Flu

It's not too late to get a flu shot! Click here for information.

Pertussis

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, continues to circulate in Monroe County. While it can affect people of any age, most of our cases are in pre-teens. Newborns, who might have an older sibling with the illness, are at very high-risk from this illness because they are un-vaccinated. Children who develop a persistent cough should be evaluated by a physician. Caregivers such as new parents and grandparents should be vaccinated to protect babies. Click here for more information on upcoming clinics.

Pertussis Fact Sheet

Expanded Immunization Clinic Hours

The Health Department is now offering immunizations on days other than its traditional Wednesdays from 12-7. People coming on Wednesday should plan to arrive by 6 p.m. to assure you are seen. Additional immunization clinic dates have been added for people unable to get here on Wednesdays. The schedule varies by week. The best way to learn the expanded clinic hours is to call 753-5150. Appointments are not necessary.

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is recommended for people 60 and older. The charge for this vaccine is $192. Payment is expected at the time of your visit. It is possible that your health insurance may cover some or all of the cost. We encourage you to contact them. Our supply of Zostavax is inconsistent, but we do have a small quantity at this time. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call 753-5150.

Wind Chill Index

During the winter months in Rochester, the combined effect of wind and temperature—known as the Wind Chill Index (WCI)—can be very dangerous. The method used to calculate the WCI was revised in 2001 after many decades. We have posted links below to several credible Web sites with charts and other useful information on this subject and a 2004 letter to school superintendents.

• Wind Chill Index Chart
• Buffalo Office, National Weather Service
• CDC Extreme Cold Prevention Guide
• Letter from Health Department to School Superintendents 
  

Health Information Line

A Health Information Line is frequently used when specific immediate actions are required of the public to safeguard their health. This number is often cited by media outlets for ease in directing callers to a particular program.

 

Health Information Line:
585 753-5600

 

Center for Community Health

An Academic-Public Health Partnership

The Monroe County Department of Public Health and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and School of Nursing established the Center for Community Health, a collaborative research and teaching center.

The mission of the Center is to improve the health of Monroe County residents by:

• Fostering community health research.
• Providing the infrastructure for a data-based community health planning process.
• Broadening health care professional education to include applied population medicine.
• Developing innovative approaches to working with local residents and agencies for continuous community health improvement.

Read the CRH White Sheet (19k PDF).

HEALTH ACTION

HEALTH ACTION, Priorities for Monroe County, began in 1995 when the Director of the Monroe County Department of Public Health convened a group of community partners to develop a plan to improve the health of Monroe County residents. The HEALTH ACTION Steering Committee is composed of individuals from community organizations representing business, education and health care.

 

TRANS FATS

Trans fat is made when an otherwise healthful liquid (vegetable) oil is chemically changed to make a semi-solid product called "partially hydrogenated" vegetable oil. Food manufacturers began using these altered products a number of years ago because it was shown to increase shelf life, texture, and flavor and at the time it was thought to be a healthful alternative to saturated fat. Trans fat is commonly found in deep fried foods, baked goods, snack foods, and many processed foods.

All fats are not the same. There are "good" fats and "bad" fats. When we eat foods high in saturated fat or trans fat, it raises the bad (LDL) cholesterol in our blood. Having high LDL cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US, in New York, and in Monroe County. Trans fat is even worse than saturated fat because it actually lowers the good (HDL) cholesterol in the blood. Eating foods high in poly and monounsaturated fat have a good effect on cholesterol levels and are encouraged. 

Federal guidelines recommend that total fat intake be 20-35% of total calories. Saturated fat intake should be less than 10%, and trans fat consumption should be kept as close to zero as possible.

Foods purchased in a supermarket are labeled so consumers know what they’re getting. The amount of trans fat in a serving is in the “Total Fat” section. When ordering food in a restaurant, it is not as easy to know the nutritional content. To know what type of fats are being used in the preparation of restaurant food, a good tip to remember is “ask before you order”. Many fast food chains have such information on the nutritional content of their food products. Restaurant owners and chefs may not know you care about this issue unless you bring it to their attention.

One way that the Health Department protects and promotes the health of its residents is to assure the safety of food served in restaurants. We have requested local food service establishments to phase-out their use of trans fat. We believe that replacing trans fats with healthier alternatives will -- over time -- reduce heart disease in Monroe County. 

• Trans Fat Brochure Sent to Restaurants in Monroe County
• American Heart Association – Face the Fats
• New York City Health Department Trans Fat Center
• Alternatives to Oils Containing Trans Fats

 

Internship Opportunities at Health Department

The Monroe County Department of Public Health hosts college students seeking internships throughout the year for matriculated students whose degree requires an internship. All internships are unpaid.  Before a student can apply for an internship, there must be a finalized Affiliation Agreement between the College/University and Monroe County.  The following institutions currently have finalized agreements:

• Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
• St. John Fisher College, Wegmans School of Nursing
• Skidmore College
• SUNY Brockport Health Sciences 
• SUNY Brockport Nursing
• SUNY Cortland
• SUNY Geneseo
• University of New Haven
• University of Rochester School of Nursing
• Wells College

Institutions interested in establishing an affiliation agreement with us, and students attending one of the above listed schools who are interested in a future internship with our department, may contact us for further information.  NOTE:  Students should contact us at least six months prior to their desired internship semester. 

If you have any questions please contact us at: mchealth@monroecounty.gov.

 

Online Health Information

The Internet is an excellent place to become more knowledgable about health. However, while there are many credible health sites, there are also sites that may contain information and recommendations that are not valid.

The links listed below contain reliable health information.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
• Healthfinder—Your Guide to Reliable Health Information
• New York State Department of Health
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
• HEALTH ACTION—Priorities for Monroe County
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• CLIC-On-Health
• US Food and Drug Administration 
• RochesterHealth.com