Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Public health initiatives and commitment to health equity
2:33:25
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156 sec
Dr. Morse outlines the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's ongoing public health initiatives, emphasizing their data-driven approach and commitment to health equity. She highlights various programs and their impact on New Yorkers' health.
- Focus on data-driven decision making and addressing health inequities in historically redlined communities
- Emphasis on chronic disease prevention and management
- Overview of various programs including childcare safety, community health workers, sexual health clinics, and early intervention services
- Stress on the need for sustained investment in these programs
Michelle Morse
2:33:25
At the New York City Health Department, data is our superpower.
2:33:28
Our citywide data reveals consistent patterns of worse health outcomes and a greater right to resources in historically red line communities.
2:33:37
We're working to interrupt long standing cycles of disinvestment by prioritizing those same neighborhoods.
2:33:42
Science and data guide every component of our vast network of programming across the city and we're committed to maintaining and expanding that work.
2:33:51
After all, our data shows significant remaining health inequities from overdose deaths to black maternal mortality to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
2:34:00
We're particularly focused on preventing chronic disease which accounts for roughly forty percent of all deaths before the age of 65.
2:34:09
It's the leading cause of death across all racial and ethnic groups in New York City.
2:34:13
Earlier this year, we released a cross agency report that puts forward bold new strategies for chronic disease management and prevention as well as a citywide diabetes reduction plan.
2:34:24
We're deploying programs that increase access to affordable healthy food, healthcare, outdoor space, and more.
2:34:31
Across every issue, our programs form an invisible shield for our city.
2:34:36
Ultimately that's what's at stake as we discuss the executive budget today.
2:34:40
Our work is wide ranging.
2:34:42
For example, to protect the well-being of the more than 400,000 children in New York City childcare, we make sure childcare centers are safe and that workers have background clearance and opportunities for training.
2:34:55
To inform our public health interventions, more than 200,000 New Yorkers participate in our survey based research.
2:35:02
To support parents who are pregnant or who have young children, we've provided more than 20,000 families with nurses and doulas.
2:35:09
To meet New Yorkers where they're at and build trust on the ground, we trained more than 5,000 community health workers who shifted from COVID focused engagement to chronic disease.
2:35:19
To promote the sexual health of every New Yorker, our sexual health clinics see more than 40,000 patients a year, about sixty percent of whom are uninsured.
2:35:28
To aid in the early development of New York City's children, we provide more than 30,000 children and their caregivers with early intervention services including occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy.
2:35:41
And to care for some of our most vulnerable residents, we work with more than 200 community providers to support more than 800 programs providing housing, clinical support, and mental health programming.
2:35:53
Every piece of our work requires a sustained investment and the past few months have made it clear that we can't rely on the federal government to support our work.