Public Health News: New York City

Governor Cuomo and DEC announced that the settlement funds will be invested in clean transportation including earmarking 40% for buses - a successful step forward in our Clean Buses for Healthy Niños advocacy campaign. DEC will prioritize these emissions reduction projects in environmental justice communities that have traditionally been overburdened by pollution, which leads to higher rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

This past July, New York City had to suspend its use of speed cameras after lawmakers in Albany were unable to renew the program. Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and the New York City Council worked together and developed a solution to state lawmakers’ lack of support.

As part of Vision Zero, DOT is bringing streets into the public realm by building pedestrian plazas. Turning streets from car-filled conduits into attractive places to relax makes city streets more inviting for pedestrians and help drivers become more aware of the need to drive slowly and attentively.

Adriana Espinoza, our NYC Program Director, recently submitted testimony to the New York City Council's Health and Finance Committees last week regarding our healthy foods budget priorities.  We called for a $10 million investment to expand grocery store access in underserved communities, a $15 million to increase healthy food SNAP incentive program, and a $3 million investment to increase healthy food options at corner stores.  

Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) found that toxic chemicals in drinking water can be harmful at much lower levels than the EPA previously reported as safe. Newly disclosed e-mails between members of the EPA revealed that the agency tried to keep this information hidden to avoid conflict with the public and a negative reaction from the media.

Earlier this month, the New York City Council introduced a package of legislation designed to tackle lead exposure in NYC from water, soil, and paint. The seventeen bills represent the largest and most concerted effort to address lead poisoning in years.

Lead is particularly harmful to young children, and can cause arrested development including serious learning and behavioral problems and delayed physical growth and mental development. How does the City protect children and eliminate exposure to lead?