HJBR Mar/Apr 2020

24 MAR / APR 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs epidemic still rising, we may have lost an oppor- tunity to make the current generation of kids the first tobacco-free generation. Tobacco use is a serious addiction and Louisiana needs to implement the proven measures to prevent and reduce tobacco use outlined in ‘State of Tobacco Control’,” said American Lung Association Direc- tor of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly. In the report, Louisiana’s Grades include: • Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Pro- grams – Grade [F] • Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws - Grade [C] • Level of State Tobacco Taxes - Grade [F] • Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco - Grade [D] • Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products to 21 – Grade [F] The American Lung Association encouraged Louisiana to put in place all the public poli- cies called for in State of Tobacco Control, and, this year’s report noted the need to focus on strengthening the existing statewide smoke free law to include bar and casino worker protections. “Opportunities for better health begin where people work, live, and play, and a person should not have to be exposed to the dangers of sec- ondhand smoke so that they could afford to put food on the table,” said Lyerly. One powerful tool to address the youth vap- ing epidemic is increasing the minimum age of sale for tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21. The U.S. Congress finished off 2019 with a huge victory passing a federal law to increase the national tobacco sales age to 21. This law will ensure that all states have a sales age of 21 in 2020. In 2019, Virtually all adult smokers had their first cigarette before age 21, and most before the age of 18. However, Congress failed to pass legislation to eliminate all flavored tobacco products, mak- ing the need for state action to end the sale of all flavored products critical. Massachusetts took that historic step by prohibiting the sale of all fla- vored tobacco products, including menthol ciga- rettes in November of 2019, becoming the first such state to do so. The Lung Association urges more states to follow Massachusetts’ lead and pass comprehensive laws eliminating flavored tobacco products in 2020. “State of Tobacco Control 2020 provides an important roadmap on how states like Louisi- ana and the federal government can put in place the policies proven to have the greatest impact on reducing tobacco use and exposure to sec- ondhand smoke. Now is the time for lawmak- ers in Louisiana end their failure to act and take this opportunity to achieve lasting reductions in tobacco-related death and disease,” said Lyerly. Gov. Edwards Announces Dr. Courtney Phillips as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed Louisiana native Dr. Courtney N. Phillips to lead the Lou- isiana Department of Health. Phillips returns to LDH after leading health departments in two other states. In October of 2018, Phillips became the first woman to serve as the executive commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services (HHS). Before joining Texas HHS, Phillips served as the chief executive officer of the Nebraska Depart- ment of Health and Human Services and spent 12 years with LDH in a variety of roles. She earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University, and a PhD in public policy from Southern University in Baton Rouge. Scott Barrilleaux, MD, Receives 2019 OB Physician Summit Award Scott Barrilleaux, MD, an obstetrician in Lafayette, La., was awarded the 2019 OB Physician Summit Award from Louisiana Healthcare Connections for demonstrating a commitment to high quality, accessible care. The award is given annually to the in-network obstetrician who meets key targets in quality measures for women’s health. Barrilleaux and his staff accepted the award on Jan. 8. Pictured are, front row, left to right, Stewart Gordon, MD, chief medical officer, Louisiana Healthcare Connections; Bridget Thibodeaux, ultrasonographer; Randee Vincent, ultrasonog- rapher; Fallon Guidry, nurse practitioner; Shannon Daigle, practice manager; Angelle Ardoin, provider relations consultant, Louisiana Healthcare Connections; Joseph Tidwell, vice presi- dent of network development & engagement, Louisiana Healthcare Connections; and back row, left to right, Barrilleaux and Michelle Owens, nurse.