Boston Public Health Commission - Building a Healthy Boston

Get the facts on Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD) is a common disease in babies and young children. Its name comes from the blister-like spots seen in the mouth and on the soles and palms of an affected child. The disease can cause dehydration and be serious for some small children. Adults can get it too. Read more >>

NeighborWalk Expands To Help More Boston Residents Get Outside and Get Active

Want to get healthier, more active, and involved in your community? Join NeighborWalk!

NeighborWalk is a free program of the Boston Public Health Commission that supports weekly walking groups for Boston residents in their own neighborhoods. Now in its tenth year, NeighborWalk has helped hundreds of people get active and get out in their communities as well as stick to their fitness goals. The community walking groups are one of the many free or low cost resources available through the recently launched Boston Moves for Health campaign. Read more >>

City of Boston Receives $13.9 Million Ryan White Grant to Support HIV Services Throughout the Metropolitan Area

Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced today that the city of Boston has received $13.9 million under the federal Ryan White Part A Program to provide a range of critical HIV health and support services to the more than 6,300 people living with HIV/AIDS throughout Boston and the surrounding area. This year’s funding represents a 1.3 percent increase over last year’s award. Read more >>

Warm weather doesn’t increase the number of ticks, but it does create the opportunity for both humans and ticks to be more active and to be in contact with each other.

Lower your risk of tick-borne illness by:

- Reducing tick abundance in your yard where you spend a lot of time.

- Using a tick repellent. Make sure to follow the label directions closely.

- Talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to protect your pets from ticks.

- Getting into a habit of doing tick checks every evening.

- Pulling ticks off quickly and safely.

Learn more about Lyme disease here (pdf) and other tick-borne illnesses here (pdf).

Rabies Vaccination for Your Dog or Cat

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord. Because rabies is a serious disease in animals as well as people, rabies prevention is a priority for the Boston Public Health Commission.

Massachusetts law requires all cats and dogs to receive rabies vaccination (injection) by the age of 6 months. A second vaccination should be given between 9-12 months after the first vaccination.

In addition, your pet will need routine rabies vaccine injections throughout its life, so keep all your pet’s vaccination records. It is important to have this information if your dog or cat is bitten by another animal or bites someone. Even the most gentle pet can bite if he or she is scared or hurt, and written evidence of proper vaccination is important.

The City of Boston Animal Control, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and the Boston Centers for Youth and Families will be holding several low cost vaccination and licensing clinics this spring.

Click here for a complete list of dates and locations. (pdf)

The Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services recently launched an Safe and Successful Youth Initiative designed to end youth violence in communities throughout the Commonwealth. Read more here, or watch the moving video here.

You can learn more about BPHC's violence prevention programs in Boston here.