Queens lawmakers recognized for their green efforts
Four state senators, seven Assembly members earn perfect scores on Environmental Scorecards
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
State Senator Toby Ann
Stavisky received a perfect
score of 100 percent on the 2019
Environmental Scorecard for
her efforts in the fight against
climate change.
The scorecard was prepared
by EPL/Environmental Advocates,
who since its formation
in 1969, has worked to advance
environmental protections and
encourage public participation
in environmental policy discussions.
Stavisky thanked the EPL/
Environmental Advocates for
recognizing her efforts in helping
to create a cleaner, safer environment
for New Yorkers.
“Together with my colleagues
in the Senate Majority,
we just achieved the greatest environmental
legislative session
in decades,” Stavisky said. “I
was proud to support efforts to
ban toxins from children’s toys,
block offshore drilling, affirm
New Yorkers’ rights to clean
air and water, and advance the
strongest environmental protections
in the nation.”
The 2019 Environmental
Scorecard is a guide to the Environmental
records of New
York State Lawmakers. The
scorecard provides an overview
of the 2019 Legislative session
along with compressive scores
on the environmental votes of
New York Lawmakers.
Other Queens state senators
to join Stavisky in receiving a
perfect score of 100 percent on
the 2019 Environmental Scorecard
include Senators John
Liu, James Sanders Jr.; and
Joseph P. Addabbo.
Queens state Assembly
members who received a perfect
score of 100 include Assembly
members Andrew
Hevesi, Alicia Hyndman, Ron
Kim , Michael Miller, Nily
Rozic, Clyde Vanel and David
Weprin.
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by e-mail at cmohamed@
schnepsmedia.com or
by phone at (718) 260–4526.
State Senantor Toby Ann Stavisky was one of several Queens lawmakers to receive a perfect score
on the 2019 Environmental Scorecard. File photo
Improving breast cancer outcomes
for older women
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
is commissioner of the New York City
Department for the Aging. Prior to
joining the de Blasio administration,
she served in executive leadership
roles with AARP, EmblemHealth and
other organizations. She also served
as New York’s first Latina Secretary
of State.
This October, which is Breast
Cancer Awareness Month, I want
to highlight the importance of early
detection and treatment –
especially for older women and
women of color who do not get
annual exams. Time and again,
studies show that race, age and
income often lead to health
disparities and poor outcomes. I know
because I am an 18-year breast cancer
survivor.
This simply won't do. All women
deserve quality care. I found out
that I had breast cancer during a
routine visit to my gynecologist. I
was overwhelmed and shocked by
the diagnosis, as were my friends
and family. Cancer is a disease that
impacts all of your loved ones and
their support is invaluable during
such a trying time. Thanks to my
treatment, which included six
chemotherapy and eight radiation
therapy sessions, I am one of the
lucky ones who beat cancer.
Still, not every woman is as
fortunate. As women age, they may
also believe that there is no need
for continued breast cancer
screenings, but nothing could be
further from the truth. Self-exams,
clinical breast exams,
mammograms and MRIs are
powerful tools to detect cancer
early. This spares many women
from the effects of prolonged
treatment and even death.
According to the National
Cancer Institute, nearly 13% of
U.S.-born women will receive a
breast cancer diagnosis from a
doctor at some point. The risk only
increases with age. In fact, 1 in 28
women starting at age 60 is likely
to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
That increases to 1 in 25 starting at
age 70.
Some people show no signs or
symptoms of having breast
cancer, but routine screenings
can help your doctor detect
breast cancer early, when it is
easier to treat. Most insurance
plans cover mammograms
without a copay, but if you don’t
have insurance, you can find
affordable health care through NYC
Care (https://www.nyccare.nyc/). To
find a low- or no-cost
mammogram screening site in
your area, call 311.
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