Westport Weston Health District

The Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) is a governmental agency that provides local public health services to the residents of Westport and Weston. Located at 180 Bayberry Lane, Westport, WWHD provides a wide range of services to help keep the communities of Westport and Weston healthy.

The Health District is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Selectmen of Westport and Weston. The staff includes highly trained professionals in environmental and community health and are organized into two major divisions, Environmental Health Services and Community Health Services.

The Environmental Health Division of WWHD works to prevent and check the spread of infectious disease agents and chemical contaminants in the environment. WWHD regulates new and modified septic systems, water wells, food service and cosmetology establishments, beaches and pools. It also investigates and resolves complaints, responds to public health hazards and educates the public about communicable disease prevention. WWHD responds to local environmental emergencies on an around-the-clock basis. WWHD leads the community response to Lyme disease and West Nile virus, two diseases that have recently emerged and that threaten the health of residents.

The Community Health Division provides an array of preventive health services at the Bayberry location and at sites throughout Westport and Weston. Many services are offered free or at a reduced charge. Among these services, the Travelers Immunization Clinic is one of the Health District’s most popular programs. Each year, almost 500 individuals visit the clinic to receive immunizations against travel diseases. The Health District’s public health nurse makes health check visits to the homebound elderly, and will assist town social service agencies with public health assessments when asked.

The Health District teams up with local medical organizations and providers to offer screening programs each year for breast and prostate cancer, skin cancer, vision problems and other health concerns. A low cost animal rabies clinic is provided annually in cooperation with area veterinarians. The Health District’s health educator sponsors a wide variety of health education programs to the community in partnership with local civic organizations. WWHD works closely with municipal and state agencies to respond to public emergencies - storms, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism are examples - as a partner in the two towns’ emergency management operations. WWHD is prepared to offer mass immunization or antibiotic dispensing clinics should the need ever arise.

A current health message and monthly calendar of events are available through a Health Information Hotline at 222-3875. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., or call 227-9571. The Health District also has a web site (www.wwhd.org)  that has scheduled events and public health information of interest to the community.