Category Archives: Blog Articles

STDs: You Don’t Always See the Signs

By Melanie Drotar, Public Information Specialist and Karyn Johnson, Public Health Educator The Onondaga County Health Department recently collaborated with students at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University on a video public service announcement (PSA) project. It was a perfect partnership: students produced these videos for course credit while gaining real world… Read more >

Get Screened to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

By Emily Young, Public Health Educator, Cancer Services Program Onondaga County Health Department John* has been experiencing colorectal symptoms for a few months yet he hasn’t seen a doctor because he doesn’t have health insurance. He works full-time but his company doesn’t offer health insurance coverage. John is 55-years-old and knows that he should have… Read more >

How is the Health of Onondaga County?

By Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health To kick off 2017, I would like to make you aware of a new and important document that is now available. A community health assessment (CHA), also known as community health needs assessment (CHNA), is performed on a regular basis to identify key health indicators in a… Read more >

Let’s Get Pretty in Pink this October!

By Emily Young, Public Health Educator, Cancer Services Program In October the leaves are changing colors and signs of pumpkins are all around, but in my world, I see pink! The Onondaga County Health Department’s Cancer Services Program (CSP) is partnering with several local pumpkins patches and diners to raise awareness about the importance of… Read more >

Lyme Disease is Preventable!

By Jackie Shostack, MSEd, Public Health Education Supervisor Bureau of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Onondaga County Health Department It’s been a great summer and I hope everyone’s been enjoying the outdoors. Onondaga County has so many beautiful parks to explore and play in. However, when you are outside, you need to play it safe!… Read more >

Spring is here and may bring fix-up projects around your house…could there be lead paint?

Ann Barnett, Public Health Educator Along with spring flowers, the season usually brings home repair projects. If you are thinking about doing some home repairs or remodeling projects, which may disturb old paint, I urge you to take safety precautions. Lead paint and lead dust continue to be the major source of lead exposure for… Read more >

December 1st, 2015 World AIDS Day

By: Indu Gupta, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health Contributing author: Frances Daye, SUNY Cortland student and intern with the Bureau of Disease Control As we acknowledge 2015 World AIDS day in Syracuse NY, I cannot help but look back more than 30 years, when the first 5 cases of AIDS were reported. That was 1981.… Read more >

Recognizing the Women of “Celebrating Survivors: A Traveling Road Show”

By Indu Gupta, Commissioner of Health Contributing Author: Jenny Dickinson, Cancer Services Program Coordinator On October 15th, the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program had the honor of thanking seven local breast cancer survivors for taking part in “Celebrating Survivors: A Traveling Roadshow”. The posters traveled over a 6 week period to 16 locations throughout Onondaga… Read more >

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

By Indu Gupta, Commissioner of Health Contributing Author: Emily Young, Public Health Educator, Cancer Services Program A few years ago, my close friend called me in a panic and informed me that her mammogram was abnormal. She was tearful because she was asked to have more tests. She was very concerned about cancer. I offered… Read more >

Beware of These Mosquito Menaces!

By Indu Gupta, MD, MPH Commissioner of Health When I was growing up in India, my mother used to remind us all, “Put mosquito repellent on, wear long sleeves, cover your skin, and make sure you tuck yourself inside the mosquito net at night so you don’t get bitten!” As a little girl, I listened… Read more >