New York, NY – En respuesta a la decisión del Presidente Trump de retirar a los Estados Unidos del Acuerdo Climático de París, los neoyorkinos que han sido afectados por el cambio climático fueron a Albany este martes a presionar para que se apruebe la legislación que elevaría a rango de ley estatal el compromiso del estado con la energía limpia y la reducción de carbono.
Los neoyorkinos afectados hicieron un llamado a los legisladores estatales para que hagan ley las metas del estado sobre energía limpia. Gente de todo el estado se reunió en el capitolio para demandar la pronta aprobación de la Iniciativa de Clima y Protección Comunitaria, CCPC por sus siglas en inglés.
Dan Sherrel, coordinador de campaña de New York Renews, dice que la decisión del Presidente Trump de retirarse del Acuerdo Climático de París provocó que quienes ya han sido víctimas de eventos climáticos extremos vuelvan a tomar acciones.
“La gente de Rockaways, del Lower East Side, gente del norte cuyas granjas fueron destruidas por el huracán Irene, vieron la decisión de Trump, dijeron basta y vinieron a Albany con nosotros a contar sus historias.”
La CCPA haría que las ambiciosas metas de reducción de carbono de Nueva York fueran legalmente obligatorias para la generación de energía, edificios y transporte.
Sherrell destaca que los planes actuales del gobernador sobre clima, aunque son loables, se enfocan casi exclusivamente en la energía eléctrica.
“Pero Nueva York casi no tiene planes integrales para de veras descarbonizar el transporte y los edificios, lo que se necesita con urgencia. El transporte es actualmente el mayor emisor del estado.”
Dice que la aprobación de la CCPA daría al estado de Nueva York la legislación más robusta en clima, empleo y justicia ambiental.
Sherrel opina que cuando el Presidente Trump anunció su salida del Acuerdo Climático de París, abandonó su responsabilidad y perdió el liderazgo americano sobre energía limpia.
“Si Nueva York, que es la 12ª economía más grande del mundo, cae en ese incumplimiento, incluso podemos revertir mucho del daño que Trump está haciendo y marcar un avance real, incluso si nuestro gobierno federal se niega a hacer otra cosa que aventarnos bajo el autobús.”
La CCPA fue presentada en la Asamblea Estatal el lunes por la noche y pronto será llevada al Senado.
La iniciativa 0342 de la Asamblea, en http://tinyurl.com/m3fsrxg
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Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy.
A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a year because it does not adequately address quality-of-life issues and the health care needs of its lower-income residents.
The research was sponsored by the Episcopal Health Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, and St. David's Foundation.
Brian Sasser, chief communications officer for the Episcopal Health Foundation, said health care includes more than doctors' visits and medication.
"Everything from increasing access to affordable health insurance to investing in under-resourced neighborhoods to give them more options, whether that's exercise options or food options," Sasser outlined. "Look at policy changes that expand health insurance coverage for new moms."
The report breaks down the economic costs of preventable health differences for every Texas county. It found Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis counties are losing the most money annually because of health disparities.
The amount of the economic impact depends on the racial and ethnic makeup of the county and the size of its working-age population. Sasser added the report shows Black and Hispanic children are more likely to grow up in neighborhoods with high poverty levels, and higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
"What can we do to work to make sure that the rate of diabetes isn't dramatically different between white households and Black households?" Sasser asked. "That we can make sure the food insecurity isn't dramatically different between someone who makes over $100,000 and someone who makes less than $30,000?"
The Texas Legislature has passed laws to address some of the disparities, including House Bill 12. It extends Medicaid health coverage for 12 months for new mothers, and pays for maternal health services for community health workers and doulas.
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There is light at the end of the tunnel for Tennesseans struggling with opioid addiction, as a bill has been passed to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder at Community Health Centers.
More than 3,800 lives were lost to overdose in the state in 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
Emily Waitt, policy and advocacy manager for the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said the original bill limited the number of patients nurse practitioners and physician assistants could treat with buprenorphine. The update removes the limitations, allowing more Tennesseans to access medication assisted treatment in their communities.
"It allows NPs and PAs to prescribe to 100 patients at a time, versus 50," Waitt explained. "Basically doubling the number of patients that they can prescribe to."
Community Health Centers serve more than 423,000 patients across Tennessee, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. About 7.7% of Tennesseans do not have health insurance.
Libby Thurman, CEO of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said bringing the treatment to rural health centers expands access to a crucial service for patients who otherwise could not afford it. She noted it is important because people in remote areas often face challenges finding specialists and treatment facilities.
"We really wanted to work on this issue, because we know our Community Health Centers are where patients go for care," Thurman emphasized. "We really believe in an integrated model. So we want to treat the whole person, including if they are struggling with an addiction issue or a substance abuse disorder issue."
Health Centers offer behavioral health care, including counseling, along with treatment. The clinics also focus on creating a supportive network to help patients with family resources, job assistance and community connections.
Disclosure: The Tennessee Primary Care Association contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Mental Health, and Reproductive Health. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue.
From April 11-17 this year, the high death rate of Black mothers is in the spotlight. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.
Dr. Patricia Egwuatu, a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, said racism is at the root of the disparities, which create barriers to health care access. She pointed out lack of access can lead to problems during pregnancy that are preventable or treatable.
"They may exist prior to pregnancy and then it gets worse during pregnancy if it's not managed as part of that maternity care," Egwuatu emphasized. "There are more pregnant women that have chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease that are amplified during pregnancy."
The White House released a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week. The Biden administration began recognizing the week in 2021.
Egwuatu noted there are some warning signs any pregnant woman should be aware of and check in with their physician if they develop.
"You might get some changes in your vision that is not your normal. So, like, fuzziness, you can't see as well, or an excruciating headache," Egwuatu outlined. "You could also develop new swelling in your lower extremities that's making it difficult to get around or even new shortness of breath."
Egwuatu stressed physicians also need to recognize the role of racism in medicine. She argued continuous medical education is important for learning how to confront biases, and it is important for doctors to understand how they can provide people with resources.
"Asking the questions about personal barriers," Egwuatu suggested. "Does a patient have issues with getting to work, child care, transportation? What's their education, what's their cultural background and language? And do they even have a cell phone so we can connect with them?"
Disclosure: Kaiser Health Plan of Washington Project contributes to our fund for reporting on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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