The American Heart Association (AHA) is sharply critical of a bill passed last week in California that prevents local communities in the state from adopting any new local sugary drink taxes for the next 12 years. The AHA calls Assembly Bill 1838 “a last-minute, backroom deal negotiated and written in secret by beverage industry lobbyists and their allies” and warns that it is a significant step backwards in the ongoing effort to reduce overconsumption of sugary drinks.

As most working parents know, finding the right work-life balance can be tricky. Music recitals, sports practices and games, field trips, doctor appointments, homemade family dinners, and … a 40-hour (or, in some cases, more) work week?

The severity of the opioid epidemic is well-documented. In 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that drug overdose deaths in the United States more than tripled from 1999 to 2015.[1] From 2015 to 2016, opioid overdose deaths increased by more than 20 percent—rising from 52,898 in 2016 to 64,070 deaths in 2017.[2]

Add to the growing body of research on the dangers of prolonged sitting a new American Cancer Society (ACS) study which links sitting time with a higher risk of death from all causes. And- exercise doesn’t help offset that risk.

The state of Maryland is reporting its first heat-related fatality of the summer. That was the conclusion of an autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Health officials released few facts about the victim, other than that it was a male between the ages of 18 and 44.

When you’re jet skiing on a hot summer day, are you thinking about hearing loss? You should be, according to the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jet skiing is only one of the popular summertime activities that harbor hazards to your hearing.

Taking time off helps the majority of U.S. workers recover from stress and experience positive effects that improve their well-being and job performance, but for nearly two-thirds of working adults, the benefits of time away dissipate within a few days, according to a survey released by the American Psychological Association (APA).

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a contest that will award $350,000 in prize money to technology firms and safety stakeholders who come up with better ways to apply advanced analytics and technological innovations to crash statistics. The goal, according to Under Secretary for Policy Derek Kan: to “dramatically improve safety on our roads.”

Think those blue skies overhead mean all is well? The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says: think again. Because lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles, blue skies are not an indication of safety. If you hear thunder, you should move your outdoor workers inside or to a safe space immediately.

Last month, without any warning or explanation, Vanessa Sutherland announced her resignation as Chair of the Chemical Safety Board. Earlier this week we learned why. More money and more love.