December 23 news: Gun violence research, ACA threatened, teen marijuana vaping, funding increase in final FY 2020 spending bill

The Washington Post – Congressional deal could fund gun violence research for first time since 1990s

Congressional leaders reached a deal to fund research on gun violence for the first time in more than 20 years, a major legislative victory for Democrats, researchers and anti-gun-violence activists.

APHA – Latest court ruling continues ongoing threat to the Affordable Care Act

APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD makes a statement in regards to the ruling on the Affordable Care Act.

CNN – Teen vaping of marijuana is on the rise, study finds

Vaping remained popular among teens across the United States in 2019, according to a new report, and there were significant increases in vaping of marijuana by eighth, 10th and 12th graders.

APHA – Welcomes key health funding increases in final FY 2020 spending bill

 The American Public Health Association applauds today’s House passage of funding increases for key public health agencies and programs included in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, a package of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills which includes the Labor-HHS-Education FY 2020 appropriations bill. 

Associated Press – FDA warns of breathing risks with popular nerve drugs

U.S. health regulators are warning that popular nervous system medications can cause dangerous breathing problems when combined with opioids and certain other drugs.

The New York Times – Congress approves raising age to 21 for e-cigarettes and tobacco sales

The House and Senate have now passed a provision that would ban the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes to anyone under 21, at a time when Congress and the Trump administration are facing public pressure to reduce the soaring rates of teenage vaping.