Boston Public Health Commission

09/04/2026

We want to hear from you! The Boston Child Health Study invites Boston parents and caregivers of children ages 0-17 years to participate. Families are selected at random, and participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Be sure to check your mail and pick up the phone if you receive a call from Boston Public Health Commission. Your voice matters! By participating in this study, you can help improve children’s health across Boston.

Learn more at boston.gov/health-data.

09/03/2026

365 days a year, our teams provide neighbors with emergency shelter, meals, and connect them to clinical, social, and housing services.

Everyone has a unique story. We're committed to helping neighbors with any challenges that lead to homelessness. Together, with our partners, we're working to make homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and one-time.

09/02/2026

We joined partners from across the Commonwealth to plant thousands of purple flags on Boston Common to honor and remember the people we’ve lost to overdose in Massachusetts.

Each flag represents a life. A story. A reminder of the lives and communities impacted by overdose.

This past year, Boston experienced 120 opioid overdose deaths, the lowest number in a decade. While that progress is encouraging, even one life lost to overdose is one too many.

Today and every day, we will keep showing compassion, reducing stigma, supporting recovery, and making sure people can get the help and resources they need, when they need them.

Thank you to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston Medical Center, and all our partners for supporting our residents and honoring International Overdose Awareness Day.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Tonight, City Hall is lit up purple in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. In Boston, we’re committed to partnering with communities to deliver care and support for residents, provide education and trainings, and prevent overdoses.

One life lost to overdose is one too many. You can help prevent an overdose by taking our free online training and carrying naloxone.

Learn more about our overdose prevention training and where to find naloxone in Boston at boston.gov/naloxone.

08/31/2026

Citywide wastewater levels for August 31 are now available:

COVID-19: Very Low
Flu: Not Detected
RSV: Not Detected
Measles: Not Detected, 0 cases

Find data about your neighborhood, reports, and more at boston.gov/wastewater.

Wastewater monitoring is a new public health tool to warn communities about the presence of viruses like flu, COVID-19,

08/28/2026

On International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the people we have lost to overdose. We grieve with, and support their families, friends, and communities.

Boston is making progress thanks to people in recovery, families, community groups, health care workers, and partners across the city but there is still more to do.

Today and every day, we will keep showing compassion, reducing stigma, supporting recovery, and making sure people can get the help and resources they need, when they need them.

Every overdose can be prevented. Every life matters. Together, we can keep moving forward.

Find programs to support you and your loved ones at boston.gov/recovery.

08/28/2026

We encourage residents to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites. West Nile Virus can affect people of all ages. It most often causes severe illness in people over age 50 and those who are immunocompromised.

Learn more at boston.gov/mosquito.

08/28/2026

Citywide wastewater levels for August 27 are now available:

COVID-19: Very Low
Flu: Not Detected
RSV: Not Detected
Measles: Not Detected, 0 cases

Find data about your neighborhood, reports, and more at

Wastewater monitoring is a new public health tool to warn communities about the presence of viruses like flu, COVID-19,

08/27/2026

Health Advisory: We are alerting residents that the existing cyanobacteria public health advisory for the Charles River Lower Basin has been expanded. The impacted area includes all points downstream of the Boston University Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences Building, also known as the “Jenga Tower.”

• Avoid direct contact with the water and impacted shoreline, including swimming and other water activities.

• If you, your child, or your pet comes in contact with the water or algae on the shoreline, rinse off immediately.

• Do not allow pets to swim in or drink the water. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has been around an algae bloom and shows symptoms such as vomiting, staggering, drooling, or convulsions.

Harmful algae blooms are most common when warm sunny weather promotes algae growth and can disappear quickly or last for weeks when conditions allow.

Learn more at boston.gov/cyanobacteria.