New Public Education Campaign Showing How Quitting Smoking Now Can Reverse the Damage Caused By Cigarettes Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley launched a bold new public-education campaign to highlight the benefits of quitting smoking, and the consequences of continued smoking, as part of the Administration’s intensive efforts to raise awareness about the hazards of tobacco. The campaign, called “Reverse the Damage,” features stark images of lung cancer and heart disease along with an emphasis on the potential for a smoker’s body to heal after quitting. To encourage New Yorkers to quit smoking, the Mayor and Health Commissioner also kicked-off the City’s annual nicotine patch and gum giveaway program, which will run from March 10 though March 25. Smokers may apply by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/nycquits. Read the Mayor's press release Apply online for no-cost nicotine patches and gum See the campaign
New York City Restaurants to Display Letter Grades after Sanitary Inspections Following a public hearing and a month-long open comment period, the Board of Health today approved a reform measure to give consumers more information on the sanitary condition of New York City restaurants. The new initiative requires all restaurants to publicly display letter grades that summarize the results of Health Department food-safety inspections. Besides helping New Yorkers make informed choices, letter grades will promote food safety by making restaurants directly accountable to consumers. Read the press release
Health Department Reminds Parents to Keep Hazardous Household Items Away From Children Common household products were a leading cause of unintentional poisonings in New York City last year, prompting nearly 70,000 calls to the City’s Poison Control Center. Household and environmental chemicals were the leading causes of poisoning, but the center also received nearly 8,000 calls about medication poisonings in children less than 5 years old. Simple precautions could have prevented most of these exposures. To mark National Poison Prevention Week, the Health Department has launched an NYC Poison Prevention Facebook page to raise awareness of poison prevention and medicine safety. Read the press release Follow us on Facebook
New Yorkers Choose Queens Designer’s Power Button Image The votes are in. After tallying more than 15,000 online ballots, the Health Department today reveals the winning design for the special limited-edition NYC Condom wrapper. And the winner is… the electronic power button submitted by Luis Acosta of Kew Gardens, Queens. With more than 23% of the votes, Acosta’s entry squeaked past four other finalists to claim first place. Acosta’s design symbolizes New Yorkers’ power to take control and practice safer sex. A high-resolution image of the winning design is available at nyc.gov/condoms. Read the press release See what the winner has to say See the winning design (PDF)
New Health Department Report Shows that Drug Overdose Deaths Have Declined Unintentional drug overdose deaths declined sharply in 2008, falling to the lowest level seen in New York City since 1999, the Health Department reported today. The annual number of deaths fell from 874 in 2006 to 666 in 2008, a new report shows, marking a 27% decline in the city’s drug-related death rate over two years. Yet drug overdose remains the third leading cause of premature death among New Yorkers between 25 to 34 years old, affirming the need to address the health consequences of drug use in the city. Read the press release Read the report (PDF)
New Website Supports Healthy Pregnancy Whether you’re a new parent or planning to become one, the Health Department’s new Website can help you find your way. The new online resource -- nyc.gov/health/pregnancy -- is designed to give New Yorkers ready access to an array of pregnancy-related information and services. The site can help you plan a pregnancy, stay healthy while you’re expecting, or find the services you need to help your new baby thrive. The available services range from birth control to free cribs -- and the site provides information on topics as varied as breastfeeding, childhood development and finding affordable health insurance. Stop by and see what your city has to offer. Visit the Pregnancy and Baby Care Website
Health Department Offers Guide to Prevent and Get Rid of Bed Bugs Bed bug infestations are on the rise in New York City. How can you protect your home? The Health Department’s new guide -- Preventing and Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Safely -- can help tenants, owners and building managers prevent bed bug infestations. The free booklet also offers advice on how to eliminate bed bugs safely if they are present. Read the guide Español 中文 Learn more
Highlights
BeFitNYC
Find places
to go, classes to take, and teams to join at this Parks & Recreation
website. Go forth and BeFit
1-800-LIFENET
If you or someone you know is suffering with emotional or substance abuse problems, LifeNet can help. Learn more
Community Health Profiles Read detailed reports on the health of all New York City neighborhoods. Learn more
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. Learn more
ACCESS NYC for Benefit Information
Learn about numerous health and human service
benefit programs and how to apply. Visit www.nyc.gov/accessnyc
Read the Mayor's press release
