SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–(ENEWSPF)–January 7, 2011. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting flu activity has increased to the “regional level”, meaning many regions in Illinois are reporting recent laboratory confirmed influenza. The most recent surveillance data shows an increase in influenza activity in Illinois, but the flu is not yet[Read More…]
Science
EPA and HHS Announce New Scientific Assessments and Actions on Fluoride
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 7, 2011. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today are announcing important steps to ensure that standards and guidelines on fluoride in drinking water continue to provide the maximum protection to the American people to support good dental health, especially[Read More…]
Illnesses Linked To BP Oil Disaster
By Dahr Jamail Despite BP having capped its well in the Gulf of Mexico in July, the health-related after-effects of the disaster subsist. Gulf Coast residents and BP cleanup workers have linked the source of certain illnesses to chemicals present in BP’s oil and the toxic dispersants used to sink it –[Read More…]
Haiti: UN, Partners Launch New $200 Million Sustainable Development Project
NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–5 January 2011 – The United Nations and its partners this week launched a 20-year, $200 million environmental recovery programme in south-west Haiti that aims to benefit more than 200,000 people and show that sustainable rural development, from fisheries to tourism, is indeed practical. Lessons learned during the execution[Read More…]
Statement from Illinois Department of Insurance on Interpretation of Federal Mental Health Parity Law
CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–January 5, 2011. In 2008, Congress passed and then-President George W. Bush signed into law the Wellstone-Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (“MHPAEA” or “Wellstone-Domenici”), which provides “parity,” or equivalence, of coverage for mental health or substance use disorder benefits and coverage for medical or surgical benefits. Group[Read More…]
Thriving ‘Middle Light’ Reefs Found in Puerto Rico
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–January 4, 2011. NOAA-funded scientists have found extensive and biologically diverse coral ecosystems occurring at depths between 100-500 feet within a 12 mile span off the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico. With the overall health of shallow coral reefs and the abundance of reef fish in Puerto Rico in[Read More…]
NOAA Improves Marine and Weather Forecast Models for the Great Lakes
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–January 4, 2011. NOAA is now using enhanced weather and marine forecast models for the Great Lakes that will extend forecasts from 36 hours to 60 hours into the future to better serve commercial and recreational mariners, the shipping industry, emergency responders, water resource managers and the private weather[Read More…]
Statement by President Obama on Signing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–January 2, 2011 “I was honored to sign the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that rescue and recovery workers, residents, students, and others suffering from health consequences related to the World Trade Center disaster have access to the medical monitoring and treatment they need. We[Read More…]
Governor Quinn Seeks Delegates for Summer Science Education Camp
CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–January 3, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn is calling on graduating high school seniors to apply for an opportunity to attend the National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) in West Virginia this summer. Students from across Illinois are encouraged to apply for a full scholarship to the month-long NYSC program. Two students[Read More…]
Federal Agencies Join Efforts to Reduce Radon Exposure
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 3, 2011 January is National Radon Action Month and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and eight other federal agencies are announcing a new effort to strengthen the fight against radon exposure. Radon exposure is the leading cause of non-smoking lung cancer. Senior leaders from the federal agencies are pledging[Read More…]
