Health

Salamanca Secures Spot on Democratic Ballot for Election as Bronx BP

By SÍLE MOLONEY
City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. (C.D. 17) announced on Wednesday, April 2, that he has submitted over 11,000 petition signatures to NYC Board of Elections to officially qualify for the ballot in the upcoming Democratic primary race for Bronx borough president which takes place in June 2025.

UPDATE Court Extends Temporary Stop on State Homecare Program Transition as Advocates Hold Rally

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Advocates for older and disabled New Yorkers and their caregivers reacted on Friday, April 4, to a same day federal court ruling which has extended a temporary halt to a controversial, 3-month transition by NYS Department of Health (DOH) of its home care program to a new single, statewide financial intermediary (FI), in place of around 600 individual FIs. The deadline by which program participants (consumers and workers) were due to transition to the new FI was April 1, with the transition having started in early January, but there is at least some evidence that suggests it was not going as smoothly as anticipated.   

Health Check: Understanding Public Health & Celebrating its Achievements

By LIZ SPURRELL-HUSS
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week, which takes place this year from April 7-13, 2025. This year’s theme is “It Starts Here.” Each day of the week, the American Public Health Association (APHA) will identify ways that each of us can make a difference. Think of public health as “an invisible force that protects our safety and wellbeing” as we live, work and enjoy life. Public health is about much more than restaurant inspections!

Op-Ed: Why I Oppose Gov. Hochul’s Proposed Mask Restrictions

By J. GOODMAN
Regarding Gov. Hochul’s proposed mask ban, which she seeks to bundle into New York’s upcoming state budget (due to be finalized by March 31), I oppose the ban. As a disabled Jewish woman who engages in activism, I find the possible codification of this measure to be a horrific violation of human and civil rights, in multiple ways:

UPDATE The Return of the Rollin’ Colon

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Rollin’ Colon, a 10-foot-high inflatable colon, returned to Montefiore Einstein on Friday, March 28, to educate the community about colorectal cancer. Montefiore Einstein officials said the event, highlighting Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place each March, was interactive and the goal was to educate Bronx residents on how to prevent and treat the disease.

Norwood Man Charged with Harassment over Threatening Texts

By DAVID GREENE
Police in Norwood have arrested a man after he allegedly sent threatening texts to a woman. A police spokesperson told Norwood News, “It was reported to police that on March 16, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., an individual sent threatening messages to a 40-year-old female in the vicinity of Dekalb Avenue and East 212 Street.” The source added that no injuries were reported.