State Health Notes June 2004

State Health Notes
June 2004 Issues

Volume 25, Number 423: June 28, 2004

Cover Story - Adolescents, Alcohol and Drugs: The Sooner You Teach Them, the Better
Although adolescent use of illicit drugs and alcohol is declining, many kids are still using. And studies show that the younger people are when they start using substances, the greater the chance that they’ll become addicted. States are adopting prevention programs, many of which are school-based.

Public Health News - A Major Health Concern: Women & Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability among women, but few women know this. States are mounting prevention efforts.

Public Health Talk - Getting to the Heart of Heart Disease in Women: Two Views
Two experts in cardiovascular disease in women discuss how to raise women’s awareness of their risk.

Vital Signs - Women and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease kills more women than cancer. Women are 20% more likely to die in the hospital following a heart attack than men.

Highlights
Nursing home coverage in GA...Medicaid premiums in WA... Youth and suicide...African American men and oral health...IN Hospice for the Homeless

FYI - Rumble in the Farmland: Communities Fight Youth Gangs
Increasingly, youth gangs are springing up in suburbs, smaller cities and rural areas. Five states are testing a program designed to prevent kids from joining.

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Volume 25, Number 422: June 14, 2004

Cover Story - The Brain Did It: Substance Abuse and States
States are tackling alcohol and substance use disorders. If they can get a handle on this difficult issue, they stand to save lives and enormous sums of money. According to one estimate, substance use disorders cost the U.S. $256.8 billion a year.

Focus On - Palliative Care Networks Improve End-of-Life Care in NYC
While a large majority of people say they would like to die in their homes, nearly 70 percent die in hospitals. The United Hospital Fund explores ways to improve home-based palliative care.

Highlights
TN fire regulations...CA staffing requirements...OK seniors slow to sign up for Medicaire Rx card...NJ medical malpractice law...VT legalizes medical marijuana...Children’s health status...Obesity rankings...Smoking morbidity...Mental health treatment...Assisted suicide ruling

Tracking Trends - States Restraining Medicaid Costs Through Private Insurance
Following in the footsteps of RWJ’s Partnership for Long-Term Care project, more states look to private long-term care insurance to save Medicaid costs.

FYI - Activists Fight to Give EMTs the Right to Administer Allergy Rx
Approximately 200 Americans die each year from a food allergy. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network is working to ensure that all EMTs can legally administer epinephrine in all 50 states.

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