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New York City Mayor Eric Adams is trying to get New Yorkers to live longer, healthier lives. “On average, New Yorkers can expect to live two years less than in 2019, the first marked decline in a century.” of progress,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The mayor said he hopes all city agencies will examine issues, such as housing, and make decisions to help residents live longer. time.
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams is trying to help New Yorkers live longer, healthier lives. And now he has a plan to do it.
Adams unveiled his plan “HealthyNYC” Wednesday in an effort to raise life expectancy to 83 years by 2030. That would be a notable improvement from the 80.7-year mark after falling for nearly two years between 2019 and 2021, according to the mayor’s report.
“On average, New Yorkers can expect to live two years less than in 2019, the first marked decline after a century of progress,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
City data shows that drug overdoses and suicides continue to cause premature deaths. But now the citywide effort will attempt to “provide roadmaps for our nation and its people,” Vasan said.
“Not only will we make up for years lost during the pandemic, but we will also surpass our previous high by addressing chronic disease, violence, maternal mortality, overdoses and more,” Adams said. “By reorienting all of our public health work around the goal of helping people live longer lives, we will build a healthier, more prosperous city where everyone can thrive.”
Before COVID, in 2019, the life expectancy of New Yorkers averaged 82.6 years. A year later, that number fell to 78 and then recovered to 80. The city wants to recover that number and reduce existing racial disparities.
The mayor’s office said its goal is to reduce birth-related deaths by 10%, overdose deaths by 25% and reduce heart- and diabetes-related deaths by 5% over the next seven years. Other goals include reducing homicide deaths by 30%; deaths from detectable cancers (such as lung, breast, colon, cervical and prostate cancer) by 20%.
The mayor made a personal connection with his mother, who suffered from diabetes for 15 years.
“I think if we had gotten some of the chronic illnesses that he was dealing with, he might have been with us even longer,” Adams said.
The mayor said he hopes all city agencies will examine issues, such as housing, and make decisions to help residents live longer.
“If you don’t have stable housing, it affects sleep and mood,” Dr. Vasan said. “If you don’t have transportation, you can’t go to doctor’s appointments for routine exams.”
On Thursday, Queens Councilwoman Lynn Schulman, who chairs the Health Committee, will introduce legislation that will establish benchmarks over five years to ensure the initiative meets its goals.
“‘HealthyNYC’ marks an important step forward in our commitment to the well-being of all New Yorkers,” said Schulman. “I am proud to partner with Mayor Adams on such a comprehensive and ambitious plan to make New York City the healthiest city in the country.”
2023-11-02 01:59:15
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