News & Announcements

October 10, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Now Available and Easy to Access in the New Orleans Metro Area

New Orleans, LA (October 7, 2025) The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) announced today that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially approved flu vaccines for ages 6 months and up and yesterday expanded that approval to place the COVID-19 vaccinations on the recommended schedule for 2025-2026.  Older adults and those at risk should check their eligibility for RSV, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines.

September 30, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Health Department Commits to Preserving Health Access Amid Clinic Closure

The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) acknowledges the significant impact that the September 30 closure of the New Orleans Planned Parenthood clinic will have on residents who have relied on the clinic for essential health care. Historically, Planned Parenthood’s services have been used by thousands of New Orleanians each year from all neighborhoods and walks of life.Between 2023 and 2024, there were more than 16,000 visits to Planned Parenthood in New Orleans, primarily for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment. These appointments also served as a critical point of connection to HIV prevention and care for individuals at higher risk or already living with HIV. The clinic provided 8,800 family planning visits, offering annual exams, birth control counseling, and a range of contraceptive options. Planned Parenthood providers have also played a pivotal role in cancer screening and prevention efforts through wellness exams.

September 22, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

ACOG Affirms Safety and Benefits of Acetaminophen during Pregnancy

The following is a statement from Steven J. Fleischman, MD, MBA, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy.

September 22, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

AAP Statement on White House Autism Announcement

The following is a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

“Today’s White House event on autism was filled with dangerous claims and misleading information that sends a confusing message to parents and expecting parents and does a disservice to autistic individuals. 

July 15, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Health Department Releases 2024 AIR Program Report, Highlighting Urgent Needs and Paths Forward in Addressing Domestic Violence

Today, the New Orleans Health Department’s (NOHD) Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program (DV/SA), in coordination with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), the New Orleans Family Justice Center (NOFJC), and the Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD), released the 2024 Advocate Initiated Response (AIR) Program Data Report. This comprehensive report offers a data-driven assessment of the city’s current domestic violence response and highlights both the urgent challenges and practical steps that city agencies and partners can take together to better protect survivors, hold offenders accountable, and improve coordination across the system.

July 15, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

First-Ever Mental Health Wait Time Dashboard to Help Residents Access Behavioral Health Care

Earlier this month, the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD), in partnership with ViaLink, 504HealthNet, Odyssey House Louisiana (OHL), and a coalition of local behavioral health providers, launched a groundbreaking new tool to address a  critical gap in access to care: the Mental Health and Substance Use Outpatient Wait Time Dashboard, designed to help residents find timely mental health and substance use services—and assist providers in coordinating care more effectively.

July 1, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

New Report from New Orleans Health Department Calls for Urgent Investment in the Health of Hospitality Workers

The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) has released a new report titled Keeping Hospitality Healthy, a comprehensive analysis of the health challenges facing the city’s hospitality workforce. The report identifies the obstacles this population currently faces and outlines the strategic actions needed to improve health outcomes for hospitality workers in the city—many of whom are the backbone of New Orleans’ thriving tourism economy.

June 17, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Health Department Releases 2024 Annual Opioid Report with New Strategies and Investments for 2025

The New Orleans Health Department’s (NOHD) Office of Behavioral Health today released the findings of its 2024 Annual Opioid Report, detailing local trends in overdose deaths, citywide response efforts, and new initiatives made possible by Opioid Settlement Funds.

June 5, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Health Department Recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Month with Landmark Lightings and Month long Community Events

This June, the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) joins cities across the country in recognizing Gun Violence Awareness Month, reaffirming our commitment to a safer, healthier New Orleans for all. Throughout the month, we will host a range of community events, public awareness campaigns, and healing spaces designed to prevent violence and support survivors.

May 1, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit Launches Citywide Mental Health Awareness Campaign

The New Orleans Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit (MCIU), a program of the New Orleans Health Department, in collaboration with Resources for Human Development (RHD), announces the launch of a citywide mental health awareness campaign throughout May in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.