New York State Department of Health

This strategic plan outlines the future direction for the New York State AIDS Institute from 2024 through 2028. Its overarching mission is to achieve health equity, prevent new infections, and address social determinants of health to improve the well-being of individuals at risk for or living with HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis C, as well as to improve the health of LGBTQIA+ persons and persons who use drugs. The plan envisions all New Yorkers enjoying health, well-being, and equitable access to prevention, care, and treatment free of stigma and disease. Key strategic elements include its mission, vision, core values, and guiding strategies, which focus on meeting the unique needs of at-risk populations, enhancing surveillance for health equity, addressing social determinants, optimizing funding through data, ensuring community input, expanding prevention and treatment efforts, promoting comprehensive services, increasing education, and strengthening organizational effectiveness.

The Council discussed Department of Health activities, including the Rural Health Transformation Program, the Master Plan for Aging, workforce development, and drug threat coordination regarding medetomidine. The Council also reviewed new regulations for reportable diseases, including tick-borne Alpha-gal syndrome, and addressed updates on the Public Health Committee's prevention agenda and community benefit reporting for hospitals. Additionally, reports were provided on hospice and palliative care, palliative care workforce health equity, and the revitalization of the ad hoc committee for the prevention agenda.

The committee reviewed an application from the Center for Discovery, Inc. to establish and construct a new 40-bed residential healthcare facility for aging adults with medical fragility and developmental disabilities. Discussions focused on the financial sustainability of the project, the need for specialized care for this population to reduce hospital reliance, and the broader implications of this demonstration project for healthcare delivery in New York State.

The meeting focused on the initial gathering of the Ad Hoc Committee to Support the NYS Prevention Agenda, with members representing state-level nonprofits, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders. Key topics included an overview of the Prevention Agenda's new cycle, the role of social determinants of health, and the importance of collective impact to improve public health statewide. Breakout groups explored organizational priorities and strategies related to the five domains of the prevention agenda, including economic stability, social and community context, education, neighborhood and built environment, and healthcare access and quality. Discussions highlighted the need for improved communication, cross-sector collaboration, and the integration of behavioral health and disability-accessible services.

The committee meeting focused on several strategic public health initiatives. Discussions included progress on the state's prevention agenda, including socialization efforts and outreach to academic and partner organizations. The committee reviewed the local planning update for community health assessments and plans, and the revitalization of the ad hoc committee to address social determinants of health. Additionally, the meeting covered reporting requirements for community benefit spending by hospitals and provided an overview of the upcoming public health accreditation process, including challenges and recommendations for local health department participation.