Most States do not measure on legislative solutions that fight cancer, shows the report -
The majority of states do not measure on legislative solutions that prevent and fight cancer, according to a new report released today by the Canadian cancer Society cancer Action Network American (ACS CAN). As the changing landscape presents new opportunities health care to prevent a disease that kills 1,0 people a day in this country, many state legislatures fail to adopt laws and policies that could not only generate new revenue savings health and long-term, but also save lives.
How do you measure: Up A Report on Law state to reduce cancer incidence and mortality , was released to the national Conference of State legislatures annual meeting in Minneapolis, MN. The annual report found that 40 states have reached benchmarks in just four or fewer of the 12 legislative priority areas measured by ACS CAN, the development subsidiary of the American Cancer Society. Only nine states and the District of Columbia met between five and eight benchmarks. Just one state, Massachusetts, met in nine pins or more of the 12 political measured by the report.
"Today, we are saving 400 lives a day more from cancer than we did 20 years ago, and we know what we must do to save even more lives. Cancer will not be defeated only in research laboratories or doctors' offices. The activity that goes inside the state's capitol buildings is essential to end this disease, "said John R. Seffrin, PhD, CEO of ACS CAN. "States can save more lives and dollars of health care when they adopt policies based on evidence to encourage prevention, guarantee access to affordable health care, reduce tobacco consumption and to focus on the quality of life for patients. "
Now in its 12th year, How to measure Up identifies specific policy actions that state legislatures can take to fight against cancer, especially of adequate breast cancer and funding early cervical screening program ?; comprehensive smoke-free laws, tobacco prevention and cessation program funding, access to smoking cessation services through Medicaid; tobacco taxes to reduce consumption; restrictions on the use of tanning devices by minors; better access to Medicaid, balanced pain policies; time requirements for physical education in schools and access to palliative care.
A color code system is used to determine how well a state is doing. Green represents the benchmark position, showing that the state has adopted policies and best practices based on evidence; yellow indicates moderate movement pins and red shows where states are far away.
How do you measure up to it? also offers a plan for the effective implementation of the provisions of the new law on the beneficial health care for cancer patients and their families, such as ensuring transparency in health coverage plans on trade of the state, ensuring access to drugs against cancer and to provide essential health benefits for patients with chronic diseases.
"We now have a better understanding of what we need to do to overcome this disease. Research has shown that nearly half of all cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone was to stop smoking, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and get recommended cancer screening, "said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN." Unfortunately, many low-income families continue to face obstacles to achieving healthy results. State legislators have clear opportunities to help save lives by passing laws and policies that reduce the number of tobacco use and guarantee access to proven prevention programs and affordable health care. "
Tobacco Control
This year, nearly 176,000 of the approximately 585.720 cancer deaths in the United States will be caused by the consumption of tobacco and tobacco is still the leading preventable cause deaths nationwide. While smoking rates among young people fell, the popularity of other tobacco products, including little cigars and smokeless tobacco by minors is as strong or stronger that it never has been. Furthermore, the most recent report Surgeon General released in January 2014 found that cigarettes have become more deadly. Yet as Big Tobacco continues to pay billions of dollars in new clients addicting , States are late in passing strong policies to protect their residents.
the evidence clearly shows that the increase in tobacco prices by regular and significant increases in tax rates encourages smokers to quit smoking or cut and prevents children from starting to smoke. Despite this, 13 states have not increased the tax on cigarettes in the last 10 years - Alabama, California, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming. Moreover, while 24 states and the District of Columbia have now smoke-free laws with full status, as of June 2014, no additional states have adopted a comprehensive smoke-free law, statewide covering all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, this year.
Three States have to increase funding for prevention and cessation of tobacco programs this year - New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio. However, only two states, North Dakota and Alaska, to fund these programs at the level recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, only eight states met the benchmark for providing smoking cessation coverage in their Medicaid program to help ensure that they have access to effective interventions to help them quit the deadly products proved.
preventing cancer
Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the United States, with rates increasing significantly over the last 30 years. Starting today, nine states - California, Delaware (not reflected in the report as the law was passed after publication), Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas and Vermont - have adopted laws prohibiting minors from using tanning devices which are class 1 carcinogens, the same as cigarettes, the World health Organization.
many states are also working on policies and programs to reduce cancer risk linked to poor diet, lack of physical activity and obesity. Legislators can help to increase physical activity for youth by establishing strict requirements for physical education in schools. the quality physical education is the best way for students to get a significant portion of their recommended physical activity, improve their physical condition and get the knowledge and skills they need to be physically active every throughout their life. Yet for the second consecutive year, no state has met the time for physical education test - at least 150 minutes per week at the elementary school, or at least 225 minutes per week in middle and high school. Although some states require the recommended level in one or two quality categories, no need recommended levels across all three.
Access to care and quality of life
Research shows that whether or not a person has access to health insurance plays an important role in their cancer progression . People without health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage and more likely to die of the disease. While the new law on health care helps ensure more people have access to affordable health coverage, quality, legislators play a key role in ensuring that law is implemented in a way that helps more people access to health insurance.
state legislators now have the ability to accept federal funds already set aside to increase access to health coverage for thousands of low-income residents through Medicaid. Although this category in the report the most benchmarks meeting states - more than half of the states and the District of Columbia have chosen to increase access to health coverage in this way - 24 States have not accepted money and fail to provide affordable health coverage to some of their most vulnerable residents.
Although the health care law has helped make insurance more affordable for many, there are still obstacles to coverage that must be taken into account. While some states like Oregon and South Carolina have provided access address for cancer screening, including mammograms and Pap tests by increasing funding breast and early detection programs Cancer cervical, most state programs are woefully underfunded. surcharges tobacco Moreover, only seven states have limits on health insurance premiums could price the most in need of coverage.
States are making progress regarding the transition of the political pain that help to ensure that patients who need access to effective drugs against pain through a balanced approach that also addresses abuse issues. However, in terms of improving access to palliative care, a type of specialized medical care growing in popularity and which aims to improve the quality of life of patients, only five states are up.
An estimated 1.6 million people in the US will be diagnosed with cancer and more than 580,000 die from the disease this year.
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