The Pump Handle - A Water Cooler for the Public Health Crowd

Public Health Practice Worth reading: Infant mortality in Detroit and what the ACA means in Kentucky

February 10, 2014 Liz Borkowski, MPH 1Comment

Foundations, hospitals, and government agencies work to reduce Detroit’s infant mortality rate, which is the worst among large US cities; newly insured residents of Breathitt County, Kentucky head to doctors to treat long-standing health problems; and an addiction researcher discusses why overdosing is the leading cause of accidental US deaths — and what we can do about it.

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.

Occup Health News Roundup Occupational Health News Roundup

February 5, 2014 Liz Borkowski, MPH

A judge questions whether the NFL’s proposed settlement will be enough to meet the needs of former football players suffering from neurological problems; the collapse of two cell towers in West Virginia kills two communications workers and one firefighter; and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health publicizes resources for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.

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 […]

Labor Rights In SOTU, Obama calls for higher wages and better leave policies

January 29, 2014 Liz Borkowski, MPH 7Comment

In last night’s State of the Union speech, President Obama addressed several ways to “make sure our economy honors the dignity of work, and hard work pays off for every single American.” Legislation already introduced in Congress would raise the minimum wage, expand access to paid sick days, and create a social insurance system for paid medical and family leave — but Congress hasn’t voted on the bills. In the absence of federal action, state and local governments are stepping up.

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.