public health

Biden Administration launches Heat.gov with tools for communities facing extreme heat

Initiative is in partnership with multiple agencies, including CDC, OSHA, NIOSH, NOAA

July 28, 2022

The Biden Administration through the interagency National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) launched Heat.gov, a new website to provide the public and decision-makers with educated information to understand and reduce the health risks of extreme heat.

Closing the door on asbestos usage loopholes

Miguel Leyva

November 24, 2021

Many industries once used asbestos in a wide range of products, from insulation to fire retardants. It is now understood that exposure to this dangerous mineral can lead to fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

GHD launches wastewater testing service providing early COVID-19 detection and outbreak reduction

September 16, 2020

GHD, one of the world’s leading engineering firms, is launching a new service to allow public health entities, utilities and facility operators, including manufacturing, education, military and others to test and monitor their wastewater to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Health groups urge Supreme Court to uphold Affordable Care Act

March 2, 2020

Patient and health advocacy groups representing millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions are applauding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear arguments in the case of Texas v. United States this term. The case is the latest court challenge to the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The groups filed an amicus brief urging the Court’s swift action and citing the detrimental impacts and uncertainty patients would face were the case left at the lower court level.

DOL grant to help Maine workers affected by opioid epidemic

February 24, 2020

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced an opioid-crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $6,281,891 – with $2,093,964 released initially – awarded to the Maine Department of Labor. The grant will support disaster-relief jobs and provide employment services to eligible individuals in Maine communities affected by the health and economic impact of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

Here’s the latest on the coronavirus outbreak

February 24, 2020

The respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China has now been detected in 32 locations internationally, including cases United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

EPA takes a step in PFAS Action Plan

February 21, 2020

The EPA has proposed “regulatory determinations” for two chemicals whose presence in drinking water has raised alarm among the public and health experts. The agency is proposing to regulate two contaminants perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – but not six others: 1,1-dichloroethane, acetochlor, methyl bromide, metolachlor, nitrobenzene, and RDX.

Study IDs states with highest rates of melanoma due to UV radiation

Several landlocked states among those with highest rates

February 19, 2020

A new study finds a wide state-by-state variation in rates of melanoma caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure with highest rates in several states on the East and West Coast including Hawaii, but also a few landlocked states, including Utah, Vermont, and Minnesota. The report finds state-level incidence rates for UV-attributable melanoma ranged from 15 cases per 100,000 in Alaska to 65 cases per 100,000 in Hawaii.

CDC confirms 14th case of 2019 novel coronavirus in U.S.

"There are likely to be additional cases in the coming days"

February 13, 2020

The CDC yesterday confirmed another infection with 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States in California. The patient is among a group of people under a federal quarantine order because of their recent return to the U.S. on a State Department-chartered flight that arrived on February 7, 2020. All people who have been in Hubei Province in the past 14 days are considered at high risk of having been exposed to COVID-19 and subject to a temporary 14-day quarantine.

Responding to the 2019 novel coronavirus: Guidance for U.S. employers

Morgan Lewis

February 11, 2020

The outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has created a number of questions and compliance challenges for employers in the United States as well as across the globe. This is a fluid and rapidly changing situation. Employers must carefully balance concerns related to employee and public safety with protecting employees from unnecessary medical inquiries, harassment, and discrimination – all while complying with immigration, leave, and medical privacy laws.

Zika Virus: An Emerging Infectious Disease, Epidemiology, Risks and Prevention in the Workplace will present the history and evolution of the Zika Virus including understanding the geographic areas and populations at risk, the epidemiology of the disease, modes of transmission, case definitions, clinical presentation, health effects, surveillance and prevention in the workplace and in the community. Read More