Health Department

Health Department: Flu is now prevalent across NYS

By • Dec 5, 2019

Stock up on the Kleenex. New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker has declared influenza is now prevalent across the state.

182 vaping-related illnesses reported in NY

By • Nov 19, 2019
New York State Department of Health

New York is still grappling with the surge of cases of serious health problems associated with the use of e-cigarettes. Across the state, the most recent figures list 182 cases of vaping-related illness: some definite, some under investigation.

Environmentalists want lower levels for PFOA and other drinking water contaminants

By Karen Dewitt • Sep 30, 2019

Advocates for clean drinking water say proposed new limits by the state Health Department for chemicals in the water supply that are linked to cancer and other serious illnesses are too high and will lead to serious health problems.

Buffalo considers moratorium on new vape shops

By • Sep 4, 2019
Mike Desmond / WBFO News

Buffalo lawmakers are considering a six-month moratorium on the opening of new vape shops, the stores that sell e-cigarettes and supplies.

NYS issues stricter rules on vaccine medical exemptions

By • Aug 17, 2019

New York health officials have issued emergency regulations restricting medical exemptions from vaccination for children attending school or child care.

Lyme moving into WNY in larger numbers, along with its cousins babesiosis & anaplasmosis

By • Jun 18, 2019
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Remember: long pants tucked into your socks, long sleeves and DEET repellant and hope scientists can figure out a test and a vaccine for Lyme disease and for a bunch of less pronounceable names of tick-borne diseases.

Erie County not waiting to educate Buffalo-Cheektowaga neighborhoods about cancer cluster

By • Jun 13, 2019
National Public Radio

It's not clear when Albany will finally finish its study on the high rate of certain cancers on Buffalo's East Side and into Cheektowaga. However, Erie County is ready to award a contract for educating residents about what to do.

New eWIC cards modernize food benefit system

By • Nov 28, 2018
Ryan Zunner/WBFO News

Families utilizing WIC benefits in New York State will say goodbye to paper vouchers. The New York State Department of Health has announced the launch of eWIC, part of a nationwide initiative to streamline the shopping experience for WIC families.

NYS Health Department recommends expanding medical marijuana program

By Brett Dahlberg • Nov 15, 2018

The New York State Health Department has recommended easing access to medical marijuana. In a report released this week, the department said it needs to find a balance between “relieving the pain and suffering of those in desperate need of a treatment,” and protecting the public from risks to health and safety.

Report: Prescription prices vary widely among pharmacies

By • Sep 5, 2018
Nexium

A new report from the New York Public Interest Research Group finds the cost of prescription drugs can vary widely among pharmacies, even within the same region.

UB researcher among state's 20-member workgroup on legalizing marijuana

By • Aug 3, 2018
University at Buffalo

A University at Buffalo researcher will be a key figure, as Albany looks into legal marijuana for adults.

NYS to allow medical marijuana as alternative to opioids

By • Jul 13, 2018

New York State will soon allow anyone prescribed an opioid to request medical marijuana instead. The state's Department of Health announced details of the new policy on Thursday.

Erie County Hep A cases already 3x higher this year than normal

By • Jul 11, 2018

Erie County legislators will be asked Thursday to make some budget transfers to cover costs from the Hepatitis A rush vaccinations in February. Covering the costs of staff and vaccines meant a county Health Department account is $74,000 over budget, with half a year to go.

Buffalo-Cheektowaga border identified as state cancer hotspot

By • Jul 6, 2018
National Public Radio

For 75 years, the state's Cancer Registry has been collecting detailed information about cancer among New Yorkers. The data has identified fours areas of the state where there are significantly elevated levels of certain cancers. Among those areas is Buffalo's East Side and adjacent western Cheektowaga.

Opioid use being added to medical marijuana qualifications

By Brett Dahlberg • Jun 19, 2018

The New York State Health Department plans to make medical marijuana available to more New Yorkers. Opioid use will be the newest addition to the list of qualifying conditions under the state’s medical marijuana program.

NYS Health Dept. issues measles warning for 4 counties

By • May 6, 2018

The New York State Health Department has issued a warning about potential exposure to measles in Niagara, Genesee, Livingston and Chemung counties.

A mournful remembrance of those lost to opioids

By • Mar 7, 2018
Mike Desmond / WBFO News

Black balloons twisted in the breeze in front of Erie County Hall Tuesday night, in remembrance of those lost to the opioid epidemic.

Counties getting extra state funds to fight the flu

By Associated Press • Feb 9, 2018
National Public Radio

Counties across New York State are getting extra financial support to battle the influenza epidemic, as the number of confirmed flu cases continues to rise.

Bipartisan bill would block sale of herbal anti-opioid supplement to minors

By Beth Adams • Dec 1, 2017

You may have never heard of it, but two state lawmakers want to block the sale of a herbal substance called kratom to minors.

State cancer analysis of Erie County could prompt better prevention, education

By • Oct 27, 2017
New York State Department of Health

A new State Health Department study is looking to determine why Western New York is one of the worst regions in New York for cancer and what can be done about it.

What you don't know about Lyme disease

By • Jul 27, 2017
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

It is a disease that does not get much attention, but for those who suffer from Lyme disease or have close family members who do, it is an awful health problem for which they say there is not much help out.


Black balloons reminder of dark clouds of addiction

By • Mar 7, 2017
WBFO's Mike Desmond

As the sky darkened into evening, names rang out in front of Old Erie County Hall. They were the names of those who have died in the area's opioids epidemic, read during a memorial to help their families deal with death.

Health leaders call for elimination of Hep C

By WBFO Staff • Feb 8, 2017
National Public Radio

Organizers of New York's first-ever Hepatitis C summit are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature to wipe out Hepatitis C in the state.

Naloxone trainings up as opioid fatalities rise

By • Jan 5, 2017
WBFO's Mike Desmond

On a cold, windy and snowy night, around two dozen people were inside the Erie County Emergency Operations Center talking about giving life, using naloxone to overcome the fatal overdose effects of opioids. As fatalities have continued to rise, the number of people wanting to learn how to use the drug spray also has increased. 

Lackawanna residents still have questions after meeting with environmental officials

By • Nov 22, 2016
WBFO's Mike Desmond

Lackawanna residents met Monday night with state officials about the environmental aftermath of the massive fire on the old Bethlehem Steel grounds. Citizens said they were not getting the whole story and state officials said they did not know everything.

NYS urging more breastfeeding initiatives

By Karen Shakerdge • Nov 22, 2016

The New York State Department of Health continues to push for breastfeeding initiatives. On Monday, the department announced it will allocate more than $7 million toward promoting breastfeeding.