US Government | The Pump Handle

Affordable Care Act Massachusetts study: High demand for publicly funded family planning services, despite near universal insurance

February 7, 2014 Kim Krisberg 3Comment

Higher insurance rates don’t mean people stop seeking care at publically funded health centers, found a recent study of family planning clinics in Massachusetts. The findings speak to serious concerns within public health circles that policy-makers may point to higher insurance rates as a justification to cut critical public health funding.

Government Putting names to the numbers of workplace fatality victims

February 6, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 6Comment

Should fatality investigation reports include the names of the victims? Opinions differ.

Environmental Health “The incident could have been prevented” – Community frustrations on display at Chemical Safety Board meeting on 2010 Tesoro Anacortes refinery explosion

February 4, 2014 Elizabeth Grossman 1Comment

The city of Anacortes – population about 16,000 – sits on shores of Fidalgo Island, the eastern-most island in the San Juan archipelago, the string of islands clustered off the northwest coast of Washington State. Located at the western end of Skagit County, known regionally for its agriculture, Anacortes’ petrochemical plants – Tesoro and Shell […]

Government Worker fatality: Why wasn’t he wearing his seatbelt?

February 3, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

Seatbelts save lives. But some workers don’t wear them. We might save some lives if we knew why.

Cancer Study: Replacing BPA in food products could save billions in health costs

January 31, 2014 Kim Krisberg 3Comment

In a first-of-its-kind study, a researcher has estimated that the health-related economic savings of removing bisphenol A from our food supply is a whopping $1.74 billion annually. And that’s a conservative estimate.

Environmental Health Can killing germs be hazardous to your health? Questions about “quats”

January 31, 2014 Elizabeth Grossman 2Comment

“Millions of Americans use antibacterial hand soap and body wash products. Although consumers generally view these products as effective tools to help prevent the spread of germs, there is currently no evidence that they are any more effective at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water,” wrote the US Food and Drug Administration […]

Food Safety & Nutrition Reality check on USDA’s claims about its plan to privatize poultry inspection

January 28, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

The wisdom of USDA’s plan to privatize poultry inspection is striking newspaper editors as an unwise move. USDA is rebutting the opinion pieces, but their assertions need a dose of reality.

Child Labor The new year brings movement on minimum wage, new hope for federal action

January 24, 2014 Kim Krisberg

The day I spoke with Idaho minimum wage activist Anne Nesse, it was quite cold in her hometown of Coeur d’Alene — 29 degrees, to be exact. The harsh winters came up more than once during our conversation about low wages in the northwestern state.

Government “Let’s find out what happened to make sure it never happens again”

January 23, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

If combustible dust played a role in the January 20 disaster at International Nutrition which killed two workers, will Labor Secretary Tom Perez get the ball rolling on a regulation to address this deadly hazard?

Cancer Not a good week to learn about backsliding on chemical warnings

January 20, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

In the wake of the WV water contamination, the public dialogue revolves around the need for more information and disclosure about the potential health effects of toxic chemicals. A newish OSHA regulation does just the opposite for workers exposed to chemical hazards.