Author Archives: ongovhealth

Local Youth Joined Effort to Expose Big Tobacco’s Lies during Altria’s Shareholder Meeting

Mobilizing Against Tobacco Lies Virtual Event (#MATL2021) to Tell the Truth About Tobacco Use and the Industry’s Marketing Tactics Syracuse, NY – June 1, 2021 – This past week, Reality Check youth leaders from Onondaga and Cayuga Counties joined more than 300 other youth from around New York State, as well as Nebraska, Massachusetts, Hawaii,… Read more >

Taking Down Tobacco: “It’s Not Just” about Menthol Flavored Tobacco Products

In Onondaga County, African Americans are at a higher risk for poor health outcomes related to many chronic diseases, including those caused by tobacco use! Sadly, the tobacco industry has spent decades marketing menthol-flavored tobacco products in Black or African American communities1,2. As a result, 85% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared to 29%… Read more >

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

As the Onondaga County Health Department continues its efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic in our community, it is important to remember other issues that are also affecting our health. We continue to stress the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and now with the arrival of spring, the need to protect ourselves from mosquito-… Read more >

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Reluctance: A Fact-Based Conversation! 

As of May 11, 248,962 people in Onondaga County have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 216,069 have completed the vaccine series. Among people eligible to be vaccinated, vaccination rates by zip code range from 41.6% in Syracuse 13204 to 84.7% in Fayetteville 13066. When looking at the entire county population,… Read more >

Kinney Drugs to Partner with Onondaga County Health Department to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic to Serve Those Age 12 and Older

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced today a partnership between Kinney Drugs and Onondaga County Health Department to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic this weekend to serve residents age 12 and older. The clinic will be held this Saturday, May 15 from 2 to 5 pm at the Oncenter Convention Center. Individuals may register for… Read more >

COVID-19 Vaccination Saves Lives! Are you ready?

A few years ago, I had written a health blog regarding the importance of vaccination titled “My Salute to the Power of Vaccination”. It seems like déjàvu as I am writing the same topic, this time focusing on the importance of vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though three different COVID-19 vaccines are widely available… Read more >

Onondaga County to Resume Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Following CDC & FDA Review

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Indu Gupta, announced today that Onondaga County will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine at Onondaga County clinics in line with recommendations released today by New York State. The availability of the single-dose vaccine will be announced as… Read more >

Health Alert: Sudden Increase in Syphilis Cases in Onondaga County

Onondaga County has seen a sharp rise in syphilis cases so far this year. In the first three months of 2021, Onondaga County has seen 28 cases of syphilis—as many cases as in all of 2020. Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta stated, “Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is CURABLE with antibiotics if detected… Read more >

County Executive McMahon & Health Commissioner Gupta Announce Immediate Pause in Use of J&J Vaccine in Onondaga County

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Indu Gupta today announced a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine immediately at all Onondaga County clinics following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and New York State Department of… Read more >