New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

City Hosts Third Weekend of H1N1 Vaccination Clinics

For the third time this month, the Health Department will conduct H1N1 vaccination clinics in all five boroughs this Saturday and Sunday (November 21 and 22). People in the following groups will be able to receive vaccine at these clinics:

Pregnant women
Anyone 4 through 24 years old
People 25 through 64 with health conditions that make influenza more dangerous. These include asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung conditions, kidney failure, or a weakened immune system.
Anyone who lives with or cares for children less than 6 months old
Health care workers who have direct contact with patients and cannot receive vaccine through their employers.

Diabetes
Health Department Report Finds Continued Rise in Diabetes
Diabetes continues to rise in New York City, consigning tens of thousands of New Yorkers to possible disability and early death, and also fueling racial and economic disparities in health. A new report, Diabetes Among New York City Adults, finds that 9.1% of adult New Yorkers carried the diagnosis in 2007 – an increase of 13%, or 68,000 cases, since 2002. The recognized citywide rate now significantly exceeds the national rate (7.5%) and threatens to climb even higher. An estimated 200,000 New Yorkers have undiagnosed diabetes. Some 23% have blood-sugar levels that place them on the borderline, and more than half of adult New Yorkers are overweight or obese – conditions that greatly increase the risk of diabetes.
City Officials Announce First Weekend H1N1 Vaccination Centers for Students
Today the Health Department announced details of a five-week effort to provide free H1N1 vaccine to middle and high school students in all five boroughs. Through a series of weekend vaccination centers – held at varying locations in each borough during November and December – the City will ensure that all school-age New Yorkers have a chance to get the H1N1 vaccine. Though intended for middle- and high-school students, the weekend vaccination centers will also serve elementary school students (ages 4 and older) who have not been vaccinated in their schools or at their doctors’ offices. All students 18 and under must present signed parental consent forms, which are available in 10 languages at nyc.gov/flu and at vaccination sites, and anyone under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
New Data Show that Child Lead Poisonings Fell by 19% in New York City Last Year
The number of children with lead poisoning dropped by 19% in New York City last year, the Health Department announced today in its' annual report (PDF) to the New York City Council. In 2008, there were 1,572 newly identified poisonings among children between 6 months and 6 years of age, marking a 92% decline since 1995, when nearly 20,000 lead poisoning cases were reported.
Pouring on the Pounds
Health Department Asks New Yorkers if They’re “Pouring On the Pounds”
It’s hard to overeat without noticing it. By contrast, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages can sneak up on you, adding hundreds of calories to your diet each day without ever filling you up. In a new effort to highlight the health impact of sweetened drinks, the Health Department is confronting New Yorkers with a bold question: Are you pouring on the pounds? The agency’s public-awareness campaign, which includes posters in the subway system and a Health Bulletin, will run for three months.

Highlights

BeFitNYC
Find places to go, classes to take, and teams to join at this Parks & Recreation website.

1-800-LIFENET
If you or someone you know is suffering with emotional or substance abuse problems, LifeNet can help.

Community Health Profiles
Read detailed reports on the health of all New York City neighborhoods.

The Fund for Public Health in New York
The Fund for Public Health is dedicated to the advancement of the health and well-being of all New York City residents.

ACCESS NYC for Benefit Information
Learn about numerous health and human service benefit programs and how to apply.