Today I met Thomas Frieden. For those of you who don’t closely follow the public health scene in NYC, he is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. We giggled and flirted.
Just kidding, I watched him give a speech.

The city is in its heyday for progressive health interventions, apparently all thanks to Bloomberg. Rejoice.

Here are just a few programs the city will be heavily implementing in the next few years:

Healthy Bodega Initiative:
“Participating bodegas will receive shipments of fresh, ready-to-eat local carrots and apples (50 packages of each). Participating bodegas will offer a “buy one get one free” discount to customers (each pack costs 50 cents). If bodega owners want to continue carrying the snacks, they will be able to re-order from the distributor.”

Trans fat ban:
Restaurants will have until July 1, 2007, to make sure that all oils, shortening and margarine containing artificial trans fat used for frying or for spreads have less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Oils and shortening used to deep fry yeast dough and cake batter are not included in the first deadline. By July 1, 2008, all foods must have less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving if they have any artificial trans fat.

SPARK! (Sport, Play and Active Recreation for Kids!):
Provides skills for teachers to incorporate physical activity into childhood education.

Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP):
This program aims to track, prevent, educate, and advocate about diabetes. It also seeks to improve the quality of care for diabetes.

Shape Up New York:
“Free family fitness program offered at parks sites, community centers and housing sites around New York City. Fitness classes are open to adults and children. Classes include step aerobics, fitness walking, light weights, stretching and toning exercises.”

As you can see, these are mainly targeting the every-growing obesity epidemic, particularly for low-income residents. I hope the DOHMH realizes that we’re barely scratching the surface of this problem. Maybe a better approach would be to give working mothers more time with their families. Oh wait, that’s impossible.

Related posts:

1. What does a trans-fat taste like?
2. More Incentive
3. Another Prayer of Thanks to the Metropolitan Lifestyle
4. Scarano Update - A Slap on the Wrist
5. DMV Update and Funny People Standing