August is National Immunization Awareness Month Each year in August, National Immunization Awareness Month provides an opportunity for providers to highlight the value of immunization across all ages. Activities focus on encouraging people to protect their health by being vaccinated against infectious diseases. The National Public Health Information Coalition has developed, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Immunization Awareness Month Communication Toolkits to help providers communicate with their patients about the importance of vaccination. Toolkits are available for four separate age spans: Preteens and Teens Pregnant ... August 6, 2015 General Public Health, Vaccination, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH warns of ongoing pertussis risk The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently warned about the ongoing danger of pertussis (whooping cough). According to state public health officials, pertussis continues to spread at above-normal levels in California following last year's epidemic, when reported disease rates were the highest they've been since the 1950s. Pertussis can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in infants, especially within the first six months of life. The disease has already caused one infant death and at least 126 infant hospitalizations in California this year. Physicians are reminded that the best ... August 6, 2015 General Immunization, Pertussis, Public Health, Vaccination, Whooping Cough, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
House passes bill to increase funding for medical research and speed FDA approvals Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (344-77) to pass a bill known as the "21st Century Cures Act," which would boost federal funding for medical research and speed up Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for many new drugs and medical devices. The bill, HR 6, will give $8.75 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research and another $550 million to the FDA over the next five years. A scaled-down bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and there are hopes that it ... July 29, 2015 General Food and Drug Administration, Research and Experimental Medicine, Federal Legislation, Medical Devices, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Six tobacco bills to be taken up during special session on health Six bills aimed at saving lives and reducing the cost of tobacco-related diseases on California’s health system will be taken up during the Legislature’s second special session to address health care — a meeting ordered by Gov. Jerry Brown. Some of the bills being proposed are the same as those introduced in the Capitol earlier this year, including bills to add e-cigarettes to the existing tobacco products definition and to increase the age of sale for tobacco products to 21. Other bills introduced would allow local jurisdictions to tax tobacco ... July 29, 2015 General State Legislation, State Legislative Advocacy, Tobacco, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Sugar-sweetened drinks responsible for 25,000 U.S. deaths each year Research published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, concluded that sugary beverages cause the deaths of 25,000 Americans each year through their contributions to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Globally, sugary drinks contribute to 180,000 deaths each year, with the highest death rate in Mexico. The U.S. ranked second. The study’s authors examined beverage consumption through national dietary surveys gathered by 51 countries from 1980 to 2010. After estimating how sugar-sweetened beverages contribute toward obesity, and how obesity contributes toward various diseases, the researchers were able to conclude ... July 24, 2015 General Diabetes, NEPO, Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations, Public Health, CMA Foundation 0 0 Comment Read More »
Package of six bills would raise smoking age, regulate e-cigarettes and fight youth smoking, among other proposals Sacramento, CA — The Save Lives California coalition praised Senate and Assembly Democrats for announcing a bold package of bills to fight the No. 1 cause of preventable death in California: tobacco use. The bills will be taken up during the second extraordinary session, called by Governor Jerry Brown to address healthcare. In a display of strong cooperation and determination, the two houses have each introduced the same six bills aimed at preventing death from tobacco-related diseases and reducing costs of smoking on California’s health system by reducing smoking and ... July 20, 2015 General Save Lives California, State Legislative Advocacy, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Coalition partners stand together to thank Legislature, Governor Brown for passing and signing Senate Bill 277 Representing tens of thousands of advocates across the state, doctors, parents, school representatives join in Sacramento for one final rally on SB 277. Sacramento – Despite three-digit temperatures, dozens of coalition partners came together to rally one last time for Senate Bill 277 (Pan/Allen). The bill passed out of the State Assembly on Thursday and cleared the final hurdle in the State Senate Monday. Governor Brown signed the bill today. “This is a monumental day for Californians. Senate Bill 277 will help keep kids and communities safe and I thank ... July 6, 2015 General Immunizations, Public Health, I Heart Immunity, Vaccinations 0 0 Comment Read More »
Vaccine bill passes through state Assembly and Senate; heads to Gov. Brown for signature A widely supported vaccination bill cleared its second house in the California legislature on Thursday, and passed through the Senate again today. Senate Bill 277, which passed through the Assembly Health Committee on June 9, was approved on the Assembly floor with a 46-30 vote. Today the bill was approved on the Senate floor with a 24-14 vote. The bill’s next stop is the desk of Governor Jerry Brown. “Overwhelmingly, doctors will tell us that vaccines are one of the greatest health achievements in all of mankind,” Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez ... July 6, 2015 General Advocacy, Immunization, Public Health, State Legislation, Vaccination, I Heart Immunity 0 0 Comment Read More »
Senate Bill 277 Clears Assembly Sacramento — Senate Bill 277 jumped its final hurdle in the state Assembly today, clearing the house with overwhelming 46-30 approval. The bill now heads back to the Senate, where legislators will consider amendments made in the Assembly. “The California Medical Association (CMA) would like to thank the Assemblymembers who supported this important piece of legislation that will improve public health and keep our communities safe,” CMA President Luther F. Cobb, M.D., said. “Diseases that were once declared eradicated have resurfaced in recent years and SB 277 will help to ... June 26, 2015 General Public Health, State Legislation, Vaccination, Advocacy, I Heart Immunity, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
Vaccination bill clears Asembly Health Committee after nearly five hours of discussion, testimony Senate Bill 277, which would bar parents from skipping school vaccination requirements due to personal philosophies, passed its first test in the state Assembly on Tuesday. Policymakers in the Assembly Health Committee approved the bill on a 12-6 vote. SB 277 would allow only medical exemptions for children entering public school by removing the option to file a personal belief exemption (PBE). The bill would not pertain to families who homeschool or utilize independent study. As in previous hearings, both proponents and opponents of SB 277 filled up the room to ... June 26, 2015 General Advocacy, Immunization, Public Health, State Legislation, Vaccination, I Heart Immunity 0 0 Comment Read More »
