Parade Features Insight from Nutrition Expert

Sep 01, 2023

Comments from Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, clinical associate professor and department chair of interdisciplinary health sciences, are featured in a Parade article about the nutritional benefits of clementines. Haar, who is one of nine registered dietitians quoted in the article, shares, “Vitamin C plays a vital role as an antioxidant, maintains healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage, aids in wound healing, and facilitates iron absorption. With most people getting too little fiber—which is necessary for optimal gastro-intestinal functioning—the three grams of fiber in the two-fruit serving can help you reach optimal fiber intake.”

 

Fortune Publishes Lopez's Op-ed

Sep 01, 2023

A Fortune op-ed by Alexander Lopez, J.D., OT/L, associate professor of occupational therapy, advocates for K-12 schools to be required to have occupational therapists or other autism specialists on staff to support students and provide proper intervention. Lopez notes that while awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased, and the number of children diagnosed has risen dramatically, U.S. school systems have not implemented new strategies to help students with ASD. In addition, some school practices may marginalize them.

“This is where policymakers must step in. We need changes at the state and federal levels to ensure that appropriate ASD intervention continues beyond preschool. K-12 schools should be required to have occupational therapists or other autism specialists on staff,” he writes.

Additional media outlets that ran the op-ed include Yahoo Finance, AOL.com, and MSN.com. 

 

Hazel Explains Anti-Bullying Policies in Care.com Article

Aug 31, 2023

Care.com featured comments from Cameka Hazel, Ed.D., associate professor in the School Counseling, M.S. program, in an article about anti-bullying policies in K-12 schools. Hazel explains that schools in all 50 states must have anti-bullying policies, which include definitions of bullying, characteristics for bullying behaviors, and school district policy requirements.

“Schoolwide anti-bullying policies are put in place to ensure parents that their children are provided with an environment that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and discrimination—and that there is accountability if and when bullying occurs in schools,” says Hazel. She also notes that while all schools should now have anti-bullying policies, some do not carry out school-wide assessments to see how effective their policies and strategies are, which can be problematic.

 

Exercise Science Expert Quoted in Real Simple

Aug 30, 2023

Alex Rothstein, coordinator and instructor for the Exercise Science program, is quoted in a Real Simple article about pilates exercises to strengthen glute muscles. Rothstein explains that the glutes are comprised of three muscles, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus, and “have a central role in controlling movements of the lower extremity, as well as movements of the trunk.” He adds, “Any dysfunction or weakness in this muscle group can cause issues with other areas of the body that are called upon to compensate,” noting that this can occur in the hamstrings, which are often recruited to compensate for weak glutes.

Similar coverage also appeared in Yahoo News and AOL.com. 

 

Prominent Outlets Feature Researcher's COVID-19 Insight

Aug 25, 2023

During the month of August, multiple outlets featured COVID-19 insight from Rajendram Rajnarayanan, Ph.D., assistant dean of research and associate professor at NYITCOM-Arkansas, who manages a coronavirus sequencing dashboard. In National Geographic, Rajnarayanan discusses the surge of the EG.5 variant; in Fortune and The Daily Mail, he shares insight on COVID-19 in pets and a potential new variant called BA.X, respectively. His comments were also featured in later articles that appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, and others.

 

Haar Provides Nutrition Advice for Parade's Readers

Aug 24, 2023

Nutrition expert Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, clinical associate professor and department chair of interdisciplinary health sciences, is quoted in a Parade article about the ideal time to eat breakfast. 

“Eating before work or school with a breakfast that includes whole grains, protein from plant sources such as nuts, seeds, and legumes, or animal sources such as low-fat dairy or moderate amounts of eggs, fruit and/or vegetables can be wonderful if your schedule and routine allow for that,” says Haar. However, she also advises readers that if their morning schedule does not accommodate this, they should simply adjust. “My advice is typically choosing the time when eating a healthful breakfast is most feasible. Determining a specific time when the only seemingly realistic option is to grab a doughnut will not be helpful.”

 

Abraham Quoted in Leprosy Article

Aug 21, 2023

Carl Abraham, M.D., infectious disease physician and assistant professor at NYITCOM-Arkansas, is quoted prominently in a HealthNews.com article about rising leprosy cases in Florida. In addition to discussing potential drivers of the outbreak, Abraham explains that leprosy, which is caused by M. leprae bacteria, is easily treated with antibiotics, especially at its early stages. However, it can be difficult to recognize the illness, as most people in the United States, including healthcare providers, have never seen a case. 

"Any person with one or multiple patches of skin that are lightening in color and have decreased sensation (for example, numbness) should be tested for infection with M. leprae. The patch may be flat or raised," says Abraham. 

He also warns that it may take a year or more for those infected to develop symptoms.

 

School Counseling Expert Featured in Local Media

Aug 18, 2023

Ahead of the back-to-school season, Long Island media outlets, including The Island 360 and Port Washington Patch, featured anti-bullying insight from Cameka Hazel, Ed.D., assistant professor in the School Counseling, M.S. program. Hazel, who specializes in the supervision and training of professional mental health and school counselors, informs parents that all 50 states are required to have anti-bullying laws in K-12 schools. This includes the designation of anti-bullying coordinators or a committee to oversee bullying reports and disciplinary actions.

“All students and parents should be made aware of who the anti-bullying coordinators are and how to file a bullying complaint,” Hazel tells The Island 360.

 

Nadler Quoted in U.S. News and World Report PFAS Story

Aug 14, 2023

A U.S. News and World Report article features environmental health insight from Research Assistant Professor David Nadler, Ph.D. The article discusses the potential health dangers of PFAS, which are commonly known as “forever chemicals,” and have been found in clothing, tap water, and home products. Nadler, who has conducted research on ways to safely break down PFAS, points out that the chemicals are often found with other pollutants and toxins, so it’s hard to solely blame PFAS for causing negative health effects.

“(PFAS) just might be one of the ingredients in the recipe of all of these other chemical mixtures that we're inhaling, or that may be in small quantities, in our water supply and with clothing, as well,” Nadler says. 

He also notes that the best way for consumers to find out whether they are exposed to PFAS through their tap water is to check the annual water quality report issued by their local government. “If you really look at it, you get to see everything that's been tested. You see the number of times a certain chemical came up higher than what, let's say, the state health department might allow.”

 

Sites Highlight Haar's Tips for Healthy School Lunches

Aug 14, 2023

As seen on several news sites, including Health Reporter News, The Port Washington Patch, and others, nutrition expert Mindy Haar, Ph.D., RDN, assistant dean at New York Institute of Technology’s School of Health Professions, shares simple tips and tricks for packing a healthy lunch. For parents, getting back into the routine of packing their child's lunch is one of the biggest stressors of the back-to-school season. In light of this, Haar provides strategies to make preparing school lunches easier, as well as simple ideas for healthy meals.

“Not planning for the week in advance may leave parents to give lunches just based on what’s on hand. Drawing up a menu for the week with your child’s input can increase variety and nutritional value. Letting children help with shopping and food prep will assure that they don’t bring home lunch containers filled with uneaten food. Preparing for two days in a row saves even more time, and, whenever possible, save prep time by using dinner leftovers,” she tells Health Reporter News.