Public Health News

New Yorkers are relying on parks and open spaces more than ever as an outlet to maintain their mental and physical health. But severe cuts to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation's budget may lead to the deterioration of certain public parks in the future.

The number of children with lead poisoning in NYC has decreased, but stronger lead mitigation laws should be implemented to eliminate the risk of childhood lead poisoning in the city.

Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed a bill to create an Adirondack Road Salt Task Force. If Governor Cuomo signs the bill, the Task Force would be charged with reviewing road salt use and road salt contamination in the Adirondacks and issuing recommendations for reducing contamination.

In late June, we shared that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) was seeking $3.9 billion in emergency aid from Congress. Since then, their fiscal crisis has only worsened.

Harmful algal blooms have been on the rise in bodies of water across New York State—arriving earlier in the year, sticking around later, and blooming more severely. New York State is taking the threat of HABs very seriously and has been working to both better understand the causes of HABs and develop better techniques for combating them.

The State Legislature recently passed several of our priority bills that will improve water quality, protect natural areas, remove toxins from our environment, and encourage clean transportation.

Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign released his Build Back Better climate action plan which aims to fight climate change while supporting, growing, and greening the economy. New Yorkers will benefit from federal support and investment into climate resilient infrastructure, jobs, and environmental justice.