Media Advisory: The New York State Department of Health to Highlight National Public Health Week at Events in Schenectady and Albany, Wednesday, April 5, 2017

What: To celebrate National Public Health Week and to highlight the state's 'Health Across All Policies' initiative, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker will hold events in Schenectady and Albany on Wednesday, April 5.

The press is invited to attend a press conference at 10:30 a.m. at the Schenectady Inner City Ministry's (SICM) food pantry to highlight their Emergency Food Program in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Dr. Zucker will be joined by State Department of Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball to give remarks and tour this unique pantry designed to feel more like a grocery mart than a traditional food pantry for clients. 12% of people living in Schenectady County experience food insecurity and because unhealthy food can be more affordable, the result of food insecurity is often poor health. SICM, which partners with Cornell Cooperative Extension and local food growers to supply fresh fruits and vegetables for clients, has zeroed in on the problem of poor diet as one of the leading social detriments of health and is taking action to change this factor.

At noon on Wednesday, the Commissioner will be at the University at Albany's School of Public Health to provide brief remarks about the importance of local partnerships and their role in public health following a panel discussion on public health efforts in the Capital Region. This event will also feature a presentation and photographic display introducing "Photovoice," a process that combines photography with grassroots social action by which people identify, represent, and enhance their community through specific photographic technique.

Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Time(s) Location(s):

  • 10:30 a.m. press conference
    Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM)
    839 Albany Street
    Schenectady, NY 12307
  • 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.
    University at Albany School of Public Health
    East Campus 110a
    Rensselaer, NY 12144