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(BROOME COUNTY, NY) – The Broome County Health Department is seeking interested community members to volunteer with the Broome County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The Medical Reserve Corps is a national network of nearly 300,000 volunteers, organized in local units to bolster capacity during public health emergencies. For over 20 years, the Broome County MRC Unit has worked in conjunction with local government and community-based agencies to respond during local disasters, such as floods, flu outbreaks, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was created in 2002 as a response to the September 11^th terrorist attacks and the subsequent mailing of anthrax-laced letters in 2001. After these events, a need was identified for structured, pre-trained, and pre-verified volunteers who could be deployed quickly to support public health efforts during emergencies. Broome County established a local MRC unit in 2002.

The Broome County Medical Reserve Corps welcomes active or retired health professionals and other community members interested in providing support to the community during an emergency. The MRC consists of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, EMTs, social workers, clergy, and non-medical volunteers.

Those enrolled in the program are provided with training, participate in drills, and receive resources to prepare them in case of local activation. MRC volunteers can expect to receive trainings in clinic management, mass vaccination procedures, as well as Basic and Advanced Life Support, Basic First Aid and Red Cross Disaster Services.

MRC volunteers help in keeping Broome County prepared, safe, and healthy. More information about the Broome County Medical Reserve Corps can be found on the Broome County Health Department website at https://broomecountyny.gov/ep.

Uninsured Screened at Half the Rate among All Females

 

BINGHAMTON, NY (October 1, 2026) — New data show that an estimated 81.7% of females aged 50 to 74 years were up to date with breast cancer screening per recommendations, surpassing the nationwide goal of 80.3% for the second consecutive year. While this is good news overall, only 41.7% of females who don’t have health insurance are up to date with mammograms. This is concerning because more people may lose health insurance in the near future due to changes with Medicaid and New York’s Essential Plan.

Breast cancer screening data are collected through the New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an annual telephone survey of adults to gather information on health behaviors and use of preventive health services, such as mammograms.

The Cancer Services Program of the Southern Tier knows that not everyone has the resources to get lifesaving cancer screenings. This is where our program can help,” said Kiran Sharma, Outreach Coordinator. “We have screened hundreds of people for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer in our community and will continue to do so.”

The Cancer Services Program helps New Yorkers aged 40 and older, with no health insurance, and those younger than age 40 at high risk for breast cancer, get screened for breast cancer. If screening finds something concerning, the program will pay for any follow-up testing needed. If cancer is found, the program will help enroll clients who qualify in the New York State Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program where they will have full Medicaid coverage during their cancer treatment.

“Finding breast cancer early gives the best chance for successful treatment. We urge you to talk to your health care provider about scheduling a mammogram. If you do not have health insurance or a health care provider, please contact the Cancer Services Program to see how we can help,” said Kiran Sharma, Outreach Coordinator.

The Cancer Services Program also provides free cancer screening for cervical and colorectal cancer to those eligible. Call 607-778-3900 for more information about our screening services or to register for any of our screening events. More information about the Cancer Services Program can also be found at New York State Cancer Services Program.

 

 

 

 

(BROOME COUNTY, NY) – Broome County recognized September as Recovery Month,  highlighting the importance of recovery and the local organizations working to support individuals and families affected by substance use. As Recovery Month comes to a close,  Broome County is announcing the third round of Opioid Settlement Fund awards, with more  than $800,000 going to eight local organizations.

The latest round of funding continues the County’s efforts to put opioid settlement dollars back  into the community and support local work focused on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and  recovery.

Broome County was part of the effort to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable  for the damage caused by the opioid epidemic, joining New York State Attorney General Letitia James and other counties in legal action that ultimately resulted in settlement funds being returned to communities across the state.

Since the first Request for Proposals was released in 2023, the Broome County Health  Department has awarded settlement funds to local organizations working to address substance use and support people in recovery. The first two rounds of proposals have provided more than $2 million to ten local organizations. 

“We fought to make sure Broome County received a share of these settlement funds, and we’re putting that money back into our community where it can make a difference,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Recovery Month is a good reminder that people do recover,  and that people need support along the way. These investments help the organizations doing that work every day and make sure these dollars are being used to help people right here in Broome 
County.”

“The Broome County Health Department is proud to support this continued work and innovation to provide treatment, harm reduction and care to our community members. Working with these partners, we aim to continue to reduce overdoses, educate, address barriers to care, and help 
improve the health for our entire community,” said Olivia Catalano, Director of Public Health.

The third round of Opioid Settlement Fund awardees includes:
• Addiction Center of Broome County 
• Hope Foundation of Binghamton 
• Binghamton University 
• Helio Health 
• SUNY Broome Community College
• Rural Health Network of South Central New York
• Southern Tier AIDS Program 
• Truth Pharm

The eight organizations will receive a combined more than $800,000 in Opioid Settlement Funds through this latest round.

Binghamton, NY – The Broome County Health Department has received confirmation that the patient presenting with measles exposure and symptoms to a local hospital on September 26, 2026, is a positive measles case. The patient is a non-county resident who has been discharged. The Broome County Health Department and NYSDOH have collected contact information for all individuals who were exposed at our local hospital, completed contact tracing, treatment and follow-up as needed. We are working closely with the resident’s local health department for case investigation. “The Broome County Health Department team did an excellent job working with the hospital system, notifying residents and getting care to help reduce spread in our community,” said Olivia Catalano, Director of Public Health.

 

What is Measles and what does it do?

Measles is a serious respiratory illness. Signs and symptoms usually appear between seven and fourteen days after exposure but could take as long as 21 days. Symptoms generally appear in two stages. In the first stage, which may last two to four days, the individual may have a runny nose, cough, and slight fever. The individual may develop conjunctivitis (red and watery eyes) and become sensitive to light. The fever typically rises each day, peaking at 103 to 105 degrees F. Small bluish-white spots surrounded by a reddish area may also appear on the inside of the mouth.

 

The second stage is the third to seventh day, consisting of a red, blotchy rash lasting up to six days. The rash usually begins on the face and spreads downward and outward, reaching the hands and feet. The rash fades in the same way it started. An individual can spread measles about 4 days before the onset of the rash and 4 days after the rash begins. Typically, measles is considered a childhood disease; however, it can be contracted at any age.

 

This disease is highly contagious, spreading from 1 individual to about 18 unvaccinated individuals at its highest. Comparing this to the flu virus, flu spreads from 1 individual to 2 others at its highest. The virus may cause serious health conditions such as pneumonia, brain swelling, or even death.

 

It can spread through sneezing and coughing and remains in the air alive and infectious after a person has left. You can get measles simply by entering the room after an infectious person has been there within the last 2 hours.

 

If you are showing signs and symptoms of measles, stay home and contact your doctor. If you need to seek medical care, it is important to call ahead before arriving at the emergency room or urgent care. If you do not have a phone, please notify the medical personnel immediately upon arriving that you may have measles.

 

Measles used to be a very rare disease; however, cases in the USA are on the rise. In NYS, many of our surrounding counties have already had confirmed cases. NYSDOH released a measles dashboard where you can see confirmed cases in our state https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/data.htm. This site is updated weekly. With this positive confirmed case, an important note is that this person is not a county resident, thus we will still show zero cases confirmed in Broome county. While the case was treated at our local hospitals, at this time, we currently have no Broome County residents who have tested positive for measles. This case will update in the numbers for the county where the resident is from.

 

Vaccination Facts

The best way to prevent measles is to vaccinate. Individuals receive 2 doses of the MMR vaccine to be protected.

 

The first dose of the vaccine is typically given between 12-15 months of age, with a second given at 4 to 6 years old. Adults born before 1957 are considered presumptively immune. When there are known outbreaks in communities, infants 6 months and older may be able to receive an early dose. One dose is 93% effective against the disease, with two doses being 97% effective.  Contact your doctor to learn more.

 

What’s the risk to the public?

Those most at risk for infection are unvaccinated individuals, infants, children or adults such as pregnant people or those with a weakened immune system. The overall risk to the public is low, especially for people who are fully vaccinated. As of 1/1/2026, 85.9% of Broome County residents had at least one measles vaccination by 2 years of age. “Thanks to the clear communication from our positive individual and a prompt response from our local hospital staff, risk to the general public remain low. This is what we prepare for and part of the work we do every day to keep our residents safe, ” said Dr. Lazarus Gehring, Medical Director.

 

The Broome County Health Department offers Measles vaccination (MMR) and other vaccinations to county residents who are underinsured or uninsured. Please call us to find out if you qualify for these vaccines. If you are not sure if you are vaccinated, you can contact your doctor to check your status or schedule a vaccine appointment. To check if you still have protection, you can have your blood drawn to check immunity. More information can be found at: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/

 

Binghamton, NY – The Broome County Health Department has been informed by a local hospital of a potential case of measles on September 26, 2026. The hospital took samples and sent them to NYSDOH Wadsworth Laboratory for confirmation testing; we are currently waiting on the results to confirm the symptoms. The potential case of measles is in a non-county resident, who came to our hospital for treatment. The individual has been hospitalized. The Broome County Health Department, and NYSDOH will complete case investigation and contact tracing.

 

What is Measles and what does it do?

Measles is a serious respiratory illness. Signs and symptoms usually appear between seven and fourteen days after exposure but could take as long as 21 days. Symptoms generally appear in two stages. In the first stage , which may last two to four days, the individual may have a runny nose, cough and slight fever. The individual may develop conjunctivitis (red and water eyes) and become sensitive to light. The fever typically rises each day, peaking at 103 to 105 degrees F. Small bluish white spots surrounded by a reddish area may also appear on the inside of the mouth.

 

The second stage is the third to seventh day, consisting of red blotchy rash lasting up to six days. The rash usually begins on the face and spreads downward and outward, reaching the hands and feet. The rash fades in the same way it started. An individual can spread measles about 4 days before the onset of the rash and 4 days after the rash begins. Typically, measles is considered a childhood disease, however it can be contracted at any age.

 

This disease is highly contagious, spreading from 1 individual to about 18 unvaccinated individuals at its highest. Comparing this to flu virus, flu spreads 1 individual to 2 others at its highest. The virus may cause serious health conditions such as pneumonia, brain swelling or even death.

 

It can spread through sneezing, coughing and remains in the air alive and infectious after a person has left. You can get measles simply by entering the room after an infectious person has been there within the last 2 hours.

 

If you are showing signs and symptoms of measles, stay home and contact your doctor. If you need to seek medical care, it is important to call ahead before arriving at the emergency room or urgent care. If you do not have a phone, please notify the medical personnel immediately upon arriving that you may have measles.

 

Measles used to be a very rare disease, however cases in the USA are on the rise. In NYS, many of our surrounding counties have already had confirmed cases. NYSDOH released a measles dashboard where you can see confirmed cases in our state https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/data.htm. This site is updated weekly.

 

Vaccination Facts

The best way to prevent measles is to vaccinate. Individuals receive 2 doses of MMR vaccine to be protected.

 

The first dose of the vaccine is typically given between 12-15 months of age, with a second given at 4 to 6 years old. Adults born before 1957 are considered presumptively immune. When there are known outbreaks in communities, infants 6 months and older may be able to receive an early dose. One does is 93% effective against the disease with two being 97% effective.  Contact your doctor to learn more.

 

What’s the risk to the public?

Those most at risk for infection are unvaccinated individuals, infants, children or adults such as pregnant people or those with a weakened immune system. The overall risk to the public is low, especially for people who are fully vaccinated. As of 1/1/2026 85.9% of Broome County residents had at least one measles vaccination, by 2 years of age.

 

The Broome County Health Department offers Measles vaccination (MMR) and other vaccinations to county residents who are underinsured or uninsured. Please call us to find out if you qualify for these vaccines. If you are not sure if you are vaccinated, you can contact your doctor to check your status or schedule a vaccine appointment. To check if you still have protection, you can have your blood drawn to check immunity. More information can be found: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/

 

Every year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration celebrates Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 20-26, 2026. This year the Broome County Traffic Safety Education Program along with United Health Services Injury Prevention Program are teaming up to offer free car seat safety checks and hands-on education to parents and caregivers on two different occasions throughout the week:

Tuesday, September 22nd

5PM-7PM

United Health Services Gastroenterology

40 Mitchell Ave., Binghamton

 

Friday, September 25th

4PM-6PM

United Health Services Child Care

619 Main Street, Johnson City

 

“Unfortunately, many parents are overconfident about their car seats,” said Christine Marion, Certified Child Passenger Safety Instructor and Coordinator of the Broome County Traffic Safety Education Program. “They think they’re protecting their kids, but almost half of car seats are either the wrong seat for the child’s age and size, or the seats are installed incorrectly. That puts children at risk.” According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. Every day in 2024, an average of two children 14 years old and younger were killed in crashes, and another 349 were injured in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles.

“We know parents love their kids, so they’ll do everything in their power to protect them. An easy way to do that is to double-check their car seats — it’s worth making sure,” added Marion.

When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every size and developmental stage — from infants to teens. Whether it’s a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat, a booster seat, or a seat belt, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by confirming which seat is correct for their children and showing them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle. Children should stay in each seat and position until they outgrow the height

or weight limits for the car seat, and it’s important for all children under 13 to ride buckled up in the back seat.

If parents and caregivers are not available for either of the seat check times but would still like to have their car seats checked, they can find out if a technician is available in their community by visiting NHTSA.gov/CarSeatInspection. Parents can filter search results by Spanish-speaking technicians, virtual appointments, and local Child Passenger Safety Week events. NHTSA.gov also has free resources available: Learn about the different car seat types, read NHTSA’s research-based recommendations, and find and compare car seats.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to register their car seats with the manufacturer so they can be notified in the event of a recall. They can also download NHTSA’s SaferCar app, which allows users to save their vehicle, car seat, and tire information in a virtual garage. If any of the saved equipment is included in a safety recall, the app will send a notification. For more information on child passenger safety, go to NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat.

The Broome West Senior Center in partnership with United Health Services and the Broome County Traffic Safety Program, along with its partners will host a Senior Safety Day at their center on Tuesday, September 1st from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event will be held at 2801 Wayne Street, Endwell.

 

This event will include a safety presentation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. called “Senior Safety: Inside and Outside the Home.” The presentation will discuss:

· How to fall-proof your home

· How to stay healthy with Tai Chi

· Basic medical information

· Prescription drug use and driving

· Pedestrian safety

· How to stay safe on the road and in your car with CarFit

 

Following the presentation, a CarFit event will be conducted in the parking lot from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CarFit is an educational program that provides a quick, yet comprehensive look at how well an older driver and their vehicle work together. As we age, changes in our vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion and even size and height may make us less comfortable and safe in our vehicle.

 

CarFit Technicians help us explore the safety features within our vehicle to ensure they are adjusted appropriately for our body, allowing us to receive the safety benefits from those features in the event of a crash. These features may include our seat belt, steering wheel position, mirrors, head rests and much, much more!

At the event, you’ll meet individually with a trained CarFit Technician, who will review the 12-point checklist and determine recommendations for the best and most comfortable “fit” for YOU. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s FREE.

Participants are welcome to come for one or both programs. Pre-registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcomed. Please call 607-778-2807.

Know the Symptoms and Check your Status

 

(BROOME COUNTY, NY)- The Broome County Health Department (BCHD) urges residents to review their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination status and take precautions to help prevent the spread of measles. There are currently no confirmed cases of measles in Broome County, although cases have been reported in surrounding counties.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can spread easily from person to person. Symptoms typically begin 7–14 days after exposure to someone with measles and may include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Two to three days after symptoms begin, an infected person may develop tiny white spots (Koplik spots) that appear inside the mouth. The measles rash appears 3-5 days after the first set of symptoms. The rash typically begins on the face before spreading down to the rest of the body. Some individuals may develop other health complications like diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis and require hospitalization. Measles infections may also cause a person’s immune system to reset, hurting their ability to fight off other infections.

Measles can resemble other common illnesses. It is important to recognize the symptoms and take appropriate precautions. Individuals who develop symptoms and have known exposure to a measles case should contact their local health department or healthcare provider before visiting a healthcare facility to help prevent exposures and potential spread. Depending on an individual’s vaccination status and evidence of immunity, they may be advised to monitor for symptoms and follow public health guidance regarding quarantining for 21 days after exposure. People born before 1957 are likely to be immune from previous exposure. Individuals with written documentation of two valid doses of MMR vaccine are considered to have immunity against measles. Vaccination within 72 hours of exposure with the MMR vaccine may provide protection against measles for those without evidence of immunity.

If you have never been vaccinated for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), or are unsure of your status, check with your healthcare provider about getting the MMR vaccine. This vaccine has been given for over 50 years and is the best protection we have against measles. Children should receive their first dose between 12-15 months and their second dose between 4-6 years. If you are missing a dose, it is never too late to catch up.

Broome County Health Department (BCHD) is holding information sessions for the Lead Rental Registry. The Lead Rental Registry is a new program launched by New York State Department of Health in 20 counties across New York, including Broome County. This program applies to all properties built before 1980 with 2 or more units within the City of Binghamton ZIP codes 13901 and 13905. Applicable properties must be inspected for lead every three years. If lead hazards are found, they must be fixed by the property owner.

The information sessions will all take place at Broome County Public Library in the Decker Room (185 Court Street Binghamton, NY 13901). Info sessions will be one hour long. The dates and times are:

– Monday, August 17 at 5:30pm

– Tuesday, August 18 at 11am

– Wednesday, August 26 at 5:30pm

– Friday, August 28 at 11am

BCHD welcomes community members to attend the information sessions to learn more about the program. Residents of the neighborhoods where inspections take place are especially encouraged to attend. For those who cannot attend, a recorded information session will be posted online at a later date on this webpage: www.broomecountyny.gov/hd/rentalregistry

For questions about the information sessions or the Lead Rental Registry, visit www.broomecountyny.gov/hd/rentalregistry, call 607-778-2863, or email lrr@broomecountyny.gov.

In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month this August, the Broome County WIC Program is proud to join a nationwide movement to champion, protect, and support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families. This year’s national theme- “RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment”-highlights the strength of local family support networks and the critical need to build healthy, accessible environments for all parents.

 

To celebrate, the community is invited to the 4th Annual Broome County WIC Breastfeeding Awareness Family Day on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The free, family-friendly event will take place directly outside the Broome County Health Department located at 225 Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13905. Attendees can connect with local peer counselors, explore community wellness resources, and enjoy interactive activities designed to support and uplift growing families.

 

“Building a landscape where families feel supported requires collective action,” said Michelle Figuerado, Nutrition Services Director at the Broome County WIC Department. “Breastfeeding is a shared responsibility. Events like our Family Day allow us to break down social barriers, celebrate parents’ feeding journeys, and directly invest in the long-term health and well-being of the next generation

 

The Broome County WIC Program provides free virtual and in-person appointments to eligible residents, offering health assessments, comprehensive nutrition education, and targeted financial support via electronic vouchers for healthy foods. Because breastfeeding offers unmatched health benefits-including a lower risk of respiratory illnesses for babies and reduced cancer risks for parents-the program provides robust clinical lactation guidance and peer-to-peer counseling to build confident parents.

 

The month-long campaign kicks off alongside World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7) and spans multiple cultural celebrations, including Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week, and Black Breastfeeding Week.

 

Local families interested in learning more about eligibility, scheduling an appointment, or accessing breastfeeding resources can call the clinic directly at (607) 778-2881.

About Broome County WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded program administered locally by the Broome County Health Department. It safeguards the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals, as well as infants and children up to age 5, by providing nutritious foods, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.