Your Weekly Dose of Health February 19, 2016

National News:

• A new study published by the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore said that one in 10 adolescents in food insecure homes struggle with worse mental health than their peers.
• A federal task force recommends that doctors should routinely screen kids between the ages of 12 and 18 for depression.

New York State News:

• Governor Cuomo included in his 30-day executive budget amendments a new proposal to expand the state’s oversight of homeless shelters.
• The governor also expanded his paid family leave proposal in his 30 day amendments. He also held two events this week to gain support for paid family leave, and released a new list of organizations in support of his plan.
• The governor created this week a statewide Water Quality Rapid Response Team, which is tasked with developing a water quality program and implementing a plan to address the water contamination issues of municipalities.

New York City News:

• New York City Public Advocate Letitia James wrote an op-ed in Crain’s arguing for a universal free lunch program for New York City’s public schools.