Coalition files initiative to raise state's tobacco tax Save Lives California—a broad coalition of physicians, patients, taxpayers and health care workers—has filed an initiative with the Attorney General’s office that would increase California’s tax on cigarettes by $2 per pack. Through the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, the Save Lives California coalition aims to reduce the death toll—and associated health costs—caused by smoking, while generating some much-needed funds to help improve a variety of the state’s health care programs. “The initiative filed today will benefit Californians by reducing smoking rates and long-term health care ... October 14, 2015 General Political Advocacy, Public Health, Save Lives California, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax 0 0 Comment Read More »
L.A. close to banning smokeless tobacco use at all sports venues in city limits Following the footsteps of its Bay Area neighbors to the north, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously (14-0) to ban smokeless tobacco use from all sports venues within city limits. The rule will apply to players and fans alike. The city attorney was given 30 days to draft the new law, which could take effect as soon as January, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Our parks and stadiums are places for creating healthy choices for the next generation, not for cancer-causing addictions,” L.A. Councilmember David Ryu said in a ... September 23, 2015 General Save Lives California, Tobacco, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Field Poll: Nearly two-thirds of California voters support $2 per pack tobacco tax hike A proposal to raise California’s tobacco tax by $2 per pack is supported by an overwhelming majority of the state’s voters, according to a new Field Poll. The poll, released Aug. 26, shows over two-thirds of California voters support of a $2 tobacco tax hike, with 50 percent of those surveyed saying they strongly favor the increase. The poll was conducted between June 25 and July 16 by way of phone calls. The positive findings reflect the opinions of many health and labor advocates across the state, who believe boosting California’s ... September 8, 2015 General Tobacco, Tobacco Tax, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Senate passes six bills to help fight impact of tobacco use Six bills aimed at reducing the harmful impacts of tobacco use has passed the California Senate with overwhelming support. The package of bills includes measures that will increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21, regulate e-cigarettes like tobacco products and ensure that schools and workplaces are smoke-free. “We are one step closer to saving the lives of thousands of young Californians,” Eric Batch, vice president of advocacy with the American Heart Association, said in a statement. “If they become law, these reforms will pay dividends for decades into the ... September 8, 2015 General Public Health, Tabacco Tax, Tobacco, Cancer 0 0 Comment Read More »
Survey finds increased parental vaccine acceptance in aftermath of California measles outbreak A survey conducted by Medscape found that fewer parents may be refusing to vaccinate their children in the aftermath of the California measles outbreak, especially in western states, which have had some of the highest refusal rates in America. According to the Medscape Vaccine Acceptance Report, an online survey of 1,577 pediatricians, family physicians, public health physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants that was conducted last month, 42 percent of clinicians said they believed more parents are accepting vaccines and 38 percent said parents are more accepting of the measles ... August 28, 2015 General Measles, Public Health, Vaccination, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH will award $60 million in grants to reduce mental health disparities in California; accepting proposals now The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is accepting proposals for projects that will help reduce mental health disparities across the state. Through its California Reducing Disparities Project, the department will award $60 million in contracts and grants over the next four years. “This opportunity allows Public Health to partner with organizations that are going to make a difference and help bring mental health equity to California,” said CDPH Director and State Health Officer Karen Smith, M.D. CDPH’s Office of Health Equity will award the money as part of an effort ... August 28, 2015 General Health Disparities, Mental Health, Public Health, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Asthma Summit coming to Los Angeles in October The California Asthma Summit 2015, presenting the latest research from asthma experts, will take place October 14-15 at The California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities in Los Angeles. Register by September 1 and save $50 off your ticket, which includes registration, breakfast, lunch, conference materials and resources, and continuing education credits. This two-day summit, presented by the California Department of Public Health and the Sequoia Foundation, will bring together renowned asthma researchers and stakeholders to connect and share works, theories and direction to plan and develop strategies to address the ... August 28, 2015 General Continuing Education Units, Public Health, Asthma 0 0 Comment Read More »
Study: e-cigarette use among youth could lead to smoking other tobacco products Youth who use e-cigarettes as their first method of smoking could transition to smoking regular cigarettes and other tobacco products, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Researchers surveyed 2,530 ninth-graders from 10 Los Angeles public schools for the study. None of the students had ever used combustible cigarettes before the survey, but those who had previously used e-cigarettes (222 students) were found to be more likely to smoke combustible tobacco during the subsequent year. “This study indicates that e-cigarettes are introducing many ... August 28, 2015 General Public Health, Smoking, Tobacco, Electronic Cigarettes 0 0 Comment Read More »
Let's Get Healthy California now accepting applications for new 'Innovation Challenge' The California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS), with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), last week announced a new Let’s Get Healthy California “Innovation Challenge” to engage and empower people to work together toward improving the health of their communities and the state. The contest is accepting submissions through September 30, 2015, in the six Let’s Get Healthy California goal areas: Healthy beginnings Living well End of life Redesigning the health system Creating ... August 17, 2015 General Public Health, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDC says coordination is the key to stopping antibiotic-resistant bacteria The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that a coordinated approach to controlling antibiotic-resistant bacteria could prevent an estimated 619,000 hospital-acquired infections resulting from drug-resistant bacteria. With an increasing number of deadly “superbugs,” this relatively simple solution could save tens of thousands of lives over the next five years. According to a CDC report released this week, a coordinated approach—in which health facilities in a region share data with a central public health authority — could dramatically improve detection and save an estimated $7.7 billion in direct medical ... August 17, 2015 General Public Health, Antibiotic-Resistance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Infectious Diseases 0 0 Comment Read More »
