Public Health News Announcements
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2009Public Health News Archive
Follow the most recent seasonal influenza activity map for the entire country as well as the activity levels from previous weeks in the current flu season.
$3.9 Million Awarded to California to Strengthen Public Health
Date: 9/23/2010
SACRAMENTO
California has been awarded $3.9 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to enhance the state’s public health system as part of health care reform. Of the total, $2,060,128 went to the California Department of Public Health and $1,859,950 went to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
“Public health is a wise investment,” said Dr. Kevin Reilly, chief deputy director of the California Department of Public Health. “When you invest in proven preventive services and strong policies, you build a healthier California and avoid unnecessary expenses later.”
Funded by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010, the award’s goal is to make programs and people in the public health system more efficient and effective. Funding will be used for:
· Building, institutionalizing, and implementing performance management capacity within health departments;
· Supporting a full-time “Performance Improvement Manager;”
· Policy and workforce development;
· Public health system development; and
· Best practice implementation.
To date, California state agencies and departments received approximately $12 million in federal grants to implement federal health reform, including the latest $3.9 million. California is seeking an additional $9 million in federal funds to support a broad range of health care-related activities, including enhancements to laboratory capacity, the health care workforce and consumer information networks.
Dr. Judith A. Monroe, deputy director for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said, “These funds are a down payment on improving public health services across the nation. With these funds, we will help our nation’s public health departments work more effectively and efficiently to detect and respond to public health problems.”
CDC received more than 140 applications from health departments seeking the latest funds. The award is one of the many that are being distributed to 49 states, nine tribes and the District of Columbia, nine large local health departments, five U.S. Territories, and three U.S. Pacific Island jurisdictions.
APHA Recognizes Six-Month Anniversary of Affordable Care Act
Washington, D.C., September 22, 2010 – Tomorrow marks the six-month anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, historic legislation designed to fundamentally transform the U.S. health system from a ‘sick care’ system to one that focuses on disease prevention and wellness.
“Last March, the president made history by signing health reform into law and dramatically improving the delivery and financing of health services in the United States after a nearly century-long quest,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP, (E), executive director of APHA. “Health reform provides an opportunity to elevate our nation as a top model of health – where everyone has access to quality, affordable care and we can save millions of lives from unnecessary death and suffering through disease prevention.”
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke are the leading cause of premature disability and death and the primary driver of health care costs in our nation. Yet, half of these diseases could be prevented with evidence-based community prevention services included in health reform such as breast and colon cancer screenings and smoking cessation programs.
A new wave of life-saving benefits goes into effect tomorrow, including:
- a requirement that all health plans must allow children to remain on their parents' plans until age 26;
- a ban on lifetime benefit limits;
- a ban on excluding coverage to young people due to a pre-existing condition; and
- a requirement that all qualified health plans must cover the cost of preventive services rated A or B by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, such as recommended vaccines and preventive care and screenings for women.
For more about APHA, visit www.apha.org.
CDPH WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO EAT “GINGER CANDY” FROM CHINA
Date: 9/21/2010
Kevin Reilly, acting director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned consumers not to eat “Ginger Candy” imported from China after CDPH tests found it contained more than twice the amount of lead that California allows in candy products.
The candy with the brand name “Ginger Candy” contained as much as 0.25 parts per million (ppm) of lead. California considers candies with lead levels in excess of 0.10 ppm to be contaminated. Pregnant women and parents of children who may have consumed this candy should consult their physician or health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed. Although there have been no illnesses reported from consumption of the candy, consumers in possession of “Ginger Candy” should discard immediately.
“Ginger Candy” is manufactured by DaiJyoBu® in China, imported and distributed by Anhing Corporation in Los Angeles. Anhing Corporation has initiated a voluntary recall of the candy and is working with businesses to ensure that the contaminated candies are removed from the market place. “Ginger Candy” is sold in an 8 ½” x 6” plastic bag containing six individually wrapped pieces of candy. There is a bright orange border at the top of the package. Chinese characters and “Ginger Candy” appear in the border. The bag is decorated with boxes that alternate between clear and white with blue dots. The bottom of the package shows a large yellow ginger root with green sprouts. There is a character of a winking, black-haired boy on the right-hand side of the package. The word “DaiJyoBu®” appears at the boy’s feet.
Consumers who find the brand name “Ginger Candy” for sale are encouraged to call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 1-800-495-3232. For more information about lead poisoning, contact your county childhood lead poisoning prevention program or public health department. Additional information is available at CDPH’s California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch: Children at Risk page.
September is National Preparedness Month.
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September. The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks, at home, work and school. The Tulare County Office of Emergency Services encourages residents to recognize National Preparedness Month and to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and get involved in preparing their communities. National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Ready Campaign, FEMA, Citizen Corps., and the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services.
For information on how you can be prepared, visit www.ready.gov, or the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services at www.tularehhsa.org.
HEALTH ALERT