New York State Department of Health Participates In Governor Hochul's "Brooklyn Day"

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald Spent the Day Visiting and Touring Community and Health Organizations in Brooklyn

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 28, 2024) - State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald visited and toured multiple community organizations in Brooklyn as part of Governor Kathy Hochul's Brooklyn Day, a day to address issues important to Brooklyn residents. Commissioner McDonald focused on health issues in the borough and celebrated programs and initiatives that aim to improve health outcomes, while emphasizing the importance of health equity, nutrition security, access to quality care and women's health.

"Today was an amazing day spent with community members committed to making a difference in their communities," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Having open and honest discussions about health disparities and inequities in Brooklyn and across this state will only move us forward. The dedication and exceptional work of the community makes me proud to be a public servant."

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald visited three community organizations in Brooklyn that address the social determinants of health: St. John's Bread and Life, Bridging Access to Care, and the Caribbean Women's Health Association (CWHA).

St. John's Bread and Life addresses food disparities, helping to ensure that no one goes hungry and that the food available is healthy and nutritious. The organization offers grab-and-go meals, a mobile market and a mobile soup kitchen in the Brooklyn communities of Williamsburg, Brownsville, Bushwick and Red Hook and in Woodside, Queens. St. John's Bread and Life also provides case management, social and legal services and a health clinic.

Bridging Access to Care has 36 years of experience providing ethnically/culturally competent and language-appropriate services to diverse populations that experience high rates of substance use disorders, mental illness, and chronic diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. Bridging Access to Care was the first HIV/AIDS organization in Brooklyn. Established in 1986 as the Brooklyn AIDS Task Force, the agency transitioned from an AIDS-centered organization to a multi-service healthcare organization in 2012.

Founded in 1982, the Caribbean Women's Health Association (CWHA) has served as an advocacy group and service provider to African American and Caribbean communities in Brooklyn for over 40 years. The agency provides comprehensive services through its Immigration/Legal, Women's Health and HIV programs. CWHA strongly relies on community involvement in planning, implementation and evaluation of programs that meet the health and social support needs of the community.