Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
June 5, 2015 OHA Director's messages on the web
To: All OHA employees
From: Lynne Saxton, Director

Many paths to better health

To the OHA team:

It’s been a very active legislative session and adjournment is near. OHA’s legislative team has been completely engaged in working with programs to make sure legislators have all the information and testimony they need to create effective laws concerning the health of Oregonians.

One exciting outcome happened last week when Governor Brown signed into law a bill that expands Oregon’s Indoor Clean Air Act to include inhalant delivery systems like electronic cigarettes. It also bans the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

Governor Brown signing the e-cigarette bill into law on May 27
Governor Brown signed the e-cigarette bill into law on May 27.

This is good news when we consider how many teens are using e-cigarettes compared to just a few years ago. Oregon saw a 150 percent increase in e-cigarette use among high school-age kids from 2011 to 2013. These are kids who can become addicted to nicotine and eventually turn to tobacco, which is Oregon’s No. 1 cause of early death. Oregon is one of just five states to regulate vaping, and our law is the toughest. Our tobacco prevention program was instrumental in providing data that informed lawmakers and helped shape this law. 

I’m very inspired by the different ways we’re improving and transforming Oregon’s health landscape. A special thank you to our legislative team for their focus and stamina. Many of you have supported their efforts: convening meetings, testifying, researching, compiling data and proposing solutions. Thank you all for your contributions; together, we can help Oregon become the healthiest state.

Thank you, Lynne

***

To your health: Warm weather is upon us and it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors. But the heat sometimes sneaks up on us. Here are some reminder tips from the CDC to prevent heat-related illness:

  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic) regardless of your activity level.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • A cool bath or shower, or going to an air-conditioned place like a mall, will help you cool down faster than electric fans.
  • Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
  • Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. (The most effective say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels.)
  • Keep an eye on those most vulnerable to heat-related illness: infants; people aged 65 and older; people who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure; and people with mental illness.
OHA on the web