MPHA Monthly Update
April, 2006 |
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New Format for E-Newsletter!
MPHA has changed the format of its e-newsletter. We're moving to a monthly format with shorter, more timely updates about our activities as well as news for and about the public health community.
We encourage you to Forward the newsletter to others. Please let us know what you think!
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Register today for MPHA's annual celebration & awards dinner
Honoring John O'Brien, 2006 Paul Revere Award Recipient
MPHA is proud to honor John O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMass Memorial Health Care, with the Paul Revere Award, MPHA's highest honor. Our Health, Our Future, MPHA's annual celebration and awards dinner, will be held on Thursday, April 27th at the Boston Park Plaza. Registration and cocktail hour begin at 5:30pm. Dinner and awards program will follow.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
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got lunch? postcards available
MPHA continues its strong work in support of H. 4452, "An Act to Promote Proper School Nutrition," our bill to prohibit the sale of soda and junk food in schools. We've designed and printed "got lunch?" postcards featuring an image of a soda bottle, candy bar, and bag of chips for sending to legislators. We need to send stacks of these postcards from constituents to senators and representatives! To obtain free postcards, please email Eric Weltman at Eweltman@mphaweb.org.
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Mercury Bill Victory!
 On March 21, MPHA joined its partners in the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow at a State House media event in support of the Mercury Products Bill. The next week, the Senate voted unanimously to pass the bill, following the House's unanimous vote in February. Next stop: a House-Senate conference committee to iron out minor differences. For more information, contact Eric Weltman: Eweltman@mphaweb.org.
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Good News for Public Health in Health Reform Bill
On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a sweeping health care reform bill designed to cover 90 to 95 percent of the state's uninsured residents over the next three years. The 145 page bill focuses on providing medical insurance for individuals. But it also includes a number of public health provisions. These include $7 million for a new pilot program to encourage MassHealth recipients to stop smoking and $14.5 million in funding for a variety of public health programs. The bill also contains significant program changes for public health, including creation of a Community Health Workers study to promote workforce development and reduce health disparities, incorporating language drafted by the Massachusetts Community Health Worker Network and MPHA. To obtain a fuller analysis of
the bill, contact Eric Weltman at Eweltman@mphaweb.org.
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Federal Budget Victory in the Senate... Now contact your U.S. Representative
In February, President Bush released his FY2007 budget request, significantly shortchanging the nation's public health programs. MPHA joined the American Public Health Association and other affiliates across the nation in supporting an amendment restoring $7 billion for health, human services, and education programs. The vote was 73 to 27 an overwhelming majority! The House of Representatives is taking up a similar amendment soon, so please contact your representative. To take action, visit the Trust for America's Health .
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Making Headlines in Worcester
On Tuesday, MPHA's Central Massachusetts Regional Committee held a successful media event in honor of National Public Health Week. Using the theme "Healthy Schools, Healthy Children," the event highlighted both H. 4452 and the need for more funding for school health services. The event featured Worcester School Committee member Joe O'Brien and students from the Sullivan Middle School Youth Health Council. For more information, contact regional organizer Sara Kanevsky: Sara.Kanevsky@gmail.com.
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Celebrating Public Health Month in Springfield
"Public health prevents things from happening and that can't be bought or sold," declared Mary Bassett, Deputy Commissioner for New York City's health department, the keynote speaker at the kick-off event for Public Health Month in the City of Springfield. While the rest of the nation celebrates Public Health Week, Springfield is taking things to a higher level, featuring forums, outreach, and events throughout April. MPHA members Carmel Kelly, Gloria Wilson, Bettye Anderson Frederic, Linda Franklin, and Dr. Jeff Scavron, and intern Justin Chellman played key organizing roles. For more information, contact regional organizer A.J. Juarez: ellis6065@charter.net.
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Creating Strong School Wellness Policies
Federal law requires communities to develop school wellness policies. On March 30, MPHA co-sponsored a successful conference in Hadley on creating strong, comprehensive policies. Conference participants cited as a good model the standards developed by the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity. For more information, visit http://www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/.
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Western Massachusetts Elder Care Conference
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Changes at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Associate Commissioner Suzanne Condon is returning full-time to her position as director of the Center for Environmental Health, after over two and a half years in both that position and director of DPH's Center for Emergency Preparedness. Effective April 3, Beverly Anderson, Deputy Director since 2004, assumed the duties of Acting Director of the Center, while a permanent director is recruited.
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Massachusetts Public Health Association
434 Jamaicaway
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 |
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