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January 31, 2008 Number 156

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Current Issue:

Content:

  • Health Tip: Learn More About Pulmonary Function Testing
  • California Gets Mixed Grades in Tobacco Report Card
  • Longtime Volunteer Appointed to California Air Resources Board
  • Bay City News Highlights Law Prohibiting Smoking in Cars
  • Long Beach Port Sets Container Fees to Fund Cleaner Trucks
  • Association Study Published in Journal of Asthma
  • Board Approves Statewide Public Policy Priorities
  • Tuberculosis Conference Focuses on Prevention and Control
  • Health Network for Clean Air Meeting Highlights Key Issues
  • Researcher Studies Protein That Slows Lung Cancer Tumors
  • Give a Valentine’s Gift Filled With Love
  • Tell a Friend

MONTHLY HEALTH TIP

Learn More About Pulmonary Function Testing This important test helps you and your physician know how well your lungs are functioning and is an early indicator for many lung diseases. To learn more, check out the California Thoracic Society’s guide to pulmonary function testing.

CALIFORNIA GETS MIXED GRADES IN TOBACCO REPORT CARD

California scored a range of grades from A to F in the American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2007 report, which highlighted success in smoke-free air and youth access and detailed challenges regarding the state's cigarette tax and tobacco prevention and control spending.

The annual American Lung Association report card grades each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico on four key tobacco control policies: smoke-free air laws, cigarette tax, tobacco prevention spending and youth access laws. California received a D grade for cigarette taxes, an A grade for smoke-free air, an F grade for tobacco prevention spending, and an A grade for youth access.

For more information, visit http://californialung.org/press/080109SOTA.html

LONGTIME VOLUNTEER APPOINTED TO CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD

The American Lung Association of California and its medical section, the California Thoracic Society, are thrilled by Governor Schwarzenegger’s appointment of John Balmes, MD, to the medical/health representative slot on the California Air Resources Board.

Dr. Balmes is committed to achieving cleaner, healthier air for all Californians. His career experience in both working with lung disease patients and conducting air pollution research has given him a unique perspective on the public health emergencies caused every day by polluted air. In addition to his lengthy medical and scientific career in air pollution and health, Dr. Balmes is a longtime volunteer with the American Lung Association and served as the president of the California Thoracic Society.

For more information, contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.554.5864 or bhgen [at] alac [dot] org

BAY CITY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS LAW PROHIBITING SMOKING IN CARS

An association news release about the new law prohibiting smoking in cars with minors sent to media statewide garnered a story by the Bay City News service, which is picked up by media across the state. The article reported that Californians with New Year's resolutions to quit smoking will have an additional impetus this year: a new law prohibiting smoking in cars with minors that went into effect January 1.

The American Lung Association of California’s Paul Knepprath was quoted as saying: "Passengers, especially youth, are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic air contaminants when someone is smoking in a car. Fortunately California leads the world in creating healthier, smoke-free environments for its citizens, and we are pleased that California youth will benefit from this vital new health protection.”

For more information, contact Paul Knepprath at 916.554.5864 or pknepprath [at] alac [dot] org

LONG BEACH PORT SETS CONTAINER FEES TO FUND CLEANER TRUCKS

Port authorities approved a container fee recently expected to generate $1.6 billion to subsidize the purchase of cleaner trucks working in the nation's largest seaport. The fee, approved unanimously by the Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission, will be tacked onto every loaded container leaving or entering waterfront marine terminals by truck beginning June 1 and ending in 2012.

Funds will subsidize the replacement or retrofit of an estimated 16,800 diesel trucks with models meeting federal 2007 emission standards, which emit up to 90 percent less pollution than older models.

The American Lung Association of California’s Colleen Callahan was quoted in a Long Beach Press-Telegram article as saying: "Retaining the current broken truck drayage system would jeopardize the long term sustainability of the clean trucks program."

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach also approved an "infrastructure cargo fee" that will take effect January 2009 to raise funds for a range of projects to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution at the ports.

For more information, contact Callahan at 213.384.5864 or ccallahan [at] alac [dot] org

ASSOCIATION STUDY PUBLISHED IN JOURNAL OF ASTHMA

A study examining the relationship between asthma and body mass index (BMI), led by the American Lung Association of California, was published in the December volume of the Journal of Asthma. The study showed that the likelihood of getting asthma increased as BMI increased.

Collaborating with the California Department of Public Health, the association used data from surveys of 471,969 adolescents throughout California. Although several studies have demonstrated a relationship between asthma and obesity/overweight, the unprecedented size of this survey allowed researchers to investigate this relationship in more detail than previously possible. The results suggest that weight reduction even among persons not classified as overweight or obese may be an important component of asthma management.

For more information, contact Adam Davis at 510.893.5474 or adavis [at] alac [dot] org, or visit online here.

BOARD APPROVES STATEWIDE PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES

The American Lung Association of California Board of Directors adopted the following public policy priorities for the organization in 2008:

  • Lung Cancer: Increase visibility and advocacy on lung cancer by supporting key legislation and increasing communication to association audiences and constituents on the issue of lung cancer.
  • Health Care Reform: Advocate for the passage of legislation and/or ballot measures that improve California’s health care system.
  • FDA Regulation of Tobacco: Advocate for the passage of federal legislation to provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the authority to regulate tobacco products.
  • Global Warming: Play an active role in the implementation of AB 32, which establishes a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Emphasize the need for strong regulations and programs that maximize public health benefits in addition to greenhouse gas reduction benefits.
  • Alternative Fuels: Actively advocate for regulatory and legislative policies that promote cleaner, alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicle technologies as a way to reduce greenhouse gases and petroleum consumption.
  • Diesel Pollution Reduction: Advocate for policies that reduce public exposure to diesel pollution generated by trucks, school buses, and ports.

For more information, contact Paul Knepprath at 916.554.5864 or pknepprath [at] alac [dot] org

TUBERCULOSIS CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL

The American Lung Association of California’s California Tuberculosis Controller’s Association (CTCA) 42nd Annual Conference is scheduled for February 27 through March 1 in San Diego. It will be a joint meeting with the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease – North American Region.

“Tuberculosis – A Disease Without Borders: the California Experience” will be held at the Bahia Hotel. CTCA welcomes submissions for poster viewing and case/radiology session.

For more information and to register, visit www.ctca.org/conferences/index.html

A four-hour training within the conference titled “Challenges in TB Control and Innovations for a Healthier World” is scheduled for February 28. The course is free to conference attendees and is designed for medical care providers who manage patients with TB. For more information on the special course, visit http://www.nationaltbcenter.edu/training/tb_control_innovations.cfm

HEALTH NETWORK FOR CLEAN AIR MEETING HIGHLIGHTS KEY ISSUES

The American Lung Association of California held a luncheon meeting for participants of the Health Network for Clean Air in mid-January. Formed in 2003, the network is comprised of statewide health and medical organizations, as well as health professionals, who have been instrumental in helping the association secure key legislation by writing letters and e-mails, meeting with policymakers, testifying at hearings, and serving as media spokespeople.

At the January meeting, James Goldstene, director of the California Air Resources Board, updated participants about recent research on health impacts of global warming and the challenges of implementing AB 32, followed by other presentations on recent health research related to air pollution as well as regulatory and legislative actions on diesel control, with a group discussion on future advocacy efforts.

For more information, contact Linda Weiner at 415.282.8871 or linwiner [at] earthlink [dot] net or Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.554.5864 or bhgen [at] alac [dot] org

RESEARCHER STUDIES PROTEIN THAT SLOWS LUNG CANCER TUMORS

A researcher at the University of California, San Diego, is a studying a protein that is produced by about two-thirds of lung cancers. This protein slows tumor growth in mice and prolongs survival in humans. But so far, this benefit has only been seen in women.

Philippe Montgrain, MD, is trying to determine why the protein’s anti-cancer effects depend on gender. He is one of 10 researchers funded by the American Lung Association of California in 2007-2008.

For more information about the research program and other funded projects, visit http://www.californialung.org/press/071024Research.html

GIVE A VALENTINE’S GIFT FILLED WITH LOVE Honor loved ones this Valentine’s Day by making a donation in their name. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to show you care. Visit http://californialung.org/donate/donate.html

TELL A FRIEND Forward this e-newsletter to friends, family and business contacts. Encourage them to subscribe for free at http://www.californialung.org. Signing up is easy. Just enter your e-mail address at the upper left corner of the Web site homepage below the logo.

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