2026 Press Releases

Please send media inquiries to press@health.ny.gov

• View previous press releases

June 1, 2026

• State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald Announces Return of Two New Yorkers From the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska
• New York State Department of Health to Celebrate Pride Month in June at Events Across New York State
• Media Advisory - New York State Advisory Council on Drinking Water Quality To Meet June 15

May 29, 2026

• DEP Marks Centennial of NYC’s Catskill Water Supply with Completion of $568 Million Upgrade to Historic Gilboa Dam
• Update from Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on New York Residents Returning from the MV Hondius Cruise Ship

May 21, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces $113 Million to Make Local Water Infrastructure Projects Affordable Across New York State
• New York State Department of Health Celebrates Those Cured of Hepatitis C and Urges Testing on Hepatitis Cure Day
• Governor Hochul Highlights New Figures Showing Substantial Reduction in Overdose Deaths in New York State Through 2025

May 19, 2026

• New York State Department of Health to Honor Fallen Emergency Medical Providers at EMS Memorial Ceremony

May 18, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Reminds New Yorkers to Protect Themselves Against Extreme Heat As Warm Weather Arrives
• New York State Department of Health Reaffirms Protections for Medication Abortion Access

May 17, 2026

• Statement From Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on the Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

May 15, 2026

• Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Urges Riders and Drivers To Be Aware, Slow Down And Drive Safely
• DEC and DOH Announce 16 New Municipalities Receive Free Technical Assistance to Protect Drinking Water Sources
• Governor Hochul Signs Two Bills Protecting Vaccine Access for New Yorkers

May 11, 2026

• Statement from Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on New York Residents Returning from the MV Hondius Cruise Ship

May 9, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces Investments to Address Harmful Algal Blooms Surpass $400 Million

May 8, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Announces Landmarks to Be Illuminated in Green for Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May 6, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Honors Nurses Across New York During National Nurses Week

May 1, 2026

• Governor Hochul Highlights Improvements to Stop the Revolving Door of Emergency and Inpatient Care During ‘Mental Health Awareness Month’

April 30, 2026

• New York State Urges New Yorkers to Take Precautions Against Tick-Borne Illnesses

April 27, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Highlights Importance of Protecting Infants and Children From Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
• New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center Fills Testing Gap for CDC

April 16, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces $43 Million to Make Local Water Infrastructure Projects Affordable Across New York State
• New York State Department of Health Hosted Virtual Roundtable During Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Week Promoting Prevention, Treatment and Open Conversations

April 13, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Recognizes Black Maternal Health Week

April 10, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Announces State Landmarks to Be Illuminated Blue in Honor of World Parkinson’s Day
• New York State Department of Health Announces Landmarks to Be Illuminated in Blue and Green for National Donate Life Blue & Green Day
• New York State Department of Health Celebrates National Public Health Week

April 9, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces More Than $20 Million is Now Available to Make Energy Efficiency and Electrification Upgrades at Hospitals in New York State

April 8, 2026

• Media Advisory – New York State Department of Health to Host Roundtable in Recognition of Black Maternal Health Week in Brooklyn

April 6, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Campaign Raises Awareness About Best Practices for Pedestrian Safety

April 1, 2026

• DMV Urges New Yorkers to Register As Life-Saving Organ Donors
• Governor Hochul Declares April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• New York State Department of Health Updates Waterbody-Specific Advice for Eating Fish You Catch

March 26, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Launches Statewide Anti-vaping Campaign for Youth and Families
• New York State Department of Health Announces State Landmarks to Be Lit Purple for International Purple Day in Honor of Epilepsy Awareness

March 24, 2026

• During First Responder Wellness Week, Governor Hochul Announces New Training to Enhance Support for First Responders’ Mental Health

March 23, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Provides Update on Federal Approval to Preserve Health Coverage for 1.3 Million New Yorkers

March 19, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces Major Seizure of Illicit Vape Products in Nassau and Orange Counties

March 18, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces New Funding Opportunity for Abortion Health Care Services

March 16, 2026

• Statement From State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on Federal Judge’s Ruling in American Academy of Pediatrics, et al., v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., et al., Case

March 12, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Urges Screening As Colorectal Cancer Now a Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths for Adults Under 50

March 11, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces First-in-Nation Cybersecurity Regulations and Grants to Protect New York Water Systems

March 9, 2026

• New York State Launches Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program in Six Counties

March 5, 2026

• Motorists Warned of Drowsy Driving Risk as Daylight Saving Time Begins

February 27, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces $10 Million to Expand Access to Dental Care for Children

February 24, 2026

• New York State Department of Health’s Helen Hayes Hospital Unveils Updated Shabbos Room for Patients and Families

February 20, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Encourages New Yorkers To Get Vaccinated for RSV as Cases Remain High

February 19, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Celebrates 125 Years of Advancing Public Health

February 18, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Launches New Campaign Highlighting State’s Living Donor Support Program

February 11, 2026

• EFC, DOH, and Village of Valatie Celebrate $5.5M State Investment in Clean Water

February 10, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces New York State Will Join World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network

February 6, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Launches Free HIV Self-Test Giveaway Campaign

February 2, 2026

• New York State Veterans Homes Named Best in New York State by U.S. News & World Report
• Statement From Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on Black History Month

January 29, 2026

• New York State and New York City Health Departments Endorse 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

January 27, 2026

• Governor Hochul Launches Student Loan Repayment Program to Expand Health Care Access for Medicaid Members

January 26, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces Construction Underway for New $1.7 Billion Public Health Laboratory

January 26, 2026

• Bolstering Biotechnology in New York State: Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $3 Million Renovation for State University of New York Upstate Medical Center’s CNY Biotech Accelerator in Syracuse

January 23, 2026

• Statement from State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on Impact to New York State Regarding Exit from World Health Organization

January 22, 2026

• Governor Hochul Announces $288 Million to Make Local Water Infrastructure Projects Affordable Across New York State

January 16, 2026

• Statement From State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 12, 2026

• DEC Reminds New Yorkers to Stay Alert for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
• Northeast Public Health Collaborative Recommends American Academy of Pediatrics Vaccine Schedule

January 9, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Urges New Yorkers To Get Vaccinated As Flu Cases Remain High

January 8, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Highlights Urgent Need for Blood Donations During National Blood Donor Month

January 6, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Confirms That Childhood Vaccination Policies Remain Unchanged

January 2, 2026

• New York State Department of Health Confirms Highest Number of Flu Hospitalizations in a Week