New Orleans Health Department

Notice of Funding Availability: Swimming Pool Safety Intervention

The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) is seeking highly qualified organizations to deliver programs and services that improve pool safety by providing free or reduced rates swimming lessons and pool safety education for New Orleans residents. NOHD seeks organizations with an established history of providing swimming lessons and providing water safety education to community members.

A total of $200,000 is available and is made available through the Notice of Award (NOA) issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and is subject to the terms and conditions.

NOFA Information Packet Application Packet

Applications are due March 1, 2025. Please contact William Johnson, Injury Prevention Specialist, with any questions.

An informational session will be held over Zoom on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. CST. Questions about the award will be answered during this meeting.

Join Zoom Information Session

Updated: 01/31/2025


Notice of Funding Availability: Harm Reduction and Care Navigation Mobile Unit 

The City of New Orleans seeks to utilize a portion of its Opioid Settlement Funds to support community-based organizations in developing a harm reduction and care navigation mobile unit for individuals who use drugs. A total of $2,500,000 is available. Applications are due February 13, 2025.

NOFA Details and Application

Updated: 01/30/2025


Stay Alert: Hypothermia Risks Persist Despite Rising Temperatures

As cold temperatures begin to slowly rise, the risk of hypothermia remains a serious concern. Hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, can occur even in milder weather, particularly in damp or windy conditions. Knowing the signs and taking prompt action can save lives.

What Is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can generate, causing the internal temperature to fall below safe levels. It can become life-threatening if not addressed quickly.

Recognizing the Signs of Hypothermia

  • Shivering (may stop as temp drops)
  • Slurred speech or mumbling
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Weak pulse
  • Clumsiness or lack of coordination
  • Extreme fatigue or drowsiness
  • Confusion or memory loss
  • Loss of consciousness
  • In infants: bright red, cold skin

Dialysis Center Hotlines

If a patient is unable to reach someone from their facility, they can use the following patient hotlines, starting with their dialysis company’s hotline first, to obtain an appointment for dialysis treatment. 

Dialysis Company

Patient Hotline Phone Number

Innovative Renal Care (IRC)/American Renal Associates (ARA)

978.232.4099

DaVita (DVA)

800.400.8331

Dialysis Center Inc. (DCI)

866.424.1990

Fresenius Medical Care (FMC)

800.626.1297

National Renal Care (Ochsner)

818.206.8702

US Renal Care (USRC)

866.671.8772

If a patient is unable to obtain placement for treatment via the company hotline phone number above, they can contact ESRD Network 13 at 800.472.8664


New Resources to Improve Access to Misoprostol Available Now

NOHD is proud to announce the development of a user-friendly map designed to assist health care professionals in identifying pharmacies that stock misoprostol within the city. This innovative tool aims to ensure timely access to this frequently prescribed medication for conditions such as miscarriage, IUD insertion and other women’s health procedures, minimizing delays in care and supporting better health outcomes.

Our goal for this map is to create a practical and user-friendly resource:

  • For Health Care Professionals: This tool will allow providers a quick way to direct their patients to nearby pharmacies with available stock, easing the burden on providers and helping them maintain a high standard of health care.
  • For the Public: Patients can use a simple map to find pharmacies in Orleans Parish that have misoprostol nearby. This will help them locate supplies close to their homes or workplaces. The dashboard will be updated regularly based on information received from providers, pharmacies, and patients.

NOHD encourages providers, pharmacists and patients to report any challenges in accessing misoprostol through our private, secure online reporting form.

Access map of pharmacies distributing misoprostol

Updated 1/13/2025


Resources for Victims & Survivors of Bourbon Street Attack

Download this guide for a comprehensive list of resources available to victims and survivors of the New Year's Mass Casualty Incident. (Guides created by Crime Survivors NOLA)

Bourbon Street Attack Victim Resources 

 

 

 

Updated 1/2/2025


What is "street medicine"?

Staying true to our commitment to meet people where they are, the New Orleans Health Department's public health clinical director, Jordan Vaughn, MD, and her partnership with the Office Of Homeless Services And Strategy was recently highlighted in an article on "street medicine" programs across the nation.

"Street medicine" article

Updated: 12/16/2024


Gun Free Zone Signage

The New Orleans Health Department is offering local business owners free signage to establish their physical locations as “firearm free” per R.S. 40:1379(O). 

Request Signage for Your Business

Updated 12/02/2024


City of New Orleans’ Medical Debt Elimination Initiative in Partnership with Undue Medical Debt

The City of New Orleans entered into an agreement in May 2023 to partner with Undue Medical Debt and provide the national nonprofit with $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, or federal pandemic recovery funds, for the purpose of partnering with community-minded health care providers to acquire qualifying debt and erase it. Undue Medical Debt leverages these pandemic recovery funds as needed when collaborating with providers. The initiative aims to erase the existing medical debt of eligible New Orleans residents experiencing financial hardship. The medical debt elimination program was unanimously approved by the New Orleans City Council in December 2022. The initiative is managed by the New Orleans Health Department.

Residents who have debt cancelled through this initiative will receive a letter directly from the initiative. A sample letter is available for reference.

View Sample Medical Debt Elimination Letter

Undue Medical Debt Press Release

Medical Debt Elimination FAQs

Medical Debt Cancelled Through the New Orleans Medical Debt Elimination Initiative
  Acadian Ambulance Ochsner Health System Secondary Medical Debt Holders
Number of New Orleans residents impacted 3,011 65,737 5,858
Amount of debt cancelled $3,410,359.95 $58,865,307.77 $6,819,408.29
Letters mailed to residents January 2024 July 2024 July 2024

 

Updated 8/19/2024