Governor Paterson

David A. Paterson, Governor

Commissioner Daines

Richard F. Daines, M.D., Commissioner

Health News

Novel H1N1 Influenza

July 2, 2009

State Health Commissioner Advises: Leave Fireworks to Professionals

This Fourth of July the New York State Department of Health reminds New Yorkers to celebrate our nation's birthday safely, and to avoid needless injuries from fireworks. In 2007, fireworks accounted for 92 injuries in New York State that required hospital treatment. Every summer children and adults suffer injuries, sometimes even resulting in death, from using home fireworks.

State Advisory Issued in Advance of July 4th Fireworks Displays

In anticipation of the coming holiday weekend, the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) are advising the public that fireworks displays can temporarily increase the levels of local air pollution and could result in health effects for sensitive populations.

June 30, 2009

New York Hospitals Have Lower Rates of Surgical-Site Infections

New York hospitals have lower rates of surgical-site infections than the rest of the nation but the same or higher rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units than those reported nationally, the New York State Health Department (DOH) announced today in its second annual Hospital-Acquired Infections, New York State 2008 Report.

June 27, 2009

Governor Paterson Announces New York Medicaid to Reimburse for Blood Lead Testing in Children

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has directed the Department of Health (DOH) to begin to reimburse New York physician offices and clinics that conduct onsite lead testing in children and pregnant women using new lead testing technology. The New York State Medicaid program will provide the reimbursements as of September 1, 2009, for outpatient lead testing in children under the age of six and pregnant women.

June 26, 2009

June is Rabies Awareness Month

Governor David A. Paterson has proclaimed June as Rabies Awareness Month in New York State to remind all New Yorkers to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against rabies exposure from stray and wild animals.

June 27 Marks National HIV Testing Day

As New York State and the nation observes National HIV Testing Day on Saturday, June 27, State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D, urges New Yorkers to get tested for HIV and know their HIV status to protect themselves, their partners and their families.

June 25, 2009

Certain Office-Based Surgery Practices in NYS must be Accredited by July 14

Under Governor David A. Paterson's leadership, the State Department of Health (DOH) has been working diligently to ensure patient safety. State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., today urged all New York State physicians' offices performing invasive procedures and surgery requiring moderate or deep sedation to obtain accreditation by July 14 as mandated by New York State Law.