Category: Health

Walk Wise To Exercise Your Heart

NEW CITY, NY, – During Heart Health Month in February, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert encourage residents to keep their hearts healthy by walking, the most popular and simplest form of exercise you can do.

Walking is low-risk, easy to start, and doesn’t require any special skills or equipment. It can help keep you fit and reduce your risk of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. According to the American Heart Association, a regular walking program can also: improve your cholesterol profile; lower blood pressure; improve your mental and emotional well-being; increase your energy and stamina; boost bone strength; and prevent weight gain. For more information, visit www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/walking.

“Don’t let the winter weather stop you. You can always walk inside your house, at a mall, or take laps around large department or grocery stores. However, if you choose to walk outside, be aware of potential dangers and how to share the road with cars safely. There are rules of the road that need to be followed, even while walking, to avoid getting injured by a motor vehicle,” said Dr. Ruppert:

  • Use the sidewalk for walking if there is one.
  • If no sidewalk is available and you must walk on the road – walk facing the oncoming traffic.
  • Wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can easily see you.
  • Walk with a flashlight if you are walking after dark or have some reflective gear on, like reflective laces for your shoes so you can be seen.
  • Do not run across a road, look left, right, then left again before crossing over.
  • Be alert; don’t text or stare at your cell phone while walking. Keep your eyes on the road.
  • Be aware of cars in driveways that may be backing out.
  • Cross at a corner, not mid-block.
  • Wait for a “walk” symbol on the main streets with traffic lights.

The Health Department is working with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to educate the Rockland County community on important traffic safety measures pedestrians and drivers should take. Rockland County was identified as one of the top 20 counties for pedestrian-related crashes in the 2016 New York State (NYS) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. Both pedestrians and drivers were found to be in violation of NYS Vehicle and Traffic Laws.

Leaders of local organizations, agencies, businesses, community, and faith-based groups are encouraged to schedule a free, interactive, 45-minute presentation, Arrive Alive: Walk Wise Drive Smart.  Participants will be provided with pedestrian and traffic safety information they can post, distribute, and share with clients, customers, family members, and others. To schedule a presentation, call the Health Department at (845) 364-2500. For more information on road safety, visit Rockland County Safe Streets Website.

Harckham Bill Helping to Guarantee Health Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters Passes in Senate

Albany, NY – The New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation this week sponsored by State Senator Pete Harckham that will help expand health benefits for volunteer firefighters. The legislation, when approved by the Assembly and enacted by the governor, will make permanent the long-standing law covering disability determinations for volunteer firefighters due to certain lung disabilities.

“Volunteer firefighters statewide often incur major diseases and ailments in the course of protecting our residents and businesses, so we must reciprocate and safeguard the health of these brave first responders whenever possible,” said Harckham. “This bill will eliminate a sunset clause for lung care while streamlining access to much deserved health benefits.”

Volunteer firefighters provide an invaluable service to New York State and our individual communities. Accordingly, it simply makes sense to prevent unnecessary worry on the part of volunteer firefighters and their families as to whether or not they will receive their benefits.

Harckham’s bill (S.1176) regarding firefighters with lung maladies will amend a 2006 law that grants important lung health care benefits, yet needs to be renewed through legislative approval and enacted every two years. Similar health benefits for full-time firefighters, though, do not need to go through the biannual approval process—even though career and volunteer firefighters are exposed to the same risks.

The risks are, indeed, significant. Lung disabilities for firefighters exceed those experienced by the average adult population in the U.S. In the line of duty, firefighters are exposed to gases, toxins and other substances that have damaging short- and long-term effects on the respiratory system. Some of the toxic gases and respiratory tract irritants that firefighters are at risk of inhaling include sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, phosgene, nitrous oxides, aldehydes and particulate matter.

The New York State Senate passed a similar bill introduced by Harckham last year, but the State Assembly did not approve the legislation. When enacted, the legislation will benefit over 80,000 volunteer firefighters and their families across New York.

“We would like to thank Senator Harckham for his hard work in getting this important piece of legislation again passed in the State Senate,” said Edward Tase, Jr., president of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY). “New York’s volunteer firefighters are exposed to dangerous chemicals while fighting fires that may cause lasting lung damage. FASNY wholeheartedly supports this legislation, which will take this long standing benefit and make it permanent, further strengthening this critical safety net for our volunteer firefighters. We are ready to work with the Assembly and we urge them to follow suit and pass this in their house.”

Blood Drive February 23rd in Spring Valley

There will be a Blood Drive at Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley on Thursday, February 23rd from 1 to 6pm on the third floor in the Fielding Room.

 

To schedule an appointment, call 845-352-5700 x244 or visit finkelsteinlibrary.org/adult-classes.

 

All blood donors during the month of February not only will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email, but will also be entered into a raffle to win a trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Rockland County Launches Safe Streets Website

NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the launching of the new Rockland County Safe Streets website. Visit the new website at https://rocklandsafestreets.org/ for pedestrian and bicyclist safety information and other resources. The website was created with funding from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) to inform and engage residents in Rockland County about pedestrian and bicyclist safety issues, New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law, and to promote behavior change to reduce injuries and fatalities.

In 2020, 241 pedestrians were killed on New York State roads in crashes involving a motor vehicle, and 10,667 pedestrians were injured. Rockland County was identified as one of the top 20 counties for pedestrian-related crashes in the 2016 New York State (NYS) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. The top 3 contributing factors in fatal and personal injury pedestrian crashes were Driver Inattention/Distraction, Failure to Yield Right-of-Way, and Pedestrian/Bicyclist Error/Confusion. Both pedestrians and drivers were found to be in violation of NYS Vehicle and Traffic (V&T) Laws.

“Educating yourself and teaching children about pedestrian and bicycle safety saves lives. The Rockland County Safe Streets website has important road safety information for educators, parents, and municipalities to prevent serious injuries and death. Whether you are walking, driving, or riding a bicycle, you have a responsibility to help prevent crashes and save lives,” said Dr. Ruppert.

Visit the Rockland County Safe Streets website to sign up for the quarterly newsletter with information about injury prevention, including bike safety, pedestrian safety month, pedestrian safety awareness, back- to-school bus safety, information about complete streets, and funding opportunities for municipalities and community organizations.

The Rockland County Department of Health also offers educational programs and printed materials to educate the public about pedestrian and bicycle safety. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation for your school or community organization or would like printed safety materials to distribute, call 845-364-3755 or email lopeza@co.rockland.ny.us.

“To protect yourself and others, know and obey the laws and rules of the road and be alert. Avoid distractions like cell phones, especially while driving and walking near traffic, obey the speed limit if you are driving, and always watch out for other road users,” said County Executive Ed Day.

For more road safety tips, visit https://www.ny.gov/pedestrian-safety/pedestrian-safety-and-projects#pedestrian-safety and the Rockland County Safe Streets Website.

Celebrating All Types of Love

A reminder to reap the health benefits of self-care and self-love this Valentine’s Day

 

(ROCKLAND COUNTY) February 10, 2023 – We all know Valentine’s Day centers on romantic love: gifts of roses, chocolates, flowers, and fancy dinners are all on display at this time of year, helping us celebrate the special someone we are happy to have in our lives. But it’s also a great day to honor love in all its forms and to cherish all the people we love—including ourselves.

 

This year, Rockland Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT) is urging everyone to take this day that is dedicated to love as an opportunity to show love and care for ourselves. Self-love and self-care are crucial aspects of our overall well-being and should be incorporated into our daily lives, especially on Valentine’s Day. Practicing both is a great way to maintain a healthy balance in our lives, reduce stress, and improve our overall well-being.

 

Self-love is about accepting and embracing who we are, flaws and all. It’s about treating ourselves with kindness, respect, and compassion, and recognizing that we are deserving of love and happiness. Practicing self-love leads us to embrace self-care, or taking time to attend to our physical, emotional, and mental needs. This can involve anything from getting enough rest, eating a balanced diet, exercising, or simply taking time to do things that bring us joy.

 

“This Valentine’s Day, we are recommending that everyone make self-love and self-care a priority, whether it’s treating yourself to a relaxing massage, taking a long walk in nature, or just giving yourself the gift of positive affirmations throughout the day. This is especially important if you are single or feeling lonely on Valentine’s Day, which can be challenging. If that’s your scenario, have a plan in advance to combat the blues: cook dinner with a friend, connect with supportive family members, get involved in a community volunteering event, or just focus on gratitude for other aspects of your life. Remember, being single on Valentine’s Day is just one day, and it’s an opportunity to focus on yourself and your well-being,” states Tara Brock, Home Based Crisis Intervention Coordinator for Rockland County’s Behavioral Health Response Team.

 

Brock also recommends celebrating the other types of love in your life that don’t revolve around Cupid’s arrow. As a reminder, here are some non-romantic loves to be grateful for on Valentine’s Day:

 

  • Friendship love: the affectionate love and support we give and receive through various friendships. Take the time to send a thoughtful message to the great friends in your life who have brought you joy, such as co-workers, neighbors, childhood friends, etc.
  • Family love: the unconditional love of parents, siblings, children, and other extended family members. This protective, bonding love is always worthy of celebrating. Be sure to share the love with your family on Valentine’s Day!
  • Pet love: our furry friends make us feel love in a unique and special way that can incorporate self-love, friendship love, and family love. Pets can help you make sure your needs are met, can give you support and love, and also foster that bonding, protective love that you share with family.

 

As you reflect on this heart-filled day, be sure to find the joy in loving yourself, your romantic and non-romantic partners, and your friends, family, and pets. Embrace the day as one to care for yourself and the most important people in your life who bring love in its many forms. Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

A video with additional tips and advice featuring Tara Brock will be posted to the BHRT Facebook page. https://fb.watch/izmSpsKI0h/

 

BHRT services are offered free of charge through a grant from the NYS Office of Mental Health through Rockland County. A 24 hour hotline is available for anyone dealing with a mental health emergency at 845-517-0400. Additional information can be found at www.rocklandhelp.org.

 

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