CHN Pulse, April 2014

CHN

PULSE

EMPOWER yourself through HEALTH. In this issue: PAGE 3 CHN Spotlight: Teens PACT Program New birth control, Nexplanon, now offered at CHN Transgender Family Program celebrates 10 years of service PAGE 4 Coming soon to CHN’s Downtown Health Center: complementary holistic services PAGE 5 Spring footwear tips from CHN’s podiatrist (foot doctor), Dr. Craig Herman ...and more!

Patient Newsletter l Spring 2014

Welcome to our first patient newsletter!

Here at CHN, we love our patients and value communication.

That’s why we’ve created this quarterly newsletter. We want you to stay up-to-date on all things CHN— this way you can get the most out of your appointments, learn more about your own health and enjoy our free events!

Day in and day out, Community Healthcare Network employees work to improve the lives of New Yorkers. We are committed to providing quality care and developing lasting relationships with our patients.

On behalf of CHN, I sincerely thank you for being a loyal patient and allowing us to provide care to you and your family. As always, if you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please direct them to your center director. Good health is about two-way communication. We hope you enjoy this newsletter!

Here’s to health and wellness,

President and CEO of Community Healthcare Network

www.chnnyc.org

mental health affects

everyone. everyday.

CHN’s behavioral health services Our licensed mental health program is available at our Brooklyn centers: CABS, Caribbean House, and Dr. Betty Shabazz. We have psychiatrists and therapists who provide a wide range of mental health services. We speak many languages to meet our patients’ needs.

We provide therapy for issues such as HIV/AIDS, depression, trauma, and domestic violence and drug abuse.

We offer daytime and evening sessions, as well as Saturday sessions at CABS.

Social work counseling is always available at all of our centers to help with issues such as HIV/AIDS, depression, trauma, domestic violence, drug abuse and problem solving.

Our support groups CHN’s Transgender Program Bronx Health Center Family Health Center Downtown Health Center

(718) 320-4466 (718) 523-2123 (212) 477-1120

3

Empower yourself through health.

CHN Program

Spotlight

The CDC recommends everyone born during 1945-1965 to get a one-time blood test for Hepatitis C

Teens P.A.C.T Teens P.A.C.T. (Positive Actions and Choices for Teens) is CHN’s teen program. Based in Harlem and Brooklyn, Teens P.A.C.T. provides health information to teens. Teens P.A.C.T does this mostly by facilitating workshops in schools and running other teen events in NYC. If you or someone you know wants to learn more about Teens P.A.C.T., call or stop by your CHN front desk for more information!

CHN’s Transgender Family Program Celebrates 10 years!

Among its Queens, Bronx and Manhattan centers, CHN sees more than 250 New Yorkers in our Transgender Family Program. Given CHN’s history with the transgender community, we fully understand the importance of addressing the wide spectrum of unique health needs for this population. If you or someone you know has questions or needs free or low-cost transgender care, you can contact Renato Barucco at (718) 320-6765 or RBarucco@chnnyc.org.

We offer free and confidential Hepatitis C testing at all CHN health centers.

CHN is now offering Nexplanon, a highly effective birth control implant.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and many doctors across the city are promoting IUDs (intrauterine devices) and implants (Nexplanon) for teens. IUDs and implants are birth control options that work extremely well to prevent pregnancy.

Best of all, a patient doesn’t need to remember to do anything, like take a pill every day or come to the clinic for a shot every 3 months.

Once an IUD or implant is inserted, it works on its own to prevent pregnancy for years!

CHN offers many types of birth control, like the pill, Nuva Ring and condoms. Use the chart below to learn about different types of birth control. Talk to your CHN doctor about your birth control options. birth control

what is it?

percent of the time it works

IUDs

doctor puts in uterus. lasts 3-10 years and can be taken out any time

over 99%

implants

doctor puts under skin in arm. lasts 3 years and can be taken out any time

over 99%

the shot

a shot you get every 3 months

91-94%

Nuva Ring you put in the vagina once a month

91-94%

the pill

take at the same time everyday

91-94%

condoms

put on penis (male condoms) or in vagina (female condoms) before sex

78-88%

4

Empower yourself through health.

We will soon offer holistic health services at our Downtown Health Center at 150 Essex Street in Manhattan

STRAIGHT from the doc!

CHN to offer holistic health services at our Downtown Health Center

Help protect yourself from allergies – a quick

This summer, CHN will launch health and wellness services at our Downtown Health Center. We will offer patients new services like acupuncture, yoga, meditation, health coaching and tools to manage stress.

tip from Dr. Matthew Weissman, CHN’s Chief Medical Officer “It is hard to avoid outdoor allergens during the spring and summer. But you can limit how much they get inside. Keep windows closed in cars and houses and use air conditioning when possible. Take a shower and change your clothes when you get home. Keep your bed protected from dust mites with pillow and mattress covers.”

These services are very dear to Catherine Abate, CHN’s President and CEO: “In May of 2012, I was diagnosed with stage four uterine cancer, and told that my cancer was aggressive, would not respond well to chemotherapy, and that I had twelve months to live. Well that was two years ago, and the cancer hasn't beaten me. Along with chemotherapy, I've incorporated complementary medicine into my treatment plan. My mind is now strong and powerful - it has become the most powerful weapon I own.”

We'll keep you posted as the launch date grows closer.

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions.

5

Empower yourself through health.

Think again before slipping on those spring shoes!

By Dr. Craig Herman, D.P.M, CHN’s Director of Podiatry The warm weather is here. Many of us will be ripping our closets apart looking for old sandals and warm weather shoes. Or we will be going shopping for new ones.

Here are some tips to lower your chance of foot problems during the spring and summer months.

1 Avoid footwear with a very flexible sole. If you can twist it and bend it, don’t wear it. The shoe 2 3 4 5  6

should be stiff and unbendable between the big toe joint and the heel.

The foot bed (what your foot rests on) should be curved with some arch support.

If the shoe has a back, it should be stiff as well.

If you play a sport, your sneaker should be made specifically for that sport.

An easy test for your shoe is to place one palm on the back of the shoe and one on the toe box.

Then squeeze the shoe. If it bends near the great toe joint, it is a good shoe. If it bends in the middle of the sole, don’t wear that shoe.

Finally, you may not want to hear this, but…some types of bad shoes that will likely cause you pain during the spring or summer are: Flip-flops, Keds, Suede Puma’s (and other brands with the same style), Chinese slippers and Reebok Classics.

Over the counter inserts can help give your feet support. But most inserts are flexible and soft. This doesn’t usually help with pain. I suggest using a stiff, supportive insert that will support the arch of your foot. An example of these inserts is a brand called Superfeet. For sneakers, I suggest New Balance, Asics, Brooks, or Saucony. You can make an appointment at the front desk to see a CHN foot doctor.

Did you hear??

CHN’s Community League Health Center has moved...

Come walk with us in 2014’s PRIDE parade!

All patients and staff are always invited to walk with CHN in New York City’s PRIDE parade.

Our new location: 511 West 157th Street, New York, NY 10032 Call us at (212) 781-7979 with any questions!

If you would like to join us on June 29, please contact Renato Barucco at (718) 320-6765 or RBarucco@chnnyc.org!

4

We offer care for the whole family & we never turn anyone away.

Our Health Center Locations

Our Low-cost Services:                

Men and Women’s Adult Medicine Child Health Care Women’s Health Services Care for Pregnant Women and New Moms Health Care for Teens Nutrition Counseling Sexual Health Services Family Planning Dental Care Foot Care (Podiatry) Mental Health Counseling Health Homes Service (Care Coordination) Health Care for Older Adults Vaccines (shots) and School Physicals Free Walk-In Pregnancy Tests and HIV Tests Free Condoms and Emergency Contraception

BRONX Bronx Health Center 975 Westchester Avenue 718-320-4466 Tremont Health Center 4215 Third Avenue 718-294-5891 BROOKLYN Dr. Betty Shabazz Health Center 999 Blake Avenue 718-277-8303 Caribbean House Health Center 1167 Nostrand Avenue 718-778-0198 CABS Health Center 94-98 Manhattan Avenue 718-388-0390 MANHATTAN Downtown Health Center 150 Essex Street 212-477-1120 Helen B. Atkinson Health Center 81 W. 115th Street 212-426-0088 Community League Health Center 1996 Amsterdam Ave 212-781-7979

….and much more!

Most insurances accepted. No insurance? No problem.

We provide quality affordable care at a low cost to you.

QUEENS Queens Health Center 97-04 Sutphin Avenue 718-657-7088 Long Island City Health Center 36-11 21st Street 718-482-7772 Family Health Center 90-04 161st Street 718-523-2123

www.chnnyc.org

5

Empower yourself through health.

Think again before slipping on those spring shoes!

By Dr. Craig Herman, D.P.M, CHN’s Director of Podiatry The warm weather is here. Many of us will be ripping our closets apart looking for old sandals and warm weather shoes. Or we will be going shopping for new ones.

Here are some tips to lower your chance of foot problems during the spring and summer months.

1 Avoid footwear with a very flexible sole. If you can twist it and bend it, don’t wear it. The shoe 2 3 4 5  6

should be stiff and unbendable between the big toe joint and the heel.

The foot bed (what your foot rests on) should be curved with some arch support.

If the shoe has a back, it should be stiff as well.

If you play a sport, your sneaker should be made specifically for that sport.

An easy test for your shoe is to place one palm on the back of the shoe and one on the toe box.

Then squeeze the shoe. If it bends near the great toe joint, it is a good shoe. If it bends in the middle of the sole, don’t wear that shoe.

Finally, you may not want to hear this, but…some types of bad shoes that will likely cause you pain during the spring or summer are: Flip-flops, Keds, Suede Puma’s (and other brands with the same style), Chinese slippers and Reebok Classics.

Over the counter inserts can help give your feet support. But most inserts are flexible and soft. This doesn’t usually help with pain. I suggest using a stiff, supportive insert that will support the arch of your foot. An example of these inserts is a brand called Superfeet. For sneakers, I suggest New Balance, Asics, Brooks, or Saucony. You can make an appointment at the front desk to see a CHN foot doctor.

Asthma affects about 969,000 New Yorkers

Come walk with us in 2014’s PRIDE parade!

All patients and staff are always invited to walk with CHN in New York City’s PRIDE parade.

Talk to your doctor today if you or your child has symptoms

We can help

If you would like to join us on June 29, please contact Renato Barucco at (718) 320-6765 or RBarucco@chnnyc.org!