Communities urged to use HHC’s neighborhood-based clinics
for preventive health care

New York City - The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) today announced an advertising campaign encouraging more NYC children to regularly visit pediatricians in its 28 child health clinics to help stay healthy rather than wait to visit the emergency room when they are sick.

"We want to help families access a doctor when they want and need one instead of having to take their children to the emergency room for basic healthcare. Our clinics are affordable, conveniently located and offer all of the basic services that a child needs to stay healthy," said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. "This year marks the 100th anniversary of New York City's Child Health Clinics. The Clinics have cared for generations of children regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay and are still an essential component of the City's healthcare safety net."

The three-month long campaign will run from September to November and feature advertising in subway stations, bus shelters and in movie theaters across the five boroughs. The ads ask residents "Why wait to visit an emergency room when you have a doctor in the family?" For the third consecutive year, the New York City Council is providing $1.09 million to HHC to promote child health initiatives, which includes the current child health clinic advertising campaign as well as exterior building signage, interior clinic enhancements and community based outreach.

"A healthy community starts with healthy children and in New York City we have made a commitment to ensuring that our children have access to the quality medical care they deserve," said Council Speaker Christine Quinn. "The funding we provided will help keep HHC's 28 child health clinics up-to-date, both inside and out, as well as reach out to the people who will benefit from these services most. Encouraging New Yorkers to take their kids to the doctor before they are sick is essential to maintaining the happiness and health of our City's youngest, and HHC's new campaign is helping to make this happen."

HHC Child Health Clinics provided nearly 35,000 children with more than 90,000 visits in FY 2007. Last year's campaign and other promotional activities resulted in more than 14,000 new children accessing care at an HHC Child Health Clinic.

"I'm proud to say I've been using the St. Nicholas Child Health Center for 17 years. The staff knows me by name and that tells me that my three children and I are special," said Ms. Donna Jennings. Ms. Jennings' three sons, Justin- 11; Michael- 14; and Donald- 17 have all been cared for by Dr. Nicole Dascy, and Ms. Denise Benford, RN since they were born. "I love and trust Dr. Dascy and Nurse Benford. They even help me keep track of my boys' appointments by giving me reminder calls, and setting-up appointments to see specialists at Harlem Hospital when we need one. I feel blessed to know that the St. Nicholas Child Health Center is in my community."

The Child Health Clinics are staffed by multilingual healthcare professionals who can help diagnose and treat common illnesses and offer services such as immunizations, physicals, health screenings and routine check ups. Many of the clinics also offer evening and weekend hours.

"The staff and I enjoy working at the St. Nicholas CHC because of the family-like atmosphere, and since I have worked here for 24 years I feel like I am part of this community," said Dr. Nicole Dascy, Pediatrician, St. Nicholas Child Health Center. "I have really gotten to know all of our patients and they know me. Over the years we have helped hundreds of youngsters grow up to be healthy adults and today we are actually providing that same quality care to their kids."

New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/hhc to find the nearest HHC Child Health Clinic in their neighborhood.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country, is a $5.4 billion public benefit corporation that serves 1.3 million New Yorkers and nearly 400,000 who are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based health centers. For more information about HHC, visit nyc.gov/hhc.