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TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

The Cost of Medicine for IBS Is $811 Even With Insurance

DEAR DR. ROACH: After a month of testing from my gastrointestinal doctor, I have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I have been sick for several months and have lost 12 pounds. (I’m now down to 100 pounds.)
I have been prescribed Xifaxan. The cost from my pharmacy is $811. Normally, I never have a co-pay. I checked around, and there are no discounts with any other pharmacies. I read many chats about the medicine, and 50% of people in these chats believe that it does not work well and is very hard to digest for the two weeks that you have to take it.
I am meeting with a nutritionist to increase my weight, but every couple of days, I get so sick due to the IBS and can’t gain weight. What are your thoughts on taking this medication? — V.H.
ANSWER: IBS is a functional disease of the intestine. The cause is not certain, and there are several factors involved in IBS, including abnormal movement of the intestine; changes in pain sensitivity; unhealthy bacteria in the gut; and often sensitivities to certain foods. The hallmarks of IBS are changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation or both) and abdominal pain, which is often but not always improved after a bowel movement.
Xifaxan (rifaximin) is an antibiotic that is not well-absorbed in the body, so it only kills the bacteria in the gut. It is intended to preferentially kill harmful bacteria in the gut, improving the microbiome and decreasing bacterial products that cause symptoms of bloating and diarrhea. I have several patients who take it occasionally when other therapies aren’t working, and their experience has been favorable.
When used wisely, it can help people with their symptoms. Of course, patients in whom it doesn’t work aren’t going to use it again, but it does work well for some people. The $811 cost with insurance is much better than the $2,500 to $3,200 cost for a course of treatment without insurance.
People do not take it for a long time; my patients typically take a course one to four times per year. If it helps you, I hope you find it worth the expense, but I don’t know whether you are fortunate to have this much money to spend on prescriptions that are over and above your insurance costs.
Severe weight loss with IBS is not common and should be considered an alarming symptom. I have seen many patients who were diagnosed with IBS, sometimes for years, before another comprehensive evaluation is performed. This sometimes lead to the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). If you have not had a recent evaluation, including an endoscopy and/or a colonoscopy as well as stool studies, it may be time to repeat these.
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DEAR DR. ROACH: What are the benefits of washing your hands? — W.L.A.
ANSWER: Not getting sick is the main one. Regular handwashing reduces respiratory illnesses (colds, flu and pneumonia) by about 20%. Handwashing reduces foodborne gastrointestinal illnesses by about 30%.
You also reduce the likelihood of passing on germs to others. People are the most contagious right before symptoms start for most respiratory diseases. Health care professionals wash their hands (or use hand sanitizer) before and after every patient. It only takes 20 seconds for it to be effective.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

* Ever wonder where the term “jaywalker” originated? Back in the day, “jay” was slang for a foolish person. So when pedestrians ignored street signs, to their own peril, they were labeled jaywalkers.
* Relative to their body size, barnacles have the largest sex organs in the animal kingdom.
* During World War II, Charles Richard Drew, a Black physician, developed blood banks for military personnel. However, when he discovered that the military was separating blood donations according to race, he quit working for the Red Cross.
* Some beaches in the Maldives glow in the dark.
* If you have a daily routine, some scientists believe that your dog can tell when you’re coming home by the amount of your scent that’s left in the house.
* As astronauts spend months traveling to Mars, their eyeballs may change shape. Some scientists believe this is due to pressure from fluids that won’t drain from their heads, thanks to low gravity.
* Ackwards is an old English dialect word for a creature lying on its back that can’t get up.
* In the popular Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote cartoons, the latter character shouldn’t have been outwitted by his desperately hunted prey, since coyotes typically outpace roadrunners by a good 23 mph.
* According to a poll of 11,000 Americans, 84% of vegetarians and vegans return to eating meat.
* When Angelfire launched in the mid-1990s, it offered medical transcription services as well as web-building tools.
***
Thought for the Day: “I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” — Isaac Newton

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE ADVISE NEW YORKERS TO BEAT THE HEAT

WATCH: Mayor Adams Warns New Yorkers About Coming Heat Wave

Heat Emergency Plan activated beginning Sunday through Tuesday.

Cooling centers will open across the city. To find locations, including hours of operation, call 311 or visit the City’s Cool Options Map.

New Yorkers should also take advantage of additional cool options such as museums, movie theaters, coffee shops, pools, houses of worship, or a neighbor, friend, or family member’s home.

July 13, 2024 — New York City Emergency Management Department and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advise New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat. NYC Emergency Management is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor the forecast as the city experiences the third occurrence of multiple days of consecutive high heat. The next few days are expected to have heat indices in the mid to upper 90s, through at least Tuesday, and possibly Wednesday.

“With another heat wave bearing down on New York City, we want to make sure New Yorkers stay safe and stay informed,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our cooling centers will be open starting tomorrow through at least Tuesday, we will be closely monitoring the electric systems for any impacts, and we already have more lifeguards on staff than at our peak last year. As always, please check in on your neighbors, particularly older New Yorkers, as well as others who are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, like our four-legged friends. New Yorkers, be prepared, be safe, and stay cool.”

“New Yorkers should prepare for extremely hot weather this week, with heat indices in the mid to upper 90s,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “It’s going to be hot from Sunday through Wednesday. Remember, heat kills more New Yorkers than any other weather event. But as New Yorkers, we’re going to look out for one another. That means encouraging those around you to go to a cool option and spreading the word that heat is life-threatening. Use air conditioning, visit air-conditioned places, and avoid using major appliances during the day to protect our energy grid. If you don’t have air conditioning, check out cooling centers at nyc.gov/beattheheat or call 311. Learn the signs of heat stroke, stay hydrated, and stay safe.”

The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department urge New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. For more information, including heat-related health tips and warning signs of heat illness, visit NYC.gov/health or NYC.gov/beattheheat. In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after exposure to heat in homes without air conditioners. Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe and healthy when it is hot outside, but some people at risk of heat illness do not have or do not turn on an air conditioner.

To help New Yorkers find relief from the heat, New York City cooling centers will be open throughout the five boroughs. Cooling center locations may have changed from last year. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the City’s Cool Options Map. This year’s newly-revamped map is now available around the clock and allows New Yorkers to easily locate cooling centers, which the City opens during heat emergencies, and cool options, which include free spaces that offer air-conditioned spaces to escape the heat. New Yorkers can now also find cooling centers that welcome pets throughout the five boroughs. As a reminder, service animals are always allowed at cooling centers.

New Yorkers can access a range of outdoor cooling options, including spray showers, drinking fountains, and more. These resources can be found online at Cool It! NYC. Many of these resources are located in neighborhoods across New York City. New York City outdoor pools are open 11AM-7PM, Olympic and intermediate-sized pools will be open until 8PM from Sunday through Tuesday. State Parks, including Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park pool and Roberto Clemente State Park pool are open, call ahead to confirm.

During extreme heat, the Department of Social Services (DSS) issues a Code Red Alert. During Code Reds, shelter is available to anyone experiencing homelessness, where those experiencing heat-related discomfort are also able to access a designated cooling area. DSS staff and the agency’s not-for-profit contracted outreach teams engage with individuals experiencing homelessness 24/7/365 and redouble their efforts during extreme heat, with a focus on connecting vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness to services and shelter.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS DURING EXTREME HEAT

Those most vulnerable to heat stress include adults aged 60 and older, and people with health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions, or people with cognitive impairment. Check on people who are at-risk and help them find a cool place to stay during heat events.
Go to an air-conditioned location, even if for a few hours.
Stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperature changes.
Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
Remember: drink water, rest, and locate shade if you are working outdoors or if your work is strenuous. Drink water every 15 minutes even if not thirsty (avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine), rest in the shade, and watch out for others on outdoor teams. Employers are required to provide water, rest, and shade when work is being done during extreme heat.
Eat small, frequent meals.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Participate in activities to keep cool, such as going to the movies, visiting museums, walking in an air-conditioned mall, or swimming at a pool or beach.
Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and, in apartments where children live, window guards. Air conditioners in buildings more than six stories must be installed with brackets so they are secured and cannot fall on someone below.
Never leave a child or pets in the vehicle, even for a few minutes.

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS OF HEAT ILLNESS

Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know has:

Hot dry skin
Trouble breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness
Nausea and vomiting

If you or someone you know feels weak or faint, go to a cool place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911.

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE

Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.
Walk your dog in the morning and evening: When the temperature is very high, do not let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Your pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.
Know when your pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, unresponsiveness, or even collapse.

IMPROPER FIRE HYDRANT USE

The improper opening of fire hydrants wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, causes flooding on city streets, and lowers water pressure to dangerous levels, which hamper the ability of the Fire Department to fight fire safely and quickly.

Use “spray caps” to reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing relief from the heat. To obtain a spray cap, an adult 18 years or older with proper identification can go to his or her local firehouse and request one.

ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

During periods of intense electrical usage, such as on hot, humid days, it is important to conserve energy as much as possible to avoid brownouts and other electrical disruptions. While diminishing your power usage may seem inconvenient, your cooperation will help to ensure that utility providers are able to provide uninterrupted electrical service to you and your neighbors, particularly those who use electric powered medical equipment or are at risk of heat-related illness and death:

Set your air conditioner to 78°F or “low.”
Run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it is cooler outside to reduce heat and moisture in your home.
Close doors to keep cool air in and hot air out when the air conditioner is running.
Keep shades, blinds, and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows.
Turn off air conditioners, lights, and other appliances when not at home, and use a timer or smart technology to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Keep air conditioner filters clean.
If you run a business, keep your door closed while the air conditioner is running.
Tell your utility provider if you or someone you know depend on medical equipment that requires electricity.

For more information, visit NYC.gov/beattheheat. New Yorkers are also encouraged to stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, to receive free emergency alerts and updates in your preferred language and format by visiting NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for your Apple or Android device.

New York State Announces Opening of $9.6 Million Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center in Buffalo

BestSelf Behavioral Health Opens 24/7 Facility Providing Stabilization Services for New Yorkers Experiencing a Behavioral Health Crisis

Western New York’s First Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center to Provide Alternative to Unnecessary Emergency Room Visits

The state Office of Mental Health today announced the opening of a new facility to provide urgent treatment to New Yorkers experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis and avoid unnecessary emergency room visits. Licensed in partnership with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the BestResponse Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center in Buffalo was developed with $9.6 million in state funding to provide urgent behavioral health care services to help stabilize individuals and connect them to other community-based services and supports.

“Intensive crisis stabilization centers provide a place where people experiencing a behavioral health crisis can access high-quality treatment so they can avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalization and successfully connect with services that can help them recover in their community,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “BestResponse represents our ongoing efforts to expand these facilities across our state so that individuals can get specialized treatment in a welcoming and healing environment that will support their recovery journey. This center, like others funded by the state, represents Governor Hochul’s continued focus on providing greater access to mental health care for all New Yorkers.”

BestResponse will operate 24-hours per day and seven days per week, providing screenings, counseling, medication support, therapeutic interventions, peer support, ongoing observation, care collaboration, and discharge planning –all delivered in a welcoming, trauma-informed setting. The new facility will also coordinate with local mobile crisis providers, and law enforcement, as well as community treatment and support services.

“Crisis stabilization centers ensure people can get immediate help and support whenever they need it, day or night,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “These programs create a critical connection for individuals experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis, offering timely, lifesaving care close to home. This approach has already shown success in other parts of the state, and we are pleased to see it expand to Western New York.”

Located at 430 Niagara St., BestResponse is dually certified by OMH and OASAS to provide an expertly staffed, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to often-stressful hospital emergency departments. The facility was developed in partnership with Erie County Medical Center, Crisis Services of Western New York, the Crisis to Care Collaborative, and local emergency responders to address a critical gap in the region’s behavioral health system.

“BestResponse reflects our commitment to meeting people with compassion in their most vulnerable moments,” BestSelf Behavioral Health CEO Elizabeth Woike said. “This center ensures individuals and families have access to timely, appropriate care when they need it most, without facing a crisis alone.”

OMH awarded BestSelf $7 million in ongoing operating funding, $1.6 million for start-up costs and $1 million in capital funding to develop the center, which will serve Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties. The funding was part of OMH’s overall investment of $75 million to develop 12 intensive crisis stabilization centers statewide. 

BestResponse is the fifth intensive crisis stabilization center to open, joining Helio Health Crisis Stabilization Center in Syracuse, the Champlain Valley Family Center in Plattsburgh, CN Guidance & Counseling Services in Hicksville, and the Family Service League in Hauppauge. Supportive crisis stabilization centers are operated by People USA in Poughkeepsie and Upstate Caring Partners Inc. in Utica.

In addition to utilizing these centers, New Yorkers experiencing or who know someone experiencing a behavioral health issue may also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which connects them to trained crisis counselors 24/7 to help those thinking about suicide, struggling with substance use, a mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. New York 988 call centers received nearly 49,000 calls in December alone, making it the most-active 988 service in the nation.

Likewise, New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). Find available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care on the OASAS website.

Join the Movement: Wear Red for Women’s Heart Health This National Wear Red Day The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement in New York City announces 2026 Class of Survivors

Research Highlights:

Scripted TV programs in the U.S. often inaccurately portray who is most likely to need CPR and where out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen, according to an analysis of more than 160 TV episodes aired since 2008.
TV programs tend to focus on white people or men receiving CPR, which mirrors real-life disparities where women and Black and Latino adults are less likely than white people to receive CPR from a lay rescuer.
The analysis examined TV depictions of out-of-hospital CPR as a potential reason why there is a low prevalence of Hands-Only CPR performed outside of hospitals, particularly for Black adults, Latino adults and women.

DALLAS, Jan. 12, 2026 — TV depictions of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest may mislead viewers about who is most likely to need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and where it’s needed, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association’s peer-reviewed scientific journal Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes.

As of January 1, 2026, the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes has been renamed Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes.

According to the American Heart Association, each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the U.S. When a person has a cardiac arrest, receiving CPR immediately from someone nearby can double or triple survival rates. However, only about 40% of people experiencing a cardiac arrest outside a hospital receive the immediate help they need, and those rates are even lower among Black and Latino adults and women.

“We know that TV depictions of health topics can influence viewers,” said senior author Beth L. Hoffman, Ph.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the department of behavioral and community health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health in Pittsburgh. “We’ve also seen news stories about people saving lives because of the CPR they learned from watching it on screen. Considering the sheer number of people who watch TV, it’s important to think of how to leverage this to improve the likelihood that people will perform CPR and save lives.”

In this study, researchers reviewed 169 American scripted TV episodes depicting CPR that aired after 2008—the year the American Heart Association endorsed Hands-Only CPR to encourage more people to act quickly to save the life of a teen or adult they see collapse from a cardiac arrest. The shows were mostly dramas, such as Breaking Bad, Yellowstone or 9-1-1, and also included two episodes of the adult, animated sitcom Archer.

Hands-Only CPR uses chest compressions only rather than the combination of breaths and compressions. It has been shown to be just as effective as conventional CPR in quickly getting oxygen to the body’s vital organs, especially in the critical first few minutes after cardiac arrest in teens and adults.

The analysis found:

Less than 30% (29.6%) of the 169 TV episodes accurately portrayed Hands-Only CPR: calling 911 and beginning chest compressions.
More than half of the people who received Hands-Only CPR on TV were younger than 40 years old; in contrast, real-life recipients needing CPR are typically older (average age of 62 years).
In reality, more than 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home vs. about 20% on screen. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests portrayed on TV were more likely to happen in remote areas (37%) or in public spaces (26%).
Depictions of CPR in the TV episodes reviewed commonly featured males and white adults as both recipients and providers of Hands-Only CPR.

“It was interesting that what we saw on screen mirrored real-life disparities in CPR receipt,” said Ore Fawole, B.S., B.A., a recent graduate of The University of Pittsburgh and first author on the research letter. “It could be that what is on TV is a reflection of real-life, or that what people are watching on TV reinforces implicit biases or stereotypes that contribute to lower rates of CPR receipt for women, Black adults and Latino adults. We hope that this research paves the way for accurate TV depictions of CPR that can help close the gaps on these disparities for all people to receive CPR and ultimately save more lives.”

The good news is that 58% of those who experienced a fictional out-of-hospital cardiac arrest received CPR, which is greater than the real-world likelihood of about 40%.

“Wouldn’t it be great if seeing CPR being used to save a life on TV motivated more people to act quickly if they witness an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association. “Hands-Only CPR is a simple two-step process — call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Because no special training or equipment is needed, anyone can provide this lifesaving measure, even young children. That’s especially important because most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the home, so knowing CPR may help you save the life of someone you love.”

The Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative is committed to turning a nation of lay rescuers into lifesavers with a goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. The long-term goal: to ensure that in the face of a cardiac emergency, anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival. Join the Nation of Lifesavers by learning CPR.

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.

Studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here.

Tech Executive leads year-round campaign to improve health in New York City Bill McLaughlin named 2025-26 American Heart Association Heart of New York City Chair

NEW YORK, NY, January 6, 2026 – Through the Heart of New York City campaign, Bill McLaughlin, volunteer chair and CEO of Thrive will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in New York City and beyond has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart of New York City engages companies, community leaders, and individuals to make a lasting impact across the four chambers of the American Heart Association’s work: discovery, advocacy, access, and knowledge.

The campaign will culminate at the Heart of New York City Gala, celebrating hope and progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association, a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

“I’m honored to serve in this role and excited to collaborate with our dedicated volunteers and the American Heart Association,” said Mr. McLaughlin. “Together, we’ll drive innovation and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care—creating healthier communities, ensuring everyone has the chance to thrive. My mission is to build awareness both in New York City and internally within my organization.”

Bill McLaughlin brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the managed services and technology industry, with a track record of guiding companies through transformation and growth. At his current company, Thrive, he stepped into the CEO role following a successful tenure as President, helping steward the acquisition of multiple companies, expanding its global footprint, and reinforcing its client advocacy and people-first culture.

Outside of his corporate life, Mr. McLaughlin demonstrates a strong commitment to philanthropic leadership and community engagement. He was co-founder and chairman of The Jillian Fund, a nonprofit created to support families coping with a child’s intensive medical treatment, where he emphasizes transparency, service, and tangible impact. His personal leadership philosophy—built on values such as “extreme ownership,” accountability, teamwork and putting mission ahead of ego—underpins how he leads and how he gives back.

The American Heart Association and Thrive will work together to empower individuals to Listen to Your Heart and Thrive — championing wellness, awareness, and connection across our communities. Together, they encourage people to seek care when they need it, equip them with the knowledge to recognize the signs of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and honor the courage of survivors and their families who have faced health challenges with extraordinary heart and strength.

“Bill McLaughlin brings exceptional vision and energy as the CEO of Thrive. His commitment to the American Heart Association’s mission, combined with a clear passion for improving the well-being of our community makes him an outstanding choice to lead this year’s campaign,” said Joe Simone, President of Simone Development Companies, member of the New York City American Heart Association board of directors and past chair of the Heart of New York City Gala. “We welcome Bill as the Heart of New York City chair, which unites leaders across our community to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”

The 2026 Heart of New York City campaign is sponsored by Thrive and Simone Development Companies and will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street. The annual event is a night to celebrate the Heart Association’s year-round efforts to build a healthier New York City. Throughout the evening, the Heart Association will honor volunteers and patrons, share survivor stories, and entertain guests with dinner and an auction.

2026 New York City CycleNation to Pedal Toward a Healthier Future

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2025 — A significant Arctic blast expected to hit the U.S. starting later this week will bring the coldest air of the season, dangerous wind, heavy snow – and the risk of heart issues – to those living in communities from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes. The exertion of shoveling snow in extreme cold can be deadly. According to the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, research shows that the exertion of shoveling snow may lead to an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.

The American Heart Association’s 2020 scientific statement, Exercise-Related Acute Cardiovascular Events and Potential Deleterious Adaptations Following Long-Term Exercise Training: Placing the Risks Into Perspective–An Update, notes snow shoveling among the physical activities that may place extra stress on the heart, especially among people who aren’t used to regular exercise. Numerous scientific research studies over the years have identified the dangers of shoveling snow for people with and without known heart disease.

“If you’ve ever taken a treadmill stress test or seen one on TV, imagine that same strain on your heart while you are trying to clear your driveway of heavy snow,” said, Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women’s health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health of Northwell Health in New York City. “That strain combined with the arctic cold expected this winter could lead to a heart-related emergency—especially for those who aren’t physically fit or people with existing heart conditions.”

Rosen says someone who’s not as active during the year and then picks up a snow shovel in the winter may not realize the extreme cold and exertion forces your heart to work harder, sometimes dangerously harder.

Shoveling is primarily arm work, which is harder on the heart than leg work.
Lifting heavy loads often causes people to hold their breath without realizing it, spiking heart rate and blood pressure.
Cold air constricts blood vessels throughout the body, raising blood pressure and tightening coronary arteries.

The risk is even greater for people with cardiovascular concerns such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking history, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a prior heart attack, stroke or other cardiac condition. Talk to your doctor about any limitations on your winter activities based on your heart health.

Tips to reduce increased risk from snow shoveling:

If you have known or suspected heart disease or risk factors for heart disease, get someone else to do your snow removal for you!
If you must shovel the snow, start gradually and pace yourself. Always cover your mouth and nose, wear layered clothing, as well as a hat and gloves.
Ideally, push or sweep the snow rather than lifting and throwing it, that action involves a little less exertion.
Be extra careful when the wind is blowing, the wind makes the temperature feel even colder than it is and will increase the effects of the cold on your body.
If you are able, use an automated snow blower rather than shoveling. While you should still proceed with caution and be mindful of how your body is feeling, research shows that using a snow blower doesn’t raise your heart rate quite as high as shoveling.

The American Heart Association urges everyone to learn the common signs of a heart attack and stroke. If you experience chest pain or pressure, lightheadedness or heart palpitations or irregular heart rhythms, stop the activity immediately. Call 9-1-1 if symptoms don’t subside shortly after you stop shoveling or snow blowing. If you see someone collapse while shoveling snow, call for help and start Hands-Only CPR if they are unresponsive with no pulse.

Learn more about cold weather and cardiovascular disease heart.org.

Arctic plunge to bring sub-zero temps and snow; take extra care to stay heart healthy The American Heart Association cautions that the extra exertion of shoveling snow in extremely cold temperatures can be deadly

A new American Heart Association scientific statement details how oral health may affect cardiovascular outcomes and highlights how prevention and treatment of gum disease may reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

DALLAS, Dec. 16, 2025 — There is increasing evidence that gum disease is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and cardiometabolic health conditions. Effective prevention and treatment of gum disease, also called periodontal disease, could potentially decrease the burden of cardiovascular disease, according to a new scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation.

The new American Heart Association scientific statement, “Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease,” features new data supporting an association between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and updates the Association’s 2012 scientific statement. ACSVD, the leading cause of death globally, is caused by buildup of arterial plaque (fatty deposits in the arteries) and refers to conditions that include coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysms.

“Your mouth and your heart are connected,” said Chair of the scientific statement writing group Andrew H. Tran, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., FAHA, a pediatric cardiologist and the director of the preventive cardiology program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “Gum disease and poor oral hygiene can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation that may damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease. Brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups aren’t just about a healthy smile—they’re an important part of protecting your heart.”

Highlights of the statement include:

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting over 40% of U.S. adults over age 30. The earliest stage is gingivitis (inflammation of the gums due to buildup of oral plaque). If left untreated, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, where the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, forming small

pockets that can trap bacteria and lead to infection. The most advanced stage, severe periodontitis, involves extensive damage to the bones supporting the teeth; teeth may become loose and fall out. This stage often requires surgical intervention.

Periodontal disease is more common in individuals with poor oral hygiene and other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, overweight or obesity, diabetes and smoking. The prevalence of periodontal disease is also higher among men, older adults, individuals with low physical activity and people affected by adverse social determinants of health, such as lower socioeconomic status, food insecurity and/or lack of access to health care including dental care.

Although periodontal disease and ASCVD share common risk factors, emerging data indicates there is an independent association between the two conditions. Potential biological mechanisms linking periodontal disease with poor cardiovascular outcomes include direct pathways such as bacteria in the blood and vascular infections, as well as indirect pathways such as chronic systemic inflammation.
Numerous studies have found that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, chronic kidney disease and cardiac death. Although periodontal disease clearly contributes to chronic inflammation that is associated with ASCVD, a cause-and-effect relationship has not been confirmed.
There is also no direct evidence that periodontal treatment will help prevent cardiovascular disease. However, treatments that reduce the lifetime exposure to inflammation appear to be beneficial to reducing the risk of developing ASCVD. The treatment and control of periodontal disease and associated inflammation may contribute to the prevention and improved management of ASCVD.
People with one or more cardiovascular disease risk factors are considered to be at higher risk and may benefit from regular dental screenings and targeted periodontal care to address chronic inflammation. Previous studies have found that more frequent tooth brushing is associated with lower 10-year ASCVD risk (13.7% for once-daily or less brushing vs. 7.35% for brushing three or more times per day) and reduced inflammatory markers.
More research, including long-term studies and randomized controlled trials, is needed to determine whether periodontal treatment can impact ASCVD progression and outcomes.
In addition, the role of socioeconomic status, access to dental care and other social factors that adversely affect health should be explored to develop targeted prevention and treatment strategies that can help reduce the prevalence and adverse outcomes of periodontal disease and ASCVD.

This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Committee of the American Heart Association Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young; the Council on Clinical Cardiology; the Stroke Council; the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences; and the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association’s official clinical practice recommendations.

Co-authors are Vice Chair Abbas H. Zaidi, M.D., M.S.; Ann F. Bolger, M.D., FAHA; Oscar H. Del Brutto, M.D.; Rashmi Hegde, B.D.S., M.S.; Lauren L. Patton, D.D.S.; Jamie Rausch, Ph.D., R.N.; and Justin P. Zachariah, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA. Authors’ disclosures are listed in the manuscript.

The New York Blood Center announced a blood emergency this week. The long term impact of the pandemic has resulted in a year of virtually no youth first-time donors, 3000 fewer blood drives and 100,000 New Yorkers that have yet to return to donate since before the pandemic. Complicating matters, recently there has been a surge in blood usage as hospitals perform surgeries and patients seek medical care that was postponed during the pandemic. The increased need and lag in donors has created a chronic gap in blood donations.

“As the region reopens, hospitalizations are going up and far outpacing the number of donations we are receiving,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director Recruitment and Marketing. “Through our new media campaign, we must raise awareness and encourage lapsed donors who have not donated since before COVID-19 to return and to attract the next generation of blood donors to help us build a healthy blood supply.”

https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/zip

MOMENTS IN TIME: The History Channel

* On March 2, 1933, construction officially began on Australia’s Sydney Opera House. The structure’s first performance occurred in a rather unusual way in 1960, when singer and labor activist Paul Robeson climbed the scaffolding and serenaded workers while they ate lunch.
* On March 3, 1965, more than 30 U.S. Air Force jets struck targets along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a military supply route running from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia to South Vietnam. The route sent weapons, manpower, ammunition and other supplies from communist-led North Vietnam to their supporters in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
* On March 4, 1952, Ernest Hemingway finished his short novel “The Old Man and the Sea,” writing to his publisher the same day that it was the best writing he’d ever done. Critics agreed and the book not only won the Pulitzer Prize the following year but became one of his bestselling works. It would also be his last significant work of fiction before he died by suicide less than a decade later.
* On March 5, 1989, Michael Anderson Godwin, who’d been sentenced to death by electric chair for a 1980 murder sentence, accidentally took justice into his own hands when he electrocuted himself on his jail cell’s steel toilet after biting into a wire while trying to fix a pair of earphones.
* On March 6, 1987, the British Herald of Free Enterprise ferry, an 8,000-ton ship owned by Townsend Car Ferries, capsized after departing Zeebrugge, Belgium, drowning 188 passengers. The tragedy was attributed to poor safety procedures.
* On March 7, 2010, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win a Best Director Academy Award for her film “The Hurt Locker,” about an American bomb squad that disables explosives in Iraq. Only three women had previously been nominated for the award.
* On March 8, 1981, a nuclear accident at a Japan Atomic Power Company plant in Tsuruga, Japan, exposed more than 50 workers to radiation when they were sent in to clean things up before the leak could escape the disposal building. Unfortunately, the plan was not successful and 16 tons of waste ended up in the Wakasa Bay.

NEW YORK STATE ANNOUNCES $6 MILLION TO ESTABLISH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS

Funding to Help Urban, Suburban, and Rural Communities Establish a Health-Led Response System

Pilot Based on Daniel’s Law Task Force Recommendation to Incorporate Trained Behavioral Health Professionals and Peers in Crisis Response System

The New York State Office of Mental Health today announced the availability of $6 million for communities statewide to build a health-led behavioral health crisis response system as part of recommendations from the Daniel’s Law Task Force report. The funding will help establish or expand at least three teams – including one in a rural, one in a suburban, and one in an urban community – that use trained behavioral health professionals and include peer support to provide a safe, compassionate response for New Yorkers in crisis.

“By establishing a health-led system of response, we can help communities to safely and compassionately address those individuals who experience a behavioral health crisis,” Office of Mental Health Commissioner and task force Chair Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “This pilot program is a step toward fulfilling a key recommendation in the task force report by building a health-led behavioral health crisis response model that will better serve our communities statewide.”

The state funding is aimed at either building or expanding a crisis response system in communities to use teams with trained behavioral health professionals and including peer support staff. The resulting system will be trauma-informed, community-based, and prioritize racial equity, cultural humility, and harm reduction for New Yorkers across their lifespan.

OMH is providing grants of up to $2 million to establish a new team or expand a team already in operation. The goal is to have at least one of these teams established in a rural, a suburban, and an urban community.

In December, the Daniel’s Law Task Force issued recommendations for developing a statewide model for a health-led behavioral health crisis response. The recommendations included establishing health-led teams using standardized protocols for behavioral health crisis response and piloting initiatives that recognize the unique character of New York communities.

Established by legislation in response to the death of 41-year-old Daniel Prude in 2020, the task force was charged with developing recommendations to guide behavioral health crisis response and exploring avenues for related diversion services. Following its inaugural meeting in August 2023, the task force studied presentations on different behavioral health crisis response models to inform their work and conducted numerous listening sessions to gather input.

The task force recommendations called for the state to establish a protocol so that 911 or 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls involving a behavioral health crisis receive a health-led response by individuals specifically trained in crisis services. Specialized teams would then be dispatched to mental health or substance use calls, and on behavioral health wellness checks, according to the task force recommendation.

The task force recommended establishing pilot programs in large, medium, and small cities, as well as rural areas, and focusing on developing sustainable models. As these teams are implemented, communities should develop partnerships – including with individuals having lived experience – to participate in designing the system of care, assess the available resources, and work to develop a network of quality accessible services.

Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner and task force member Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “Individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis need specific help and support, delivered by specialized professionals, and it is vital that we work to direct them to these services as quickly as possible. This new initiative will further develop ways to assist New Yorkers in crisis and immediately get them the help that they need.”

Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner and task force member Rossana Rosado said, “New Yorkers deserve responses to behavioral health crises that center safety, compassion, and expertise. These health-led teams will ensure individuals in crisis receive the specialized care they need from trained professionals. DCJS is proud to support OMH as they advance this key recommendation from the Daniel’s Law Task Force and strengthen communities across the state.”

Senator Samra Brouk said, “Since the tragic death of Daniel Prude in 2020, I have fought for the passage of Daniel’s Law to ensure that we implement a compassionate, peer-led mental health crisis response system across New York State. Together, we must be able to offer voluntary services for people experiencing mental health and substance use crises and put an end to the criminalization of individuals with mental health emergencies. With this multi-million-dollar investment in Daniel’s Law pilot programs –following the direct recommendations of the Daniel’s Law Task Force – we are taking a major step forward to help New Yorkers in crisis with trauma informed care.”

Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, “The Daniel’s Law Pilot program, funded through this year’s State budget, makes it possible for New York to put into practice the findings from the Daniel’s Law Task Force Report to ensure we adopt resources that successfully meet the needs of people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the state. I thank OMH Commissioner and Task Force Chair Dr. Ann Sullivan and the Daniel’s Law Task Force members for structuring the RFP so that the funding and implementation for these pilots must go to diverse regions throughout our state. This is the critical next step for establishing a state-wide crisis response model that is compassionate, peer-led and trauma informed – and most importantly, accessible to meet the needs of all New Yorkers.”

Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon said, “I commend the Office of Mental Health for advancing the Daniel’s Law pilots that will bring trained health professionals and peers to the forefront of crisis response. New Yorkers experiencing an acute mental health crisis must be met with a response that is grounded in compassion, clinical expertise, and lived experience. Thank you, Senator Brouk and Assemblymember Bronson, for your vision in sponsoring Daniel’s Law and the Office of Mental Health for advocating for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

New York State Suicide Prevention Conference Focuses on Improving Mental Wellness among Uniformed Personnel

Suicide Prevention Center of New York Hosts Training and Workshops on Building Resilience; Addressing Job-Related Stress and Cumulative Trauma

Capital Region-Based Conference Aimed at Addressing Disproportionately High Rates of Suicide Among First Responders, Veterans, and Others

The New York State Office of Mental Health announced efforts to address disproportionately high rates of suicide among military veterans and uniformed personnel, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service workers, corrections officers, and 911 dispatchers. The agency today is hosting the second day of a conference with this focus –part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s ongoing efforts to support the mental health needs of veterans and uniformed personnel –featuring nationally recognized speakers, subject matter experts, training, and workshops related to the impact of stress and trauma associated with these professions.

“Understanding the tremendous importance of the mental health of our uniformed personnel and veterans and realizing the impact of the stress and cumulative trauma they may experience, we must effectively support them as they serve our communities and keep us safe.” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “This conference will provide information and invaluable insight into ways to promote mental wellness, build resilience, and address the nationally observed disproportionately high rates of suicide among these professionals.”

The conference in Troy is hosted by OMH’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York and features nearly two dozen speakers, including nationally recognized subject-matter experts, including mental health professionals, veterans, and leaders from the first responder community. Now in its second day, the event is drawing roughly 320 individuals representing 172 different agencies throughout the state.

Cumulative stress and trauma are common among uniformed personnel and have placed these individuals at greater risk of suicide. First responders were more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, according to one recent study.

Likewise, the inaugural New York State First Responder Mental Health Needs Assessment also highlighted the challenges facing these professions. Released earlier this year, the survey of roughly 6,000 individuals found that 53 percent experienced symptoms associated with depression, 38 percent experienced symptoms associated post-traumatic stress disorder, and 16 percent had thoughts of suicide.

Veterans in New York also disproportionately experience mental health issues and have a suicide rate nearly two times higher than civilians. Veterans under the age of 55 consistently experience the highest rates of suicide in New York.

The conference’s objective to build resilience is parallel to OMH’s CARES UP initiative, which provides $3 million annually to uniformed personnel agencies and veterans’ organizations to increase suicide prevention efforts and wellness programming. So far, this initiative has provided funding to 36 first responder agencies and eight veteran-serving organizations via Onward Ops.

CARES UP fosters an open dialogue about mental health to reduce stigma and encourage uniformed personnel to seek help when they need it. The initiative uses a public health approach to integrate mental health and suicide prevention training with various wellness initiatives designed to enhance the overall health.

OMH is expected to release a request for applications for CARES UP later this fall. The initiative provides $60,000 over two years to agencies seeking the funding for the first time, and $40,000 organizations looking to continue the program.

Suicide Prevention Center of New York Director Dr. Jay Carruthers said, “We know that uniformed personnel are at elevated risk for a number of mental health challenges and even suicide by virtue of the work they have chosen. Cultural and organizational barriers can sometime pose a barrier to seeking help among our first responders and uniformed personnel. This conference, like the CARES UP initiative, will provide the expertise to foster an environment that prioritizes mental health and wellbeing among the uniformed personnel and veterans that serve and protect our communities and our nation. Together, we can chip away at the barriers.”

Colonie EMS Chief Erin Kelly said, “Despite growing staffing shortages and the physical and emotional demands of this work, our providers continue to answer the call because they care deeply about the people and community they serve. In many ways, EMS has become one of the most reliable and consistent sources of healthcare for people — when someone calls 911, EMS shows up. CARES UP gives us the opportunity to show up for our providers, giving them the best chance to thrive in their lives and careers, not just survive.”

Watervliet Firefighter and Peer Team Coordinator Tom Corcoran said, “Watervliet’s Brave Minds Firefighter Wellness program provides mental health awareness and stigma reduction training, mental health assessments, and an effective peer support team –all made possible with the help of CARES UP. We have firefighters who have a better quality of life, others who have successfully returned to work after challenges, and others who have retired with dignity on their own terms because of this hard work.”

Fitness is a Lifeline, Not a Luxury: Why Movement Matters for Aging New Yorkers

By Joanne Orlando

We’re living longer than ever before, and seniors are New York City’s fastest growing population. One in five New Yorkers are over the age of 60, reshaping how we think about health, mobility, and independence.

However, this longevity is a double-edged sword, carrying with it more complex and chronic health conditions, meaning while we’ve living longer, we’re also sicker and frailer.

That’s why we must prioritize fitness programming that supports at-risk seniors — especially those recovering after being discharged from the hospital and rehab units.

As the Baby Boomer generation eases into their senior years, they overwhelmingly prefer to “age in place,” remaining at home and in their communities. But this requires real investment in home-based wellness resources. Recovery doesn’t end when older adults leave the hospital but is rather the start of a vulnerable period.

Nearly 20% of patients experience an adverse event such as a fall, infection, or medication error within three weeks of discharge. This can lead to a cascade of setbacks: ER visits, rehospitalizations, and even permanent loss of mobility. Those with multiple chronic conditions face higher risks, and “post-hospitalization syndrome” characterized by increased weakness and stress can make recovery harder.

With May serving as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, it’s a timely reminder that movement matters – and that for older adults, regular physical activity is essential for preventing falls and maintaining overall health.

Yet access to physical and occupational therapy designed to prevent rehospitalization remains a barrier for many, and written home regimens can be confusing, inaccessible, or ineffective without guidance.

Fitness and exercise regimens don’t need to be complex – just achievable and consistent through baby steps.

As part of our programming provided through ElderServe Health, which provides home care aides to over 20,000 New Yorkers through Medicaid-funded Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) Plans, we’re always thinking of ways to boost at-home fitness.

It’s not easy – and let’s face it: It can be tough to get motivated even when you’re in the best of health. But we’ve found that guided exercise classes allow our members to follow along with their occupational and physical therapists and have been beneficial in promoting mobility, strengthening recovery, and reducing the risk of ER visits and hospitalizations.

However, just one program alone is not enough.

Policymakers must recognize the critical role that MLTC programs play in delivering comprehensive, community-based care that helps New Yorkers age in place. As the city’s senior population grows, so does the urgency to protect and strengthen the essential services that older New Yorkers rely on.

We’re also watching closely how Mayor Adams’ proposed executive budget will address senior wellness. The City Council has proposed key restorations to health and aging programs, but gaps remain. Advocates say the $550 million allocated to the NYC Department of Aging represents less than half of 1% of the overall $112.4 billion budget and won’t keep pace with a rapidly growing older population.

It is critical for the city to follow through with targeted investments in physical fitness, community rehab, and culturally accessible health programs for older New Yorkers.

Fitness is a lifeline that more and more New Yorkers will depend on in the years ahead. This National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, let’s commit to building a city where every older adult, regardless of income or borough, has the tools they need to move, thrive, and age with strength and independence.

— Joanne Orlando serves as the vice president of rehabilitation services at the Bronx-based ElderServe Health, a Managed Long Term Care provider serving the New York City metro area

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES RECOGNIZES APRIL AS “NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH” ACS Hosts “Planting Pinwheels for Prevention” Event to Raise Awareness About Supportive Services Available to Families

ACS Hosts “Planting Pinwheels for Prevention” Event to Raise Awareness About Supportive Services Available to Families

NEW YORK, NY – In recognition of April as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month,” the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is planning a number of events to raise awareness about the city’s efforts to prevent abuse, keep children safe and provide supports for families. For instance, ACS today hosted a “Planting Pinwheels for Prevention” event in City Hall Park. Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention because they evoke a childlike sense of whimsy and wonder. Organizations across the country will be planting pinwheels throughout the month of April in order to take a stand against child abuse and raise awareness about the supportive services available to keep children safe and families supported. We encourage all families interested in learning more about the services available to participate. ACS is also teaming up with Scouting America, Greater New York Council to host a day of outdoor activities for children at the Alpine Scout Camp.

“There is no greater responsibility than ensuring our littlest New Yorkers are safe and their families have everything they need to help them grow and thrive, and that’s why during National Child Abuse Prevention Month – and every month of the year – we are doing all we can to make sure New Yorkers know about the resources available to them,” said Jess Dannhauser, Commissioner of the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. “Whether it’s food insecurity, access to clothing and diapers, help with substance abuse treatment or being connecting to mental health counseling, we encourage all families with children to reach out to our dedicated prevention support line to get the services they need to help their families grow and thrive: 212-676-7667, or visit our website: www.nyc.gov/ForFamilies.”

ACS contracts with over 100 prevention programs throughout New York City. In 2023, approximately 15,000 families were served in ACS contracted prevention programs. A 2024 survey of families participating in prevention services showed strong satisfaction with services. Approximately 93 percent said the services were helping them achieve their goals; 93 percent said they are happy with the services their family received; 91 percent said they would recommend the services to a family member and/or a friend; and 91 percent said they would go to their prevention provider for help again in the future.

More and more, ACS has been collaborating with its partners in city government that work most closely with children and families to raise awareness about the services available and help families feel and be comfortable and safe enough to ask for and receive help without judgement or fear. For example, ACS has jointly trained over 6,000 staff at New York City Public Schools in more than 65 sessions and developed a training program that reached tens of thousands of school-based personnel last fall. As a result, we have seen a substantial increase in referrals from schools directly to prevention programs and other supportive services without involving the child protection system. ACS has also been training Department of Homeless Services shelter staff and Department of Youth and Community Development after school providers and helped revise a training program for NYC Health + Hospitals staff. These tailored sessions provide mandated reporters with tools they need to not only assess whether a report is truly needed, but also how to connect families with services and supports outside of the traditional child protection system.

“Making the city safe is among the highest priorities of Mayor Adams, and that certainly extends to the well-being of our most precious young New Yorkers. At the core of DYCD’s mission and the work of our staff and nonprofit partners is ensuring that young people and their families have the resources, skills, and support to maintain a healthy and safe environment,” said NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard. “We stand with Commissioner Dannhauser, his ACS team, and our sister agencies in recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month and making New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“At NYC Parks, we know that access to safe, welcoming green spaces is essential to the well-being of all New Yorkers—especially our youngest residents. Parks are places where children can play freely, families can bond, and communities can grow stronger together,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We’re proud to work with ACS for Child Abuse Prevention Month and host the ‘Planting Pinwheels for Prevention’ event in City Hall Park. These pinwheels are a powerful symbol of the joy, innocence, and safety every child deserves, and we remain committed to ensuring our parks continue to be safe havens where children and families can thrive.”

“In addition to providing medical care, NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to ensuring our patients are connected to any necessary social supports,” said Aaron Miller, MD, MPA, Assistant Vice President of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment at NYC Health + Hospitals. “The recent Pathways to Prevention initiative with ACS expands that support network and creates additional training for our staff, ensuring that thousands of children and families get the care they need.”

“Every child in New York deserves to grow up healthy. We’re proud to partner with the Administration for Children’s Services during National Child Abuse Prevention Month to protect our kids and connect families with the essential support they need to thrive,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The Health Department provides a wide range of resources to families such as comprehensive child developmental screenings and vaccinations. These services represent just a fraction of New York City’s comprehensive family support system. By working together, we’re creating a stronger, healthier future for our city’s youngest residents.”

“We are committed to making New York the safest big city to raise a family and that starts by keeping children safe and ensuring families have access to trauma-informed resources,” said Saloni Sethi, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV). “When we intervene early, we can interrupt intergenerational cycles of abuse and prevent future violence. This Child Abuse Prevention Month, ENDGBV is thrilled to partner with ACS to raise awareness and connect families to the support they need.”

“As a mother and public servant, I believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment where they are seen, heard, and supported. National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a critical time to raise awareness about the services available to families before a crisis occurs.” NYC Council Member Althea Stevens, Chair of the Committee on Children & Youth, emphasizes, “I’m proud to stand with ACS and our community partners to ensure that prevention remains a priority—not just in April, but all year round. When we invest in our families, we build safer, stronger communities for every New Yorker.”

THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF ADDICTION SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW INTEGRATED OUTPATIENT AND OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAM IN WATERTOWN

New Program Provides Range of Addiction Services in One Location

Designed to Cut Down on the Need for Individuals to Travel to Multiple Different Providers

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) today announced the opening of a new comprehensive integrated outpatient and Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) in Watertown. Operated by THRIVE Wellness and Recovery and located at 611 West Main Street, the new facility provides medication for addiction treatment, including methadone, as well as a comprehensive array of other addiction services. OASAS is providing more than $240,000 through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund to support the integration of outpatient and OTP services in this new setting.

“This new center is a game-changer for the North Country region,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “Medication for addiction, like methadone, is a safe and effective treatment that has been proven to save lives by reducing the risk overdose death by as much as 50%. As the first program of this type in Jefferson County, this facility will help more people access a range of lifesaving care without the need to travel long distances and will further support our efforts to provide lifesaving services to those in need.”

Comprehensive integrated and OTP programs provide more opportunities to access person-centered services, including medication treatment for opioid use disorder, by co-locating both an outpatient treatment program and an OTP at the same site. These programs are designed to centralize medication treatment, including methadone, and other addiction and healthcare services to make it easier for New Yorkers seeking treatment for substance use disorders to access multiple services in one location.

OASAS has provided more than $18 million through the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund, as well as federal grant programs, to establish more than 40 integrated outpatient and OTP programs across the state.

New York State leads the nation in making settlement funding available, and has made $335 available to providers across the state to support various initiatives to address the opioid and overdose crisis. Additional funding from the settlement fund is being used to support other initiatives to increase medication for addiction treatment, as well as outreach services to connect at-risk individuals to services and resources, increased support for recovery centers, and more than $100 million delivered directly to municipalities across the state for them to address the opioid and overdose crisis on a local level. Details of this spending are available on the New York State Opioid Settlement Fund Tracker.

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest systems of addiction services with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS "MIND, BODY, AND COMMUNITY: CELEBRATING MOVEMBER" TO SUPPORT HOLISTIC HEALTH AT BRONX LEGENDS BOXING ACADEMY

Bronx, NY—On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined Bronx Fathers Taking Action, Bronx Legends Boxing Academy, MetroPlus Health, Moses Medical, NYC Health+Hospitals, and Travel with Chaz to host a Mind, Body, and Community: Celebrating Movember event. The event focused on promoting physical activity, mental health awareness, and family engagement, while creating an inclusive space for Bronx youth and local families to connect with resources and develop healthy habits.

“Movember is an important reminder of how critical it is for our communities to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. In the Bronx, we know that wellness is a family effort, and events like this give our youth and their families the opportunity to learn, connect, and stay healthy together,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I would like to thank our partners, MetroPlus Health, Moses Medical, NYC Health+Hospitals, Bronx Fathers Take Action, and Bronx Legends Boxing Academy, for providing the resources, support, and guidance necessary to make this event possible. When we bring these tools directly into our neighborhoods, we empower our youth to develop strong habits and strengthen our communities ‘ health infrastructure.”

“What we’re building at Bronx Legends Boxing Academy is bigger than boxing,” said Jay Bulger, Owner of Bronx Legends Boxing Academy. The Bronx has more talent per square foot than anywhere in the country, and when you provide the structure, resources, mentorship, and a platform in the community, our youth don’t just become better and healthier athletes—they become the leaders this borough is going to rely on. That’s why events like this matter. They show our youth that the Bronx believes in them, and we’re proud to be building that future together.”

The Movember event offered youth and families opportunities to learn about mental health, connect with local support services, and participate in a positive, community-focused fitness activity. The insights shared throughout the evening emphasized the importance of accessible wellness programs that empower youth and families across the borough.

NEW YORK CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLOSES INVESTIGATION OF CENTRAL HARLEM LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE CLUSTER

Cluster Investigation is Complete and Residents and Visitors to Central Harlem Are
Not at Increased Risk of Acquiring Legionnaires’ Disease

Adams Administration Proposes Package of Reforms to Reduce Risk of Legionnaires

Molecular Analysis Matches Legionella Strain Found in Cooling Towers at Two Locations to Legionella Bacteria Found in Seven Patients in the Cluster

NEW YORK, NY — Today, the New York City Health Department announced that the Central Harlem community cluster of Legionnaires’ disease has ended. The last day that New Yorkers who live or work in the area began feeling symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease was August 9. As of yesterday, August 28, there have been 114 cases of Legionnaires’ disease associated with this cluster; 90 people have been hospitalized; six remain hospitalized; and, unfortunately, seven people have died. In the Central Harlem cluster, at least 90 percent (104) of the people with Legionnaires’ disease had a known risk factor for severe disease, including being age 50 years and above, people who smoke, people with chronic lung disease or chronic conditions, or having a compromised immune system. All facilities with cooling towers in the cluster area fully cooperated with the Health Department, and those with Legionella positive test results completed full cleaning and disinfection as directed.

“Today marks three weeks since someone with symptoms was identified, which means New Yorkers should be able to breathe a sigh of relief that residents and visitors to Central Harlem are no longer at an increased risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease — but our job here is not done,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We must ensure that we learn from this and implement new steps to improve our detection and response to future clusters, because public safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we will never stop working to protect New Yorkers. This is an unfortunate tragedy for New York City and the people of Central Harlem as we mourn the seven people who lost their lives and pray for those who are still being treated. I am grateful to the frontline heroes at the New York City Health Department and Health + Hospitals, who undoubtedly saved many others.”

“As the city’s doctor, my thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the spread of Legionella, and our hearts are with the families who lost a loved one,” said NYC Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Thank you to the residents of Central Harlem, the elected officials, and community leaders who worked with the agency to keep New Yorkers informed. After an extensive investigation, we were able to identify two cooling towers that had a genetic match with patient specimens. We are working with building owners on next steps to protect the health and safety of Harlem residents and to prevent future clusters.”

“Harlem Hospital faced a surge of patients and rose to the occasion, and I want to thank them for their long hours and deep commitment to their patients,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “I also want to recognize our Engineering team, who run a robust cooling tower maintenance program that exceeds requirements by the NYC Health Department, treating the cooling towers each day with chemicals to minimize harmful microbes. Thanks to them, we know that the cooling tower at Harlem tested negative for Legionella in March and June, and as part of routine maintenance, was fully disinfected on July 2, three weeks before the first case in the cluster. We are grateful to our partners at the NYC Health Department and City Hall for their support.”

New York City has among the most rigorous and protective laws and regulations in the country that aim to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease from cooling towers. Building owners with cooling towers are required to implement steps, including but not limited to registering the cooling tower, developing and implementing an operating protocol, and monitoring water quality at least three times a week. Health Department scientists (water ecologists) conduct inspections to promote compliance with these requirements.

Today, the Adams administration is proposing a package of resources and policy changes to further reduce the risk of future clusters. These proposals include:

Expanding the Health Department’s capacity to inspect the city’s cooling towers, including hiring additional water ecologists to conduct inspections and building system engineers to assess building mechanical systems and plumbing.
Expanding sampling capacity to conduct proactive sampling of building cooling tower systems and maintain contracts to surge capacity when faced with novel issues during future clusters.
Establishing a community engagement team staffed by community health workers based in the Health Department’s neighborhood health action centers to be rapidly deployed to provide information and education to neighborhood residents during an emergency and focus on improving the health of New Yorkers year-round.
Requiring building owners to test for Legionella every 30 days during the cooling tower operating period instead of the current 90-day requirement.
Increasing the fines for violations for failure to comply with cooling tower local laws and regulations.
In addition to these proposals, the Health Department is undergoing a full review of the city’s cooling tower rules to further strengthen city regulations.

After extensive investigation that included cutting-edge molecular analysis of Legionella bacteria from human and cooling tower specimens, the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory matched the Legionella strain found in cooling towers located at two locations: NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem (Harlem Hospital), located at 506 Lenox Avenue, and a nearby construction site overseen by NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and construction contractor Skanska USA located at 40 West 137th Street with the strain found in seven patients. The Health Department received seven clinical specimens in this cluster. The Health Department typically receives culture specimens for 6-9% of all reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease.

On July 25, the day the investigation began, the Health Department sampled the Harlem Hospital cooling towers. On July 30, Harlem Hospital disinfected the cooling tower. Also on July 30, the Health Department inspected the cooling tower as part of the cluster investigation and found it to be in full compliance with regulations. On August 7, after the Health Department’s sample came back positive on the culture test, Harlem Hospital drained, disinfected, and refilled the cooling tower.

Skanska USA is currently managing the construction at 40 West 137th Street. The Health Department sampled the cooling tower on July 28, which showed a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, and the construction contractor completed a full remediation on August 1.

Both buildings have complied with all directives from the Health Department and are working with the Health Department on their long-term management programs.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by the bacteria Legionella, which grows in warm, stagnant water. Symptoms resemble other types of pneumonia and can include fever, chills, muscle aches, and cough. In some cases, Legionnaires’ disease can be traced to contaminated water systems, particularly where conditions favor the growth of Legionella, such as cooling towers. People can get sick by breathing in water vapor containing Legionella bacteria, which may be emitted by cooling towers. It is not transmitted from person to person. Legionnaires’ disease is not caused by drinking water. During a community cluster, the elevated risk from a contaminated cooling tower is to the surrounding neighborhood.

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND DELIVER MASSIVE $110 MILLION IN FED FUND RELIEF TO MONTEFIORE HEALTH FOR INCURRED COVID-19 EXPENSES; NY HOSPITALS PULLED OUT ALL THE STOPS TO KEEP THE BRONX & WESTCHESTER COUNTY SAFE AMID PANDEMIC; REIMBURSEMENT HELPS CONTINUE STRONG HEALTHCARE AT MONTEFIORE; SCHUMER SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED FEMA TO REIMBURSE NY HOPSITALS FOR 100% OF THEIR COVID COSTS

NY Hospitals Undertook An Incredible Pandemic Response For Over 2 Years, And Because Of Schumer’s Push, Millions Upon Millions Of Dollars In Expenses Are Being Reimbursed By FEMA; Montefiore’s $110M Reimbursement Is Latest Example, In Addition To More Than $169M Already Delivered To Montefiore For COVID Costs & $625M Received Via Provider Relief Fund

Senators Say Every Dollar Counts In A Hospital System & Applaud FEMA For Working Closely With Hospitals To Deliver Reimbursements

Schumer, Gillibrand: Montefiore & FEMA Have Done Extraordinary Work Across NYC & Westchester County To Keep Healthcare Strong

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $110,518,745.96 in emergency federal funds they pushed to deliver for Montefiore Health System Inc. These federal funds were administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via a reimbursement structure Schumer helped shape.

“New York’s hospitals, especially Montefiore, undertook an incredible pandemic response and the hospital system both deserves and needs to be repaid for the funds they expended on COVID-19 related supplies, equipment and staffing,” said Senator Schumer. “These federal funds will reimburse Montefiore for the cost of ventilators, testing kits, personal protective equipment, disinfection supplies, and medical staffing that helped limit the spread of the virus and kept patients and staff as safe as possible during such a stressful and unpredictable time. I applaud FEMA for its responsiveness to the needs of New York’s hospitals and the unique challenges they faced during the pandemic.”

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Montefiore Health System’s facilities provided life-saving care for countless New Yorkers,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This $110 million in federal funding will reimburse Montefiore Health System for the emergency response and protective measures that helped protect the health and safety of thousands during the pandemic. I am proud to deliver this federal funding and will continue to fight for federal resources to keep New Yorkers safe.”

Schumer explained that Montefiore Health System, comprised of ten hospitals and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites, has previously received more than $169 million in federal funding to reimburse COVID-19 costs. This latest award of $110 million brings the total reimbursement to more than $279 million. Montefiore also received $625 million from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), which made payments to eligible providers who diagnosed, tested, or cared for individuals with possible or actual cases of COVID-19 and had health care-related expenses and lost revenues attributable to COVID-19. These federal funds will be used to cover the full cost of resources needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including ventilators, medical equipment, cleaning and disinfection supplies, diagnostic testing kits, personal protective equipment (coveralls, face shields, medical gowns, medical gloves, N95 respirators, surgical masks, shoe covers and medical caps), and medical staffing. All supplies purchased and contracted services were directly related to and used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schumer secured historic funding levels for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the American Rescue Plan and prior COVID response and relief bills. He also ensured that hospitals can receive up to 100% reimbursement for costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, many hospitals and health centers have exceeded their normal and assisted operating budgets as they undertook emergency protective measures. FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program reimburses hospitals and medical facilities for these activities as they worked day and night to protect our communities against COVID-19. This significant federal investment will be used to cover previous COVID-19 response and operational costs.

CONSUMER ALERT: NYS DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WARNS NEW YORKERS ABOUT DANGERS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING, FIRE HAZARDS AND STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE UPCOMING WINTER WEATHER

Secretary Robert J. Rodriguez, “The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection urges New Yorkers to take proper safety precautions while using candles and space heaters, install fire and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries in your alarms on an annual basis to help decrease the risk of fire hazards in your home.”

Consumers Must Pay Careful Attention to Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety

The NYS Division of Consumer Protection Offers Tips to Help New Yorkers Stay Safe and Healthy During Upcoming Winter Months

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection today alerted consumers of the dangers of fire hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning and performing strenuous outside activities in the upcoming cold weather. As the winter months approach and the temperatures drop, consumers may turn to dangerous heating alternatives to stay warm. Propane heaters, generators and space heaters all pose lethal risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards when used improperly. As strong winter storms continue to hit the United States, consumers need to exercise caution to stay safe and healthy during snow cleanup activities.

“Taking preventative action is your best defense against dealing with extreme cold weather,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection urges New Yorkers to take proper safety precautions while using candles and space heaters, install fire and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries in your alarms on an annual basis to help decrease the risk of fire hazards in your home.”

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “In addition to providing assistance to help cover home heating costs, the Home Energy Assistance Program can help with getting heating equipment cleaned and serviced so it is safe and operating at peak efficiency, and even cover the cost of repairing or replacing faulty heating equipment. These services are vital to helping New Yorkers stay safe and warm through the harsh winter months. Anyone in need of this assistance should apply as soon as possible.”

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection offers the following tips to keep families safe and warm this winter:

When temperatures plummet, home heating systems may run constantly and the potential for CO poisoning increases. During and after dangerous weather, using alternative sources of power can also cause CO to build up in the home.

Carbon-Monoxide Dangers and Safety Tips:

Install carbon monoxide alarms. Have a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor and outside sleeping areas.
Inspect all fuel-burning equipment every year. Have a trained service technician inspect your home heating systems. Make sure that all gas heaters are properly vented to the outside.
Use generators safely. Do not use a gas or electric generator in a home, garage, basement or any enclosed space. Plug in appliances to the generator using only individual heavy-duty, outdoor-rated electrical cords. When used, gas generators should be located at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent — preferably in a space where rain and snow does not reach them.
Avoid build-up of carbon monoxide fumes. Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. Never use a gas range, oven or grill to warm up a home. Never leave a vehicle running while parked in a garage attached to a home, even if the windows are open. Have vehicles’ mufflers and tailpipes checked on a regular basis to prevent accidental CO build-up.
Keep furnace and dryer vents clear of ice and snow. Check furnace and dryer vents on the exterior of your house during and after heavy snowfalls, and clear snow away from the vents’ openings if it builds up. When a furnace or gas dryer vent is blocked, carbon monoxide can build up inside the home, and on newer furnaces, the system may shut off completely as a safety measure leaving the home without heat. While electric dryers do not pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, a blocked vent could still be a fire hazard.
If one suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should get to fresh air immediately and then call 911.

Colder temperatures also increase the risk of fire hazards. Home fires can happen at any time, but they generally increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months.

Winter Home Heating & Fire Safety Tips:

Working Smoke Alarms Saves Lives. According to the National Fire Protection Association, roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms so remember to have working smoke alarms on every floor and in every bedroom. The early warning provided by smoke alarms can save a life.
Safely operate fireplaces, wood stoves and other combustion heaters. Use fireplaces, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space. If planning to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not burn paper in a fireplace.
Keep your home properly ventilated. Ensure adequate ventilation if using a kerosene, propane or other fuel heater. Also, use only the specific type of fuel a heater is designed to use—don’t substitute with another source.
Keep space heaters away, stable, and uncovered. Space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from beds, clothes, curtains, and other flammable materials. Never cover a space heater or place on top of furniture or near water. Space heaters should not be left unattended when used near children. If a space heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks, stop use immediately.
Check your extension cords. Extension cords should not be overloaded or run where they can become a tripping hazard. Never run extension cords under carpets or rugs. Avoid using extension cords with a space heater.
Prepare for emergencies. Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher near the area to be heated.
Regularly review fire safety plans with your family, especially with homes with young children, older adults, and persons with disabilities. Make sure there is a working smoke alarm on every level and outside of sleeping areas, and that the batteries in the alarm are functional.
If there is a power failure at home, use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead of candles, if possible. If you must use candles, use extreme caution. Never leave lit candles unattended, and do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire. Extinguish candles when you leave the room and before sleeping.

New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat their homes. The program provides up to $1,126 to eligible homeowners and renters depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, applications for HEAP are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone, with funding provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents outside of New York City may also?apply online?for regular heating assistance benefits. New York City residents can obtain program information?online and download an application. To qualify for benefits, a family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,485, or an annual gross income of $65,829.

For households facing no-heat situations due to non-working heating equipment, OTDA is also accepting applications for its heating equipment repair or replacement benefit. Eligible homeowners can apply for up to $4,000 for repairs or $8,000 for replacement of a furnace, boiler or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the household’s primary heating source working. Additionally, eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which include the cleaning of primary heating equipment to allow for safe and efficient operation. Interested households can apply with their local HEAP contact.

As the recent historic storm in Buffalo showed, snow and winter storms can be dangerous and even deadly. Snow shoveling can contribute to a number of health risks for many people, from back injuries to heart attacks. New Yorkers must exercise caution when doing snow or ice cleanup as the strenuous activity can be dangerous for vulnerable individuals.

The following tips can help keep you safer when you set out to shovel:

Warm up. Warm your muscles before heading out to shovel by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side or walking in place.
Push rather than lift. Pushing the snow with the shovel instead of lifting can help reduce the strain on your body. When lifting snow, bend your knees and use your legs when possible.
Choose your shovel wisely. Ergonomically designed shovels can help reduce the amount of bending you have to do.
Lighten your load. Consider using a lighter-weight plastic shovel instead of a metal one to help decrease the weight being lifted.
Hit the pause button. Pace yourself and be sure to take frequent breaks. Consider taking a break after 20 to 30 minutes of shoveling, especially when the snow is wet.
Consider multiple trips. Consider shoveling periodically throughout the storm to avoid having to move large amounts of snow at once.
Keep up with snowfall. Try to shovel snow shortly after it falls, when it is lighter and fluffier. The longer snow stays on the ground, the wetter it can become. Wet snow is heavier and harder to move.
Wear layers. Dress in layers and remove them as you get warm to help maintain a comfortable body temperature.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while shoveling

UVA Health Team Maps Brain's Blood Pressure Control Center Researchers ID Nerve Cells that Stabilize Moment-to-Moment Blood Pressure Changes

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 18, 2026 – Doctors usually focus on a person’s average blood pressure, but research increasingly shows that how much blood pressure fluctuates from moment to moment is just as important. Excessive short-term variability is a strong and independent predictor of heart disease, stroke and brain injury.

A group in University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology has identified a group of nerve cells in the brainstem – a region that controls vital automatic functions – that act as a stabilizing system for blood pressure. The new research suggests these cells help prevent fluctuations when the body shifts between everyday activities such as sleeping, waking up, standing or exercising.

“What we found is that a loss of just a few hundred nerve cells leads to unstable blood pressure even though the mean blood pressure was normal,” said UVA’s Stephen Abbott, PhD, the lead investigator of the study. “This shows that the system that keeps blood pressure steady from moment to moment is no longer working.”

Loss or dysfunction of these same brain cells has already been documented in people with multiple system atrophy, a rare and fatal neurological disease related to Parkinson’s disease that is marked by severe blood pressure problems. The findings suggest that similar brain-based mechanisms could contribute to blood pressure instability in other conditions where average blood pressure appears normal by standard measurements. The findings could open the door to treatments to stabilize blood pressure and prevent those harmful effects.

“Our work emphasizes a new appreciation for how we think about blood pressure problems,” Abbott said. “It’s not just about lowering the numbers – it’s about keeping blood pressure stable from moment to moment.”

Abbott and his colleagues have published their blood pressure findings in the scientific journal Circulation Research. The research team consisted of George M.P.R. Souza, Harsha Thakkalapally, Faye E. Berry, Leah F. Wisniewski, Ulrich M. Atongazi, Daniel S. Stornetta and Abbott. The scientists have no financial interest in the work.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, grant HL148004.

Finding new ways to understand and treat the most complex and challenging medical conditions is a primary mission for UVA’s new Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The institute aims to accelerate how quickly lab discoveries can be translated into lifesaving new treatments for patients.

Medicare Patients Get Different Stroke Care Depending on Plan, Analysis Reveals First-of-Kind Review Reveals Discrepancies in Care Before, After Strokes

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 17, 2026 – A first-of-its-kind analysis has revealed significant differences in stroke outcomes and stroke care for patients on government-run traditional Medicare plans versus those on Medicare Advantage, offered by private insurers.

UVA Health researchers found that patients on traditional, or “fee-for-service,” Medicare Part A, B and D plans operated by the government were less likely to have access to certain stroke-preventing care. They were more likely, however, to receive intensive post-stroke care and rehabilitation than those enrolled in Medicare Advantage, where private insurance plans are incentivized to limit more expensive medical care.

Both groups’ overall recovery outcomes appeared similar, but improvements happened more quickly for stroke patients with Medicare Advantage insurance. Participants in the private plan were less likely to be readmitted to a hospital, and they were more likely to move into assisted-living and other community-living accommodations.

The researchers caution that the data they had available was limited and that it could be difficult to make direct comparisons between the plans. But they say their analysis can inform discussions about healthcare costs and America’s aging population.

“Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Most stroke patients have Medicare insurance, but we do not know how changes in Medicare impact stroke patients. Our research suggests that changes in Medicare insurance, including the growth of private insurance through Medicare Advantage, could be important for stroke patients,” said researcher Jonathan R. Crowe, MD, MPH, MSc, a neurologist and stroke expert at UVA Health and the University of Virginia School of Medicine. “In our country, people are worried about healthcare costs and how health insurance impacts patients. Those concerns are real, and they are not going away. Our population in the United States is getting older, and more Americans will be enrolling in Medicare as they retire. Our country needs research that helps patients, doctors and policymakers understand how different parts of Medicare impact patients. This will be really important for the future of U.S. healthcare.”

Medicare Options

Strokes are a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the United States. They are most likely to strike people ages 65 and older, and most people in that demographic are on Medicare. Among Medicare enrollees, more than half are on Medicare Advantage, a Medicare alternative that was designed to reduce healthcare costs by encouraging competition among private insurers.

Federal government payments for Medicare Advantage, however, have substantially exceeded the costs that would have been needed for traditional Medicare, which is run directly by the government. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, for example, estimates that government payments to Medicare Advantage in 2025 cost about 20% more, or an additional $84 billion, health policy nonprofit KFF reports.

Medicare and Medicare Advantage are built on two very different payment approaches. Under traditional Medicare, the government pays healthcare providers for services rendered, with no annual cap, potentially encouraging use and overuse. For Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, the government provides private insurers fixed payments to cover beneficiaries. This creates incentives for insurers to find ways to reduce costs, such as limiting networks, implementing annual payment caps and requiring authorizations prior to care.

About the Analysis

The nation’s rising healthcare costs and the growing needs of its aging population have sparked vigorous debate about the best way forward. That spurred Crowe and his colleagues to conduct their review of stroke care.

After surveying the available scientific literature, the researchers found seven studies that allowed them to compare patient outcomes. In addition to survival and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), the researchers looked at patients’ access to preventive care such as smoking cessation programs; at post-stroke care such as rehabilitation and rehospitalization; and at general wellness factors such as blood-sugar levels and blood pressure.

The researchers found that post-stroke care was generally less common among Medicare Advantage enrollees. This, the experts say, likely reflects prior authorization requirements to limit use.

Medicare and Advantage patients ultimately showed similar outcomes, the researchers found, though it took longer for traditional Medicare enrollees to reach the same level of improvement as Advantage enrollees. One potential explanation for this could be that Advantage patients were in better overall health before their strokes, the researchers suspect. Medicare Advantage enrollees appeared to have easier access to programs to help them stop smoking, manage their cholesterol and take other steps that can reduce stroke risk.

The researchers are urging further study to inform the nation’s future healthcare policies. They say obtaining additional clinical data, including from a stroke registry linked to Medicare data, would help clarify the differences in care received.

“All of us need to work together to make our healthcare system better,” Crowe said. “We hope that this study can be part of our country’s conversation about how to fix healthcare

Scientists ID Potential New Treatment for Deadliest Brain Cancer Glioblastoma Strikes 14,000 Americans Each Year, Has No Cure

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 4, 2026 – UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists have identified a molecule that blocks the gene responsible for glioblastoma, raising hopes that the molecule could become a much-needed new treatment for the deadliest brain cancer.

Researcher Hui Li, PhD, previously discovered the “oncogene” responsible for glioblastoma, a cancer for which there are no treatments that extend life for more than a few months. In his follow-up work, published in Science Translational Medicine, Li reports the identification of a small molecule that blocked the gene’s activity in both cell samples and lab mice. In mice, the molecule proved effective without unwanted or harmful side effects.

While more work needs to be done before the molecule could be used as a treatment in people, the results so far are promising and suggest the compound could prevent the invasive cancer from threading its way through the brain, Li says.

“Glioblastoma is a devastating disease. Essentially no effective therapy exists,” said Li, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology. “What’s novel here is that we’re targeting a protein that GBM cells uniquely depend on, and we can do it with a small molecule that has clear in vivo activity. To our knowledge, this pathway hasn’t been therapeutically exploited before.”

About Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is a fast-growing form of brain cancer that is almost always deadly. Typical survival after diagnosis is only about 15 months, and more than 14,000 Americans are diagnosed every year. Treatment options include surgery, but the way the cancer proliferates through the brain makes it difficult to remove. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but they only extend the survival for a few months. These treatments can also greatly affect quality of life, so some patients opt out of treatment altogether.

The difficulty of treating the disease, and the limited benefits of the available treatments, means new options are desperately needed. Li’s line of research, he hopes, could produce a more effective alternative.

Li first discovered the oncogene – a cancer-causing gene – responsible for glioblastoma in 2020. That gene, AVIL, normally helps cells maintain their size and shape. But the gene can be shifted into overdrive by a variety of factors, the researchers found. This causes cancer cells to form and spread.

At the time, the researchers found that blocking the gene’s activity could completely destroy glioblastoma cells in lab mice, without any effect on healthy cells. But the lab technique they used to determine that is unsuitable for use in people. That put them on the hunt for a molecule that could stop the gene’s harmful effects.

Their pursuit has confirmed the role of AVIL in glioblastoma. The researchers found that the protein the gene produces is hardly found in the healthy human brain but is abundant in patients with glioblastoma.

The scientists used a technique called “high-throughput screening” to quickly and efficiently evaluate many compounds for their potential to block AVIL activity. The molecule they have found appears to affect only tumor cells, sparing healthy brain tissue. Further, the molecule can cross the brain’s protective barrier that keeps out many potential treatments for neurological diseases.

As a treatment, the compound could be taken by mouth, like any other prescription pill, the researchers say.

Before the compound could become available for patients, much additional research will need to be done to optimize the molecule for use in people. If all goes according to plan, the resulting drug would then be tested extensively in human volunteers before the federal Food and Drug Administration decides whether it is sufficiently safe and effective to be offered as a treatment.

While there is much more work to be done, Li and his colleagues are excited by the promise of their latest findings.

“GBM patients desperately need better options. Standard therapy hasn’t fundamentally changed in decades, and survival remains dismal,” he said. “Our goal is to bring an entirely new mechanism of action into the clinic — one that targets a core vulnerability in glioblastoma biology.”

Findings Published

Li’s research team consisted of Zhongqiu Xie, Pawel Ł. Janczyk, Robert Cornelison, Sarah Lynch, Martyna Glowczyk-Gluc, Becky Leifer, Yiwei Wang, Philip Hahn, Johnathon D. Dooley, Adelaide Fierti, Xinrui Shi, Yiyu Zhang, Tingxuan Li, Qiong Wang, Zhi Zhang, Laine Marrah, Angela Koehler, James W. Mandell, Michael Hilinski and Li.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, grants R01CA240601 and R01CA269594, and by the Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation.

Li has founded a company, AVIL Therapeutics, to develop AVIL inhibitors. He and Xie also have obtained a patent related to the approach.

Finding new ways to improve patient care is a core mission of both UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center and UVA’s Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 57 cancer centers in the country to earn the “comprehensive” designation from the National Cancer Institute in recognition of their exceptional patient care and cutting-edge cancer research.

The Manning Institute, meanwhile, has been launched to accelerate the development of new treatment and cures for the most challenging diseases. This will be complemented by a statewide clinical trials network that expands access to potential new treatments as they are developed and tested.

Sepsis Study IDs Easy Way to Save Lives in Africa Tuberculosis Revealed as Unappreciated Cause of Deadly Sepsis Infections

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Jan. 29, 2026 – Tuberculosis (TB) is a major unrecognized cause of deadly sepsis among people with HIV in Africa, a sweeping new study reveals. Beginning treatment for TB immediately – even before sepsis patients are diagnosed with TB – could save countless lives, the researchers say.

The ATLAS study, conducted over five years at hospitals in Tanzania and Uganda, has found that more than half of the hundreds of patients enrolled in the study had TB and that immediate treatment increased their chances of survival significantly.

The first-of-its kind study was conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Tulane School of Medicine, University of Minnesota and their collaborators in Africa, including leading HIV and tuberculosis physician-scientists Stellah Mpagama from Tanzania’s Kibong’oto Infectious Diseases Hospital and Conrad Muzoora from Uganda’s Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

“In life-threatening sepsis in other parts of the world, a germ causing infection is either not found or is commonly caused by bacteria from urinary tract infections or pneumonia,” said UVA Health researcher Scott Heysell, MD, MPH, who co-led the study. “Instead, we found a treatable form of infection in the majority of people that could be targeted immediately when they presented to care.”

That would enhance the treatment patients receive, improve outcomes and, ultimately, save lives.

“In light of the 30-50% mortality associated with sepsis, our findings suggest that clinicians who work in African settings where HIV and TB are common should probably immediately provide TB treatment to patients who present to hospital with sepsis,” said UVA’s Christopher C. Moore, MD, co-lead investigator. “Given Africa’s disproportionate burden of global sepsis, implementation of this early treatment strategy could result in a substantial reduction in sepsis-related mortality across the region.”

Stopping Deadly Sepsis

Sepsis is dangerous full-body inflammation that can take hold when a person’s immune response spirals out of control in response to an infection, potentially causing organ failure and death. It is the leading cause of death worldwide, and people living with HIV are particularly vulnerable.

The ATLAS study was launched to shed light on the causes of sepsis among people living with HIV in Africa and to find better ways to treat it. After evaluating more than 400 patients with sepsis, the study found that the predominant – and often unrecognized – cause was tuberculosis. More than half of participants in the randomized trial ultimately were found to be suffering from TB.

Further, the researchers found that the highest survival rate was among the patients who received immediate treatment for TB, regardless of whether they had been formally diagnosed. Patients who did not receive TB treatment until their diagnosis had been confirmed, on the other hand, were more likely to die.

This partly reflects the difficulty of confirming a TB diagnosis in Eastern Africa, as the condition can be detectable only with sophisticated blood tests that are often unavailable or delayed, the researchers say. Further, “many of these patients have multiple infections at the same time, which makes their care more challenging,” Mpagama noted.

Current treatment guidelines generally call for TB treatment to be initiated only after a confirmed diagnosis or if the patient has not improved after receiving standard antimicrobial therapy for three to five days. But beginning TB treatment immediately, even without a diagnosis, could save many lives every year, the researchers say.

“This study has the potential to provide a blueprint for evidence-based antimicrobial approach for sepsis therapy in TB-endemic areas,” said Tulane researcher Eva Otoupalova, MD. “My hope is that this work will help lower the extremely high mortality of patients with TB-sepsis.”

Recent funding from the National Institutes of Health is allowing the researchers to continue their work in Uganda and Tanzania. They are launching a new trial to determine whether hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation and/or immediate treatment of TB and other bacterial pathogens will improve survival in patients with HIV-related sepsis.