by Nick Jacobs

In a recent article from USA Today, Dennis Cauchon elaborated on numerous health related laws that are currently being implemented across the United States. According to the article; in New York City and Windber Medical Center, (I added the part about Windber Medical Center) trans fats have officially been banned.

As we look toward a generation where one of every three children will be devastated by Type II diabetes, California has officially banned soda sales during regular school hours and limits have been placed on sugar and fat content in school prepared food.

Three States have taken on the challenge of cervical cancer as Indiana and North Carolina schools must tell parents of girls about the link between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. They must also inform them about the availability of the new vaccine to prevent this cancer. In Nevada they now require insurers to cover the costs of that new vaccine.

Colorado has banned abstinence-only sex education in all school districts but one, and they are requiring schools to teach sex education based on scientific research. They also are requiring that information on contraception will be provided to the students.

As our society is continuously challenged by professional athletes in the use of performance enhancing drugs, the state of Florida has voted to initiate a one-year, pilot program of random steroid testing with high school athletes who participate in baseball, football and weightlifting.

The Massachusetts' health care insurance law will take effect requiring everyone to have health insurance — either purchased privately or with the help of the State.

Finally, New Mexico legalized the medical use of marijuana, and Rhode Island has made permanent its medical marijuana program. Simultaneously, Vermont has expanded the use of medical marijuana from only those with terminal diseases to those with some chronic diseases, too.

So, there will be no soda in California. No trans fats in New York or Windber, vaccines in Indiana, North Carolina and Nevada, sex education in Colorado, and Massachusetts will make sure you have insurance. Florida will stop your steroids, and New Mexico, Vermont and Rhode Island will let you toke for medical reasons. Now, we only have 39 more States to get on the band wagon, or, depending on your viewpoint, only eleven to get off! Wonder where Puerto Rico is in all of this?