Archive for the ‘Healthcare’ Category
DDT then, BPA now
Back in the 1940s, DDT was a miracle of modern science. It quickly and conveniently killed bugs without disturbing larger animals (or so we thought). It was so safe, in fact, that we produced DDT-laced wallpaper for your children’s bedroom.
Today, we know about the dangers of DDT to all living things and we wouldn’t dream of exposing our children to the chemical.
But have we really learned? Now we use BPA in food packaging and containers (like baby bottles). BPA is a hormone disrupter and is not safe for human exposure (especially in babies and growing children). Yet,
A study by the Environmental Working Group tested commonly eaten canned foods from grocery stores in three US cities, including Oakland. Out of 97 cans, 57 percent contained detectable and often high levels of BPA. Pastas, soups, and infant formula accounted for some of the highest levels. The group estimates that BPA exposure is unsafe in 10 percent of all canned food and a staggering one-third of infant formula.
[Source]
In another 10 years will we look back on BPA the same way we think about DDT now? What have we learned?
Filed under Healthcare, culture, environment : Comments (0) : Jan 25th, 2010
2008 Obesity Update
This just in – we’re fat!
The CDC does a study of obesity levels by state and publishes the results annually. The 2008 data are in, and we’re fatter than ever.
This is a problem.
One possible solution : reform agriculture policy. We (as taxpayers) heavily subsidize the corn industry so that we can get extremely cheap corn-based foods. One problem : corn-based foods (think high fructose corn syrup, not corn on the cob) are high in calories and low in nutrients.
We need to stop subsidizing corn and start encouraging sensible, sustainable agriculture for healthy crops like fruits and vegetables.
Filed under Healthcare, culture, environment, politics : Comments (2) : Jul 12th, 2009
Health Care or Retirement?
I heard a chilling statement from a conservative guest on Joy Cardin’s radio program last week. (The guest was Dan Cunningham, vice president of government relations, Forward Janesville.) Listen below:
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Mr. Cunningham’s thesis is that we can’t offer universal health care to Wisconsin citizens or else they’ll have no incentive to work. To put it another way, the exorbitant cost of health care and the American system of employer-subsidised insurance is forcing people to continue full-time employment, and he thinks that’s great.
How morally corrupt have we become if we restrict access to a basic human need–health care–in order to force people to work? I would hope that enough of us gain some satisfaction in our jobs that we would continue to work in some capacity even if health care was removed from the equation.
Think for a moment about the other side of Mr. Cunningham’s position: denying access to health care is an appropriate punishment disincentive for those of us who are unable (or unwilling) to find adequate employment.
Such a position is truly chilling and it runs contrary to the themes that were established in 1776 and are under such forceful attack today.
Filed under Healthcare, culture, politics, work : Comments (0) : Jul 29th, 2007
Health Insurance
A few quick thoughts:
1) If you haven’t yet, see SiCKO. As long as you walk into the theater expecting a not-entirely-unbiased documentary, you will leave better informed. And if you’re awake and paying attention, you will leave feeling frustrated, angry, confused, and mostly disappointed at the current state of affairs in the good ol’ USA.
2) Tying health insurance to full-time employment is a terrible idea. Why should my access to quality, affordable health care be dependent on my current employment status? What if I have a great idea for a new business and want to try my luck as an entrepreneur? It’s possible to do, but the cost of individual health insurance is daunting. Furthermore, why should U.S. companies be burdened by paying the health care costs of their employees & retirees? It’s not hard to see that this is a less-than-ideal situation.
Now go watch SiCKO!
Filed under Healthcare, culture, politics : Comments (0) : Jul 15th, 2007
