American journal of public health
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Many states have implemented smoke-free workplace laws to protect employees and customers from exposure to secondhand smoke. However, exemptions in these laws have allowed indoor tobacco smoking in hookah lounges to proliferate in recent years. To describe the amount of secondhand smoke in hookah lounges, we measured the indoor air quality of 10 hookah lounges in Oregon. Air quality measurements ranged from "unhealthy" to "hazardous" according to Environmental Protection Agency standards, indicating a potential health risk for patrons and employees.
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Comparative Study
Surveillance for Guillain-Barré syndrome after influenza vaccination among the Medicare population, 2009-2010.
We implemented active surveillance for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccination among the Medicare population during the 2009-2010 influenza season. ⋯ Medicare data contributed rapid safety monitoring among millions of 2009-2010 influenza vaccine recipients. Adjustment for claims delay facilitates early detection of potential safety issues. Although limited by lack of medical record review to confirm cases, this claims-based surveillance did not indicate a statistically significant elevated GBS rate following seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccination.
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We evaluated efforts in New York to build a consensus between community health workers (CHWs) and employers on CHWs' scope of practice, training standards, and certification procedures. ⋯ CHWs and employers in New York were in consensus on CHWs' scope of practice on virtually all of the detailed core competency skills. The CHW scope of practice recommendations of these groups can help other states refine their scope of practice elements.