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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California’s Monthly e-Newsletter
Improving Life, One Breath at a Time
To automatically connect with your nearest American Lung Association, or to speak with a nurse or respiratory therapist at our free HelpLine, call 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872).
September 28, 2007 Number 152
Content:
MONTHLY HEALTH TIP
Learn About Asthma and Exercise Do you or someone you know have asthma? Learn more about staying active and exercising with asthma at http://www.thoracic.org/sections/chapters/ca/publications/resources/resp...
NEW FALL/WINTER ISSUE OF LUNG HEALTH NEWS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The Fall 2007/Winter 2008 edition of the American Lung Association of California’s statewide Lung Health News magazine was recently mailed to more than 75,000 supporters and is now available online.
The recent edition includes articles on the looming shortage of pulmonary doctors, the smoke-free housing movement in California, drug-resistant tuberculosis, an air quality photo essay by students in Southern California, updates on important legislation, and a calendar of upcoming events.
To view the magazine online, visit http://californialung.org/ALAC/lunghealthnews.html
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] alac [dot] org
DIESEL AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS LEGISLATION MOVES TO GOVENOR’S DESK
The last week of the 2007 legislative session concluded September 14 and the California Legislature passed several key lung health bills that are now awaiting action by Governor Schwarzenegger. The Governor has until October 14 to sign, veto or allow bills to go into law without his signature.
SB 974 (Lowenthal, D-Long Beach) would establish a $30 fee on cargo containers to fund air quality improvements for ports, ships, trucks and other goods movement equipment. Unfortunately, the container bill will be held in the Senate, according to an agreement between the Senator and the Governor. The legislation is expected to move forward next year. To view a related statement, visit http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/7337/
AB 118 (Nunez, D-Los Angeles) would fund air quality improvement projects related to fuel and vehicle technologies. It would provide grants and loans to develop innovative technologies.
AB 233 (Jones, D-Sacramento) would require the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a plan for expanded enforcement of diesel control regulations, raise the penalty for violation of CARB diesel idling limits, and prohibit the new registration of any pre-1994 diesel vehicles in California.
SB 210 (Kehoe, D-San Diego) would help California meet the goals of AB 32 by requiring CARB to develop and administer a program to reduce the carbon content of California’s transportation fuels.
For more information, contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.442.4446 or bhgen [at] alac [dot] org
SAN DIEGO FORUM FOR THOSE WORKING WITH LOW-INCOME CALIFORNIANS
The hidden rules of economic status have powerful implications for organizations working with populations with low socio-economic status. The American Lung Association of California and the San Diego Tobacco Control Coalition will present a workshop on Wednesday, October 10, to help demystify the unspoken values of the poverty culture. Employees of health, education and social service organizations are invited to attend this forum, which will be held at the San Diego County Health Services Complex in San Diego from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
To register, visit http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=1707
For more information, contact Kathleen Sullivan at 619.683.8657 or ksullivan [at] alac [dot] org
ASSOCIATION ADDRESSES ELEVATED LUNG CANCER RISKS NEAR RAIL YARDS
In the wake of a report by the California Air Resources Board that found an elevated lung cancer risk from diesel soot for those living near active railway yards, the American Lung Association of California recently testified at an air board hearing in the city of Commerce about the health risks associated with diesel engines and the need to reduce to the deadly exhaust.
Residents of cities near rail yards, such as Commerce in Southern California, are more concerned than ever about the amount of diesel fumes and toxic dust that surround them because the elevated cancer risk is significant, even under the air board’s conservative analysis.
The issue was covered in an August 16 “All Things Considered” report on National Public Radio. To hear the story, visit http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12847186
For more information, contact Colleen Callahan at 213.384.5864 or ccallahan [at] alac [dot] org
GRANT COUNTERS TOBACCO INDUSTRY INFLUENCE ON COLLEGE STUDENTS
The American Lung Association of California’s Chico office was awarded a $150,000 grant to counter tobacco industry influences among college students. The 18-month project will focus on working with California State University, Chico, to create a comprehensive policy that prohibits tobacco companies from sponsoring parties and events organized by fraternities, sororities, or any other campus-related group.
The association will first conduct a key informant survey to gauge and explore current attitudes regarding tobacco sponsorship by fraternity and sorority leaders.
For more information, contact Gilbert Duenas at 530.345.5864 or gduenas [at] alacsb [dot] org
SIX CALIFORNIA BICYCLISTS JOIN ASSOCIATION’S BIG RIDE PACIFIC COAST
Six California bicyclists participated in the American Lung Association’s Big Ride Pacific Coast to raise funds for education, advocacy and research. The ride started in Seattle on September 8 and ended in San Francisco on September 22, with riders covering an average of 77 miles each day.
Back for his second year was Steve Rubenstein, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. For more information, visit his fundraising page at http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/part.jsp?acct=4900232490®ister_id=0&id=1...
At age 65, Otto Sanders from Newbury Park was the second to the oldest rider on the trip. You can learn more about him at http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/part.jsp?acct=4903109984®ister_id=0&id=1259
The youngest participant was 19-year-old Sarah Devereo from Clayton. Find out more at http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/e01/part.jsp?acct=4903192657®ister_id=0&id=1...
RESEARCH STUDY TARGETS PULMONARY HYPERTENSION
In idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, the walls of the arteries thicken, leaving less room for blood to flow and putting more strain on the heart. Hui Dong, MD, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of California, San Diego, is examining the cell mechanisms that could lead to this narrowing so new treatments could be developed that target the molecules controlling those mechanisms.
His project is one of 10 funded by the American Lung Association of California in 2007-2008. For information about projects funded in 2006-2007, visit http://californialung.org/research/research.html
ASSOCIATION GRANTS $725,000 TO LUNG DISEASE RESEARCH
The American Lung Association of California granted $725,000 for research that could lead to better treatments and possibly even cures for lung disease, funding 10 scientists in California who are conducting basic research into the mechanisms of disease and 20 Asthma Clinical Research Centers across the country.
The association awarded $371,500 through its peer-reviewed scientific research program, including two Pulmonary Nurse Scholarships. More than $353,000 went to support the American Lung Association’s nationwide network of Asthma Clinical Research Centers, including one at the University of California, San Diego. It is the country’s largest not-for-profit network of clinical research centers dedicated to asthma.
Funded studies focus on lung cancer, tuberculosis, COPD, lung injury and pulmonary hypertension.
For more information, view the news release at http://www.californialung.org/press/071024Research.html
HONOR LOVED ONES THIS THANKSGIVING WITH A DONATIONThanksgiving even more special this year by honoring family and friends with a donation. Visit http://californialung.org/donate/donate.html
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 bottom right corner of the Web site homepage where it says, “get your free monthly lung health news.”
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