Health

Michael Pollan Dishes out Advice on Healthful Eating

Michael Pollan's advice on healthful eating is refreshingly straightforward: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.

Posted in food, Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2009
9:00 AM

CONTACT: Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
Phone: 202-332-9110

'Heart Attack Entrées With Side Orders of Stroke'

Overly Salty Restaurant Meals Present Long-Term Health Risks for All, and Immediate Danger for Some

WASHINGTON - May 11 - Unsafe levels of sodium chloride, or salt, in chain restaurant meals increase one's chance of developing hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

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Since 1971, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has been a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science.

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Links:

Posted in consumer watch, Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2009
9:00 AM

CONTACT: Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP)
Ben Lilliston, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
612-870-3416
Karen Lyons , Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
651-662-1415

Report Finds Faith Organizations Building Community, Improving Health Through Healthy Foods

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - May 6 - Parishioners at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Minnesota do more than donate food to a local food shelf—they actually grow it themselves. The project is one of many case studies highlighted in a new report by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) that demonstrate a growing nationwide movement within the faith community to put into practice the belief that healthy foods will help feed the body and soul.

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The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems.

Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP) Links:

Posted in Food/Water, Health

Flu Outbreak Highlights Broken US Health System

CHICAGO - A rapidly spreading flu outbreak may quickly overload a U.S. health system already straining from hospital closures, cuts in public health funding, a nursing shortage and too many uninsured patients, health experts said on Friday.

They said the threat of a flu pandemic caused by an unusual new strain of the H1N1 influenza virus has shone a bright light on what may see as a broken U.S. health system.

Posted in Health, healthcare

The Lethargy Virus

The Swine Flu (or H1N1 virus) is in the air. The public health authorities are acting “in excess of caution” to curb its spread from Mexico into this country. Already, however, this virus and the publicity around it is providing another occasion to question our nation’s priorities.

Posted in Health

Air Pollution Endangers Lives of Six in 10 Americans

WASHINGTON, DC - Six out of every 10 Americans - 186.1 million people - live in areas where air pollution endangers lives, according to the 10th annual American Lung Association State of the Air report released yesterday.

Some of the biggest sources of air pollution - dirty power plants, dirty diesel engines and ocean-going vessels - also worsen global warming, the Lung Association says in State of the Air 2009.

Posted in Environment, Health, pollution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2009
12:48 PM

CONTACT: Farm Sanctuary

Tricia Barry, Farm Sanctuary, 607-583-2225 ext. 233,
tricia@farmsanctuary.org

Farm Sanctuary Issues Statement on the Swine Flu Outbreak

Gene Baur: 'Factory farms are...a prescription for disaster'

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - April 28 - Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, today issued a statement from Gene Baur, president and co-founder, regarding the current global outbreak of swine flu originating in North America:

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Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

Posted in factory farms, Health

GOP Know-Nothings Fought Pandemic Preparedness

When House Appropriations Committee chairman David Obey, the Wisconsin Democrat who has long championed investment in pandemic preparation, included roughly $900 million for that purpose in this year's emergency stimulus bill, he was ridiculed by conservative operatives and congressional Republicans.

Posted in Health, rightwing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2009
2:54 PM

CONTACT: Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
Phone: 202-332-9110

Federal Trade Commission Stops Kellogg From Claiming Frosted Mini-Wheats 'Improve Kids’ Attentiveness' in School

Statement of CSPI Legal Affairs Director Bruce Silverglade

WASHINGTON - April 20 - The astonishing claims made by Kellogg that its Frosted Mini-Wheats improved children's attentiveness by 20 percent were laughable on their face and never should have surfaced in an advertising campaign by a major food manufacturer.

The settlement announced today by the Federal Trade Commission is a strong sign the fals

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