Harlem Week Health Summit Brings Free Care to NYC — As Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Raises Concerns

Health & Personal Awareness — Listen Free 🎧 | Contact 📧

Today, the Black Health Matters Harlem Week Health Summit & Expo takes place at The Riverside Church in New York City, offering free health screenings, wellness sessions, and expert panels. The event is part of Harlem Week 2026 and runs from 8 AM to 5 PM. Co-hosts include Grammy-winner Roxanne Shanté, ABC7’s Sandra Bookman, Emmy-winning journalist Elijah Westbrook, and actor Lamman Rucker.

The summit is designed to bring free health care and wellness resources directly to the Harlem community, making it easier for residents to access screenings and expert advice. The event serves as a critical bridge between the medical community and communities that have historically faced barriers to health care.

NYC Cyclosporiasis Outbreak: What You Need to Know

Meanwhile, New York City is facing a cyclosporiasis outbreak, with hundreds of cases reported in recent months.

The Numbers:

Over 500 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in New York state alone, the majority in New York City, where more than 380 cases have been reported so far this year
That’s three times more compared to the same period in 2025
NYC health officials confirmed 301 people sickened so far for the entirety of 2026, with 273 confirmed cases since May 1
The state has recorded an additional 125 cases since May 1

What is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is caused by infection with the cyclospora parasite. Symptoms include severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and watery, explosive diarrhea. While some who are infected never exhibit symptoms, others need to be hospitalized.

How It Spreads:
The infection is usually contracted by consuming food or water contaminated with feces, most often during travel outside the U.S.. What’s troubling about the recent outbreaks is that many infected people reported that they hadn’t traveled outside the country — meaning they likely got sick from contaminated food here in the U.S..

What’s Being Done:
Health officials have not yet identified any particular source or sources of the parasite in U.S. food. The city health department is investigating the rise in cases, working in conjunction with the CDC, the FDA, and other health departments.

How to Protect Yourself:

Wash fresh produce thoroughly under clean, running water
Cook your food whenever possible — heating food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit can kill the parasite
Wash hands before handling food and after using the bathroom
Wash and sanitize utensils and cooking surfaces

Treatment:
A cyclosporiasis infection can go away on its own, but symptoms can last for a month or longer if not treated, increasing the risk of dehydration, especially in older adults, children, and people who are immunocompromised. Treatment is a course of antibiotics, typically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known under the brand names Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim.

The Bottom Line:
Health officials are urging New Yorkers to follow routine food safety practices. The investigation comes as health officials in several other states are also tracking increases in infections.

Other Community Events

Seattle’s “Dining Out for Life” Fundraiser

On Thursday, August 13, Seattle’s restaurant community is coming together for Dining Out For Life, an annual one-day fundraiser supporting access to health and food.

Cincinnati’s 38th Annual Black Family Reunion

Cincinnati’s 38th Annual Black Family Reunion begins today, running through Sunday, August 16, at Sawyer Point. The four-day event includes keynote speakers, a parade, a local college tour, multiple music concerts, a health fair, a job fair, and a historic tour of Black Cincinnati.

“We continue to do it because it’s here to strengthen our community. It’s here to strengthen the African-American community and businesses. It serves as a stimulus each year to our community. Thousands of people attend all of our events every year,” said Tracey Farly Artis, Executive Director.

Charlotte Town Hall: Balancing Tech, Healthcare and Infrastructure

Charlotte At‑Large Council Member Dr. Victoria Watlington hosts a town hall today titled “Building Our Best Future: Balancing Tech, Healthcare and Charlotte’s Infrastructure” from 6‑8 PM at the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Government Center. The event explores how technology, healthcare, and infrastructure are shaping the city’s future.

The Bottom Line

From the Bronx to Chicago, new community-driven health and wellness solutions are taking shape. Harlem Week brings free health care to New Yorkers. Cincinnati’s Black Family Reunion connects thousands with health and employment services. Charlotte’s town hall explores the intersection of tech and healthcare.

But the cyclosporiasis outbreak is a reminder that public health threats are never far away. With hundreds of cases reported and no clear source identified, New Yorkers are urged to wash fresh produce thoroughly, cook food when possible, and practice good food safety habits.

The message is clear: health care must reach people where they live — in their communities, in their neighborhoods, and through the cultural institutions they trust.