Tag: Health

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2008-11-15 The London Independent headlined an article titled; "Chronic malnutrition in Gaza blamed on Israel." Writer Donald Macintyre referred to a leaked Red Cross report he called "explosive."

It chronicled "the devastating effect of the siege that Israel imposed after Hamas (took control of Gaza) in June 2007 and notes that the dramatic fall in living standards triggered a shift in diet that will damage the long-term health of (Gaza's population). Alarming deficiencies (showed up) in iron, vitamin A and vitamin D."

The report goes on to say that "heavy restrictions on all major sectors of Gaza's economy, compounded by a cost of living increase of at least 40%, is causing progressive deterioration in food security for up to 70 per cent of (the) population. That in turn is forcing people to cut household expenditures down to survival levels."

Chronic malnutrition is rising steadily, and "micronutrient deficiencies are of great concern." Since 2007, the reported cited a switch to "low cost/high energy" cereals, sugar and oil and away from higher-cost animal products, fresh fruits and vegetables. This type diet assures long-term harmful consequences for people on it.

The Red Cross said that "the (18 month) embargo has had a devastating effect for a large proportion of households who have had to make major changes on the composition of their food basket." They now rely 80% on cereals, sugar and oil. In addition, people are selling assets, cutting back on clothing and children's education, scavenging for discarded items, and doing virtually anything to survive.

The report refers to economic disintegration and that prolonging the current situation risks permanently damaging households and their capacity to recover. The study was conducted from May to July 2008.
2007-11 "More decisions will be made by nonhuman entities. Electronically enabled teams in networks, robots with artificial intelligence, and other noncarbon life-forms will make financial, health, educational, and even political decisions for us. Reason: Technologies are increasing the complexity of our lives and human workers' competency is not keeping pace well enough to avoid disasters due to human error."
-- "Outlook 2008". The Futurist. Nov-Dec 2007
2007-08-15 "It is never just water for water's sake, but water for poverty's sake. Clean water and improved sanitation can save the poor time, improve their health and provide them income opportunities."
-- Arjun Thapan, author of the report titled "Asia Water Watch 2015"
2007-07-02 China’s State Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and health ministry asked the World Bank to cut the calculations of premature deaths (750,000 people) from the report “Cost of Pollution in China”, when a draft was finished last year.
-- according to World Bank advisers and Chinese officials.
2007-07 Sixteen of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in China.
-- World Bank research
2007-07 * High air-pollution levels in Chinese cities is leading to the premature deaths of 350,000-400,000 people each year.
* About 300,000 people die prematurely each year from exposure to poor air indoors
* About 60,000-odd premature deaths were attributable to poor-quality water, largely in the countryside, from severe diarrhoea, and stomach, liver and bladder cancers.
-- World Bank, 2007-07
2007-05-29 “We now face an opportunity — and an obligation — to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday’s health care debates... My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is the amount of money you will spend on premiums. That will be less. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don’t have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness.”
- Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA
2007-05-01 In France, if the right and far right win in the upcoming parliamentary elections, they will try to put in place a policy of social destruction:
- a single work contract;
- restrictions on the right to strike;
- abolition of labour laws, death duties and wealth tax;
- further dismantling of public services, social security and pensions;
- cuts in health benefits and civil service recruitment;
- a crackdown on immigrants;
- revival of a neo-liberal Europe that supports US policies
etc.
Ignacio Ramonet, Le Monde, 2007-05-01
2007-03-30 United Nations Human Rights Council member Pakistan proposed a new resolution on the need to combat the “defamation of religions”.

After voicing concern at “attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human-rights violations.”

The resolution noted "with deep concern the intensification of the campaign of defamation of religions, and the ethnic and religious profiling of Muslim minorities, in the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September 2001."

It urged states "to take resolute action to prohibit the dissemination including through political institutions and organisations of racist and xenophobic ideas and material aimed at any religion or its followers that constitute incitement to racial and religious hatred, hostility or violence ... "

It goes on to say that free expression should be exercised “with responsibility”, and may be limited in regard to “public health and morals”, and, worse still, “respect for religions and beliefs”.

Of the 17 members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference on the council, all but one voted for the resolution, along with China, Russia and South Africa. Fourteen Western countries voted against, including all eight EU states, plus Japan, Ukraine and South Korea (home of the UN's new secretary-general). Nine countries, all from the developing world, abstained.
2007 The number of Americans without any health insurance rose from about 38.7 million in 2000 to 45.7 million in 2007 (most recent year available).
-- According to Center for Economic and Policy Research report, Sept. 2008












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