Center for Community Health & Prevention

06/09/2026

Having nutritious snacks on hand for kids, and the family, can help boost nutrition and prevent intense hunger at mealtimes.

Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Eisnor shares snack pairings in the latest issue of In Good Health.

Find more ideas from Elizabeth and area RDs ➡
https: //www.gvhealthnews.com/features/summer-snacking/

06/08/2026

ICYMI: Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women has a new name: Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).

This change marks an important shift in how we understand and talk about this condition. University of Rochester Medicine experts Kathy Hoeger, MD, MPH, from Strong Fertility Center, and endocrinologist Olga Astapova, MD, PhD, explain what the new name means for diagnosis, treatment, and future research. ⬇

PCOS is now called PMOS, which stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. University of Rochester Medicine experts explain what the new name means for diagnosis, treatment, and future research.

06/08/2026

It's Community Health Improvement Week! The American Hospital Association hosts this annual celebration in honor of partnerships helping build stronger communities.

One way Monroe County comes together to strengthen our communities and improve health outcomes is the Monroe County Community Health Improvement Workgroup.

The mission of the workgroup is to improve the health and wellness of individuals and families of Monroe County by addressing prioritized needs and challenges through sustainable systems change built on collaboration and supported by shared resources.

Stay informed with the workgroup's monthly health policy e-newsletter >> https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/community-health/health-policy/current-policy-initiatives/newsletter

06/05/2026

We're proud to wear orange today in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June being Gun Violence Awareness Month, honoring the countless lives touched by gun violence every day in the United States.

Violence prevention is one of the five priority areas of our Office of Health Equity Research.

Learn about University of Rochester Medicine's Firearm Injury Prevention Program > https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/firearm-injury-prevention-program

06/04/2026

Earlier this spring, our director Edith Williams, PhD, MS, was honored to nominate Wade Norwood, chief advancement and government relations officer at Common Ground Health, for the University of Rochester Presidential Awards for Inclusive Excellence Social Impact Award.

Wade is a dedicated change agent and community leader. In addition to his work with Common Ground Health and other roles, he served as the co-chair of the University of Rochester Medicine Community Advisory Council (CAC) for two decades.

Formed in 2006 by our Center, URochester Medicine leadership, and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at URochester Medicine, the CAC has been a critical resource in strengthening relationships within communities and advancing the institution’s community health mission. As co-chair, Wade was purpose driven and community-focused, listening intently to the ideas and feedback from more than 30 representatives from community organizations throughout the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region.

Congratulations, Wade, and thank you for all you continue to do for the health of individuals across our region!

06/04/2026

Did you hear?

University of Rochester Medicine recently announced the formation of the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health Sciences, which unites biomedical toxicology and population-level environmental and public health expertise to accelerate discoveries into policy, clinical practice, and community action.

“The new Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health Sciences brings together decades of scientific discovery and community-centered public-health practice,” said David Linehan, MD, CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Read more ⬇

The new department combines nationally recognized strengths in toxicology, epidemiology, policy, and community health research and will build upon decades of leadership in environmental health, prevention science, and community engagement.

06/03/2026

It's a great day for a bike ride!

Happening tonight:
Flower City Feeling Good Community Bike Ride
🕕6:45 – 8:15 pm
📍Danforth Community Center, 200 West Ave, Rochester

Join the City of Rochester's Recreation Department in partnership with Reconnect Rochester & EE Pathways on this intermediate-level riding series. Each ride is roughly 7-miles at a steady 9mph pace (approximately 45 minutes of riding). The aim is to familiarize residents with low-stress ways to bike around town. Helmets are required. Bring your own bike.

Gather at 6:30 pm for a prompt 7 pm roll-out. Get there early to have R Community Bikes make sure your bike is in rideable condition.

Did you know Reconnect Rochester also offers on-bike smart cycling classes? Participants learn the rules of the road and proper roadway position, as well as examine safe cycling techniques and ways to make cycling easier and more enjoyable. 🚲

Check it out! ⬇

REGISTER Get the confidence and skills you need to bike around our community by taking a Smart Cycling class! Many people like the idea of biking more, but they don’t feel safe mixing it up with cars. In this class, students will learn the rules of the road and proper roadway position. We’ll exa...

06/02/2026

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), American Indian/Alaska Natives (AIAN) experience the highest rates of substance use disorders (SUD) of any racial or ethnic group in the United States.

To assess the burden of SUDs among Indigenous people in Rochester and adjacent urban settings, Dean Seneca, CEO of Seneca Scientific Solutions+, is working with the Indigenous Peoples Day ROC NYCommittee and Common Ground Health’s Indigenous Health Coalition to support outreach and recruitment among Indigenous populations in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Niagara Falls. Since many community members may live and work across these neighboring urban settings, this regional perspective will bolster an understanding of urban Indigenous stigma against SUD that can be tailored to the Rochester community with a more comprehensive cultural lens.

Dean Seneca recently presented a $1,000 check to the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee and Indigenous Health Coalition for their support of outreach and recruitment among the local urban Indigenous population.

Read more about the Urban Indigenous Community Conversations project and find the survey here > https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/community-health/news-events/urban-indigenous-community-conversations-aim-to-make-treatment-more-accessible

05/31/2026

Summer is a great time to tend to your health. Our next free Commit to Quit! group program kicks off July 13. Learn strategies for cutting back or quitting va**ng and smoking.

Join others on a similar health journey in the six-session virtual series led by certified ni****ne cessation counselors.

Register today: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/community-health/patient-care/stop-smoking/ni****ne-cessation-support-group

05/30/2026

Members of our CCHP team were proud to support Golisano Children's Hospital and the Stroll for Strong Kids today with our CCHP Prevention Squad! 💥