A Comprehensive Network of Services
New York City is at the forefront of medical advancement and is home to a variety of world-class hospitals and healthcare facilities that can address nearly any medical need. The services here include 11 public and private hospitals, 40 distinct emergency and relief services and 92 community care facilities for the elderly. The City is also home to many well-respected physicians who are at the top of their fields and are pioneering exciting new treatments. 

Recognized For Excellence
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (NYCHHC), which operates many public hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic and treatment centers, and community-based primary care sites throughout the City, is a two-time winner of the Nicholas E. Davies award for excellence in clinical information technology.

Among the hospitals NYCHHC runs is world-renowned Bellevue Hospital. In fact, when the President of the United States or other world leaders are ill or injured while in NYC, Bellevue is the official hospital designated to treat them.

Exceptional Healthcare Facilities
New York hospitals were also ranked #1 by physicians in a 2006 survey conducted by New York Magazine. Some notable facilities include:

• New York-Presbyterian Hospital—best in 7 out of 10 categories (best overall hospital, and best for pediatrics, psychiatry, cardiac care, neurology/neurosurgery, and ob/gyn)
• Bellevue Hospital (best for emergency care)
• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (best for oncology)
• Hospital for Special Surgery (best for orthopedics)
• Mount Sinai Medical Center (best for digestive disorders)
• Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital (best for ear, nose and throat)

Alternative Medicine Thrives
New Yorkers also have access to cutting-edge alternative practices that can serve as their primary treatment or in conjunction with traditional Western therapies. Numerous holistic physicians practice throughout the boroughs. From acupuncture and biofeedback, to guided imagery and support-group therapy, healing through homeopathy is thriving in the City.

Addressing Long Term Health Citywide
New York City is also actively advancing public policy initiatives designed to support health and wellness through PlaNYC. According to the plan, the City’s carbon footprint is already about one third smaller than average cities. The plan outlines many ways in which the City is further improving the overall quality of our environment, such as targeting a 30% reduction in the City’s greenhouse gas emissions.

High-Quality Air and Water
As another tenant of PlaNYC, citywide water systems are in the process of being modernized and upgraded to continue providing excellent drinking water. Air quality in the City is already high and will continue to improve as the City transitions its fleet of individual and mass transit vehicles to more environmentally friendly models.

 New York City: Recognized for Safety
New York City is widely recognized as a very safe large city. Now more than ever, New Yorkers have good reason to feel safe living here. The City offers a combined force of nearly 53,000 authorized uniformed police officers, fire fighters and emergency responders. 

Comprehensive Public Service From New York City’s Finest
The New York Police Department, made up of close to 38,000 men and women, continue to make the City a safe and pleasant place to live. In fact, crime in the City has been declining steadily for almost two decades.

Outstanding Fire Department and Emergency Response
The New York City Fire Department (NYFD), in 1996, became the primary provider of pre-hospital emergency care in the five boroughs, as well as the largest fire department-based EMS in the United States. The NYFD has exceptional resources to protect the City, including:

• 11,400 fire officers and fire fighters
• 2,800 Emergency Medical Technicians, EMS paramedics and supervisors
• 1,200 civilian employees

Ready New York and 311
New York City has emergency preparedness programs for both elementary-aged and older students called Ready New York. The program guide explains how to prepare and what to do in the event of an emergency. For non-emergency situations, New Yorkers can also take advantage of the 311 telephone information service to connect with a variety of City agencies and programs.