In 2005, Florida legislators passed the nation’s first “Stand Your Ground” law, expanding legal immunity for residents to use lethal force when they believe they’re being threatened. A decade later, a new study finds that Florida has experienced a significant increase in homicides, while states without such laws have not.
Oxfam’s “Women on the Line” and the Food Chain Workers’ Alliance’s “No Piece of the Pie” provide more evidence of the low wages, harsh conditions, and disrespect experienced by millions of workers in the U.S. food industry.
More and more of America’s adolescents and young adults are struggling with depression, especially young women, according to a study released earlier this week.
Public Health Practice
Remembering Steve Wing (1952-2016): an inspiration to students, community activists, and public health colleagues
Epidemiologist and environmental justice hero, Steve Wing, said public health was ultimately about changing the world for the better. He did.
Dr. Steve Wing’s voice, courage and integrity touched the lives of many. I have yet to meet anyone so intertwined with both science and social movements. His legacy will continue through the ongoing struggles for justice and social change.
Three days out from the election and many of us are still trying to adjust to this new reality. It’s been a very rough week.
Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
Haiti sees surge in cholera cases after Hurricane Matthew; UN admits moral responsibility
Months after a severe earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, UN peacekeeping troops exacerbated Haitians’ suffering by introducing cholera to the island. After Hurricane Matthew, cholera cases are surging again, and the UN admits it has a moral responsibility to address the situation.
The families of two coal miners are charging that Johns Hopkins University’s Black Lung Program with intent to defraud hundreds of workers from federally earned benefits for work-related disabling lung disease. Appropriate for today’s holiday, both men were U.S. veterans.
APHA Annual Meeting
Honduran women’s and labor rights organization wins APHA Occupational Health and Safety Section’s International Award
The Honduras Independent Monitoring Team (EMIH) won the 2016 International Award of the Occupational Health and Safety Section of the American Public Health Association at the APHA’s annual conference in Denver. Lynda Yanz, Executive Director of the Maquila Solidarity Network, based in Toronto, Canada, accepted the award on behalf of EMIH at the November 1st awards luncheon.
Hispanic hotel workers in Las Vegas are becoming a powerful political force; families of miners who died from black lung disease sue Johns Hopkins Hospital; Milwaukee officials approve a living wage ordinance for county workers; and women in France and Iceland walk off the job to protest the gender wage gap.