CVS Study Finds Stopping Tobacco Sales Decreased Cigarette Purchases
One year after CVS stopped selling tobacco products, a CVS Health study found their decision caused people to buy 95 million fewer packs of cigarettes in 13 states.
Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities
The Surgeon General recently released a Call to Action that highlights the importance of physical activity, and calls on Americans to be more physically active through walking. Improving walkability means that communities are created or enhanced to make it safe and easy to walk and that pedestrian activity is encouraged for all people. Increasing physical activity levels will significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases, like cancer, and related risk factors.
CDC Finds High School Athletes Use Smokeless Tobacco More Than Non-Athletes
The CDC recently reported from 2001–2013, current smokeless tobacco use increased significantly among high school athletes, but not among high school non-athletes. CDC recommends tailoring tobacco education programs to high school athletes, along with other population-level evidence-based interventions, to increase awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and to reduce the use of all forms of tobacco.
Association of Community Cancer Centers 2015 Survey Released
The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) recently released results of its sixth annual Trends in Cancer Programs survey, highlighting the challenges and recent trends seen in U.S. cancer programs. Lack of reimbursement for supportive care services topped the list of challenges facing cancer programs today, with 65 percent of programs naming this as their biggest challenge, despite the increase in communication with payers on the value of these services. Another key finding was that more than half of cancer programs (54 percent) report an increase in under-insured patients, and 44 percent identified the increase in patients unable to afford treatment as one of their biggest challenges.
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Releases 50 States of Teal Report
Wisconsin scores 6 out of 10, according to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s 50 States of Teal report that scores states on ovarian cancer care across the country. The report evaluates the performance of each state in connecting women to quality ovarian cancer care through 10 metrics. These metrics span the entire continuum of care, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and end-of-life care. For more information visit, www.50statesofteal.org
WI Environmental Public Health Tracking Program Releases New Funding Opportunity
The WI Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Program announced a new funding opportunity for county municipal or tribal governments to use the 2015 County Environmental Health Profile data to identify and address environmental health concerns in their jurisdiction. Based on identified concerns, funds would be granted to develop and implement local initiatives related to environmental health. EPHT will be awarding up to 8 projects, each up to $10,500. Environmental topics covered under this opportunity that relate to cancer are melanoma and lung cancer. Contact EPHT with questions.