Health

SCOTUS Upholds Dinowitz Law on Vaccine Mandates in New York State Schools

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) denied a last-ditch petition to overturn Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz’s 2019 law to prohibit all non-medical exemptions to school vaccine requirements in New York State, the assemblyman who is running for re-election in Assembly District 81, issued the following statement on Monday, May 23:   “I am very proud that the Supreme Court has upheld our state law, both respecting our state’s right to govern itself as well as the underlying science which supports the core concept of vaccination. Widespread vaccination is essential in order to help keep people with underlying medical


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Fordham Manor: Search for 25-Year-Old Missing Man

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance locating a 25-year-old man reported missing in Fordham Manor, in the 52nd precinct.   It was reported to police that Isaac Vekez, 25, of 2707 Briggs Avenue in Fordham Manor was last seen inside his home on Sunday, May 22, at around 8.30 a.m. He is described as male, is around 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and weighs around 290 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red, hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers. Anyone with information regarding this missing person is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS


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Jacobi Medical Center & NCB Rank Highest in LGBTQ+ Health Equity Certification Training

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi North Central Bronx and its CEO, Christopher Mastromano, honored over 100 employees on May 12, who completed their certifications in LGBTQ health equity, a 7-hour, intensive training program aimed at increasing core competencies in providing LGBTQ health services.   According to hospital officials, the Jacobi campus ranks as one of the sites with the highest completion numbers for the program within the NYC Health + Hospitals health system. The campus includes eleven acute care facilities and several community health centers.   As reported last October, Jacobi announced the opening of its then-new, comprehensive Pride Health


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NYC Health Department Investigating Cluster of Legionnaires’ Disease Identified in Highbridge, Melrose

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson announced on Saturday, May 21, that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease in the Bronx in ZIP codes 10452 in Highbridge and 10456 in the Melrose neighborhood. Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia. “Four people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since May 9, 2022, and results for other individuals are pending. To date, there have been no deaths associated with this possible cluster,” Gibson said. “The NYC Health Department is sampling and testing the water from all cooling tower


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Two Years On, Heroes & Victims of COVID-19 Remembered Across The Bronx

By DAVID GREENE
Over two years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, various Bronx organizations were recognized for answering the call of service during the pandemic’s early days at an event hosted by Councilman Rafael Salamanca (CD 17) at the New York Botanical Garden, while at a separate event, some Redwood trees planted last year were blessed and dedicated to the lives and memories of more than 40 victims of COVID-19.   Salamanca honored seven healthcare entities and food distribution companies during a luncheon at The New York Botanical Garden, on Southern Boulevard on Thursday, April 21. The seven honorees were Lincoln Hospital,


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UPDATE New York State Issues Air Quality Advisory & Heat Alert

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality advisory for New York City for Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The pollutant of concern is Ozone. Officials said active children and adults, and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.   DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Possibility of the Overturning of Roe vs. Wade Expanding to a Potential Ban on Contraception

By DAVID GREENE
    This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the possibility of Roe v. Wade being struck down and whether, in their view, such a Supreme Court decision could potentially lead to the banning of contraception. “I do believe everyone has a right to their own bodies, especially women. I also believe people have rights to do whatever they want with their bodies, but sometimes too many rights are given to people and it’s misused. Let’s just say, for example, if a woman is pregnant at a certain stage, that pregnancy should not be terminated, you understand? If the


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Free Gym Access Throughout the Summer for Youth at Planet Fitness

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing gym franchises according to its owners, is inviting high schoolers aged 14 to 19* to work out for free at any of its more than 2,200 Planet Fitness locations throughout the United States and Canada from May 16 through August 31, as part of the High School Summer Pass initiative, with the aim of improving teen mental and physical health.   A new study commissioned by Planet Fitness found that while almost half (48 Percent) of American teens admit they struggled with mental health for the first time ever during the pandemic,


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Mayor Announces City Buildings to be Lit in Green on Saturday Night in Support of Abortion Rights  

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Saturday, May 14, that municipal buildings, including Bronx Borough Hall, will be lit green in support of abortion rights on Saturday night. Earlier on Saturday, the mayor, elected leaders, reproductive rights organizations, community leaders and activists, and thousands of New Yorkers marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, calling for safe, legal access to abortion across the nation during the “Bans Off Our Bodies” march.   “Abortion is health care and health care is a human right,” said Adams. “New York City stands with everyone fighting to protect reproductive rights and against anti-choice


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