November 8th, 2022
The Out-of-Pocket Health News Digest
Below you will find briefs about recent health policy news stories. Our hope is for students to have an information outlet at their fingertips to keep up-to-date with the most pressing news stories in health policy.

Produced by the HPSA Education Committee: Abigail Lindsay, Graceanne Horton, Olivia Rockwell, Ellie Jorling, Nia Allen, Ronnie Sharangpani, and Iulia Dobrin
Growing Heat Wave Concerns due to Climate Change in California
by Jaymie Tibbits
The fourth edition of the report, “Indicators of Climate Change in California,” published by the state’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, signals the accelerated impact of climate change across the state of California. 

The report outlines several climate-related changes negatively affecting California’s ecology. One such change is the increase in the frequency of daytime heat waves to five to six times per year, compared to the average of one to three occurrences a year in 1950. Additionally, the state’s workforce experienced a threefold increase in heat-related illnesses between 2000-2017, according to worker’s compensation claims. 

Valley Fever, a respiratory illness caused by breathing in microscopic fungus particles, has been on the rise since 2001, with a fivefold increase reported as of 2021. The fungus is typically found in the soil of certain southwest regions in the U.S. The spores spread more easily when weather conditions are hot and dry, causing a high concentration of dust to circulate in the air. 

In response to the increased need for funding related to climate disasters such as drought, extreme heat, and wildfires, $54 billion was allocated to California’s fiscal 2022-2023 budget. A portion of the funds will be used to develop the nation’s first statewide heat-wave ranking system. 

Russian-Ukrainian Conflict continues to Impact the Global Food Chain
by Liv Rockwell
Despite recurring warnings about the grain crisis, the debate surrounding global action to mitigate potential grain and subsequent food shortages continues. In the past, Ukraine’s main exports included corn and wheat, with the biggest importers of this being Egypt and Indonesia. Russian attacks on Ukraine and its agricultural sector led to a marked decrease in the world’s grain supply. In a globalized food market, reductions in production from one region impact the overall availability of these products in other areas. Discussions in July 2022’s Black Sea Grain Initiative between Ukraine, Turkey, and Russia recognized this fact and worked to open trade lines and ship grain to areas most in need. 

For many countries already facing higher costs of living and food shortages, the additional food market considerations exacerbate ongoing domestic food pricing struggles worldwide. This week, Turkey and the United Nations discussed the need for the world to come together in support of Africa and its food supply. Meanwhile, the Bank of England utilized social policy to increase interest rates in hopes of reducing inflation. On October 28, 2022, Japan approved an economic package meant to provide support for those suffering due to inflation costs. Throughout this past week’s Arab League Summit, Arab Nation leaders. As Politico, United States President Joe Biden called out the attacks on Ukraine’s grain production as a Russian strategy to  “weaponize” food. 

Regardless of the motivation behind the attacks, damage to Ukraine's agricultural system has had negative consequences for the global food supply. Continued social policy initiatives are needed to help the world deal with the aftermath. 
 
Haitian Police Regain Control of Gas Terminal after Weeks of Gang Tension
by Nia Allen
The capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, contains one of the most important sources of fuel for the country. Varreux terminal is owned by the Haitian enterprise and is the power source for major hospitals and banks within the area. Gang violence has become a growing issue that has raised concern for the UN human rights office after rival gangs within the Cité Soleil neighborhood caused the deaths of 99 people. One of these gangs, G9, blocked the terminal in late September causing schools to close, food insecurity, and rampant violence to perpetuate.

Because many hospitals in this area rely on fuel-powered generators for electricity, the blockage caused problems with storing vaccines, sanitation, admitting new patients, and maintaining vital maternity services. Citizens are protesting for better policies and for the prime minister to resign. As of now, the Security Council established a regime to target individuals participating in criminal activity and to impose an arms embargo. Jacqueline Charles, a journalist and Caribbean Correspondent at the Miami Herald reported on the rise of attacks on state institutions from gangs and explained that the crisis is leading to migration into Puerto Rico and the southern border of the U.S. 

The Varreux terminal is now controlled by Haiti’s police force, but this does not mark an end to the violence and economic downfall that will continue to affect the healthcare system and the overall well-being of citizens. 

Sources: CNN, NPR, UN News, UN News, UNICEF
One-Liners
  • Florida-based wellness company Flora Growth Corporation recently acquired Franchise Global Health Inc in hopes of expanding Europe’s access and import capacity for medical cannabis. (Benzinga) 
  • Have you tried “sleep hygiene” practices but still struggle to sleep at night? Here are three suggestions to change your mindset from Clinical Psychologist, Lisa Strauss, Ph.D. (The Washington Post)
  • CDC creates new guidelines for opioid prescribing, focusing more on acute and subacute pain. (CNN)