Nearly 40 percent of U.S. population lives in states that have legalized medical marijuana Springfield, IL–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  Governor Pat Quinn signed HB1 into law today, making Illinois the 20th state to legalize medical marijuana. Nearly 40 percent of people in the U.S. now live in states that have adopted[Read More…]

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN/NEW YORK—(ENEWSPF)–AUGUST 1, 2013 – An estimated 100,000 displaced people who fled violence in South Sudan’s southern Jonglei State are still in dire need of access to emergency medical care, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned today. This massive population displacement, which[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced changes to its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program to improve the scientific foundation of assessments, increase transparency in the program and the process and allow the agency to produce more IRIS assessments each year. IRIS is a human[Read More…]

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–August 1, 2013.  Undocumented families and advocates demanded that UIC Medical Center be held accountable for agreements made last year to address the needs of transplant patients who are uninsured and undocumented. The hunger strike demands that local hospitals work together to ensure people are put on the transplant list[Read More…]

Senator warns that as sale of energy drinks has grown, so has the alarming evidence that they pose potential health risks WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013.  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered opening remarks at a hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee examining the potential health risks of energy drinks and[Read More…]

SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013.  To kick-off National Immunization Awareness Month in August, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding parents and health care providers of the new Tdap immunization requirement for the 2013-2014 school year. All sixth- through twelfth-grade students are now required to show proof of receiving one[Read More…]

Keeping moms and babies together during the hospital stay is important to progress Atlanta, GA–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013.  Breastfeeding rates have continued to rise over the past decade, according to data released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The percent of babies breastfeeding at six months increased from[Read More…]

Chicago IL–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013.  A group of Immigrant rights advocates, families of patients, and supporters of the Hunger Strike for Health will march from Little Village to UIC Medical Center and demand an immediate meeting with hospital administrators. Background: Undocumented families and advocated demand that UIC Medical Center face the[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–July 30, 2013.  U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement today on the decision by the Japanese government to resume purchases of U.S. western-white wheat. The decision ends a two-month ban on the grain purchases following the apparent discovery of unapproved gene-altered crop on an Oregon farm. [Read More…]

Electrical Burns can be Prevented SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–July 30, 2013.  The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is educating the public on the importance of electrical safety in an effort to prevent home fires, electrical burns and other serious injuries. Electrical related injuries and burns may result in serious tissue,[Read More…]