Q&A
Defining and declaring public health emergencies in NYC
0:24:51
ยท
70 sec
This chapter discusses how the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) defines and declares public health emergencies. Dr. Michelle Morse explains the role of the Board of Health in assessing risks and determining when to declare an emergency.
- The Board of Health works with DOHMH to assess emergencies and risks
- They collectively determine thresholds for declaring emergencies
- This process was used during the COVID-19 pandemic
Lynn Schulman
0:24:51
Thank you very much commissioner.
0:24:54
So my first question is there are multiple definitions at the federal, state and local level for what a public health emergency is.
0:25:00
For purposes of our city how does DOHMH define what a public health emergency is and what is the process for declaring a public health emergency in New York City?
Dr. Michelle Morse
0:25:10
Thank you so much for that question.
0:25:12
One of the roles of the Board of Health here in New York City is to really work with us at the New York City Health Department to assess emergencies, assess the risks that might come with those emergencies, and determine collectively with us at the New York City Health Department and our experts what threshold may be met for declaring an emergency.
0:25:33
Most recently, that, that did happen, of during the COVID pandemic, and we work very closely with our board of health here in New York City to make sure that they have the data, that we are sharing the data with them, and that collectively we can determine when we've hit a threshold of risk and a threshold of concern and need to activate additional resources or additional regulations and powers in order to protect the public.