Senior Public Relations Firm Executive Pleads Guilty To Defrauding His Employers Of Millions Of Dollars

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANDREW GARSON, a public relations executive, pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court in connection with a scheme to defraud his former employers of millions of dollars.  Pursuant to his plea agreement with the Government, GARSON agreed to pay $3,754,068 in restitution to the victims of his crime.  GARSON pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 28, 2024.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Andrew Garson betrayed his employers time and time again, causing millions of dollars in losses, and when he no longer had an employer to defraud, he applied for and received thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.  Garson’s fraud scheme was multifaceted and manipulative, and he has now admitted to greedily exploiting his employers’ trust to line his own pockets.” 

According to the allegations in the Indictment and other filings and statements made in court:

Between approximately 2014 and 2018, GARSON was employed as an executive at two different marketing public relations agencies located in New York, New York, the first between approximately 2014 and January 2018 (“PR Firm-1”), and the second between approximately January 2018 and November 2018 (“PR Firm-2”).  In his respective roles at those two firms, GARSON was responsible for working directly with clients, coordinating various marketing and public relations campaigns, and managing vendor relationships in connection with such campaigns.  In or about July 2018, GARSON was named a “40 Under 40” public relations executive by PR Week Magazine.  However, GARSON engaged in a scheme to lie to his two employers for years, causing his employers millions of dollars in losses.         

One such series of misrepresentations by GARSON resulted in the unauthorized payment by PR Firm-2 of expenses owed to vendors in connection with marketing campaigns led by GARSON while employed at PR Firm‑1.  Over the course of GARSON’s first several months of employment at PR Firm-2, GARSON lied to certain vendors, stating that PR Firm-2 had agreed to cover expenses still owed to those vendors related to GARSON’s prior projects at PR Firm-1.  In fact, PR Firm-2 did not authorize the payment of those expenses.  In order to cause PR Firm-2 to effect payment of these expenses, GARSON created fraudulent invoices falsely claiming that the vendors were due payment for work performed on PR Firm-2 projects.  In this fashion, GARSON caused PR Firm-2 to pay substantial expenses to vendors with which GARSON had worked on projects while employed at PR Firm-1.

In addition, while employed at PR Firm-1, GARSON used his corporate credit card for unauthorized personal expenses.  For example, in or about August 2017, GARSON purchased a luxury watch using his PR Firm-1 corporate credit card for approximately $14,000, claiming that the expense related to event production for a client marketing event.  GARSON later sold the watch to a New Jersey jewelry store in or about December 2018 for approximately $4,000.  GARSON deposited the money that he earned from the sale of the watch into his personal bank account.

GARSON similarly defrauded PR Firm-2 with respect to the unauthorized use of his corporate credit card.  For example, GARSON submitted expense reports to PR Firm-2 in which he claimed the same expense for reimbursement on more than one occasion, causing PR Firm-2 to reimburse GARSON twice for the same expenditure.

After uncovering certain aspects of the fraud scheme perpetrated by GARSON, PR Firm-2 terminated GARSON in or about November 2018.  While applying for unemployment insurance program benefits from the New York State Department of Labor following his termination, GARSON lied regarding the circumstances surrounding his separation from PR Firm-2.  As a result of his misrepresentations, between in or about December 2018 and in or about March 2019, GARSON received a total of over $5,000 in unemployment insurance benefits to which he was not entitled.

GARSON, 41, of Rockville Centre, New York, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Two Nigerian Nationals Sentenced to Prison for International Scheme That Defrauded Elderly U.S. Victims

 

Two Nigerian nationals who were extradited to the United States from Spain were sentenced to 128 and 87 months in prison for their roles in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme. With today’s sentencing, five defendants who were extradited from the United Kingdom and Spain in connection with this matter have been sentenced.

According to court documents, Ezennia Peter Neboh, 48, who was sentenced today to 128 months of incarceration, was the lead defendant of a group of fraudsters who sent personalized letters to elderly victims in the United States, falsely claiming that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died years before in Portugal. Victims were told that before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees and taxes and were instructed to make other payments. Victims sent money to the defendants through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims. The defendant and his co-conspirators also convinced former victims to receive money from new victims and then instructed those former victims to forward the fraud proceeds to others.

On Oct. 23, the Honorable Kathleen M. Williams sentenced another defendant who was also extradited from Spain, Kennedy Ikponmwosa, to 87 months of imprisonment. Three other co-defendants who were extradited from the United Kingdom also received prison sentences. On June 21, Judge Williams sentenced Emmanuel Samuel to 82 months in prison; on July 25, Judge Williams sentenced Jerry Chucks Ozor to 87 months in prison; and on August 29, Judge Williams sentenced Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham to 90 months in prison, for their roles in the scheme.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We thank our colleagues at the Spanish National Police and the Ministry of Justice for assisting with the successful investigation and extradition of these defendants. This prosecution is a testament to the critical role of transnational collaboration in tackling transnational crime.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has a long tradition of protecting American citizens from these types of schemes and bringing those responsible to justice,” said Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas for the USPIS Miami Division. “This result is a testament to the dedicated partnership between the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the USPIS to protect our citizens from these scams.”

“HSI has a long history of aggressively pursuing criminals to ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown for HSI Arizona. “When criminals indiscriminately target the elderly or otherwise vulnerable, the impact and harm is particularly long-lasting. These sentences send a message to those around the world who think they can escape our laws - anyone who engages in or facilitates deceptive practices like these will not go undetected. HSI will continue to work tirelessly to hold those criminals accountable and bring justice to victims.” 

The Consumer Protection Branch, USPIS and HSI are investigating the case.

Senior Trial Attorney Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Europol and authorities from the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal all provided critical assistance.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

DEC Reminds Outdoor Enthusiasts to Share the Woods Safely this Season Inbox DEC

 

Be Seen, Stay Safe, and Show Respect During Fall and Winter Hunting Seasons

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today encouraged outdoor enthusiasts to respectfully share the woods and follow safety precautions this fall and winter. Hikers, nature photographers, leaf peepers, and mountain bikers are encouraged to follow safety measures while hunters and trappers are afield. Regular big game hunting season in the Northern Zone began Oct. 21 and closes Dec. 3. Bowhunting season for deer and bear is ongoing in the Southern Zone and ends at the beginning of the regular firearms season on Nov. 18.

 

Tips for hikers and hunters venturing afield this fall include:

• Tell someone intended destinations and return times. If plans change, notify them;
• Dress for the weather; account for both location and elevation changes;
• Become familiar with planned hiking trails or hunting areas;
• Wear bright clothing; blaze orange or blaze pink. Bright colors allow hikers and hunters to be seen more easily and from farther away; and,
• Pack the 10 Essentials, especially a light source, map, and first aid kit.

For more tips on sharing the woods this fall, check out this recent DEC video.

While hunting-related shooting incidents involving non-hunters are extremely rare, DEC encourages all outdoor adventurers to be aware of the presence of others enjoying New York’s natural resources. Hikers should be aware they may meet hunters bearing firearms or archery equipment while hiking on trails. Hunters are fellow outdoor recreationists and hunting is permitted on Forest Preserve and Conservation Easement lands. Hunters should likewise recognize they may encounter hikers and others enjoying the outdoors.

 

Hunting is among the most popular forms of wildlife recreation in the state, drawing an estimated 600,000 New Yorkers. Hunting is safe and economically important, helping to manage wildlife populations and promote family traditions while fostering an understanding and respect for the environment.

 

Hunters looking for solitude can minimize the disturbance associated with other forms of recreation by following a few tips. Before a season opens, when hunters are scouting for the perfect spot or stand location, take the time to check if the planned location is a popular one. Avoid crowding other hunters and recognize that if a hunting location is near a popular hiking spot, noise can be a factor. If a preferred hunting spot is too crowded, identify an alternative location ahead of time.

When adventuring with a pet, make sure to keep them on a leash. Loose pets can cause problems with other recreators and can get into trouble with wild animals. Also, to make pets more identifiable in the woods, give them a brightly colored collar, leash or other covering.

DEC maintains hiking trails and permits hunting in many areas of forest preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, as well as in state forests, wildlife management areas, and unique areas. Find a place by visiting our website, checking out DECinfo Locator, or downloading the HuntFishNY Wildlife App. Many trails are also accessible to people with disabilities.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Hunters are critical to protecting New York deer and moose from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is an untreatable, fatal disease of the brain and nervous system disease caused by a misfolded protein called a prion that is spread in deer tissues, saliva, urine, and feces. Hunters can bring CWD prions into to New York without realizing it. To protect deer, do not bring hunter-killed deer, elk, moose, or caribou carcasses into New York from other states and do not use deer urine-based lures.

DEC reminds hunters of the importance of reporting their harvest. Harvest reporting is critical to wildlife management, and hunters are required to report their harvest of deer, bear, and turkey within seven days of taking the animal. Hunters may still use the phone report system, but the online and mobile systems are fast, convenient, and easy for hunters to accurately enter information.

For more information on harvest reporting: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8316.html

For more information on CWD: https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7191.html

OUT OF SERVICE: NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RELEASES REPORT ON THE MTA’S FAILURE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DISABLED NEW YORKERS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams today released a new report ‘Out Of Service,’ an analysis of the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s failure to make the system accessible to disabled New Yorkers. The city’s public transit system, the report finds, is falling far behind other major cities both on timeline and technology needed to be truly, fully accessible. It examines initiatives that the city and state can undertake in both the immediate and long-term to better serve New Yorkers with a range of disabilities.

"Public transportation must be equitably accessible to the entire public, and we cannot accept delays in services to the disabled community," said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. "As a New Yorker with a disability, it is frustrating to see accessibility treated as an afterthought or as optional, rather than essential. In addition to the long-term goals on too-long timelines, there are things that the MTA can do right now to make our public transit more accessible, and I urge them to prioritize these simple, low-cost improvements that will aid New Yorkers much more than spending on aesthetic or cosmetic changes."

Out of Service: Creating an Equitable Transit System for New York City discusses the consequences of a public transit system that does not safely serve all New Yorkers, and implores the city and state to prioritize investment in accessibility improvements, rather than cosmetic changes or corporate branding.

Accessibility issues with the MTA are perhaps most overt and discussed relative to elevator access, with less than a third of stations currently equipped and the authority required to reach 95% accessibility by 2055. However, as the report makes clear, accessibility accommodations for New Yorkers extend far beyond elevators to include other infrastructural and service adaptations.

Among the key findings of the report are:

• The accessibility needs of people with sensory and cognitive disabilities is largely overlooked when making transit accessibility upgrades, with the primary focus on only ramps and elevators.
• About 29 percent of subway stations are accessible via elevator, but due to frequent elevator outages, the number of accessible stations on a day-to-day basis is actually lower.
• The MTA has invested significantly in aesthetic improvements that make stations less accessible, such as by removing benches and replacing them with leaning benches, or that are underutilized for accessibility purposes, like using new LED screens to display advertisements instead of closed captioning for announcements.
• Accessibility improvements have been slow and uneven; at the current pace of upgrades, the subway would not be fully accessible by elevator until the year 2100.
• The MTA has a number of opportunities for immediate, inexpensive accessibility improvements.

Despite some points of progress and pilot programs, this lack of accessible service continues in part because the needs of the disability community are not sufficiently prioritized in our policymaking and budget allocations. The MTA piloted several accessibility measures at the Jay Street/Metrotech station beginning in the fall of 2019. However, the results of that pilot do not appear to be widely disseminated to the public, and expansion of any of the initiatives involved has been slow and without wide public awareness.

The report recommends a wide range of actions in both the immediate and long term to increase accessibility, including:

Immediate Actions

• Make accessibility a priority, rather than an option or a ‘bonus.’ Implement the efforts from the 2019 pilot program system-wide, beginning with the most trafficked stations
• Improve train boarding so that doors align properly with designated boarding areas, and raised infrastructure closes any large gaps between the train and platform
• Install wayfinding infrastructure including tactile guideways and boarding areas
• Expand the myMTA app and partner with third-parties such as MagnusCards and NaviLens
• Provide travel training opportunities and expand best practice training for employees

Near-Term Actions

• Improve Access-A-Ride, including through expanding access to and reducing cost of e-hail services
• Expand bus service networks with attention paid to critical stops such as senior centers
• Restore accessible benches and ADA-compliant restrooms in stations
• Improve air quality and maintain safe temperatures in station, and provide N95 masks

Long-Term Actions

• Ensure all stations with elevators are truly accessible, with no stairs required
• Improve elevator reliability and robust, real-time notification of outages

While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects people with disabilities from discrimination in nearly all facets of life, including transportation, New York City continues to prevent disabled people from accessing the most convenient form of transit, in turn perpetuating inequities in employment, housing, schooling, and healthcare. For too long, people with disabilities have been disappointed or cast aside in favor of other less necessary projects. New York City must commit to joining other cities around the country in its commitment to providing excellent service for riders of all abilities.  

MAYOR ADAMS KICKS OFF ANNUAL “DUSK AND DARKNESS” CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE STREET SAFETY DURING DANGEROUS TIME OF YEAR

 

As Daylight Saving Ends, Streets Become More Dangerous in Evenings and at Night, Especially for Pedestrians and Cyclists

 

Elementary and Middle Schools Students from Queens and Bronx Named Winners of “We’re Walking Here!” Contest for “Hip Hop 50” Safety-Themed PSA Videos

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today kicked off the 2023 edition of the annual “Dusk and Darkness” public safety campaign to keep New Yorkers safe on city streets, ahead of the end of daylight-saving time this Sunday, November 5. With the city on track for a lowest number of pedestrian deaths in recorded history in 2023, the campaign this year focuses on the scourge of reckless driving, with expanded New York City Police Department (NYPD) enforcement of dangerous moving violations during the evening and overnight hours that have traditionally proven most dangerous to pedestrians. Returning for its third consecutive year, after a one-year pause and its seventh year overall, Dusk and Darkness focuses the city’s suite of street safety tools and resources during this time of year, and during particular times of day, when the risk of a traffic crash is heightened.

 

Mayor Adams also congratulated students from I.S. 59Q in Springfield Gardens, Queens and an afterschool program at the Jamaica YMCA, as well as Elm Tree School in Corona, Queens and P.S. 396X and P.S. 723X in the Bronx, for creating the winning public service announcement (PSA) videos in the city’s “We’re Walking Here” contest. The contest challenged New York City school students, in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of hip hop, to create hip hop-themed public service announcement videos to warn of the perils of traffic violence. The winning videos are available online and will be incorporated into a new Vision Zero traffic safety curriculum to be used this academic year.

 

“We’re taking action across our city to prevent traffic violence, and that’s why we’re on track to hit a historic low for pedestrian fatalities on our streets,” said Mayor Adams. “But one death on our streets is still one too many — and the data shows us that when the clocks fall back, crashes go up. Our targeted ‘Dusk to Darkness’ campaign will help keep our streets safe during rush hour. And because so many of our crashes involve young people, we know that our best messengers to prevent dangerous driving are young people themselves. As we head into a more dangerous season on our city’s streets, the hard-hitting and accessible messaging produced by the students in our ‘We’re Walking Here’ contest will educate more drivers as well as fellow young people in classrooms on the life-or-death consequences of dangerous behavior on the street.”

 

“The end of daylight saving is the most dangerous time for pedestrians and drivers,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Through our proactive ‘Dusk and Darkness’ public outreach and through increased enforcement, we’re reminding drivers to slow down and pedestrians to be vigilant. Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets.”

 

“As daylight saving time ends this weekend, all New Yorkers should remain alert on our local streets and highways,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation Philip P. Rivera. “Because this is historically the most dangerous time of the year for pedestrians and cyclists, NYPD officers and traffic agents will be focusing on precautionary measures designed to keep all road users safe — including increased education and enforcement. At the forefront of our public safety mission is prevention and reminding motorists that the decisions they make can save lives.” 

 

“When the sun goes down, risks for pedestrians go up. Through the ‘Dusk and Darkness’ campaign, we want to remind drivers to slow down and remain vigilant as daylight saving time ends,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “With NYPD officers going after distracted driving and our automated cameras getting drivers to stop at red lights and slow down, we need drivers to do their part as well as the sun sets earlier. As we continue our work to make streets safer, I want to offer special thanks to the teams at schools around New York City, who are teaching students about road safety. The ‘We’re Walking Here’ contest allowed students to combine their creativity with a life-saving public service message.”

 

“Our young people deserve the freedom to move about their communities without fear, and our drivers have a responsibility to obey traffic laws and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists on our city streets,” said New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks. “I want to congratulate the winners of this year’s ‘We’re Walking Here’ contest and recognize every school who submitted an entry. You are doing the important work of bringing awareness to the dangers of moving violations during the evening and overnight hours to your families and communities. I know I speak on behalf of our entire city when I thank you for your public service.”

 

“When daylight saving ends, the time to be extra vigilant when it comes to saving lives begins,” New York City Taxi & Limousine Commissioner David Do. “The odds of crashes rise as our light and visibility diminishes, but we know what to do to protect ourselves and each other when behind the wheel: Slow down, take extra precautions when you’re making turns, and be mindful that it will be harder to see pedestrians and cyclists. We’ve made tremendous progress reducing pedestrian deaths and injuries, but the goal of Vision Zero isn’t about one or two or five deaths a year. The goal is zero.” 

“The end of daylight saving time brings more hours of darkness and can make us feel drowsy or less alert,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Whether you drive, walk, or ride, nighttime — and lower-visibility hours — will come earlier for all of us. Follow the safety tips in the catchy new ‘We’re Walking Here’ videos: Drive the speed limit, drop the distractions, and turn slowly. Your attention can save a life.”

 Dusk and Darkness tips for drivers and pedestrians. Credit: New York City Department of Transportation

 

   

 

 The first- (left) and second-place (right) videos in the “We’re Walking Here” Hip Hop 50 contest, submitted by students from I.S. 59Q and P.S. 211Q, respectively.

 

The Dusk and Darkness campaign combines proven tactics to combat elevated rates of fatal crashes. During fall evenings, rush hour occurs at a time when sunlight and visibility are dramatically and suddenly reduced, leading to some of the highest fatal crash rates of the calendar year. In the past, this campaign has improved safety on city streets — reducing the average number of evening and overnight fatalities each year by 13.5 percent over the years it has been in place as compared to the five years prior. During this period, the average number of pedestrian fatalities declined 21.7 percent, and the average number of motor vehicle occupant fatalities dropped by 25.8 percent.

 

The Dusk and Darkness campaign this year includes the following initiatives:  

   

Day of Awareness: Prior to clocks “falling back” early Sunday morning, November 5, DOT and NYPD Vision Zero Street Teams will undertake community engagement efforts this Saturday at high-visibility locations across the five boroughs to remind commuters of the increased dangers of traffic crashes during the fall evening and overnight hours.

 

Increased Evening and Overnight Enforcement: Starting in late October, the NYPD increased enforcement in preparation for the Dusk and Darkness campaign. Focused on the late afternoon and evening shift, NYPD officers are deployed on highways and local streets, focusing on driving behavior that endangers vulnerable road users. Officers will enforce hazardous driving violations — with a focus on drivers who speed, disobey traffic signals, fail to yield to pedestrians, and drive distracted — to keep pedestrians and cyclists, especially older adults and children, safer in neighborhoods throughout the city. NYPD traffic enforcement agents will also improve lines of sight by focusing enforcement on vehicles that are double-parked, obstructing crosswalks, and blocking bike and bus lanes.

 

Addressing Reduced Driver Perception: As the end of daylight saving time approaches on Sunday, city agencies and other partners will use social media channels to alert drivers to the dangers of lower visibility, while encouraging them to follow the 25-mile-per-hour citywide speed limit and to yield to pedestrians and cyclists throughout the season.

 

For-Hire Vehicle Driver Safety: TLC will visit areas frequented by for-hire vehicle drivers to remind them of the importance of using extra caution during low-visibility periods, including by driving 25 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. TLC will also reiterate this message to drivers and passengers via social media.

 

The Dusk and Darkness campaign is a part of New York City’s multi-pronged Vision Zero approach to enforcement, education, and street redesign. At this point in 2023, pedestrian fatalities are at the fewest ever seen in New York City’s 114-year recorded history, while pedestrian deaths nationwide have increased to a 40-year high.

 

“We’re Walking Here!”: DOT hosts an annual “We’re Walking Here” competition, in which schools compete to develop creative PSAs that encourage walking and give young New Yorkers the platform to communicate with New York drivers. The competition builds on the city’s Vision Zero efforts that aim to educate New Yorkers about shared responsibilities for street safety. The program returned in 2022 after a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the citywide “Hip Hop 50” effort to celebrate New York City’s status as the birthplace of hip hop music 50 years ago, students submitted rap lyrics, informal videos, and dances they created to promote traffic safety. In total, 107 schools registered for the “We’re Walking Here” competition. A final group of 35 elementary and middle schools, representing each of the five boroughs, submitted PSA entries that were evaluated by DOT’s safety education unit for their creativity and messaging.   

   

This year’s “We’re Walking Here” winners are:

• First Place:S. 59Q, Springfield Gardens, Queens, in coordination with the Jamaica YMCA afterschool program
• Second Place (tie): Elm Tree School, Corona, Queens
• Second Place (tie): PS 396X, University Heights, Bronx
• Third Place:S. 723X, Claremont Village, Bronx

 

Please join the East Bronx History Forum as we celebrate our Hometown Heroes with an annual Veterans Day ceremony at Van Nest Memorial Plaza on Saturday, November 11th starting at 12:15.

 

MAYOR ADAMS, HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. VASAN LAUNCH AMBITIOUS WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN TO EXTEND LIFESPAN OF ALL NEW YORKERS

 

“HealthyNYC” Aims to Increase Life Expectancy to 83 Years by 2030, Focuses on Reducing Chronic Disease, Overdose, Maternal Mortality Deaths, and More

 

New Yorkers Have Seen Lifespans Fall at Historic Rates Between 2019 and 2021, Dropping Nearly Two Years to 80.7 Years

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan today unveiled “HealthyNYC,” an ambitious plan to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers. The campaign sets ambitious targets to address the greatest drivers of premature death, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19. Overall, the campaign aims to extend the average life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years by 2030, with gains across racial and ethnic groups.

 

“It’s time we give New York City extra life with the launch of ‘HealthyNYC,’ our campaign to help New Yorkers lead healthier, longer lives,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is setting out to increase New Yorkers’ life expectancy to over 83 years by 2030 — not only recovering years lost during the pandemic but also surpassing our previous high by tackling chronic disease, violence, maternal mortality, overdose, and more. By refocusing all of our public health work around the goal of helping people live longer lives, we’ll build a healthier, more prosperous city where everyone can thrive.” 

 

“‘HealthyNYC’ is the city’s singular organizing effort to help extend life expectancy for New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “We will tackle the underlying causes of lost years and lost lives, including combating the opioid crisis, reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, bringing diet-related chronic diseases into remission, and helping every New Yorker live their healthiest life. We do all this because our health is what allows us to live more and love more for ourselves and our families.” 

 

“‘HealthyNYC’ is a game changer because in the wake of COVID-19, and while facing parallel and growing health crises, we know that, as a city and a nation, people are getting sicker and dying sooner than they should,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Vasan. “Losing years of life and of good health is a unifying challenge, and getting them back is a top priority for New York City, as well as a north star for the future of public health. This announcement sets the coordinates for our collective mission to lead longer, healthier lives, and there is perhaps no more important measure of the health of our society and our democracy. The road we travel here in New York City will provide guideposts for our nation and its people, who should expect to live long and live well, for themselves and for generations to follow.”

 

“Our city has always ensured that New Yorkers have the information and tools they need to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, president and CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals. “‘HealthyNYC’ is a national model that once again demonstrates how the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is on the forefront of public health.” 

 

“Increasing life expectancy across our city requires all hands on deck, and ‘HealthyNYC’ is doing just that – galvanizing government, partners, and everyday New Yorkers to achieve this ambitious goal,” said New York City Chief Equity Officer and Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “By addressing the core drivers of premature mortality – from chronic diseases to maternal health – and extreme inequities across racial and ethnic groups, we’re helping to build a future where all New Yorkers can live healthy and fulfilling lives.”

 

“Each year, DSS connects millions of vulnerable New Yorkers to the critical benefits, services, and supports they need to remain safe, healthy, and housed. However, we know that our low-income neighbors are still disproportionately impacted by the drivers of premature death like chronic disease, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, and COVID-19,” said New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “The stark decrease in New Yorkers’ lifespan following the pandemic is deeply concerning, and we are pleased that the Adams’ administration is implementing a comprehensive plan to not only reverse this trend but significantly increase life expectancy for all New Yorkers. We look forward to working closely with our partner agencies to help New Yorkers lead longer and healthier lives.”

 

“Climate change is a public health crisis that especially burdens those with underlying health conditions, many of whom live in environmental justice communities and contribute the least to climate change,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “Climate policy should advance better health, and public health policy should mitigate the health impacts of climate change.”

 

“A ‘HealthyNYC’ is a ‘Food Forward NYC.’ As we work across agencies, to ensure all New Yorkers have equitable access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food, we must be equally relentless in our targeting of other major drivers of illness and inequities,” said Mayor’s Office of Food Policy Executive Director Kate MacKenzie. “We applaud this administration’s and DOHMH Commissioner Vasan’s unprecedented commitment to increasing life expectancy through this comprehensive goal-setting framework underscored by an ambitious nutrition mandate. These cross-cutting initiatives and coordinated preventive actions represent a deeper investment in the overall health of every New Yorker than ever before.”

 

“Making sure older New Yorkers can access the programs and services the city offers is an important step to improving people’s well-being, and I am pleased we are taking these positive steps to create a healthier and more equitable city” said New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “As such, NYC Aging developed the ‘Join Us’ campaign, encouraging older residents to come out and see what their local older adult center has to keep them healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how important it is to ensure residents take care of their bodies and minds all year-round, no matter how old we are. As we help residents live longer, I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan to build the age-inclusive city we all want to live in.”

 

“NYCHA is committed to improving the quality of life for residents, and we are proud to lend our support to ‘HealthyNYC’,” said New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “As the driving spirit of this amazing city, it is imperative that all New Yorkers — including NYCHA residents — do everything in their power to address and counteract factors contributing to the premature loss of life.”

 

“Thank you to Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor Williams-Isom, and Commissioner Vasan for launching ‘HealthyNYC’ and tackling head-on the greatest drivers of premature death, including maternal mortality, suicide, and overdose,” said New York City Administration of Child Services Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “‘HealthyNYC’ will not only extend the lives of New Yorkers but means that more families will be whole, able to embrace their loved ones, and celebrate life’s milestones together.”  

 

“This ambitious new agenda demonstrates our city’s commitment to keeping New Yorkers healthy and happy — and, as we all saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, our public green spaces have a vital role to play,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “From young kids looking for a place to shoot hoops, to older New Yorkers enjoying the fresh air while they swap stories, our parks and recreation centers provide safe ways for all New Yorkers to connect with each other and with the great outdoors. We look forward to working with the Department of Health and our partners across the city government to continue maintaining beautiful and accessible public playgrounds, parks, greenways, gardens, and more.”

 

“City government should educate, inspire, and empower New Yorkers to become active participants in increasing their own health and lifespans. Knowing that not all of us are starting from the same place, we need to even the playing field and help New Yorkers take control of their own personal health and wellness,” said New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo. “Concerted efforts to improve one’s health can greatly improve people’s lives. We have seen this in so many individual cases, and now it’s time to do the work to make it possible across communities throughout our city. I heartily applaud Mayor Adams and our colleagues at the Department of Health for aiming high and coming to the table with a detailed plan on how to hit that target.”

 

“‘HealthyNYC’ means a better quality of life and a stronger economy for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “I applaud Mayor Adams and the New York City Department of Health on this important initiative.”

 

“‘HealthyNYC’ isn’t just about raising life expectancy, but about raising the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “As we learned during the pandemic, economic health is inextricably linked with public health. By improving access to quality care, preventive health services, and good nutrition, we are building a stronger workforce and more robust business landscape.”  

 

The “HealthyNYC” plan aims to address the life years lost during the COVID-19 pandemic to the virus and other causes and surpass life expectancy from what it was pre-pandemic. Between 2019 and 2020, overall life expectancy across demographics fell to 78 years. Recent data suggests that life expectancy in New York City has begun to improve, with 2.7 years gained back from 2020 to 2021, however life expectancy remains well behind 2019 data. These impacts have also not been felt equally, as life expectancy fell to 76.1 years among Black New Yorkers in 2021, compared to 81.8 years among white New Yorkers.

 

While COVID-19 was the biggest driver of the decrease in life expectancy in 2020, other causes contributed to this decline, both locally and nationally. For example, overdose deaths increased in 2020 and 2021. Other drivers of decreasing lifespans included gun violence and chronic diseases, like diabetes. To address this trend, “HealthyNYC” outlines the following ambitious goals:

• Reduce cardiovascular disease and diabetes by 5 percent by 2030;
• Reduce screenable cancers — including lung, breast, colon, cervical, and prostate cancers — by 20 percent by 2030;
• Reduce overdose deaths by 25 percent by 2030;
• Reduce suicide deaths by 10 percent by 2030;
• Reduce homicide deaths by 30 percent by 2030;
• Reduce pregnancy-associated mortality among Black women by 10 percent by 2030; and
• Reduce annual COVID-19 deaths by 60 percent by 2030.

By reaching these milestones, the city can bring life expectancy above 83 years by 2030 and reduce existing racial disparities in life expectancy. The city will employ a number of strategies to achieve these reductions in deaths, including:

• Increasing access to naloxone, proven harm-reduction, and treatment and recovery centers to reduce overdose deaths;
• Expanding access to culturally responsive mental health care and social support services, including early intervention for communities of color and LGBTQIA+ youth and address the impact of social media on youth mental health and suicidal ideation to reduce suicide deaths;
• Increasing new families’ access to quality health care and social support to reduce pregnancy-associated mortality among Black women; and
• Increasing access to healthy foods and promoting plant-forward diets to reduce chronic and diet-related disease deaths.

Additionally, New York City Councilmember Lynn Schulman today announced new legislation to codify the city’s population health agenda and create a healthier New York City in the years to come. Under the legislation, DOHMH will consult with stakeholders and provide regular updates to the City Council on progress made.

 

The recent fall in life expectancy reversed years of progress that New York City had made over prior years. Life expectancy in New York City increased by three years between 2001 and 2010. While that figure roughly plateaued in subsequent years, the age-adjusted premature death rate was relatively level from 2016 to 2019, before plunging in 2020. 

 

The major steps outlined in “HealthyNYC” build on the Adams administration’s efforts to building a healthier and safer city, including programs launched in “Care, Community, Action” — the city’s plan to improve family and child mental health while addressing the overdose crisis — as well as Mayor Adams’ “Blueprint to End Gun Violence.”

 

“Congratulations to New York City for its initiative in launching a campaign that aims to increase life expectancy,” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “The ‘Healthy NYC’ campaign reinforces many of the state Health Department’s goals of addressing systemic inequities and creating safer birth experiences for all New Yorkers; supporting a variety of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives to help New Yorkers impacted by the opioid and overdose crisis; and ensuring equitable access to underserved populations. The new campaign reaches across all program areas and bridges many gaps, advancing equitable access to treatment and care for all New Yorkers.”

 

“Improving health outcomes and life expectancies for all New Yorkers is key to our city and its communities thriving,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “‘HealthyNYC’s’ focus on addressing the major causes that contribute to premature deaths and setting ambitious targets is vital to the long-term future of our city. Prioritizing equitable gains for historically under-served communities must also be a priority. I look forward to supporting efforts to promote comprehensive solutions that will advance health and wellness for all New Yorkers.”