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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 30, 2004 Number 116
Content:
FLU SHOT LOCATOR:
Find a flu shot clinic near you by visiting the American Lung Association's online "flu shot locator" at http://californialung.org, which lists flu shot locations in your neighborhood.
ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS NEW REGULATIONS TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING
The American Lung Association of California applauded the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) recent landmark decision requiring automakers to cut vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to global warming as a key part of California's air quality strategy and a model for global action. The new rules could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 23 percent by 2012 with cuts accelerating as high as 30 percent in 2016.
The association mobilized its Healthcare Network for Clean Air members to testify at hearings and send letters urging CARB to cut greenhouse gas emissions to protect public health. John Balmes, MD, American Lung Association of California Clean Air Technical Advisory Group member and division chief of occupational and environmental medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, was quoted in Reuters, Los Angeles Daily News, and San Diego Union Tribune articles about the new regulations.
For more information, contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.442.4446 or bhgen [at] alac [dot] org. For a related news release, visit http://californialung.org/press/040924GlobWarningStatement.html
KIDS WITH ASTHMA BILL OF RIGHTS FOCUSES ON ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
The American Lung Association unveiled the Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights, a new tool to help children assert their right to live active, healthy lives. The bill of rights includes 10 statements that form the pillars of a complete asthma-management plan.
The American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties included the Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights in a recent news conference to release a report by the Community Environmental Council and Greencare for Children that shows children in daycare are being exposed to environmental hazards, including pesticides, lead and common asthma triggers.
For more information, contact Donna Pearson-Beal at 805.963.1426 or donna [at] lungsbvc [dot] org. For a complete report, visit www.greenchildcare.org. For a related news release and link to the Kids with Asthma Bill of Rights, visit http://californialung.org/press/040915AsthmaBillOfRights.html
AWARD WINNERS HONORED AT 100-YEAR CELEBRATION
The American Lung Association of California honored leaders in the fight against lung disease at its annual awards ceremony in Newport Beach, California, including State Assembly Member Juan Vargas (D-San Diego). Every year the association presents the awards at the Annual Awards Banquet, which this year celebrated the organization's 100-year anniversary.
Along with Assembly Member Vargas, who received the President's Award, those honored this year included: Philip M. Gold, MD, MACP, professor of medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and chief of the Pulmonary and Intensive Care Medicine Section at Loma Linda University Medical Center, who was awarded the Michael Stulbarg Memorial California Medal; Bruce G. Herold, retired attorney, who received the Pottenger Crystal; Arthur M. Winer, Ph.D., professor of Environmental Health Sciences and a core faculty member for the Environmental Science and Engineering Program at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Public Health, who was honored with the Clean Air Award; and the American Lung Association of Santa Clara-San Benito Counties, which received the George R. Williams Award.
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net.
THOUSAND OAKS PASSES FIRST SMOKE-FREE RENTAL HOUSING ORDINANCE
Thousand Oaks became the first city in California to adopt a policy requiring a portion of new rental housing built by the city to be nonsmoking. The American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties worked with Smoke-Free Air For Everyone (SAFE) and other groups to encourage city council members to adopt the ordinance, which requires developers of city built affordable housing projects to designate one-third of the units as smoke-free.
Nearly 70 percent of California renters favor requiring all apartment buildings to offer nonsmoking sections, according to the results from a statewide survey commissioned by the American Lung Association of California's Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing. For a related news release, visit http://californialung.org./press/040907SmokeFreeApts.html
For more information about the Thousand Oaks ordinance, contact Dave Rodriguez at 805.963.1426 or dave [at] lungsbvc [dot] org. For details about the survey, contact Brian Peterson at 530.897.4140 or brian [at] chico [dot] com.
ASSOCIATION URGES STATE TO MAINTAIN SEPARATE AIR BOARD
As the state of California considers changing the structure of state government and streamlining operations, the American Lung Association of California is urging state leaders not to dismantle the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which is responsible for improving air quality. The state issued the California Performance Review (CPR) in August, a published report that includes more than 1,200 recommendations for reorganizing the government, and has been holding public hearings.
CARB has been highly effective and has been a leader in air pollution control and advanced technologies for more than 40 years. There is no justification or analysis that shows any benefit to public health or the environment by dissolving the air board.
For more information, contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.442.4446 or bhgen [at] alac [dot] org.
STATE PROPOSITIONS COULD IMPACT LUNG HEALTH
As Californians prepare for the upcoming election in November, the American Lung Association of California is taking positions on statewide ballot initiatives that could affect lung health, including:
Proposition 64, OPPOSE. The Unfair Business Competition Law would make it more difficult for organizations to sue for unfair business practices, including those that impact health and/or the environment.
Proposition 71, SUPPORT. The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act would provide bond funding for embryonic stem cell research, which could lead to significant discoveries for lung health.
Proposition 72, SUPPORT. The Health Insurance Act would mandate employers of a certain size to provide health insurance for uninsured workers.
Proposition 67, SUPPORT. This measure would provide a 911 surcharge to fund trauma and emergency room care.
For more information, contact Paul Knepprath at 916.442.4446 or pknepprath [at] alac [dot] org.
ŒDITCHING DIRTY DIESEL' FORUM SET FOR OCTOBER 1
The American Lung Association of San Francisco & San Mateo Counties has joined forces with Regional Asthma Management and Prevention (RAMP) and environmental health and justice organizations to host "Ditching Dirty Diesel, A Bay Area-wide Convening on Diesel Pollution, Asthma, and Environmental Justice and Public Health Strategies for Cleaning the Air in Our Communities" on October 1, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Oakland State Building in Oakland.
The forum is an opportunity for asthma advocates, community leaders, environmental justice organizations, lawyers, scientists and other community supporters to learn about the health impacts of diesel; share community strategies to reduce diesel pollution, and discuss building a regional agenda and coalition to address diesel pollution.
The event and lunch is provided free of charge, but participants must register. Visit http://www.rampasthma.org/diesel%20and%20asthma.htm for more information and a registration form.
OPINION PIECE HIGHTLIGHTS HEALTH DANGERS OF REFINERY POLLUTION
A September 7 opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle authored by Linda Weiner of the American Lung Association of San Francisco & San Mateo Counties and Denny Larson of Communities for a Better Environment focused attention on the health dangers posed by refinery air pollution and the need to stop it.
The Bay Area is home to five major refineries and a recent national study by the Environmental Integrity Project (http://www.environmentalintegrity.org) showed that accident reports at refineries and industrial sites in 29 states reveal the same accident happening often at specific units without being systematically and fully repaired. These recurring incidents, named "upset" pollution or extra pollution, should result in enforcement, correction, and public reporting.
For more information, contact Linda Weiner at 650.994.5864 or lindaw [at] alasfsm [dot] org.
FREE TUBERCULOSIS AND HIV SEMINAR OFFERED IN SAN DIEGO
A free seminar on tuberculosis (TB) and HIV is being offered by the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties in partnership with the San Diego County TB Control program on October 26, from 12 to 2 p.m. Continuing education units will be offered pending approval.
For more information, contact Sacsy Sukcharoun at 619.542.4105 or sacsy [at] lungsandiego [dot] org
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