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Topics / Health
Health Newsletter
Sign up for our monthly Health newsletter:
The Topic
Health refers to the health issues facing the city, touching on everything from the mayor to Medicaid to managed care to mosquitoes.
The Context
New York City is one of the biggest public health challenges in the world. With 8 million residents--roughly 2 million of whom are uninsured--the city has the largest number of HIV cases and the largest number of intravenous drug users in the U.S. Efforts to contain a tuberculosis outbreak that threatened the city in the 1990's have been a major success--between 1992 and 1998, the deadly multi-drug resistant cases of TB declined by over 90 percent. New York City has 20 public hospitals which served 1.5 million people in 1998 alone.
Links in the News ...
- Questions in a Death Attributed to 9/11 Clean-Up (NY Times)
- Infant Mortality Rate Lowest In Seven Years (NY 1)
- Cigarette Suit Can Now Move Forward (NY Sun)
- Hearing to Focus on Upstate Drilling (NY Sun)
- Elevator Failures Plague Housing Project for the Elderly (NY Times)
- 9/11 Benefits for First Responders Sought (Daily News)
Researching ...
Shelter Denied Too Often
A new report from Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum contends the city's Department of Homeless Services may make frequent errors when denying families overnight shelter. The report, which profiles several families that were denied shelter by the city, says of the 278 families that were denied shelter between October 2007 and February 2008, 61 percent were later found eligible. The report recommends the city discontinue the denial of shelter to families who apply again for overnight stay after 5 p.m. (August 6, 2008)
The Green Cart Initiative – Will It Work?
Elana Behar examines the city's plan to issue licenses to street vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables in areas of the city with high rates of obesity and heart disease and little access to healthy foods and looks at what effects it might have. This is one in a series of working papers sponsored the Hunter College Center for Community Planning and Development. (July 8, 2008)
Unsafe Sex
A new survey by the Health Department reveals that 11 percent of New Yorkers have had sex with more than one partner in the past year. Of those, 60 percent said they used a condom the last time they had sex. Men were three times as likely than women to have had multiple partners and those with same-sex partners were three times as likely than opposite-sex partners to have multiple partners. (June 26, 2008)
Air Pollution, Ethnicity, and Birth Outcomes
African American newborns are affected by certain air pollutants while other ethnicities from the same area - specifically Dominican babies - are not, according to a recent study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Among Dominicans, developmental hazards were not associated with exposure to the pollutants - called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are formed by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels, wood, and tobacco products. But among African Americans, "exposure increased the risk of pre-term delivery and the likelihood of infants being born small." The authors of the study conclude that cultural differences, such as more nutritious diets and more supportive social networks among Dominicans, may have led to the difference and they call for further study. The study analyzed 616 pregnant mothers in Washington Heights, Harlem or the South Bronx. (June 19, 2008)
Helping the Mentally Ill
The city and state's systems for treating New Yorkers with severe mental illness are not coordinated, and the quality of care can be uneven, according to a report by a city-state panel on mental health and criminal justice. The group was created after several well-publicized incidents in which mentally ill people committed acts of violence. The panel reviewed some of these cases with an eye on improving care for mentally ill people who are at risk of violence. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson have said they will implement the panel's recommendations. (June 16, 2008)
A new report from Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum contends the city's Department of Homeless Services may make frequent errors when denying families overnight shelter. The report, which profiles several families that were denied shelter by the city, says of the 278 families that were denied shelter between October 2007 and February 2008, 61 percent were later found eligible. The report recommends the city discontinue the denial of shelter to families who apply again for overnight stay after 5 p.m. (August 6, 2008)
The Green Cart Initiative – Will It Work?
Elana Behar examines the city's plan to issue licenses to street vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables in areas of the city with high rates of obesity and heart disease and little access to healthy foods and looks at what effects it might have. This is one in a series of working papers sponsored the Hunter College Center for Community Planning and Development. (July 8, 2008)
Unsafe Sex
A new survey by the Health Department reveals that 11 percent of New Yorkers have had sex with more than one partner in the past year. Of those, 60 percent said they used a condom the last time they had sex. Men were three times as likely than women to have had multiple partners and those with same-sex partners were three times as likely than opposite-sex partners to have multiple partners. (June 26, 2008)
Air Pollution, Ethnicity, and Birth Outcomes
African American newborns are affected by certain air pollutants while other ethnicities from the same area - specifically Dominican babies - are not, according to a recent study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Among Dominicans, developmental hazards were not associated with exposure to the pollutants - called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are formed by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels, wood, and tobacco products. But among African Americans, "exposure increased the risk of pre-term delivery and the likelihood of infants being born small." The authors of the study conclude that cultural differences, such as more nutritious diets and more supportive social networks among Dominicans, may have led to the difference and they call for further study. The study analyzed 616 pregnant mothers in Washington Heights, Harlem or the South Bronx. (June 19, 2008)
Helping the Mentally Ill
The city and state's systems for treating New Yorkers with severe mental illness are not coordinated, and the quality of care can be uneven, according to a report by a city-state panel on mental health and criminal justice. The group was created after several well-publicized incidents in which mentally ill people committed acts of violence. The panel reviewed some of these cases with an eye on improving care for mentally ill people who are at risk of violence. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson have said they will implement the panel's recommendations. (June 16, 2008)
New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
The website of the non-profit New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health includes an excellent, in-depth section -- "9/11 related occupational safety and health." It provides links to newspapers and magazines, as well as specialzed journals, covering WTC-related issues.
New York State Department of Health
More health data for New Yorkers including information on how to sign up for Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus-- the insurance programs for those who are presently not covered by other plans
New York State Prostate Cancer Coalition
New York States patient focused prostate cancer nonprofit organization, featuring a state wide listing of support groups.
Medscape
This site, aimed at doctors, allows you to search Medline, the database of medical journals, for free. Abstracts of most journal articles are available for free as well. Once you have some basic knowledge about a condition you are researching, you can look here to get a sense of what is going on in terms of study in the area. There is a companion consumer-focused site, CBSHealthWatch, which is linked.
American Cancer Society
Half of all Americans will face cancer at some point in their lives-- and the New York and Washington-based American Cancer Society web site provides a wealth of information for those dealing with the disease. Includes links to other major cancer sites and resources
The website of the non-profit New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health includes an excellent, in-depth section -- "9/11 related occupational safety and health." It provides links to newspapers and magazines, as well as specialzed journals, covering WTC-related issues.
New York State Department of Health
More health data for New Yorkers including information on how to sign up for Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus-- the insurance programs for those who are presently not covered by other plans
New York State Prostate Cancer Coalition
New York States patient focused prostate cancer nonprofit organization, featuring a state wide listing of support groups.
Medscape
This site, aimed at doctors, allows you to search Medline, the database of medical journals, for free. Abstracts of most journal articles are available for free as well. Once you have some basic knowledge about a condition you are researching, you can look here to get a sense of what is going on in terms of study in the area. There is a companion consumer-focused site, CBSHealthWatch, which is linked.
American Cancer Society
Half of all Americans will face cancer at some point in their lives-- and the New York and Washington-based American Cancer Society web site provides a wealth of information for those dealing with the disease. Includes links to other major cancer sites and resources
The State Of Health In New York
Trust for America's Health looks at percentage and number of New Yorkers with certain diseases (asthma, diabetes,AIDS) compared to the United States as a whole.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Health, prevention, disease information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Protecting Health for 200 Years
The New York City Department of Health turns 200 in 2005 and it has set up a page on its Web site celebrating its bicentennial. Among other things, the site has a timeline of public health in New York City, and a chart comparing public health in the city today to what it was like in 1805 (when major concerns for the upstart department were wild hogs running through the streets and animal carcasses decaying in public spaces). The calendar of events lists some interesting-sounding lunch forums to be held throughout the year, but doesn't have dates for them.
HabitSmart
"Warm Turkey," for those who aren't sure they want to quit, but want to cut down. Also, info on coping with other addictions in non-traditional, but research-supported ways.
The Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies
Coalition of community-based mental health providers in New York State, representing over 100 and serving more than a quarter of a million clients in NYC. Extensive site has info on the state's role in voluntary mental health agencies, action alerts, links to non-profits, member organizations and other useful resources.
Trust for America's Health looks at percentage and number of New Yorkers with certain diseases (asthma, diabetes,AIDS) compared to the United States as a whole.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Health, prevention, disease information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Protecting Health for 200 Years
The New York City Department of Health turns 200 in 2005 and it has set up a page on its Web site celebrating its bicentennial. Among other things, the site has a timeline of public health in New York City, and a chart comparing public health in the city today to what it was like in 1805 (when major concerns for the upstart department were wild hogs running through the streets and animal carcasses decaying in public spaces). The calendar of events lists some interesting-sounding lunch forums to be held throughout the year, but doesn't have dates for them.
HabitSmart
"Warm Turkey," for those who aren't sure they want to quit, but want to cut down. Also, info on coping with other addictions in non-traditional, but research-supported ways.
The Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies
Coalition of community-based mental health providers in New York State, representing over 100 and serving more than a quarter of a million clients in NYC. Extensive site has info on the state's role in voluntary mental health agencies, action alerts, links to non-profits, member organizations and other useful resources.
A Plague on Your Houses: How New York Was Burned Down and National Public Health Crumbled
by Deborah and Rodrick Wallace
And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic
by Randy Shilts
Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health
by Laurie Garrett
Recovery Options: The Complete Guide: How You and Your Loved Ones Can Understand and Treat Alcohol and Other Drug Problems
by Joseph Volpicelli and Maia Szalavitz
The Death Of Innocents: A True Story of Murder, Medicine and High Stakes Science
by Richard Firstman and Jaime Talan
by Deborah and Rodrick Wallace
And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic
by Randy Shilts
Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health
by Laurie Garrett
Recovery Options: The Complete Guide: How You and Your Loved Ones Can Understand and Treat Alcohol and Other Drug Problems
by Joseph Volpicelli and Maia Szalavitz
The Death Of Innocents: A True Story of Murder, Medicine and High Stakes Science
by Richard Firstman and Jaime Talan
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