By Chloe Reichel
1) In developing nations, tobacco companies are trying to prevent regulation of their products. They claim that tobacco laws are in violation of trade treaties.
2) In a report released on Thursday, researchers found that gun violence is most effectively addressed as a public health issue. Suggested policies include school programs on conflict resolution and better background checks.
3) In the past year, 36 states have dedicated more funding to mental health issues. While Congress hasn’t passed any legislation on mental health, the Obama administration has published a set of mental health parity rules.
4) Children five and under living in New York City and attending city-licensed preschools and day care centers are required by law to receive a flu vaccination. The Autism Action Network is already planning to sue over this bill.
5) This Wednesday, the FDA approved recommendations that limit the use of specific antibiotics in raising livestock. According to these recommendations, manufacturers of these antibiotics can voluntarily change the uses on the labels of the drugs, so that they cannot be prescribed to speed up animal growth.
6) Testifying in front of Congress, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, said that an investigation into the failure of Healthcare.gov has been launched. In her testimony, she emphasized that the problems of the website are no longer occurring, and encouraged people to use the site.