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Legislative and Regulatory Action

Helmet Laws Save Lives and Cut Costs

By Hannah Oglesby | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 11:22 am

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that helmet use decreases fatalities in motorcycle accidents and those riders that wore helmets saved society economic costs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riders killed in motorcycle crashes accounted for 14 percent of all road traffic deaths. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Laws that require some motorcycle riders, generally those 17 and younger, to wear helmets are in place in 28 states. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides a breakdown of specific populations covered by helmet laws per state. Partial helmet laws generally require younger riders to wear helmets and may exempt helmet use for some low power cycles.  

Paid Sick Leave for Food Workers

By Hannah Oglesby | Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:08 am

Going to work sick can impact your recovery time, co-workers’ health, and potentially customers depending on the job. Sick food workers, regardless of the location of the worker in the food supply chain, can cause others to get sick. The Food Chain Workers Alliance’s new report shows that more than half of workers go to work sick. Handling food while sick can spread diseases like Hepatitis A, E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella. The CDC estimates that 3,000 Americans die of foodborne disease each year.

Adult & Childhood Obesity Remain a Major Issue for States

By Sarah Bounse | Monday, June 6, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Adult and childhood obesity remain a major issue for states and the nation. States have implemented various policies and programs to reduce the number of adults and children who are either overweight or obese. The economic benefit of having a healthier population is a significant reason why states continue to push for healthy programs.

Sports Concussions

By Bill Voit | Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 11:56 am

A U.S. Department of Health And Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fact Sheet for Coaches states "A concussion is an injury that changes how the cells in the brain normally work. Even a ding, 'getting your bell rung,' or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious." Two draft bills in the 2011 Suggested State Legislation volume help coaches and schools deal with student athlete concussions.