US Government | The Pump Handle

Food Safety & Nutrition Public health ROI: Foodborne illness network is saving thousands of lives and millions of dollars

March 18, 2016 Kim Krisberg

In another example of the value of investing in public health, a recent study finds that PulseNet, a national foodborne illness outbreak network, prevents about 276,000 illnesses every year, which translates into savings of $507 million in medical costs and lost productivity. That’s a pretty big return on investment for a system that costs just $7.3 million annually to operate.

Government Obama’s regulatory czar and (sort of) transparency

March 17, 2016 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

President Obama’s regulatory czar testified before Congress on Tuesday and proclaimed the transparency of his office’s operations. His claims about disclosures of private meetings don’t jive with my experience.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

March 16, 2016 Kim Krisberg

Vox explores the mental health impact of medical errors on health care workers; California policymaker announces efforts to protect women janitors from sexual assault; farmworkers call on fast food chain Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program for better wages; and a judge upholds a worker’s social media rights.

Injury Control & Violence Not an “accident”: Albert James Speed, 25 suffers fatal work-related injury in McCalla, AL

March 15, 2016 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

This week’s snapshot of just one work-related fatality in the US. This one occurred on Friday, March 4 in McCalla, AL.

Child Labor More evidence that paid sick leave is good for working families and public health

March 8, 2016 Kim Krisberg

It seems obvious that workers with paid sick leave are more likely to stay home and seek out medical care when they or a family member is ill. But it’s always good to confirm a hunch with some solid data.

Environmental Health Study: Fracking wastewater wells more likely located near communities of color and poverty

March 5, 2016 Kim Krisberg 3Comment

During the years that community health researcher Jill Johnston lived and worked in San Antonio, Texas was experiencing an explosion of fracking. She and the community partners she worked with on environmental health issues had a strong hunch that most of the fracking wastewater wells were being located near communities of color. So, they decided to dig a little deeper and quantify the pattern.

Environmental Health New chemical mapping technique could help fill big gaps in safety knowledge

March 3, 2016 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

In the U.S., just a tiny fraction of the chemicals used in consumer products have been tested for human health effects. And with the current climate in Congress, it feels unlikely that we’ll see any true reform of the nation’s terribly outdated chemical safety rules anytime soon. In the meantime, scientist Thomas Hartung may have created the next best thing.

Government Fatal work injury that killed Ascencion Medina, 44, was preventable, SC-OSHA cites G M Framing

March 2, 2016 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 7Comment

The fatal work-related injuries that killed Ascencion Molina Medina, 44, could have been prevented had his employer followed worker safety regulations.

Department of Labor Occupational Health News Roundup

March 2, 2016 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

State investigations at New York nail salons uncover widespread violations; Oklahoma regulators rule that state law allowing employers to opt out of workers’ compensation is unconstitutional; EPA proposes new safety rules for chemical facilities; and reporters at Reuters investigate labor brokers who recruit and exploit foreign workers.

Environmental Health Poultry company priorities: Vegetarian meals for the chickens, but their workers still can’t use the bathroom

February 24, 2016 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 2Comment

Delaware-based Allen Harim Foods provides another upsetting example of the poultry industry caring more about its chickens than its employees.