AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and overview of Healthy NYC initiative
0:11:32
·
77 sec
Dr. Michelle Morse, acting health commissioner and chief medical officer at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, introduces herself and her colleagues. She provides an overview of Healthy NYC, framing it as an overarching approach to public health in New York City.
- Launched in November 2023, Healthy NYC is described as a framework for approaching public health in NYC
- The initiative builds on the success of the city's COVID-19 response
- Dr. Morse expresses gratitude for the City Council's support in codifying Healthy NYC as local law
Michelle Morse
0:11:32
Good morning, chair Schulman and members of the committee.
0:11:36
I am doctor Michelle Morse, acting health commissioner and chief medical officer at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
0:11:43
I'm joined today by my colleagues, Gretchen Van Wee, assistant commissioner in the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Carolyn Olesen, assistant commissioner in the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy, and Elizabeth Solomon, executive director, nutrition policy and programs.
0:12:00
Thank you all for the opportunity to testify today on Healthy NYC, our campaign for healthier, longer lives.
0:12:07
In November 2023, we launched Healthy NYC not as a singular health department initiative, but as an overarching framework for how New York City should approach public health.
0:12:19
Every piece of our work at the health department and work beyond this agency is in pursuit of a larger shared goal.
0:12:26
The increase in life expectancy you see between 2021 and 2022 largely reflects the impact of controlling the COVID 19 pandemic.
0:12:36
Our citywide emergency response proved that public health works when there are significant investments and a whole of government response, and Healthy NYC builds on that success.
0:12:47
This is public health at work.
