On Wednesday November 20th the Queens Housing Coalition met at St. Sebastian Parish in Woodside, Queens where a representative from Fidelis Health Care educated members about the Affordable Health Care Act. A representative from Make the Road New York presented information on the efforts to create more smoke-free housing options for all New Yorkers as well as how members of the QHC could change the healthy food options in their community.
Dahlia Goldenberg, Queens Health Organizer from The Partnership for a Healthier Queens informed members about the health risks associated with living in buildings that are not smoke free. She stressed that second-hand smoke can cause cancer.Young children and the elderly are particularity vulnerable to the chronic illness associated with secondhand smoke because they are the population that spend the most time at home. Ms. Goldenberg also spoke about the importance of having healthy food options available in local bodegas and food markets. She highlighted unhealthy food and eating too many calories can lead to obesity which can lead to diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. She suggested that members encourage their local food outlets to adapt healthy food options so that adopting a healthy lifestyle can be more convenient.
Maximo Luna, Outreach Specialist from Fidelis Care New York informed members about how they can take advantage of the Affordable Health Care Act. In order to be eligible for the benefits from the Affordable Health Care Act members need to be legal permanent residents and reside in the state of New York. He explained that the deadline to enroll is . He stressed that the Affordable Health Care Act could lower the cost of health insurance, and enable people with pre-existing conditions to get coverage. For more information he recommended that members look at the New York State Health Marketplace.
For more information about the Partnership for a Healthier Queens click here.
For more information about the NYS of Health Marketplace click here.
