If they drove the trucks carrying tomatoes by a cobalt source, we probably wouldn't be dealing with deaths due to Samonella contamination.

If you have ever been hooked up to an IV in a hospital or ER, chances are that the IV tubing set, filters, and other plastic devices were sterilized by irradiation.

Thanks Mike for that feedback and pointed comment. Yes, our skin is alive and a semiporous gateway to our inner environment. From sunblock to the DEET in insect repellent, summertime is full of dressings for our skin that serve a purpose but also lead to systemic exposure – Yes, use these items, but sparingly, choosing to cover up to prevent burns and bites – Covered flesh may not be sexy but it is healthier for your whole being. And especially be careful with babies as the skin is a highway of exposure for them. Regarding cosmetics and personal care items, I am personally excited that Whole Foods Market has taken on a Premium Care Line – their goal is for it to be free of phthalates, parabens and other endocrine-active or irritating agents. Kudos to WFM for leadership in this area. Gary Ginsberg

Michael-

Thanks for this post. I agree with you, that somehow the "American Dream" is too often ,as Michael Moore said "All about me, and not about we."

 If we are to create a reliable health safety net in this country, we will need to do two things.

First, create a new vision, affirming health care as a right, indispensible to reaching one's full human potental and essential to achieving the nation's overall productvity goals and  competing on a global scale.

Seond, think broad and integrated. In 2004,Stephen Issas and Steve Schroder,writing on race and class and health in America said in the NEJM, "Race and class are both independently associated with health status, although it is often difficult to disentangle the individual effects of the two factors."(http://healthpolitics.org/program_transcript.asp?p=class_race_health). Why so difficult? Because we've sequestered health in it's own sector and barrcaded it behind power silos.

It's not enough to reform our health care systm, or even simply extend insurance, we need a fundamentally change our philosophy. We need to go back to our Founding Fathers original dream and ask, "What must society do to insure liberty and justice for all?"

Mike

Gary

Thanks for this post. Marketing success seems greatest when it plays to a combination of insecurity and ignoance. When it comes to the beauty industry, both are at work. Beauty is viewed as "skin deep", and skin somehow has been disassociated with the rest of the human organism. We can burn it in sun tan booths; lather it in hormonally actve creams; inject it with botax or "fillers"; and on and on. It's as if this lining is an inpenetrable barrier protecting us from our own harm inducing behaviors. As you so clearly suggest, we need to begin to treat our outside with as much respect as our inside. Thanks for the wake up call!

Mike

not only the american women it affects the women all over the world

Addiction to some habits spoils your health and your future life.It is difficult to recover from addiction. But you are expexted to do that. Drug addiction leads to harmfull side effects. Please avoid using drugs. If you got into it Take necessary steps to overcome the addiction.So get rid of addiction and lead a happy and joyfull life.

________

Jesinth.

Drug Alcohol Rehab

http://www.drugalcoholrehab.net/

Mike:

You note that " . . . 6 percent of young people between the ages of 6 and 19 are now overweight today." I think it's even higher than that,although the overweght vs obese distinction isn't as clear in children. The CDC calls BMI > 95th percentile "overweight." They give a prevalence of "overweight" today as ranging from 14-17%, about a 100% increase over the past two decades.

Family caregivers are smart, savvy, committment individuals who (many) have put aspects of their own life on hold in order to meet the needs of those they love.

They become educated and intuitive on how to care for their loved one's needs and juggle the tangle of health care quamire--and yet they feel isolated and disrespected.

I cared for my mom who had Parkinsona's and Alzheimer's and it got to the point to where my mom's doctor appointments were a social outlet. I knew the medical jargon to the point to where they asked me where I received my training...and yet I still felt of little use past pill dispensing and bedpan duty.

Family caregiving is crucial and a vital and necessary part of society. They deserve our respect--a diploma, a medal, a trophy--just kidding--just some appreciation would be great.

~Carol D. O'Dell

Author of Motheirng Mother: A Daughter's Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir

available on Amazon

www.mothering-mother.com