Our Local Health Department works with partners to improve methods of traditional public health services and find innovative ways to improve the health and quality of life of our residents. Through participation in environmental, social and biological research ESDHD hopes to move public health forward in a changing world. The research described here are published in various journals and institutions and presented to and with colleagues and professional partners. ESDHD values fostering a new generation of public health through increasing our knowledge of the world we live in.

ESDHD provides data for research in partnership with other organizations. such as water testing, the ESDHD Maternal-Child Health, and the South Central Connecticut Agency on Aging LiveWell programs. The Health District analyses the health of its residents with the ESDHD Community Health Assessment. Data is collected from residents every 4 years.

As a local health department, we value and understand the importance of data and public health research, as this information drives our decision, especially in these times of limited resources.

We assess the current state of health in our community and our environment. We endeavor to maintain a culture of constant quality improvement.

Pollution Source Survey and Assessment of the Farm River Watershed in East Haven and Branford, Connecticut. 2012

Water quality monitoring was conducted in both the Lower Farm River in Branford and East Haven as well at Cosey Beach in East Haven. Sampling was expanded to a total of 11 sites. Water samples were collected from the sites approximately once a week since April of 2011 through August of 2012, with sampling scheduled at low tide and after rainfall when possible. Collected samples were analyzed for both colony forming units of traditional fecal coliform indicator bacteria as well as genetic analysis of Bacteroides to distinguish between human and non-human sources of bacteria. Samples at public bathing beaches were analyzed for Enterococci indicator bacteria. Sanitary surveys have been conducted throughout the area to identify potential sources of bacteria entering the Farm River or Long Island Sound. The fecal coliform samples were analyzed for National Shellfish Sanitation Program criteria to reclassify a section of East Haven.

Farm River DOA AgrvViability Final Research Report.October 2012

Improving Water Quality in the Short Beach Neighborhood of Branford, Connecticut, 2019—A Citizen Science Project

Long Island Sound has suffered elevated levels of fecal bacteria for decades.  Although fecal contamination from stormwater outfalls is a recognized public health risk, the short duration of stormwater outfall flows following rain events poses obstacles to identification and monitoring of these sources. Partnerships between health departments and local citizen scientists may enhance such outfall sampling.

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