This first-ever special issue of Priorities examines the most basic premises and goals of our national public health strategy as we approach the 21st century.
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"Do I Dare to Eat an Egg?"
That question was the title of a recent health newsletter article and reflects the public's profound "ovophobia."
Egg use in the U.S. has fallen dramatically over the last 50 years, from 400 eggs per person per year in the 1940's to 235 in 1992, the last year for which statistics are available. The main reason for the decline: fear that eggs, which are high in cholesterol, will increase the risk of heart disease.
Executive Summary
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Survey results indicate that 2 to 7 percent of Americans regard themselves as vegetarians, but less than 1 percent completely exclude meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish from their diets. Even fewer Americans choose vegan diets that exclude all foods of animal origin.
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The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) today called on the Food and Drug Administration to approve irradiation of beef to limit Americans' exposure to E. coli bacteria
Branding a substance a human carcinogen solely because cancer has occurred in laboratory animals force-fed the substance at unrealistically high doses diverts both attention and resources from far more significant threats to human health. So states a panel of experts affiliated with the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH).
Physicians and scientists at the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) reported today that colorectal cancer (CRC), the leading cause of cancer in nonsmokers, may be up to 80 percent preventable through screening and alteration of lifestyle factors.
Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer as a cause of death from cancer. Without preventive action, about one in every 17 Americans will be diagnosed with CRC,
Scientists associated with the New York City Advisory Council on Health Priorities, a new affiliate of the American Council on Science and Health, reject a recent call by the NY Green Party to ban milk from cows injected with rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) from New York City schools. But-as ACSH President Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan points out-NY Green's claims are in opposition to the actual facts on rBGH milk.
Eggs are a vital part of a balanced and varied diet, the American Council on Science and Health concluded in a report released today.
"When most people hear the word 'eggs,' they immediately think 'cholesterol' and 'bad,' says Dr. Ruth Kava, ACSH's director of nutrition. "In fact," she continues, "although egg yolks are high in cholesterol, eggs also provide essential nutrients, including protein, riboflavin, folate and vitamins B12, D and E."
In its latest attempt to scare consumers and drum up publicity for itself, the Center for Science in the Public Interest is now warning that the trans fatty acids found in French fries, fried chicken and many other foods may cause heart attacks.
Scientists associated with the New York City Advisory Council on Health Priorities, a new affiliate of the American Council on Science and Health, have objected to recent claims that the perchloroethlyne, or "perc," emissions from cleaning establishments in residential buildings in New York City are a "health hazard." These claims, made by New York City Public Advocate Mark Green, are unfounded and unnecessarily alarming, say the scientists.
Yes
by Kenneth E. Legins
In 1903 Mark Twain wrote of Christian Science: "The power which a man's imagination has over his body to heal it or make it sick is a force which none of us is born without. The first man had it, the last one will possess it." The power of the mind over the body is often indisputable, even among the staunchest defenders of the scientific method. The biologic effect of hope or faith, which scientists sometimes refer to as the placebo effect, is little understood in the medical community.
"Although everybody with a political agenda routinely professes great respect for the wisdom of the American people, the actual behaviors reveal not respect but thinly veiled contempt."
Implementation of proposed fossil-fuel restrictions aimed at mitigating unhealthy climate change could weaken the global economic system, increase the incidence of poverty-related illness worldwide and fail to affect climate. So concludes a panel of scientists and physicians in a groundbreaking report, Global Climate Change and Human Health, released today by the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH).
New York, NY February 1998. In a new report, New York City Public Advocate Mark Green has called lead poisoning a "dire problem" for the city's children. The New York City Advisory Council on Health Priorities, an affiliate of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), has concluded, however, that for the majority of New York's children lead poisoning is a thing of the past. Mr.
New York, June 15, 1998 The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), a public health, consumer advocacy organization, will be holding a news conference to expose the deceptive practices of the food police group, Center for Science in the Public Interest.
ACSH will release information obtained while monitoring CSPI's propaganda campaign against the fat free oil, Olestra. CSPI's vendetta to have the FDA approved additive removed as a choice consumers now enjoy in their diet has led the food police group to knowingly engage in deceptive practices.
New York, NY June 1998. In response to unprecedented demand, the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) has updated and expanded its special report Facts Versus Fears, a concise and compelling rundown of the greatest unfounded health scares of the last 40 years.
New York, NY, May 11, 1998 The scientists and physicians at the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) know that basking in the sun is a time-honored summer activity. But it shouldn't be unless sunworshippers take adequate precautions.
Last week The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) circulated a press release (enclosed) lauding television host Rosie O'Donnell for turning down an offer to become a spokesperson for Frito-Lay's "Wow" chips. CSPI is campaigning against the right of consumers to purchase snack foods that, like "Wow," contain the FDA-approved fat substitute olestra.
New York, NY March 11, 1998.Scientists at the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) today urged United States Senators to support legislation pending before the Senate (S. 981) that would require cost-benefit and risk-analysis techniques to be applied to major federal regulations.
"To ask the federal government to make use of better, modern decision-making tools such as cost-benefit and risk-analysis safeguards is plain common sense, good public policy, and good science," says Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, President of ACSH.
On Wed. January 20, The NY Times ran the following story buried in the metro section:
No Rise in Cancer Rate Found
at Superfund Sites
TRENTON Cancer cases among residents in six communities around three radioactive Superfund sites in Essex and Camden Counties are no greater than the average number of cases reported elsewhere in the state, the State Department of Health and Senior Services said yesterday.
New York, NY, November 18, 1998. Consumers should use caution when interpreting a new study on the possible hazards of eating well cooked meats, say scientists from the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH).
In his Oct. 30 radio address, President Clinton announced efforts to protect Americans from "some of the most dangerous chemicals ever known." He incorrectly encouraged us to believe that very low exposures to certain chemicals are increasing our risk of cancer and other diseases.
He pointed his finger squarely at industry for releasing chemicals like dioxin, PCBs and mercury into the air we breathe and the water we drink. He then promised to protect families from these chemicals by requiring industry to tell us when they release even a tiny amount of certain chemicals.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has cited "Ten Great Public Health Achievements" of 20th-century America which the medical monthly Consultant described, loosely, as the CDC's "top ten" pick of "medical triumphs." Consultant is distributed to more than 160,000 physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Its descriptions of the public health advances are similar to the CDC's summaries. I asked all ACSH advisors to offer comments on both the Consultant article and the CDC's list and to propose additions and replacement items.
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