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 june
2004 |
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| | Recognized forjournalistic excellence, and now reprinted in one 32-page, full-colorpublication, these articles contain information no parent should bewithout, including details on the use of the known neurotoxin mercury influ vaccines, alarming evidence of the possible connection betweenvaccines and autism, exploration of the rise in chronic disease, storiesof parental activism and advocacy on behalf of their vaccine-injuredchildren, and the hopeful example of one childa^?(TM)s recovery from autism. |
- ABC: Corporate Interests Watered Down theBreastfeeding Awareness Campaign
- YouHeard it Here First!
- Government Askedto Evaluate the Cancer-Causing Potential of Fluoride in TapWater
- Deadly Mistakes
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ABC: Corporate InterestsWatered Down the Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign
For Mothering’s own prior coverage on thecampaign, click here.
Toaccess Democracy Now coverage including excerpts from the 20/20 story,
Source:
Since 1999, Mothering has consistentlyreported on developments linking vaccines, thimerosal, and autism. Lastweek, the topic wea^?(TM)ve covered for six years got its most high-profileexposure yet when a new article by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. titleda^?oeDeadly Immunitya^?? was published simultaneously by Rolling Stone andSalon.com. An investigation of a^?oea^?|the government cover-up of amercury/autism scandal,a^?? Kennedya^?(TM)s piece is a rock-solid,comprehensive encapsulation. Bearing the clout of the Kennedy name(which is apparently too irresistible for the mainstream to ignore)a^?oeDeadly Immunitya^?? is garnering mega-watt attention that hasMothering and our allies in the autism community cheering.Media coverage is at an all-time high: websites, blogs, tv and radioshows are all casting long-overdue focus on the evidence connectingthimerosal in vaccines with the autism epidemic.
GovernmentAsked to Evaluate the Cancer-Causing Potential of Fluoride in TapWater
Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently askedthe National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institutes ofHealth (NIH) to list fluoride in tap water in its authoritative Reporton Carcinogens. EWG’s request is based on a strong body ofpeer-reviewed evidence regarding fluoride’s ability to cause arare form of childhood bone cancer, osteosarcoma, in boys. The Report onCarcinogens lists only substances that are known or reasonablyanticipated to cause cancer in humans.
Nationwide about 170million people live in communities with fluoridated water. Addingfluoride to tap water can be a contentious issue. There are ongoingfights over fluoridation in Colorado, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont,Washington, California, Massachusetts and Nebraska. States with recentbattles over fluoridation include New Hampshire, Virginia, Florida,Arkansas and Tennessee.
Research dating back decades, much of itgovernment funded, has long suggested that fluoride added to drinkingwater presents a unique cancer risk to the growing bones of young boys.New epidemiology provides strong evidence of a link between exposure tofluoride in tap water during the mid-childhood growth spurt between ages6 and 10, and bone cancer in adolescence. Additional science stronglysuggests that fluoride can cause genetic mutations in bone cellsdirectly related to childhood bone cancer.
"We recognize thepotential benefits of fluoride to dental health, but there is verycompelling evidence that fluoride in tap water can cause bone cancer inboys," said EWG Senior Vice President Richard Wiles. "Thegovernment needs to assess the overall strength of the evidence and makea determination of fluoride's cancer-causing potential," Wilesadded.
EWG's letter to the NTP and related materials can be foundat www.ewg.org/issues/fluoride/20050606/index.php
Source:
www.ewg.org
ABC: CorporateInterests Watered Down the Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign
Last summer, an ad campaign was unveiled by the Department of Health andHuman Services, to promote breastfeeding in the US. While it had beeneagerly anticipated, critics felt the message of the campaign was notstrong enough, and were also disappointed that it had come to fruitionlater than expected. It became evident that the formula industry hadexerted great pressure on the government, and as a result, the campaignhad indeed been altered. An investigative report on the reshaping of thecampaign, produced by the ABC News program 20/20, recently earned aGracie Award (which honor exemplary programming created for women).Mothering is pleased that 20/20’s coverage of the BreastfeedingAwareness Campaign has been recognized, and has alerted more people toefforts to undermine breastfeeding.For Mothering’sown prior coverage on the campaign, click here (hyperlink to aneditorial by Peggy that I don’t see on the website “TheDastardly Deeds of the AAP” which reminds me, what happened to thecache of editorials in A Quiet Place on the site? That needs to berestored asap!)
To access Democracy Now coverage includingexcerpts from the 20/20 story,
Source:
“A car canquickly become an oven, even with mild outdoor temperatures,” saidKIC Executive Director Terrill Struttmann. “Cars are not meant tobe childproof, and children should never be left alone in a vehicle– not even for a minute.” According to research conducted atthe North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, when theoutside temperature is 93 degree Fahrenheit, a car parked in directsunlight can reach 131-172 degrees Fahrenheit in only fifteen minutes.At that temperature it only takes a matter of minutes for children todie or suffer permanent disability. “It’s amazing thatparents won’t leave ice cream in a car for fear of it melting, yetthey’ll leave children alone in the same conditions,” notedStruttmann. KIC urges parents and caregivers to always resist thetemptation to leave children alone in cars, even while running a quickerrand. They offer the following tips:
- Plan aheadto use drive-through services where available such as pharmacies andbanks. More and more services are adding drive-through convenience,including dry cleaners, restaurants (beyond fast food), libraries,grocery stores, and even dog grooming. A quick search on the Internetwill help you find convenient drive-through services in your area.
- Call dry cleaners and other businesses to schedule pick-up anddrop-off services at your vehicle. Many businesses will provide curbsideservice if you call ahead.
- Make advance arrangements for yourchild-care provider to meet you at your vehicle. Alternatively, planextra time within your pick-up/drop-off routine to bring all childreninside with you.
- Use your debit or credit card at the gaspump.
- Ask grocery store clerks to load your bags into yourvehicle and return the grocery cart.
- If possible, leave yourchildren with a responsible adult. Arrange a baby-sitting co-op withyour neighbor to give you an hour to run errands.
Source: http://www.kidsincars.org
Lower Blood Pressure:Another Long Term Benefit of Breastfeeding
Comparedto their formula-fed peers, children and teens who were exclusivelybreastfed for any duration in their infancy have lower blood pressure.An international research team, led by Dr. Debbie Lawlor atBritain’s Bristol University, reported the findings in the newissue of Archives of Disease in Childhood. Over 2000 Estonian and Danishchildren between 9 and 15 years old were assessed in the study, whichfocused on the impact of breastfeeding upon metabolic syndrome.Metabolic syndrome includes the conditions of high blood pressure,diabetes, high insulin levels, high triglyceride levels and low"good" (HDL) cholesterol levels, all of which are risk factorsfor a high risk of coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.Study participants who were ever solely nourished by breastmilk werefound to lower systolic blood pressure (the first number in a bloodpressure reading, indicative of the pressure while the heart iscontracting). According to the researchers, the longer children wereexclusively breastfed, the more marked was the positive effect on bloodpressure. Breastfeeding was not found to relate other conditions thatcomprise metabolic syndrome. "The magnitude of the effect we foundwith blood pressure is comparable to the published effects of saltrestriction and physical activity on blood pressure in adultpopulations, suggesting that it is of public health importance,"the researchers conclude.
Source: Archives of Disease inChildhood, June 2005.
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