CDPH Weekly Media Brief, 04/16/2026

April is Earth Month - Get Involved!

Every year in April, we celebrate Earth Month to focus on our relationship with Earth and our surrounding natural environments. Climate change is a very real threat to public health, and it's easy to feel like there's nothing you can do to help make things better, but positive news is out there, and you can take steps to get involved:

• Engage with Open Air Chicago air sensor network to determine the air quality near you and decide how best to utilize that data in your everyday life
• Request a free parkway tree from 3-1-1
• Participate in a citywide park cleanup on Saturday, April 18 with the Chicago Park District
• Recycle your hazardous materials and unused electronics at the Hazardous Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility.
• Get involved with One Earth Film Festival and attend films related to different environmental topics. The festival creates opportunities for understanding the climate crisis, environmental justice, sustainability, resilient community-building, and the power of people to take concrete, inclusive action.
• Participate in the Green Living Summit on April 25, presented by NAACP Chicago Westside Branch along with the Department of Environment. Held at The Golden Dome in Garfield Park (100 N. Central Park Ave.), the event will highlight sustainable living, energy savings, and environmentally friendly home improvements.

Sexual Health Event for Seniors

CDPH will wind down a monthlong sexual health and STI awareness campaign with an event next week which will turn the focus to older adults.

Some may think STIs are one of the last health issues older Chicagoans need to worry about, but STIs can affect anyone, at any age. National data show that diagnoses of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia among adults 55 and older have increased significantly over the past decade. Because older adults may downplay their risk of STIs, appropriate precautions such as getting tested and using condoms aren't often taken.

Recognizing there is no age limit to optimal sexual health and wellness, CDPH will host a sexual health forum for older adults on Thursday, April 23, at the Southeast Atlas Regional Senior Center, 1767 E. 79th St. The event will feature a myth-busting discussion, Q & A with sexual health experts, giveaways, games, and presentations about safer sex, including a condom demonstration.

More information at Chicago.gov/SexualHealth.

Medicaid Awareness Month

It's Medicaid Awareness Month! Changes are coming to Medicaid in 2027, and CDPH wants to ensure residents have the information they need.

Beginning in 2027, new federal guidelines may require some adult Medicaid enrollees to report work, school, or training activities. Residents enrolled in Medicaid should make sure their address, phone number, and email are up to date. They can update their information by:

• Visiting ABE.Illinois.gov and clicking "Manage My Case." Here, residents enrolled in Medicaid can view notices, check coverage, update information, and more.
• Calling 877.805.5312.

Updating contact information does not change benefits, it simply helps the State of Illinois reach Medicaid enrollees with important information.

Focus on Black Maternal Health

CDPH recognizes Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), observed April 11-17, a time to raise awareness about the maternal health crisis affecting Black women in the United States.

Data show that in Chicago, Black women experienced three times the risk of pregnancy-related death compared with non-Black women from 2018 to 2022. CDPH is working to improve maternal health outcomes through several initiatives, including:

• Family Connects Chicago (FCC) : A free nurse home visiting program for families with newborns, ensuring post-birth health checks and connections to resources.
• WIC Program: Provides nutrition support, education, and food assistance to thousands of moms, infants, and young children annually.
• OneChiFam: A comprehensive resource for new parents, offering guidance on mental health, advocacy, infant care, and more.

During the 9th annual BMHW, CDPH reaffirms that every mother deserves support before, during, and after pregnancy, and remains committed to shaping a more equitable future for maternal health.

Healthy Chicago Podcast

Each year, National Infant Immunization Week is observed during the third week of April. In the Spanish-language podcast, we discuss the importance of staying up to date on vaccinations, how they protect young children, and the recommended immunization schedule.

Watch or listen on the platform of your choice!

Next week, CDPH will host a community event offering routine pediatric vaccines. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available for children 6 months and older:

• Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
• Location: BDNC South Lawndale
• Address: 251 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608
• Time: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) will also provide fresh farmers market produce, with 125 produce boxes available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Appointments are encouraged; however, walk-ins are welcome as time permits. Visit bit.ly/NIIWCDPH to schedule an appointment.

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