Union River Healthy Communities is a Healthy Maine Partnership and a "healthy community coalition" dedicated to improving health through education, advocacy and action. We empower our communities to be physically active, free from addictions, and to eat healthy foods. We are a program of Downeast Health Services, and are funded by Maine's master tobacco settlement funds and grants from the Maine Center for Disease Control and the Office of Substance Abuse. We serve 20 towns in Hancock County, including the Ellsworth and Schoodic regions and northern Hancock County.

We subscribe to the "Healthy Communities" principles, created by the World Health Organization, which say that health is broadly defined, everyone is included, and we make the best use of our local assets.

In 2003 the coalition conducted key informant interviews and dialogues, along with a review of published health information about the area; and created the Ellsworth Community Health Plan. Everything we do is linked back to that plan. You can download the plan from this website.

Besides taking on specific projects each year, the coalition holds a regular series of community dialogues on public health issues. Past dialogues have included transportation, designing active communities, substance abuse, under-age drinking, and sprawl. The coalition Advisory Board meets the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October, and December at Ellsworth City Hall, from 4-6 PM. The public is invited.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

    * Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.

    * Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

    * Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

          - Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

          - Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

          - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

          - Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

    * Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

    * Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

    * Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.