A Moment with Marley

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are highlighting an important role we have as a local health department - monitoring and following up on select communicable diseases.  Did you know that a role of a local health department is to monitor and follow up on select communicable diseases that occur in our community? A communicable disease is an illness caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or p...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about how to prevent heat-related illnesses this summer.  While many people enjoy spending time outside during warm weather, extreme heat can quickly become dangerous if we are not prepared. Knowing how to stay cool, stay hydrated, and recognize the warning signs of heat-related illnesses can make all the difference. Heat exhaustion occurs wh...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to remind families about school registration for the 2026-2027 school year. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, or your family has recently moved to Meriden, understanding the registration process can help make the transition smooth and stress-free.  Registering early helps schools plan for staffing, classroom space, transportation an...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to remind parents and caregivers about back to school physicals for students. A physical exam is required for students entering certain grades in order to be medically cleared to start school on August 26, 2026. This includes: Students entering Kindergarten will need a physical dated on or after August 26, 2025. Part of the physical must inclu...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are here to remind parents and caregivers to pick up any medication your child may have in the school health office during the last week of school. Medications must be picked up by a parent or designated adult over 18 years old. For your child’s safety, please wait to pick up any emergency medications until your child has attended all scheduled field tri...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about water safety and drowning prevention in honor of National Water Safety Month. May is National Water Safety Month, and we would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness about drowning prevention and helping families stay safe around water all summer long. We recommend all Meriden residents raise their awareness about water safety...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about sun safety in honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of this type of cancer, steps you can take to prevent it, and early detection. As the weather continues to get warmer, more Meriden residents will be heading outdoors to enjoy our city's many parks, such as Hubb...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about food allergies.  May 10 through 16 is Food Allergy Awareness Week, which focuses on educating the public about the dangers of food allergies and how to keep those with allergies healthy and safe.   A food allergy happens when the immune system mistakenly identifies a certain food as harmful and reacts to it. Even tiny amounts of an alle...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. Observed every year during the first full week of May, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week highlights the importance of youth mental health to reduce stigma and provide resources for parents and caregivers. As your local health and human services department, we want to raise...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we’re talking about something that affects millions of families but isn’t always openly discussed: chronic health conditions in children. A chronic illness is a condition that lasts for a long time, often months or years, and sometimes a lifetime. Unlike a cold or flu, these conditions require ongoing care and management. Some common examples include: Asthm...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about National Infant Immunization Week! Observed every year at the end of April, National Infant Immunization Week highlights the critical role vaccines play in protecting children age 2 years and younger from serious and possibly life-threatening diseases. In the first year of life the immune system is still developing, which can make child...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year!  If you have a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2026, they are eligible to register for Kindergarten! During the registration process, staff in our Public Health Clinic ensures students meet the State of Connecticut’s health requirements. This includes: Having a physi...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about something many of us deal with this time of year – seasonal allergies. If you’ve ever experienced sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose when the seasons change, you’re not alone. Seasonal allergies, sometimes called hay fever, affect millions of people each year. So what causes them? Seasonal allergies are triggered by pollen from trees...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, in honor of National Nutrition Month, we would like to highlight an important community partnership we have with Connecticut Foodshare and New Opportunities of Greater Meriden to address food insecurity. Food is a basic human need. It fuels our bodies, supports our growth, and keeps our minds focused and strong. But for many people, consistent access to hea...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are excited to hear from the Meriden Senior Center's Elderly Nutrition Program in honor of National Nutrition Month. The Meriden Senior Center offers a daily elderly nutrition program. The meals are provided by Trio Community Meals and are served Monday through Friday at 11:30am. Lunches are nutritious and well-balanced with protein, vegetables, fruits,...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are excited to hear from Jessica Pelletier, one of the Registered Dietitians from Meriden Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services in honor of National Nutrition Month. To learn more about Meriden Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services please visit their website: https://www.meridenk12.org/departments/food-and-nutrition-services/. Be sure to follow...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about how high blood pressure and cholesterol can affect your heart’s health, and provide some simple tips on how to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.  Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against your artery walls. It’s measured using two numbers: Systolic is the top number, this is the pressure when your...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about a topic that can potentially save someone’s life: recognizing the signs of a heart attack or stroke. A heart attack happens when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to a part of your heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked.  Signs of a heart attack include: A feeling of discomfort in the center of the chest that can last more than...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, your local health department would like to offer actionable tips to keep your heart healthy. First, movement is key. You don’t need to participate in intense workouts—just 30 minutes of walking, dancing, or active chores can improve heart health. At the Meriden Senior Center, members have the opportunity to participate in weekly exercise classes such as str...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to highlight 2 events we are holding in honor of American Heart Month. American Heart Month, recognized every February, serves as a reminder for individuals to prioritize their heart health and take proactive steps to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases. The initiative encourages people to learn about heart health, understand risk fac...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to discuss Norovirus. Norovirus is sometimes called the "stomach flu" or the "stomach bug." However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines. Norovirus causes symptoms like: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach cramps...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about our services offered to Meriden residents in our Public Health Clinic . Our Public Health Clinic is located at 165 Miller Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Our team offers a variety of services to Meriden residents. Major activities include:  Providing adult and child vaccinations including the seaso...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are diving into a topic that’s especially relevant as we move through colder months, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV. First things first, what is RSV? RSV is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs and airways. It’s especially known for causing severe issues in young children, babies, and older adults with weakened immune systems. Like many vi...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about hypothermia and frostbite. If you have stepped outside lately you will notice - it's cold outside! We all love the winter vibes—snowball fights, hot cocoa, and winter sports—but when it gets super cold, the risk of hypothermia and frostbite is real. So, let’s talk about what these are, and more importantly, how to prevent them. Hypother...

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are diving into a topic that has a lot of people talking: the rise in flu cases. Connecticut has seen an increase in cases since the beginning of December, which is common this time of year as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is also a common time to see an increase in respiratory illness due...