HEALTHY LIVING

Services and Programs Related to: Healthy Living

It’s been said: “You are what you eat”. While eating Big Macs and KFC may not produce sesame seeds in your hair or cause you to cluck, excessive eating of such foods might show its results in other parts of your body! Indeed, learning how to make nutrition choicest are only a part of knowing the healthy choices of life…and the Queens Health Coalition can help you with both.

Our multi-lingual team of professionals offers workshops, group presentations, one-on-one counseling, referrals and advocacy, plus valuable materials designed to encourage, educate and empower anyone who wants to, not only live longer, but live better. From youngsters to expecting mothers, to the elderly, we provide the facts and the hope that anyone can improve the quality of their life once they understand the choices and assistance available to achieve a healthier life. Eating disorders, smoking cessation, safe sex, substance abuse, and SIDs are just some of the problems our knowledgeable staff and our partnering agencies can assist with to make your life and the lives of those you love, the best they can be.

Call us to start a life time of healthy living. 718-762-0346. Ask for Lorena at extension 12, or Gina at extension 11 or Rose Marie at extension 14.

View the QHC Community Needs Assessment - Right Click Save As

The Queens Tribune - May 13 - May 19, 2010 - click here to view

Please Click Here To Download The CPPSN Spring/Summer 2010 Newsletter!

QHC Honored by Queens Smoke-Free Partnership

At a recent awards ceremony sponsored by the Queens Courier newspaper and TD Bank, Queens Smoke-free Partnership awarded community leaders for their efforts in promoting tobacco control, especially among vulnerable populations such as children. The honorees included New York State Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn for legislation she introduced to prohibit subjecting a child to second-hand smoke in an automobile; Laura Cadorette, who helped to make her Jackson Heights Co-op smoke- free; health care advocacy organizations, the Korean Community Services and the Queens Health Coalition (QHC)for their work in reaching at-risk people to educate and assist in smoking cessation, understanding the tobacco industry’s use of advertising to promote smoking, especially among children and to encourage retailers not to display tobacco products among family-oriented items such as baby formula.

In accepting the award for her organization, Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director of the Queens Health Coalition challenged the audience of 100 by saying: “I ask anyone here in this room to come up with one good thing to say about smoking. You can’t! It cost lives, it’s expensive, and it’s smelly. For an organization such as ours, which is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, it’s a no-brainer that we would get involved. I urge everyone to do the same. If ever there were something that has no redeeming qualities, smoking is it. Let’s continue to work with the Smoke-free Partnership to help ensure that all New Yorkers are convinced of this.”

Pictured: Lorena Flores, QHC’s Senior Health Educator; Jessica Safier, Project Manager, Queens Smoke-free Partnership and Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director, QHC.

QHC Hosts Cultural Sensitivity Training

The Queens Health Coalition (QHC) recently hosted a program of cultural sensitivity training, attended by more than 25 consumers and providers of health care and social services. Guest speakers included Anindita ChatteeBhaumik of CONNECT, a domestic violence watchdog organization focused on South Asian women, (pictured seated, left of presenter) and Barbara Serrano of Voces Latinas, which specializes in HIV/AIDS information and education for Hispanic families, (pictured during her power point presentation).

As Phyllis Shafran, (pictured second left of presenter), QHC’s Executive Director, noted in her welcoming remarks: “Being culturally sensitive has become the “In” topic these days: discussed by talk-show hosts to newspaper columnists. It’s very “Politically Correct”. But that’s not why we’re here today. We’re not concerned with being “PC”. We’re concerned with saving lives. In health care and social service, not understanding the ethnic nuances, the languages, traditions and taboos of the people we serve, keep them from seeking the help they need and can have a devastating outcome.”

Get Your Game Up

The Queens Health Coalition (QHC) recently hosted its Teen Convention at LaGuardia Community College. High School students throughout Queens received helpful tips on healthy living from professionals who spoke on a wide variety of topics ranging from driving safety, to smoking cessation, to teen dating violence, to landing a dream job. The fifth annual event is part of a program of QHC’s, funded by NYS Dept. of Health/Division of Family Health, entitled the Comprehensive Prenatal and Perinatal Services Network.

As Phyllis Shafran, QHC's Executive Director noted: “Many of these
teenagers are at-risk of making poor health and social choices which
will adversely affect their entire lives.  We want them to know that
they have options. We don't want them to become another tragic
statistic because of drinking and driving on prom night. We don't want
them to regret having smoked those cigarettes when they reach age 30.
And, we want them to understand that they don't have to give in to
peer pressure! Abstinence is still the best deterrent to STDs, HIV and
unplanned births.  Indeed, the message here today is simple: you can't
be on the top of your game, unless you make wise choices that keep you
in play.”

For more information concerning health and social issues for young
adults call the Queens Health Coalition at 718-762-0346.

The staff of QHC: Surinder Sandal, Phyllis Shafran, Gina Porras Quiroz, Karin Lamhaour, Moona Syed and Lorena Flores	Students register at the QHC table for a seat in the auditorium and to receive free lunch and prizes.
Students at the exhibit area, receiving valuable information and giveaways from more than one dozen health and social service providers.
In the auditorium, students were part of an interactive program in which they role played and won prizes.

Please Click Here To Download The CPPSN Fall 2009 Newsletter!

The Queens Courier - April 1, 2010 - click here to view

The Queens Tribune - vol. 40 no. 13 Apr 1 - Apr 7, 2010 - click here to view

Cuts To Health Care Making Us Sick

Protest State Public Health Care Cuts

A recent rally was held at Bellevue Hospital to protest proposed state cuts to health care, felt especially hard by public hospitals and other public health care providers. Public hospitals, for example, stand to lose $68 million this year and up to $100 million over 3 years. Speakers addressing the more that 1000 attendees represented the NYC Health and Hospital Corporation, community-based health-related organizations, labor, and patients including: Alan Aviles, President of the Health and Hospital Corporation; Lillian Roberts, President of DC 37, the City’s largest municipal workers union; and Arthur Cheliotes, President of the Communications Workers of America, Local 1188.

Among the most passionate speeches were those from patients and relatives who pondered their fate without having the service of public facilities such as Bellevue. Nearly every speaker noted with alarm the negative impact that the recent closing of two hospitals in Queens and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan will have. Fear of patient overload on the part of those public facilities who take on the disenfranchised patients in their community, leading to the possible disruption or elimination of services, was a concern echoed throughout the 1 hour rally.

Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director of the Queens Health Coalition attended the event and noted: “My organization links those in need of health and social services with care providers. We help save lives and money. However, when there are fewer providers for the public to access, not just the individual in need is affected. The disease untreated, the pregnancy without prenatal care and the elderly caregiver without respite care make us all vulnerable. Indeed, these cuts to health care are sickening!”

Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director, Queens Health Coalition.	At the podium, LaRay Brown, Senior VP, NYC Health and Hospital Corp for Intergovernmental Relations. Speakers gathered in back of Ms. Brown are: Lillian Roberts, President of DC 37(second from Ms. Brown’s left); Alan Aviles, President, Health and Hospital Corp. (second on her right); and (also on the right, at the end) Arthur Cheliotes, President of the Communications Workers of America.

Calling All High School Students
learn how to
GET YOUR GAME UP!

at the fifth annual
Teen Convention
Monday, May 3rd 10:00am-2:00pm

LaGuardia Community College
E-BUILDING, LITTLE THEATER, 2nd Floor
31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, New York 11101

Presented by Comprehensive Prenatal and Perinatal Services Network, a program of Queens Health Coalition your link to quality health care

Hear Guest Speakers On Topics That Matter To You:

*Healthy Relationships*Self-Esteem*Stereotyping
*Making good social choices*Plan your future*
*Healthy lifestyles*Able body, able mind and much more

Everything FREE!
Refreshments, Music, Gifts
For more information call Queens Health Coalition
718-762-0346
Ask for Lorena ext. 12 or Gina ext. 11
Funded by the NYS Department of Health, Division of Family Health

Please click here to view the flyer for this event.

QHC at QPF: Tackling The Diversity of Queens County

The Queens Health Coalition (QHC) recently participated in the annual Spring conference of the Queens Perinatal Forum, which QHC Co-chairs with Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Queens Regional Perinatal Center. The conference was held at Jamaica Hospital and attended by 75 health care providers and health-related community-based organizations. The conference theme was “Your Today Determines Your Tomorrow”. Guest speakers included Joyce Hall of the Federation of County Networks and David Jones of Visiting Nurses/Fathers’ Initiative.

Ms. Hall presented the results of the Community Needs Assessment Report, conducted on behalf of QHC, as a means of understanding the needs of women of child- bearing age. The report’s findings will be used to help promote positive birth outcomes in Queens. Mr. Jones discussed strives being made to understand the role that a father can have in the development of a child. He heads a program that works with dads— some as young as 14—into accepting parental responsibility and involvement, while also dealing with their own issues. Both speakers noted that Queens County presents numerous barriers to quality health and social services not endured by the other boroughs.

As Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director of QHC said: “Our borough has many unique features, of which we are proud, that set it apart from all of the others. But while we welcome and applaud the cultural richness that diversity brings— and the miles of beautiful beaches we possess— with these, come many challenges. We must find a way to successfully deal with a 70% birth rate by foreign born women, and a county that has a toll bridge within its own borders! In Queens, too many people are isolated from the care they need due to language and geography. We’re working to reduce the barriers. That’s why we’re here today. And that’s what the Queens Health Coalition is dedicated to, everyday.”

For information call 718-762-0346 and ask for Lorena at extension 12.

Phyllis Shafran, QHC Executive Director and Lorena Flores, Senior Health Educator of the Comprenshive Prenatal/Perinatal Services Network, a program of the Queens Health Coalition.

Queens Health Coalition Joins Smoke-free Partnership

The Queens Health Coalition has joined forces with the Queens Smoke-free Partnership to combat exposure to second-hand smoke.

At a recent press conference convened by Queen Borough President Helen Marshall, Queens elected leaders and community-based organizations met to pledge support for a new initiative funded by the New York State Tobacco Control Program aimed at reducing tobacco-related death and disease. 25,000 tobacco-related deaths are recorded in New York State annually.

In addition to targeting second-hand smoke, another key component of this program is to defend children against tobacco addiction. An estimated 6,000 children living in Queens smoke, and one-third will die prematurely.

Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn, a member of the Health Committee, announced that she has introduced legislation to protect children under the age of 16 from exposure to second-hand smoke while traveling in a car. She was joined by the bill’s Co-sponsors Assembly members Grace Meng and David Weprin. The bill calls for heavy fines for drivers smoking with minors present. Underscoring the need for this legislation is a California Environmental Agency’s report which stated that exposure to closed car smoking is comparable to firefighters’ exposure to four to eight hours of fighting a wildfire.

Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director of the Queens Health Coalition, said: “Just ask anyone if there’s one good thing that can be said about smoking. I’m sure we’d all agree: Smoking kills, smoking is expensive, smoking stinks! Yet, 15.5% of Queens residents still do it. Our organization is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles by making healthy choices, so it’s natural that we would join the efforts of Queens Smoke-free Partnership and applaud the responsible leadership of our elected officials who understand that nothing positive can come from smoking. We are confident that this collaborative effort will protect the vulnerable and save lives.”

For more information on joining this program or on programs for smoking cessation, call Smoke-free Partnership at 718-520-4922 or the Queens Health Coalition at 718-762-0346.

Pictured: Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director, Queens Health Coalition; Jessica Safier, Program Manager, Queens Smoke-free Partnership; Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn; Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President; Dan Carrigan, Program Director, Queens Smoke-free Partnership; Assembly members Grace Meng and David Weprin.

QHC Staff Completes Domestic Violence Training

Staff members from the Queens Health Coalition (QHC) received certificates in recognition of having completed basic training in domestic violence. The program was offered by CONNECT, an organization that counsels, trains and advocates on behalf of victims of domestic violence. QHC is a coalition of over 60 agencies and community-based organizations that provide health and social services with a special emphasis on high-risk individuals who experience barriers to quality care due, in part, to cultural, educational, economic and age-related factors. QHC has partnered with CONNECT to help combat domestic violence ranging from intimate partner dating among teens to elder abuse.

CONNECT instructor Anindita Chatterjee Bhaumik taught QHC staff about the various signs of domestic violence and how to best advise victims. QHC Executive Director, Phyllis Shafran noted: “We are every grateful to CONNECT not only for the work it does when dealing directly with domestic violence victims, but for also taking the time to train our staff so that together, we can offer additional resources to
this most vulnerable segment of our population. A person who suffers abuse at the hands of loved ones and friends, shouldn’t have to feel further betrayal by thinking that there is no where to turn. There is. We’re here. So is CONNECT.”

For questions call QHC at 718-762-0346 or visit CONNECT’s web site at: www.connectnyc.org.

Gina Porras, QHCProject Coordinator; Lorena Flores, QHC Senior Health Educator; CONNECT instructor Anindita Chatterjee Bhaumik; Phyllis Shafran, QHC Executive Director; Rose Marie Dorvily, Program Director of QHC’s Comprehensive Prenatal/Perinatal Services Network and Moona Syed, QHC Case Manager.