Yearly Archives: 2022

World No Tobacco Day Calls Attention to the Environmental Risks of Tobacco

Protecting the Environment is Just One More Reason To Quit SYRACUSE, NY: The Tobacco-Free CNY program partnered with the Reality Check youth program to celebrate World No Tobacco Day on May 31st. This year, the World No Tobacco Day global campaign highlights tobacco’s threat to the environment and aims to educate the public about the… Read more >

Fight the Bite: Protect Yourself from Diseases Caused by Mosquitoes and Ticks

SYRACUSE, NY:  With some sunny days in the forecast and the arrival of spring in Central New York, the Onondaga County Health Department urges the public to protect themselves from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks now and throughout the fall season. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta reminds residents, “After the long winter in Central… Read more >

The Pandemic’s Newest Facelift with Omicron BA.2 Subvariants!

As we are seeing more contagious new Omicron subvariants BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1 in Onondaga County and Central New York, I cannot help comparing this to the latest version of a do-over by this SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease. I have been told that no one wants to hear the same prevention messages of the… Read more >

Tell Us What You Think About the Health of Our Community

Every three years, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) performs a community health assessment and improvement plan. An important part of this process is a Community Health Survey to get feedback from you Onondaga County residents about health issues that matter to them. These thoughts on the health of our community will be used to… Read more >

Reality Check Program Says Rate Smoking “R”

This year for International Week of Action for Smoke-Free Movies, the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (ITC) Reality Check group spoke out against the tobacco industry using entertainment media to market their products to youth by creating and displaying posters with facts and statements throughout their school to educate their peers. International Week of… Read more >

New Screening Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer

By Kara Verbanic, Public Health Educator Onondaga County Health Department Cancer Services Program March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that the US Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society are now recommending colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer… Read more >

Colorectal Cancer Screening Begins at Age 45: Free Screening Tests Available

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The newest guidance from the US Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society recommends that colorectal cancer screenings begin at age 45. The recommended age to begin screening was lowered because colorectal cancer cases are on the rise among individuals younger than 50. According to the… Read more >

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, FREE Screening Tests Available

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. All women are at risk for cervical cancer, but it occurs most often in women over the age of 30. Unlike many cancers, cervical cancer can be prevented with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and regular screening tests (Pap test and HPV test) and follow-up. Screening tests can… Read more >