WASHINGTON, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “Today’s ruling by US District Court Judge Rosemary Collyer means that millions have their coverage put at risk,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance), the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

“With some plans already considering pulling out of the ACA marketplace and others planning rate hikes for 2017, today’s ruling adds to the great uncertainty of millions of Americans.”

“The ruling striking down sections of the Affordable Care Act endangers the health plans of almost 7 million Americans whose insurers receive subsidies to reduce cost sharing for their enrollees.  Coupled with the 4 million persons who cannot afford plans because their state did not expand Medicaid, the ruling (if upheld) will significantly limit access to health insurance.”

“It is important, however, for those with coverage to know that their current plans are in place because Judge Collyer stayed her decision until an appeal could be heard. If you need support during this confusing time, call our toll-free and bilingual Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645.  We are here to help you understand your options for your and your family’s health and well-being,” concluded Dr. Delgado.

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance) — The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health outcomes for all. For more information visit us www.hispanichealth.org.

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s announced that Jason Resendez, Director of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Latino Network and the LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s Coalition, will join AT&T’s Advisory Panel on Access and Aging as an external advisor.

AT&T’s Advisory Panel on Access and Aging (AAPAA) is composed of national leaders in assistive technology, aging and cross-disability issues. It provides advice and counsel to AT&T’s subsidiaries, affiliates and leadership teams regarding issues of mutual interest. The panel discusses relevant areas of overlap between technology and disability as it relates to AT&T products and services.

“Jason’s experience working at the intersections of Latino aging issues, community engagement and technology access will inform our efforts to empower our customers to live independently through accessible technology solutions,” said Mark Balsano, AT&T Deputy Chief Accessibility Officer. “This commitment becomes even more important in the face of growing health challenges like dementia and Alzheimer’s.”

Resendez leads the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Latino Network and the LatinosAgainstAlzheimer’s Coalition, the nation’s first-ever national coalition of Latino organizations working together to address Alzheimer’s growing impact on the Latino community. Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to get Alzheimer’s than non-Hispanic whites and, on average, present symptoms seven years earlier than other communities. Further, Latinos are disproportionately represented in the older age groups most at risk of Alzheimer’s.

Resendez spearheads opinion leadership outreach, coalition management and patient and caregiver advocacy. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is dedicated to ensuring that the race for an Alzheimer’s cure is inclusive of Latino priorities, voices and advocates.

“From brain health research to caregiving support, technology can be a tool for addressing the myriad of challenges and opportunities that aging presents for consumers, society and the economy,” said Resendez. “I’m proud to work hand-in-hand with an industry leader like AT&T to address these challenges through innovative technology solutions for families struggling with diseases like Alzheimer’s.”

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UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is an innovative non-profit organization demanding – and delivering – a solution to Alzheimer’s. Driven by the suffering of millions of families, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s presses for greater urgency from government, industry, and the scientific community in the quest for an Alzheimer’s cure – accomplishing this through effective leadership, collaborative advocacy, and strategic investments.

Contact: Tim Tassa
Phone: 202-263-2580
Email: [email protected]

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed May 8 -14 as Tobacco Free Florida Week and to celebrate, the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program is launching a new initiative, Secondhand Smoke Exposed, to educate Floridians about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7829951-tobacco-free-florida/

This year’s theme, Secondhand Smoke Exposed, focuses on exposing the truth about the common myth that secondhand smoke is harmless. The fact is that breathing even small amounts can be dangerous.¹

“Since 1964, approximately 2,500,000 non-smokers have died from health problems caused by exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Interim State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip. “We want all residents and their family members to live long and healthy lives; it is important for everyone to know that smoking affects more than just the user.”

May is also Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, and tobacco smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers.² Children with asthma who are exposed to secondhand smoke are likely to experience more frequent and more severe attacks, which can put their lives in danger.³ In fact, more than 40 percent of children who go to the emergency room for asthma attacks live with smokers.⁴

Despite the growing trend of smoke-free policies and the substantial decrease of smokers in the state, many of Florida’s most vulnerable are still involuntarily affected by secondhand smoke, which has hundreds of toxic chemicals including about 70 that are known to cause cancer.⁵ Secondhand smoke greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, which is Florida’s number-one cancer killer.⁶ Each year, primarily due to secondhand smoke exposure, an estimated 7,300 non-smoking Americans die of lung cancer.⁷

Florida residents benefit from the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act (FCIAA), which was amended in 2003 to prohibit smoking in indoor workplaces. The Florida Department of Health has a dedicated phone line (1-800-337-3742) where you can report violations to the FCIAA. Floridians can help protect themselves and their families by reporting unlawful smoking, while making the state an even better place to live.

If you smoke, the best thing you can do to protect your loved ones is to quit. Floridians who want to quit smoking are encouraged to use Tobacco Free Florida’s free and proven-effective services. More information is available at tobaccofreeflorida.com.

*Editor’s Note: Tobacco Free Florida’s assistance with local tobacco free policy efforts are not lobbying, but are services to build awareness and support of jurisdictional voluntary initiatives to improve the health of Floridians.

About Tobacco Free Florida Week

The eighth annual Tobacco Free Florida Week takes place from May 8-14. Join the conversation on social media using #SecondhandSmokeExposed.

About Tobacco Free Florida

The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Tobacco users interested in quitting are encouraged to use one of the state’s three ways to quit. Since 2007, more than 137,000 Floridians have successfully quit, using one of these free services. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida and the state’s free quit resources, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook.  For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.

¹ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006.
² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Asthma: Common Asthma Triggers [last updated 2012 Aug 20; accessed 2014 May 5].
³ Surgeon General: The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; 2006.
⁴ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ―The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General.‖ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006.
⁵ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2010.
⁶ American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2012. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2012.
⁷ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014.