Report Finds that Most Unintentional Childhood Poisonings Occur at Home and Involve Kids Under Five Common household products – from prescription medications to oven cleaner – can be dangerous in the hands of a child. In fact, poisoning is the third leading cause of hospitalizations for injury among children ages one to four. Each year, New York City’s Poison Control Center receives approximately 4,000 calls reporting poisonings of children under the age of 15 that require the attention of a health care professional. An overwhelming 75% of these calls involve children younger than five. Read the press release Read the full report (PDF)
Health Department Announces Partnership with National Breastfeeding Helpline as World Breastfeeding Week Kicks Off To commemorate World Breastfeeding Week — a worldwide acknowledgement of the importance of breastfeeding for mothers and children — New York City has launched a new effort to support it. Starting this week, mothers in need of breastfeeding help can call 311 for immediate access to the National Breastfeeding Helpline. The live phone service, operated by the National Women's Health Information Center of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides breastfeeding assistance from trained peer counselors. Read the press release Informtaion for mothers and health care providers
Adults Directly Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster Still Had Elevated Risk of Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and New Asthma Diagnosis Five to Six Years Later People directly exposed to the 2001 World Trade Center disaster were four times more likely than other people to report post-traumatic stress symptoms in 2006-2007, a new study shows. While many studies have documented the adverse physical and mental health conditions associated with 9/11, most have focused on the short-term health effects within the first three years following the disaster. In a new study, "Asthma and Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms 5 to 6 Years Following Exposure to the World Trade Center Terrorist Attack," the Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examined the nation's largest cohort of directly exposed people. Read the press release
Health Department Warns Parents to Keep Illegal Teething Products Away from Children In response to a reported case of potassium bromide poisoning in an infant, associated with the use of a locally purchased teething product called Monell’s Teething Cordial or “Cordial de Monell para la Dentición,” the Health Department is urging all parents to beware of the product and other illegal health remedies. Immediate effects from potassium bromide ingestion may include sedation, trouble breathing, low blood pressure and coma. Read the press release
Health Department Reminds New Yorkers to Avoid Wild Animals and to Vaccinate their Pets against Rabies With the identification of several raccoons infected with rabies in the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens in recent weeks, the Health Department is reminding New Yorkers to stay away from raccoons, skunks, bats, stray dogs and cats and other wild animals that can carry rabies. Six rabid animals – all raccoons – have been identified in New York City this year. Four were found in the Bronx, one in Manhattan (near Inwood Hill Park), and one in Queens (Long Island City). Raccoons are the most commonly reported rabid animals in New York City. Rabid raccoons are a relatively common occurrence in Staten Island and the Bronx, but rare in Queens and Manhattan. Bats with rabies have also been found in all five boroughs. Read the press release
Physical Fitness Is Associated with Higher Academic Achievement among New York City Public School Students Physically fit students tend to outscore their peers who are less-fit on academic tests, according to a report from the City’s Health Department and Department of Education. The observation comes from the comprehensive fitness assessment that public school students participate in each year. The analysis also shows that childhood obesity remains prevalent in New York City – a finding that underscores the urgent need to ensure that school-age children receive nutritious meals, high-quality physical education, and ample opportunities for physical activity. Read the press release Read the full report (PDF) Health Care Providers: Helping Children Reach and Maintain a Healthy Weight (PDF)
Highlights
BeFitNYC
Find places to go, classes to take, and teams to join at this Parks & Recreation website. You'll also find programs from partners and tips from the wise folks at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) on how to keep yourself healthy while having fun. Go forth and BeFit
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
Screen your family for up to 35 City, State, and Federal health and human service benefit programs, and learn about the programs, how to apply, where to go, and print filled in applications. Visit www.nyc.gov/accessnyc
The Bronx and North Queens beach closures 
