Southcoast
Public Health Coalition
The Southcoast Public Health Coalition serves the communities of Fall River, Seekonk, Somerset, and Swansea, MA. Through the Massachusetts Office of Local & Regional Health’s Public Health Excellence Grant, this regional collaborative was created to provide improved community access to public health services by pooling resources, functions, and expertise.
Our impact
FALL RIVER
Fall River is the tenth-largest city in Massachusetts with a population of 93,764. Fall River is known for its rich Portuguese culture, historic textile mills, and iconic Battleship Cove.
SEEKONK
Situated along the MA/RI border, Seekonk has a population of 15,630. The earliest known inhabitants were the Wampanoag Tribe. Later, Seekonk was claimed by both MA and RI until an 1862 Supreme Court ruling awarded portions of land to either state to form Seekonk and Tiverton, RI.
SOMERSET
Somerset is located right across the Taunton River from Fall River with a population of 18,112. Notably, Somerset was the birthplace of Clifford Milburn Holland, the chief engineer and namesake of the Holland Tunnel in New York City.
SWANSEA
Swansea, a town of 17,336 residents, is located at the mouth of the Taunton River. Incorporated in 1667, Swansea has been home to many small industries like ironworks and fisheries throughout the years. A large agricultural sector still remains.
Public Health Information
Visit our Hot Topics page to access important health and safety information, including resources regarding tick-borne illnesses, extreme heat situations, and communicable disease control. For more in-depth information, explore our regional epidemiology data via the Reports & Data Dashboards page!
Regional Shared Services
The Southcoast Public Health Coalition includes shared staff members who facilitate cross-jurisdictional activities and further the mission of the Coalition through their regional services. They collaborate with and support municipal staff members by increasing capacity and capabilities across the various municipalities
Coalition Meetings
The Southcoast Public Health Coalition meets virtually at least once a month, typically on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. In accordance with Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, the City of Fall River City Clerk posts agendas and a notice of the meeting at least 48 hours in advance. Meetings are open to the public.
Stay Informed
Local Resources:
- Greater Fall River Resource Guide (Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, & Haitian Creole)
State Resources:
- Massachusetts Department of Health: MA DPH promotes and protects health and wellness and prevents injury and illness for all people in Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services: Comprised of 11 agencies and the MassHealth Program, MA EOHHS serves many of Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents.
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water, and land – to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations.
- Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform: The Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform helps people in Massachusetts get mental health and substance use care they need, when and where they need it. You can call or text the 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445.
- Mass.gov: The Official Website for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
National Resources
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection: CDC is the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: The FDA ensures the safety and effectiveness of human and veterinary medicines, medical devices, food, cosmetics, and tobacco products.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA works to protect human health and the environment by ensuring Americans have clean air, land, and water, developing and enforcing regulations, studying environmental issues, and providing outreach and education to the public.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during and after disasters by coordinating efforts between federal, state, and local governments.