Health Beats: May 12, 2010
May 12, 2010 | Steph
Beats this week:
1) Last week, the Illinois Legislature adjourned without passing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Despite the lack of consensus, Governor Quinn says that lawmakers are close to passing a new budget. Meanwhile, vendors across the state, including schools and universities, are unsure of how to plan for the upcoming fiscal year without a state budget in place.
2) A study recently released suggests that it is not uncommon for patients to receive inaccurate or confusing Spanish translations from pharmacies when they pick up their prescriptions. This can lead to improper administration of medications.
3) Celebrity chef Rachael Ray made her way to Capitol Hill this week to talk with legislators about improving the quality of school lunches. Ray’s visit also included a visit to the White House to take a look at the First Lady’s garden.
4) Speaking of the First Lady, Michelle Obama released the guidelines this week for her childhood obesity prevention program, Let’s Move! Some highlights include placing an emphasis on maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy and urging restaurants to consider more moderate portion sizes.
5) This week is National Women’s Health Week, which is an observance that aims to empower women to make health their top priority. Check out some information from Erie partner Northwestern Memorial Hospital about the importance of this week.
Tags: childhood obesity, health research, Illinois Budget Crisis, News
