Denying undocumented immigrants access to the ACA’s main avenues for covering the uninsured has implications for the hospitals and health centers that serve uninsured people. (Re-post, by Liz Borkowski)
Cancer
Carcinogen use and release declines dramatically in Massachusetts: An important step in cancer prevention
Following passage of a Massachusetts law requiring companies to report on their use of toxic chemicals, environmental releases of potentially carcinogenic chemicals declined 93% between 1991 and 2010 while reported use declined 32% between 1990 and 2010. (Re-post, by Elizabeth Grossman)
Public Health Practice
10 years after SARS: Are healthcare systems ready for the next global public health emergency?
On March 12, 2003, the World Health Organization issued a global health alert for an atypical pneumonia that was soon dubbed SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome. Ten years later, the International Health Regulations have been revised, but the US isn’t doing enough to maintain its surveillance and response capabilities. (Re-post, by Liz Borkowski)
Mining
$70 million owed by mine operators for unpaid safety penalties, time for “boot” device equivalent
In many cities, traffic control officers will “boot” are vehicle if it’s racked up too many unpaid parking tickets. It’s time for an equivalent sanction for employers who violate labor laws and refuse to pay the penalties. (Re-post, by Celeste Monforton)
Public Health Practice
In tight fiscal times, National Public Health Week highlights the return on public health investments
The 2013 National Public Health Week highlighted the theme of “Public Health ROI: Save Lives, Save Money.” (Re-post, by Kim Krisberg)
Construction is the US industry sector with the most worker fatalities. Designing buildings with construction and maintenance workers in mind can make buildings safer, and green buildings truly sustainable. (Re-post, by Liz Borkowski)
A refund check from my health insurance provider is another sign that Obamacare is working for healthcare consumers. (Re-post, by Celeste Monforton)
If you think that Obama’s health insurance debacle is the first time that software problems have derailed a national health insurance plan, you would be wrong. I recall a similar event in Prague in 1995.
A former State health commissioner explains his tactic for averting cuts in public health funding.
How do Edward Snowden and his revelations impinge on public health and its practice, in the US and around the world? In their Editorial, “Least Untruthful, a new standard?” the Co-Editors of the Journal of Public Health Policy have spelled out some important implications for public health.