Read the Health Department’s press release about this important report.

NYC Immigrants Live Longer and Tend To Make Healthier Lifestyle Choices

Immigrants Make Up 47 Percent Of NYC Health Care Providers And Technicians

April 17, 2025 — Today, the New York City Health Department (NYC Health Department) released a new report that highlights the significant contributions of immigrant New Yorkers to the city’s health and prosperity, while emphasizing the critical need to address unique health challenges that immigrants face. The report shows that 81 percent of New York City immigrants have been in the U.S. for more than 10 years, 13 percent have been in the U.S. between 6 to 10 years, and 6 percent have been in the U.S. less than 5 years

“New York has always been a city of immigrants, and today it’s one of the most diverse places in the world,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Immigrants continue to be key to the city’s growth, success, and culture. Investing in the health and well-being of immigrant New Yorkers helps our whole city and country thrive. That’s why our mission is to protect and promote — without exception — the health of all New Yorkers.”

“This report demonstrates the importance of effective partnership and community-centered services to continue improving health outcomes for immigrant New Yorkers,” said Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Manuel Castro. “At our office, we know that the health of immigrant communities constitutes the health of New York City. As a New Yorker who immigrated to the U.S. with my family at a young age, I am proud to see how far the city has come in supporting immigrant New Yorkers in healthcare access and services.”

The report, The Health of Immigrants in New York City (PDF), reveals several key findings:

• Longevity: Immigrants in NYC have a higher life expectancy than U.S.-born residents, with an average lifespan of 83.5 years compared to 79.9 years for U.S.-born New Yorkers.
• Healthy Behaviors: Immigrants are less likely to smoke than U.S.-born residents. The smoking rate among immigrants overall is 7 percent vs. 11 percent among U.S.-born New Yorkers. Among immigrant women, the rate is even lower at 4 percent.
• Lower Mortality Rates: Despite facing barriers, immigrants have death rates that are 28 percent lower for heart disease and 19 percent lower for cancer, compared with U.S.-born New Yorkers.
• Essential Workforce: Immigrants play a crucial role in NYC’s health care system, comprising 47% of the workforce in health care practitioner and technical occupations. They also contribute significantly to social services and other essential sectors.

However, the report also underscores the health challenges faced by the city’s immigrant population, including:

• Lack of Health Insurance: Immigrant adults are nearly twice as likely as U.S.-born adults to lack access to health insurance.
• Limited Access to Mental Health Care: Immigrants with depression are less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to U.S.-born residents with depression.
• Structural Barriers: Systemic issues such as bias against immigrants, racism, unfair access to employment, and variable access to translation and interpretation services create significant obstacles to health for immigrants.

The Health of Immigrants in New York City emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities and ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, receive quality health care and essential social services.

To support immigrant health, the report recommends that the city continue the following strategies:

• Reduce language and cultural barriers to meet basic needs for housing, education and health care
• Engage immigrant communities to share resources about available services and their rights
• Focus resources of diverse institutions to the groups most in need
• Eliminate discriminatory eligibility requirements that prevent New Yorkers from accessing needed public benefits and programs because of their immigration status

We encourage community-based organizations, funders, policymakers and all those who care about the health and well-being of New Yorkers to use these data to inform their work.

“This report shines a light on the strength, contributions, and potential of our immigrant neighbors,” said Emily Goldberg-Hall, Director of Health Initiatives at African Services Committee. “But it also underscores the urgency of continuing to break down stigmas and barriers, so we can support a thriving immigrant community and safely welcome newcomers.”

“The Health of Immigrants in New York City highlights the vital role immigrants have played in fostering a healthier New York,” said Sudha Acharya, Executive Director, South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS). “We firmly believe that access to healthcare will not only allow immigrant New Yorkers to thrive, but also enhance the overall wellbeing of our city.”

“As a community-based healthcare provider, we see first-hand the many needs and challenges faced by immigrant New Yorkers that are described in this monumental report,” said Kaushal Challa, CEO of the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. “We will continue to work with the Health Department, community-based providers, and other stakeholders to ensure that immigrant New Yorkers can access needed health and social services.”

“Immigrant communities are the backbone of New York, yet they are facing unprecedented challenges right now that add pressure and stress to their daily lives,” said Rebecca Telzak, Deputy Director of Make the Road New York. “In the midst of this uncertainty, we need to ensure that every New Yorker—whether their family has been in this city for generations or weeks—has the resources available to live full and healthy lives. We are proud to partner with the NYC Health Department on this vital report that outlines key measures needed to invest in the health and well-being of our communities.”

“As a community, we must recognize that the lack of access to health insurance creates significant barriers for immigrants seeking quality healthcare,” said Myoungmi Kim, President and CEO of Korean Community Services. “Too many individuals in our immigrant community are left without the coverage they need, not because they don’t value their health but because they face language barriers, complex eligibility requirements, and a lack of awareness about available resources. To address this, we must expand outreach and actively engage with our immigrant communities to provide the information and support they need. Through education, advocacy, and community initiatives, we can bridge these gaps and create a healthcare system that serves everyone.”

“Immigrant health is New York health. As diverse, vibrant, and deeply rooted communities, Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are nearly one in five New Yorkers and the fastest growing population in NYC,” said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung, Co-Executive Directors, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families. “We are over 65 percent immigrants and face multiple challenges to accessing healthcare, including language and cultural barriers. We applaud the Health Department’s efforts to continue to uplift the important health needs of our communities, especially at a time when our communities fear potential cuts to critical safety net supports. We must all stand up to support the health of New Yorkers that struggle the most.”

“Children are our future. Having healthy parents and caregivers is critical to optimizing a child’s well-being, regardless of immigrant status,” said Alan Shapiro, Cofounder and Medical Director of Terra Firma. “By providing access to care for all New Yorkers, we are improving the safety net and health for immigrant families and ensuring children are given the chance to reach their full potential.”

Over the past decade, New York City has made significant progress in assessing and promoting immigrant health, including the following:

• In 2017, the City expanded its immigration legal services grant funding program to create a new $1.5 million “ActionNYC in NYC H+H” medical-legal partnership program, co-locating immigration attorneys in public hospitals and long-term care facilities.
• The 2019 NYC Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived “alienage and citizenship status,” and “national origin,” by most employers, housing providers and providers of public accommodations in NYC. This guidance document also clearly outlines human rights protections for hospital patients.
• In 2019, the City launched NYC Care, a program for individuals ineligible for health insurance. NYC Care is now the largest program of its kind in the nation, providing coordinated primary and specialty care services to 145,000 New Yorkers.

The New York City Health Department is committed not only to preventing illness, but to cultivating a thriving city where all residents, without exception, have the fair and just opportunity to be healthy.

Read the original press release

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Prior to the release of the report, FPHNYC and the NYC Health Department hosted a roundtable for foundations and key philanthropic partners to hear from Health Department experts about strategies being developed to address chronic diseases. FPHNYC will continue to facilitate these kinds of discussions and identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.

Read the Health Department’s press release about this important initiative and its potential impact on public health in New York City.

Health Department Releases Strategy to Address Chronic Disease

Chronic Diseases such as Heart Disease, Diabetes and Cancer are the Top Killers of New Yorkers

This Roadmap Supports Citywide Effort Aims to Reduce Deaths From Chronic Diseases by 2030

Strategy Outlines Proposals That Tackle Conditions and Inequities Harming New Yorkers’ Health and Shrinking Life Expectancy

January 28, 2025 — Today, the New York City Health Department released Addressing Unacceptable Inequities: A Chronic Disease Strategy for New York City — a multiagency strategy that addresses the root causes of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and screenable cancers and outlines interventions that support longer, healthier lives for New Yorkers. Chronic diseases are a leading cause of death in NYC, taking an especially high toll on Black New Yorkers and New Yorkers in communities experiencing disinvestment.

“I’ve seen firsthand how chronic disease hijacks your life and what it can do to a family. That’s why we are taking action right now to improve New Yorkers’ health and increase life expectancy,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our administration launched HealthyNYC to address the key drivers of death and develop a comprehensive vision for improving life expectancy across New York City. With this report, we are creating a clear roadmap for the city’s multiagency efforts to tackle the biggest diseases that are killing New Yorkers, as well as address the structural and environmental conditions that impact their health and shorten lifespans.”

“We all know the feeling hearing about a family member, friend, loved one, or news about ourselves saying we have a chronic disease. What it all might mean to live with heart-disease, type 2 diabetes, or hypertension,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “In the report we are putting out today, we focus on how these conditions affect our communities, how we view those effects through an equity lens, and what we as a city can do from a systems and structures perspective to bring greater support to the social determinants of health. This report gives us a path forward to tackle chronic disease in a way that shifts our systems to make every New Yorker healthier through highlighting our park spaces for physical activity to food access and everything in between.”

“This report shines a much-needed light on the devastating impact chronic disease – in all of its forms – is having across this City, touching each and every community and family. Unfortunately, the analysis shows us that the situation has worsened in recent years, as we see average life expectancy dropping and disproportionally impacting our black and brown communities,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “The silver lining is that the solutions to turn the tide are known and are within our grasp, as this report makes clear through its comprehensive and holistic set of strategies. The promotion of food access and the role of nutrition – which have been key pillars of this administration – are central to any large-scale effort to empower communities and individuals to improve overall health and wellness.”

“A person’s diet is incredibly influential in determining their overall health, both contributing to and being a powerful solution to prevent chronic disease,” said Mayor’s Office of Food Policy Executive Director Kate MacKenzie. “By integrating efforts to expand food access and nutrition security, strengthening SNAP enrollment, and curbing harmful marketing, we’re taking a comprehensive approach to creating a healthier and more equitable New York City. We’re looking forward to seeing this cross-agency collaboration reduce chronic disease and improve wellbeing through transformative changes to our food system.”

“As a physician, I see the majority of my patients battling cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer — all health issues that the City has a moral imperative and the power to address,” said Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “With New York City’s long history as a leader in public health, this chronic disease strategy provides a comprehensive road map for the City to ensure New Yorkers live healthier and longer lives.”

Life expectancy in NYC has dropped dramatically and inequitably since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 82.6 years in 2019 to 78 years in 2020, rising to 81.5 years in 2022. Between 2019 and 2020, the largest decreases were observed among Black and Latino New Yorkers, among whom life expectancy fell by 5.5 and 6 years, respectively. Similar inequities by race, ethnicity, and income also exist for rates of premature death (death before age 65).

In response, the Health Department launched HealthyNYC, a comprehensive vision for improving life expectancy and creating a healthier city for all. With an overall goal of increasing life expectancy to exceed 83 years by 2030, HealthyNYC sets ambitious goals, which will require specific gains among Black New Yorkers, to address key drivers of death including chronic disease, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, drug overdose, and COVID-19. The chronic and diet-related disease goals established by HealthyNYC include reducing deaths due to heart- and diabetes-related diseases by 5% by 2030 and deaths due to screenable cancers by 20% by 2030, as these are leading causes of death among all racial and ethnic groups in NYC.

“Addressing Unacceptable Inequities: A Chronic Disease Strategy for New York City” is intended to set a foundation for action in the coming years and to foster sustained partnerships across private, public, and nonprofit sectors, as well as meaningful engagement with communities across the city. It outlines a broader call to action to change the structural and environmental conditions that impact health and to alter the trajectory of life expectancy, ensuring that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to live a healthier, longer life.

From connecting patients in the NYC Health + Hospitals system with public benefits to addressing harmful marketing practices to revitalizing streets and parks, this strategy provides a comprehensive approach to prevention, treatment, and support in addressing the leading causes of death in our city. The strategy focuses on three key upstream approaches:

1. Meeting the material needs of New Yorkers by improving access to resources such as food and government benefits.
2. Addressing the commercial determinants of health by working to reduce exposures to and consumption of unhealthy products such as ultra-processed foods, tobacco, and alcohol.
3. Promoting opportunities for healthy living by investing in policies and programs that promote nutritious foods, physical activity, and social connection in communities.

A task force of leaders from multiple NYC government sectors — including Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom (Health and Human Services), Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar (Strategic Initiatives), Executive Director Kate MacKenzie (Mayor’s Office of Food Policy), and Acting Commissioner Michelle Morse, MD, MPH (NYC Health Department) — was launched in fall 2023 to develop a slate of proposals to address systemic factors that impact chronic disease rates. The task force proposed 19 initiatives, both new and existing, that leverage the unique capabilities and resources of City agencies to address the upstream factors that influence chronic disease outcomes.

Most of the proposals elevate multiagency collaborations and are planned for a variety of settings, from public schools and parks to hospitals across all five boroughs. The proposals aim to secure the future of health equity infrastructure and emergency response readiness and to help solidify NYC’s role as a leader and standard setter for governmental public health practice. The proposals presented in this strategy range from work underway and planned to launch within the City’s fiscal year to longer-term aims that will require planning, assessment, and identification of resources.

“HealthyNYC envisions a city where all New Yorkers – both today and for generations to come – live longer, healthier lives. Under the NYC Health Department’s strategic leadership, this initiative brings together government agencies and community partners to create lasting, citywide change,” said former NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “This plan demonstrates the City’s progress by establishing a roadmap to save lives and reduce preventable deaths from chronic diseases, many of which are diet-related. The Chronic Disease blueprint represents years of work and leadership by the City Health Department and its amazing staff to put forth a clear vision for how to do this by improving access to care, meeting basic needs, promoting healthy living, and combatting the damaging commercial influences that can worsen our health. I applaud Acting Commissioner Morse and the entire team for working to realize the vision of HealthyNYC and make New York the healthiest big city in the world.”

“With the right support and resources, New Yorkers can lower their risk of preventable disease and premature death,” said CUNY SPH Dean Ayman El-Mohandes. “We look forward to working with the Health Department by training the next generation of public health leaders to use community-centered, equity-focused approaches to prevent disease, promote health, and work using evidence-based approaches.”

“New York City has long been in the forefront of innovation when it comes to better health,” said Director of Food is Medicine Institute Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian. “This new plan recognizes the unacceptable toll of unhealthy food, inactivity, and mental stress on the physical and mental well-being of New Yorkers—and brings together wide-ranging and sensible programs to begin to turn the tide.”

“All of us wish for as many healthy birthdays as possible for our loved ones — but too often our health is hindered by heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Although some communities are much more affected by these illnesses, it’s in our power to change this,” said former NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, who chairs the Common Health Coalition. “I applaud the City’s pioneering chronic disease strategy, particularly its emphasis on equity, partnerships, and accountability, which will help create healthier futures for all New Yorkers.”

“Chronic disease is one of the drivers of premature death in New York City,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Health Committee. “The Health Department’s bold initiative to tackle chronic diseases head-on is vitally important and needed. These conditions affect everyone but disproportionately impact communities of color and those facing systemic disinvestment. This strategy not only addresses health outcomes but also the root causes driving health inequities and paves the way for all New Yorkers to live longer, healthier lives. Together, we can build a healthy and more robust city.”

“With this Chronic Disease Strategy, New York City moves beyond simply urging people to eat healthier food, exercise more, or adopt other healthy habits, said former NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “It commits to addressing the broader barriers that make it difficult for many to follow through on this advice. This intersectoral, whole-of-government approach is both welcome and necessary to ensure we’re helping all New Yorkers.”

“Addressing inequities in chronic diseases is critical for the health of our city’s residents,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer Nichola Davis, MD, MS. “The NYC Health Department’s approach is comprehensive, with multi-agency involvement, and builds on previous programs and work in the city. It recognizes the importance that social factors play in chronic disease and focuses on improving upstream factors such as access to healthy foods, addressing food insecurity, and decreasing marketing of unhealthy products. I look forward to the implementation of the outlined initiatives and the positive impact this will have on the health of New Yorkers.”

“Excited to see the health department continuing to build on its legacy of leadership in innovation by focusing citywide multi-sector efforts on reducing the burden of chronic diseases in NYC,” said President and CEO of United Hospital Fund Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “I look forward to opportunities for partnership in these important endeavors.”

“Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide, and they are as preventable as infectious diseases.,” said former NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “With this strategy, New York City continues its tradition of leadership in combatting these health problems and using the resources of many city agencies to do so.”

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Advances Adams Administration’s Goal in HealthyNYC to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality by 10 Percent by 2030

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today announced that the Adams administration — in partnership with the Fund for Public Health NYC and The Clinton Global Initiative — will host a conference to discuss how New York City can improve Black maternal health and significantly reduce preventable maternal deaths. Leaders from across different sectors will join the conference today (March12), including representatives from government, academia, health care, advocacy, and philanthropy. As the city aims to reduce Black maternal mortality by 10 percent by 2030 through HealthyNYC — New York City’s ambitious plan to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers — participants will discuss strategies to bolster maternal health across the five boroughs, save lives, and build healthier families and communities. Today’s conference also represents a continuation of the work of “Women Forward NYC: An Action Plan for Gender Equity,” the Adams administration’s $43 million plan with the ambitious goal to make New York City the most woman-forward city in the country.

“This is a critical moment for women’s health in New York City and across the country,” said Mayor Adams. “The numbers are clear: Black New Yorkers are four times more likely than white New Yorkers to experience a pregnancy-associated death. Our administration has taken action to boost birth equity, expanding the doula program citywide, signing a package of bills to strengthen maternal health, and setting the ambitious goal of reducing Black maternal mortality by 10 percent by 2030. Today’s conference is a continuation of that work, bringing leaders from across sectors to the table to discuss solutions to determine how we can build a city that supports all new families. Our children are our most precious resource and by investing in them and their families from the start, we’ll build a safer and healthier city for generations to come.”

“Regardless of your race or zip code, women in New York City should have access to the resources and support needed to ensure a safe, healthy birth,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “For too long, Black women experiencing childbirth have faced systemic odds. Data has constantly showed the inequities within maternal care, and today we are taking a step towards addressing that disparity. Today’s announcement is a true cross-sector, solution driven collaboration of thought leaders, health experts, and government officials convening with the sole purpose of making sure Black women and their families are safe during one of life’s most important moments.”

“Since the first day of this administration, the issue of maternal health and birth equity have been top priorities,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “We have and will continue to support expectant parents before, during, and after they welcome their new family member. Thank you to our partners for coming together for this convening and for joining with us in this effort.”

“When it comes to promoting longer, healthier lives, all roads run through equity,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “There is no more important place to start that than at the beginning of life. This conference is about partnership and building an infrastructure to support Black families, which has been missing for far too long.”

“Prioritizing the health and wellbeing of Black women and birthing people means committing new resources and implementing solutions that come directly from Black women and birthing people,” said DOHMH Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “To support those priorities, we at DOHMH support reducing siloes and bridging public health and health care because collaboration that centers community-based care is one key step towards birth equity.”

“We know from DOHMH Maternal Mortality Review Committee reports that mental health conditions are among the leading causes of maternal mortality,” said Leslie A. Hayes, M.D., DOHMH Deputy Commissioner for the Family and Child Health Division. “We also know that most of these deaths are preventable.  Today’s convening is an exciting opportunity to turn ideas into actions and to make a huge difference in the lives of Black families. We look forward to working with our philanthropic funders, community leaders, and other public health experts.”

“Eliminating the inequities in maternal mortality between Black and other birthing people is going to take partnerships,” said Sara Gardner, CEO, Fund for Public Health NYC. “Today’s conference brings together government, community, and philanthropy to discuss how to support pregnant New Yorkers and their families, ensuring they can not only survive, but also thrive.”

“The Black maternal health crisis is an existential issue that not only deserves our attention; it deserves, and requires, our shared commitment to action. To be successful, we will need everyone in this fight — from health care to business, from government to philanthropy,” said Dr. Chelsea Clinton. “At the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiatives, we stand ready to be of service in any way we can. And I am hopeful that together we can build a safer, healthier, and more equitable future.”

Speakers at today’s conference include Dr. Chelsea Clinton, First Deputy Mayor Wright, DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Vasan, DOHMH Deputy Commissioner Dr. Leslie Hayes, DOHMH Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse alongside community subject matter experts, Dr. Ashanda Saint Jean, Nekeisha Afful, Naima Beckles, Helena Grant, and Ilish Neely.

Tackling maternal mortality is an urgent priority for the Adams administration: Black New Yorkers are four times more likely than white New Yorkers to experience a pregnancy-associated death. From 2016 to 2018, data shows that 72 percent of pregnancy-associated deaths among Black mothers were preventable, compared to 43 percent for white mothers, and 65 percent for Latina mothers. The Adams administration has taken action to strengthen birth equity, expanding the doula program citywide, signing a package of bills to strengthen maternal health, and setting the ambitious goal of reducing Black maternal mortality by 10 percent by 2023.

In January 2024, following his State of the City address, Mayor Adams announced Women Forward NYC. Supported through city dollars, private and public partnerships, academic institutions, and federal grant funding, the action plan addresses gender disparities by connecting women to professional development and higher-paying jobs; dismantling barriers to sexual, reproductive, and chronic health care; reducing gender-based violence against women; and providing holistic housing services, including for formerly incarcerated women and domestic and gender-based violence survivors.

Read the Original Press Release

Photo: Joseph Sinnott for FPHNYC

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New York City Health Department, in partnership with the Fund for Public Health NYC, receives support from Robin Hood, Viking Global Foundation, and Tiger Foundation

November 28, 2023 — A successful Early Intervention (EI) initiative for New York City children is receiving additional support from three philanthropic foundations to expand electronic referral and retention efforts for underserved communities. The Fund for Public Health NYC – on behalf of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – was awarded a two-year renewal grant from Robin Hood, New York City’s largest poverty-fighting philanthropy, to expand electronic referrals to Early Intervention. Additionally, Viking Global Foundation and Tiger Foundation have each chosen to support the expansion of electronic referral and retention efforts to help connect more families from underserved communities to NYC’s Early Intervention program.

“Early Intervention is a life-changing resource for thousands of city families and sets our precious children out on a trajectory for healthy, happy, and long lives,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Our goal is not just to deliver extraordinary services but to help New Yorkers connect to them, and this additional philanthropic support will ensure that every family in underserved communities who needs it can access NYC’s Early Intervention program.”

“These grants to the Fund for Public Health NYC allow the Bureau of Early Intervention to continue expanding and refining its wonderful, important work,” said Leslie Hayes, M.D., Deputy Commissioner of Family and Child Health. “The positive impact of EI has been documented many times over, and its services are especially valuable for families that are underserved. We want as many people as possible to know that EI is free, its providers are culturally sensitive, and that families are included in the work every step of the way.”

The Electronic Health Records—Early Intervention initiative, initially funded by Robin Hood in 2021, is helping increase access to EI for families of color and low-income families and enhancing follow-up and retention.

Since its launch in 2022, the mechanism has enabled four partner healthcare institutions and 20 pediatric primary care sites across New York City to monitor a child’s progress through the referral process and address any emerging barriers. This has helped facilitate 4,000 EI referrals, 86% of which were for Black and Latinx children and 54% for children living in neighborhoods with high and very high poverty rates.

Early Intervention is a free program that assists and empowers families whose children ages 0-3 have developmental delays or disabilities. The program connects families to services that can reduce the need for special education and significantly improve a child’s developmental trajectory. The Bureau of Early Intervention in the Health Department’s Division of Family and Child Health coordinates Early Intervention services for 30,000 children annually.

The renewed funding from Robin Hood and the new grants from Viking Global Foundation and Tiger Foundation will allow the initiative to work with more clinical sites and an additional hospital system.

“It’s exciting to see how, with funding from Robin Hood, Viking Global Foundation, and Tiger Foundation, NYC can make the referral process for early intervention more seamless,” said Sara Gardner, Chief Executive Officer at the Fund for Public Health NYC. “The result is that more low-income families and families of color are receiving services to support their child’s development.”

“The federally funded and mandated EI program is a lifeline for infants and children with developmental delays. Yet far too many families with at-risk children, especially New Yorkers of color, and non-English speaking families, remain underserved or lack access to the services and benefits their children deserve and need to thrive. We are pleased to fund an expansion effort of the EI referral program so more New York families, regardless of their race, income, or zip code can seek the therapeutic services they need to give their children the best possible start in life,” said Robin Hood, Viking Global Foundation, and Tiger Foundation in a joint statement.

For more information on the Health Department’s Early Intervention Program, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/early-intervention.page or call 311.

The Fund for Public Health in New York City facilitates partnerships between the public and private sectors to develop, test, and launch new public health initiatives that advance the health of all New Yorkers.

Download the Press Release

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Launch of Ambitious Whole-of-government Campaign To Extend Lifespan Of All New Yorkers

“HealthyNYC” Aims to Increase Life Expectancy to 83 Years by 2030, Focuses on Reducing Chronic Disease, Overdose, Maternal Mortality Deaths, and More

New Yorkers Have Seen Lifespans Fall at Historic Rates Between 2019 and 2021, Dropping Nearly Two Years to 80.7 Years

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today unveiled “HealthyNYC,” an ambitious plan to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers. The campaign sets ambitious targets to address the greatest drivers of premature death, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19. Overall, the campaign aims to extend the average life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years by 2030, with gains across racial and ethnic groups.

Update: November 24 – Healthy NYC Marks One Year
Update: March 2024 – HealthyNYC codified into law.
Read “Using Law to Advance Population Health Planning” in Health Affairs.

“It’s time we give New York City extra life with the launch of ‘HealthyNYC,’ our campaign to help New Yorkers lead healthier, longer lives,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is setting out to increase New Yorkers’ life expectancy to over 83 years by 2030 — not only recovering years lost during the pandemic but also surpassing our previous high by tackling chronic disease, violence, maternal mortality, overdose, and more. By refocusing all of our public health work around the goal of helping people live longer lives, we’ll build a healthier, more prosperous city where everyone can thrive.” 

“‘HealthyNYC’ is the city’s singular organizing effort to help extend life expectancy for New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “We will tackle the underlying causes of lost years and lost lives, including combating the opioid crisis, reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, bringing diet-related chronic diseases into remission, and helping every New Yorker live their healthiest life. We do all this because our health is what allows us to live more and love more for ourselves and our families.” 

“HealthyNYC’ is a game changer because in the wake of COVID-19, and while facing parallel and growing health crises, we know that, as a city and a nation, people are getting sicker and dying sooner than they should. Losing years of life and of good health is a unifying challenge, and getting them back is a top priority for New York City, as well as a north star for the future of public health. This announcement sets the coordinates for our collective mission to lead longer, healthier lives, and there is perhaps no more important measure of the health of our society and our democracy. The road we travel here in New York City will provide guideposts for our nation and its people, who should expect to live long and live well, for themselves and for generations to follow. “

Dr. Ashwin Vasan, NYC Health Commissioner and FPHNYC Board Chair

The “HealthyNYC” plan aims to address the life years lost during the COVID-19 pandemic to the virus and other causes and surpass life expectancy from what it was pre-pandemic. Between 2019 and 2020, overall life expectancy across demographics fell to 78 years. Recent data suggests that life expectancy in New York City has begun to improve, with 2.7 years gained back from 2020 to 2021, however life expectancy remains well behind 2019 data. These impacts have also not been felt equally, as life expectancy fell to 76.1 years among Black New Yorkers in 2021, compared to 81.8 years among white New Yorkers.

While COVID-19 was the biggest driver of the decrease in life expectancy in 2020, other causes contributed to this decline, both locally and nationally. For example, overdose deaths increased in 2020 and 2021. Other drivers of decreasing lifespans included gun violence and chronic diseases, like diabetes. To address this trend, “HealthyNYC” outlines the following ambitious goals:

• Reduce cardiovascular disease and diabetes by 5 percent by 2030;
• Reduce screenable cancers — including lung, breast, colon, cervical, and prostate cancers — by 20 percent by 2030;
• Reduce overdose deaths by 25 percent by 2030;
• Reduce suicide deaths by 10 percent by 2030;
• Reduce homicide deaths by 30 percent by 2030;
• Reduce pregnancy-associated mortality among Black women by 10 percent by 2030; and
• Reduce annual COVID-19 deaths by 60 percent by 2030.

By reaching these milestones, the city can bring life expectancy above 83 years by 2030 and reduce existing racial disparities in life expectancy. The city will employ a number of strategies to achieve these reductions in deaths, including:

• Increasing access to naloxone, proven harm-reduction, and treatment and recovery centers to reduce overdose deaths;
• Expanding access to culturally responsive mental health care and social support services, including early intervention for communities of color and LGBTQIA+ youth and address the impact of social media on youth mental health and suicidal ideation to reduce suicide deaths;
• Increasing new families’ access to quality health care and social support to reduce pregnancy-associated mortality among Black women; and
• Increasing access to healthy foods and promoting plant-forward diets to reduce chronic and diet-related disease deaths.
• Partners are critical to the success of HealthyNYC. Find out how to become a HealthyNYC Supporter or HealthyNYC Champion.

Additionally, New York City Councilmember Lynn Schulman today announced new legislation to codify the city’s population health agenda and create a healthier New York City in the years to come. Under the legislation, DOHMH will consult with stakeholders and provide regular updates to the City Council on progress made.

The recent fall in life expectancy reversed years of progress that New York City had made over prior years. Life expectancy in New York City increased by three years between 2001 and 2010. While that figure roughly plateaued in subsequent years, the age-adjusted premature death rate was relatively level from 2016 to 2019, before plunging in 2020. 

The major steps outlined in “HealthyNYC” build on the Adams administration’s efforts to building a healthier and safer city, including programs launched in “Care, Community, Action” — the city’s plan to improve family and child mental health while addressing the overdose crisis — as well as Mayor Adams’ “Blueprint to End Gun Violence.”

“Engaging philanthropy and the private sector as partners with government is essential for realizing the goals of HealthyNYC. We need to build new and expand existing public-private partnerships to galvanize cross-sector support for this bold and innovative campaign to address the main drivers of our loss in life expectancy and create an NYC where everyone can live their healthiest and longest life.”

Sara Gardner, CEO, Fund for Public Health NYC

“‘HealthyNYC’ marks a significant step forward in our commitment to the well-being of all New Yorkers,” said New York City Councilmember Lynn Schulman, chair, Health Committee. “It is such a critical initiative that I am proud to be introducing accompanying legislation to require a five year public health agenda for New York City, to improve health outcomes and address health disparities. I am proud to partner with Mayor Adams on such a comprehensive and ambitious plan to make New York City the healthiest city in the country.”

“Our city has always ensured that New Yorkers have the information and tools they need to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, president and CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals. “‘HealthyNYC’ is a national model that once again demonstrates how the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is on the forefront of public health.” 

“Increasing life expectancy across our city requires all hands on deck, and ‘HealthyNYC’ is doing just that – galvanizing government, partners, and everyday New Yorkers to achieve this ambitious goal,” said New York City Chief Equity Officer and Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “By addressing the core drivers of premature mortality – from chronic diseases to maternal health – and extreme inequities across racial and ethnic groups, we’re helping to build a future where all New Yorkers can live healthy and fulfilling lives.”

“Each year, DSS connects millions of vulnerable New Yorkers to the critical benefits, services, and supports they need to remain safe, healthy, and housed. However, we know that our low-income neighbors are still disproportionately impacted by the drivers of premature death like chronic disease, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, and COVID-19,” said New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “The stark decrease in New Yorkers’ lifespan following the pandemic is deeply concerning, and we are pleased that the Adams’ administration is implementing a comprehensive plan to not only reverse this trend but significantly increase life expectancy for all New Yorkers. We look forward to working closely with our partner agencies to help New Yorkers lead longer and healthier lives.”

“Climate change is a public health crisis that especially burdens those with underlying health conditions, many of whom live in environmental justice communities and contribute the least to climate change,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “Climate policy should advance better health, and public health policy should mitigate the health impacts of climate change.”

“A ‘HealthyNYC’ is a ‘Food Forward NYC.’ As we work across agencies, to ensure all New Yorkers have equitable access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food, we must be equally relentless in our targeting of other major drivers of illness and inequities,” said Mayor’s Office of Food Policy Executive Director Kate MacKenzie. “We applaud this administration’s and DOHMH Commissioner Vasan’s unprecedented commitment to increasing life expectancy through this comprehensive goal-setting framework underscored by an ambitious nutrition mandate. These cross-cutting initiatives and coordinated preventive actions represent a deeper investment in the overall health of every New Yorker than ever before.”

“Making sure older New Yorkers can access the programs and services the city offers is an important step to improving people’s well-being, and I am pleased we are taking these positive steps to create a healthier and more equitable city” said New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “As such, NYC Aging developed the ‘Join Us’ campaign, encouraging older residents to come out and see what their local older adult center has to keep them healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how important it is to ensure residents take care of their bodies and minds all year-round, no matter how old we are. As we help residents live longer, I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan to build the age-inclusive city we all want to live in.”

“NYCHA is committed to improving the quality of life for residents, and we are proud to lend our support to ‘HealthyNYC’,” said New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “As the driving spirit of this amazing city, it is imperative that all New Yorkers — including NYCHA residents — do everything in their power to address and counteract factors contributing to the premature loss of life.”

“Thank you to Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor Williams-Isom, and Commissioner Vasan for launching ‘HealthyNYC’ and tackling head-on the greatest drivers of premature death, including maternal mortality, suicide, and overdose,” said New York City Administration of Child Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “‘HealthyNYC’ will not only extend the lives of New Yorkers but means that more families will be whole, able to embrace their loved ones, and celebrate life’s milestones together.”  

“This ambitious new agenda demonstrates our city’s commitment to keeping New Yorkers healthy and happy — and, as we all saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, our public green spaces have a vital role to play,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “From young kids looking for a place to shoot hoops, to older New Yorkers enjoying the fresh air while they swap stories, our parks and recreation centers provide safe ways for all New Yorkers to connect with each other and with the great outdoors. We look forward to working with the Department of Health and our partners across the city government to continue maintaining beautiful and accessible public playgrounds, parks, greenways, gardens, and more.”

“City government should educate, inspire, and empower New Yorkers to become active participants in increasing their own health and lifespans. Knowing that not all of us are starting from the same place, we need to even the playing field and help New Yorkers take control of their own personal health and wellness,” said New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo. “Concerted efforts to improve one’s health can greatly improve people’s lives. We have seen this in so many individual cases, and now it’s time to do the work to make it possible across communities throughout our city. I heartily applaud Mayor Adams and our colleagues at the Department of Health for aiming high and coming to the table with a detailed plan on how to hit that target.”

“‘HealthyNYC’ means a better quality of life and a stronger economy for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “I applaud Mayor Adams and the New York City Department of Health on this important initiative.”

“‘HealthyNYC’ isn’t just about raising life expectancy, but about raising the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “As we learned during the pandemic, economic health is inextricably linked with public health. By improving access to quality care, preventive health services, and good nutrition, we are building a stronger workforce and more robust business landscape.”  

“Congratulations to New York City for its initiative in launching a campaign that aims to increase life expectancy,” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “The ‘Healthy NYC’ campaign reinforces many of the state Health Department’s goals of addressing systemic inequities and creating safer birth experiences for all New Yorkers; supporting a variety of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives to help New Yorkers impacted by the opioid and overdose crisis; and ensuring equitable access to underserved populations. The new campaign reaches across all program areas and bridges many gaps, advancing equitable access to treatment and care for all New Yorkers.”

“For the first time in modern history, American life expectancy is changing course and steadily decreasing,” said New York State Assemblymember Kenny Burgos. “It is unconscionable for our city, with its wealth of experts and resources, not to address this public health crisis. I’m looking forward to ‘HealthyNYC’ address the major contributing factors to premature death in our communities.”

“Mayor Adams’ ‘HealthyNYC’ plan is an ambitious agenda taking the main drivers of early mortality and tackling them head on,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “At a time when average life expectancy in our city decreased 5.5 percent during the pandemic, we will bring an end to the avoidable situations that take our loved ones too soon, such as chronic diseases caused by poor diet, substance abuse, suicide, violence, and medical complications of pregnancy. I am proud to partner with the mayor to promote healthy living, educating the public on the plant-based lifestyle, which can extend life expectancy by up to 13 years. I look forward to partnering with the mayor to further address every cause of premature death so that New Yorkers live longer than ever before, with major gains for historically disadvantaged groups with lower life expectancies.”

“It’s long past time for New York to remedy health disparities that lead to higher rates of illness and shorter lifespans in our communities,” said New York State Assemblymember Brian A. Cunningham. “Expanding access to healthy food and mental health resources are critical. I am also pleased that ‘HealthyNYC’ will address maternal mortality, which is one of my top priorities. I commend Mayor Adams and DOHMH for their work on this initiative, and I look forward to assisting in any way I can.”

“Improving health outcomes and life expectancies for all New Yorkers is key to our city and its communities thriving,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “‘HealthyNYC’s’ focus on addressing the major causes that contribute to premature deaths and setting ambitious targets is vital to the long-term future of our city. Prioritizing equitable gains for historically under-served communities must also be a priority. I look forward to supporting efforts to promote comprehensive solutions that will advance health and wellness for all New Yorkers.”

“HealthyNYC stands as our city’s commitment to the well-being of every New Yorker. From fostering wholesome nutrition and nurturing mental health to safeguarding maternal well-being and reducing violence within our communities, the city is charting a course toward a better quality of life,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Menin. “Thank you Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, and City Council Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman for prioritizing public health.”

“I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan for taking these ambitious and innovative steps to address the city’s morbidity and mortality rates through their ‘HealthyNYC’ program,” said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez. “For far too long, the Bronx has been the unhealthiest county in the state, leading New York in the worst health factors, such as overdoses, suicide rates, maternal mortality, diabetes, obesity, and chronic and diet-related diseases. The ‘HealthyNYC’ program will not only improve the overall health of Bronxites and New Yorkers alike, but it will also raise their average life expectancy, allowing New Yorkers to live longer, well into their twilight years.”

 “Mayor Adams has appropriately focused on good health as the foundation of success in all aspects of life. Dr. Vasan’s plan doubles down on the commitment to help New Yorkers achieve physical and mental well-being; nothing is more important,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO, Partnership for New York City.

“The hospital community shares ‘HealthyNYC’s’ goal of improving the health and well-being of every New York City resident,” said Greater New York Hospital Association president Kenneth E. Raske. “Our hospitals have myriad programs and initiatives in place that align with ‘HealthyNYC’s’ prevention and health disparity reduction efforts. We thank Mayor Adams for spearheading this important campaign, and we look forward to working with the city to make ‘HealthyNYC’ a success.”

“We commend the city’s comprehensive focus on extending the lives of all New Yorkers – particularly those who are most vulnerable and in need of critical services to improve their behavioral and physical health,” said Pascale Leone, executive director, The Supportive Housing Network of New York. “Including important investments in overdose prevention centers and addiction treatment programs – approaches not typically considered as traditional ‘health care’ – demonstrate an understanding of the holistic approach required for true overall wellbeing. We hope to see more of these investments in the future to ensure that our most impacted neighbors can experience the longevity that good foundational care can bring.”

“CHCANYS’ vision is that every New York State community has primary care that encompasses all aspects of each patient’s health and well-being. That care is provided by Community Health Centers, which provide high quality, comprehensive care to everyone – regardless of who they are, where they’re from, or whether or not they can afford to pay – ensuring that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. We look forward to working with the Adams administration to continue that work,” said Rose Duhan, president and CEO, Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS).

“The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy is fully supportive of Mayor Eric Adams’ and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s new plan to promote longer, healthier lives for all New Yorkers. This effort will improve access to quality public health care, underscoring this administration’s profound commitment to a healthier city and future generations of New Yorkers to come,” said CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy Dean Ayman El-Mohandes.

“Our communities have experienced a troubling decline in life expectancy due to major public health challenges such as Covid-19 and overdose deaths — but these declines have not been equally felt across racial and ethnic groups,” said New York University’s School of Global Public Health Dean Debra Furr-Holden. “We cannot accept our neighbors living sick and dying early, especially when so many of these deaths are preventable. We support the goal of helping New Yorkers to live longer, healthier lives, and I commend the administration and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for prioritizing health equity.”

“EmblemHealth is fully committed to supporting the mayor’s plan to help the people of New York City live longer, better, and healthier,” said Karen Ignagni, CEO, EmblemHealth. “The city’s big thinking approach will be a game changer. We will respond to this challenge by working hand in hand with the Health Department on prevention, wellness, and healthy living and do our part to create a stronger, healthier New York City.”  

“United Hospital Fund commends the Adams administration and the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the focus on reducing excess and premature death in the plan to promote longer, healthier lives,” said Oxiris Barbot, MD, president and CEO, United Hospital Fund. “A more effective and equitable health care system for every New Yorker requires a laser focus on the inequities underlying the disparities in life expectancy, and we look forward to partnering with the city to improve the health of New Yorkers.”

“HealthyNYC is a bold plan to ensure New Yorkers live longer, healthier lives,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean, Brown School of Public Health. “The initiative is a testament to the leadership of Mayor Adams and Commissioner Vasan and their commitment to ensure New York doesn’t just recover from the deadly COVID pandemic but thrives in the years ahead. I firmly believe this will become a national model that other cities, states, and our entire nation can follow to help America’s health get back on track.”  

“For years the American Heart Association has been striving to ensure everyone has an optimal, just opportunity to be healthy,” said Robin Vitale, vice president, community impact, American Heart Association / New York City. “But this is not the reality for many people of color and others whose health suffers because of social factors beyond their control. In fact, people in some historically excluded ZIP codes have shorter life expectancies than their neighbors just a few miles away. The American Heart Association is committed to advancing health equity – which can exist only when all people can have the opportunity to enjoy healthier lives. We’re removing barriers to health through work in communities, scientific research and advocating for healthy policies. We look forward to working with Mayor Adams and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to help New Yorkers live longer and healthier lives.”

“We applaud Mayor Adams and DOHMH Commissioner Vasan on the launch of ‘HealthyNYC.’ We look forward to continuing our work together to decrease emergency room visits for those living with asthma, especially as we continue to struggle with the negative health impacts from climate change. We also look forward to educating all eligible New Yorkers to get screened for lung cancer, ensure New Yorkers have the proper treatment for COVID-19 and long-COIVD, and help those who want to quit their addiction to tobacco products,” said Michael Seilback, national assistant vice president of state public policy, American Lung Association.  

“Approximately 42 percent of cancer cases and 45 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are linked to modifiable risk factors, meaning that nearly half of cancer diagnoses and deaths across the country are preventable,” said Michael Davoli, senior government relations director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in New York. “By ensuring that every New Yorker has access to tools that can help them prevent and fight illness, remain active and live a healthy life, we can begin to address the disparities that permeate our city and the health outcomes of our residents. ACS CAN looks forward to partnering with the Adams administration to actualize this goal, endeavoring to limit the harms of tobacco by ending the sale of menthol cigarettes and improve access to cancer screenings and precision medicine treatments.”

“The PILLARS and SAFE in Harlem teams are honored to work alongside Mayor Adams, his administration, and DOHMH to disrupt racial disparities in health, which has had a longstanding impact on Black and Latinx residents in New York City, said Dr. Felecia Pullen, founder and CEO, The PILLARS. “We aim to continue to support the mayor’s work to build health equity by delivering high-quality prevention and recovery services for every New Yorker regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, education, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, or ability to pay because everyone in our great city deserves access to health and wellness.”

“For close to two decades, our research has sought to understand why adolescents and emerging adults think about and attempt suicide, to assess those thoughts in ways that might improve their clinical care, and to diversify the populations that receive focus in youth suicide prevention,” said Dr. Regina Miranda, professor of psychology at Hunter College and director of clinical training of the CUNY Health Psychology and Clinical Science Doctoral Program. “Thus, I have been excited for CUNY to have the opportunity to help facilitate a partnership between the Youth Suicide Research Consortium, a network of youth suicide researchers from around the country, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, to serve in an advisory capacity to the city’s BIPOC Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative.”

“Saving Mothers is grateful to Mayor Adams and his administration for this critical initiative, as it will aid us in our ongoing efforts to close the gap in maternal health care disparities among New York City’s most vulnerable populations and ensure healthier, happier pregnancies and a better, brighter future for every family within our beloved city,” said Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, OBGYN, associate professor, NYU Langone Medical Center and president & founder, Saving Mothers.

“All efforts should focus on returning to the norm of birthing journeys that include respect, inclusion, value of one’s lived experience, and uplifting shared decision making, thus allowing birthing experiences and outcomes to be measured on positive, memorable events that are centered on joy, happiness, basking in the miracle of life, not trauma, fear or toxic birth experiences,” said Ashanda St. Jean, chair OB/Gyn, Health Alliance Hospitals and DEI advisor at ACOG District II. “Understanding that health is wealth, we want to send out an SOS to all health care systems and facilities that they are vessels of healing that can ensure a pathway to tranquility, peace, joy, balance, harmony, and happiness through caring for patients with compassion, empathy, and above all, love. Our shared goal should strive to prepare all, physically and mentally to have the health that they deserve to pursue their life’s dreams.”  

“I applaud the Adams administration and the Health Department for their continued commitment to promoting a healthier New York City,” said Kimberly Williams, president and CEO, Vibrant Emotional Health. “At Vibrant, we believe that mental well-being is the cornerstone of a thriving community. By prioritizing mental health, we can build a more resilient and vibrant city, where every New Yorker has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling and emotionally healthy life.”

“By integrating lifestyle medicine into the healthcare being delivered to New Yorkers, Mayor Adams and the city’s health leaders are taking innovative steps to prevent, to treat, and, in some cases, to put into remission chronic diseases so that people not only live longer, but also live healthier and happier,” said American College of Lifestyle Medicine President Beth Frates, MD, FACLM, DipABLM. “Our hope is that New York City will become a model to help other cities make lifestyle medicine the foundation of health and health care.”

“Historically, a person’s life span and quality of life has had a correlation to their zip code, meaning where you live influences your health and longevity. Many communities struggle with growing gaps and barriers to achieving health equity due to the social drivers of health – the conditions that affect a person’s access to quality health care, such as housing, education, food insecurity, and poor economic stability,” said Paloma Izquierdo- Hernandez, president and CEO, Urban Health Plan. “Urban Health Plan welcomes Mayor Adams’ plan and the administration’s goal to improve the life expectancy rates and quality of life of our most vulnerable communities.”

“Startling increases in premature deaths – along with shattering increases in chronic disease and its complications, mental health and substance use issues, maternal mortality, and other health disparities – seen in the wake of COVID-19 have erupted across the country, yet virtually nothing has happened to address this wide crisis in ways that we know will work. In contrast to the outpouring of funds for COVID-19 prevention and services, this unprecedented increase in widespread illness has now festered for more than three years even though it is clear that much of this illness, which has crippled whole communities, is also preventable. ‘HealthyNYC’ is truly groundbreaking; the Adams administration is making New York the first city to plan to overcome the true devastation to community health we now face and to recognize that chronic diseases and the other drivers of premature death must be fought with the same determination – and use of appropriate, proven strategies that we use to fight infectious disease. This hasn’t happened in the United States, but we can hope with it now happening in New York City, we will see impressive progress that will fundamentally change the American approach to health,” said Chris Norwood, executive director, Health People.

The post HealthyNYC – Extending the Lifespan of New Yorkers appeared first on Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc..

October 21, 2021 —The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is undertaking a project to help increase the number of families that benefit from NYC’s Early Intervention Program (EI) for young children with signs of developmental delays, made possible with funding of more than $1.6 million from Robin Hood. EI connects families whose children have, or are at risk for, developmental delays or disabilities to comprehensive services that can significantly impact their developmental trajectory and outcomes as they grow older. The new initiative looks to improve the number of referrals to EI, follow-up and retention of families in EI, and communication between referring healthcare providers and families.

By expanding the use of an electronic health record referral process in four partner healthcare institutions across NYC, the Health Department expects to make it easier and quicker to refer children to EI. The project also supports a novel mechanism for partner institutions to monitor a child’s progress through the referral process and address any barriers that emerge. The Fund for Public Health in New York City (FPHNYC) applied for and received the funding for this initiative from Robin Hood’s Fund for Early Learning (FUEL) on behalf of the Health Department’s Division of Family and Child Health, Bureau of Early Intervention.

NYC’s EI program assists and empowers families by providing services to young children as soon as their developmental delay or disability is recognized. Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act calls for early intervention services to be provided to children under 3 years old with developmental delays or a medical condition likely to lead to a developmental delay. The earlier an infant or toddler is referred to EI, the greater the likelihood that a service plan designed specifically for the child and family will have a positive impact on the child’s developmental trajectory.

“The first three years of a child’s life are critical for healthy brain development, and early intervention can help infants and toddlers with disabilities or delays make important progress in cognitive, physical, language, and social development,” said Emily Ashton, the Health Department’s Acting Deputy Commissioner for Family and Child Health. “Making the referral process for early intervention more seamless will allow us to connect more families with vital services that support their child’s development.”

“Cognitive development begins in the womb and the first three years of a child’s life is a clear determinant of a child’s capacity to engage, learn and thrive throughout early childhood and adolescence. Providing easier, more direct access to early intervention services for families whose children have, or are at risk, for developmental delays or disabilities pay long-term dividends for parents, children, and school systems alike,” said Kelvin Chan, managing director of Early Childhood Programs at Robin Hood. “Wrap-around services like EI, result in kids who are happier, healthier, engaged, and more likely to finish high school prepared for a postsecondary education or a career.”

“From a public health perspective, it’s both essential to provide services that vulnerable families need – like early intervention – and to continually look to improve access to those services,” said Sara Gardner, Executive Director, FPHNYC. “That’s why Robin Hood’s ongoing partnership with the City of New York is so transformative: they understand the importance of investing in innovative projects that can improve the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable New Yorkers.”

For more information on the Health Department’s Early Intervention Program, visit:
www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/early-intervention.page or call 311.

The Fund for Public Health in New York City facilitates partnerships between the public and private sector to develop, test, and launch new public health initiatives that advance the health of all New Yorkers. For more information visit: fphnyc.org

[ View / download a PDF of the related press release ]

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
• For FPHNYC: Eugene Patron, epatron@fphnyc.org, 646.710.4866
• For NYC Health Department: Patrick Gallahue / Victoria Merlino PressOffice@health.nyc.gov
• For Robin Hood: press@robinhood.org

The post $1.6 Million Grant Will Increase Access to Early Intervention for Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities appeared first on Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc..

August 26, 2021 — As part of the City of New York’s commitment to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations, 33 community and faith-based organizations have been selected to partner with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project. $9 million has been allocated in support of these organizations which serve approximately 20 neighborhoods in New York City (see pages 2 & 3 for list of awardees).

The request for community partners was developed and issued by the Fund for Public Health in New York City (FPHNYC), on behalf of the Health Department’s Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness. FPHNYC worked closely with the Health Department to identify and select community and faith-based organizations and will provide management of the awards to partner organizations.

Partner organizations will encourage conversation about vaccination within their communities, gather feedback, and use these learnings to develop tailored and culturally relevant vaccine messaging, and offer one-on-one assistance to boost vaccine confidence. Preference has been given to organizations physically located in and serving neighborhoods identified by the City’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity with the lowest vaccination rates; have a majority BIPOC staff and leadership; and/or have a majority of staff and leadership from the neighborhoods or part of the communities served. Funding is also being directed to organizations serving populations in supportive housing.

March 2022 update: Dr. Dave A. Chokshi and Sara Gardner reflect on the success
of the Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project thanks to public, private, and philanthropic support.

“To end the COVID-19 pandemic, we must partner and fund community and faith-based organizations that have deep roots in their neighborhoods,” said Dr. Torian Easterling, First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer of the Health Department. “They are playing essential roles serving neighborhoods that have not only been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, but also a history of systemic racism, discrimination, and disinvestment.”

“Community and faith-based organizations have a critical role to play in bringing us closer to a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Michelle Morse, the Health Department’s Deputy Commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness and Chief Medical Officer. “Through these partnerships, the Health Department will work hand-in-hand with communities to advance racial justice and build capacity for health equity both during COVID-19 and in the future.”

“The Fund for Public Health NYC recognizes this is an opportunity to both increase vaccine confidence and to address systemic inequities that have kept many New Yorkers from equitable access to the resources they need to lead healthier lives,” said Sara Gardner, Executive Director, FPHNYC. “We are incredibly grateful to our philanthropic partners who are committed to helping communities most impacted by COVID-19, as well as to removing barriers to healthcare.”

Funding for the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with generous support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Altman Foundation, The New York Community Trust, Robin Hood, Target, the New York State Health Foundation, and an anonymous donor. The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is providing much-needed support for organizations serving the supportive housing community.

“NYC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project and its focus on engaging trusted community-embedded organizations is more vital than ever as the landscape of the pandemic evolves,” said Rachael Pine, Senior Program Officer at the Altman Foundation. “Aided by community partners, the initiative seeks to reach more deeply into the low-income, immigrant, and/or Black and Brown neighborhoods where long-standing inequities have eroded access to health care and confidence in delivery systems, neighborhoods where vaccination rates remain low and the pandemic has been especially devastating.”

“Helmsley is committed to the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, which can only be possible with higher COVID-19 vaccination rates,” said Tracy Perrizo, the New York City Program Officer at the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “We are fortunate to have so many excellent community organizations that stand ready to meet this moment, and we are further encouraged to be part of a coalition of donors, each doing what we can to help the city we love put the pandemic behind us. Working together is the only way through.”  

“In the eight months since the nation’s first vaccine was given to a nurse in New York, the role of community organizations to reach the unvaccinated has taken on a new urgency if we are to truly end this pandemic,” said Irfan Hasan, Deputy Vice President of Grants at The New York Community Trust. “We are proud to be a funding partner for the Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project and look forward to having our grant help in this critical effort.”

“We’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that partnerships are key in ensuring communities most impacted have the resources they need to respond to it,” said Brian Byrd, Senior Program Officer, The New York State Health Foundation. “We are excited to continue our collaboration with the NYC Health Department, FPHNYC, and funders on this important issue.”

“We’re seeing COVID-19 vaccination rates mirror the same racial and economic inequities that led to disproportionate deaths amongst immigrant New Yorkers and communities of color,” said Sarah Oltmans, Chief Grant Officer, Robin Hood. “New York City must lead the way to ensure widespread access and to provide culturally-relevant and transparent vaccination information so that every New Yorker feels safe and informed receiving a vaccine. Robin Hood is proud to support the Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project and the community-based organizations who serve as trusted messengers and resources for New Yorkers so that we can ensure a safe and equitable recovery for our neighbors and our city.” 

  Awardees and Target Neighborhoods

The Fund for Public Health in New York City facilitates partnerships between the public and private sector to develop, test, and launch new public health initiatives that advance the health of all New Yorkers. For more information visit: fphnyc.org

[ View / download a PDF of the related press release ]

#  #  #

MEDIA CONTACTS:

• For FPHNYC: Eugene Patron, epatron@fphnyc.org, 646.710.4866
• For NYC Health Department: Patrick Gallahue / Victoria Merlino
  PressOffice@health.nyc.gov

The post Community Organizations Selected for NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Partner Engagement Project appeared first on Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc..