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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California's Monthly e-Newsletter
October 29, 2004 Number 117
http://www.californialung.org
Content:
- FLU SHOT UPDATE AND PREVENTION TIPS
- VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, FOR BETTER LUNG HEALTH!
- LOS ANGELES TIMES STORY HIGHLIGHTS DEDICATION OF VOLUNTEERS
- SAN DIEGO FOCUSES ATTENTION ON TOBACCO USE ON FRONTLINES
- INLAND COUNTIES RECEIVES CLEAN AIR AWARD, ENDOWMENT FOR ASTHMA
- SACRAMENTO YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD SPANS THREE COUNTIES
- CORRECTION
- TELL A FRIEND
FLU SHOT UPDATE AND PREVENTION TIPS
Due to the nationwide shortage of flu vaccine, the clinics on the American Lung Association's free online Flu Shot Locator site will be updated daily as long as there is a vaccine supply. If there are no clinics available in your area, extend the radius of your search and/or check back later. The flu shot clinics promoted through the Locator will only provide immunizations to those considered high risk. The Lung Association defines high risk as:
- Adults 65 years or older.
- All children aged 6-23 months.
- Adults and children aged 2-64 with chronic medical conditions.
- All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
- Children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy.
- Health-care workers involved in direct patient care.
- Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.
To help stay healthy, use good health habits this cold and flu season, which include:
- Wash your hands often and keep them away from your face.
- Keep your distance when you or others are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Call your clinic before you attend. To access the Flu Shot Locator, visit www.californialung.org and enter your ZIP code in the area indicated near the upper right corner of the Web site.
VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, FOR BETTER LUNG HEALTH!
The American Lung Association of California has reviewed the November 2, 2004, statewide election ballot and has taken positions on four initiatives that impact the prevention of lung disease and promotion of lung health.
NO on Proposition 64: Would amend California's 71-year-old Unfair Business Competition Law to restrict the ability of nonprofit and other organizations from filing lawsuits to prevent public health, consumer and environmental harm before it happens and to stop practices that lead to these problems.
YES on Proposition 67: The Emergency and Trauma Care Initiative would increase the 9-1-1 surcharge on telephone calls made within California. The revenues would fund emergency rooms, trauma centers, and emergency doctors as well as community clinics, which provide urgent and primary care services that reduce the burden on emergency rooms.
YES on Proposition 71: The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act would create the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. It would authorize low-interest, tax-free bonds to provide a total of $3 billion (an average of $295 million per year over 10 years) to fund research by scientists at universities and advanced medical research facilities in California.
Yes on Proposition 72: The Health Insurance Act would provide healthcare coverage to at least 1 million Californians by requiring that large (200+ employees) and mid-sized (50-199 employees) companies pay for private health insurance for its uninsured workers.
For more information contact Paul Knepprath at 916.442.4446 or pknepprath@alac.org.
LOS ANGELES TIMES STORY HIGHLIGHTS DEDICATION OF VOLUNTEERS
An October 19 article in the Los Angeles Times highlighted the service of four dedicated American Lung Association volunteers. The story was located in the Senior Living Section and featured volunteers Netti Karras, American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties; Don Blose, American Lung Association of the Inland Counties; Marjorie Leonard, American Lung Association of Orange County; and Anastacio Medina, American Lung Association of Los Angeles County.
For the complete story, visit http://www.latimes.com/extras/newhomes/senior/story_07.html.
For more information contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser@earthlink.net.
SAN DIEGO FOCUSES ATTENTION ON TOBACCO USE ON FRONTLINES
The American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties is focusing attention on tobacco use among the troops in Iraq after pulmonologist and board member Denny Amundson, MD, returned from the frontlines with reports of skyrocketing tobacco use by military personnel. His concern led to a front-page story in the San Diego Union Tribune about the issue.
The article quoted Dr. Amundson, a Navy captain, as well as Debbie Kelley, vice president, Government Relations, for the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties. It points out that tobacco companies have seized on the "opportunity" and the military hasn't done much to curtail it. When the war broke out in Iraq, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, the maker of Skoal and other brands of snuff, sent free samples to Marines, according to the article.
For more information, contact Debbie Kelley at 619.297.3901 or debbie@lungsandiego.org.
INLAND COUNTIES RECEIVES CLEAN AIR AWARD, ENDOWMENT FOR ASTHMA
The South Coast Air Quality Management District honored the American Lung Association of the Inland Counties with its Clean Air Award for its leadership role in increasing public awareness about the health risks of air pollution and actions individuals can take to improve air quality. The association was recognized for its innovative asthma education programs and efforts to reach junior high and high school students with information about air quality and ways they can make a difference.
The association's asthma programs will receive a boost thanks to a $27,000 endowment in honor of Steven Semel, who died more than 30 years ago from asthma. His family made the donation in his honor, which has been put into an endowment to fund asthma awareness classes for preschool teachers and school nurses in Coachella Valley.
For more information, contact Terry Roberts at 909.884.5864 or terry@alaic.org.
SACRAMENTO YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD SPANS THREE COUNTIES
The American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails is expanding its reach, with its 19-member Youth Advisory Board spanning three counties and members representing 13 regional high schools and the University of California, Davis. Since its inception in 1999, the board has been dedicated to its goal of increasing youth involvement to enhance its mission.
This year, members have already taken this goal to heart by volunteering at the Emigrant Trails Bike Trek, assisting in the development of the School Based Air Quality Assessment Project, hosting a group of students from Taiwan, planning the Youth Leadership Summit, participating in the Thumbs Up! Thumbs Down! Program, planning an Earth Day booth, developing an Asthma Walk team and more.
For more information, contact Shelley Mitchell at 916.444.5864 or smitchell@saclung.org.
CORRECTION An article in last month's issue of Breath Matters (Opinion Piece Highlights Health Dangers of Refinery Pollution) incorrectly stated the co-author, Denny Larson, represents Communities for a Better Environment. Instead, he currently works for the National Refinery Reform Campaign. The article also indicated the focus of the piece was unreported refinery upset, but the thrust was actually on missing data.
TELL A FRIEND
Forward this e-newsletter to friends, family and business contacts. Encourage them to subscribe for free at http://www.californialung.org. Signing up is easy. Just enter your e-mail address at the upper left corner of the Web site homepage below the logo.
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E-News Archive
- September 30, 2004 Issue (no. 116)
- August 31, 2004 Issue (no. 115)
- July 31, 2004 Issue (no. 114)
- June 30, 2004 Issue (no. 113)
- June 1, 2004 Issue (no. 112)
- April 30, 2004 Issue (no. 111)
- March 31, 2004 Issue (no. 110)
- February 27, 2004 Issue (no. 109)
- January 30, 2004 Issue (no. 108)
- December 23, 2003 Issue (no. 107)
- November 26, 2003 Issue (no. 106)
- October 30, 2003 Issue (no. 105)
- September 30, 2003 Issue (no. 104)
- August 29, 2003 Issue (no. 103)
- July 31, 2003 Issue (no. 102)
- June 30, 2003 Issue (no. 101)
- May 31, 2003 Issue (no. 100)
- May 1, 2003 Issue (no. 99)
- March 31, 2003 Issue (no. 98)
- February 28, 2003 Issue (no. 97)
- January 31, 2003 Issue (no. 96)
- December 31, 2002 Issue (no. 95)