Public health

June 17, 2008 -- ROCHESTER, Minn. — As Americans' collective waistline has continued to expand, so has the prevalence of obesity-related cancer. According to the June issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, an estimated 14 percent of cancer deaths in older men and 20 percent in older women can be attributed to excess body fat.

Obese women: Photo by Malingering (CC)

It's not fully understood why excess body fat increases the risk of cancer.

Theories include:    » read more »

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Army National Guard flew one of its CH-47 Chinook helicopters into Cedar Rapids on Monday to help the town turn its water back on. The massive helicopters were used to pluck seven electrical pumps from a well field in Northwest Cedar Rapids still under water. Water receded enough by Saturday for the pumps to be above water.

National Guard flood relief, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: An employee from the Cedar Rapids Water Utility prepares to attach a lift cable from an Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook to a damaged water pump on the Iowa River near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt Jack Braden    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- BURLINGTON - Each year in Vermont, mosquitoes are mapped, monitored, targeted and trapped and – when spotted – swatted, smacked and squished.

The Vermont Department of Health’s main interest in the pests is whether or not the mosquitoes are infected with West Nile virus, an infection that may cause illness.

Mosquito: Photo by OliBac (CC)

Most mosquitoes are not infected with West Nile virus, which is transmitted from infected birds to certain types of mosquitoes that routinely feed on robins, jays, crows, ravens and raptors.    » read more »

Durham, NC -- 16 June 2008 -- In the past decade, many Americans and Europeans have become more aware of the dangers of smoking. Large tobacco companies have seen their cigarette sales in these countries plummet as legislators have passed laws forbidding smoking in restaurants, bars and many other public places. But other tobacco sales are increasing.

New research from the Harvard School of Public Health has found that in the U.S. the drop in sales of cigarettes has been accompanied by increased sales of tobacco in other forms. This increase appears to offset at least a third of the drop in cigarette sales.

Sales of small cigars has increased in the United States, as cigarette sales declined
Sales of small cigars have increased in the United States, as cigarette sales declined    » read more »

Grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will enhance state, local public health emergency preparedness efforts

June 16, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that Illinois will receive nearly $20 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to further enhance state and local preparedness for public health emergencies.

The CDC recently notified the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that the Department will receive $19.9 million, as part of a $705 million package that is being awarded nationwide to public health departments in states and territories, as well as in four major metropolitan areas. The City of Chicago will also receive $11.4 million as part of this package.    » read more »

Poses Risk to Public Health

WASHINGTON -- June 12, 2008 – A new White House policy deals a crippling blow to the ability of the scientific staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify chemicals that pose the greatest risk to public health, potentially putting millions of people at risk, according to public health experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).    » read more »

13 June 2008 -- "I am shocked by the announced $8.4 million dollar cut in funds for mental health services for children in the state of Georgia, particularly considering the current crisis state mental health services face.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- BURLINGTON – The Vermont Department of Health has confirmed one case of Salmonella that is part of a multi-state outbreak of foodborne illness, with certain types of raw tomatoes as the source of the illnesses.

The adult infected, whose name will not be released for privacy reasons, was hospitalized but has fully recovered.

There are no other cases reported in Vermont at this time. The Health Department is conducting ongoing surveillance for any new cases identified by the Health Department laboratory.    » read more »

Relevant Areas to be Smoke-Free in 90 Days

June 13, 2008 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed into law the Clean Indoor Air Act, which will protect Pennsylvanians from the deadly health effects of secondhand smoke by prohibiting smoking in most public places, including restaurants, workplaces and a portion of casino floors.

Cigarette: Photo by Bruce (CC)    » read more »

Expired Milk, Eggs, Medicines, and Baby Formula Found in Scores of CVS and Rite Aid Stores Statewide

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- June 12, 2008 – New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced his office is taking legal action against CVS and Rite Aid pharmacies after a statewide investigation into retail drug stores found the companies sold expired products - including milk, eggs, medicines and baby formula - at stores across New York.    » read more »

Decision Could Echo Across the Nation

CHICAGO -- June 6 2008 -- In a case that might impact oil refineries around the nation, plans by ConocoPhillips to expand its refinery in Roxana, IL were derailed today when an appeal board of the US Environmental Protection Agency upheld a challenge to the air permit required for the project.

The decision sends ConocoPhillips and Illinois EPA, which had granted the permits, back to the drawing board. The legal challenge argued that harmful air pollution from the refinery’s flares, which relieve pressure in the refining process, was not being sufficiently controlled.    » read more »

Community groups react to news that DuPont’s Teflon chemicals likely contaminate area residential wells. Eight of nine DuPont monitoring wells exceeded New Jersey’s “alert level.”

June 9, 2008 -- Deepwater, NJ—A coalition of environmental and labor groups are calling for the testing of private drinking water wells in four towns near DuPont’s Chambers Works facility in Deepwater, N.J. They are concerned about the possible presence of the dangerous Teflon chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is urging residents to be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning when using alternative sources of power during an outage.

Due to recent weather-related power outages, Michigan residents are asked to be extra vigilant as they compensate for the lost power.

If not used safely, gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters or other alternative heating or power sources can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Residents are encouraged to seek shelter with friends, family, or at a community shelter as a safer alternative.    » read more »

Maine CDC Advises Caution in Heat: Keep Cool, Drink Adequate Fluids, and Rest Frequently

June 9, 2008 -- With Maine heading into summer, it is important for all of us to prevent heat-related problems and to recognize the signs of heat illness early. Heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable, yet over the past 30 years more people have died in this country from heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined.

All Mainers should take some simple measures to prevent heat-related illness. However, those who are most susceptible include infants and young children, people 65 years old and older, people with a mental illness, and those who are physically ill with heart disease or high blood pressure.

These simple measures include:    » read more »

June 6, 2008 -- A new report reveals how the Smoke-Free Arizona Act led to healthier environments for employees and patrons of Arizona restaurants and bars and to indoor workplaces free from the deadly effects of secondhand smoke.

Since the law took effect May 1, 2007, complaints about indoor smoking have dropped dramatically to less than 200 a month from about 1,400 in the first month, according to the first annual report on the Smoke-Free Arizona Act.

"We are proud to state that one year after the Law went into effect, a high level of compliance has been achieved statewide. Most employers responded well in creating smoke-free workplaces while the number of complaints declined significantly, this resulting in cleaner air for Arizona residents," the report concludes.    » read more »