What is Down syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs when a person has a third copy of chromosome 21. Down syndrome can be diagnosed prenatally through genetic testing, as well as after birth by recognizing certain physical traits and subsequent genetic testing. Down syndrome affects people of all ethnicities and economic backgrounds
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this week his plan to expand healthcare access to low income New Yorkers. The plan is called the Caring Neighborhoods initiative, and it will include 13 new community health centers. Mayo de Blasio this week signed three bills to combat the sale of synthetic marijuana. According to
This week we are celebrating International Infection Prevention Week. Infections have many causes including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths (worm like parasites). Infections trigger an immune response that communicates with your body to seek out and destroy the source of the infection. This response can take place internally or externally and affect different areas
Governor Cuomo this week sent a delegation of officials to Puerto Rico to continue to help them with their health care system. Those on the trip included Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Secretary of State Cesar Perales, Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson, and Assembly Members Marco Crespo and Richard Gottfried. A
Currently, there are over 150,000 women in the United States living with metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells spread to and infect other parts of the body. This form of breast cancer is also referred to as stage IV breast cancer and most commonly affects the lungs, brain, bones, and
Medicare Part B premiums are set to rise by 52% for around 7 million Americans in 2016. Read more here in USA Today. The United Hospital Fund held their annual Gala this week at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Three New Yorkers—Howard P. Milstein, Arnold P. Gold, and Stephen Berger—won awards for their contributions to improving healthcare.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. During this observance, special attention is drawn to the impact breast cancer has on patients and families.Advocates use this month to educate the public about breast cancer and early detection, and encourage all to receive breast cancer screenings. Breast cancer is caused by a malignant tumor in the
In a rare instance of bipartisan agreement on healthcare, the Senate and the House approved a bill this week to protect small and midsized businesses from rising healthcare premiums. According to a White House spokesperson, President Obama will sign the bill. The so called “Cadillac Tax”, a tax on employer based high cost health plans,
Speaker John Boehner, amidst the growing pressure from the far right wing of his party, has decided to resign from Congress. In preparation for the third enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act, which starts in six weeks, the Obama administration will work to expand coverage in several major cities according to the New York Times.
Parents play a crucial role in their family’s health by choosing what physical activities they engage in as a family, as well as choosing which types of foods their family will consume. Both exercise and healthy diet are an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and help to prevent against many life threatening health conditions.