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Experts said common mistakes people make in health care planning are completing an advanced directive, and not telling anyone or not adding a rider to their living will specifying the kind of care they want. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

NYers can benefit from early health care decision planning

Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day, and New Yorkers have reason to start early planning. A new report cites rates of Alzheimer's disease …

A report from Yale and George Mason universities finds 27% of Americans are

NY faith leaders help people address 'ecological grief'

As the impacts of climate change grow, New Yorkers and people across the country are grieving for the environment. Ecological grief, also known as …

A New York Health Foundation report finds 50% of severely low-income New Yorkers, meaning less than $25,000, reported anxiety or depression at twice the rate of households with incomes exceeding $100,000. (Adobe Stock)

NYers' mental health declines despite increase in practitioners

New York bucked a national trend of increasing chronic conditions, but faced other health issues. UnitedHealthcare's America's Health Ranking …

A 2022 Compassion & Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying, professionally, and 49% said they support it personally. (Adobe Stock)

Medical aid-in-dying bill sees stronger support in NY Legislature

Legislation to allow medical aid in dying bill has been introduced in New York State every year since 2015, and its backers say 2024 could be the …

Una encuesta realizada en 2022 por Compassion & Choices revela que el 57% de las y los enfermeros apoyan la ayuda m�dica para morir, profesionalmente, y el 49% dijo que la apoyan personalmente. (Adobe Stock)

Proyecto de Ley de Asistencia Médica para Morir recibe fuerte apoyo en NY

La legislación para permitir la ayuda médica para morir se ha introducido en el estado de Nueva York cada año desde 2015, y sus …

The Healthcare Association of New York State found people with complex care cost hospitals $169 million in unreimbursed costs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY can do more for people with complex needs

A recent report found New York State can do more to bolster health care for people with complex needs. The Rockefeller Institute report detailed how …

According to KFF, Community Health Centers served a record number of patients in 2021, representing a 1% increase from just before the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Centers: Red lights flashing for staying funded

Congress is bracing for a possible government shutdown as progress stalls in approving new federal spending plans before a Sept. 30 deadline…

Un proyecto de ley propuesto exige un recorte del 80 % ($14 700 millones) a las subvenciones del T�tulo 1 para los estados con escuelas donde los ni�os de familias de bajos ingresos representan el 40 % de la inscripci�n. Dado que no se han gastado $31 mil millones en fondos para la pandemia, no se proporcionar�n m�s inversiones hasta que se gasten de manera responsable. (Adobe Stock)

Nueva campaña tiene como objetivo reforzar educación pública en Nueva York

Una nueva campaña tiene como objetivo reforzar la educación pública y el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. La campaña Soluciones …

Mental Health America's 2023 State of Mental Health found 214,000 New York children, about 16.03%, experienced at least one major depressive episode, an increase of 35,000 or 2.74% from 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: More Support Needed to Improve Youth Mental Health

Parents in New York and across the U.S. want to see schools improve kid's mental health, a recent survey found. The National PTA Survey showed 72% …

New York State's 2024 budget provides more than $1 billion in funding for residential units and intensive services to people with serious mental illnesses at the highest risk of homelessness. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Mental Health Budget Boosts Continuum of Care

Provisions in New York state's 2024 budget will have resounding impacts across the state. Along with $60 million to improve youth mental health …

In 2022, for the first time, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended doctors screen children age 8 and older for anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

NY Works to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis

With the Covid-19 public health emergency over, New York and the U.S. are dealing with a youth mental health crisis. According to Mental Health …

A 2021 Marist poll finds a majority of registered New Yorkers voters across the state support medical aid in dying. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Legislature Reviews Medical Aid in Dying Bill

New York State's Legislature is reviewing a bill to approve medical aid in dying, which would apply to people suffering from a terminal illness who …

Una encuesta de Marist de 2021 encuentra que la mayor�a de los votantes neoyorquinos registrados en todo el estado apoyan la asistencia m�dica al morir. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Legislatura Revisa Asistencia Médica en Proyecto de Fin de Vida

La Legislatura del Estado de Nueva York está revisando un proyecto de ley para aprobar la asistencia médica al morir, que se aplicaría …

Across the nation, 54.7% of adults (28 millon people) with a mental illness don't receive treatment. (Adobe Stock)

NY Group Hosts Wellness Fair for Mental Health Awareness Month

During Mental Health Awareness Month, a New York organization is celebrating by helping people learn about mental health. The Center for the …

En EE.UU., el 54.7% de los adultos (28 millones de personas) con una enfermedad mental no recibe tratamiento. (Adobe Stock)

Grupo de NY organiza feria del bienestar con motivo del Mes de Concientización sobre la Salud Mental

Durante el Mes de la Concientización sobre la Salud Mental, una organización neoyorquina lo celebra ayudando a la gente a informarse sobre …

A report from the National Association of Community Health Centers found without the centers, more than 15 million people in the U.S. would not have regular access to a primary care provider. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Community Health Centers Close NY Coverage Gaps

A new report found Community Health Centers in New York are closing gaps left in many communities by a nationwide shortage of primary-care physicians…

A 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs finds 2020 saw the lowest number of suicides among U.S. military veterans since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Group Calls for More Funding to Veterans' Program

A group of New York state social workers wants more funding for a veterans' mental-health program. The Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, instability in a child's life because of a parent in prison can lead to

Report: Keep Incarcerated Parents and Kids Close

A recent report from the Prison Policy Initiative calls for better state laws to keep incarcerated parents close to their kids. It finds 12 states …

A report from the National Association of Social Workers New York Chapter finds there's a racial disparity in social-worker salaries. The report finds 16.3% of people earning $60,000 to $70,000 a year identified as white, 6% are people of color and 3.8% are Hispanic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Low Salary Contributes to NY Social Workers Leaving Field

A new report shows social workers are not being paid equal to similar professions. The report, from the National Association of Social Workers New …

According to data from the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading scores for New York fourth graders declined by six points from 2019. Meanwhile, eighth graders' reading scores remained unchanged. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Students Still Struggle with Pandemic Learning Loss

Students are still struggling with learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. A study from the research group NWEA showed 2022 test scores are not …

According to a 2021 survey by health-care marketplace Sesame, three in five Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays. (Adobe Stock)

Rise in Mental-Illness Issues Seen in Holiday Season

Although the holidays are one of the happiest times of the year, people with mental illness may not see it the same way. According to the American …

Seg�n una encuesta de 2021 realizada por el mercado de planes de salud Sesame, tres de cada cinco estadounidenses sienten que su salud mental se ve afectada negativamente por las festividades. (Adobe Stock)

Aumentan enfermedades mentales en temporada de festividades

Aunque las festividades de fin de año son una de las épocas más felices, las personas con enfermedades mentales no lo ven de la misma …

As part of New York City's new plan to address mentally ill homeless people, a special hotline will be staffed with clinicians to aid first responders as to whether a person presents as mentally ill. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Worried About NYC’s New Plan for Mentally Ill Homeless People

New York City Mayor Eric Adams' new plan for aiding the mentally ill is facing backlash for its effectiveness. Adams' plan allows police officers…

According to the Alzheimer's Association, over 560,000 family caregivers in New York bear the burden of this disease. The value of unpaid care in the state is around $16 billion. (Adobe Stock)

NY Education a Focus for Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

Though National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month is coming to a close, experts say education on the disease must continue beyond November…

According to a survey by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, only about 17% of those surveyed knew about foster care adoption. But, other findings were more hopeful: 37% of Americans have considered adopting at some point in their life, which is up 12% from 2017. (Adobe Stock)

Creating Family Not Always Easy for NYS Foster Kids

It can be a long road to finding permanent homes for kids in the New York State foster care system, but many find it worthwhile. Megan Battista is …

A 2022 study from the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs finds suicide rates decreased for veterans in 2020 compared to 2019. However, it still ranked as the second-leading cause of death for veterans under age 45. (Adobe Stock)

NY Outdoor RX Coalition Aids Veterans' Mental Health

New York State's Outdoor RX Coalition is launching a website to spread the word about its services. Established in late 2020, the coalition is a …

According to a survey by Nurses.org, 77% of nurses feel unsupported at work and 56% have felt unsafe at their jobs. Despite this, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 6% growth in the number of registered nurses over the next decade. (Adobe Stock)

NY Nurses Association Growing to Aid Union Efforts

New York's largest nurses union has affiliated with the largest nurses union nationwide. The New York State Nurses Association voted to affiliate …

According to the Empire Center, the average family health-care plan premium in New York is $23,450. That's 14% above the national average, and the third-highest cost, behind Connecticut and New Hampshire. (Valeri Luzina/Adobe Stock)

What NYers Should Consider When Buying Healthcare Plans

Many New Yorkers will be shopping for new health insurance plans this month, when open enrollment begins. If you are among them, experts advise it is …

According to a 2021 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there was a reduction in symptoms of depression, PTSD and anxiety when those surveyed used telehealth. However, there are some who feel little things could be lost in the conversion to a virtual world. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

Social Workers Go Virtual, Leaving Nonprofits Shorthanded

Nonprofit social workers in New York are seeing a shortage of people coming into the field, abdicating it for telehealth work. Early in the COVID-19 …

According to a New York State Comptroller audit, out of 563 schools previously cited for not having one of the Department of Education's six mental health programs, 30% did not have a social worker. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

NY Experiencing Shortage of School Social Workers

School districts across the state of New York are facing a shortage of social workers. According to an audit by the state comptroller's office…

While the number of high school students graduating on time has risen, a new report showed early education is stunted in the state of New York. (Adobe Stock)

Report Urges More Support for NYS Early Education

Early education in New York State needs more support and better resources, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count …

HRSA's Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program has almost 1,000 full-time graduate students doing residencies in underserved communities, but says the nation needs a lot more. (Lightfield Studios/Adobe Stock)

Millions Awarded to NY Health Centers for Residency Training Programs

Some New York health care facilities are getting a funding boost to help train the next generation of doctors and dentists. The U.S. Department of …

More than 67% of seniors get flu shots, according to the America's Health Rankings report, compared with about 60% in 2011. (Alfredo Hern�ndez/Adobe Stock)

Report: NY Seniors Struggle With Addiction, Mental Health

Older people in New York are dying from drug overdose or suicide at much higher rates now compared with a decade ago, according to the latest …

Adults with disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost five times as often as adults without disabilities. Telehealth appointments can help make mental-health resources more accessible. (Adobe Stock)

Supporting New Yorkers With Disabilities Facing Mental-Health Challenges

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people across the country. For people with disabilities, who already face a lot of social isolation to …

Los adultos con discapacidades informan que experimentan angustia frecuente casi cinco veces m�s que los adultos sin discapacidades. Las citas de telesalud pueden ayudar a que los recursos de salud mental sean m�s accesibles. (Adobe Stock)

Apoyo a los neoyorquinos con discapacidades que enfrentan desafíos de salud mental

La pandemia ha tenido un impacto devastador en las personas de todo el país. Para las personas con discapacidades, que ya de por si enfrentan …

Signs of too much screen time range from dry, irritated eyes to difficulty sleeping, blurred vision, reduced attention span and irritability. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: New Yorkers Should Monitor Excess Screen Time, Blue-Light Exposure

Health experts are warning the public about the mental, social and physical health risks of using digital devices too much, including the possible …

Firearms, rifles and shotguns are used to kill almost 40,000 people every year in the United States, including 800 people in New York State alone. (Adobe Stock)

NY Lawmaker Proposes 10-Day Gun-Purchase Waiting Period

The gun violence crisis in the U.S. has taken a toll on communities across the country. In New York, pending legislation would require licensed gun …

Nearly 900,000 renters in New York spent 50% or more of their income on housing in 2017, according to the Office of the New York State Comptroller.(Adobe Stock)

Report: NY's Severe Housing Issues Impact Public Health

A new report provides a checkup on the health of people in New York and across the country, to help officials improve outcomes in their states…

A letter sent to Congress by 240 groups in part calls for $69.5 million for increased access to overdose prevention, harm reduction, and syringe service programs through the CDC's Infectious Diseases and the Opioid Epidemic program. (Flickr)

As Overdoses Climb, NY Groups Seek Solutions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced another staggering new death count amid the pandemic: more than 100,000 fatal drug overdo…

New York City launched a community schools initiative in 2014. A study three years later found it had a positive impact on student attendance and credit accumulation. (Adobe Stock)

Teachers’ Union Issues Recommendations for NY Public Schools

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) has released a new report this week, with recommendations from educators about how best to …

The United States is one of six countries in the world with no federal family paid-leave program. The Build Back Better Plan could change that. (Adobe Stock)

Paid Family Leave on Forefront as Build Back Better is Finalized

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Congress is finalizing the Build Back Better plan, and proponents of paid family leave are pushing for the provision to remain in the …

Close to one million New York City residents smoke tobacco, according to Public Health Solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY a National Leader in Increasing Smoke-Free Households

NEW YORK -- Although New York and the country as a whole saw some progress surrounding the health of children and women, a new report showed there is …

According to NAMI Rochester, 67% of young adults confide in a friend that they're struggling emotionally before telling any other person. (Adobe Stock)

NY Mental-Health First Aid in Spotlight for Suicide Prevention Month

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- September is Suicide Prevention Month, and New Yorkers are being asked to make use of training sessions that are available on how …

Recent Kaiser Family Foundation research shows more than 20% of parents with children ages 5 to 12 say their kids' emotional health has declined since March 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Youth Mental Health Emphasized as K-12 Schools Resume in NY

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- As New York schools gear up for the fall term, physical and mental well-being of kids in grades K-12 is in the forefront, …

New York state ranks 16th in the nation for education. The 2021 Kids Count Data Book shows from 2017-2019, 41% of New York children ages 3 and 4 weren't enrolled in preschool, compared to the 52% U.S. average. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Federal Support Vital to NY Families’ Economic Recovery

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York is among the top 10 U.S. states for health among children, and the bottom ten for families' overall economic wellbeing…

Hospitals saw sharp increases in mental health-related emergency room visits by children from April to October last year. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Helping NY Kids Cope with Lingering Trauma of COVID

NEW YORK -- As the pandemic wanes, experts advised it's important to recognize the impact of the fear, loss and isolation it caused on children's …

Frequent mental distress among adults 65 and older rose 11 percent between 2016 and 2019 according to the 2021 Senior Report. (mrmohock/Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights Challenges to Seniors’ Health

ALBANY, N.Y. - Even before the pandemic, seniors were experiencing increasing mental and behavioral health challenges, according to a new report…

Hearing loss affects 48 million Americans, but people wait an average of seven years before getting treatment. (Elnur/Adobe Stock)

COVID Impacting Hearing Health

NEW YORK -- From delayed treatment to possible links to impaired hearing, the COVID-19 pandemic has made an impact on a common problem affecting …

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NY: Mental Health