Pandemic issues

Swine flu (H1N1) has hit more than 200 countries. At least 12,220 deaths have been reported. The WHO says the true death toll may be higher, but it will take two years to get the actual figure.

Swine flu was widespread in only four states in the last week of 2009, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This was a drop from seven states in the previous week – an indication, they said, that the spread has begun to decline. In October, 48 states were affected by high levels of sickness.

The World Health Organization has warned that young people, pregnant women and people weakened by health conditions such as lung or heart disease are more susceptible to swine flu infections. When infected, they also are likely to need intensive medical care. Young people under 18 are twice as likely to get infected as people in other age groups.

The WHO also warns that “it is still premature” to say that the pandemic influenza has ended. Although the US has passed a second wave of H1N1, a third wave is still possible. The problem is that influenza viruses are notorious for their unpredictability. They quickly mutate into more severe forms.

CDC officials say people should still get vaccinated. More than 118 million doses are now available.

HIV/AIDS

It has been 28 years since the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has killed more than 25 million people so far. There may be good news, though. The UNAids and the World Health Organization says the pandemic is now in decline. The number of new HIV/AIDS infections has dropped by nearly one-third since its mid-1990s peak. We should remain vigilant, however. The goal is to eradicate HIV/AIDS.

Click to see the UNAIDS 2009 Report.

Did you know that nearly 50% of all AIDS patients die from complications related to tuberculosis (TB)? This fact comes from the CDC. All HIV/AIDS patients should know this relationship between the two diseases. TB has many variations: regular or drug susceptible TB, multidrug resistant TB (MDR TB), extensively drug resistant TB (XDR TB), and extremely drug resistant TB (XXDR TB).

New strand of Tuberculosis (XXDR TB) comes to US.

This makes very important the discovery of the first known case of a person with XDR TB (Extensively drug-resistant TB) in the US. The person involved lived in Lantana, Florida. This form of TB is very rare, but it is extremely contagious. It is also incredibly difficult to treat. The best way is to reduce the risk of infection. For some ideas, visit the CDC “Fact Sheet” on XDR TB.
(PLACE URL OF STORY FROM EITHER MIAMI TIMES OR NEW YORK TIMES)

Health care reform bill passes Senate

The Senate has passed legislation intended to reform the nation’s health care system — or more precisely, to reform the insurance system that helps Americans pay for care. This will now have to be reconciled with the House version passed in November, which contains provisions that differ markedly from the Senate bill.

One common provision is the requirement for Americans (except for some exemptions) to purchase a minimum level of health insurance or else be penalized for not having one. The penalty can be painful. The House bill would set the penalty at 2.5% of adjusted gross income over $9,350 for individuals and $18,700 for couples. The Senate bill sets a graduated schedule of penalties, starting with the greater amount between $95/year and 0.5% of household income in 2014, 1% in 2015, and 2% in 2016 with a review for indexing to inflation after that.

Do Americans want this bill? The polls still show that majority (56%) of Americans oppose the bill as crafted by the Senate and the House.

It is important for each one of us to let our representatives know what we think about this bill, especially the threat of being penalized for not buying insurance. Let us be clear about one thing: under the US Constitution, Congress does NOT have the power to compel Americans to purchase health insurance. Click for an article by US Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah.

Click for a good look at the basic terms in the two versions.

Please send us your comments on what you would like to see in the bill and/or what you don’t like about the Bill as it is written…..

Drinking water quality concerns in the US

The safety and therefore quality of our drinking water are of paramount concern to us. Indeed, to have safe drinkable water should be a human right not just a privilege! This is as true for developed countries as for developing countries all over the world. Every person on this planet should have access to good quality drinking water, but the fact is one in every six people do not.

As a result, the UNICEF estimates that more than 1.5 million children die each year because of polluted drinking water and the lack of basic sanitation. An estimated 425 million children aged 17 and under have no access at all to an improved water supply. This is tragic, because then their physical development is impaired and their health is compromised by various water-related diseases.

Many organizations are hard at work trying to improve the quality of drinking water in US communities as well as in other places worldwide. There are many ways for people to participate. Some are directly involved in cleaning facilities for water while others provide technical education and training for those who clean water. Others help evaluate water quality, and so many other activities to ensure that people everywhere will get good-quality drinking water. These organizations need our support.

The problem is not easy, but it needs everyone’s attention now. If we cannot be directly involved, the least we can do is to help those organizations that are deeply involved. Too many people are at risk, as is evident read the article Dirty Water Kills 4,000 Children a Day.

Going Snowboarding?

In the first week of December, a 17-year-old boy was snowboarding in northern New Mexico. Despite his parents’ pleas for him to wear a helmet, he refused. He said it was not “cool” to put one on. He had done this for years. This time around, he was not so lucky. When his snowboard hit a snag, he careened down the mountain and slammed into a tree. He spent five days in a coma. Click to read More about Winter Sports Safety.

Product Recalls

Toyota has recalled various Toyota and Lexus models. Fixes to recalled vehicles will begin in early 2010. For details, click on the press release.

Toy recalls: Click on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

An Appeal

Safety Issues endeavors to bring to your attention to safety news, products, services that affect every aspect of our life. We are a 501(C) (3) organization. We ask that you continue to support our efforts. Please make a tax deductible donation to help us continue funding and developing programs for training in fire safety, sports safety, green technology, safe sex and other safety issues.

For your donation (above $25), you will receive within two weeks a “Thank You” certificate that you can use when claiming your tax deduction.

~ Yovette Mumford, Executive Director of the non-profit www.safetyissues.com, mother of three, attorney, inventor of safety medical products at www.safetymedicals.com, writer, lives in New England.

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