting the costume and forgot to check the forecast. 😭🎃 Before trick-or-treating, make sure you're ready for the weather, too. It gets cold fast this time of year and hypothermia is NOT a part of the costume. 👻 #CTDPH #HappyHalloween #TrickOrTreat #SpookySeason

Stroke prevention isn’t just one thing—it’s part of taking care of your health every day. ❤️ Ahead of #WorldStrokeDay on Oct. 29, consider starting a conversation with your healthcare team about some of the factors that can affect your risk of stroke, including: 🩺 Blood pressure ❤️ Cholesterol 🩸 Diabetes 💓 Atrial fibrillation (AFib) 🚭 Tobacco use Ask questions, talk about your health goals and decide together what next steps are right for you. Learn more: ow.ly/8wVI50ZUztE #StrokePrevention #HeartHealth

Lead can be hiding in plain sight. 🫣 It can be found in paint and dust in older homes, bare soil, plumbing fixtures, some consumer products and more. Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure, and many children who are exposed don't have obvious signs or symptoms. The good news? There are steps you can take to reduce exposure and protect your family. During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we're sharing what Connecticut families should know about lead, including how to keep kids safe, when to talk to your child's healthcare provider about testing, and how to check your home for lead hazards. 🕵️ Save this post and follow along all week. #NLPPW2026 #CTDPH #LeadFreeFuture

Infection prevention takes all of us. 🧼🩺🦠 This International Infection Prevention Week, we’re giving a shoutout to the people working every day to prevent infections and keep our communities safer. 👏 Infection preventionists 👏 Nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals 👏 Epidemiologists and public health professionals 👏 Laboratory professionals 👏 Environmental services and cleaning teams 👏 Facilities and engineering teams 👏 Occupational health professionals 👏 Pharmacists 👏 Emergency medical services 👏 And the many others working behind the scenes to prevent the spread of infection From monitoring for infections and investigating outbreaks to cleaning and disinfecting spaces, caring for patients, testing samples, maintaining safe healthcare environments and putting prevention practices into action — infection prevention is a team effort. To everyone doing this work across Connecticut: thank you for helping keep patients, healthcare workers and our communities safe. 💙 Learn more: ow.ly/XcTy50ZUXqc #IIPW #InfectionPrevention #PublicHealth

🎬 There’s still time to make your 30 seconds count! Connecticut teens ages 14–18 can enter our Radon Video Contest by creating a short video about radon and lung cancer prevention awareness. 🎥 Live action, animation, stop motion or your own creative style. ⏱️ 30 seconds. One message. Real impact. 📅 Entries are due November 5, 2026. Got an idea? Start creating! 👉 Learn more: ow.ly/oWe750ZZ44u

You can have viral hepatitis without feeling sick. Hepatitis B and C can cause few or no symptoms. Over time, chronic infection can damage the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer. Testing can help you find out if you have hepatitis B or C so you can take steps to protect your liver and get care if you need it. Talk with your health care provider about whether hepatitis screening is right for you. Find a hepatitis test in CT: ow.ly/LGn050ZZ60R

Emergency preparedness, but make it kid-friendly. 👶 Think about the things your kids rely on every day, plus a few things that can help keep them comfortable, occupied and feeling a little more like themselves. Be prepared, not panicked. Find more preparedness tips in the Connecticut DPH Preparedness Guide (p.16-17): ow.ly/5uh250ZRp6I

🎨 There’s still time to get creative! Calling all young artists! Enter our Radon Poster Contest and create a poster that helps spread the word about radon and lung cancer prevention. 🖍️ Draw it. Design it. Make it your own! 📅 Entries are due November 5, 2026. Have a young artist at home? Encourage them to join the fun! 👉 Learn more: ow.ly/UVts50ZZ44m

Hey, guys. Your chest deserves your attention, too. Breast cancer can affect men, even though it’s rare. A lump or swelling, changes to the skin or nipple, nipple discharge, or other unusual changes are reasons to talk with your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about a lump, nipple change, or anything else that feels unusual. If something’s changed, get it checked. Find a testing location in CT: ow.ly/77Uy50ZZ449 #MensBreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerAwareness #Connecticut

Infection prevention starts with all of us. 🤝 This week, we’re recognizing International Infection Prevention Week and highlighting the ways we can help protect patients, health care workers, and communities across Connecticut. From washing your hands to staying up to date on recommended vaccines, prevention practices can help reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect against infection and infectious diseases. Vaccines are safe, effective, and help keep us healthy. 🛡️ Let’s make infection prevention a priority this week and every week. Learn more: ow.ly/3n7C50ZYrSL #IIPW #InfectionPrevention #CTDPH

🕵️ Have you spotted any of these risk factors? Certain health conditions, behaviors and genetic factors can increase your risk of liver cancer, including: 🔎 Chronic hepatitis B or C 🔎 Cirrhosis (advanced scarring of the liver) or MASLD (a type of liver disease caused by excess fat buildup on the liver) 🔎 Alcohol use 🔎 Smoking 🔎 Certain genetic conditions Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop liver cancer. But knowing your risk can help you and your health care provider decide what steps may be right for you, including whether liver cancer screening is appropriate. Learn more: ow.ly/EqZj50ZT4Ha

One simple step can help make sleep safer for your baby. 💙 Always place babies on their backs for naps and nighttime sleep. This helps reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. This #SIDSAwarenessMonth, learn more about creating a safe sleep space for your baby—and help spread the word with other parents, grandparents and caregivers: ow.ly/fY5x50ZUyy7 #SafeToSleep #SIDSAwarenessMonth #InfantSafety

🎤 What’s your 20-second handwashing anthem? 🧼🎶 Washing your hands with soap and water for about 20 seconds is one simple way to help stop the spread of germs. So, what song gets you through the scrub? 🎵 A favorite chorus 🎵 “Happy Birthday” 🎵 Your favorite throwback 🎵 A song you make up on the spot 😂 Tell us your handwashing anthem in the comments, and don't forget to scrub those hands! 🫧

Your to-do list is already long. But there’s one thing worth making time for: your breast health. 🎀 This #BreastCancerAwarenessDay, take a moment to: ☑️ Know your breast cancer risk ☑️ Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk and screening needs ☑️ Know when and where to get recommended screenings ☑️ Encourage the people you love to prioritize their breast health, too Staying informed and keeping up with recommended screenings can help you take an active role in your health. 💗 Make your breast health a priority today—and encourage someone you love to do the same. #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastHealth #GetScreened #FightCancer #CTDPH

Happening today! 📣 Are you an RN or LPN/VN, or do you employ nurses? Join the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) today for a webinar on the Nurse Licensure Compact and multistate licenses. Learn more about: • How the multistate license works • Common misunderstandings • The 60-day residency rule • How nurses and employers can reduce potential risk 📅 Today, October 13 🕒 2–3 p.m. CT / 3–4 p.m. ET Learn more and register: ow.ly/9rQS50ZWrbq

October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Today, we recognize those living with metastatic breast cancer, along with the families, friends, and caregivers who support them. We honor their experiences and recognize the importance of continued research, care, and support for everyone affected by breast cancer. Learn more about breast cancer and available resources: ow.ly/13Ia50ZWraU

If your normal routine includes medications, medical equipment, regular health care or accessibility supports, your preparedness plan should account for those things, too. Keep important information handy, including your doctors’ names and contact information, your pharmacy, medications and other health needs. Think about what you would need if your usual routine were interrupted, and make a plan before you need it. Be prepared, not panicked. Find more preparedness tips in the Connecticut DPH Preparedness Guide (p. 14-15): ow.ly/oZ9150ZWoTq

🌿 Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the rich histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous communities across the country. Connecticut is home to several Tribal Nations whose contributions continue to shape our state. At CT DPH, we recognize the importance of working alongside these communities to advance health equity and improve health outcomes for all. Take time today to learn more about Connecticut’s Tribal Nations, their histories, and the important roles they continue to play in our communities. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #HealthEquity #Connecticut

🧠 Mental health IS health. On World Mental Health Day, we’re shining a light on something that deserves attention every day: our mental well-being. Mental health is an essential part of overall health—and it can affect how we think, feel, function, and even how we manage physical health conditions. Whether it’s talking to a healthcare provider, checking in with a loved one, or simply making time to care for yourself, taking care of your mental health is healthcare, too. 💙 This World Mental Health Day, let’s make mental health part of the conversation and part of the care, together. #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #WholePersonHealth #CTDPH