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NYC Health Department News
Health Department Launches Ad Campaign Highlighting Free, Confidential Counseling Services for New Yorkers Affected By Hurricane Sandy
The Health Department launched an ad campaign highlighting the free, confidential crisis counseling services available to help New Yorkers cope with the effects of Hurricane Sandy, particularly in Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Project Hope crisis counselors, going door-to-door in blue vests, provide emotional support and help people find ways to cope with the traumatic impact the storm has had on their family and their lives. The ads will run in subway cars, on buses and the Staten Island Ferry beginning today through the month of August.
Health Department, Brooklyn Faith Community Leaders Host Eighth Annual ‘Cut the Salt, Brooklyn’ Awareness and Health Screening Event
The Health Department is joining faith community leaders to host the eighth annual ‘Cut the Salt, Brooklyn’ awareness and health screening event tomorrow at Restoration Plaza. Free screenings for blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol will be provided, as well as information to help Brooklyn residents learn how to reduce the amount of sodium in their diet. Over the previous seven years more than 3,000 Brooklyn residents have received blood pressure screenings and information to make them aware of the potential dangers of increased sodium consumption as it relates to the risk of stroke, hypertension, and heart disease.
Health Department Kicks Off Dog Licensing Campaign
The Health Department announced a new dog licensing campaign beginning this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carl Schurz Park. Health Department staff will be at events across the City from May to September to give pet owners a quick and easy way to obtain or renew a dog license. At these events, staff will use laptops to license dogs and owners will leave the event with a new dog license tag.
Health Department Data Show Increase In Opioid Prescription Painkiller Deaths In New York City
The Health Department released new data today showing that between 2005 and 2011, the New York City rate of overdose deaths from prescription opioid painkillers increased by 65%. While rates of opioid painkiller overdose deaths increased across all boroughs, Staten Island saw the largest increase over the last several years. In 2011, rates of opioid painkiller overdose deaths in Staten Island were four times as high as Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, increasing by 261% since 2005. Overall, 220 persons died of overdose by prescription opioid painkillers in 2011, including 40 Staten Islanders.
Health Department Data Shows Steady Decline In Teen Pregnancy Rate
The Health Department unveiled new data the City’s teen pregnancy rate hit a new low, falling 30 percent in the last decade, including 5 percent just from 2010 to 2011. Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley made this announcement today at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic Treatment Center in the Bronx, a Health and Hospitals Corporation clinic. Commissioner Farley was joined by Dr. Amanda Ascher, Medical Director, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Dr. Danielle Laraque, American Academy of Pediatrics, Violet Fredericks, Policy Advisor, Office of State Sen. Gustavo Rivera and Zoe McCall, Bronx Teens Connection Member.
Diabetes Epidemic Continues To Worsen In New York City
The Health Department released a new Epi Data Brief about the diabetes epidemic in New York City. Nearly 650,000 adult New Yorkers reported having diabetes in 2011, an increase of about 200,000 adults since 2002. In addition, an estimated 230,000 adults likely had the disease but were unaware of it. Diabetes is twice as common among obese New Yorkers. People with diabetes are at increased risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and amputations.
New Regulations for Mobile Food Vendors Go Into Effect
The Health Department’s new mobile food vending regulations go into effect in a move to improve the sanitary practices of New York City’s street food vendors. The regulations clarify equipment requirements, limit the size of pushcarts, and require documentation by facilities where vending units are stored overnight. The regulations, which were announced by the Department last June, also make permit holders more accountable for actions that take place at their carts or trucks and help the Department better detect the illegal renting of mobile food vending permits.
Health Department Warns Patrons of A West Village Restaurant Of Possible Exposure To Hepatitis A From March 23 To April 2
In response to a case of Hepatitis A in a food handler at Alta restaurant in the West Village, the Health Department today urges patrons who ate dessert at the restaurant between March 23rd and April 2nd to get Hepatitis A vaccination as a precautionary measure. Hepatitis A is spread by putting something in your mouth (even though it might look clean) that has been contaminated with traces of fecal matter from an infected person. Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
Health Department Launches Ad Campaign Encouraging Consumers to Purchase Lower Sodium Packaged Foods
The Health Department launched a new ad campaign encouraging consumers to compare nutrition labels and choose products with less sodium. The ads, running in subway cars, highlight the large range of sodium in packaged foods and encourage consumers to “Compare Labels. Choose Less Sodium.” The ads will run through the month of April.
National Organizations File Amicus Briefs in Support of New York City's Sugary Drink Portion Rule
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs and Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley announced that two amicus (friend of the court) legal briefs have been filed to support the City's appeal of the lower court denial of the sugary drink portion cap rule.
Mayor Bloomberg celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Smoke-Free Air Act
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Linda I. Gibbs and Health Commissioner Thomas Farley today celebrated the 10th anniversary of New York City's Smoke-Free Air Act by releasing a report highlighting the legislation's local, national and global impact.
Health Department Data Shows Record Low Tuberculosis Rate in New York City
The Health Department released new figures showing that New York City’s tuberculosis rate has dropped to a record low of 8 cases per 100,000 people, reflecting national trends and the combined efforts of the Health Department, healthcare providers and community leaders to expand TB control procedures.
The Mayor Announces New Legislation to Further Reduce The Smoking Rate
Mayor Michel R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs, Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley, Finance Commissioner David Frankel and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz announced new legislation that builds on New York City's success in reducing smoking rates over the last decade.
Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Gibbs, Health Commissioner Farley and Supporters Visit Restaurant Voluntarily Adopting City's Sugary Beverage Portion Size Limit
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs, Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer today visited Lucky’s Restaurant on East 34th Street to thank the owners for recognizing the health impacts of sugary beverages and deciding to limit the size of those beverages.
Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Gibbs and Health Commissioner Farley Release New Data Highlighting Strong Relationship Between Sugary Drink Consumption and Obesity
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs and Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley released new data showing the strong correlation between sugary drink consumption and obesity. The data, from the New York City Community Health Survey, looks at the relationship between sugary drink consumption and obesity by neighborhood and shows that in each of the five boroughs, those neighborhoods with higher rates of consumption of sugary drinks tended to have higher obesity rates.