Annual TB Testing Requirements Relaxed by NYS Health Dept

The New York State Department of Health has relaxed the annual employee tuberculosis testing requirements due to a shortage of PPD solution. Available solution will be utilized for specific prioritized situations as noted in the letter below. It is believed that the product will be available in June, allowing for a return to full testing.

Health Department PPD Letter
 

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is recommended for people 60 and older. The charge for this vaccine is $205. Payment is expected at the time of your visit. Your health insurance may cover some or all of the cost. We encourage you to contact them. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, please call 753-5150.

Shingles Fact Sheet - CDC

Immunization Clinics

• Tuesdays, 9-12, 1-4 (by appointment, call 753-5150)
• Wednesdays, Noon - 7 (no appointment needed; please arrive by 6 pm)
• Thursdays, 9-12 (by appointment, call 753-5150)

NYS Required Immunizations for School
Questions & Answers on Immunizations
 

Birth Certificates Available @ Greece DMV on Last Saturday of Every Month

The Health Department has teamed up with the Monroe County Clerk's Office to begin making birth certificates available to Monroe County residents at the Greece DMV Office, located in the Mall @ Greece Ridge, on the last Saturday of each month, beginning July 28 (from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm). Birth certificates are often needed for auto licenses and to obtain a passport. Children between 3-5 years of age can get a one-time free birth certificate and teens between 13-17 seeking a work permit can also get a one-time free birth record. Active military members and veterans can get a copy of their birth record at no charge. The cost for all others is $30 per certified copy (raised seal). Please be sure to bring valid photo ID.

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Center for Community Health

An Academic-Public Health Partnership

The Monroe County Department of Public Health and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and School of Nursing established the Center for Community Health, a collaborative research and teaching center.

The mission of the Center is to improve the health of Monroe County residents by:

• Fostering community health research.
• Providing the infrastructure for a data-based community health planning process.
• Broadening health care professional education to include applied population medicine.
• Developing innovative approaches to working with local residents and agencies for continuous community health improvement.

Read the CRH White Sheet (19k PDF).

HEALTH ACTION

HEALTH ACTION, Priorities for Monroe County, began in 1995 when the Director of the Monroe County Department of Public Health convened a group of community partners to develop a plan to improve the health of Monroe County residents. The HEALTH ACTION Steering Committee is composed of individuals from community organizations representing business, education and health care.

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TRANS FATS

Trans fat is made when an otherwise healthful liquid (vegetable) oil is chemically changed to make a semi-solid product called "partially hydrogenated" vegetable oil. Food manufacturers began using these altered products a number of years ago because it was shown to increase shelf life, texture, and flavor and at the time it was thought to be a healthful alternative to saturated fat. Trans fat is commonly found in deep fried foods, baked goods, snack foods, and many processed foods.

All fats are not the same. There are "good" fats and "bad" fats. When we eat foods high in saturated fat or trans fat, it raises the bad (LDL) cholesterol in our blood. Having high LDL cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US, in New York, and in Monroe County. Trans fat is even worse than saturated fat because it actually lowers the good (HDL) cholesterol in the blood. Eating foods high in poly and monounsaturated fat have a good effect on cholesterol levels and are encouraged. 

Federal guidelines recommend that total fat intake be 20-35% of total calories. Saturated fat intake should be less than 10%, and trans fat consumption should be kept as close to zero as possible.

Foods purchased in a supermarket are labeled so consumers know what they’re getting. The amount of trans fat in a serving is in the “Total Fat” section. When ordering food in a restaurant, it is not as easy to know the nutritional content. To know what type of fats are being used in the preparation of restaurant food, a good tip to remember is “ask before you order”. Many fast food chains have such information on the nutritional content of their food products. Restaurant owners and chefs may not know you care about this issue unless you bring it to their attention.

One way that the Health Department protects and promotes the health of its residents is to assure the safety of food served in restaurants. We have requested local food service establishments to phase-out their use of trans fat. We believe that replacing trans fats with healthier alternatives will -- over time -- reduce heart disease in Monroe County. 

• Trans Fat Brochure Sent to Restaurants in Monroe County
• American Heart Association – Face the Fats
• New York City Health Department Trans Fat Center
• Alternatives to Oils Containing Trans Fats

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Internship Opportunities at Health Department

The Monroe County Department of Public Health hosts college students seeking internships throughout the year for matriculated students whose degree requires an internship. All internships are unpaid.  Before a student can apply for an internship, there must be a finalized Affiliation Agreement between the College/University and Monroe County.  The following institutions currently have finalized agreements:

• Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
• Empire State College - Saratoga Springs
• Nazareth College
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• St. John Fisher College, Wegmans School of Nursing
• Skidmore College
• SUNY Brockport Health Sciences 
• SUNY Brockport Nursing
• SUNY Buffalo
• SUNY Cortland
• SUNY Geneseo
• University of New Haven
• University of Rochester School of Nursing
• Wells College

Institutions interested in establishing an affiliation agreement with us, and students attending one of the above listed schools who are interested in a future internship with our department, may contact us for further information.  NOTE:  Students should contact us at least six months prior to their desired internship semester. 

If you have any questions please contact us at: mchealth@monroecounty.gov.
 

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Online Health Information

The Internet is an excellent place to become more knowledgable about health. However, while there are many credible health sites, there are also sites that may contain information and recommendations that are not valid.

The links listed below contain reliable health information.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
• Healthfinder—Your Guide to Reliable Health Information
• New York State Department of Health
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• HEALTH ACTION—Priorities for Monroe County
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• CLIC-On-Health
• US Food and Drug Administration 
• RochesterHealth.com