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Press Release on health-related topics.

Trust for America’s Health Releases “Blueprint for a Healthier America” Report Featuring High-Impact Policies for the Next Administration and Congress

Washington, D.C., October 19, 2016 – Today, the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) released Blueprint for a Healthier America 2016: Policy Priorities for the Next Administration and Congress which calls for a new approach to health – prioritizing improving health and addressing major epidemics in the United States.

“It’s time for a sea change from our current sick care system to a true health system, where we focus on preventing disease and improving quality of life,” said Richard Hamburg, Interim CEO and President of TFAH.  “In the Blueprint, we highlight high-impact policies that could help spare millions of Americans from preventable health problems and save billions in avoidable healthcare costs – if we make them a priority.” 

The report highlights pressing crises and how investments could yield positive returns on investment by adopting proven health strategies.  For instance:

  • Investing $1 in substance use prevention to realize as much as $34 in return.  Deaths from prescription painkiller use have more than quadrupled in the last 15 years and deaths from heroin have tripled since 2010, contributing to higher death rates among middle-aged Whites.  Five of the strongest school-based substance use prevention strategies have returns on investment ranging from $3.8:1 to $34:1.
  • Saving more than $16 billion through a more active and healthy population. One in three children will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime and one in four young adults are not healthy enough to join the military.  An investment of $10 per person in proven, evidence-based community prevention programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition and reduce tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually – a $5.60:1 return.
  • Connecting health and social services to cut billions in costs.  Health and social service coordinating systems that address gaps between medical care and effective social service programs – by connecting patients in need with programs ranging from supportive housing to food assistance – could yield between $15 billion and $72 billion in healthcare savings a year within 10 years, according to a new analysis by TFAH and Healthsperien.
  • Reducing the $120 billion spent annually on preventable infectious diseases.  Fifteen years after 9/11 and 11 years after Hurricane Katrina, when health crises such as new infectious diseases arise, the country still scrambles to implement emergency plans and secure funding.  Preventable infectious diseases cost the country more than $120 billion annually – and that cost is exponentially compounded when new diseases emerge.
  • Realizing a 7-10 percent annual return by investing in early childhood education. More than half of U.S. children – across the economic spectrum – experience adverse experiences, such as physical or sexual abuse, and more than 20 percent live below the poverty line, which increases their risk for “toxic stress” – living under a constant state of stressful conditions – that can contribute to a range of physical, mental and behavioral health issues.  Investments in early childhood education can help mitigate against impact of these risks and increase resilience, while also providing an annual return of 7 to 10 percent per year, and supportive nurse-family home visits for high-risk families show a return of $5.70:1. 

The Blueprint highlights leading evidence-based strategies for improving health and policy – and models to help bring them to scale across the country. These include:

  • Supporting Better Health in Every Community:  Federal, state and local public health programs and policies should support place-based health improvement partnerships. Doing so will help identify and elevate a local community’s top priorities and bring key partners and assets together – from public health, healthcare, social services, philanthropies, education, businesses and faith and community groups – for a greater collective impact.  A network of expert institutes in each state should provide technical assistance to these multisector collaborative partnerships.  In addition, the Prevention and Public Health Fund and other community-based health improvement programs should be protected and fully funded.
  • Modernizing the Public Health System to Be Prepared for Emergencies:  The public health system must be modernized – and sufficiently funded – so that it can handle ongoing threats and new emergencies. Too often the country has been caught off guard when a new crisis emerges, diverting attention and resources.  There should be 1) greater investment to improve baseline foundational capabilities in communities around the country; 2) a standing Public Health Emergency Fund to provide additional surge funds when needed; 3) improved federal leadership, such as through a Special Assistant to the President for Health Security; and 4) upgrades to out-of-date technology and surveillance systems.
  • Incentivizing Health Care vs. Sick Care:  There should be increased incentives and mechanisms for healthcare insurers, nonprofit hospital community benefit programs and social investment funds to support health improvement strategies.  Efforts such as healthcare investment in community-wide health improvement programs, “navigator plus support” health and social service integration (such as Accountable Health Communities), Community Development Financial Institutions for Health (strategic planning and financing intermediaries) and pay-for-outcome approaches should be expanded.

The report also includes a set of policy recommendations to address priority health problems that require urgent action, some highlight areas include:

  • Stopping the Prescription Painkiller and Heroin Epidemics
  • Renewing Efforts to Prevent Obesity, Diabetes and Tobacco Use
  • Highlighting Prevention in the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative
  • Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
  • Stopping Superbugs and Antibiotic Resistance
  • Lowering the Rising Death Rates Among Middle-Aged Whites
  • Achieving Health Equity

The Blueprint was supported by grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The California Endowment and The Kresge Foundation.

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority.

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Trust for America’s Health Announces New President and CEO, John Auerbach

Washington, D.C., October 7, 2016–Today, Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) announced the selection of John Auerbach, MBA, as its new President and CEO.

Auerbach brings more than 35 years of experience as a leader in the public health field – including serving as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Health, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, and, most recently, Associate Director for Policy and Acting Director of the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“John is a true innovator in public health and we cannot be more pleased to have him as the new head of TFAH,” said Gail Christopher, board chair of TFAH and vice president for policy and senior advisor at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “His work embodies a transformative approach to improving health – thinking beyond medical care to support opportunities for better health in our daily lives. We share a vision where every American has the chance to be as healthy as they can be.”

At CDC, Auerbach has focused on promotion of public health and prevention as components of healthcare and payment reform and health system transformation. He also oversees key activities and technical assistance that support the nation’s health departments and the public health system.

Previously, he was, from 2012 to 2014, a distinguished professor of practice in health sciences and director of the Institute on Urban Health Research and Practice at Northeastern University.  From 2007 to 2012, he was the commissioner of public health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under his leadership, the department developed innovative programs to address racial and ethnic disparities, promote wellness, combat chronic disease, and support the successful implementation of the state’s early healthcare reform initiative.  He served as the President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) in 2010-2011.

Prior to that, Auerbach was the executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission for nine years during which health equity, emergency preparedness, and tobacco prevention became priorities. In addition to Boston’s public health programs, he oversaw its emergency medical, homeless, and substance abuse services.  Throughout his tenure as the city commissioner, Auerbach served as a member of the Board of Directors at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

Earlier in his career Auerbach worked at the state health department for a decade, first as chief of staff and later as an assistant commissioner overseeing the HIV/AIDS Bureau during the early years of the epidemic.  He was a founding member and the second president of the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD).

“I’ve had a lifelong commitment to health and social justice, from the start of my career as a community health worker in one of the earliest community health centers to having the privilege of managing city, state and federal efforts,” said Auerbach.  “We’re in a unique moment to define the next generation of health and healthcare – and I am excited to be joining TFAH and being at the leading edge of efforts to advance the mission of creating a healthier America.”

Auerbach will start in his role January 1, 2017.  TFAH’s previous executive director, Jeffrey Levi, PhD, is now serving as Professor of Health Policy and Management at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

Richard Hamburg, who has been Interim President and CEO at TFAH, will be assuming the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

 

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Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority.

Trust for America’s Health’s Statement on Zika Emergency Funding: Encouraged and Grateful

September 29, 2016

Washington, D.C., September 29, 2016 – The following is a statement from Richard Hamburg, interim president and CEO of the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) on Congress approving emergency funding to respond to Zika.

“TFAH is encouraged and grateful Congress approved emergency funding to respond to the Zika virus outbreak.

This critical funding, first requested by the White House in February, will help bolster public health detection and prevention efforts, invest in research and development of vaccines and diagnostics, provide care for mothers and children and support the global health response.

While we are satisfied this was the best compromise Congress could achieve at this time, the funding has been direly needed for months and is still less than the President’s request. In addition, these measures fail to repay funds that were redirected from our nation’s ongoing Ebola response initiatives—hurting efforts to prevent a resurgence of that devastating and highly infectious disease.

We are by no means at the finish line in the race to prevent the devastating consequences of Zika. Every day we learn something new about the impacts of this virus, especially on fetal brain development. The list of what we do not know about the transmission and aftereffects of the virus remains long and the delay in funding has hindered critical research efforts.

At the same time, we know the Zika outbreak is the latest, not the last threat. Zika emerged following years of funding cuts to vector-borne disease surveillance and other programs that support core public health preparedness functions.

For years, the nation has relied on a cycle of providing emergency funds during a time of crisis followed by cuts to annual funding lines – which result in lost public health capacity and expertise, making it near impossible to be prepared for the full range of public health threats.

Sadly, with each new crisis, we seemingly rediscover that we have failed to learn our lessons from past outbreaks. It’s up to policymakers to support children, parents and families by providing public health with dedicated funding and a responsible long-term plan.

We call on Congress to maintain a strong and steady defense against a range of threats—and back this with adequate resources.”

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org

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Trust for America’s Health Conducts Social Media Awareness Campaign in Support of Emergency Funding for Zika Prevention and Response

September 12, 2016

Washington, D.C., September 12, 2016 –Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) has released the first in a series of creative cartoons and editorials in support of emergency funding to prevent, mitigate and respond to the disastrous effects of Zika.

The first editorial details the price of inaction, concluding that “with broad support from the American people, it’s time for our leaders to decide whether to heed the warnings and invest in solutions now, or leave the country with a devastating bill later.” The first image is available for anyone to use on Facebook, Twitter or other social media platforms.

“Unfortunately, considerable Zika-related damage has already been done to our nation—and it is likely irreversible,” said Richard Hamburg, interim president and CEO of TFAH. “Our nation’s failure to act severely hampers the full response that is greatly needed. However, the sooner we do act, the sooner we can prevent further damage and destruction to our nation’s most vulnerable: our newborns.”

During the next few weeks, TFAH will release additional editorials and cartoons to underscore the urgent need for the nation to provide support for communities to prevent, control and mitigate complications arising from Zika.

“Without additional support, health departments and communities are on their own. Either resources will be shifted from other pressing needs or communities will have insufficient means to perform mosquito testing, infection prevention, disease tracking and other actions to protect against this devastating virus,” said Hamburg.

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org

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New Report Finds Adult Obesity Rates Decreased in Four States

Obesity Rates Remain High: 25 States have Adult Obesity Rates above 30 Percent

 

Washington, D.C., September 1, 2016 – U.S. adult obesity rates decreased in four states (Minnesota, Montana, New York and Ohio), increased in two (Kansas and Kentucky) and remained stable in the rest, between 2014 and 2015, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America, a report from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). This marks the first time in the past decade that any states have experienced decreases – aside from a decline in Washington, D.C. in 2010.

Despite these modest gains, obesity continued to put millions of Americans at increased risk for a range of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and costs the country between $147 billion and $210 billion each year.

In 2015, Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate at 36.2 percent and Colorado has the lowest at 20.2 percent. While rates remained steady for most states, they are still high across the board. The 13th annual report found that rates of obesity now exceed 35 percent in four states, are at or above 30 percent in 25 states and are above 20 percent in all states. In 1991, no state had a rate above 20 percent.  The analyses are based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

The State of Obesity also found that:

  • 9 of the 11 states with the highest obesity rates are in the South and 22 of the 25 states with the highest rates of obesity are in the South and Midwest.
  • 10 of the 12 states with the highest rates of diabetes are in the South.
  • American Indian/Alaska Natives have an adult obesity rate of 42.3 percent.
  • Adult obesity rates are at or above 40 percent for Blacks in 14 states.
  • Adult obesity rates are at or above 30 percent in: 40 states and Washington, D.C. for Blacks; 29 states for Latinos; and 16 states for Whites.

There is some evidence that the rate of increase has been slowing over the past decade.  For instance, in 2005, 49 states experienced an increase; in 2008, 37 states did; in 2010, 28 states did; in 2011, 16 states did; in 2012, only one state did; and in 2014, only two states did. (Note: the methodology for BRFSS changed in 2011).

In addition, recent national data show that childhood obesity rates have stabilized at 17 percent over the past decade. Rates are declining among 2- to 5-year-olds, stable among 6- to 11-year-olds, and increasing among 12- to 19-year-olds. There are significant racial and ethnic inequities, with rates higher among Latino (21.9 percent) and Black (19.5 percent) children than among White (14.7 percent) children.

“Obesity remains one of the most significant epidemics our country has faced, contributing to millions of preventable illnesses and billions of dollars in avoidable healthcare costs,” said Richard Hamburg, interim president and CEO, TFAH. “These new data suggest that we are making some progress but there’s more yet to do. Across the country, we need to fully adopt the high-impact strategies recommended by numerous experts. Improving nutrition and increasing activity in early childhood, making healthy choices easier in people’s daily lives and targeting the startling inequities are all key approaches we need to ramp up.”

Some other findings from the report include:

  • The number of high school students who drink one or more soda a day has dropped by nearly 40 percent since 2007, to around one in five (20.4 percent) (note: does not include sport/energy drinks, diet sodas or water with added sugars).
  • The number of high school students who report playing video or computer games three or more hours a day has increased more than 88 percent since 2003 (from 22.1 to 41.7 percent).
  • More than 29 million children live in “food deserts,” and more than 15 million children live in “food-insecure” households with not enough to eat and limited access to healthy food.
  • The federal government has provided more than $90 million via 44 Healthy Food Financing Initiative awards in 29 states since 2011, helping leverage more than $1 billion and create 2,500 jobs.
  • Farm-to-School programs now serve more than 42 percent of schools and 23.6 million children.
  • 18 states and Washington, D.C. require a minimum amount of time that elementary students must participate in physical education; 14 states and Washington, D.C. require a minimum amount for middle schoolers; and six states require a minimum amount for high schoolers.

The report also includes a set of priority policy recommendations to accelerate progress in addressing obesity:

  • Invest in Obesity Prevention: Providing adequate funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund and for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion/Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity would increase support to state and local health departments.
  • Focus on Early Childhood Policies and Programs: Supporting better health among young children through healthier meals, physical activity, limiting screen time and connecting families to community services through Head Start; prioritizing early childhood education opportunities under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); and implementing the updated nutrition standards covering the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
  • School-Based Policies and Programs: Continuing implementation of the final “Smart Snacks” rule for improved nutrition for snacks and beverages sold in schools; eliminating in-school marketing of foods that do not meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards; and leveraging opportunities to support health, physical education and activity under ESSA.
  • Community-Based Policies and Programs: Prioritizing health in transportation planning to help communities ensure residents have access to walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation and promoting innovative strategies, such as tax credits, zoning incentives, grants, low-interest loans and public-private partnerships to increase access to healthy, affordable foods.
  • Health, Healthcare and Obesity: Covering the full range of obesity prevention, treatment and management services under all public and private health plans, including nutrition counseling, medications and behavioral health consultation, along with encouraging an uptake in services for all eligible beneficiaries.

“This year’s State of Obesity report is an urgent call to action for government, industry, healthcare, schools, child care and families around the country to join in the effort to provide a brighter, healthier future for our children. It focuses on important lessons and signs of progress, but those efforts must be significantly scaled to see a bigger turn around,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of RWJF. “Together, we can build an inclusive Culture of Health and ensure that all children and families live healthy lives.”

The State of Obesity report (formerly known as F as in Fat), with state rankings and interactive maps, charts and graphs, is available at http://stateofobesity.org. Follow the conversation at #StateofObesity.

2015 STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY RATES

Based on an analysis of new state-by-state data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, adult obesity rates by state from highest to lowest were:

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity.

1. Louisiana (36.2); 2. (tie) Alabama (35.6), Mississippi (35.6) and West Virginia (35.6); 5. Kentucky (34.6); 6. Arkansas (34.5); 7. Kansas (34.2); 8. Oklahoma (33.9); 9. Tennessee (33.8); 10. (tie) Missouri (32.4) and Texas (32.4); 12. Iowa (32.1); 13. South Carolina (31.7); 14. Nebraska (31.4); 15. Indiana (31.3); 16. Michigan (31.2); 17. North Dakota (31.0); 18. Illinois (30.8); 19. (tie) Georgia (30.7) and Wisconsin (30.7); 21. South Dakota (30.4); 22. (tie) North Carolina (30.1) and Oregon (30.1); 24. (tie) Maine (30.0) and Pennsylvania (30.0); 26. (tie) Alaska (29.8) and Ohio (29.8); 28. Delaware (29.7); 29. Virginia (29.2); 30. Wyoming (29.0); 31. Maryland (28.9); 32. New Mexico (28.8); 33. Idaho (28.6); 34. Arizona (28.4); 35. Florida (26.8); 36. Nevada (26.7); 37. Washington (26.4); 38. New Hampshire (26.3); 39. Minnesota (26.1); 40. Rhode Island (26.0); 41. New Jersey (25.6); 42. Connecticut (25.3); 43. Vermont (25.1); 44. New York (25.0); 45. Utah (24.5); 46. Massachusetts (24.3); 47. California (24.2); 48. Montana (23.6); 49. Hawaii (22.7); 50. District of Columbia (22.1); 51. Colorado (20.2).

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Trust for America‘s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority.

For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook. 

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TFAH Statement on Congress Failing to Provide Funding for the Zika Response

Washington, D.C., July 14, 2016 –Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) is extremely disappointed that Congress was unable to reach agreement on a Zika response funding package. The following is a statement from Richard Hamburg, interim president and CEO of TFAH.

“By the time Congress returns in a couple of months, the damage to our nation from Zika will likely be irreversible. This failure to act severely hampers the full response that is greatly needed.

The crisis has already reached our shores—this week a baby was born in Texas with Zika-related microcephaly. In addition, public health officials are tracking 320 pregnant women in the continental United States with Zika infections—and there could be hundreds more who have not shown symptoms or have not been identified. In Puerto Rico alone, 2,800 people have already been confirmed to be infected, with expectations that 20 percent of the population could eventually be infected.

Without additional funding, health departments and communities are on their own. Either resources will be shifted from other pressing needs or communities will have insufficient means to perform mosquito testing, infection prevention, disease tracking and other actions.

In addition, vital research on new vaccines, diagnostics and treatments may stop. While this will undoubtedly have short-term consequences, this failure has the potential to cause drastic future problems as researchers find government an unreliable partner in supporting innovation.

Since the White House sent its request to Congress in February, TFAH has worked with a broad coalition of stakeholders in advocating for Congressional action. This coalition includes March of Dimes, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and many others.

Unfortunately—while Congress is on recess—the need for emergency funding will not diminish. In fact, it will increase. Congress must put politics aside and act.”

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Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority.

TFAH Opposes the U.S. House of Representatives Budget Plan; Urges Congress to Pursue a Balanced Approach to Deficit Reduction

March 15, 2016

Washington, D.C., March 15, 2016 –Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) is disappointed by the proposed U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee resolution. The following is a statement from Richard Hamburg, interim president and CEO of TFAH:

“The budget resolution, released by the House Budget Committee, would likely have disastrous consequences for our nation’s health by proposing to cut domestic programs by almost $900 billion over the next decade.

For nearly 10 years, federal public health funding has remained relatively flat. Enacting a budget resolution that further cuts our nation’s investments in prevention and public health would leave Americans less happy, healthy and productive and more susceptible to public health emergencies such as Zika or antibiotic-resistant Superbugs.

Investing in disease prevention is the most effective, common-sense way to improve health. Instead of pushing even more cuts to vital public health programs, TFAH urges Congress to work together to enact a balanced approach to deficit reduction that will replace sequester and the current budget caps to permit adequate investments in public health and other domestic programs that keep Americans healthy, safe and secure.”

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org

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TFAH Calls for Additional Policies, Research, Funding and Public Health Capacity to Prepare for Zika and Other Emerging Outbreaks

February 11, 2016

Washington, D.C., February 11, 2016 – Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) calls on U.S. policymakers to take additional steps to respond to the Zika virus in the Americas and its potential continued spread in the United States.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that there will likely be more cases within the U.S., but at this time they do not believe there will be the kind of widespread outbreaks here as there have been in South America.

President Obama has requested $1.8 billion in emergency funding in his Fiscal Year 2017 budget to prepare for and respond to the Zika virus. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies is holding a hearing today to review the request. TFAH supports the request for emergency funding, but emphasizes the need for consistent support for the nation’s public health infrastructure.

“The reports that the Zika virus may be related to a steep increase in birth defects in infants born to mothers who were infected during pregnancy in areas of the Americas are frightening,” said Richard Hamburg, Interim President and CEO of TFAH.  “While scientists and public health officials are still learning about the virus and the threat it poses to the public’s health, what we do know is that Zika, Ebola, MERS-CoV and other public health threats require constant vigilance. We simply can’t jump from one supplemental funding vehicle to another as a substitute for true public health capacity. There is a lot more the country could be doing to be better prepared for the range of threats we face.”     

Although not a new virus, 2015 marked the first widespread transmission of the Zika virus in the Americas. The virus is spread primarily by mosquitoes and usually causes only mild illness or no symptoms, but experts are investigating how it is linked to the rise in birth defects in infants born to mothers who were infected during pregnancy and to cases of Guillaun-Barré syndrome. In January 2016, CDC warned women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant to avoid travel to regions and countries with widespread Zika transmission or to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes there. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Zika virus and its suspected link to birth defects a public health emergency of international concern.

In response to the Zika virus and other emerging health threats, TFAH recommends the need for:

  • Policies and communications driven by best available science: When a situation is uncertain and evolving, accompanied by a great deal of fear in the community, policy and communications decisions must be based on the best available science. In recent outbreaks, some policies, such as quarantine decisions, may have been driven by fear or politics. Policymakers should work with public health on risk communications and policies that acknowledge concern among the public and ensure accurate, appropriate information.
  • Support for research and development of medical countermeasures: There is an urgent need for diagnostics, treatments and vaccines for Zika and other emerging threats. Congress should provide adequate funds to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the Strategic National Stockpile and Project BioShield to accelerate development, purchase and stockpiling of medical countermeasures for public health emergencies.
  • Public health capacity to detect and contain the virus in the U.S.:  Federal, state and local health departments must receive a sufficient, stable annual level of funding to meet and maintain a core set of capabilities to respond to emerging and ongoing threats. Modern laboratory, epidemiological and surveillance capacity, as well as the ability to distribute medical countermeasures if needed, are key to containing an infectious disease threat. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement is an important source of funding for the domestic preparedness infrastructure.
  • Enhanced health system preparedness for infectious diseases: We must build all-hazards preparedness and infection control protocols into the healthcare delivery system, including coordination between healthcare facilities and with public health and enabling providers to screen and respond to potential cases. The Hospital Preparedness Program provides vital support to the healthcare preparedness system, but funding has dwindled in recent years.
  • Strengthening the global health infrastructure: Infectious disease control strategies rely on the ability to detect and contain diseases as quickly as possible – which means working with other countries and across borders to contain threats globally. The United States must provide ongoing support for the Global Health Security Agenda and activities such as CDC’s Global Disease Detection program, which build the capacity and coordination needed to identify and contain emerging infectious diseases around the world.

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org

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Trust for America’s Health Statement on Supreme Court stay of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Washington, D.C., February 9, 2016 – The following is a statement from Richard Hamburg, interim president and CEO of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to stay implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Plan pending final legal resolution.

“Tonight’s decision by the Supreme Court to stay the EPA’s Clean Power Plan pending resolution of ongoing litigation is extremely disappointing. The Supreme Court has already previously ruled in favor of EPA’s endangerment finding that carbon pollution poses a threat to human health and therefore is subject to the federal bipartisan Clean Air Act. TFAH believes the Clean Power Plan as proposed and finalized by the EPA, in close consultation via the rulemaking process with the general public and all affected stakeholders, is on a firm legal foundation.

Climate change poses serious public health concerns — from natural disasters to reduced water resources to new insect-based infectious diseases associated with higher temperatures to worsening air quality to the effects of the extreme weather we’ve seen across the country over the past several years.  Further unnecessary delay of the Clean Power Plan will only exacerbate the dangerous public health challenges we face as a nation.”

TFAH Calls for Urgent Action in Flint, MI, Jackson, MS and Renewed National Priority on Environmental Health

Washington, D.C., February 2, 2016 – The following is a statement by Gail C. Christopher, D.N., board chair of the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and vice president for policy and senior advisor at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation:

“The Trust for America’s Health lends its voice to the call for urgent action to be taken to protect the health of the citizens of Flint, Michigan and for immediate, rapid assessment of the water in Jackson, Mississippi.

Every possible step must be taken to provide clean, safe water to every community on a permanent basis.  But that’s not enough; sufficient resources must be available to provide for the lifelong health needs of those harmed.  Poisoning from lead and other contaminants have severe consequences – especially for young children and pregnant women – including putting babies and children at high risk for serious developmental, neurobehavioral and cognitive delays.

An appropriate response requires not only short-term medical care, but ongoing, intensive health, social service and educational support.  Members of the community must be an equal partner in the response and plans moving forward.  The Flint tragedy was created by looking to solve problems on the cheap at the expense of the health of the city.  It is a national responsibility to now commit to long-term, sustained solutions to improve the future of the city.  We must never turn our backs on them again.

The Flint fiasco also is a clarion call to re-examine and renew our nation’s environmental health policies and practices.  Of course, the fact that 40 percent of the people of Flint live at or below the poverty line and 56 percent are Black makes this situation particularly troubling – and, as raised in the New York Times last month, issues of environmental justice and racism must be at the top of the agenda.

We must not let tragedies go unanswered.  It is time to take action on long-neglected environmental health concerns – and make them a national priority.  TFAH is committed to redoubling efforts to improve environmental health and is committed to working with policymakers, partners and the public on a range of top concerns, including:

Ensuring families have safe, healthy homes and communities:  Currently millions of families live in conditions that adversely impact their health.  In 2009, the Surgeon General issued a call to Action To Promote Healthy Homes, identifying health concerns and evidence-based policies for prevention, such as improving air quality, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, radon gas mitigation, reducing allergens and asthma, improving water quality, reducing harmful chemicals, preventing elevated lead levels, reducing disparities in access to healthy and safe homes, addressing community factors that affect health and homes and housing instability.

Assuring clean water for all Americans:  In addition to lead being an ongoing problem in the drinking water in some communities, waterborne illnesses overall still pose a serious threat generally.  Despite advances in water management and even though water-related illnesses are largely unreported unless they are severe, each year around 30 outbreaks and 1,000 reported drinking water-related cases and around 24 outbreaks and 1,300 recreational water-related cases occur.  Measures like the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Rule help improve and restore guaranteed protection of safe water availability.

Eliminating lead poisoning in children:  Through contaminated water and lead paint (which still remains in some older, low-income urban housing, but banned from use in 1978), around 2.6 percent of children ages 1 to 5 (535,000 nationwide) have elevated levels of lead in their blood.  Some U.S. water systems still have levels of lead contamination and an estimated 24 million Americans, including 4 million young children, are estimated to face significant lead-based paint exposure.  Rates of lead poisoning are significantly higher for children living in poverty or very low-income homes (4.4 percent) and are highest among Black children (5.6 percent).  Public health efforts – including improving water systems, lead paint remediation and required screening of exposure in children — have helped reduce lead poisoning levels by 70 percent since 1990.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates it can cost $5,600 for just the medical and special education needs per year per child with lead poisoning.  The return on investment for lead control programs found that for every dollar spent, $17 to $221 is returned in health benefits, increased intelligence quotient (IQ), higher lifetime earnings, tax revenue, reduced spending on special education and reduced criminal activity, resulting in a potential net benefit of $181 billion to $269 billion.

Reducing asthma:  Around one in 11 American children currently have asthma, which can be triggered by pollen, mold, animal dander, cockroaches, rodents and dust mites — and children are at greater risk to these threats if they live in a household where they experience regular exposure to them.  In the past decade, asthma rates have increased by nearly 15 percent, growing by more than 50 percent among Black children.  Efforts to reduce triggers via home remediation services and housing support options can greatly reduce numbers of asthma attacks and recurring emergency room visits.  For instance, a Boston Community Asthma Initiative led to a return of $1.46 to insurers/society for every $1 invested.  In addition, EPA’s Clean Air Act and similar rules can help lower emissions rates of a number of air pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, dioxins, volatile organic compounds, acid gases, heavy metals, smog and soot, which in turn reduce not only asthma and respiratory episodes, but also premature mortality, chronic bronchitis and heart attacks.

  • More than 12 percent of children in families living in poverty have asthma, compared to 8.2 percent of middle and higher income families.  More than 16 percent of Black children, 16.5 percent of Puerto Rican children, and 10 percent of American Indian and Native Alaskan children have asthma.  It is the second most costly medical condition among children, at nearly $12 billion, and it contributes to more than 10.5 million missed school days annually. In May 2012, the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health and Safety Risks to Children released a Coordinated Federal Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Asthma Disparities, a three- to five-year partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and EPA.

Limiting exposure to environmental hazards, including pollution, toxic chemicals, contaminated water and food and waste from landfills:  Exposure to environmental toxins can have a negative impact on health, particularly for children.  Even relatively low levels of exposure contribute to lower birth weights, lower test scores and lower lifelong earning potential.  Low-income housing is more likely to be located close to sources of pollution.  Black and less educated women are more likely to live within 200 meters of Superfund hazardous waste sites or factories emitting toxic releases.  Superfund cleanups have been linked to a reduction of incidence in cognitive anomalies in infants by around 20 percent.  Lead has been found at 75 percent of National Priority List (NPL) Superfund sites.

Expanding research on the connection between the environment and health, including a National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network:  While there are clear connections showing the negative impact of lead, mercury and many other toxins on health, more research is needed to better understand the impact and scope of different environmental factors on health – and/or to disprove potential theories.  A better research system could provide “early warning” information about environmental-exposure emergencies, such as in Flint.  With initial funding, CDC created a pilot system in 20 states to study disease and health problem patterns in different communities.  Today, the Tracking program funds 26 state and local health departments. Additional resources are needed to build out the system to better identify the connections and causes of many diseases and to expand to all states.  A fully functioning Tracking Network holds the potential to help unlock a range of medical mysteries, including a better understanding of patterns related to autism, some forms of birth defects and the impact of pollution on asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

  • Exposure to some chemicals have been shown to increase the risk of a child developing developmental disabilities. These chemicals include alcohol, arsenic, lead, manganese, mercury, nicotine, pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and solvents.”

Trust for America’s Health is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority. www.healthyamericans.org

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