What are Some New York City Health Screening Programs?

There are many new programs that are being implemented to help New Yorkers get screened for different types of diseases. There are screenings for HIV, Chlamydia, STDs, and more.

New York City has had a difficult time with the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. This is because more than half of the people who live in NYC do not have health insurance coverage.

Health Screening New York City Programs & Opportunities

Each year, more than 1.5 million people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. When detected early, the cure rate is high. An estimated one-third of colorectal cancer cases are detected through screening. There are screening tests to detect colon and rectum cancers.

Colonoscopy is the most effective for detecting abnormalities in the entire colon and rectum, but it is also invasive, expensive, and carries a small risk of complications. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is less invasive and inexpensive but has lower accuracy rates for detecting polyps or pre-cancerous lesions in the large intestine. The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) was created as a result of new technology that can detect tiny amounts of blood lost from an injury such as

NYC Health Resources for the Public

New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is responsible for protecting the health of New Yorkers by providing accessible, quality information on healthy living. It provides resources on topics such as mental health, nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, sexual health and substance use. The DOHMH website is updated frequently with new resources and information to help New Yorkers adopt healthier behaviors.

NYC Free or Low-Cost Health Screenings for Public Assistance Recipients

This year, the NYC Department of Health is offering free or low-cost health screenings to people who are enrolled in Medicaid or other public assistance programs. The Health Department will offer free cholesterol checks, diabetes blood sugar tests, H1N1 flu shots and more to eligible New Yorkers until September 30th. These services are made possible thanks to a grant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.