Alessandra Biaggi - I'm running for Congress.

 

Friend, I wanted you to be one of the first to know:

I am running to be the next member of Congress from New York’s 3rd district. I’ll explain the stakes of this race, and why I’m running, in just a second — but first, I’d like to ask:

(Contribution Plea taken out)

Now, I won’t lie to you — this will be a difficult race. When you prioritize your constituents and your values ahead of the political and corporate establishment in New York, you make a few enemies along the way.

This will also be a crowded primary, with a number of our opponents raising significant sums of money to win.

(Contribution Plea taken out again)

And, of course, our campaign is people powered, meaning that much of our funding will come from emails just like this one. That’s how we’re able to ensure that we’re accountable to you, not billionaires and special interests.

Thank you for reading. In the coming days, we’ll be reaching out with more information about our vision for NY-03, and how you can get involved with the campaign.

All my best,
Alessandra

Editor's Note:

We took out all references to any request for campaign contributions.

NYS COMPTROLLER DiNAPOLI SEEKS ANSWERS FROM COMPANIES ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Shareholder Proposals Filed at Activision Blizzard, Tesla and Starbucks

 New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, as trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), has filed shareholder proposals with portfolio companies Activision Blizzard Inc., Tesla Inc. and Starbucks Corp. requesting they report on their efforts to prevent harassment and discrimination against employees and steps taken to improve workforce management.

“No one should be subjected to sexual harassment, racial discrimination or bias in the workplace,” DiNapoli said. “When companies turn a blind eye to abuse by their executives, managers, employees and customers, they perpetuate the harm and put investors at risk. These three companies have all had sexual harassment or racial discrimination controversies and we are seeking a full accounting of what they are doing to stop these abhorrent behaviors and what it’s costing the companies.”

The proposals ask the companies to disclose, among other things:

• The total number and aggregate dollar amount of disputes settled by the company related to sexual abuse or harassment or discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation; and
• The average length of time it takes to resolve harassment complaints and the total number of pending harassment or discrimination complaints the company is trying to resolve internally or through litigation.

Beyond the pain and suffering they cause, the proposals note that civil rights violations within the workplace can result in substantial costs to companies, including fines and penalties, legal costs, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. A company’s failure to properly manage its workforce can also tarnish its public image, make it more difficult to retain and recruit employees, and jeopardize relationships with customers and partners.

At Activision Blizzard, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s investigation resulted in litigation alleging discrimination, retaliation and unequal pay. The department estimates the company's total liability to 2,500 allegedly injured employees to be $930 million. News reports have detailed alleged sexual abuse, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation directed toward employees for years. Recently, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard. The Fund will continue to monitor developments related to the acquisition. It remains imperative that workers’ concerns are addressed, and executives held accountable for any wrongdoing.  

Tesla has been the subject of news reports and allegations of gender and race discrimination, harassment and retaliation. In October 2021, a California jury returned a $137 million verdict, including $130 million in punitive damages, against Tesla for its racially hostile work environment.

Starbucks recently resolved allegations made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over alleged racial bias in its employee promotions. There have also been news reports of allegations and lawsuits claiming that the company failed to protect employees from discrimination and harassment.

About the New York State Common Retirement Fund

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States with assets of approximately $267.8 billion as of Sept. 30, 2021. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. It has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation.

Former NYC Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. - Eric Adams Must Be a Mayor for All People

 

You should know that the new mayor of New York City, has just rejected the former City Council Member Reverend Fernando Cabrera, when he came under pressure from the Homosexual and Lesbian Communities. You Should know that Rev. Fernando Cabrera, (for 11 years) served as a City Councilman representing the areas of Fordham Road, Jerome, Webster, and University Avenues.  In addition, Rev. Cabrera was a professor and director of the Mental Health and Counseling Program at Mercy College.  It is important for you to also know that after being considered and practically approved, to serve under Mayor Eric Adams Administration, in the NYC Mental Health Office (formerly known as "Thrive NYC") the Rev. Fernando Cabrera was abruptly rejected due to the opposition of the homosexual (LGBTQ) community.  Their outrage came when, back in 2014, Councilman Rev. Cabrera made a comment regarding the Ugandan Government's approval and actions on traditional marriage. The homosexual/LGBTQ community pressured Mayor Eric Adams to withdraw his appointment of Rev. Cabrera. Mayor Eric Adams should have stood firm and should have kept his promise that he would be a Mayor for all people regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, nationality, or skin color. For years, the Democrat Party and its leaders have increasingly discriminated against people of faith, especially against Evangelical Christians and anyone who does not believe in same-sex marriage and abortion. This has reached an intolerable level.  It seems that in this City and State people must deny their faith and religious beliefs to obtain a job that allows them to earn a decent living to provide support for their families. You should also know that years ago, my wife Leslie was also subjected to the same fate as Rev. Fernando Cabrera; when the City Comptroller Scott Stringer, withdrew a job offer from her. My wife received a call and was informed not to report to work because they withdrew the job offer when they discovered that she had taken part in a demonstration in support of traditional marriage as instituted by God. It was a demonstration, she attended with me and the Ministers, where many in attendance opposed the anticipated legislation for same-sex marriage.  For such a cause my wife was deemed not worthy of a job in the City Comptroller’s office. This my dear reader is Religious Discrimination in full view.  Let it be known that Christians also have rights, and those rights must be protected and upheld. Mayor Adams, if seriously is going to be a mayor to all New Yorkers, he cannot allow special interest groups to pressure him and dictate who he employs, with whom he meets, whom he visits and with whom he meets.  We are all New Yorkers, we all pay taxes, we all vote, and we all have different beliefs, and opinions. As people of faith, as Christians we should freely express those opinions without fear of repercussions, or fears of losing our livelihoods. This violates our guaranteed rights under the Constitution. We cannot be discriminated against solely based on our beliefs and opinions. The United States Constitution clearly grants us, "Freedom of Religion" and "Freedom of Speech." When Eric Adams took his oath of office, and was sworn in, he placed his right hand on the Holy Scriptures and promised to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and the New York State Charter. By rejecting Rev. Fernando Cabrera, despite his qualifications, solely based on his religious beliefs, and comments he made 8 years ago, is obviously being discriminated against, and his constitutional rights have been trampled on. The Democrat Party cannot continue to use us, kiss our children, attend our Temples and Churches, say to us "God bless you" and do so only during campaign season. Christians are also Democrats, but we are being mistreated, discriminated against and we are being marginalized!  This is not right Mr. Mayor.   So, the next time you take an oath, place your right hand on the Holy Scriptures, and promise to uphold and defend the Constitution, please remember that God does not like ugly, and this Mr. Mayor, is very ugly.   I Am the Ex-Senator and Ex-Councilman Rev. Rubén Diaz, and this is What You Should Know.

MAYOR ADAMS RECEIVES REPORT FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMISSION

Mayor Signs Executive Order Focused on Protecting and Facilitating Free Speech and Transparency – One of Several Recommendations Outlined in New Report

  New York City Mayor Eric Adams today received a report outlining a set of recommendations related to social justice reform from a commission impaneled by civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel. The report focuses on high-priority subjects, such as economic development, climate change, education, Rikers Island, health, land use, policing, and more. The goal of the commission’s work is to expand on Mayor Adams’ belief that “public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity,” and to include social justice.

 

“This commission included a world-class group of people whose commitment to social justice is beyond a doubt, and whose hard work on behalf of the city is deeply appreciated,” said Mayor Adams. “We are proud to sign this order re-committing the city to the principles of the First Amendment and look forward to reviewing these recommendations in further detail as we govern and develop new policies to serve New Yorkers.”

 

“The report and its 81 recommendations are a framework for governing through the prism of social justice,” said Norman Siegel. “We take seriously Mayor Adams’ desire to pursue social justice as well as public safety and believe we have given him a framework for doing so that is well within the powers of the mayor. If implemented, such commitments would effect a historic transformation of the relationship between a municipal government and its constituents.”

 

The commission, formed in September 2021, completed the report in December. The first recommendation from the report focuses on an executive order aimed at reinforcing city agencies’ existing obligations to share information and adhere to the First Amendment. Mayor Adams is signing a version of that executive order today.

 

Commission members included:

 

• Normal Siegel, partner, Siegel Teitelbaum & Evans LLP
• Dennis Flores, community activist and co-founder, El Grito of Sunset Park
• Hon. Marcy S. Friedman, retired New York State Supreme Court Justice
• Ira Glasser, former executive director, American Civil Liberties Union
• Dr. Tarry Hum, professor and chair, Queens College Department of Urban Studies
• Steven Hyman, partner, McLaughlin & Stern, LLP
• Dr. Micaela E. Martinez, assistant professor, Emory University; adjunct assistant professor, Columbia University
• Terry McGovern, professor and director of Global Health, Justice & Governance, Columbia University School of Health
• Harriet R. Michel, former executive director, New York Urban League
• Aryana Swanson, third-year student, Columbia University
• Earl S. Ward, criminal defense attorney; chair, Housing Works; chair, Bronx Defenders; partner, Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel, LLP

 

 

Attorney General James Secures Reimbursements for Consumers Charged for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fees

 

 Embassy Pharmacy and Fulton Drugs Were Found to Have Improperly Charged

Hundreds of COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients a Fee when Administering the Vaccine 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office secured refunds for New Yorkers who were wrongfully charged administration fees from two pharmacies when they received their COVID-19 vaccine. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Embassy Pharmacy, in Manhattan improperly charged a vaccine administration fee of $25 to approximately 275 consumers that received a COVID-19 vaccination. Similarly, Fulton Drugs, in Brooklyn, charged a vaccine administration fee of $20 or $25 to approximately 175 consumers. In accordance with the agreements, the pharmacies have reimbursed all improperly charged vaccine recipients and will implement stronger training programs for staff.  

“Make no mistake: COVID vaccines are free to all who seek them,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers should not be charged fees to receive the vaccines. If they are, my office will work to ensure they are reimbursed for the charges.” 

The OAG first launched its investigation in March of 2021, following reports from New Yorkers who were charged for vaccines. While vaccination providers are allowed to seek appropriate reimbursement from a vaccine recipient’s health plan or for those who are uninsured, from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s COVID-19 Uninsured Program, providers are not allowed to charge a vaccine recipient. By imposing a vaccine administration fee directly to consumers, Embassy and Fulton engaged in deceptive acts and practices that violated Executive Law § 63(12) and General Business Law § 349.  

The agreements reached by Attorney General James ensure that all who paid the vaccine administration fee have been reimbursed and the pharmacies have immediately changed their practices to eliminate the vaccine administration fee to consumers. Additionally, the pharmacies have agreed to institute new requirements that strengthen training for all staff involved with the administration of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as signage requirements associated with vaccine administration. 

If New Yorkers are aware of providers improperly charging consumers a fee for administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, they should contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau online or call 1-800-428-9071.  

“New York City’s free vaccination program is a vital part of our city’s response to the pandemic. We must eliminate every barrier to getting vaccinated against COVID-19, including misinformation that recipients will be charged for getting the vaccine,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “If you were wrongfully charged for a shot you are entitled to reimbursement. I applaud Attorney General James for investigating these wrongful charges and ensuring that New Yorkers who were responsible by getting vaccinated are fully and rightfully reimbursed.”

“During these difficult times, we must continue encouraging people to get vaccinated to keep themselves and their communities safe,” said State Assemblymember Al Taylor. “Falsely charging fees for a free, essential vaccine will only drive people away. I applaud Attorney General James for swiftly reaching an agreement with the pharmacies in question and for looking out for the people of New York.”

“Today's announcement by Attorney General Letitia James illustrates New York state's commitment to consumer protection,” said State Assemblymember Stefani L. Zinerman. “I applaud her quick response to recover the wrongfully charged administrative fees for the COVID-19 test kits sold by Embassy and Fulton pharmacies. The self-advocacy of the residents from the 56th Assembly District who reported these deceptive acts coupled with a responsive government agency is how we effectively prevent future fraud in our community.”

“New Yorkers put a tremendous amount of trust in their local pharmacies to serve them with honesty and compassion. That's why it is so disturbing and damaging when these same businesses exploit our must vulnerable during a pandemic,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “Thanks to Attorney General James, 275 of my constituents are getting restitution from Embassy Pharmacy. As a member of the Council's Consumer and Worker Protection Committee, I look forward to fighting fraud side by side with her.”

“Cost barriers for vaccination are incredibly dangerous, even when applied by mistake,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “It is encouraging to see the Attorney General's Office securing these reimbursements, as well as to know that stronger training and other measures will prevent this mistake from being repeated in the future.”

Bank CEO Stephen M. Calk Sentenced To One Year And One Day For Corruptly Soliciting A Presidential Administration Position In Exchange For Approving $16 Million In Loans

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that STEPHEN M. CALK was sentenced to one year and one day of imprisonment for corruptly using his position as the head of a federally-insured bank to issue millions of dollars in high-risk loans to Paul Manafort in exchange for personal benefit: CALK’s placement on the Donald J. Trump 2016 presidential campaign and assistance from Manafort in trying to obtain a senior position with the incoming presidential administration.  On July 13, 2021, CALK was found guilty of financial institution bribery and conspiracy to commit financial institution bribery following a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, who also imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Stephen Calk abused his position as the CEO of a federally-insured bank to try to buy himself prestige and power by trading millions of dollars in high-risk loans for influence with a presidential campaign and consideration for positions at the highest levels of the Defense Department.  Today’s sentence sends the message that those who corrupt federally regulated financial institutions will be held to account.”

As reflected in the Indictment, documents previously filed in the case, and evidence introduced at trial:

CALK, The Federal Savings Bank, and Paul Manafort

STEPHEN M. CALK was the chairman and chief executive officer of The Federal Savings Bank, a federal savings association headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an office in New York, New York.  The Bank was owned in its entirety by National Bancorp Holdings, a Chicago-based bank holding company, and CALK was the chairman, chief executive officer, and owner of approximately 67% of the holding company.

Paul Manafort was a lobbyist and political consultant.  Beginning in or about March 2016, Manafort held a senior role with Donald J. Trump’s 2016 presidential, and from June 2016 through August 2016, he served as chairman of the presidential campaign.  After Manafort’s formal role with the presidential campaign concluded in or about August 2016, Manafort continued to be informally involved in the campaign.  Beginning in or about November 2016, when Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States, Manafort provided informal input to the presidential transition team.

The Corrupt Scheme

Between in or about July 2016 and January 2017, CALK engaged in a corrupt scheme to exploit his position as the head of the Bank and the holding company in an effort to secure a valuable personal benefit for himself, namely, Manafort’s assistance in obtaining for CALK a senior position in the presidential administration.  During this time period, Manafort sought millions of dollars in loans from the Bank.  CALK understood that Manafort urgently needed these loans in order to terminate or avoid foreclosure proceedings on multiple properties owned by Manafort and Manafort’s family.  Further, CALK believed that Manafort could use his influence with the presidential transition team to assist CALK in obtaining a senior administration position.

CALK thus sought to leverage his control over the Bank and the loans sought by Manafort to his personal advantage.  Specifically, CALK offered to, and did, cause the Bank and holding company to extend $16 million in loans to Manafort in exchange for Manafort’s requested assistance in obtaining a high-level position in the presidential administration.  For example, and while Manafort’s loans were pending approval, CALK provided Manafort with a ranked list of the governmental positions he desired, which started with Secretary of the Treasury, and was followed by Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of Defense, as well as 19 ambassadorships similarly ranked and starting with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.

In approving these loans to Manafort, CALK was aware of significant red flags regarding Manafort’s ability to repay the loans, such as his history of defaulting on prior loans.  Moreover, given the size of the loans, Manafort’s debt became the single largest lending relationship at the Bank.  In order to enable the Bank to issue these loans without violating the Bank’s legal limit on loans to a single borrower, CALK authorized a maneuver never before performed by the Bank, in which the holding company—which CALK also controlled—acquired a portion of the loans from the Bank.

During the same time period, Manafort provided CALK with valuable personal benefits.  First, in or about the summer of 2016, during the presidential campaign—and just days after CALK and the rest of the Bank’s credit committee conditionally approved a proposed $9.5 million loan to Manafort — Manafort appointed CALK to a prestigious economic advisory committee affiliated with the campaign.  And second, in or about late November and early December 2016—after Donald J. Trump had been elected President, after Manafort’s first loan from the Bank had been issued, and while a second set of loans worth $6.5 million sought by Manafort was pending approval by the Bank— Manafort used his influence with the presidential transition team to assist Calk, recommending CALK for an administration position.  Due to Manafort’s efforts, CALK was formally interviewed for the position of Under Secretary of the Army on January 10, 2017 at the presidential transition team’s principal offices in New York, New York.  CALK was not ultimately hired.

To conceal the unlawful nature of his scheme, CALK made false and misleading statements to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regarding the loans to Manafort.  For example, CALK falsely stated to the OCC regulators that he had not known that the Manafort’s properties had been in foreclosure prior to issuing the loans.  CALK also stated that he had never desired a position in the presidential administration. 

In addition to the prison term, CALK, 56, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and 800 hours of community service.  CALK was also ordered to pay a $1 million fine on Count 1 and a $250,000 fine on Count 2. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Office of Inspector General.

MAYOR ADAMS, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EXPAND ACCESS LIFESTYLE MEDICINE SERVICES CITY-WIDE

 

Announcement Represents Most Comprehensive Expansion of

Lifestyle Medicine Programming in U.S.

 

New Expansion Will Provide Dedicated Team-Based Support for Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Including Emphasis on Plant-Based Diet

 

Programming to Help Address Burdens of Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Other Common Chronic Conditions Disproportionately Impacting Black and Brown New Yorkers

 

Services Will Be Expanded to Six New Public Health Care Sites Across NYC

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) today announced the expansion of their groundbreaking lifestyle medicine services at six public health care sites across New York City — the most comprehensive expansion of lifestyle medicine programming in the U.S. Modeled off the popular and successful Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, the new expansion will provide patients living with chronic disease the tools to make healthy lifestyle changes, included providing them access to plant-based diet resources. The program will expand to serve qualifying NYC Health + Hospitals adult patients at Jacobi, Lincoln, Woodhull, Kings County, and Elmhurst hospitals, as well as Gotham Health, Vanderbilt. The program expansion will be implemented over the coming year.

 

“Today, New York City is again leading the way with the most comprehensive expansion of lifestyle medicine programming in the nation,” said Mayor Adams. “This is personal to me — a plant-based lifestyle helped save my life, and I’m thrilled that New Yorkers in every zip code will have access to this critical programming. Together, we will stop feeding the health care crisis and ensure all New Yorkers can access the healthy lifestyle they deserve.”

 

“This expanded programming won’t only touch the lives of the patients served, but will extend to the families and communities of every person served,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “That mom with type 2 diabetes or that dad with high cholesterol now has new tools to reclaim their health through everyday choices to eat, manage stress, and sleep better, as well as find enhanced social support. These programs can change individual lives by treating, preventing, and even reversing common chronic diseases, but will also ripple through to families and communities of those at risk of or living with a chronic disease. I want to thank Dr. McMacken, Dr. Katz, and all the staff doing this cutting-edge work and making a difference in the lives of so many New Yorkers.”

 

“Even through the pandemic, heart disease remains the leading killer of New Yorkers, with diabetes not too far behind,” said Senior Advisor for Public Health and Incoming Commissioner of Health Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “To move the needle, we will need to invest in both upstream policy reforms and downstream care and supports. Increasing access to dietitians, health coaches, and physicians through innovative approaches, like the Lifestyle Medicine Program, will help more New Yorkers with cardio-metabolic diseases live longer, healthier lives.,. I applaud Mayor Adams and our colleagues at NYC Health + Hospitals for their leadership and for taking a holistic approach to supporting the health of our communities.”

 

“I have seen the benefits of lifestyle medicine for patients with chronic diseases in my own clinical practice,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “As we continue to fight COVID-19, scaling these services will help build a healthier city for all New Yorkers. I applaud NYC Health + Hospitals for expanding this evidence-based program.”

 

“As a physician, I know that medicine doesn’t always come in the form of a pill. Eating a diet of fruits and vegetables can help prevent and treat chronic illnesses like heart disease - the leading cause of death among New Yorkers - cancer, and type 2 diabetes,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Low-income New Yorkers are much more vulnerable to these diseases and we want to continue offering them an alternative way of eating that works on a limited budget and is accompanied by a network of medical and nutritional professionals. NYC Health + Hospitals is grateful to Mayor Adams for his continued support and innovation as we tackle the problem of chronic illnesses.”

 

“The expansion of our lifestyle medicine services to New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs will be a powerful tool in addressing the burden of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other common chronic conditions, with benefits that could positively impact entire family units and those closest around them,” said Michelle McMacken, MD, FACP, DipABLM, executive director, Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals. “We continue to be grateful to all of our advocates and partners who have made our existing lifestyle medicine services a success and this necessary expansion a reality.”

 

“Today's announcement that H+H's lifestyle medicine services are now available in all five boroughs is an exciting step forward for our city," said Kate MacKenzie, executive director, Mayor's Office of Food Policy. "Healthy food is essential for a healthy life, and this expansion couldn't come at a better time for New Yorkers. I am grateful to Mayor Adams for his passion and commitment to helping all New Yorkers make positive lifestyle changes and to Dr. McMacken and the team at H+H for executing on that vision."

 

In 2019, with the advocacy of then-Brooklyn Borough President Adams, the Bellevue Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program — among the first of its kind in a safety-net health care setting — was launched. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach to reduce patients' cardiometabolic risk, where a team of physicians, dietitians, and health coaches support patients in making evidence-based lifestyle changes, including adopting a healthy plant-based diet, increasing physical activity, improving sleep habits, reducing stress, avoiding risky substances, and providing social support. The program has received national attention and there has been a high demand for services, including self-referrals from more than 850 New York City residents.

 

Each of the sites that will be receiving the expanded lifestyle medicine services will be equipped with a full-time dietitian and health coach, as well as physician teams. Participants will be referred by their health care providers or can self-refer. Eligibility criteria for participants include heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and/or health concerns related to obesity.

 

Patients who enroll in one of the programs will receive a full medical evaluation by a team physician, with special attention to current lifestyle behaviors and social needs. They will also meet individually with a dietitian and a health coach and will participate in group education on topics including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress reduction, and other lifestyle pillars. The lifestyle medicine team will individualize the behavior change approach for each patient, considering cultural traditions, socioeconomic circumstances, family situations, and other key factors.

 

In addition to expanding access to lifestyle medicine services, NYC Health + Hospitals will partner with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine to help provide additional lifestyle medicine training to care teams, as well as with Plant-Powered Metro New York to offer cooking demonstrations to patients at the Kings County Hospital site.

 

“We know that evidence-based lifestyle medicine programs deliver powerful health outcomes, so seeing the significant expansion of these NYC Health + Hospitals programs to reach more communities affected by chronic disease and health disparities is inspiring,” said Dr. Catherine Collings, president, American College of Lifestyle Medicine. “This is innovative, vital, and time-sensitive work that will make a dent in the impact of chronic disease in New York City and provide a model nationwide. We applaud the leadership shown here by Dr. Katz, Dr. McMacken, and Mayor Eric Adams, and we encourage other health systems and political leaders to follow suit.”

 

“We are thrilled to partner with NYC Health + Hospitals to support its patient community with culturally-mindful education and skill-building for healthy eating,” said Lianna Levine Reisner, president and network director, Plant Powered Metro New York. “Throughout the city, people from all walks of life are being inspired by the power of food for health. They want to learn how to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and other healthy plant foods onto their plates and into their daily routines. It's a great step forward to have the investment of the public health care system in life-changing programs and services that prioritize evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle.”

 

NYC Health + Hospitals’ expansion of lifestyle medicine services builds on its commitment to put healthy eating and other beneficial lifestyle habits at the forefront of patients’ care. In 2019, the system launched Meatless Mondays at all 11 of its acute care hospitals. The program was launched in an effort to provide a broader range of healthy, appealing meal options to inpatients and introduce them to the benefits of plant-based nutrition so that they could make important lifestyle decisions that would lead to living their healthiest lives.

 

“For years, the Bronx has lagged behind other counties in health indicators, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated existing health issues in our borough,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “The expansion of the lifestyle medicine services program citywide, including in two Bronx hospitals, will be an important step towards providing our communities with the resources needed to use food as a tool towards leading an overall healthy life and avoiding chronic illness. I applaud Health + Hospitals, Dr. Katz, Dr. McMacken, and Mayor Eric Adams for their continuous commitment to holistic health and equity.”

 

 “The expansion of this initiative will help more New Yorkers maintain healthy lifestyles by providing individualized health improvement plans and support,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “These services are critical for the many patients suffering from chronic disease to achieve holistic and long-term lifestyle changes that reduce their health risks. I thank Mayor Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals for expanding access to this innovative program.”

 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - FEBRUARY 7, 2022

 

3,795 Cases Statewide Yesterday, Lowest Since November 8

New Cases Down More than 40% Over Past Week

New COVID-19 Admissions Down Across All Regions

Statewide COVID-19 Hospitalizations Down Nearly 30% Over Past Week

90 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"The decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are cause for celebration and hope, but not complacency," Governor Hochul said. "There is still plenty of progress that can be made to ensure we stop the spread and keep our businesses and schools open. We know the tools that work - please get vaccinated if you haven't yet, and get boosted once you're eligible."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 90,292
• Total Positive - 3,795
• Percent Positive - 4.20%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.53%
• Patient Hospitalization - 5,069 (-78)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 422
• Patients in ICU - 814 (-40)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 452 (-42)
• Total Discharges - 277,571 (+427)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 90
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 53,715

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 67,222

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 36,213,205
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 29,225
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 318,830
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.1%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 82.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 84.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 80.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 70.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 80.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 72.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 88.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 74.6%