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Friday, November 26, 2010

What's the cost/benefit of 2053 Atmospheric Nuclear Tests?

This video, which I read about on my friend Paul's Facebook wall, shows every nuclear explosion throughout the world since the first test near Los Alamos, New Mexico, on a time-lapse map.



Watching it brought many questions to mind:  How many people have died or been injured during the creation of these explosions?  What was the total cost of creating these explosions?  What was the overall benefit of these explosions?  Were these explosions necessary?  Will we ever achieve total nuclear disarmament, and renounce the creation and use of these bombs, like Ukraine and South Africa have done?

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

SMART Recovery® Facilitation

I facilitated my first meeting tonight with this excellent self-help program focusing on addressing addictive behaviors.  As a science-based, humanistic, self-help approach to recovery, I feel that the goals and methods of the program are totally in-line with my overall philosophy related to leading a healthy, balanced life.

Being a facilitator mainly involves listening, being empathetic, and helping guide discussion and keep track of time.  Meetings are 90 minutes long.

In addition to an online community, SMART has three meetings per week in Madison as well as one in Stoughton.  Meetings are free, open to the public, and are completely confidential.

If you or someone you know might be interested in attending as an observer or to address your own addictive behaviors that are causing problems in your life, please visit this site to see if there is an online or in-person meeting you can attend:  http://www.smartrecovery.org/meetings/index.htm, or if you're in the Madison area, visit this site to see where the local meetings are held:  http://smartrecoverymadison.org/

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Mental Illness Affects 1 in 5 Americans

According to a recent government study, it has been show that Mental Illness Affects 1 in 5 Americans. The study also showed that 20% of these individuals also had substance dependence or abuse related problems during the previous year (I'm paraphrasing from the linked article).

What are the implications of this study? That access to care is limited, that comorbidity between mental health and substance abuse is very high, and the main point, that mental illness is not some minor issue: rather, it is one of the most widespread individual, family, and social challenges that Americans face.

I am concerned whether this article will increase or decrease the stigmas about mental illness that seem to perpetuate our culture and society. I'm hopeful that the response to this and other similar studies will increase awareness about mental illness and turn into expanded coverage and access for mental health and substance abuse treatment. This seems to be the trend, but under the face of high deficits and budget cutbacks it is too early to say what will happen during the next couple of years.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

SMART Recovery®

I've started attending my first meetings as an observer with the SMART Recovery® program this week.  The program is really amazing, and I'm looking forward to getting more involved and helping the program develop in whatever way I can.

There are currently four meetings which take place in the Madison area.  They are all free and open to the public.  One of the things that's really exciting about this program is that it tries to help people stop from addictive behaviors which are causing problems in their lives.  It relies heavily on science-based evidence and humanistic values.

People who are struggling with an addictive behavior such as drinking, smoking, gambling, etc., can really benefit from this type of program.  So please consider sharing the information to your friends, colleagues, and family members.   To find information about this program, visit http://www.smartrecovery.org/ for the national website, or http://smartrecoverymadison.org/ to find a meeting time and place in Madison.  Observers are welcome to attend, but please contact a facilitator in advance.

Friday, November 12, 2010

NOH8

A very nicely done anti-bullying ad from the folks at NOH8 (www.noh8campaign.com).



I think that bullying is a much bigger problem than just affecting youth who are gay, bisexual, lesbian, or transgendered, but if we're going to start somewhere I think that this is definitely a good strategy.

Dane County's Alcohol Free Online Self-Assessment Tool

I can't remember how I stumbled across this website, but apparently Dane County not only has a Coalition to Reduce Alcohol Abuse, it also is sponsoring a great new self-assessment that people can use anonymously to find out things like whether their drinking is a financial burden or if they are at risk of having health problems from their choice to drink.  It's called ECheckup, and you can read more about it below, or by following this link: http://www.countyofdane.com/commissions/alcohol/.

"All residents of Dane County can use this important resource from San Diego State University.
Just go to this link: http://interwork.sdsu.edu/echeckup/usa/alc/adult/Dane to do your own totally confidential Brief Self Assessment that will provide you with:
  • accurate and detailed information about your personal risk patterns
  • your individual level of alcohol tolerance
  • your unique family risk factors
  • harm reduction strategies
The Coalition will receive statistical information, but nothing is ascribed to any individual person. This is a well-researched resource. We encourage Dane County residents to take advantage of this opportunity."

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

New Warning Ads for Smokes

I think that these ads should have been used a long time ago.  No smoker has ever really been deterred by the current labels no matter how scary the statements are.  I think people will respond much better to some of these images, although some of them are probably not going to be effective with some folks at all.

Anyway, here's the article so that you can decide for yourself:  http://gawker.com/5686426/your-12-pack-of-cigarettes-will-now-come-with-these-horrible-pictures

You can actually weigh in on what ads you found to be the best by visiting http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/Labeling/CigaretteProductWarningLabels/default.htm and following the instructions listed under the heading, "Public Comment."

China Sentences Food Safety Activist to 2 1/2 years in Prison

Zhao Lianhai has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years after his conviction earlier this year of causing social unrest by being a food safety activist.  Zhao's infant son was sickened in 2008 by the widespread use in China of the chemical additive melamine in baby formula.  As the New York Times has reported, China has perhaps coincidentally released information about a new food safety initiative today as well, aiming at providing the public with more information and curtailing what the Chinese government calls false news about what is or isn't safe to eat.

Although I have deep respect for Chinese society and culture, I believe that this harsh sentence will inevitably deter its citizens from speaking out on public health dangers in the future, and is a fundamental violation of Mr. Zhao's human rights.  China has every right to put forward initiatives of what it thinks is in the best interest of its citizens, but individuals like Mr. Zhao should be tried on the factuality of their statements, not the amount of their concern or the loudness of their dissension.   And the punishment should fit the crime, which in Zhao's case does not seem to match at all in my opinion.

Here's the New York Times article on Zhao's sentencing:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/world/asia/11beijing.html?ref=global-home

Here's the People's Daily article on its new food safety initiative:  http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/7194527.html

Monday, November 8, 2010

Comment of the Day: It's Too Easy Not Being Green

An interesting post from Gawker about how 'Being Green' is just another brand these days designed to make people feel good about their purchases but lacking any real substance.

Comment of the Day: It's Too Easy Not Being Green

While Warning About Fat, U.S. Pushes Cheese Sales - NYTimes.com

Seems a bit contradictory...

While Warning About Fat, U.S. Pushes Cheese Sales - NYTimes.com

Who's Dying in the Iraq War, in Pixels [Infographic]

Who's Dying in the Iraq War, in Pixels [Infographic]: "
This simple pixel diagram displays the human death toll of the Iraq war. Blue pixels are 'friendly' deaths (U.S. and coalition forces), green ones are 'host' deaths (Iraqi government), gray are 'enemy' deaths (insurgents) and orange, well, those are civilians. More »



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