Public Health Science | The Pump Handle

Affordable Care Act ACA predicted to have positive impact on insurance disparities; Medicaid expansion key to widening access for black Americans

December 23, 2014 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

With the second round of open enrollment now underway, the Affordable Care Act is expected to help narrow racial and ethnic disparities in insurance coverage, a new report finds. However, not all communities are predicted to benefit equally. Because nearly half of the country’s legislatures decided against expanding Medicaid eligibility, black Americans may continue to face difficulties finding quality, affordable health coverage.

Environmental Health Study: Reduced emissions from electric cars could prevent thousands of deaths

December 17, 2014 Kim Krisberg 4Comment

When compared with gasoline-powered cars, vehicles fueled with electricity from renewable sources could cut air pollution-related deaths by 70 percent, according to a new study, which noted that air pollution is the country’s greatest environmental health threat.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

December 16, 2014 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

Petrochemical companies spend millions to undermine the science on benzene; in-depth series sheds light on the horrific working conditions in Mexico’s agricultural sector; National Labor Relations Board rules in favor of worker organizing; and federal officials grilled on response to West fertilizer explosion.

Injury Control & Violence Study: Americans trading more work for less sleep, putting their health and safety at risk

December 11, 2014 Kim Krisberg 3Comment

Feeling tired? You’re not alone. A new study finds that many U.S. workers aren’t getting enough sleep, which is essential to optimal health, and that people who work multiple jobs are at heightened risk of getting less than the recommended hours of nightly rest.

Environmental Health OSHA announces new effort to protect oil & gas workers: Industry investigates silica exposure

December 10, 2014 Elizabeth Grossman 1Comment

“Too many oil and gas industry workers are being hurt or killed on the job,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, David Michaels in remarks delivered to the more than 2,000 people who gathered last week in Houston for the 2014 OSHA Oil & Gas Safety and Health Conference. As part […]

Education The more you know: Study finds calorie signs do influence sugary beverage purchases among youth

December 9, 2014 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

In ongoing public health efforts to curb the obesity epidemic, better menu and nutrition labeling is often tapped as a low-cost way to help make the healthy choice, the easy choice. And while the evidence on the effectiveness of such interventions is still emerging, a recent study found that educating young people on the calories in sugar-sweetened beverages did make a positive difference.

Drug Safety New FDA rules mean better drug info for pregnant women

December 8, 2014 Liz Borkowski, MPH

Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration published a final rule that updates requirements for what prescription-drug information must disclose about potential effects for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their babies. And last month, the agency released Drug Trials Snapshots, which is part of a pilot project to help consumers learn more about the clinical trials upon which new drugs’ approvals are based.

Education New tool measures neighborhood opportunity factors that shape children’s health

December 3, 2014 Kim Krisberg

As public health practitioners increasingly look upstream to identify the determinants that put people on a trajectory toward lifelong health and wellbeing, early childhood is often tapped as a pivotal intervention point. Now, a new tool is available that practitioners can use to measure neighborhood-level opportunity indicators that are fundamentally linked to children’s health.

farm workers Occupational Health News Roundup

December 2, 2014 Kim Krisberg

New Mexico dairy farm workers face dangerous workplace conditions and fears of retaliation; Chicago passes minimum wage increase; worker dies at Staten Island car dealership; and Philadelphia task force supports paid sick leave.

Education Study: Full-day preschool can set kids up for academic success, better health

November 26, 2014 Kim Krisberg 2Comment

Children who have the opportunity to attend full-day preschool programs, versus part-day programs, tend to score higher on school readiness measures such as language, math, socio-emotional development and physical health, according to a recent study. So, why is this finding important to public health? Because education has literally been described as an “elixir” for lifelong health and wellbeing.