Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Passport
  • Support WSKG
Donate
  • Donate
  • logo
  • logo
  • Donate
  • Home
  • News
  • TV
  • Your Radio
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Arts
  • Education
  • History
  • Science
  • Donate
  • More
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Passport
    • Support WSKG

WSKG - Local news and arts, broadcasting NPR radio and PBS TV.

WSKG thanks our sponsors...
  • Donate your vehicle to support WSKG

WSKG (https://wskg.org/news/new-york-state-gets-mixed-grades-on-cancer-prevention/)

  • Donate
  • Home
  • News
  • TV
  • Your Radio
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Arts
  • Education
  • History
  • Science
Listen Live WSKG
Listen Live WSKG Classical

Watch Live WSKG TV
Watch Live PBS Kids
Learn at Home
Covid-19 information

New York State Gets Mixed Grades On Cancer Prevention

By MIKE DESMOND & MARIAN HETHERLY | August 13, 2018
More
  • More on binghamton
  • Subscribe to binghamton

BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has released its latest progress report on how states are doing when it comes to passing and implementing policies and legislation to prevent cancer. “How Do You Measure Up?” gave New York generally good grades.

The progress report grades states in nine areas, including smoke-free laws, tobacco tax levels and cessation and cancer screening programs, as compared to best practices.

In our state, Government Relations Director Julie Hart said she is “seriously concerned with New York’s low level of funding for the tobacco control program. New York received a failing grade of red because funding for this crucial program is woefully low.”

Hart said smoking kills more than 28,000 New Yorkers annually and another 13,000 will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, even though there has been “a small decrease” in the smoking rate. She said too much tobacco money is diverted away from smoking control in New York.

“Just gets diverted and goes into other areas,” Hart said. “So what we want to see is: You know what? We’ve got to commit to increasing funding so that we can help people quit smoking, help prevent kids from beginning this deadly addiction, keeping them away from electronic cigarettes. The bottom line is it’s going to nake New York healthier. We’ll save on healthcare costs.”

The report notes New York improved its grades this year as lawmakers passed legislation to prohibit the use of indoor tanning devices by those under age 18.

“We did make some progress this year. We saw a bill pass both houses that would increase the age to use tanning devices to 18,” Hart said. “We have had a really good conversation with the governor’s office. There should be no problems with the  bill. I think it’s just a matter of time until it gets delivered and signed. So we’ve seen a little progress there.”

Hart said New York State does have a “really good” cancer services program that provides free cancer screenings for a few different types of cancer, including breast cancer. She said it provides people who otherwise would not have health insurance coverage the opportunty to get that mammogram or other screening.

“As advocates, we have the opportunity to work with our state legislators on implementing policies and programs that prevent and treat cancer,” said Hart. “Together, we can build stronger, healthier communities and ensure New Yorkers have access to measures that prevent disease before it occurs, ultimately saving more lives from cancer.”

You can read the entire report here.

How New York State Measures Up

(Green = Has Adopted Evidence-Based Best Practices, Yellow = Moderate Movement, Red = Falling Short):

  • Increased Access to Medicaid – Green
  • Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Funding – Green
  • Cigarette Tax Rates- Green
  • Smoke-free Laws – Green
  • Indoor Tanning – Green
  • Access to Palliative Care – Yellow
  • Pain Policy – Yellow
  • Medicaid Coverage of Tobacco Cessation Services – Yellow
  • Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Funding – Red

Recent Posts

  • State Officials Altered Count Of New York’s Nursing Home Deaths

    ASSOCIATED PRESS - Top aides to Gov. Andrew Cuomo altered a state Health Department report to obscure the true number of people killed by COVID-19 in the state's nursing homes, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported late Thursday. The aides, including the secretary to the governor, Melissa DeRosa, pushed state health officials to edit the July report so only residents who died inside long-term care facilities, and not those who became ill there and later died at a hospital, were counted, the newspapers reported, citing documents and people with knowledge of the administration's internal discussions.

  • Republicans Gear Up For New York’s 2022 Race For Governor

    SYRACUSE, NY (WRVO) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will not resign despite ongoing investigations against him and his office. He's up for re-election next year and Republicans from across the state and considering getting into the race.

  • New York Legislature to Revoke Governor’s Special Pandemic Powers

    ALBANY, NY (WSKG) - The New York State Senate and Assembly plan on Friday to strip Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sweeping emergency powers enacted under the COVID-19 pandemic. The action comes as Cuomo is embroiled in scandals over his nursing home policies during the coronavirus and allegations that he sexually harassed former staffers.

  • PA Mass Vaccination Sites Ready To Open, With Or Without Vaccines

    TRANSFORMING HEALTH - Pennsylvania health care providers have vaccinated nearly 2.5 million people by relying on the hundreds of pharmacies and health clinics that dot the commonwealth. However, people have complained of spending hours online and on the phone trying to schedule an appointment, often without success.

  • Black Church Leaders Say Hosting Corning Pop-Up Pod Eases Vaccine Fears

    BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) — The Friendship Baptist Church in Corning will host a pop-up vaccine clinic on Friday with the goal of vaccinating residents of color. It’s part of a statewide effort to get vaccines to marginalized communities.

WSKG thanks our sponsors...

About WSKG

WSKG connects you to local and global news and the arts online, on the radio, and on TV. NPR and PBS affiliate.

Contact Us

email: WSKGcomment@wskg.org

phone: 607.729.0100

address: 601 Gates Road, Vestal, NY 13850

DONATE

Pay an underwriting invoice

  • WSKG
  • Arts
  • Education
  • Science
  • News
  • Your Radio
  • Schedule
  • TV
  • About
  • WSKG Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Public Reports & Policies
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
  • Protect My Public Media
FCC PUBLIC FILES
WSKG-FM
WSQX-FM
WSQG-FM
WSQE
WSQA
WSQC-FM
WSQN
WSKG-TV
WSKA
Disabled and need assistance with the online FCC public file?
Contact Gregory Keeler
WSKG
601 Gates Road
Vestal, New York 13850
607-729-0100
gkeeler@wskg.org

Stay Connected

Like Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on InstagramSubscribe via RSS

© Copyright 2021, WSKG

Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Back to top ↑

Change Location
To find awesome listings near you!