CMA says breastfeeding mothers must be accommodated when taking exams The California Medical Association (CMA), along with the American Medical Women’s Association and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), sent a letter to Prometric, one of the largest test development and delivery networks in the country, asking it to ensure that pregnant and breastfeeding test takers have consistent access to reasonable accommodations during their exams. “It has come to our attention that Prometric does not consistently provide appropriate accommodations to candidates who are pregnant or breastfeeding at the time they are taking exams at Prometric facilities,” said the letter. “These ... November 28, 2016 General Licensure, Public Health, Women's Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDC releases core elements for prescribing outpatient antibiotics The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new recommendations for antibiotic prescribing in outpatient settings in an effort to help reduce the spread of drug-resistant infections, improve patient safety and lower the cost of health care. According to the CDC, at least 2 million people each year in the U.S. acquire serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to one or more of the antibiotics designed to treat those infections. At least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these antibiotic-resistant infections. The CDC recommendations, "Core ... November 22, 2016 General Antibiotic Resistance, AWARE, CDC, CMA Foundation (CMAF), Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
AMA strengthens anti-tobacco policies The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted policies at its interim meeting reaffirming the commitment of our nation's physicians to preventing tobacco use. The policies ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require tobacco companies to add graphic warning labels depicting the negative health consequences of smoking to all cigarette packages and call for raising the minimum legal purchase age of all tobacco products to 21. California earlier this year passed a California Medical Association (CMA)-sponsored law that would raise California's smoking age to 21, as part of the most ... November 21, 2016 General AMA, Electronic Cigarettes, Prop. 56 (tobacco tax), Public Health, Smoking, Tobacco 0 0 Comment Read More »
Save the date for 2017 California Immunization Summit in Riverside The California Immunization Coalition (CIC) annual California Immunization Summit will be returning to Riverside on April 3-4, 2017. The summit is an opportunity for physicians to learn about community-based programs that have increased vaccination rates, and how to adapt and apply key lessons from successful programs. The summit is presented by CIC, a public-private partnership dedicated to achieving and maintaining full immunization protection for all Californians to promote health and prevent serious illness. Check www.immunizeca.org/about/cic-summit for speaker and registration updates in 2017. November 21, 2016 General Immunization, Public Health, Vaccination 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Foundation joins international effort to bring awareness to appropriate use of antibiotics The California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation this week joins hundreds of organizations across the globe including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in raising awareness about appropriate antibiotic use in honor of “Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.” Educating physicians and patients about appropriate use of antibiotics has been a priority of the CMA Foundation for the past 15 years, through its Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE) project. The AWARE project was formed in 2001 when the CMA Foundation, together with the California State Parent Teacher Association, ... November 16, 2016 CMA, General Antibiotic Resistance, AWARE, CMA Foundation (CMAF), Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association applauds voter approval of Proposition 56 The California Medical Association (CMA) today applauded voter approval of Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. Voters overwhelmingly passed the measure, rejecting Big Tobacco’s $70 million deceptive campaign. Prop. 56 will increase California’s cigarette tax by $2 per pack, with an equivalent increase on products containing nicotine derived from tobacco, including e-cigarettes. In every other state that has significantly raised cigarette taxes, smoking rates have gone down, especially among children. “This is a great day for public health in California,” said CMA Immediate Past ... November 9, 2016 General Ballot Measures, Election, Electronic Cigarettes, Medi-Cal, Prop. 56 (tobacco tax), Public Health, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax 0 0 Comment Read More »
Register now for November 16 webinar on prenatal vaccinations The California Immunization Coalition (CIC) invites health care providers to attend its November 16, 2016, educational webinar: Providing Strong and Reassuring Recommendations for Prenatal Vaccinations. Taking place from 12 to 1 p.m. PT, this free webinar will focus on immunization recommendations for pregnant women and best practices for improving immunization rates in this population. Attendees will learn tips and techniques for communicating with their patients about the benefits of prenatal vaccination against pertussis and influenza, as well as ways to improve vaccination rates in their own practices. To register, click ... November 8, 2016 General Maternal and Child Health, Public Health, Vaccination, Webinars, Women's Health, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association endorses soda tax ballot measures The California Medical Association (CMA) today announced endorsements for three Bay Area ballot propositions aimed at reducing sugar intake to prevent diabetes and obesity: Measure V in San Francisco (Tax on Distributing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages) proposes a 1-cent per ounce tax that is estimated to generate $14.4 million/year. Measure HH in Oakland (Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax) proposes a 1-cent per ounce tax that is estimated to generate $6-8 million/year. Measure 01 in Albany (Sugar-Sweetened Beverage General Tax) proposes a 1-cent per ounce ... October 14, 2016 General Ballot Measures, Election, Political Advocacy, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
FDA adds boxed warning to hepatitis C drugs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning of serious, potentially life-threatening risks for patients infected with hepatitis B virus who are being treated with certain direct-acting antiviral medicines for hepatitis C virus (HCV). According to the FDA, direct-acting antiviral medicines for hepatitis C virus can reactivate hepatitis B virus. In a few cases, hepatitis B reactivation in patients treated with direct-acting antivirals resulted in serious liver problems or death. As a result, FDA is requiring a boxed warning about the risk of hepatitis B reactivation to be ... October 14, 2016 General Food and Drug Administration, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
$1.1 billion in Zika funding approved by Congress Funding for public health efforts against the Zika virus was finally approved by Congress with the passage of a stopgap measure to avoid a federal government shutdown. The spending measure includes $1.1 billion to fight the virus, capping a fierce months-long debate over the money that dismayed public health experts. The White House first requested $1.9 billion in funds to fight Zika in the spring. But Republicans initially resisted the request, before finally putting forward their own $1.1 billion Zika funding bill in July. The Republicans' bill failed to pass ... October 13, 2016 General Public Health, U.S. Congress, Zika Virus, Department of Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
