nycHealthy

Dr. Monica Sweeney: Why Married Black Women Need to Get Tested

I’ve been married to the same man for more than three decades. Last month I got tested for HIV on live TV. Thankfully my test came back negative. Some of my friends ask me, “Why bother when you’re married?” I tell them: “I love and trust my husband, but I’m not with him 24/7.”

As much as we may love our boyfriends and husbands, there are no real guarantees of fidelity. If your partner has even one act of unprotected sex outside the relationship, there is a chance he could contract HIV and bring it home to you. Black women are particularly vulnerable. Fewer than 15% of American women are black yet we account for nearly 70% of all female HIV infections. Our infection rate is 20 times that of white women.

Dr. Monica Sweeney: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

This morning I’ll attend the Black History Month celebration at Brooklyn’s High School for Public Service. As it happens, tomorrow (February 7th) is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. I’m glad to have a chance to talk to young people about this epidemic, but I’m afraid one day of awareness won’t do. Black New Yorkers now account for half of the city’s new infections, and new HIV diagnoses are rising among young black men who have sex with men. In a situation like this, we need to be aware of HIV every day of the year.

Dr. Lorraine Boyd on Baby Safety: What's Wrong with this Picture?

So after that primer on safe sleep, take a look at this picture. A few of the ‘no, nos’ that I mentioned are present as well some new ones.

What unsafe sleep practice are illustrated here? Go ahead and post them!

Dr. Lorraine Boyd on Sleep Safety for Babies

Having a new baby at home can be overwhelming even for the most prepared parents – especially if it is your first child. You may not be getting enough sleep and may be wondering if you are giving your baby all that she needs to be healthy. Some parents may also feel confused by mixed messages in parenting books and magazines and ask – what is really best for the safety of my child? 

The good news is that your baby’s basic needs are simple. In early weeks and months of life, nourishment and protection are most important.  First, I recommend that all new mothers breastfeed if they can. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. It is always ready (no bottles to clean!) and it is free. I know that it is not easy (work demands, sore nipples…) – but if you can, keep it up for six months. The benefits are long-lasting; breastfeeding prevents allergies, protects against infection and helps you and your baby bond. And there is good news for you too, Mom. Breastfeeding burns 500 calories a day and will help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight. It also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Dr. Monica Sweeney Commemorates World Aids Day

Last night I went uptown to attend the annual World AIDS Day commemoration that the Global HIV/AIDS Ministry holds at the Riverside Church. I was so humbled by all the amazing stories that were shared. It reminded me how proud I am to be a part of a community so dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, and although a lot has changed since 1988, much remains the same. New York City is still at the epicenter of the U.S. epidemic with more than 100,000 people living with HIV and AIDS, and nearly 3,000 new infections being diagnosed every year.

Dr. Diana Berger on a Healthy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is tricky when you have to watch your blood sugar. How are you supposed to eat a balanced meal when you’re surrounded by high-carb foods like potatoes, stuffing and pie?

My advice is to use the “plate method.” First, fill half your plate with fresh greens (ideally the leafy ones like kale and spinach – not Jell-O). Once your greens are in place, fill a quarter of your plate with turkey and a quarter with the starchy stuff – potatoes, stuffing, rice or bread. Have a half glass of wine if you’re drinking, and a sliver of pie for dessert. If you eat slowly and savor each bite, you’ll probably be full after one plateful.

Dr. Diana Berger on Diabetes

Over the past decade, the number of people with type 2 diabetes has more than doubled in New York City. And for every two New Yorkers diagnosed with the condition, another one has it but doesn’t yet know. Do you have diabetes? If you do, do you know what your A1C level is? How about your blood pressure? What about your cholesterol? These are numbers you can use to know how you are taking care of your diabetes. Taking your medicines daily as prescribed is important too.

There is no cure for diabetes, but New Yorkers shouldn’t be discouraged. By making changes in lifestyle, most people can prevent diabetes, or successfully control it. Exercise and a healthy diet are critical – and the exercise doesn’t always have to be strenuous. Even getting off the subway a couple of stops early can do a lot to keep you healthy.

Bobby Corrigan on Rats

New York City is taking on rats like never before. We're trying out new high-tech methods to control them in the Bronx, and just this week we launched a website that gives you – the New York City public – access to a wealth of information and advice on how to get rats off your property and out of your neighborhood.

You have to understand rats to defeat them. My goal this week is to bust many of the myths about rats that keep us from effectively reducing their numbers. When I'm out the street, gathering data or educating exterminators, I often hear myths like: "The rats are getting bigger…they're they size of cats!" Not so. The rats in New York City all belong to one species, the Norway rat. A full-grown Norway rat is typically 16 inches long (including the tail) and weighs in at 12 to 16 ounces. A rat may occasionally grow bigger, but "super rats" are pure myth. If you surprise a rat, it may "raise the hackles" to appear bigger and more intimidating, but it's a bluff. The extra size is all fur.

Cathy Nonas on Calories

How many calories did you eat yesterday? Not sure? Well, you’re not alone. Keeping track is tough, especially if you eat out a lot. Until recently, counting calories in a restaurant was like counting snowflakes in a blizzard. Almost impossible! But it’s easier now, at least here in New York City, since chain restaurants started posting calorie information on menu boards and menus.

Did you know that we spend more than half of our food budgets eating away from home – in places where it’s easy to eat too much. Calorie counting may seem like a pain but it is worth the effort. One of the surest ways to maintain a healthy weight is to learn how many calories your body needs. It’s like getting your finances under control. If you make a daily or a weekly budget, then you know what you can spend. So what’s your daily calorie budget?