The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday approved a bill (H.B. 517) that would expand the ability of health care workers to refuse to provide services for moral or religious reasons, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports. The bill passed by a 3-2 vote after the addition of amendments to narrow the scope of the legislation. According to the Advocate, the bill would allow a medical worker to choose not to participate in any service "that violates his conscience," which it defines as a religious belief or moral conviction. Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) supports the legislation, as do conservative groups like the Louisiana Family Forum and the Louisiana Right to Life Federation. Several groups oppose the bill, including Planned Parenthood, the Forum for Equality, Louisiana Agenda for Children and the American Civil Liberties Union. ACLU of Louisiana"s Marjorie Esman said that the bill could "lead to all kinds of unintended consequences," based on assertions of moral and religious objections (Blum, Baton Rouge Advocate, 6/11).
This Independence Day, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in conjunction with Ralphs and L.A. Care Health Plan, is helping LA County residents declare their freedom from smoking by giving away free two-week starter kits of nicotine patches or gum. The quit smoking aids are free to residents of LA County at 47 participating Ralphs Pharmacies throughout the county between the hours of 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., while supplies last. "This summer is the perfect time
for LA County residents to stop smoking, get healthy and save money during these tough economic times," said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Health Officer. "By offering free nicotine patches and gum, we hope to help LA County residents kick their addiction to cigarettes for good." Participants must be LA County residents who are 18 years of age or older. 
Have you, or do you know someone who has had diabetes for 50 years? Or even 60 or 70 years? If so, why not nominate them for a Diabetes UK Medal? You can also nominate yourself. Diabetes UK Supporter Services is presenting a selection of medals under the title of the charity"s founding fathers in recognition of the challenges that people living with diabetes for more than 50, 60 or 70 years have faced. The three medals are: - The Alan Nabarro Medal for 50 years of living
with diabetes - The Robert Lawrence Medal for 60 years of living with diabetes - The John Macleod Medal for 70 years of living with diabetes How to nominate To nominate a candidate whether it is a friend, family member or even yourself, Diabetes UK requires a letter of confirmation from the person"s GP or healthcare professional. 
Few people changed their behaviour in the early stages of the swine flu outbreak, finds a study published on bmj.com. But the results do support efforts to inform the public about specific actions that can reduce the risks from swine flu and to communicate about the government"s plans and res. Encouraging the public to undertake specific behaviours related to hygiene has proved useful in containing previous outbreaks of infectious disease, but motivating the public to
adopt such behaviours can be difficult. So researchers at Institute of Psychiatry King"s College London and the Health Protection Agency set out to assess whether perceptions of the swine flu outbreak predicted changes in behaviour among members of the public England Scotland and Wales. They conducted a telephone survey of 997 adults between 8 and 12 May 2009. Participants were asked nine questions about recent behaviours. Six related to avoidance of places or activities, behaviours that had not been recommended
by the government. 
Agave nectar is an alternative sweetener used in health food bars and sold as a replacement for sugar, honey and maple syrup. Alternative health writer Ramiel Nagel has announced today that agave nectar does not contain a correct label as required by FDA labeling laws. "Agave nectar contains 70%-75% highly chemically refined fructose-more than is present in high fructose corn syrup-and most consumers don"t know this," explained Mr. Nagel. Once eaten, refined
fructose appears as triglycerides in the bloodstream, or is stored as body fat. Elevated triglyceride levels, caused by consumption of refined fructose, is one of the factors responsible for the hardening of human arteries. Further, metabolic studies have proven the relationship between refined fructose consumption and obesity. Fructose in agave nectar is a man-made synthetic sugar produced through a complex process of enzyme hydrolysis which converts non-sweet starches and sugars into a highly refined sweetener,
fructose.