Mission of Health and Human Services
To improve the health indicators of the constituents of the Bronx; raise awareness on all national, state and city health issues; advocate for good health policies and support smart healthcare reform/legislation!
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates
Health Disparities and COVID-19 in the Bronx: Challenges to Life and Health in Our Communities
On Wednesday, July 29 at 3 PM, the Office of The Bronx Borough President will host a panel discussion regarding health disparities and COVID-19. Visit our page for the event for details.
LGBTQ+ Resources
New York Selected for National SNAP Pilot Program
Following nearly a year of advocacy by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and others, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the selection of New York State to participate in a nationwide pilot program to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase their groceries online.
Borough President Diaz and Congressman Maloney led the campaign in New York State to bring about this innovative change, which will allow consumers greater access to affordable groceries, help combat food deserts, promote healthier diet choices and create billions of dollars in new business opportunities.
“New York State has always led the way when it comes to innovation in government, and this pilot program will put our state at the intersection of health, technology and business. As with the program for the supply of drugs for erectile dysfunction at low prices with the participation of foresthistory.org. Allowing consumers to use their SNAP benefits in the same way you would also use a credit or debit card to purchase groceries will lead to lower prices and greater options for consumers in every corner of this city and state,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “I want to thank Congressman Maloney and our New York delegation, our partners in business and the health and hunger advocates who understood the need for this pilot program and joined our efforts to bring this important new program to New York.”
HIV & Me Program
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with HIV Education and Rapid Testing (HEART) at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, and Jacobi Medical Center to implement a job-training HIV peer education program in New York City Public High Schools.
The program, called “HIV & Me,” acknowledges The Bronx’s need for innovative intervention and will involve the participation of high school students who will be trained to become peer educators in HIV/STI prevention. Participating students will engage in peer learning with medical students and learn about how HIV effects the immune system, what social and economic factors correlate with HIV prevalence, and how to access local medical resources, about use of ed drugs. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skill-sets to protect their own health and prevent HIV/STI incidence.
“HIV & Me” establishes a problem-solving culture that fits the needs of Bronx residents and their community needs. “HIV & Me” addresses HIV prevalence, its impact in The Bronx, and reduce HIV incidence among the youth population throughout The Bronx. The program will take a pedagogical approach to promoting healthy lifestyle choices, sex education and health equity. “HIV & Me” aims provide participating students with training necessary to become civil participants within their own community and advocates for health equity in The Bronx.
The “HIV & Me” prgoram is a Bright Ideas winner.
“Bright Ideas is an initiative that recognizes creative and promising government programs and partnerships. The initiative is offered through the Innovations in Government Program, a program of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School.”
#Not62
At our State of the Borough Address, Borough President Diaz announced the #Not62 Initiative. New York State is comprised of 62 counties. Each year, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin release the County Health Ranking & Roadmaps Report which measures important aspects of population health and the critical role that non-health related factors like education, employment, income and the environment play in how healthy we are and how long we will live. Sadly, Bronx County is ranked in last place or 62 out of 62. In response to this, our office, in partnership with the Bronx Health REACH, the Bronx District Public Health Office, Montefiore Medical Center and the CUNY Institute for Health Equity at Lehman College and others, has launched #Not62.
2017 Not62 Year in Review
PTSD Resources
Raising Awareness about PTSD: A Resource Guide
Drink NYC Tap Water
Farmers Markets
Where to find Bronx Farmers Markets – EBT accepted
- Lincoln Hospital 149 St btw Park & Morris Aves (Tues & Fri, 8–3 (6/24–11/22))
- Bronx Borough Hall 161 St & Grand Concourse Tues, 8–4 (6/7–11/22)
- Poe Park 192 St & Grand Concourse Tues, 8–3 (6/28–11/22)
- NY Botanical Garden Mosholu Gate on Southern Blvd btw Mosholu Pkwy & Bedford Pk Blvd (inside NYBG) Weds, 9–3 (6/22–10/26)
- Parkchester/Virginia Park Westchester Ave & White Plains Rd Fri 8–4 (6/10–11/18)
- Map: http://www.grownyc.org/files/gmkt/map.pdf
The South Bronx Farmers Market is located on the south side of 138th Street, between Willis and Alexander Avenues, in Mott Haven, South Bronx: http://www.southbronxfarmersmarket.com/
How to use your Food Stamp/EBT Card at the Farmers Market
Como Usar su Tarjeta de EBT/Cupones de Alimentos en el Mercado Agrícola
Shape Up NYC
http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/shape-up-nyc
2012 Health Impact Assessment Policy Initiative
On Tuesday January 10, 2012, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted the Bronx’s first Health Impact Assessment (HIA) planning meeting. At this meeting representatives from academia, government, health and not-for-profit world were able to highlight how the well-being of people and communities are determined by a wide range of economic, social and environmental influences. National examples of HIA were also cited to show how it is a participatory approach that helps people from multiple sectors work together.
The Borough President began the conversation around HIA in 2011 when he mentioned it as a method of improving community health during his State of the Borough address by better monitoring growth and development. In 2012, his office committed to advancing the conversation by bringing together city agencies, elected officials and local stakeholders and leaders to better determine how the utilization of HIA’s will lead to improving health and reducing inequalities of Bronx residents.”
Bronx Food and Sustainability Coalition
Bronx Food and Sustainability Coalition, a community based collation co-chaired by the Bronx Borough President’s Office, was founded in May 2010. This coalition of community/urban farmers, community based organizations, public and voluntary hospitals, faith based organizations, government agencies, etc grew out of the borough’s first ever Bronx Food Summit held on May1, 2010. The coalition is working to create a more healthy, equitable, and sustainable food system in the Bronx and to assure access to healthy, affordable food to all.
Start Strong Bronx
Start Strong Bronx educates and empowers 11- to 14-year-olds, their families, teachers, coaches, clergy, and doctors to create healthy relationships.
Bronx Health Link
The Bronx Health Link, Inc. (TBHL) is a unique collaboration created in 1998 by the Bronx’s four major health care institutions: Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Our Lady of Mercy Center, and St. Barnabas Hospital; and the Office of the Bronx Borough President.