Month: July 2019

Sugary Snacks Campaign Controversy

James Garrow, city health department spokesperson, said efforts are being made to apologize for any hurt feelings, as well as to thank commenters for helping to clarify the difference between Type 1 and 2 diabetes.

However, Garrow said, “Nearly every comment that we’ve received has been appreciative of the underlying goal of the campaign: to fight childhood obesity.”

https://www.inquirer.com/health/sugary-snacks-obesity-diabetes-parents-billboards-ads-20190723.html

By Rita Giordano

NBC10

A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health apologized for “any hurt” that the campaign caused. He also stated that the campaign was focused on Type 2 diabetes rather than Type 1.

“Given that 17% of children in Philadelphia today are overweight and 22% are obese, which is a sign that they are already at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, we felt that something had to be done,” the spokesperson wrote.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Philadelphia-Billboard-Childhood-Obesity-Diabetes-Ad-Campaign-Controversy-Type-1-Type-2-513122801.html

By David Chang and Keith Jones

Fox29

Health officials say they apologize to anyone who is offended by the language on the billboards. They say the focus is on childhood obesity and its connection to diabetes.

https://www.fox29.com/news/billboard-carries-controversial-message-on-diabetes

By Dave Kinchen

First Heat-Related Death of 2019

AP

The Philadelphia Department of Health said Monday that the death of a man in his 70s in West Philadelphia on Saturday was attributed to the heat. No other details were provided.

https://www.fox29.com/news/hot-weather-cited-in-death-of-philadelphia-man

By Staff

PhillyVoice

This is the city’s first heat-related death of 2019. By comparison, during July 1993 in Philadelphia, the medical examiner’s office determined 118 deaths were heat-related, the CDC reported. And officials in Chicago reported two heat-related deaths over the weekend, bringing that city’s total to three for the year.

By Emily Rolen

CBS 3

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has confirmed a heat-related death in the city’s West Philadelphia section. A man in his 70s was found dead on Saturday.

By Staff

WHYY

In 2011, 35 people died from heat-related causes in Philadelphia, the largest number of such deaths in the last 10 years. That’s a decrease from the 1990s which saw 361 deaths over the decade, said James Garrow, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Health.

By Ximena Conde

 

 

Philly’s Heat Warning System Saves Lives

The health department has met the challenges of heat mortality head on, taking innovative steps to mitigate deaths in recent years. “It used to be that when NWS issued an excessive heat warning, the city would automatically do the same thing, and then all these programs would get implemented,” says Garrow. But by cross-referencing data about when the NWS issued alerts with the city’s data about when people were actually dying from heat-related issues, the health department saw that the NWS-issued heat warnings “didn’t really match up with when we saw deaths.” In response, city has begun to issue heat health emergencies independently from the NWS.

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/07/19/heat-warning-system/

By Ella Comberg

Starbucks Blue Lights

Philadelphia’s Health Department is still giving out blue light bulbs to neighbors who ask for them, according to spokesperson Jim Garrow, but only until the supply runs out. After that, the city will reevaluate the strategy’s effectiveness, he said.

“The opioid epidemic is unprecedented,” Garrow said, “and the city is willing to try a variety of tactics to help support those with opioid use disorder.”

https://billypenn.com/2019/07/18/phillys-opioid-epidemic-is-so-bad-starbucks-has-blue-lights-in-the-bathrooms/

By Michaela Winberg

Heat Health Emergency Declared July 17, 2019

Release

In response to forecast maximum heat indexes over 110, Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, MD, MPH has issued a Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia. This designation begins Wednesday, July 17, at noon and is scheduled to end Sunday, July 21, at 11 p.m.

https://mailchi.mp/phila.gov/health-commissioner-declares-first-heat-health-emergency-of-2019

WHYY

Philadelphia has declared a heat health emergency starting Wednesday at noon, and announced Thursday it would be extended through Monday at 11 p.m. The emergency declaration, which comes after a National Weather Service prediction of heat index values as high as 110 degrees this weekend, kicks into effect city services designed to keep people cool and safe from the dangers of excessive heat.

https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-declares-a-heat-health-emergency-scientists-say-more-to-come/

By Catalina Jaramillo

Patch

“We strongly urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working and homes are adequately ventilated,” Farley said. “In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions.”

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/philadelphia/heat-emergency-declared-philadelphia

By Max Bennett

NBC10

The City of Philadelphia also issued its first heat health emergency of the summer, joining other area communities, including Camden, Mercer and Montgomery counties and Wilmington, in launching initiatives for helping people more susceptible to the heat.

“We strongly urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working and homes are adequately ventilated,” Philly Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said. “In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions.”

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/weather/Triple-Digit-Heat-Storms-Hottest-in-Years-512824551.html

By FirstAlert Weather Team

PhillyVoice

The official declaration, issued by Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, means the city’s Heatline, a special helpline number, will be open for calls. The Heatline offers health and safety tips, and connects people with medical professionals to ask about conditions and illnesses made worse from heat.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/philadelphia-heat-health-emergency-weather-july-heat-wave/

By Adam Hermann

Philly Magazine

The city has already declared the year’s first Heat Health Emergency, which will remain in effect until Sunday evening. That means some of those aforementioned cooling centers will institute longer hours, and the city will also operate a (ahem) hotline, where you can call for heat-reduction advice. The city also has an extreme weather notification system, for which you can sign up here.

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/07/17/philadelphia-heat-emergency/

By David Murrell

6ABC

The City of Philadelphia has declared a Heat Health Emergency.

This Emergency begins Wednesday, July 17, at 12 p.m. and is scheduled to end Sunday, July 21, at 11 p.m.

Due to the extreme heat, the City says it is implementing special measure to keep residents safe.

https://6abc.com/weather/city-of-philadelphia-declares-heat-health-emergency/5401406/

By Staff

Inquirer

“We strongly urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working and homes are adequately ventilated. In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions,” Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said.

https://www.inquirer.com/weather/philadelphia-weather-forecast-temperature-heat-wave-code-red-pool-schedule-20190716.html

By Rob Tornoe and Mariah Rush

KYW

The Philadelphia Department of Pubic Health Commissioner, Thomas Farley, MD,MPH says the heat this week could be deadly. In response to the forecast of heat indexes over 110 degrees, Farley has issued a Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia from Wednesday until Sunday, July 21.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/hot-hot-hot-what-you-need-know-after-philadelphia-declares-code-red

By Justin Udo

Inquirer 2

Head to one of the city’s 60-plus public pools and spraygrounds (think of a smaller version of Dilworth Park’s massive concrete sprinkler system, built into your local playground). Check the city’s online map to see what’s close to you. Pools are open noon to 5 p.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and will operate on a free swim schedule until further notice.

“That means that there’s no set program for little kids or adults, so anyone can hop into the pool and cool off,” says James Garrow, the director of communications at the Department of Public Health.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/heat-wave-cooling-centers-philadelphia-libraries-public-pools-spraygrounds-20190719.html

By Bethany Ao

Wall Street Journal

“From our perspective, this is not something to take lightly,” said James Garrow, a spokesman for Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, which has issued a Heat Health Emergency declaration lasting through Sunday.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/eastern-seaboard-braces-for-possible-record-breaking-heat-wave-11563470222

By Jennifer Calfas

Sugary Snacks Campaign Launch

Release

The City of Philadelphia announced a new hard-hitting mass media campaign focusing on the dangers of sugary snacks for kids, with tips on how to make the easy snack choice the healthy one.

https://mailchi.mp/phila.gov/city-announces-new-ad-campaign-warning-philadelphians-about-the-dangers-of-sugary-snacks-for-children

Inquirer

Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley announced a new public education campaign Wednesday aimed at alerting residents to the dangers of children eating sugary snacks and encouraging them to seek healthier alternatives.

https://www.inquirer.com/health/sugar-snacks-philadelphia-health-department-farley-child-obesity-diabetes-soda-tax-20190717.html

By Rita Giordano

Philly Voice

At a press conference Wednesday morning, officials revealed the “I Call the Snacks” campaign, taking aim at sugary foods that contribute to childhood obesity and the development of diabetes.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/obesity-philadelphia-kids-public-health-diabetes-ad-campaign-sugary-foods/

By Michael Tanenbaum

CBS 3

The new media campaign from the Philadelphia Health Department is taking aim at sugary snacks and how dangerous they can be for children.

“Sugary snacks can lead to obesity, which can cause diabetes and serious complications like kidney damage, blindness and even amputations,” one commercial says.

https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/07/17/philadelphia-health-department-debuts-campaign-on-dangers-of-children-eating-sugary-snacks-obesity-diabetes/

By Stephanie Stahl

Heat Vulnerability Index highlights City hot spots

Think your neighborhood is the hottest in Philadelphia? Find out using the Philadelphia Heat Vulnerability Index.

It’s true, some Philadelphia neighborhoods are hotter than others. It’s important for City agencies to know where those neighborhoods are, to help keep people safe during very hot weather. The Philadelphia Heat Vulnerability Index, developed by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Office of Sustainability, shows which areas in the city are hottest and coolest during the summer.

https://www.phila.gov/2019-07-16-heat-vulnerability-index-highlights-city-hot-spots/

Community Health Needs Assessment Report

Release

Eighteen regional hospitals in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, supported by the Health Care Improvement Foundation, Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, and the Philadelphia, Chester, and Montgomery County health departments, have published a comprehensive report detailing community health issues that affect their patient populations.

https://mailchi.mp/phila.gov/eighteen-hospitals-in-philadelphia-area-complete-first-ever-regional-community-health-needs-assessment?e=[UNIQID]

Inquirer

“With the criteria that the institutions used to do the ratings, you think about what issues are having a big magnitude in terms of impacting a larger number of community members. And then you think about what’s actually on people’s minds, what they are feeling the burden of,” said Raynard Washington, the chief epidemiologist for Philadelphia’s health department.

The opioid crisis, he said, was at the top of both lists.

“It’s virtually impossible not to see it as a major health issue,” he said.

https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-crisis-pennsylvania-hospitals-health-assessment-20190718.html

By Aubrey Whelan

KYW

The report focuses on communities and their needs, which meant going into neighborhoods and interviewing individuals served by the hospitals. Dr. Raynard Washington with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health says they learned it’s not easy for people to find the resources they need.

“A common theme is additional supports to help people navigate the very complex healthcare and health resource systems that we have,” Washington said.

https://kywnewsradio.radio.com/articles/news/improve-care-philly-area-hospitals-examine-challenges-neighborhoods

By Hadas Kuznits