In What the Health Knows, filmmaker Kip Andersen reveals the hidden secrets of chronic diseases and how you can prevent or reverse them. He also investigates why leading health organizations don’t want you to know this secret. He explores the links between food industry corporations and national public health groups. You’ll be shocked by what you learn!
Unfinished health care policies
There are many unfinished health care policies that have been left by the recent congress. The most challenging was the construction of policy levers to target the wasteful third of health care spending. In this piece, we look at some policy levers that have been proposed. They include: a national health insurance exchange, stronger public programs, allowing Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate drug prices, and robust antitrust enforcement.
Financial relationships between food industry companies and national public health groups
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) has a symbiotic relationship with the food and pharmaceutical industries. The organization has key leadership positions in large food companies such as PepsiCo and Nestle, and has made investments in many of these companies. The organization also invests in several pharmaceutical companies.
Some companies have made these relationships work for their own interests, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good for public health. Instead, they’ve created a public relations opportunity for themselves. As a result, they’ve been able to build a better image and improve their sales. The food industry has been very good at co-branding, and it has used health organizations to make money by promoting their products.
Fish is toxic
There’s a growing concern that eating certain fish is harmful to your health. This is because some fish are highly toxic. These toxins are often concentrated in certain parts of the body. For example, consuming the liver, hepatopancreas, and tomalley from shellfish can cause saxitoxin poisoning (PSP). Although this toxin is naturally occurring in some sea creatures, it is particularly harmful when it is present in shellfish.
However, the seafood industry has long sought to convince people to consume fish, claiming that these fatty acids are essential for health. While this is true, it is possible to get these fatty acids from plant sources without the health risks. According to a study by the Environmental Working Group, contaminated fish contains high levels of mercury and other dangerous chemicals, so avoiding them is the best option.
Health workers are not OK
The mental health of health care workers has been the focus of a new study, and it shows that nearly half of all U.S. health care workers experience depression or have thoughts of suicide. In addition, a traveling ICU nurse in the Bay Area went missing, becoming a wake-up call for other nurses. While the cause of her death is not yet known, many health care workers have been affected by the incident.
In fact, reports of nonfatal violence against health care workers have increased by 60 percent in the last five years. Of those surveyed, 44 percent reported experiencing physical abuse and 67 percent reported experiencing verbal abuse. Both types of abuse are especially prevalent among nurses caring for patients with comorbidities. Such workplace harassment and abuse is not OK, and it can lead to burnout and other health problems.
Commonwealth Fund Commission on a National Public Health System
The Commonwealth Fund has announced a new commission to recommend reforms to strengthen our national public health system. The commission will include seven individuals with public health experience and thought leadership. One of these individuals is former FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg. The commission’s recommendations will be important to the health of our nation and its ability to withstand future crises.
This commission is composed of health leaders from both parties and will focus on how to improve the country’s health system. It will be responsible for identifying infrastructure improvements and creating a blueprint for reform. It will also make specific policy recommendations.