Robin Gibb, one of three brothers who made up the disco group the Bee Gees behind “Saturday Night Fever” and other hits from the 1970s, died on Sunday, according to a statement on his website. …
Article source: http://www.ktvz.com/news/31090145/detail.html
As if on cue, all faces turn alertly toward the front of the classroom where Bridget Brownell has set up a slide show at Taft High School in Woodland Hills.
They are about to view diseased sex organs.
“First,” she said, “let me take attendance, and then I will shock you.”
Brownell belongs to a declining breed: She’s a certified health instructor leading a one-semester health class in a California public high school. The Los Angeles Unified School District nearly killed health as a required course, to focus more on its new mandate that all students complete college-prep classes. Other school systems have stopped requiring health class simply to save money.
With or without a health course, California high schools are required by law to teach students about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; they face penalties if they don’t.
Schools also are supposed to teach such topics as nutrition, safety, mental health awareness and about drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. But generally there’s no penalty for skipping these topics, and experts believe many have long done so. They also said more schools and districts are dropping health class, although there’s no official tabulation.
In interviews at several high schools, some students said they didn’t learn much new in health. A majority, however, said they found it valuable, even if they were initially skeptical. Several also admitted they probably would not have taken it if they didn’t have to.
Long Beach Unified last year made health an elective rather than a requirement, to save money. Numerous other school systems also don’t require the class. Nor do many independent charter schools.
“When Long Beach lost their health requirement, it was a big blow,” said Mary Marks, a health education consultant at the California Department of Education. “Health has been one of the early and continuing hits as money has gotten tighter and tighter.”
In L.A. Unified, the class has been eliminated at most high schools managed by a nonprofit under the control of L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, falling victim to finding more time to help struggling ninth-graders — the grade level at which health is typically taught.
“Less than 10% of our kids are at grade level in math,” said Marshall Tuck, head of the mayor’s Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. “If you don’t get them caught up early, they’re going to fall further behind. All of us are forced to make really difficult decisions.”
Instead of a dedicated class, these schools, like those in Long Beach and other districts, incorporate health topics into other classes, which can extend health education beyond ninth grade, said officials who’ve dropped the requirement.
The mayor’s schools also have appealed for help from outside organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, which provides counseling and referrals at Roosevelt High.
About 400 certified instructors are teaching health in L.A. Unified, with the number trending downward, said Timothy Kordic, who heads the district’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit.
“Health is probably one of the only classes in the entire curriculum that is about kids,” said longtime Birmingham High health teacher Wayne Sink, who’s retired but still volunteers at the school. “It is all about their lives and what is going on about diet, nutrition, puberty, sexuality, dating — all those things they were going through. It’s vital.”
In sophomore Kelly Medina’s health class last year, “they gave us a ‘baby’ to take care of,” she said. If students hit the “baby,” “we would get an ‘F’ or a ‘D.’ I learned not to have babies when we’re teens.”
At her school, Jordan High in Watts, there’s no health class this year. The campus is split between a school run by the mayor’s nonprofit and a separate academy managed by Green Dot Public Schools, an independent charter operator. Green Dot incorporates the required health units in other classes, so there are more resources and time for college prep courses.
Topics in Brownell’s class, meanwhile, run the gamut: nutrition, anatomy and physiology, bullying, healthy decision-making, birth control, mental health, anger and stress management, and tolerance — L.A. Unified pioneered teaching students to accept gay, bisexual and transgender peers.
L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy canceled plans to drop the health requirement after resistance from the Board of Education and after teachers, parents and students descended on board meetings.
“It’s the course in which we’re able to deal with a host of important issues that I don’t have other ways to deal with,” Deasy said.
Brownell’s arsenal includes a text, workbook, and materials and props she’s assembled, such as eyeglasses that simulate the reduced perceptions of a drunk driver.
Her students recently painted a “safe sex” mural on campus, and they engage in role-playing, “like one of us wanted to have sex and the other didn’t,” said junior Alex Sandoval, 16.
Students said they appreciate Brownell’s expertise, availability and, as needed, confidentiality.
In her class, Taft sophomore Jessica Bandarizadeh said that “the first thing that came up was ‘vagina’ and ‘penis,’ and we were laughing so hard — it was so embarrassing.” But by the end, the 16-year-old said, “We were so comfortable speaking about everything. It was almost like we grew up.”
Her immigrant parents are not comfortable with such conversations.
“There’s no sex before marriage in their eyes,” Jessica said. “Even if you have trust with your parents, there are some things you can’t talk about. I think my parents are happy I’m taking health.”
howard.blume@latimes.com
Article source: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lausd-health-20120521,0,1017480.story
Waiting for Health Care:
The filmmaker Peter Nicks goes behind the doors of an American public hospital struggling to care for a community of largely uninsured patients.
Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/opinion/for-the-uninsured-the-wait-for-health-care.html
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Article source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm304717.htm
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Contact:
Consumer:
(877) 782-6464
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 18, 2012 – WEST COAST NUTRITIONALS, LTD is conducting a voluntary recalling all lots of FIRMINITE, EXTRA STRENGTH INSTANT HOT ROD, AND LIBIDRON capsules to the consumer level. An FDA lab analysis of FIRMINITE distributed by West Coast Nutritionals was found to contain undeclared Tadalafil. Tadalafil is an active ingredient of an FDA approved drug for Erectile Dysfunction (ED), making FIRMINITE, EXTRA STRENGTH INSTANT HOT ROD, AND LIBIDRON unapproved new drugs. All lots of these three products contain undeclared Tadalafil which can pose a serious risk to health.
FDA advises that this poses a threat to consumers because Tadalafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. FDA advises that Tadalafil may cause side effects such as headaches and flushing. The firm has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall. The FDA is aware of one consumer complaint with an adverse event.
The affected products may have been ordered online at www.firminite.com 
, www.instanthotrodextrastrength.com , www.libidron.com , www.amazon.com and were distributed to customers and retailers nationwide and worldwide. These products are marketed as dietary supplements intended for use as a male enhancement product and are as follows:
Firminite:
Firminite is sold in two count (2 ct.), four count (4 ct.), and ten count (10 ct.) individual boxes and sold in various kits and packs including but not limited to:
Intro Pack
Tester Pack
Economy Stimulus Pack
Super Performance Pack
Super Savings Pack
Firminite is sold in black and white boxes with red and yellow lettering that states, “FIRMINITE MAXIMUM STRENGTH HIGH POTENCY MALE ENHANCEMENT”.
Libidron:
Libidron is sold in two count (2 ct.), four count (4 ct.), and ten count (10 ct.) individual boxes and sold in various kits and packs including but not limited to:
Intro Special
Tester Pack
Elite Silver Pack
Elite Gold Pack
Ultimate Performance Pack
Ultimate Savings Pack
Libidron is sold in blue and orange boxes with white lettering that states, “LIBIDRON HIGH POTENCY FORMULA”.
EXTRA STRENGTH INSTANT HOT ROD:
Extra Strength Instant Hot Rod is sold in four count (4 ct.), and ten count (10 ct.) individual boxes and sold in various kits and packs including but not limited to:
Intro Special
Tester Pack
Silver Elite Special Pack
Gold Elite Special Pack
Platinum Elite Pack
Super Savings Elite Pack
Extra Strength Instant Hot Rod is sold in black and white boxes with red and white lettering that states, “EXTRA STRENGTH INSTANT HOT ROD”.
West Coast Nutritionals is notifying its customers and retailers by email and/or phone to return all recalled products. All customers and retailers that have any of these products which are being recalled should stop using these products and return any unused products to ATTN: West Coast Nutritionals, 5670 Guhn Road, Houston, TX 77040 for a direct refund. Customers with questions can call (877) 782-6464 Mon thru Fri from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST for further instructions or information with respect to the return and refund process.
Consumers should contact their physician or health care provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using these products.
Any adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s Med Watch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
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This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information [what's this?]
Article source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm304719.htm
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Contact:
Consumer:
1-800-762-7708
Media:
Kim St George
831-758-1390
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 18, 2012 – River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, CA is initiating a voluntary recall of retail and foodservice bagged salads, because they have the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes following routine random retail salad finished product tests conducted in the marketplace by the Food Drug Administration.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Retail salad products under this recall were distributed nationwide under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Marketside, Shurfresh, and The Farmer’s Market.
Foodservice salad products under this recall were distributed nationwide under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Cross Valley, Fresh n Easy, Promark, and Sysco.
The recalled retail and foodservice salad bags have either “Best By” code dates between 12MAY2012 – 22MAY2012 or Julian dates between 116 – 125. The code date is typically located in the upper right hand corner of the bags.
See attached list for the specific salad products, size, package type, UPC codes and states of distribution.
No other products, brands or code dates aside from those listed below are affected by this recall.
There have been NO reported illnesses associated with this recall. We are working closely with the Food Drug Administration and California Department of Public Health.
Consumers who have purchased this product should not consume it and are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact River Ranch at their 24-hour customer service center at 1-800-762-7708.
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Products affected in this recall Page 1
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Products affected in this recall Page 2
Article source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm304718.htm
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
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Caribeña Brand Because Of Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
1-956-874-9411
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 17, 2012 – Caribe Produce LTD Co. of McAllen, TX, is recalling 286 cases of Papaya Maradol, Caribeña Brand papayas packed in 35 lb. cartons marked with the brand “ Caribeña “ and “ Product of Mexico” stamped on the side. The papayas are sold individually, and each one bears a label which states “3112 CARIBEÑA Papaya MARADOL PRODUCT OF MEXICO www.grandeproduce.com 
A copy of this label is enclosed. These papayas have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The recalled Papaya Maradol, Caribeña Brand cases were distributed in the Bronx, New York in wholesale stores and through retail stores from May 14th, 2012 to May 17th, 2012.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in the product.
Consumers who have these Papaya Maradol, Caribeña Brand papayas are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-956-874-9411.
###
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information [what's this?]
Photo: Product Labels
Recalled Product Photos Are Also Available on FDA’s Flickr Photostream.
Article source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm304726.htm
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.
Contact:
Consumer:
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1-800-348-2255
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Amy Philpott
703-472-6615
aphilpott@watsonmulhern.com 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 19, 2012 – May 19, 2012-Gills Onions, LLC of Oxnard, CA is initiating a voluntary recall, 2,360 pounds, of diced red onions with lot code 51RDA1A2119 and use-by-dates May 14, 15 and 17, 2012 because it may be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes. The product is beyond its use-by-date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall, and no other Gills Onions product is affected by this recall.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The recalled diced red onions were distributed directly from Gills Onions to retailers in Canada and retailers and foodservice distributors in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee, New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida.
Recalled product sold at retail was packaged in a 7oz. clear plastic clamshell, labeled Gills Onions with the May 17, 2012 use-by-date and the lot code 51RDA1A2119 stamped on the UPC label. The UPC number in Canada is 643550 00045 0 and the UPC number in the United States is 643550 00041 2. However, since this number can also be on other products, please refer to the lot code in order to identify the recalled product. Photos are available on our website. Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should discard it.
Product sold to foodservice customers was packaged in 5 lb clear plastic bags, identified as Gills Onions Diced Red Onions, and stamped with an expiration date of May 14 or 15, 2012. The lot code 51RDA1A2119 is also stamped on both the bag and box. Photos are available on our website.
This voluntary recall was initiated as a result of a routine and random test directed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Gills Onions has notified all customers who received the recalled lot directly from the company and requested that they remove from commerce any of the expired product they may still have in stock. As an extra precautionary measure and because we do not always know to whom our direct customers sell our products, we are also asking our direct customers to notify their customers of this recall. Gills Onions is keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency informed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.
Consumers with questions may contact Gills Onions at 1-800-348-2255, M-F 8am-5pm PDT or at 1-209-678-1354 today, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Please visit our website at www.gillsonions.com for updates.
###
RSS Feed for FDA Recalls Information [what's this?]
Photo: Product Labels
Recalled Product Photos Are Also Available on FDA’s Flickr Photostream.
Article source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm304732.htm
The heads of several of Canada’s leading health-care organizations have written a strongly worded letter to the federal immigration minister, urging him to rescind plans to cut health services to refugees and refugee claimants.
“We are extremely concerned over the health impacts that this will have on the most vulnerable members of our society, many of whom will eventually become Canadian citizens,” the letter to Jason Kenney states.
It is signed by the heads of eight prominent health-care groups:
Currently, under a long-standing program called the Interim Federal Health Program, the federal government provides basic health care, dental and vision care, medications and medical devices as needed to refugee claimants until they become eligible for coverage under provincial health care.
But under the new government plan, which is due to take effect June 30, some refugee claimants would only be entitled to urgent care; others would be denied all care unless they have a disease that would be a risk to the public, such as tuberculosis.
Kenney said the plan is to ensure refugees don’t get better health care than ordinary Canadians. He said it’s also meant to deter fraudulent refugee claimants from coming to Canada for free health and dental care.
‘The health implications of cutting off individuals who are already receiving necessary health care could be catastrophic.’—Health professionals to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney
The plan would also save the government about $100 million over the next five years, he said.
But the medical professionals say it won’t save money in the long run because people who are sick will only get worse and take up more resources down the line.
They argue the plan will download costs to provincial governments, charitable groups and community organizations, which they say are already struggling to provide adequate health-care services to the overall community.
And they say the move will hurt not only refugees, it will endanger the public.
“These changes will have deleterious effects to the public health and safety of all Canadians. For instance, tuberculosis, which is still quite prevalent in various regions of the world, may go unnoticed by health professionals, inevitably putting the greater public in harm’s reach,” the letter states.
The health professionals are also concerned that there is no grandfathering provision. That means people who currently have medications provided to them for serious illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes will be cut off or forced to pay for it themselves.
Doctors in Toronto staged a sit-in to protest proposed cuts to health care for refugees and refugee claimants. (Maureen Brosnahan/CBC)
“The health implications of cutting off individuals who are already receiving necessary health care could be catastrophic,” the health professionals wrote.
Jeff Morrison, director of government relations and public affairs for the Canadian Pharmacists Association, told CBC News in an interview Friday that the government should consider other ways to save money without compromising the health of refugees.
“We would be more than happy to work with them in improving efficiencies in other areas,” he said.
So far, the group has not had a response from Kenney or his office to their letter.
Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/05/18/doctors-refugee-jason-kenney.html
Supporters of a proposed ballot measure seeking tighter regulation of health insurance rates in California turned in 800,000 petition signatures, confident that they will qualify for the Nov. 6 election.
In the coming weeks, county election offices and the California secretary of state will determine whether the measure meets the requirement for 504,760 valid signatures of registered voters. The deadline to qualify is June 28.
The initiative is expected to spark an expensive campaign battle over rising health insurance rates, which have angered thousands of California consumers in recent years. This measure seeks to regulate rate increases for health policies sold to individuals and small businesses, which cover about 5 million people. It doesn’t affect plans purchased by larger employers that cover about 15 million Californians.
On Friday, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones joined with activists from Consumer Watchdog, the Santa Monica group leading the ballot drive, at the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder’s office in Norwalk to drop off boxes of signatures.
“Over 34 states have given the insurance commissioner the authority to reject excessive rates,” Jones said. “This isn’t a novel idea. California is behind the rest of the nation.”
The proposed ballot initiative would give Jones and the California Department of Insurance the same rate-setting authority over health insurance that they already hold over auto and property coverage. Opponents say that the measure would create a costly new bureaucracy at a time of growing state budget deficits, and they contend that it doesn’t address the underlying reasons for rising premiums.
California’s largest health insurers — Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., Health Net Inc., Blue Shield of California and United Healthcare Insurance Co. — are leading the opposition by funding a group called Californians Against Higher Healthcare Costs. The coalition also draws support from doctors, hospitals and various business groups.
“We all agree that controlling healthcare costs is critical, but this flawed measure will do nothing to address the underlying costs driving healthcare premiums and will ultimately limit patients’ access to care,” said Don Crane, chief executive of the California Assn. of Physician Groups.
chad.terhune@latimes.com
Article source: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-0519-health-insure-ballot-20120519,0,5702772.story
