The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) today launched its Take Care New York public health campaign urging New Yorkers to get screened and vaccinated for prevention and early detection of some of the most pervasive forms of illness and chronic disease affecting the public.
Throughout the month of October, HHC hospitals and health centers will offer more than 70 screenings and educational events targeting diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, asthma, HIV, cancer and more in dozens of locations around the city, including the city’s 11 public hospitals and in community health centers in all five boroughs. HHC will also provide vaccinations for influenza (flu shots), nutrition counseling, smoking cessation kits, and other services at little or no cost.
The attached flyer to the right of this article details locations you could visit.
“The Take Care New York campaign helps New Yorkers identify life-threatening and chronic diseases in their early stages, when they are more readily treated and managed,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. “A few minutes of preventive care can help add years to your life.”
The campaign urges New Yorkers to: “Get Vaccinated. Get Screened. Stay Healthy.” Screenings and other HHC health services are available to all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. Individuals will learn about healthcare options from a MetroPlus Health Plan representative. Those without health insurance will get help on site to apply for any health insurance plan for which they may qualify or to otherwise access affordable healthcare services at HHC hospitals and clinics. New Yorkers can dial 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/hhc for a complete list of convenient locations participating in the Take Care New York campaign.
Take Care New York screenings can help address some of the most pervasive health challenges facing New Yorkers. The following is annual statistics:
· Annually, more than 2,000 New Yorkers die of seasonal influenza & pneumonia.
· Depression affects nearly 10% of adults 18+ in the United States. Nearly twice as many women as men are affected.
· Heart disease is the #1 cause of death among New Yorkers, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.
· 25% of adult New Yorkers has been told they have high blood pressure, a leading yet treatable cause of heart disease & stroke.
· More than 107,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 25% of infected individuals are unaware.
· Breast cancer kills 1,260 New Yorkers annually, yet 23% of women 40+ have not had a recent mammogram.
· Colon cancer kills 1,400 New Yorkers annually. Early colonoscopies could prevent up to 90% of fatalities.
HHC’s Take Care New York outreach will feature public service announcements in English and Spanish on local radio stations and newspapers.
HHC is committed to state-of-the-art treatment, disease prevention and community education. In 2010, HHC public hospitals and health centers provided:
– 250,000+ flu shots
– 188,573 HIV tests
– 95,093 mammograms
– 24,522 enrollments in smoking cessation programs
– 21,056 colonoscopies
About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated health care delivery system with its own 413,000 member health plan, MetroPlus, and is the largest municipal health care organization in the country. HHC serves 1.3 million New Yorkers every year and more than 450,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commissions John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit here.