Staying Safe on the 4th of July Fireworks are festive and fun, but trying to put on a show at home can be dangerous. A review of the 69 fireworks-related hospitalizations that occurred in New York City between 2000 and 2005 shows two-thirds (67%) of the patients were children. School-aged boys were four times more likely than girls to get hurt. More than half of the child injuries (60%) occurred in Staten Island and Queens, even though only 32% of school-age children live in these boroughs. Read the press release
New Data Show that Child Lead Poisonings Fell by 15% in New York City Last Year Childhood lead poisoning declined by 15% last year, reaching the lowest rate ever recorded in New York City. The 2007 caseload – 1,970 poisonings among children between 6 months and 6 years of age – marks a 90% decline since 1995, when nearly 20,000 children were identified with lead poisoning. Read the press release
Final Phase of Trans Fat Regulation Takes Effect July 1 New York City restaurants will be safer for the hearts of New Yorkers. The final phase of the City’s trans fat regulation takes effect July 1, requiring restaurants to clear artificial trans fat from all their menu items. As of July 1, all foods served, including baked goods, oils, shortenings and margarines used for baking, and pre-prepared items that contain artificial trans fat, must have less that 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Read the press release Find out how to comply on this website Find out how to comply with this PDF
Safer Sex in the City New Yorkers with multiple sex partners, and low rates of condom use, are putting themselves at risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, or unplanned pregnancy. According to a new Health Department report – Are New Yorkers Having Safe Sex? – rates of unsafe sexual behavior, particularly among men who have sex with men, continue at a high rate. In 2006 alone, more than half of all New York City pregnancies were unplanned and more than 60,000 new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were reported – including 3,745 new HIV diagnoses. Read the press release Read the report (PDF)
Health Department Statement Regarding Rapid HIV Testing Oral testing increases the number of people who can get tested for HIV. Between October 2007 and April 2008, the Health Department documented a higher-than-usual percentage of false positive oral HIV tests in STD clinics, with the false-positive rate reaching 1.1% in some months. This rate is below the FDA threshold of 2% but higher than expected. Overall, less than a third of one percent – 0.3% – of the more than 130,000 oral tests performed at the Health Department’s STD clinics have yielded false positives. Read the statement (PDF)
9/11 Health Information 9/11 Health
is a comprehensive web site that provides
information about treatment and services for people who may have health problems related to the collapse of the World Trade Center. Visit
www.nyc.gov/9-11HealthInfo
1-800-LIFENET
If you or someone you know in the New York City area is suffering with emotional or substance abuse problems, LifeNet can help, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Learn more...
Community Health Profiles The Health Department produces comprehensive reports that detail the health of all New York City neighborhoods. Learn more...
The Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc. The Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc. is dedicated to the advancement of the health and well-being of all New York City residents. Learn more...
ACCESS NYC for Benefit Information
ACCESS NYC is a
web site to screen your family for up to 35 City, State, and Federal health and human service benefit programs. In addition to screening, you can learn about the programs, how to apply, where to go, and even print filled in applications. Visit www.nyc.gov/accessnyc
Read the press release
