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BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARKOWITZ ANNOUNCES TAKE YOUR MAN TO THE DOCTOR WEEK - HE'LL LIVE TO LOVE YOU LONGER!

Photograph by Kathryn Kirk
	In photo: front row - left to right - Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham, Borough President Markowitz and his wife, Jamie.

Goal is to get Brooklyn women to get every man in Brooklyn to see a health care provider

Borough President Marty Markowitz, more than a dozen Brooklyn hospitals and health care providers along with Best of Brooklyn, Inc., announced Take Your Man to the Doctor Week, an innovative public health campaign that will launch during the week of October 20 – 25. Take Your Man to the Doctor Week is a call to action for men of all ages, ethnicities, and social standing to regularly visit a doctor and for the women who love them to make it happen. There is a huge disparity in doctor visitation between men and women, and statistics show that men are more likely to visit with the encouragement of a loved one. Today is also National Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day.

“I’m no different from most men out there. I absolutely hate going to the doctor. But there is one person that I can never refuse – my wife, Jamie,” Borough President Markowitz said. “She is taking me to go get a check up, and I want all of the men in Brooklyn to do the same. There is no more persuasive and determined group than the women of Brooklyn. I know you’ll put your feet down and make this happen because the men in your life will live to love you longer!”

Recent studies have found that some of the largest areas of growth in illness are occurring in men. Many men do not get checked for cancer and other conditions for a multitude of reasons, including fear of screening procedures, cultural/gender pressures to show strength, lack of information about the availability of primary and preventative health care and an inability to pay for health care. Take Your Man to the Doctor Week is a borough-wide effort to educate the public about this growing trend, and to inform men about free and low-cost health care options. The benefits are priceless – it will hopefully establish a regular pattern of medical care and develop a long-term relationship with a medical provider, foster prevention and early detection of disease and appropriate treatment of medical issues.

"Much of the illness and premature death that occurs in Brooklyn and across New York City is preventable through early screening and management of problems before they become serious,” Dr. Thomas Frieden, Commissioner, NYC Department of Health said. “This includes colon cancer screening, and treatment of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Doctors and other medical providers can help those who want to live healthier lives to do so -- to stop smoking, control their weight, or manage drug and alcohol abuse. New York City has one of the best health systems in the country, and we are eager to put it to better use for men in Brooklyn."

"Healthfirst is honored to be a major sponsor of the Take Your Man to the Doctor campaign," said Jim Boothe, EVP/COO, Healthfirst. "Healthfirst strives to be on the forefront in working with and giving back to the community, assuring access to quality healthcare is available to all residents of New York City."

“In keeping with Pfizer’s core value of “Community”, we are proud to partner with the Brooklyn Borough President in support of the Take Your Man to the Doctor initiative. This important initiative is directed at addressing access, awareness, and utilization of healthcare resources in the Brooklyn communities that we serve. We are committed to driving healthcare progress and adding value to the physicians and patients we serve everyday. Together, we will achieve our goals,” Tom Griffin, Vice President of Sales, Upjohn Division, Pfizer Inc. said.

“The doors at SUNY Downstate's University Hospital of Brooklyn are always open to encourage our community to take advantage of the many health care services we provide -- not just for men, but for women and children as well. So remember -- Take Your Man to the Doctor, and take charge of your health,” Dr. John C. LaRosa, President, SUNY Downstate Medical Center said.

Speakers at today’s event included Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham, SUNY Downstate Medical Center President Dr. John LaRosa, Dr. Howard Zucker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Assistant Commissioner Dr. Adam Carparti, Brad Korn, Corporate Director of Community Affairs, Continuum Health Partners, Inc., Diana Surh, Vice President, Sunset Park Family Health Network, Lutheran Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Mediacl Center Director of Government & Community Relations Harry Schiffman, Thomas Farina, District Manager, Powers Rx Division, Pfizer Inc., and Healthfirst Vice President of External Affairs George Hulse.

Call 718-802-3875 or log onto www.brooklyn-usa.org for a complete listing of free health screening services and all participating hospitals, health centers, clinics and physician’s offices during this week. There also will be free screenings throughout the week at Borough Hall.

All Take Your Man to the Doctor participants will be eligible for a number of great prizes including a romantic night for two at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, dinner for two at the River Café, New York Knicks and New York Ranger tickets, Modell’s Sporting Goods certificates and more!

Take Your Man to the Doctor is being sponsored by Healthfirst, Pfizer, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Continuum Health Partners, Inc: Beth Israel Medical Center & Long Island College Hospital, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Lutheran Medical Center, American Cancer Society, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Coney Island Hospital Center, Courier Life Publications, Interfaith Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center, Maimonides Medical Center, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital.