Knowledge is the Best Medicine

There are many great resources for information concerning chronic disease in our state and best treatment practices.

Visit our partners' websites for additional health resources.

The importance of patient compliance is well documented.

Findings from a recent study suggest that a tobacco cessation benefit that includes coverage for medications and behavioral treatments, has few barriers to access, and involves broad promotion can significantly reduce smoking prevalence.

SUNY seeks a healthier New York through a new strategic plan to address disparities, diversity and access. A complete description begins on page 12 of the Strategic Plan 2010 & Beyond.

Community health profiles provide helpful statistics for areas throughout New York City.

More than 45% of adult New York residents say they are in less than very good health, this puts New York at slot No. 31 in a ranking of states’ health status. Researchers say that relatively low rank is not fully explained by social factors like level of education, race and ethnicity. For instance, college graduates are 2.5 times more likely than adults without high school diplomas to be healthy. With more college graduates (33% of residents) in New York than high school dropouts (14%), residents ought to be healthier than average. A national study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations’ Commission to Build a Healthier America concluded that at every education level and in every racial or ethnic group, adults in New York are not as healthy as they could be.

Diabetes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has broken down the numbers of Diabetes diagnoses throughout New York State by county, and the results are surprising.

The Public Health Association of New York City has developed a comprehensive presentation on the Diabetes and Obesity epidemics throughout New York City, along with strategies for fighting them. The New York State Department of Health has a handy resource for children with diabetes.

Estimated total cost of diabetes in New York State in 2006 was more than $12 billion. NYS Diabetes Campaign seeks to reverse the diabetes epidemic.

Healthy Diet

The New York City Department of Health reports on Diabetes treatment in Harlem. How available is healthy food? The New York City Department of Health has issued a report on nutrition in Brooklyn and how we can treat obesity and diabetes with the proper diet. The New York State Department of Health issued a fruit and vegetable consumption report. A report on the environmental disparities some face and how they create barriers to access of healthy foods.

Obesity

Leadership for healthy Communities has produced a toolkit for childhood obesity, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has issued a useful report on solving the childhood obesity crisis in African-American communities. You can also read this paper on built environments and obesity in disadvantaged populations.

Reducing Health Disparities Through Clinical Trials

One quarter of all US drug trials are conducted in New York. Encouraging diverse populations to participate in drug trials should serve to improve health outcomes. Here are some resources concerning participation in drug trials:

Patient Assistance

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage to get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free.

Thousands of eligible hardworking people with no prescription drug coverage are now saving on the medicines they need with the Together Rx Access® Card.

New York City also offers the New York Rx Card, which is valid at over 50,000 pharmacies.

Proper Disposal is Important

Medications must be used properly and disposed of safely. The proper disposal of unused medication safeguards lives and protects the environment. Get the facts on how to properly dispose of medicine at www.SMARxTDisposal.net