You're the Cure - Texas

CenTexas AHA - Get Involved!

2012-01-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

Go Red For Women National Wear Red Day

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The first Friday in February (Feb. 3, 2012) is National Wear Red Day. Women and men everywhere are encouraged to wear red to raise awareness that heart disease is the #1 killer of women, and to make a donation to support the American Heart Association. In Austin, this signature day will kick off activities surrounding the new “Austin Beauty Week,” which benefits the Go Red For Women movement and raises awareness about women’s heart health.

For more information, visit www.heart.org/austin or contact:
Taylor Engel 512-338-2442
Taylor.Engel@heart.org

Go Red For Women Summit
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
8:30am -- 1:30pm

Location:
Hilton Austin
500 East 4th Street,
Austin, Texas 78701

Chair: Kerry Hall, President, Texas Capital Bank, Austin

Join the American Heart Association and City Goes Red sponsor St. David’s HealthCare for the Go Red For Women® Summit. Hear inspiring stories from brave women, and learn about risk factors, warning signs and the measures you can take to prevent heart disease and stroke, the #1 and #4 killers of women in the U.S.

Registration begins at 8:30am, followed by educational breakout sessions, a vendor boutique and networking. The morning concludes with a heart healthy lunch and dynamic keynote speaker.

For more information, visit www.heart.org/austintxgoredluncheon or contact:
Taylor Engel
512-338-2442
Taylor.Engel@heart.org

San Marcos Heart Walk
Saturday, March 24th, 2012
Registration 8:00am,
Heart Walk at 9:00am

Location: Track & Field Stadium
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX

The annual 5K non-competitive walking event is designed to bring public awareness to physical activity and a heart-healthy lifestyle, while raising the critical dollars needed to fund heart disease and stroke research and educational programs in the Central Texas region. Teams are made up of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages.

In addition to serving as a celebration of healthy living, the Heart Walk is one of the American Heart Association’s primary fundraisers in the fight against heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 4 killers of Americans.

For more information on how to participate, visit www.SanMarcosHeartWalk.org or contact:
Amy Sawvell
512-338-2441
Amy.Sawvell@heart.org

National Start Walking Day
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

National Start Walking Day is a nationwide call-to-action for Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Your company can help employees take the first step in becoming more active by participating. Join thousands across the nation as they wear their sneakers to work on April 4, 2012, and pledge to start a healthier lifestyle as part of this annual event.

For more information on how to participate, visit www.StartWalkingNow.org or contact:

Amy Sawvell
512-338-2441
Amy.Sawvell@heart.org

Vestido Rojo
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
8:00am – 1:30pm

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel
6121 North Interstate Highway 35,
Austin, TX 78752

The Vestido Rojo women’s conference is held in conjunction with Go Red Por Tu Corazon, the American Heart Association’s nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power of Hispanic women to band together and wipe out heart disease. The free event features health screenings, workshops on heart healthy cooking and nutrition, physical activity and diabetes prevention, as well as a heart healthy lunch and keynote presentation on heart disease prevention.

Latina leaders in our community will serve as “Madrinas,” hostesses for tables of ten to help spread awareness to their friends, family and co-workers in the Hispanic community.

For more details, visit www.heart.org/austin, or contact:
Dusty Young
512-338-2410
Dusty.Young@heart.org

Heart Ball of Austin
Saturday, April 28th, 2012
6:00pm -- 11:00pm

Location: Hilton Austin
500 East 4th Street,
Austin, Texas 78701

Chair: Barry Burgdorf, Vice Chancellor & General Counsel, University of Texas System

The Heart Ball brings together Austin’s most influential leaders from the corporate, philanthropic and medical communities to raise funds and promote the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association. The evening’s black-tie festivities will include dinner, entertainment, dancing and an exciting silent and live auction.

The funds generated at the Heart Ball will support American Heart Association-funded cardiovascular disease research and educational programs to improve the lives of women, children and families in our community. The 2012 Heart Ball of Austin focuses special attention to the accomplishments made in the field of cardiovascular care through research, and will feature a special tribute to Dr. Kenneth Shine, Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at the University of Texas System, a former AHA President and current member of the Capital Area Board of Directors, for his dedication to the field of cardiology.

For more details, visit www.heart.org/austintxheartball, or contact:
Taylor Engel
512-338-2442
Taylor.Engel@heart.org

Most Powerful Voices Gospel Concert
Spring 2012
Time, Date TBD
Location: TBD
Admission: TBD

The “Most Powerful Voices Gospel Tour” presents an evening of empowering music fused with healthy lifestyle messaging. Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist Kirk Franklin will headline an all-star lineup of performers for this inspirational event.

Thousands of concert-goers will hear an empowering message through the music, and will be urged to make a declaration to take control of their health, learn the warning signs and reduce their risk for stroke, the third-leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability among African-Americans.

For more information, visit www.heart.org/austin or contact:
Dusty Young
512-338-2410
Dusty.Young@heart.org

Austin Heart Walk Saturday, Oct. 27th, 2012
Registration: 8:00am
Event Start: 9:00am
Location: S. 1st Street Bridge

The Heart Walk is an annual non-competitive 5K walking event designed to bring public awareness to physical activity and a heart-healthy lifestyle, while raising critical dollars needed to fund the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association. Walkers come out to support the fight against our community's leading cause of death-- heart disease.

Participating in the Heart Walk is as easy as tying your shoes! Walk as part of your company team, or form your own team with family and friends. By participating in the Heart Walk, you are helping to save the lives of the ones you love.

Prior to the walk, visit informational booths, enjoy live entertainment and activities for kids and pets. Top walkers, companies and teams will be awarded in ceremonies following the walk.

For more information, visit www.AustinHeartWalk.org or contact:
Amy Sawvell
512-338-2441
Amy.Sawvell@heart.org

Kylee and Co. Make the Today Show

2012-01-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

If you’re a visitor to this blog you’ve heard the story of Kylee Shea. Now hear it in her own words. Kylee along with her family and new extended family (the teachers that saved her life) visited the Today Show. Check it out!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

AEDs + CPR = Lives Saved

2011-10-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

10/14/2011

Earlier this week we told you the story of a Texas 7th grader that collapsed at school but was saved with use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). You can see more on that story in the blog post below.

The American Heart Association supports public access to AEDs and has fought to get them in schools across the country. Administering CPR/AED can more than double a victim’s chance of survival. Sadly, not all incidents turn out as well Kylee’s in the story below. When an AED is not within reach the results can turn tragic. Please view this video that shows what can happen when a child collapses and no AED is around.

Note: This is a personal video and the American Heart Association was not involved in its production.

We need to let lawmakers know that every school should be equipped with an AED and CPR training should be a component. You can click here to tell your elected officials that CPR/AED programs work and that every student should know how to use these lifesaving methods.

P.S. Residents in AR, NM, OK, TX, and WY will be able to take action on the link above. If you reside outside of those areas you can log into www.yourethecure.org to see important issues in your state.

CPR/AED Saves Life of Texas 7th Grader

2011-10-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

10/11/2011

The life of a Texas 7th Grader was recently saved by 2 alert teachers and the use of CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator. Here is video of the news story.

Frisco Teachers Save 7th Grader’s Life: MyFoxDFW.com

In 2007 the American Heart Association helped pass a law that requires an AED in every school in the state. We know that CPR + AEDs = Saved Lives which is why we support AED placement in all public places and CPR training for everyone.

One of our main priorities will be to have all students trained in CPR so they can have the power to save a life. Heart attacks can occur anywhere, and when they do CPR and AEDs can dramatically increase the chance of survival. Help us educate lawmakers on this issue and let them know all students should know CPR.

Click Here to tell Lawmakers in your state to support CPR/AEDs in school.

Smoke-Free Texas: Slim to None

2011-06-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

6/24/11

And Slim may have just left town...

With the Special Session winding to a close prospects aren’t looking good for smoke-free workplace legislation. For a realistic chance of getting the smoke-free bill passed into law, it needed to have been passed by either the House or Senate today. Both the House and Senate have adjourned without taking action on it.

There is an outside chance the Senate will consider this bill on Monday so we’ll see what happens then. But there were plenty of positives throughout the session, especially on the House side. The smoke-free bill was passed from committee 8-2, it had around 80 co-authors and was eventually passed by the House as an amendment.

I encourage you to check out the debate on the smoke-free amendment. House and Senate rules don’t allow us to post floor debate video from their archives, but you can watch it on your own. Just follow these instructions:

*You Must have Real Player to View*

1. Go to http://www.house.state.tx.us/video-audio/chamber/,

2. Find the date that says 5/20/2011 and click on the link that says 1:30pm-1:09am.

3. This video covers over 11 hours for floor action. The smoke-free debate begins at the 7:41:25 mark and ends at 8:47:26.

Enjoy!

Smoke-Free Texas: Is Today the Day?

2011-06-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

6/22/2011

The Texas Senate could take up and consider the smoke-free workplace law as soon as today. A version of this bill was passed from the Texas House during the Regular Session but was defeated by a Senate panel in the final hours of the session.

The Special Session has given new life to this issue but the clock is ticking – the Special Session can’t go past next Wednesday. In short, we need the Senate to pass this measure today for a realistic chance of it becoming law.

You can click here to email Texas lawmakers asking them to support smoke-free workplaces.

If it is passed by the Senate today, it would still need to clear the House. I will be providing updates here throughout the day and will live blog if there is debate on the smoke-free bill.

Brian Bowser

Update: 9:50 am

The Senate goes in at 2pm today, so nothing will happen before then. On Monday the Senate Health and Human Services committee passed the bill 5-4. The 5 YES votes were:

Chair Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound)
Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso)
Sen. Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio)
Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas)
Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)

The 4 No votes were:

Sen. Robert Deuell (R-Greenville)
Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Southside Place)
Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville)
Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston)

Update 2:17 pm

Senate should convene soon. We've heard the bill concerning the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency could come up, but the Smoke-Free bill could also come up. We are in wait and see mode. If you're by a TV in Austin you can watch it on channel 22 (Time Warner Cable). If you have Grande or another provider just try all of the local community access channels.

Or stream it from here: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/bin/live.php

Update 3:35 pm

Senator Carona is laying out his TWIA bill which will reform the Texas Windstorm Insurance Agency. This issue is one of the primary reasons for the Special Session.

We have heard several Senators that support Smoke-Free Texas are not in Austin today, making a vote on smoke-free less likely today.

Update 4:05 pm

Several Senators have officially been excused from today's session due to important business in their district. It’s important that this bill be heard and voted on by a majority of Senators so the question will not be called today.

This severely weakens the chance of passing the smoke-free bill during this special session. There is still a chance it could come up at the end of the week or over the weekend so stay tuned to this blog and sign up to get breaking news alerts here: http://www.yourethecure.org/.

Status Quo Remains for PE and Health

2011-06-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

6/20/2011

Last Thursday was a big day for PE and Health in Texas schools. Two bills were being debated that dealt with school curriculum and there were opportunities to both improve and weaken PE and Health courses. In the end no major changes were passed and the status quo will remain largely intact.

An effort was made to increase the high school graduation requirement for PE by a half credit. We supported this effort lead by Rep. Carol Alvarado. Representatives Jason Isaac and Eddie Lucio III were also key champions that almost turned the House in favor of supporting this increase for PE. You can watch the video below to view the debate and click here to thank lawmakers that voted YES on increasing PE.

Watch live video from yourethecuretx on Justin.tv

In the end the House voted 73-65 against increasing PE by a half credit in high school. But click on the link to thank our champions and your House member if he or she voted YES.

Luckily no attempts were made that would have weakened PE and Health standards. You’re efforts in the past weeks helped educated members about the importance of Coordinated School Health plans, Physical Fitness Assessments, and the importance of PE and Health in school.

We will continue to work towards improving the quality and quantity of PE and Health programs in Texas and appreciate your continued support.

Texas Senate Must Act Now

2011-06-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

06/15/2011

Yesterday the Smoke-Free Texas Coalition (of which the American Heart Association is a part of) released the following statement regarding smoke-free legislation.
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Texas Senate Must Act Now to Ensure Passage of Smoke-Free Law in 2011

Coalition urges immediate action by Health and Human Services Committee on Senate Bill 28

AUSTIN – The Smoke-Free Texas Coalition and numerous other supporters of smoke-free workplace legislation are actively urging members of the Senate Health and Human Service Committee to take immediate action on SB 28, legislation proposing a statewide law to eliminate smoking in indoor areas of bars and restaurants across the state. The bill, authored by Senator Rodney Ellis, was referred on Monday, June 13 to the Committee.

HB 46 – the companion bill filed by Representative Myra Crownover – passed out of the House Appropriations Committee 19-1 on Saturday, June 4. The Health and Human Services Committee must take a vote on SB 28 before there is any further movement on HB 46.

“The support and rapid action by the Texas Senate is critical to the successful passage of a statewide smoke-free law in 2011,” said Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, Smoke-Free Texas supporter and founder and chairman of the Cooper Clinic. “Before HB 46 can move any further, the Senate must step up and do their part by considering this legislation that is vital to the health of Texas employees and customers.”

A smoke-free workplace law will save thousands of lives and millions of dollars for Texans, including $31 million in taxpayer dollars for the 2012-2013 biennium by eliminating the Medicaid costs that result from exposure to secondhand smoke in bars and restaurants.

In addition, there is widespread support for this legislation from numerous organizations, business groups, musicians, faith leaders and everyday Texans from across the political spectrum. A January 2011 survey of Texas voters conducted by Baselice and Associates found that 70 percent of those surveyed support a smoke-free workplace law that prohibits smoking in all indoor workplaces and public facilities. The poll also revealed that 63 percent of those surveyed indicated they would be more likely to vote for a state legislator who supported a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law.

“There is clearly strong support from Texans for a smoke-free workplace law,” said Dr. Cooper. “The Senate owes these Texans a vote on this issue and must make this a priority in the special session.”

Thousands of Texans are directly or indirectly affected by the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace. Without a statewide smoke-free workplace law, millions of Texans will never be protected from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure.

“Texas is closer than ever to passing this legislation thanks to the tireless work and dedication of many of our state’s leaders and others who have actively voiced their support for this legislation over the past several months,” said Dr. Cooper. “Now is the time for the Senate to take action to ensure this life-saving legislation is passed in Texas.”

###

Smoke-Free Texas is a broad coalition of organizations who believe all Texas employees have the right to breathe clean indoor air. Because science tells us that secondhand smoke kills, we support a statewide law to protect Texans from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace. Our members include the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, LIVESTRONG and the Texas Parent Teacher Association. Visit our website for more information at www.smokefreetexas.org. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter at www.Facebook.com/SmokeFreeTexas and www.Twitter.com/SmokeFreeTexas.

All Eyes on Texas Senate

2011-06-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

06/14/2011

Yesterday afternoon the smoke-free workplace proposal was sent to the Senate Health and Human Services committee which now must take fast action to beat the clock of the current “Special Session”. After swiftly being passed by a House committee all eyes are now on the Senate to pass this lifesaving bill.

Please click here to support Smoke-Free Texas today!

The good news is that we have a hearing scheduled….the unfortunate news is that it has been scheduled for next Monday, June 20, which will put the bill in serious jeopardy due to time considerations.

The Special Session cannot last longer than 30 days but can be (and often is) cut shorter than that by the Governor. Time is of the essence as the clock is ticking on the Special Session meaning fast action is critical.

We are trying to secure the support of every legislator and key state leaders like the Governor and Lt. Governor who can help push this issue forward.

Help us keep the pressure on by taking action on the link above and sharing this short link with friends and on twitter: http://bit.ly/iHYqGL.

Thanks for your continued help!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator

Texas Senate: Tag, You’re It

2011-06-08T06:08:00.000-07:00

06/08/2011

On Saturday morning a House committee approved the Smoke-Free workplace bill 19-1, now it’s time for the Senate to act. While it might seem like a game of tag under the Capitol dome, time is running out if the Senate doesn’t act fast. There has been no movement on this issue from the Senate since the start of the Special Session.

Click here to tell Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Texas Lawmakers to take up and consider smoke-free workplace legislation, now!

In fact, over the last six years, the Texas Senate has never voted on this issue. Not even once. Outside of a handful of Senators that have spoken out publically, 31 of the most powerful people in Texas have never taken a position on the most pressing health issue in our state.

Removing secondhand smoke from workplaces would reduce heart disease and stroke in our state while saving taxpayers at least $31 million in Medicaid expenses every two years.

The entire House and Senate still need to vote on this issue before the special session comes to an end. Take action using the link above to tell lawmakers the time is now for Smoke-Free Texas.

Austin American Statesman Endorses Smoke-Free Texas

2011-06-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

6/7/2011

The Austin American Statesman ran an editorial in today’s edition once again supporting efforts to make Texas workplaces smoke-free. You can check out the piece by clicking here. This is just another in the long line of endorsements and positive editorials from major Texas periodicals. Here’s a segment, but click on the link above for the whole piece and tell us what you think in the comments section.

An indoor smoking ban does not outlaw smoking, as opponents are fond of claiming. Furthermore, smoking indoors is not a "right" despite assertions to the contrary. And even it were, that "right" would have to be balanced against the rights of others to breathe clean air.

A growing number of Texas municipalities, including Austin, have long since adopted indoor smoking bans. San Angelo voters — among the most conservative in the state — approved an indoor smoking ban by a whopping 60 percentage points when 30 percent of the city's registered voters participated in a 2010 referendum.

So the science supports a smoking ban, and so do Texans if given a voice and a choice.

Update 06/08/2011

This morning the San Antonio Express-News followed suite with a positive editorial. They specifically mention one state Senator that lead the efforts to derail the bill during the Regular Session.:

The opposition of Sen. Deuell is tragic for public health.
Express-News Editorial Board
Wednesday, June 8, 2011

As a physician, state Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, is certainly familiar with the dictum that comes from ancient Latin, “First, do no harm.” If only he would follow that dictum when the Legislature is in session.

Last month, lawmakers in Austin had an opportunity to finally pass a measure that bans smoking in most Texas bars and restaurants. More than 30 Texas cities, including San Antonio, have comprehensive smoke-free ordinances.

A statewide ban would establish uniform standards that protect the health of workers and the public. It would also bring Texas into line with 29 other states with comprehensive smoking bans. During a session marked by budget concerns, the smoking ban carried a bottom-line benefit.

According to the fiscal analysis attached to the measure, the statewide ordinance could save the state $31 million in Medicaid costs during the next biennium. Supporters of the measure claim the savings would actually be in the hundreds of millions.

Yet Deuell led efforts among House and Senate conferees to strip the smoking ban from a state spending bill. He justified his opposition by stating he had constitutional issues with a statewide law. That’s hard to fathom, especially for a family practitioner who has undoubtedly seen the health consequences of secondhand smoke.

Read the rest here: http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/Lege-should-pass-smoking-ban-bill-1414095.php#ixzz1OhwkCjhU

Smoke-Free Takes a Step

2011-06-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

6/6/2011

Over the weekend a House committee approved the smoke-free workplace proposal that you’ve helped us fight for over the last five months. The committee voted 19-1 to pass this measure which would remove smoking from all bars and restaurants in the state.

Thanks to everyone who took action on Friday and Saturday before the committee vote. If you didn’t take action you can still ask your lawmakers to support Smoke-Free Texas by clicking here.

You’ve helped us come this far, now help us finish the job. With less time to work during this Special Session we will need fast action from both the House and Senate. The time is now to take smoking outside and save thousands of lives and millions of dollars associated with secondhand smoke. Thanks again for your support, and stay tuned for more on Smoke-Free Texas.

Sincerely,

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator

Smoke-Free Texas: Staying Alive

2011-06-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

6/3/2011

A Special Legislative Session in Texas has given new life to the smoke-free workplace proposal that you’ve helped us fight for over the last five months. Yesterday the smoke-free bill was filed in both the Texas House and Senate and could be heard in a Committee as soon as tomorrow.

Help us capitalize on this new opportunity by telling lawmakers that the time is now to take smoking outside and reduce the heart disease and stroke associated with secondhand smoke. Click here to take action today!

You helped us pass this measure from the House in late May. However, that measure was not adopted by the Senate. Now, we have another chance to convince lawmakers that everyone deserve a smoke-free workplace.

If you think lawmakers should try to save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in health costs by asking smokers to step outside, click on the link above and ask for a Smoke-Free workplace law in Texas.

Sincerely,

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator

Dollars and Sense: Heart Disease Prevention in the State Budget

2011-05-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

You know that heart disease is the number one killer of Texans and with just a small investment in prevention we can save countless lives and millions of dollars. Two of the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke are tobacco use and obesity. Prevention programs have proven to save dollars, and they just make sense.

Click here to tell lawmakers to consider Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention in the state budget.

In January programs that help prevent tobacco use and obesity were zeroed out in the state budget proposal for the next two years. In the latest proposal funding for those programs were partially restored at about half their current levels.

Lawmakers could vote on this proposal as soon as later today or tomorrow. We want to show our support for these programs being partially restored, but also ask that they be fully restored in future years.

P.S. Smoke-Free Texas Update: The smoke-free measure has been passed the House, but not the Senate. There is still time to urge Senators to support this measure: please click here to do so!

Thanks!

2011-05-27T08:18:00.001-07:00

Moving Day in the House

2011-05-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

5/12/2011

Today is moving day in the Texas House of Representatives meaning move your bill or go home. All House bills that don’t pass by midnight tonight will be dead in their current form. So what does that mean for issues concerning heart disease and stroke? A couple things…

1. Smoke-Free Texas: HB 670 which is the comprehensive smoke-free workplaces law is on the calendar today, about 100 bills down the list. Depending on how fast lawmakers work and pass bills ahead of it there is an outside chance of getting to HB 670 tonight. But if they run out of time, all is not lost. Smoke-Free bill author Myra Crownover has indicated she will try to amend another bill to include smoke-free bars and restaurants in Texas.

Either way lawmakers will have a chance to vote on smoke-free workaplces and we need them to vote YES. Click here to take action now.

2. PE and Health in Schools: Efforts to reduce PE and Health Standards were made in HB 400. This bill is ahead of the smoke-free legislation and will likely be heard before the midnight deadline tonight. Our message is to oppose amendments to HB 400 that will weaken PE and Health in schools. Click here to take action now.

3. Trans Fats in Schools: The bill that will remove trans-fats from school cafeterias has been passed by the Texas Senate and is now awaiting approval from a House committee. Because it has already been passed by the Senate, it doesn’t face the same midnight deadline. But the clock is still ticking and we need to move it quickly from the committee to the House floor. Click here to take action now.

HB 400 Delayed another Day

2011-05-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

05/10/2011

HB 400 which is a massive public education bill has been delayed another day. Attempts have been made during debate on this bill to remove PE and Health requirements in Texas schools. It wasn’t debated yesterday, but could come up as early as this afternoon.

Please continue your calls and emails to your State Representative and tell them to vote against any amendments that would weaken PE, Health, and Nutrition standards in our school.

Click here to send and email and go here to look up your State Representative: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

See the below blog postings for more information on this issue.

Thanks!

5/11/2011 Update

Same story, different day. HB 400 has been postponed once again. It has now been scheduled for Thursday, May 12. Thursday is also the deadline for this bill to pass the House floor, so we'll know something definitive by the end of Thursday. Please continue to keep the calls and email coming in!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator
brian.bowser@heart.org

Save PE in Texas – Call You’re State Representative

2011-05-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

It’s not too late to help save PE in Texas schools. Late Friday night efforts were made in the Texas House to severely reduce PE and Health requirements in Texas schools. The American Heart Association is fighting these efforts and needs help from you!

HB 400 is a large education bill dealing with many aspects of public school in Texas. During floor debate attempts were made to take out important Health and PE requirements that are currently law.

The good news is that debate was stopped on Friday night and the bad amendments were taken away. The bad news is that debate will resume today and more attempts to weaken PE will likely resume.

Please call your State Representative and tell them to vote against any amendment in HB 400 that would weaken PE, Health, or Nutrition standards. You can look up your legislator at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

Here are some talking points.

-Please vote against any amendments in HB 400 that will reduce PE, Health, or Nutrition standards in public schools

-Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. We need to increase PE efforts right now, not reduce them

-Supporting amendments to weaken PE or Health would represent a major step backwards in our fight to reduce childhood obesity in Texas.

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You can also follow up your phone call with an email. Plesae click here to send an email to your lawmaker: http://www.yourethecure.org/composeletters_open.aspx?AlertID=20699

P.S. Please email me if you call your Lawmaker so we can track our progress. Thanks!!

Brian.Bowser@heart.org

PE in Texas Under Attack

2011-05-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

On Friday night drastic measures were taken in the Texas House that would severely weaken Physical Education and Health in Texas schools. Over the years the American Heart Association has fought hard to strengthen the quality and quantity of PE in schools. However, several measures were passed last night that would undue much of that work.

Please call your State Representative and tell him/her to vote against any proposals that would weaken PE, Health, or Nutrition requirements in public schools. Here is a direct link to look up legislators and their Austin phone numbers:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

You can also send an email: Click here to send an email.

Background:

Lawmakers are currently debating HB 400 a large school accountability bill. This bill is being amended to weaken PE standards in schools. Here is a recap on what is happening:

1. Physical Fitness Assessments have been removed. You helped us pass the Fitness Assessment bill in 2007 which (anonymously) tracks the physical fitness of all students. An amendment was passed that removed this Assessment.

2. Coordinated School Health programs could also be eliminated. Coordinator School Health Programs help improve academic performance by combining many educational components like: PE, Health, Nutrition, Tobacco education, Counseling, and Safe School Environments into a coordinated action plan. This program is vital for improving the health, behavior, and academic success of our students.

3. Other attempts to reduce PE and Health will likely come as debate on HB 400 continues.

Please take action and tell your lawmakers to support PE and Health in schools and vote against any attempts to weaken them in HB 400. Please email me if you are able to make a call.

Thanks for your support!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator
brian.bowser@heart.org

Sex, race, place of residence influence high blood pressure incidence

2010-12-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report:

DALLAS, Dec. 6, 2010 — High blood pressure may help to explain why deaths from heart disease and stroke vary according to geography, race and sex, researchers reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

“Where you live, your race, and your gender strongly influence your risk of developing high blood pressure as you move from young adulthood into middle age — and hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke,” said Deborah A. Levine, M.D., M.P.H., lead study author and assistant professor of internal medicine in the Departments of Medicine and Neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.

Between 1968 and 2006, deaths from heart disease and stroke fell an impressive 65 percent, but everyone didn’t share equally in the positive trend, she said. Cardiovascular deaths are still higher in the southeastern United States, in blacks compared with whites, and in men compared with women.

“The gaps may be widening, particularly for blacks,” Levine said. “The reasons for the variations are not clear, so we examined whether high blood pressure might help to explain it.”

The researchers examined data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study that followed young people from Birmingham, Ala., Chicago, Ill., Minneapolis, Minn. and Oakland, Calif., from the time they were 18-30 years old. Each center began the study with groups similar to each other for race, sex, and age. Among 3,436 participants who didn’t have high blood pressure when the research began, and were followed for 20 years (when average age was 45), hypertension was diagnosed in:

• 37.6 percent of black women; 34.5 percent of black men; 21.4 percent of white men and 12.3 percent of white women;

• 33.6 percent of Birmingham residents; 27.4 percent in Oakland; 23.4 percent in Chicago and 19 percent in Minneapolis.

After adjusting for multiple risk factors, living in Birmingham significantly increased the chance that a person would develop high blood pressure.

“In addition, independently of where they live, blacks — especially black women — are at markedly higher risk of hypertension even after we took into account factors that are known to affect blood pressure, such as physical activity and obesity,” Levine said.

More research is needed to understand the geographic and racial differences in high blood pressure documented in this study as well as the potential biological, environmental and genetic mechanisms, Levine said. “In the meantime, people at higher risk can benefit from close monitoring of their blood pressure and paying attention to risk factors such as obesity and physical activity.”

Co-authors are: Cora E. Lewis, M.D., M.S.P.H.; O. Dale Williams, Ph.D.; Monika M. Safford, M.D.; Kiang Liu, Ph.D.; David A. Calhoun, M.D.; Yongin Kim, M.S.; David R. Jacobs Jr., Ph.D.; and Catarina I. Kiefe, Ph.D., M.D. Individual author disclosures can be found on the manuscript.

The research was supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Health Care Reform: What it Means for You

2010-09-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

If you’re like most Americans, you have questions about how the new health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, will affect you and your family. The American Heart Association has produced a series of brief videos with questions from real consumers and responses from experts about how the new law will impact patients with heart disease or stroke. Learn more by visiting: http://www.heartsforhealthcare.org/.

Here are some videos that you may find helpful:

"Will health care reform make coverage more affordable for families like mine? How will it work?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr1-92P-Uxs&feature=player_embedded

“How will healthcare reform address the needs of patients like me, who have lost their jobs and employer insurance?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sh-rbM1P3g&feature=player_embedded

"Will the new health reform law make prevention and preventive coverage an integral part of health care and place more emphasis on preventing disease, rather than treating it?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sh-rbM1P3g&feature=player_embedded

Smoke-Free San Antonio Updates

2010-08-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 9th at 2:00 p.m.
City Council’s Quality of Life Committee meeting, Municipal Plaza Building, Conference Room B, 114 West Commerce Street.

At this Committee meeting, the City of San Antonio’s Metro Health Department will lay out the proposed language of the smoke-free ordinance. We will need a large show of support to ensure that the Quality of Life Committee votes the ordinance out of committee where it will then be voted on by the entire city council.

Thursday, August 19th at 9:00 a.m.
City Council Meeting, City Council Chambers, 114 West Commerce Street.

At this meeting, City Council will vote on the smoke free ordinance. We need everyone to attend and to show their support!

Smoke-Free San Antonio Rally July 29

2010-07-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

Smoke Free San Antonio Coalition members and supporters,

Smoke Free San Antonio will be having a rally in support of a smoke free city on Thursday, July 29th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Aldaco’s in Stone Oak. At the rally, there will be free food and drinks (adult drinks can be purchased separately). We will provide free t-shirts to supporters; petition cards to be signed; up-to-date information on the efforts; and other ways to get involved in making San Antonio smoke free.

Join us for a fun event for an important cause!

Who: Smoke Free San Antonio members and supporters
What: Rally in support of a smoke free city
When: Thursday, July 29th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Aldaco’s Restaurant in Stone Oak, 20079 Stone Oak Parkway

Please feel free to let anyone know who is interested in making San Antonio smoke free.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us at (210) 831-2143 or at glee1@satx.rr.com.

Smoke-Free San Antonio: Public Hearing this Thursday

2010-06-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

The San Antonio City Council will hold a public hearing to discuss strengthening the current smoking ordinance this Thursday. This is our opportunity to show the City Council that all workplaces deserve to be smoke-free and if you are in the area, you are invited to attend.

Thursday, June 10
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
City Council Chambers
Municipal Plaza Building 114 W. Commerce

A strong show of support and force is critically needed at this public hearing to show City Council a large number of supporters in favor of a smoke free San Antonio. Numbers talk and a large gathering will further reinforce to city leaders that there is strong support for this cause.

Supporters will not be asked to speak, unless they want to. If you wish to speak on the issue, we definitely encourage you to do so. Speakers will be allowed up to 3 minutes. PLUS, arrive early and be the first to an exclusive t-shirt and enjoy a mixer at which you can meet fellow supporters.

Research + Prevention = Lives Saved. Tell Congress Today!

2010-06-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

Senator Bob Casey (PA) is circulating a letter that asks for $35 billion for the National Institutes of Health. This is the same amount requested by the American Heart Association to ensure continued progress in medical research, and Senator Casey’s office has requested our help in getting his fellow Senators to sign onto the letter. You can help by encouraging volunteers to visit Research Saves Lives to send a quick email to their Senators.

Ask your Senators to support $35 billion for the National Institutes for Health. These funds could support medical research leading to new treatments and even cures for heart disease and stroke. Act Today. Link: = http://bit.ly/aDNlI8

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISEWOMAN program screens low-income women for heart disease and stroke risk and provides follow up for those who need it. Right now, WISEWOMAN only has enough funding to operate in 20 states while millions of women across the country are forced to wait. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women, and we know that this program has been effective in giving at-risk women the tools they need to prevent heart disease and stroke. The program, sadly, remains woefully underfunded.

More than 432,000 women die each year from CVD, but so many of those deaths could be prevented. Ask Members of Congress to fund WISEWOMAN, a program that helps women prevent heart disease and stroke. Take Action Today. Link= http://bit.ly/bX5AKh

More Positive Media for Smoke-Free San Antonio

2010-05-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Market forces alone won't make city smoke-free
SA Express News-May 25

Opponents of a stronger smoking ordinance like to wave the Economic Impact Flag when they argue that businesses are being regulated to death and that the city's tourism industry is likely to suffer from stiffer rules against lighting up.

If opponents are going to hang their hats on potential lost revenue as the heart of this debate, it's important to see the full picture.

The dangers of tobacco addiction and second-hand smoke, as well as the cost to communities in medical care, are attention-getters. Texas currently spends almost $1.5 billion a year in Medicaid funding on direct tobacco-related health care costs.

Curious to know whether smoking was a deal-breaker for conventioneers, I called Alcoholics Anonymous' General Service Office in New York about the group's upcoming international conference here. To be held over the July 4 weekend, the gathering is expected to draw 40,000 people. Smoking isn't on the organization's radar when it decides, more than 10 years out, where to hold its conventions, said a public information staffer for the group. “Most major cities don't allow smoking in the venue (and) many of us come from cities where smoking is banned,” the staffer said. “It's a nonissue, actually.”

But it is on the radar for the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association and about two dozen other national groups that won't consider cities that aren't smoke-free as convention sites. The AHA alone draws an estimated 30,000 people to its conventions.

The San Antonio Restaurant Association opposes the local ordinance under review but supports a statewide smoking ban, reasoning that no community should have a government-imposed edge over another in keeping and attracting businesses. That “edge” didn't materialize in Houston, where the city strengthened its smoking ordinance in 2007. Despite the bar and restaurant industry's protests to the contrary, it also seems unlikely that such an advantage would materialize locally.

Working with the San Antonio Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition, the UT Health Science Center's Institute for Health Promotion Research conducted a telephone survey of area restaurants and bars that smoking patrons could, in theory, use as alternatives because they are located in communities that don't ban indoor smoking.

Smokers in Bexar County would be out of luck in most places.

Does that prove the market already is working by imposing smoking restrictions that customers support? Yes. So, too, does the statistic hailed by the restaurant association that 97 percent of eateries in town don't allow smoking indoors.

The numbers also prove that the market forces aren't strong enough to protect public health. For one, the restaurant association's numbers don't take into account local bars, their employees or their patrons. And, what of the hundreds of employees who work for the 3 percent of eateries that aren't smoke-free?

Even if employees truly were, in this economic environment, free to “vote with their feet,” why force someone to choose a paycheck over her health?

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Report says smoking ordinance wouldn’t snuff out SA restaurants and bars
WOAI-May 25

SAN ANTONIO — If San Antonio ends up prohibiting smoking in indoor workplaces, would restaurants and bars likely lose patrons to other establishments outside the city limits that do allow smoking? According to a new analysis by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio the answer is no.

The report states that of the 165 licensed-to-serve alcohol establishments in 30 incorporated towns outside San Antonio, but within Bexar County, the vast majority (117) are already smoke-free. Plus, the remaining 48 are geographically separated from each other and don’t have the capacity to sustain an influx of smoking customers if San Antonio prohibits smoking in its bars and restaurants.

“Our analysis and data show that a comprehensive smoking ordinance would not have a detrimental effect on the city of San Antonio’s bar and restaurant industry,” said lead author Courtney A. Denton, research associate with the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR), whose researchers authored the report on behalf of the San Antonio Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition. “We believe the ordinance would actually benefit the industry, help smokers kick the habit and improve air quality.”

San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro said he would push for a strong anti-smoking ordinance during a May 7th press conference, and polls show the move would be supported by two-thirds of registered voters.

CLICK HERE to view the UTHSC news release.

CLICK HERE to view the report.

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Anti-smoking measure would not put San Antonio bars out of business, report shows
San Antonio Business Journal

If San Antonio’s City Council adopts an ordinance that prohibits smoking in indoor workplaces, the bar and restaurant industry is not likely to lose patrons to nearby businesses outside city limits that do allow smoking, according to a new report by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Earlier this month, Mayor Julian Castro announced at a news conference that he would push for a strong anti-smoking ordinance that prohibits smoking in indoor workplaces. Bars and restaurants currently can permit smoking if their establishments allow for a smoker’s section that doesn’t impact the rest of the patrons.

The institute identified and mapped the locations of the 165 licensed-to-serve alcohol establishments in 30 incorporated towns outside San Antonio but within Bexar County. The reports showed that the vast majority — or 117 of those bars — are already smoke-free. The remaining 48 businesses outside San Antonio that do allow smoking, would not have the capacity to sustain an influx of smokers if San Antonio prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants altogether.

“Our analysis and data show that a comprehensive smoking ordinance would not have a detrimental effect on the city of San Antonio’s bar and restaurant industry,” says lead author Courtney A. Denton, research associate with the Institute for Health Promotion Research, whose researchers authored the report on behalf of the San Antonio Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition. “We believe the ordinance would actually benefit the industry, help smokers kick the habit and improve air quality.”

The Institute for Health Promotion Research investigates reasons why cancer and chronic disease among Hispanics in San Antonio, South Texas and the nation. The institute was founded by the Health Science Center in 2006. The Health Science Center is one of the country’s leading health sciences universities and is the top research institution in South Texas.

The full report is available here.

Smoke-Free Texas: Senate Committee

2010-05-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

During the 2009 Legislative Session the Senate Health and Human Service committee passed the Smoke-Free Texas by 5-3 vote. Here is video of that vote:

San Antonio: We’re Ready for Smoke-Free Workplaces

2010-05-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

On Friday May 7 the Smoke-Free San Antonio Coalition held a press conference and rally to announce their efforts to make San Antonio the next smoke-free city in Texas.

San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro advocates for smoke-free workplaces

Members of the Coalition joined forces with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and District 7 City Councilman Justin Rodriguez to support a stronger clean air policy, citing evidence that smoke-free laws are good for public health, good for business, good for workers, and good for reducing local health care costs.

Members of the San Antonio Smoke-Free Coalition gathered at Baptist Medical Center to urge San Antonio leaders to adopt a stronger smoke-free ordinance that would prohibit smoking in all indoor public and work places, including all restaurants and bars. Many worksites in San Antonio continue to expose workers and the public to secondhand smoke, which is proven to increase the likelihood of cancer, heart disease and illnesses.

San Antonio first passed a smoke-free ordinance in 2003. That ordinance allows smoking in restaurants, stand-alone bars and restaurants/bars if they follow several guidelines. Other areas not covered in the current smoking ordinance include bingo facilities, bowling alley’s, convention facilities, educational facilities (private and public), gaming facilities, comedy clubs and private clubs.

More Pics:

Councilmember and smok-free champion Justin Rodriguez

From left to right: American Cancer Society staff member, Mayor Julian Castro and AHA Sr. Government Relations Director Joel Romo

CPR Day at the Capitol

2010-05-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

On May 7 the American Heart Association along with the Texas Society of Anesthesiologist and AT&T held a special training for all lawmakers and staff on how to perform CPR and use an AED. We wanted all Lawmakers and Capitol staffers to be trained on the lifesaving techniques of CPR and AEDs.

Last Spring a tragedy was avoided in the halls of the Capitol when State Representative Edmund Kuempel suffered a massive heart attack one evening. Minutes after he collapsed fellow State Rep. and physician John Zewas performed CPR and used an AED to shock Kuempel's heart back to a normal rhythm.

St. Representative Edmund Kuempel

Despite the severity of the event and spending days in ICU afterwards Edmund Kuempel survived the heart attack and is now doing well. Without the fast action of courageous bystanders and knowledge of CPR and AEDs, Representative Kuempel would like likely not be here today.

Throughout the years the American Heart Association has strongly advocated for public access to defibrillators. Now AEDs can be founded at nearly every airport, school, shopping mall, and sporting event. We even helped get AEDs placed throughout the State Capitol.

Have you been trained in CPR?

Hold Em or Fold Em….Just Don’t Double Down

2010-04-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Anybody seen this new menu item from KFC? It’s basically a bacon and cheese sandwich but with fried chicken breasts instead of bread (also available in a grilled version). I know, great for all the low carb diets out there. What do you think? Is it a culinary train wreck or will it become one of your new guilty pleasures (only in extreme moderation – I hope). Nutritional information below...

Sandwich Calories Fat (g) Sodium (mg)

KFC Original Recipe Double Down 540 32 1380

KFC Grilled Double Down 460 23 1430

Dine Smart During Public Health Week

2010-04-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

April 5-11 is National Public Health Week - - what are you doing to celebrate?

You could start walking during your lunch break at work, or find out your numbers like cholesterol and blood pressure, or make it a point to start eating healthier. Today we’d like to offer some tips on how to eat healthier when dining out.

Studies show that Americans typically underestimate their daily caloric content by almost 25% because they are not paying attention to portions and serving sizes. The easiest way to determine a serving size is to read the Nutrition Fact or menu label. If you do this every time you dine you will know if you are eating the right amount of food.

Here are some tips when dining at a restaurant:

CHOOSING A RESTAURANT
Get tips on choosing a restaurant with healthier options.
Learn More

TALKING WITH YOUR SERVER
Turn your waiter into an ally in your quest to order a healthy, nutritious and tasty dish when you dine out. These questions can help you get started.
Learn More

DECIPHERING THE MENU
I spy … something healthy! Learn the meanings behind common words found on menus so you can order nutritious dishes.
Learn More

ORDERING YOUR MEAL
How you order your dish cooked can have as much of an impact on its nutritional value as the dish itself.
Learn More

EATING FAST FOOD
Fast food can be heart-healthy if you know what to look for. Follow these tips to get healthier meals on the go.
Learn More

TIPS BY CUISINE
Indian, Italian, Chinese? What's your favorite fare? Check out some great eating tips based on differnt types of cuisines.
Learn More

Tell us - - what are you doing this week for National Public Health Week?

Heart Month is Upon Us

2010-01-29T07:03:00.000-08:00

We are always asking our lawmakers to vote one way or anther and you do a great job of helping us spread our message. But we thought now would be a good time to make sure they know how to prevent heart disease or stroke in their own lives.

Let your lawmakers know that February is Heart Month and we're thinking of them!

February is American Heart month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and how we can do things to prevent it. Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer in Texas, but it doesn't have to be that way. In fact we have just developed 7 Simple Solutions for healthy living. Here are some examples of them:

Exercise - walking just 30 minutes a day can improve your heart and increase your lifespan

Nutrition - trim things like fat, sodium, and cholesterol from your diet and reduce your risk of heart disease

Know Your Numbers - being aware of your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can allow you to manage your body. Know your numbers to control your risk.

Signs and Symptoms - chest pains could mean a heart attack and loss of feeling on one side of the body might indicate a stroke. Fast treatment is key so know the signs and symptoms to take action quickly.

These are just a few things you can do to reduce your risk. Please check out http://mylifecheck.heart.org/ for more on the fight against heart disease and stroke. Remember to share this with your friends and family click here to share with your lawmakers.

Thank You to Our Volunteers

2009-12-02T12:32:00.000-08:00

Heart attack rates drop after smoking bans, continue downward over time

2009-11-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

Please take a look this story about a recent study on smoke-free air laws. We have known that smoke-free laws reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and that will reduce heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer over the long term. However, more and more studies are showing that communities that pass smoke-free laws are seeing an immediate and significant reduction in heart attacks after the laws go into effect.
----------------------------------

DALLAS, Sept. 21, 2009 — One year after passing smoking bans, communities in North America and Europe had 17 percent fewer heart attacks compared to communities without smoking restrictions, and the number of heart attacks kept decreasing with time, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The report is a meta-analysis of 13 studies in which researchers examined changes in heart attack rates after smoking bans were enacted in communities in the United States, Canada and Europe. The researchers found that heart attack rates started to drop immediately following implementation of the law, reaching 17 percent after one year, then continuing to decline over time, with about a 36 percent drop three years after enacting the restrictions.

“While we obviously won’t bring heart attack rates to zero, these findings give us evidence that in the short- to medium-term, smoking bans will prevent a lot of heart attacks,” said James M. Lightwood, Ph.D., co-author of the study and assistant adjunct professor in the department of clinical pharmacy at the University of California–San Francisco. “The studies on this issue now have long enough follow-up periods so that we can see exactly how big the effect is.”

Lightwood also noted that the community effect is consistent with probable individual risk and exposure scenarios.

For example, according to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2009 Update, non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work have a 25 percent to 30 percent increased risk of developing heart disease. This new research suggests that the individual increased risk may be higher, said Lightwood.

“This study adds to the already strong evidence that secondhand smoke causes heart attacks, and that passing 100 percent smoke-free laws in all workplaces and public places is something we can do to protect the public,” Lightwood said. “Now we have a better understanding of how you can predict what will happen if you impose a smoking-free law.”

David Goff, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention and Professor of Public Health Sciences and Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, and an American Heart Association national spokesperson said the paper provides strong support for the contention that smoke free laws will improve public health. “This is good evidence that the benefits are realistic and consistent with reasonable estimates of the harm imposed by secondhand smoke,” Goff said.

“It is important to move forward now with widespread implementation of smoke-free laws,” he added. “At a time of great concern over the financial sustainability of our healthcare system, smoke free laws represent an inexpensive approach to reducing heart attacks, and, probably, other cardiovascular conditions.”

New study: smoke-free laws reduce heart attacks and save lives

2009-11-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

The American Heart Association supports a new national study which found that smoking bans are effective at reducing the risk of acute cardiac events such as heart attacks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke.

“This report makes it increasingly clear that smoke-free policies are having a positive impact in reducing the heart attack rate in many communities,” said Clyde Yancy, M.D., American Heart Association President. “There’s no question that secondhand smoke has an adverse health impact in workplaces and public environments. We must continue to enact comprehensive smoke-free laws across the country to save lives and reduce the number of new smokers.”

The Institute of Medicine report, “Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence,” sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggests the strength of association between secondhand smoke and acute coronary events is compelling and provides evidence showing a cause-and-effect relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and heart problems.

…full story here

Most in World Favor Smoke-Free Workplaces

2009-11-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

That according to a new poll conducted by RTI and Harris Interactive. The study, published in the International Journal of Public Health online edition, shows 74 percent of smoking employees and 87 percent of employers felt the workplace should be smoke-free.

"Although there was widespread variation among countries, overall the results demonstrate global support for workplace smoking bans," lead author Michael Halpern, a senior fellow at RTI, says in a statement.

The survey, sponsored by Pfizer, found employees estimate they spend an average of one hour per day smoking at work, but almost 70 percent say they did not believe that it had a negative financial impact on their employer.

In Texas there are 30 cities that have smoke-free workplace laws that include all bars and restaurants. However an attempt to cover the entire state was not passed last spring. The American Heart Association is working to further educate the public and lawmakers in attempt to pass a smoke-free workplace law next session.

Texas Stroke Act Begins Saving Lives

2009-10-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

This is a historic month in Texas as the goals and mission of the Texas Stroke Act become a reality. Thanks to all your efforts as a You're the Cure advocate legislators heard your voice and are implementing the key parts of the Texas Stroke Act.

Tell lawmakers to continue to improve stroke care in Texas

On October 1, the Department of State Health Services began receiving and processing applications for designation of Primary Stroke Centers - one of the major components of the Texas Stroke Act. AHA evidence and research indicates that by transporting stroke patients to a primary stroke center a patients' chance of stroke recovery increases significantly.

As you know when a stroke occurs time lost is brain lost. That is why additional funding was given to the Texas CVD Council that will improve transport protocols and EMS training that will saves lives and raise the awareness about stroke.

Please thank lawmakers that approved this funding and asked for their continued support.

Your message will go to your State Representative and Senator as well as the Chairs of the House and Senate budget committees. While the next legislative session is over a year away these committees meet year round to develop the state budget.

AHA lobbies State Board of Education for Health and PE requirements

2009-10-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

Last month we told you that PE and Health courses were in jeopardy in Texas schools. The good news is the State Board of Education met in September and they have the authority to keep PE and Health as requirements in two out of the three graduation plans. We need to keep the pressure on as the Board meets again in November to finalize these requirements.

Tell key members on the State Board of Education to keep PE and Health requirements in schools!

When HB 3 was passed by the Texas Legislature last spring, it had major implications for Texas schools. The law changed what is required for high school graduation. Some of the changes were drastic.

Among the changes were reductions in the amount of PE and Health courses that are required to graduate. The State Board of Education has sorted through these new requirements and is evaluating different proposals for implementing this new law.
While they have the power to keep PE and Health requirements in two out of three graduation plans, we need to make sure they follow through.

Help spread our message that PE and Health courses should not be removed from our schools. Take action today and send a message to key State Board of Education members!

Study: tax on soda, sugary drinks would help in obesity battle

2009-10-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

A report in the New England Journal of Medicine says taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and soft drinks would help lower people’s overall calorie consumption while generating revenue that local governments can use for health programs.

The authors say a tax could promote the consumption of no-calorie beverages such as water and encourage manufacturers to reformulate their products to lower sugar thresholds. Also, revenue from these taxes “would be considerable and could be used to help support childhood nutrition programs, obesity-prevention programs, or health care for the uninsured or to help meet general revenue needs.”

See report in New England Journal of Medicine.

Childhood obesity: new parent resource features tips and inspirational stories thanks to the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation

2009-10-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

“Be Well," a new book from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, features more than 75 tips from moms on tough topics like cutting down screen time, getting kids to eat more vegetables and increasing physical activity. "Be Well" is available (in English and Spanish) at low or no cost online and through local schools and community centers.

Partnerships Unites for Health Children

2009-09-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

When the Texas legislature passed HB 3 last spring they overhauled what courses are and are not required to graduate from a Texas High School. Among the changes are a reduction in Physical Education and the elimination of Health.

The State Board of Education has been left to sort through the massive new law and decide how it should be implemented. Click here to tell SBOE members to keep PE and Health in our schools!

Worst Fast Food Cities

2009-09-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

Men’s Health just released a story on the Worst Fast Food Cities in America. They took a look at the number of fast food chains in a city per capita, then factored in how many people visit fast food restaurants, then they looked at how many people consumed fast food seven or more times a month.

Unfortunately Texas was well represented on the list including nabbing the #1 spot. Take a look:

1. Arlington, Texas F
16. San Antonio, Texas D-
17. Fort Worth, Texas D-
22. Houston, Texas D-
30. Corpus Christi, Texas D
37. Dallas, Texas D+
39. El Paso, Texas D+
50. Austin, Texas C-
57. Lubbock, Texas C

Check out the story here: http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100244148>1=31036

How often do you eat fast food? Do you have any tips for avoiding them and/or eating healthy choices there?

Conroe Goes Smoke-Free, Waco Might Be Next

2009-08-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

Earlier today the Conroe City Council voted in favor of going smoke-free! The ordinance that was passed unanimously will include all bars and restaurants and will give protection to thousands of workers, residents, and visitors of the community just north of Houston.

This is a big victory especially considering that just a few weeks ago all of the proposed ordinances included loopholes for many bars and restaurants. With the help of You’re the Cure volunteers in the area we were able to educate the City Council on the benefits of making all workplaces smoke-free. The Council heard our message and voted in favor up public health and workplace health!

Yesterday the Smoke-Free Waco coalition held a rally in front of City Hall to urge decision makers to make Waco the next smoke-free city.

The crowd heard from AHA Board Member and You’re the Cure advocate Jennifer Jenkins:

“Yet numerous studies of objective data, like sales tax receipts, show that going smoke-free does not adversely impact the hospitality industry; in fact, these businesses ultimately save money on health care costs, insurance, cleaning and other indirect costs of secondhand smoke.”

Do you live in a smoke-free city? If so, for how long and how are you enjoying it?

Support Smoke-Free Waco!

2009-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning the Smoke-Free Coalition will meet in front of City Hall for a press conference asking the city council to make all workplaces smoke-free. If you are in the Waco area and would like to show your support please attend the event!

It is open to the public and your presence will help demonstrate the support that smoke-free air has:

When: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 25
Where: Waco City Hall, 300 Austin Street

Right now we are trying to raise awareness and educate council members on this important issue. Stay tuned on further developments from Waco and how you can help.

PE & Health In Limbo As a Result of HB 3

2009-08-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

This past session one of the issues that has made the most noise and will have a lasting impact on public schools this fall is the elimination of health education. House Bill 3 by State Rep. Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands) and State Senator Florence Shapiro was a piece of legislation that was over 200 plus pages. This piece of legislation addressed the accountability of schools for the education of Texas students. One small section made a major difference in the balanced education of Texas students and will impact the struggle we continue to address with childhood obesity.

The bill included language to change the high school graduation requirements from 1.5 credits of physical education to 1.0 credits of physical education. At first there were no more requirements for physical education but thanks to the advocacy efforts of the American Heart Association and action by the You’re the Cure network we were able to restore at least 1.0 credits of physical education. Unfortunately, HB 3 also eliminated the health education requirement of 0.5 credits. Fine arts graduation requirement was expanded from 0.5 to 1.0 credit. The implementation of this graduation plan is to begin with the 2009-10 school year.

School districts may still set the requirements for high school graduation that they want their students to achieve. A district may require their students to take the number of credits of physical education and health education their school board and community want them to take. The state requirement is a minimum standard. School districts may require more for their students.

Currently there are still some regulatory efforts that are under consideration at the Texas State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency that the Advocacy Department will be addressing. Stay tuned as we unveil our Advocacy efforts at the regulatory level over the next few weeks to try and salvage what is left of physical and health education.

Former CEO speaks about obesity problem to educators

2009-08-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Former AHA CEO Cass Wheeler recently spoke to a group of high school PE teachers, coaches, and health educators at a Round Rock high school. His message was that they could help shape today's generation of youngsters and create healthier children. With a new state law that governs how much PE and Health is required for high school graduation teachers are preparing for the upcoming school year.

Here is Cass talking to the group of teachers:

Obesity remains No. 1 health problem for kids in 2009

2009-08-21T12:07:00.001-07:00

Childhood obesity outranks all other health problems as the No. 1 health concern for children in the United States, topping drug abuse, smoking and bullying, according to a report by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

This is the first survey year in which obesity tops the list for Hispanics, blacks and whites. In the 2008 survey, childhood obesity was ranked 6th by Hispanics and 3rd by blacks as the biggest child health problem.

Kids and parents are encouraged to visit the Alliance for a Healthier Generation website for fun information and easy ways to improve your health.

But what do you think we can do to get kids more active?

Alliance recognized by CDC

2009-08-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

Speaking of the Alliance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized the Alliance for a Healthier Generation with its “Pioneering Innovation Award” for advancing policies and environmental strategies to prevent and control obesity.

The award was presented July 29 at the CDC’s “Weight of the Nation” Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Alliance was founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation to reduce childhood obesity by 2015 and empower children to make healthy lifestyle choices. The Alliance works to positively affect places that can make a difference in a child's health: homes, schools, restaurants, doctor's offices and communities.

Legislators Embark on their Homework Assignments

2009-08-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

Now that the Texas Legislature has had a few months off and will more than likely not return until the 82nd Legislature in 2011, lawmakers will be receiving their homework assignments or “interim charges” over the next few months. This is a critical time for lawmakers, staff, regulatory players, and stakeholders to develop policy initiatives, study them, and provide reports and recommendations for the 82nd Legislature to consider.

The American Heart Association Advocacy team has been meeting with key offices and providing input on issues related to obesity, stroke, health disparities, and tobacco as interim charges are considered in both the House and the Senate. This means committee hearings will gear up soon and our volunteers will be testifying and meeting with lawmakers. Additionally, our grassroots network will be using this opportunity educate staff and lawmakers about our public health policies on these issues. Once these committees have the chance to discuss the various public health issues their committees will vote on recommendations to submit to the 82nd Legislature which will then turn in bills, budget request, and regulatory recommendation that our Advocacy staff will constantly monitor.

Stay tuned as alerts will begin in the next few weeks to lay the ground work for the 82nd Legislature.

Galveston Passes Strong Smoke-Free Law!

2009-07-24T11:46:00.002-07:00

Last night, the Galveston City Council approved a smoke-free measure that will protect workers, residents and visitors from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

The new law makes every Galveston workplace smoke-free including restaurants, bars and private clubs.

The law will take effect January 1 as Galveston is will be among the 30 other Texas cities that enjoy smoke-free workplaces. Thanks to all the volunteers who called, emailed and testified in favor of this issue!

The Legislature Has Gone Home…Now What?

2009-07-24T11:46:00.001-07:00

The 1st Called Session of the 81st Legislature lasted less than 48 hours and legislators should not have a reason to return to the Capitol until January 2011. The American Heart Association’s Advocacy team monitored the proceedings to ensure there were not any pieces of legislation impacting heart disease and stroke. Now that the legislative sessions are behind us, it is now time to get to work on implementing the successes of the past session.

Advocacy staff is already working with the Texas Education Agency regarding the implementation of Senate Bill 891 which defines physical education in all public schools. Additionally, Advocacy staff is working with the Texas Department of State Health Services to implement and utilize the recently secured $1 million dollars for the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke. Discussions are underway with AHA volunteers on the Council, agency staff and AHA staff on cardiovascular disease and stroke programs that may be impacted by these funds.

Both the funding and the new Physical Education definition become effective September 1, 2009 so we have our work cut out for us. As we go through the regulatory process there will be plenty of opportunity for you, our volunteers and champions, to engage these legislative and regulatory leaders. Thanks to your efforts, the American Heart Association has made significant strides to impact heart disease and stroke with these two key legislative victories.

Stay tuned for continued updates and again, thank you for making these successes possible!

Smoke Free Texas Update

2009-07-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

As the summer months continue to provide us plenty of Texas warm weather, the Texas Advocacy staff continues the effort to ensure more Texans are covered by a comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinance.

The Smoke Free Texas Coalition is reenergizing and coalition members such as the American Heart Association will be working on local ordinances throughout Texas to ensure our voices are heard and elected officials are well versed on what a strong law looks like.

Additionally, we will begin legislative visits with members of the Texas House and Senate over the next few months and will be calling upon you to join us at these visits, town hall meetings, and other events to raise awareness about the impacts of second hand smoke on cardiovascular disease.

Thank you for your continued support and if you should have any questions regarding Smoke Free Texas please contact Joel Romo at joel.romo@heart.org

Congress Moves Closer to Increasing Funding for NIH research.

2009-07-24T11:44:00.000-07:00

In July a Congressional subcommittee approved a 3.1% increase in research for the National Institute of Health. In a statement AHA President Clyde Yancy, M.D. commended the committee for their work:

“This increase, during these tough economic times, demonstrates a renewed national commitment to sustained and predictable funding growth for biomedical research. We urge the committee to maintain stable funding for 2011 when the temporary resources from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expire,” Yancy said

.…more

What Moves U Challenge receives health information award

2009-07-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

The What Moves U Challenge – a joint program of the American Heart Association and National Football League – has been honored with a National Health Information Award. The awards recognize the nation’s best consumer health information programs and materials.

The What Moves U Challenge received a Silver Award in the “Total Health Information Program” category. It was chosen from more than 1,000 entries judged by a national panel of health information experts.

The awards program is coordinated by the Health Information Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for consumer health information programs and materials.

Adult obesity rose in 23 states last year

2009-07-24T11:41:00.001-07:00

Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states last year, and didn’t decline in any, according to a new report by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

According to the report:

· Mississippi had the highest obesity rate, 32.5 percent, for the fifth year in a row
· Texas is the 14th most obese at 27.9% for adults.
· The childhood obesity rate is higher at 32.2% which ranks 20th among all states.

According to the report, “F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009,” obesity-related costs to Medicare and Medicaid are likely to grow significantly as the Baby Boomer generation ages, because of the large number of people in this population, the high rate of obesity and obesity’s negative health impact.

See F as in Fat 2009.

American Heart Association & Smoke Free Texas Recognized for Smoke Free Efforts

2009-06-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

American’s For Non-Smoker’s Rights (ANR) recently recognized Texas as being the third leading state in the country for the number of strong, local smoke free laws enacted in 2008. The American Heart Association Advocacy team received the award on behalf of Smoke Free Texas and other stakeholders and volunteers that helped on the numerous local ordinances throughout the state and the statewide effort this past 81st Regular Session.

ANR presented the national award during their Smoke Free Monte Carlo Night Fundraiser and Clean Indoor Air Awards Ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona in an effort to raise awareness about smoke free efforts in the casino and gaming industry and highlight the smoke free efforts throughout the United States. Texas had numerous municipalities go smoke free last year such as Nacogdoches, Tyler, Dallas and Flower Mound that led to this distinguished recognition, and thanks to all those members of the You’re the Cure network that helped Texas earn this recognition.

Additionally, as Smoke Free Texas worked diligently to enact a comprehensive smoke free workplace law in Texas, the coalition stayed united to defeat any efforts to weaken any existing laws or ordinances as well as did not accept a weak smoke free law as a consolation prize this past session. The American Heart Association will continue working with the Smoke Free Texas Coalition to enact comprehensive smoke free ordinances throughout Texas and lay the groundwork to ensure a victory at the Texas Legislature during the next Regular Session in 2011.

American Heart Association 81st Session Legislative Successes Benefit All Texans

2009-06-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

AUSTIN, Texas – “Thanks to numerous proposals advocated during the 81st Regular Session by the American Heart Association, all Texans will benefit from legislation and funding proposals providing for longer and healthier lives”— Dr. Amit Khera, Co-Chair of the Texas State Advocacy Committee.

During the Texas legislative session just completed, AHA advocacy efforts led to multiple successes impacting the health of the state:

Childhood Physical Education: “Texas has the unfortunate pleasure of having a greater prevalence of childhood obesity than many other states and current projections suggest that by 2040, 75% of Texas children will be overweight,” stated Khera. State Senator Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville) and State Representative Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands) led the effort to establish a standard definition of physical education that applies to all public school physical education curriculum and to address student-to-teacher ratios in physical education classes. “Senate Bill 891 creates a definition that will establish more meaningful and cognitive physical education curriculum and will help reduce these alarming statistics,” stated Khera. Additionally, Senate Bill 891 was amended to include students enrolled in full-day pre-kindergarten and also suggests language for a 45:1 student to teacher ratio to the extent practical.

Early Childhood Nutrition/Fitness: The health of Texas school children was also addressed as the American Heart Association lobbied for the passage of Senate Bill 282 and Senate Bill 283 by Senator Nelson. Currently there are no nutritional standards or educational efforts for early childhood education settings or community and faith-based childcare settings. Seventy percent of overweight children will become overweight adults. Senate Bill 282 requires the Texas Department of Agriculture to develop two nutrition-related grant programs and authorizes the department to develop a nutrition outreach program.Senate Bill 283 enhanced the responsibility of existing school health advisory councils by requiring the designation of a chair or co-chair, at least one formal meeting a year, and a written report to be submitted to the school board of trustees annually.-more-Another effort to impact childhood obesity was the enactment of Senate Bill 395 by State Senator Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville) and State Representative Eddie Lucio, III (D-San Benito). This legislation creates a seven-member Early Childhood Health and Nutrition Interagency Council to develop an early childhood nutrition and physical education plan with a recommended timeline for implementation over a six-year period. The council is required to study existing nutrition and physical education programs and requirements in early childhood settings and to consult with key stakeholders to identify barriers to improving related standards.

Heart Disease/Stroke Funding: The American Heart Association was also able to secure funding in the amount of $5.7 million from the state’s $182 billion 2010-2011 budget. $1 million was secured for the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke which may be used for prevention and treatment projects relating to heart disease and stroke. Additionally, $4.7 million was secured for the Texas Department of State Health Services for Chronic Disease for local community prevention and health promotion interventions for obesity.

Health Insurance Assistance: The AHA also led the fight to help the uninsured by advocating on behalf of House Bill 2064 by State Rep. John Smithee (R-Amarillo) and State Senator Kip Averitt (R-Waco). House Bill 2064 provided rate assistance for individuals qualifying for coverage by the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool (THIRP) but whose income makes THIRP coverage unaffordable. The Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool was created as a safety net for the medically uninsurable, who are unable to get health coverage through commercial insurers but able to afford the risk pool’s premiums.

Comprehensive Smoking Ban: Unfortunately, the single most impactful piece of legislation, Senate Bill 544/House Bill 5 by State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) and State Representative Myra Crownover (R-Denton) which would have eliminated exposure to second-hand smoke in all public work places failed this session. “The fight for smoke-free air is over for this session, but our commitment to the health of Texans isn’t,” said Dr. Khera. “We will continue to work with local communities across the state to expand upon the nearly 30 that have passed comprehensive ordinances to prohibit dangerous secondhand smoke. And in 2011, we will again ask our state leaders to step up to the plate and put Texas into the league of smoke-free states,” stated Khera.

Smoke Free Texas Initiative Far From Snuffed

2009-05-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

American Heart Association, Coalition partners to continue fight for public health

AUSTIN, Texas – A comprehensive bill to ban smoking in all indoor workplaces may be dead for the 81st Texas legislative session, but officials of Smoke Free Texas vow the fight to protect public health will continue.

On behalf of Smoke Free Texas, a coalition of public health organizations, the American Heart Association has placed a billboard within the Texas Capitol’s shadow at 3rd and Congress. The billboard reminds lawmakers that according to a recent poll funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Heart Association, 68% of Texans still support prohibiting smoking in all indoor work and public places, including restaurants and bars.

Senate Bill 544, authored by Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) passed through the Health and Human Services Committee, but Tuesday fell just short of the two-thirds vote needed to garner a full hearing in the Texas Senate. HB 5, authored by Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Denton) was also passed out of committee but the House was awaiting Senate action first. Similar legislation also failed to pass in the Texas Legislature last session.

Ellis and Crownover said they are likely to introduce the measure again during the next legislative session in two years. And American Heart Association officials say the billboard will serve as a reminder to lawmakers that there is unfinished business when the session ends later this month.

“The fight for smoke-free air is over for this session, but our commitment to the health of Texans isn’t,” said Joel Romo, Regional VP of Advocacy for the American Heart Association South Central Affiliate. “We will continue to work with local communities across the state to expand upon the nearly 30 that have passed comprehensive ordinances to prohibit dangerous secondhand smoke.”

“And in 2011, we will again ask our state leaders to step up to the plate and put Texas into the league of smoke-free states, soon to be 27 strong,” Romo said.

Last week, state lawmakers in Wisconsin and North Carolina passed smoke-free legislation, and the Governors in both states have indicated they will sign the bills into law.

Secondhand smoke kills 53,000 non-smoking Americans annually and is a known cause of heart disease, lung cancer, low birth weight, chronic lung ailments and other health problems. A 2006 report by the U.S. Surgeon General – the most comprehensive scientific report ever produced on the health impact of secondhand smoke – concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

SFT - Not this Year

2009-05-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

I am sad to announce that our efforts to remove smoking from all workplaces in the state will not succeed this year. After a long and hard fight it became clear that we were 1 or 2 votes shy of being able to bring SB 544 up for a debate in the Senate. I am proud of the work put in by AHA and our coalition partners to move this issue forward. I am also incredibly grateful for the level of support shown by our You're the Cure advocates on this issue.

With over 81 co-sponsors in the House and over a majority of the Senate in favor we have made significant progress in educating members and securing their support. We will continue to work on passing smoke-free laws in communities throughout Texas to further protect individuals from secondhand smoke and reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke. Thanks again for all your help on this issue.

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator

Back Again

2009-05-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

1:119 We're back again keeping an eye on the Texas Senate. And I've got an update...a vote could happen today...or it couldn't. We really don't know right now. Stay tuned and we'll let you know if SB 544 will be heard today.

Smoke Free Debate...Could Be Soon!

2009-05-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

2:58 Like within minutes

3:00 Or maybe not. Lt. Gov said his desk was clear meaining no more bills will be heard today. Waiting for clarification

3: 03 Senate has adjourned for the day. See ya tommorrow at 11 am...

Smoke-Free Update

2009-05-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

We were hoping and half expecting the Senate to hear debate and vote on the Smoke-Free bill today. However, the Senate has just adjourned for the day and will return on Monday at 11 am.

We need to continue to hit (not literally or anything) Texas Senators over the weekend and demand they vote on Smoke-Free Texas. Visit http://www.smokefreetexasnow.org/ to send your message today!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator

Breaking News: Senate Committee Passes Strong Smoke-Free Bill

2009-05-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

I am happy to report that a strong smoke-free proposal has just been approved by a Senate committee, meaning we are still alive in the fight for clean air! After a House committee passed a weaker version last week this is an important step as we head towards the last three weeks of the legislative session.

Watch the committee vote on it below.

These bills will now head to the full House and Senate for a vote. If you haven’t already click here to tell your elected officials to pass a strong smoke-free law that will protect the whole state.

Today the Dallas Morning News ran a story on the impact that Big Tobacco is having on this issue. Over the last several months the tobacco industry has poured in between $1.2 and $2.4 million and is employing 40 lobbyists to fight common sense measures like smoke-free workplaces. Read the full story here.

Please don’t let the tobacco lobby set public policy in Texas. Click here to take action and make Texas the next smoke-free state!

Nobody said fighting Big Tobacco would be easy….

2009-05-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

…And its not!

It’s a fight that has been going on for decades and never seems to get any easier. Despite numerous “wins” at the local, state, and federal levels it is always a struggle to trump the big money and big influence that big tobacco always has.

In Texas the tobacco industry has pumped in between $1.2 million and $2.4 million in the last 5 months according to reports form the Texas Ethics Commission compiled by the Dallas Morning News. They have retained 40 lobbyists to defeat Smoke-Free Texas.

With around three weeks left in the legislative session we need to show lawmakers the type of support smoke-free air really has. Visit our “action site” at www.SmokeFreeTexasNow.org and let your voice be heard! We can counter Big Tobacco but only if all of us stand up and work together.

Smoke-Free Texas On Life Support...Help Us Revive It

2009-05-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Our Smoke-Free bill is on life support, but you can help give it a new life. The good news is that the smoke-free proposal has been passed by a House committee. The bad news is that it contains many weakening changes. We need your help to change the bill and restore it to its original intent.

Click here to tell your lawmaker to amend HB 5!

You’ve helped us get this far, now is not the time to turn back. It is still possible to pass a strong law by amending it on the House and Senate floor, but the clock is ticking.

The current version of HB 5 is unacceptable in several ways including:

-It would provide a loophole to many businesses including most bars. Hospitality and bar workers who work in smoky environments are 50% more likely to get heart disease or lung cancer than those who work in smoke-free environments. These workers would be left out!

-It wouldn’t cover counties with a population less than 115,000. Why should workers in Dallas, Houston, and Austin be protected but not those in smaller communities? 226 counties and 5.3 million people would be left out!

-It wouldn’t allow local communities to strengthen their own city ordinances. We believe in a statewide law that would give basic protection to workers, but feel local communities have a right to pass stronger laws. This would prohibit cities from doing just that.

Please tell your lawmaker to amend HB 5 and make all of Texas Smoke-Free, not just some of it. Go to www.SmokeFreeTexasNow.org to take action and share that site with friends and family.

Sincerely,

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator

Heart Disease and Stroke. You’re the Cure.

Smoke-Free Hearing....Later Today

2009-04-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

Just waiting on the House of Representatives to wrap up so the State Affairs Committee can meet and have a hearing on Smoke-Free Texas. We just wrapped up a great press conference and I can really feel the momentum building. Stay tuned....

5:37 The House wrapped up around 5:15 so the State Affairs Committee should be getting started anytime time. Members are filing in and taking their seats.

5:40 Chairman Solomons calls the committee to order....

5:46 House Author Myra Crownover lays out her bill. HB 5 Smoke-Free Texas. "This is about protecting the workers in the state of Texas..."

5:55 Retired AHA CEO Cass Wheeler is now addressing the committee. "Passing this bill will reduce heart disease and reduce health care costs.

5:59 A restaurant owner from Amarillo is speaking against the bill saying its a personal rights issue, not a health issue.

State Rep Lucio counters by saying when people smoke indoors, they are imposing their choice on others.

6:06 Austin restaurant owner Bick Brown testifies in favor or smoke-free Texas. He made the decision to go smoke-free on his own, and called it one of the best business decision he's made. It has been beneficial for his customers and employees.

6:11 A bartender and college student from College Stations says she only had limited job options and bartending was one of them. College Station was not smoke-free when she began but now, wouldn't have it any other way. "Smoke-free laws don't hinder rights, they enable them. I now have the right to work in a healthy environment"

6:19 Former El Paso City Councilmember talks about when he helped pass the ordinance in El Paso. He said at first he was not supportive, then he studied the issue. He looked at the data on secondhand smoke and the data on bar and restaurant revenue. "I wanted to be on the right side of the issue even if I wasn't on the winning side, and that's why I supported it"

6:36 Flower Mound Mayor testifies in favor of smoke-free Texas talking about passing her ordinance. "We want to keep big government out of Flower Mound, but this is a smart law that is good for public health"

6:56 Former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd is now testifing for smoke-free air. He was Mayor when Austin passed its first ordinance, just covering restaurants. He said most business owners opposed it at first, now they love it. Later the Austin citizens, not the city goverment, approved an even stronger ordinance covering bars and other workplaces.

7:07 They are going back and forth allowing one person to speak in favor of the bill, then one person against it.

7:10 Dr. Phil Huang is now testifying for the bill. He is now the Travis County Medical Director but was the former Preventive Medicine Specialist at Texas Department Of Health.

Even limited exposure to secondhand has an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system.

7:27 We are mostly hearing from the opposition now. Tobacco shop owners and cigar bar owners.

7:48 Testimony continues and the arguments the same. Basically it boils down to this: We believe all workers deserve smoke-free. Opponents believe the rights of smokers, to smoke in indoor workplaces, outweighs all other rights.

7:52 I personally think that the committee is getting tired of hearing from the tobacco industry on this issue. Especially considering the long history of Big Tobacco to lie and mislead consumers, the general public and Congress on the health impact of their product.

8:06 Testimony on Smoke-Free Texas has concluded. House Author Myra Crownover is now providing closing remarks on her bill.

8:16 Smoke-Free bill has been left pending. Now we have two identical bills in a House Committee and a Senate Committee that need to be voted on. Go to www.SmokeFreeTexasNOW.org to tell your lawmakers to support Smoke-Free Texas.

Smoke-Free Texas Press Conference

2009-04-28T12:57:00.001-07:00

3:00 pm A press conference to release the results of our online petition is about to begin. The AHA and Smoke-Free Texas coalition collected almost 10,000 signatures in just two days in support of smoke-free air.

Native Texan and Former AHA CEO Cass Wheeler (pictured above) will emcee the press conference.

3:10 Cass opens the press conference. "We set an ambitious goal of 5,000 signatures, but underestimated the widespread support for smoke-free air and nearly doubled our goal with close to 10,000 signatures..."

3:15 Cass introduces Senate author Rodney Ellis. "In a year or two after we pass this bill we will be asking ourselves what were we smoking for this to take so long"

3:26 Hyde Park Bar and Grill owner Bick Brown is now speaking. His establishment went smoke-free before he was required to. Said his decision was made when a long time employee came to him and said, "I shouldn't have to risk my health to work for you".

3:28 Flower Mound Mayor talks about passing a strong smoke-free ordinance a few months ago. "After four months I'm getting calls from restaurant owners who opposed the ordinance saying 'Thank You' for passing this ordinance."

3:32 Cass is back at the podium.

"This is not about Republicans, it is not about Democrats, and its not about politics. This is about public health and saving lives. Let's get these bills out of the political process and into the public health process and let's save those lives."

You're the Cure on the Hill 2009

2009-04-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

This was my 4th year to attend as a staff member for the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure on the Hill National Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. It has always been an enjoyable experience, but this year was probably the most memorable yet. For a number of reasons, I felt the advocates from Texas really had a meaningful impact on furthering our policy initiatives. We had a group of around nine advocates and staff that touched all 34 offices in the Texas delegation including 32 Congressional offices and two Senate offices. Some of our volunteers included Dr. Clyde Yancy, incoming President of the AHA, Dr. Amit Khera, M.D., preventative cardiologist, UT Southwestern, and Connie Kerr, seasoned advocate from Arlington, Texas. We had over 15 meetings with congressional members and staff and really got our core “messages” out.

Our messages included increasing NIH funding for research and education, CDC funding for prevention including a $74 million ask for our Heart and Stroke Prevention program, a $37 million ask for our Heart for Women Act and a formal request to sign a letter to the President requesting the same. We also had a general request for health care reform by providing more accessible, affordable and higher quality care than is currently being provided in this country.

In addition to the wonderful visits we had on Capitol Hill, Dr. Khera and I had the privilege of being invited to present at a breakout session on Monday afternoon and spoke about how the American Heart Association’s national policy priorities are used to create statewide legislative priorities, agendas and implementation. I gave the staff’s perspective and Dr. Khera gave the volunteer’s perspective.

I found this Lobby Day to be the most rewarding yet and it reminded me why the AHA’s mission of fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke is so important.

Douglas Dunsavage
Government Relations Director, AHA
Texas

Smoke-Free Hearing....Now!

2009-04-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

4:12 Dr. Phil Huang is now testifying on behalf of Smoke-Free Texas. He is speaking to the improvement of air quality seen in communities seen after smoke-free laws have been passed.

See the twitter updates on the right for updates on previous speakers.

4:20 Dallas County Medical Director John Carlo is up next. "Smoke-Free communities see an immediate and dramatic reduction in hospitalizations from heart attacks..."

4:24 Jeff Knisely is now speaking. Not only is he the Government Relations Director for the American Lung Associations but also a musician and performer. He is speaking to the burden put on live music performers forced to perform in smoke filled venues.

4:33 Comments from proponents of the SB 544 have concluded we are now hearing from the opposition.

4:35 I currently only see three of the nine senators that are on the committee. Eliot Shapleigh from El Paso, Joan Huffman from Houston and Robert Nichols from Jacksonville all appear present.

4:38 Chair Jane Nelson (Flower Mound) is now here. Thanks everyone for their testimony.

4:47 So far most of the opponents have been owners of tobaccos shops and cigar bars.

4:50 Senator Royce West, Dallas, is now present. Currently 5 of the 9 committee members are present.

5:00 Senator Carlos Uresti, San Antonio is now here.

5:15 Mostly business owners are testifying, fearful of losing business. It is important to note that all objective studies on smoke-free laws show no adverse economic impact to in cities and states where similar laws have been passed.

Only 19% of Texans are smokers so any potential loss of business could easily be made up by a larger percentage of the populace being more likely to visit your establishment.

5:25 Another argument against smoke-free workplaces, is the business rights angle. "the government shouldn't tell people how to run their businesses..." Opponents fail to mention the numerous safeguards that government puts on business to safeguard consumers. Things from food temperature to cleanliness of the restaurant are routinely regulated. And most people think those regulations are pretty good ideas.

5:40 Opponents continue to testify against SB 544. Most argue that it infringes on personal rights. They fail to point out we simply ask people to go outside when they smoke. Under current language in the bill smokers will be allowed to re-enter the establishment after they go outside.

5:45 Great testimony from a Tyler City Council member who talked about his experience about passing a comprehensive ordinance in Tyler last year. "We were open minded going into the process, but cam to the conclusion that it was primarily a health issue..."

6:04 Oral testimony has concluded. Nelson is reading those who submitted written testimony.

6: 07 Public testimony is over. The bill has been left pending, which means they will vote on it at a later date. The next time the Health and Human Services committee will meet is Thursday, so hopefully it will be passed then!

Visit http://www.smokefreetexasnow.org/ to tell your lawmakers to vote Yes on SB 544. Thanks!

Smoke-Free Hearing...Today!

2009-04-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

9:05 The Smoke-Free Texas bill will be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today, we just don't know exactly when. You can check back here throughout the day or watch live feeds from the capitol here: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/bin/live.php

The Committee is scheduled to meet at 9 so they should be begining any time now.

9:07 Committee Chair Jane Nelson brings committee to order. She mentions the Smoke-Free bill in her opening remarks saying that it likely won't be heard until after the full Senate adjourns this afternoon.

So the committee will meet from 9 am-11am then the full Senate will meet. We don't know exactly when it will be heard, but it will undoubtably be this afternoon, possibly around 4pm.

12:15 The Senate has been in session for a little over an hour. The Health and Human Services committee will return 30 minutes after the Senate adjourns.

12:42 The Senate has adjourned and the Health and Human Services committee will resume at 1:30 pm.

1:34 The Health and Human Services Committee has returned. Our Smoke-Free Bill will be the 10th item on the agenda.

Smoke-Free Hearing Set for Tuesday

2009-04-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

A hearing has been set for the Smoke-Free Texas bill that will eliminate smoking from all workplaces. This is the first major step on the road towards smoke-free air. The hearing will be next Tuesday, April 14 in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Once it is passed (cross your fingers) it will go to the full senate for a vote. Click here to tell your Senator to support Smoke-Free Texas!

Delay Tactics Fail in Dallas

2009-04-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

Public Health Trumps Big Tobacco!

Efforts to delay the Dallas smoke-free ordinance from going into effect failed today at City Hall. While the new ordinance was scheduled to go into effect April 10, opponents wanted to push back the start date. But the council voted against the delay and now on Friday all Dallas workplaces will be non smoking including all restaurants and bars.

"Smoke-Free air cannot wait any longer" said Dr. Amit Khera, Dallas resident and Co-Chair of AHA's State Advocacy Committee. "Secondhand smoke is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and now all Dallas workers and residents will get the smoke-free air they deserve."

We thank all of the You're the Cure advocates who took action on this issue and told Dallas officials that Smoke-Free air couldn't wait. If you want to help make Texas smoke-free please visit http://www.smokefreetexasnow.org/ and take action today! All Texans should have the right to smoke-free air that is currently enjoyed by close to 30 Texas cities and 25 U.S. States.

Committee Hearing on PE Bill

2009-03-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

9:09 The Senate Education Committee is taking testimony on SB 891 - which will improve physical education in Texas.

9:16 American Heart Association volunteer Kenny Taylor is now testifying in favor of this bill. "Only half of adolescents engage in daily physical activity and only 25% report daily physical education.....we are raising perhaps the least active and most unhealthy generation of Americans."

9:23 SB 891 has been passed by the Senate Education Committee by a vote of 5-0!! It will now head to the full Senate a vote.

Press Conference Pics!

2009-03-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

Press Conference emcee and Youth Advocate Nina Yancy at the podium

Season 6 winner of NBC's The Biggest Loser-Michelle Aguilar talking about the importance of quality physical education

Authors of the PE bill: St. Rep. Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock) and St. Senator Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville)

Click here to see video footage of the Press Conference as reported by the Austin American Statesman.

Texas Physical Education Press Conference

2009-03-18T10:29:00.001-07:00

Michelle Aguilar, winner of the Biggest Loser,

as she addresss a group of supporters at the AHA Youth Lobby Day.

Below are updates from today's PE Press Conference and Youth Lobby Day. Our special guest is Michelle Aguilar who was the winner of last year's Biggest Loser.

12:25 Rep. Maldonado being introduced and the Hot Shot Jump Rope team.

12:15 Michelle just wrapped. Nina, 18 year old youth is thanking her. Introducing Rep Eissler and Sen Nelson.

12:00 Michelle now speaking about The Biggest Loser. Kids are jump roping behind her.

11:55 Presser underway. Nina Yancy mc and Paul Carozza speaking now.

10:00am Michelle Aguilar is with Senator Nelson. Getting ready to be recognized on the TX Senate floor. #ahalobbytx

9:00am With Michelle Aguilar winner of The Biggest Loser as we get ready to lobby the TX legislature on PE in schools. Presser @ noon. #ahalobbytx

Session Update: Advocacy in Action

2009-03-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

The Texas Legislature is in full swing with committees at work addressing thousands of pieces of legislation. There are less than 90 days left in this session and we need your continued support if we want to build healthier lives free of heart disease and stroke.

Here is an update on the issues we have been working on:

Smoke-Free Texas -- HB 5/SB 544

What it Does: Will eliminate secondhand smoke in all workplaces in the state.

Where the Bill Is: It has been referred to committees in both chambers and we are awaiting a public hearing.

What can I do? Take action today and tell your lawmakers to vote YES to smoke-free Texas.

Strengthening Physical Education Texas -- SB 891

What it Does: Defines physical education in Texas so all students receive quality PE courses.

Where the Bill Is: It is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Public Education committee.

What can I do? Take action today and tell your Senator to vote Yes to strengthening PE standards in Texas.

Funding for the Future

The American Heart Association is also seeking close to $15 million dollars in new funding for various cardiovascular disease and stroke programs. These programs range from the Texas Stroke Act and the Texas Rural Emergency Dispatch program to tobacco prevention programs and obesity awareness and initiatives.

Funding these various initiatives would reduce the number of deaths related to cardiovascular disease and stroke and provide for a healthier Texas. Currently both the House and Senate are considering these budget request and AHA volunteers and staff are advocating for the funding of these initiatives.

With your help we can continue to make an impact in the fight against heart disease and stroke in Texas. Please take action on the issues above and stay tuned for more on AHA's efforts at the Capitol.

P.S. Be sure to sign up for You're the Cure at www.YouretheCure.org for email alerts on these issues.

Heart Disease and Stroke. You're the Cure.

Nelson wants PE classes beefed up

2009-03-04T08:38:00.000-08:00

State Senator Jane Nelson has filed multiple bill that will improve physical education in Texas schools--all of which are heavily supported by the American Heart Association. Please read the following Fort Worth Star Telegram article that talks about her plan to reduce childhood obesity in Texas. Click here for the article.

"Far too many of our youth are leading super-sized, sedentary lifestyles which put their lives in danger," Nelson said in a statement. "Unless we take action, an entire generation of Texans will live shorter lives than their parents."

Nelson, a former school teacher, has been a long time supporter of increased physical education in schools.

You're the Cure Advocates in Action

2009-02-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

Today, You’re the Cure Advocates from across Texas are in Austin to help advance the American Heart Association’s legislative agenda. There are over a dozen volunteers that will meet with key legislators on our priority issues like Smoke-Free Texas, improving physical education in schools, and increasing funding for prevention programs.

But, their presence alone isn’t enough. Lawmakers need to hear from you back home to amplify our message. All you have to do is click here to tell your lawmaker to support the AHA’s key issues. Here’s what else you can do:

1. When you click on the link to take action add a personal message on why preventing heart disease is important to you. Legislators need to hear from real people on the devastating affects of heart disease and stroke.

2. Become our friend on Facebook. Just go to http://www.facebook.com/ and search for the group or fan page “You’re the Cure – South Central Affiliate”

3. Follow us on Twitter; just search for YouretheCureTX and get up to the minute blurbs from the Capitol.

Check back soon for photos from today and commentary from volunteers and staff!

Sincerely,

Brian Bowser
American Heart Association

Heart Disease and Stroke. You’re the Cure.

South Central Affiliate
Brian Bowser-Grassroots Coordinator
512/433-7169
1700 Rutherford Ln.
Austin, TX 78754
Brian.Bowser@heart.org

Texas House Goes Red

2009-02-04T15:07:00.000-08:00

Today the Texas House of Representatives went red in recognition of our Go Red For Women movement. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America, but sadly too few women and men are aware of that fact.

We asked legislators to wear red to for all the women in their life. St. Reps Myra Crownover (R-Denton) and Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) authored a resolution to make Friday February 6 National Wear Red Day in Texas.

On Friday we encourage you to break out your favorite red blouse or red tie for the women in your life. Wearing red on Friday will say heart disease is a serious health threat to all women. But it will also say it is preventable through healthy eating, an active lifestyle, and access to quality health care.

Go to http://www.goredforwomen.org/ for more information.

Brian Bowser

Press Conference Pics

2009-01-29T11:05:00.001-08:00

View all the photos here and check out the commentary in the post below. Thanks to everyone that showed up both online and in person. What a great turnout and event. Stay tuned as we upload more photos from the event. Thanks!!

Brian Bowser

Grassroots Coordinator

Smoke-Free Texas Press Conference

2009-01-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone...we're just getting set up at the capitol. Here is a map of the U.S. based on who is smoke-free. We hope to put Texas in the green column in less than 5 months

Just to remind everyone Smoke-Free Texas is a coaltion of groups including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Texas Parent Teachers Association, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and many more. But, AHA is well represented today. Above is San Antonio Communications Director Sandy Levy, Austin Communications Director Glen Huschka, and Austin Executive Director Alison Young.

12:58 Suzanne Lozano, RN will emcee the press conference. Suzanne is a long time volunteer for the Heart Association has sat on the San Antonio Board of Directors and is currently a member of our State Advocacy Committee.

1:15 Suzanne takes the podium. "This is not about the legal right to smoke – it’s about workplace safety. And the scientific evidence is clear and unarguable – secondhand smoke is dangerous and deadly. "

1:19 State Represenative Myra Crownover (R-Denton) is up next. She is the bill author in the House and is highly committed to seeing HB 5 pass.

"House Bill 5 will save thousands of lives at no cost to business or to the State of Texas. In fact, it will save taxpayer money that the State is now spending on healthcare."

1:21 State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) is now speaking--he has authored the bill in the Senate. "Houston went smoke-free and the sky didn't fall..."

1:25 About 250 supporters have shown up on a chilly Austin afternoon. State Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) is now speaking. Nelson chairs the Health and Human Services committee, her support is huge!

1:27 Nelson introduces the man of the hour....Lance Armstrong. Lance jokingly remarks that he is going to quit racing and run for Gov in 2010...big laughs from the crowd. Having Lance's support is also huge.

1:45 Press Conference is a wrap. They are now headed to a press briefing to answer questions and go over poll results.

1:50 68% of Texans support smoke-free air for ALL workplaces including including bars and restaurants

1:55 72 percent believe the rights of customers and employees to breathe clean air is more important than rights of smokers.

A Special Invitation...

2009-01-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

Join us at the Texas Capitol for a special Smoke-Free Texas Press Conference. This Thursday we will unveil the results of a recent statewide poll. Join State Senator Rodney Ellis, State Representative Myra Crownover, and world class athlete and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong on the Capitol south steps. If you plan on attending remember to wear red!

Smoke-Free Texas Press Conference
Thursday, January 29, 2009
1 PM
South Steps of the Capitol

If you can't make it you can do two things:

1. Click here to send a message to your lawmakers and ask them to attend the Press Conference and support Smoke-Free Texas.

2. Join us here at 1 pm on Thursday as we blog on the event. Get live updates from the Texas Capitol as we kick off our Smoke-Free Texas campaign.

Passing the Smoke-Free Texas proposal would eliminate smoking in all worksites in the state. Secondhand smoke has proven to cause heart disease, cancer, and other serious health issues. No worker should be forced to choose between their health and a job. Thanks for helping reduce heart disease and stroke in Texas.

Email me with any quesitons or comments. Thanks!

Brian.Bowser@heart.org

SCHIP Needs Your Help

2009-01-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

The massively popular and successful State Children’s Health Insurance Program needs your help.

Right now is a very exciting time for our Advocacy Department. State legislatures are back in session and Congress is ready to move on one of our top legislative priorities. Before the new President even took office, the House of Representatives passed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2009, legislation that would continue to provide coverage to the more than 6.6 million already enrolled in the program and expand affordable coverage to an additional 4 million children. We need the Senate to quickly pass SCHIP as well, but we need your help.

With just a click of a button you can send your Senators an email asking for their support. The AHA makes it easy:

1) Click here: http://www.capitolconnect.com/yourethecure/fastaction.aspx?AlertID=11769
2) Add a personal message to the template email message provided.
3) If you are already a You're the Cure member, just enter your last name an email address to take action
4) If you are not a You're the Cure member, just complete the form with your contact information so the system can link you to your Senators.

Heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States, and stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in children. If passed the bill would ensure that children from low-income families who are born with these conditions are not denied the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives simply because their parents cannot afford health insurance. SCHIP also includes a state option to cover targeted low-income pregnant women through the program as a way to provide the essential prenatal care that can help reduce birth defects.

The Senate is expected to act as early as next week, so don’t delay and send your email message now!

Thank you for your support!

Help Improve PE in Texas

2009-01-23T15:37:00.000-08:00

With childhood obesity reaching epidemic proportions the time for action is now. The problem has many causes and it will take many different approaches to effectively solve it. Parents, teachers, schools, children, lawmakers, and others all need to be accountable. A report released by State Comptroller Susan Combs stated that obesity costs Texas businesses an estimated $3.3 billion due to health care costs, absenteeism, lost productivity, and disability. From a sheer business perspective we cannot afford to overlook this issue.

Obesity is of course a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, many forms of cancer and a host of other health problems. Most everyone agrees that it is imperative to stop obesity before it starts. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.

With the Texas Legislature back in session the American Heart Association will be supporting a bill that will improve physical education in the state. The bill will increase daily physical activity, require certified PE instructors, and strengthen PE requirements for students. Tell your lawmakers to support this and other AHA priorities during the 2009 Legislative Session

What Tyler, Dallas, and Corpus will mean for Smoke-Free Texas

2008-12-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

When looking at factors that will contribute to passing a statewide smoke-free bill next session I don’t think you can overstate the importance of local communities going smoke-free and “paving the way” so to speak. Cities like Tyler, Dallas, and Corpus Christi have all passed comprehensive smoking ordinances since the Texas Legislature adjourned in May of 07. State lawmakers will return on January 13th and so will we in support of Smoke-Free Texas.

Local communities going smoke-free help a statewide movement in several key ways:

-Momentum
With two big cities going smoke-free including the second most populous in the state, we have great momentum heading into the legislative session. Just look at the effect Houston had when they went smoke-free just before the start of the 07 Session.

It was questionable whether a statewide smoke-free bill would even be filed. One strategy was to educate the public and lawmakers on the issue in 2007 and 2008 and then file legislation in 2009. Houston changed all of that. After their smoke-free ordinance passed not only was legislation filed, but it ended up garnering 60 co-authors getting passed out of committee, and getting passed by the House. It went on to pass a Senate committee before finally dying in the Senate before a vote could be taken.

-Socially Acceptable
When lots of cities go smoke-free, smoke-free laws become more socially acceptable and smoking indoors in public becomes less socially acceptable. Remember when you could smoke on airplanes?? Thankfully, that was outlawed years ago and now it would be unthinkable to light up in a plane.

Right now in many places it is still socially acceptable to smoke in bars and other worksites. One of our main obstacles is to change that "acceptability" factor.

-Less Drastic
Another way that cities going smoke-free will help our statewide effort is that it makes a statewide law less drastic. No lawmaker is in favor of “big government” or telling local communities what to do, so if only 5% of a state is smoke-free it will be tough to convince legislators to pass something that will cover the other 95%. Conversely, if 60-70% of a state is already covered it is easier to take a step that will cover everyone. Which brings me to my next point…..

-Unincorporated Areas
The more cities going smoke-free underscores the need for a statewide law because county governments can’t enact smoke-free laws. Simply put, this means that even if every city in the state goes smoke-free a significant amount of Texans will not be covered because many business fall outside of city limits in what is called “unincorporated areas”

The need for action by our state legislators is no more apparent than when discussing unincorporated areas. They are the only ones who can shore up the pockets of state that are unincorporated and unprotected.

-Level Playing Field
Another product of many cities going smoke-free is the appearance of an “un-level” playing field among business. Some cities have smoke-free laws while others do not. Some have strong comprehensive ordinances while others have less restrictive laws. As stated above unincorporated areas don’t have any smoke-free laws meaning a suburban community could be next door to a city with a strong ordinance.

What you have is a hodgepodge of different laws that can be confusing and hard to follow. We favor one simple law that will cover all worksites in the state.

Can you think of any other ways that Tyler, Dallas, and Corpus can help a statewide bill pass next year? Post any comments below....

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator
American Heart Association

Brian.Bowser@heart.org
512.433-7169

Corpus Christi Goes Smoke-Free!

2008-12-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

The Corpus Christi City Council just voted in favor of strengthening their smoke-free law to cover all workplaces! The measure passed by a 6-3 vote and will eliminate smoking in all bars, billiard halls, bingo halls, and other worksites.

With Dallas going smoke-free last week and Corpus Christi taking this step today we are well on our way towards making Texas Smoke-Free. Thanks to all of the You’re the Cure advocates who helped make this possible.

Breaking News....

2008-12-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

Dallas City Council passes comprehensive smoking ordinance!! Thanks to all of the You're the Cure advocates who made this possible. Final vote count: 10 in favor 5 in opposition.

Other details on the ordinance:

-The Smoke-Free law will cover all restaurants, bars, billiard rooms, bingo halls, and other entertainment venues.
-No smoking will be allowed within 15 feet of an entrance
-The law will go into effect on April 10
-The only establishments that were excluded from the law are tobacco shops and cigar bars generating at least 15% of revenue from the sale of tobacco or tobacco related products.

Live From City Hall

2008-12-10T09:41:00.000-08:00

11:30 am The Dallas City Council is currently debating strengthening the current local ordinance. There was discussion on whether to delay the vote. There was a motion, but it failed.

Stay tuned for more details...

Currently, those individuals opposing the smoke-free ordinance are speaking. Each side will have 12 minutes.

12:12 pm A motion was considered to allow both sides 5 extra minutes to speak. The motion passed.

12:34 pm Those in favor of smoke-free Dallas are now speaking. American Heart Association volunteer and co-chair of our State Advocacy Committee Dr. Amit Khera is first at the podium.

1:10 pm Comments from the general public have concluded. Now each council member will comment on the ordinance. Discussion on proposed amendments will follow.

1:30 pm Discussion is still underway. We've made it easy for our volunteers and staff to stay involved today. Boxed lunches are available in the common areas and many of us are sharing lap tops to stay connected. (posted by Terri Broussard on behalf of Brian Bowser)

1:40 pm Many of us from Austin are scheduled for a 2:30pm flight out. We expected the vote have wrapped by now. We're trying to rebook our flights. I'm amazed at the number of AHA National Center Staff that are still here. The support has been overwhelming and we are grateful for their participation. (posted by Terri Broussard on behalf of Brian Bowser)

2:00 pm We believe from a statement by a council member that we just gained one YES vote. However, the council is still going at it strong and each council member is making a statement. (posted by Terri Broussard on behalf of Brian Bowser)

2:01 pm It sounds like they are about to vote on an amendment to grandfather in pool halls (and make them exempt from a smoke-free law), as well as prohibit smoking in cars if a child is a passenger. (posted by Terri Broussard on behalf of Brian Bowser)

Now is the Time

2008-12-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

The Dallas City Council just concluded a briefing on strengthening its smoke-free law to include all workplaces. It is clear that while there is support from many council members, not all are convinced that now is the time to make Dallas Smoke-Free.

We need to make it clear that there is no better time to protect workers, reduce heart disease and build healthier lives than right now! Please go to http://www.SmokeFreeTexasNOW.org/ and tell the Dallas City Council to clear the air.

The Council announced it would take a vote next Wednesday, December 10th. We only have one week to convince the remaining members to make Dallas Smoke-Free. If you live in Dallas please take action today at the site above. If you live outside of Dallas, please forward the url above to friends, family, and colleagues in Dallas.

Now is the time!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator
American Heart Association
512.433-7169
Brian.Bowser@heart.org

Smoke-Free Dallas Racks Up the Endorsements

2008-12-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

The Smoke-Free Dallas campaign continues gain endorsements. Last week the Dallas Morning News wrote another editorial on the benefits of smoke-free air. This is at least the third in the last few months:

“The Dallas City Council's proposal to ban smoking in bars and pool halls is entirely consistent with its public-health obligations. It's also common sense.

Click here for the full story.

And today Lance Armstrong wrote an Op-Ed that appeared in the DMN:

“The Dallas City Council has a great opportunity to make a major advance against cancer this fall, and I am honored to add my voice to the many urging them to extend the ban on smoking.”

Secondhand smoke is also a leading risk factor for heart disease and other serious health problems. Click here for the rest.

Note: You may have to be registered to view the articles from the DMN, but's its free if you wish to sign up.

Keep in mind, we are less than two weeks away from the vote. Visit http://www.smokefreetexasnow.org/ to ensure Dallas is the next city to go Smoke-Free.

Brian Bowser
American Heart Association
512.433-7169
Brian.Bowser@heart.org

Smoke-Free Dallas: One Step Closer

2008-11-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a committee of the Dallas City Council met again to discuss strengthening the current local ordinance. The committee recommended a smoke-free law that would include ALL workplaces and make Dallas completely Smoke-Free.

The proposal will be heard next Wednesday, December 3rd in front of the full City Council. A vote could take place on December 10th! This is a big step in the right direction of making Dallas the next major city to go Smoke-Free.

But our work is not done. We need to continue letting council members know the importance of protecting all workers from the harmful affects of secondhand smoke. Here’s what you can do:

-Go to http://www.smoke-freetexasnow.org/ and take action today.
-Send the website above to 10 of your friends, family, and collegueges in Dallas to help spread the word
-Attend the December 10th Council meeting to show your support. Email me if you can make it and receive a free Smoke-Free Texas t-shirt.

Thanks!

Brian Bowser
Grassroots Coordinator
American Heart Association

Brian.Bowser@heart.org

Smoke-Free Dallas Needs Your Help

2008-11-18T13:24:00.000-08:00

Things are heating up in the fight to make Dallas smoke-free. Last night a special committee of the Dallas City Council met to further discuss strengthening the local ordinance. Big tobacco was out in full force – but so were we. We need to continue to let the Mayor and City Council know Dallas residents want smoke-free air.

Please visit http://www.SmokeFreeTexasNow.org to send your letter of support to the Mayor and City Council. In just two clicks you can pave the way for clean air and a healthier city.

The committee will meet next Monday 11/24 and a vote by the full council could take place as soon as December 3rd. Now is the time to show your support!

Brian Bowser

Smoke-Free Corpus Christi

2008-10-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

Greetings! We are making progress with the Corpus Christi Smoke Free coalition! Below are some highlights:

We have secured the Mayor’s support for strengthening the city’s current smoke-free ordinance, as well as support from some council members. We anticipate seeing this item on the city council agenda on November 18 and NOW is the time to show Mayor Garrett and the city council your support.

In addition to mayor and city council support, we recently received a resolution in support from the Nueces County Medical Society. NCMS is one of the area’s well-respected health organizations, so this is an important measure of support. Their support, along with the Corpus Christi Caller Times and a host of local community organizations, are important to helping us advocate before the city leaders.

Our efforts to reach out online increased with the debut of the coalition website. Volunteers can find our more details about the coalition, the effects of secondhand smoke, business impact data, etc. Volunteers can also sign up for the coalition through the site. Please visit wwww.smokefreecorpuschristi.org

The next coalition meeting is Friday, October 24th at noon at the American Cancer Society office. It’s located at 4101 South Alameda in Corpus. Please feel free to join us!

Texas Legislature—The Interim

2008-10-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Texas Legislature adjourned May 28th 2007 and won’t reconvene until January 13th 2009. While we are entering the first weeks of Fall it may seem like the dogs day of summer at the Texas Capitol. No state laws can be passed during the interim period that we are currently in, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done.

Each legislative committee holds their own interim hearings to study issues that affect all Texans, there was a primary election last spring and there will be a general election next month, and each member is developing their own agenda for the upcoming session.

That makes it all the more critical for AHA to get our priorities on the radar of lawmakers now. We simply can’t afford to wait until the beginning or middle of the legislative session to ask for Smoke-Free air, or improved physical education; our window of opportunity is just too small. Lawmakers need to hear from us year round on the devastating impact that heart disease and stroke has on Texans.

That is why I’m asking you to send letters of support to your lawmakers today on Smoke-Free Texas and Childhood Obesity. Take action now and help set the stage for a successful 81st Legislative Session in Texas.

You’re the Cure.

Brian Bowser
American Heart Association
512.433-7169
Brian.Bowser@heart.org

I'm Just a Bill

2008-10-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

It's always a good idea to refresh ourselves on the basics of government--especially if School House Rock is giving the tutorial. Remember "I'm Just a Bill"?

"I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still
Just a bill..."

Classic!

Special Message: Hurricane Ike

2008-09-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

Our Hearts are with Hurricane Victims

This is a special message in light of Hurricane Ike and the havoc that it wreaked along the Texas Gulf Coast this past weekend. The American Heart Association sends its regards to all those affected by the storm and wishes a speedy reconstruction of areas that experienced damages. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and property that was experienced over the weekend.

While the Texas coast was hit hard and thousands of individuals are either displaced or without power this provides an opportunity to pull together as a state and become stronger.

If you would like to either volunteer time or donate money to the reconstruction effort please visit http://www.redcross.org/. Your time and money will help provide food, shelter and basic living necessities to those in need. Here are other helpful links:

-National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System: https://asd.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm

-FEMA Ike information: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/2008/ike/index.shtm

Health Warning

The impact of a hurricane causes more than physical damage to our neighborhoods - it also causes personal stress. In these times of stress former smokers can easily fall back into old habits. If you or someone you know is being tempted by an old addiction please contact The Texas Tobacco Quitline.

The Texas Tobacco Quitline, 1-877-937-7848 is available to help Texas smokers kick the habit, reduce stress, and ultimately improve the quality of their lives. For additional cessation resources visit: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/tobacco/

Thanks to everyone helping with the recovery effort. The collective action of dedicated individuals can truly make a difference in the lives of others.

Sincerely,

Brian Bowser
American Heart Association

Heart Disease and Stroke. You're the Cure

Around Texas

2008-08-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

In Texas, obesity is a major health concern affecting thousands of individuals. The Dept. of State Health Services recently requested $10 million dollars to implement obesity prevention programs across the state. Please tell Texas lawmakers to support this funding request and reduce the burden of obesity in the state.

Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and a leading cause of preventable death. All programs that we support are evidence based and proven to work. Please take action and help reduce obesity in Texas.

If you are not already, please join You’re the Cure and help share your voice. By taking action on the above action alerts you can help the American Heart Association achieve its mission of building healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Thank you,

Brian Bowser-Grassroots Coordinator
512/433-7169
1700 Rutherford Ln.
Austin, TX 78754
Brian.Bowser@heart.org

Effort to make Corpus Christi Smoke-Free Underway

2008-08-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Smoke Free Corpus Christi coalition continues to make progress in securing growing support for strengthening the city’s smoke-free workplace law. The current ordinance provides smoke-free working environments for employees in most public places, including restaurants and bars in restaurants. However, a loophole exists, which allows smoking in freestanding bars, bowling alleys, and bingo halls. Our volunteers continue their efforts to urge Corpus Mayor Garrett and the city council to approve a new ordinance removing the current loopholes. In doing so, Corpus Christi will join 21 other Texas communities with a comprehensive smoke-free law.

Also, a special thanks goes out to the following volunteers who have attended meetings and/or worked with us on this effort: Dr. Thomas Alexander, Ann Jaime, Dee Labbe, Isabel Menendez and Michele Trevino. We look forward to continuing to work with these volunteers, as well as welcome additional volunteers who would like to work on this historic effort.

Fort Worth Considers Smoke-Free Air Policy

2008-08-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

A recent poll conducted in Fort Worth by the American Heart Association and the Smoke Free Texas Coalition demonstrated that 92% of Fort Worth residents believe secondhand smoke is a health hazard, confirming the grassroots support for a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance. Unfortunately the city council is currently considering an ordinance drafted by the city manager that excludes bars. The Advocacy team has engaged key volunteers such as Dr. Sreenivas Gudimetla, President of the Fort Worth AHA Board, worked with the Coalition to engage in lobbying city council and also activated the grassroots network in an effort to secure passage of a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance.

Last session the Texas Legislature considered a comprehensive smoke-free piece of legislation. The bill passed the Texas House but it time ran out while in the Senate. The American Heart Association as a member of Smoke Free Texas will be strategically working with key communities to secure more comprehensive ordinances across Texas to secure victory at the Texas Legislature during the 2009 Legislative Session.

U.S. House Passes Tobacco Regulation Bill

2008-08-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

Statement by M. Cass Wheeler
CEO, American Heart Association,
on U.S. House of Representatives Passage
of The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

The U.S. House of Representatives’ historic vote is a testament to how far our nation has come in understanding the deadly impact of tobacco. However, you don't start celebrating when the ball is on the ten-yard line. This will all be for nothing if we don’t score a touchdown with a win in the Senate. Each day, more than one-thousand children smoke their first cigarette. We must act now to protect those children and reduce their risk for smoking-related illnesses such as heart disease and stroke.

The industry has failed miserably in the area of moral responsibility with deceptive marketing practices to addict young and old without any concern for our nation’s public health. Senate leadership should keep this in mind and move quickly to approve the bill before Congress adjourns.

The American Heart Association commends the House for its courageous vote and Representatives Henry Waxman and Tom Davis, Chairmen John Dingell and Frank Pallone, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for their leadership on this issue. With smoking-related cardiovascular disease claiming the lives of 150,000 Americans each year, we cannot overstress the need for tobacco regulation. We urge the Senate to follow the House in passing this important legislation.