Kim Krisberg
Report: Expanding Medicaid programs a win for both residents and state budgets
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 25, 2016 Here’s what states get when they expand Medicaid: more savings, more revenue, more jobs, more access to care for their communities.
Study: Vaccine refusal is fueling the spread of potentially deadly diseases
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 23, 2016 A recent study finds vaccine refusals have, indeed, accelerated the resurgence of whooping cough and measles here in the U.S. The findings are making headlines around the country — and comment sections are filling up with vitriol from anti-vaxxers — but it would feel amiss not to highlight the study on a blog dedicated to public health. But first, let’s remind ourselves of the pain and suffering that preceded vaccines.
Public health ROI: Foodborne illness network is saving thousands of lives and millions of dollars
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 18, 2016 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.
Occupational Health News Roundup
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 16, 2016 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.
Leading pediatrics association urges doctors to screen for poverty
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 11, 2016 Poverty and poor health often go hand-in-hand. However, the effects of poverty may be especially profound for children, who are moving through critical developmental and educational phases in their young lives. Knowing that this social determinant of health can lead to a lifelong struggle with poor health and disease, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now calling on pediatricians to screen their young patients for poverty.
More evidence that paid sick leave is good for working families and public health
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 8, 2016 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.
Study: Fracking wastewater wells more likely located near communities of color and poverty
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 5, 2016 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.
New chemical mapping technique could help fill big gaps in safety knowledge
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 3, 2016 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.
Occupational Health News Roundup
Posted by Kim Krisberg on March 2, 2016 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.
Study: Dramatic drop in HPV cases since introduction of the HPV vaccine
Posted by Kim Krisberg on February 25, 2016 Another day, another study on the potentially life-saving impact of vaccines. This time it’s a new study on the vaccine against human papillomavirus, or HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer. Earlier this week, researchers announced that since the vaccine came on the scene, rates of HPV among young women in the U.S. have plummeted.