Emergency Grants to Help People Most Affected by Global Food Crisis

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Aug 15,2008

Grants to World Food Programme and others to provide nutritious food, support small-scale farmers

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced a $17.6 million package of grants to help people most affected by the global food crisis and support small-scale farmers in developing countries.

The largest grant — $10 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) — will continue the organization’s efforts to feed young children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Niger, Cote D’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, where malnutrition rates are staggering. Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, and Oxfam America will receive a total of $7.6 million. These grants include providing food for those most in need; helping families earn money for food through employment opportunities or cash-for-work programs; and helping farmers continue and improve their production in times of crisis.

Rising food and fuel prices have put 950 million people worldwide at risk of hunger and malnutrition, according to the United Nations. Young children, whose early nutritional needs are critical to ensure long-term health, and women are at the greatest risk. Increases in farming costs, such as transportation and fertilizer, are adding to small farmers’ burdens.

While these grants address some of the most urgent consequences of the global food crisis, the foundation is also deeply committed to funding nutritional programs that promote lasting health and supporting long-term, sustainable efforts to help hundreds of millions of small farmers boost their productivity so they can feed their families and overcome poverty.

“The current global food crisis requires immediate action to feed people most at risk,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the foundation’s Global Development Program. ”In the longer term, since agriculture and the needs of small-scale farmers in the developing world have been increasingly neglected in recent decades, we need a significant reinvestment in agricultural development — from donors and developing countries — that focuses on helping small farmers boost their yields and increase their incomes.”

Agricultural development is the largest initiative in the foundation’s Global Development Program. The foundation has made more than $800 million in commitments in the sector with a focus on helping small-scale farmers in Africa and South Asia. The grants span the agricultural value chain — from seeds and soil to farm management and market access — so that millions of small farmers have the tools and opportunities to live healthy, productive lives.

Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation


Weakening US Economy Takes its Toll on Americans Health

New Research Reveals Consumers are Reducing Medical Visits to Save Money

To save money, many Americans are cutting back on medical care — potentially putting their health at risk — according to new research from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

A national survey of 686 consumers, fielded in July, found that 22 percent of U.S. consumers say they have reduced the number of times they see the doctor as a result of today’s economy. Furthermore, 11 percent of consumers say they have cut back the number of prescription drugs they take or the dosage of those medications to make the prescription last longer.

“Delaying medical treatment and regular physicals puts consumers at risk for potential health issues — and increases overall health insurance costs,” said NAIC President and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger. “It’s critical that consumers continue to take responsibility for their health, so that we can all benefit from healthier lives and more affordable healthcare.”

And, while consumers might be making budget cuts in other areas, the NAIC’s survey revealed that the vast majority have not reduced, cancelled or otherwise made changes to their insurance policies.

“Insurance is an important — and oftentimes mandated — purchase for most Americans,” Praeger said. “That is why the NAIC and state insurance regulators are committed to helping every American be a smarter insurance consumer.”

Following is a summary of the key research findings:

Auto Insurance

  • 80 percent of consumers have not made changes to their auto insurance policy.
  • However, 7 percent of consumers reported changes. Of those, 4 percent reduced coverage, 2 percent fell behind on payments and 1 percent cancelled their policy.

Homeowners Insurance

  • 74 percent of consumers have not made changes to their homeowners insurance policy.
  • However, 5 percent of consumers reported changes. Of those, 2 percent reduced coverage, less than 1 percent fell behind on payments and 3 percent cancelled their policy.

Health Insurance

  • 85 percent of consumers have not made changes to their health insurance policy.
  • However, 5 percent of consumers reported changes. Of those, 2 percent reduced coverage, 1 percent fell behind on payments and 2 percent cancelled their policy.

Life Insurance

  • 78 percent of consumers have not made changes to their life insurance policy.
  • However, 6 percent of consumers reported changes. Of those, 1 percent reduced coverage, 2 percent fell behind on payments and 3 percent cancelled their policy.

The NAIC offers tips for consumers on how to lower their insurance premiums through its public education program, Insure U, at www.InsureUonline.org. The program is also available in Spanish at www.insureuonline.org/espanol.

Tips to Help Consumers Lower their Auto Insurance Premiums

  • Consider safety devices if you’re buying or leasing a new car. For example, getting a car with anti-lock brakes, side air bags, automatic seat belts and daytime running lights can help you save on premiums.
  • Install anti-theft devices on your car, such as an alarm system or global positioning system so that your car can be located if stolen. Notify your insurance provider if you have these devices or have recently installed them.
  • Maintain a good driving record, as the number of accidents, DWI/DUI citations, claims and tickets directly affect your premiums.
  • Call your insurance provider and ask about eligible discounts such as a multi-car discount, good grades (for students under 25 years of age) and mature driver (for consumers between 50 and 65 years of age) among others.

Tips to Help Consumers Lower their Homeowners Insurance Premiums

  • Install protective devices — such as a burglar alarm system, smoke detectors and deadbolt locks. Notify your insurance provider if you have these devices or have recently installed them.
  • Consider consolidating your homeowners and auto insurance policies with the same insurer, as you might be eligible for a multiple-policy discount.
  • Maintain a good credit history. Many insurance companies consider credit history when determining how much to charge for insurance.
  • If you can afford to pay for minor repairs out of pocket, you might want to consider raising your deductible.

Tips to Help Consumers Lower their Health Insurance Premiums

  • If you’re married and both spouses work at jobs that provide health insurance, compare these policies and their costs to see which one best fits your needs. Look beyond the monthly amount you must pay and closely evaluate covered services, co-pay requirements, deductibles and reimbursement levels so that you make the best choice for your family and your pocketbook.
  • Stay in-network when possible, making sure to get referrals and pre- certifications as required by the plan.
  • Keep all receipts for medical services, whether in- or out-of-network. In the event you exceed your deductible, you might qualify for a tax deduction for out-of-pocket medical bills.
  • Consider opening a flexible spending account (FSA), if your employer offers one, which allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Tips to Help Consumers Lower their Life Insurance Premiums

  • Keep in mind that life insurance premiums generally increase with age.
  • Stay healthy or get healthy. Insurance companies might review your health habits and will consider certain behaviors, like smoking or excessive drinking, when determining your premiums.
  • Avoid risky behaviors. Dangerous hobbies — such as skydiving, hang- gliding or rock climbing — will likely cause higher insurance premiums.
  • Maintain a good driving record. The better your driving record, the better rates you’ll receive for life insurance.

“Insurance is one of the easiest ways that consumers can protect themselves against significant financial loss, especially during difficult economic times,” said NAIC Acting Executive Vice President and CEO Andrew Beal. “It’s also important that consumers understand their insurance needs and options. We urge them to visit Insure U to learn more.”

Available at www.insureUonline.org, the Insure U curriculum provides an introduction to the four basic types of insurance — auto, home, health and life — along with tips and special insurance considerations for eight life situations. The curriculum also provides information about how to avoid being scammed by fake insurance companies selling fraudulent insurance policies. Disaster preparedness and long-term care insurance tips are also included. After reviewing the curriculum, consumers can elect to take a short online quiz. Upon successful completion of the quiz, consumers can print out an Insure U diploma.

For more information:

  • Call the NAIC’s toll-free hotline — 866-470-NAIC (6242) — to find out how to contact your local insurance department.
  • Visit www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm to link to your local insurance department’s Web site.
  • Visit www.insureUonline.org for additional tips specifically geared toward a variety of life situations.

Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)


Mutation Causing Mitochondrial Disease More Common Than Previously Believed

The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) today announced landmark research finding that one in every 200 people has a DNA mutation that could potentially cause a mitochondrial disease in them or their offspring. Mitochondrial disease is a devastating and often fatal disease, and mitochondrial disorders are at the core of many well known diseases and chronic illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and autism spectrum disorders. This research, which was partially funded by UMDF, was conducted by Patrick Chinnery, MBBS, PhD, MRCPath, FRCP, Wellcome Senior Fellow in Clinical Genetics and professor of neurogenetics at Newcastle University in the UK. Dr. Chinnery’s findings are published in the current issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.

“This ground breaking discovery confirms what researchers and experts have believed for some time – mitochondrial disease is not rare,” said Charles A. Mohan, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of UMDF. “We now know that 1 in 200 people carry the mutation for this horrible, debilitating disease. This discovery underscores the need for additional research funding to help better diagnose and treat affected individuals and to learn more about how mitochondrial dysfunction is connected to other diseases.”

Mitochondrial diseases are extremely complicated and often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. They develop when the mitochondria – the body’s main energy source – do not function properly. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90 percent of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. Because they are in almost all human cells, this “power failure” results in disease that can affect almost any body tissue. Therefore, the severity of symptoms and how the disease manifests itself can vary from person to person. One person may suffer difficulty breathing, have uncontrollable seizures and/or digestive problems, while another may not be able to walk, talk, see or hear.

“The demonstration by Dr. Chinnery and colleagues that at least one in 200 newborns harbor known pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is a major underlying risk factor for human disease,” said Dr. Douglas C. Wallace, Donald Bren Professor of Molecular Medicine, Director of the Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics, University of California-Irvine. “This new observation augments the rapidly expanding body of evidence indicating that common mitochondrial DNA lineages modulate the risk for developing a wide variety of diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson Disease, Alzheimer Disease, various cancers, as well as longevity.”

The mitochondrial DNA encodes essential genes for mitochondrial energy production. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction represents a major unexplored area of human biology of vital importance to human health. Along with the diseases noted above, mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and lupus. While it cannot yet be said that mitochondrial dysfunction causes these problems, it is clear that mitochondria are involved because their function is measurably disturbed.

“Dr. Chinnery’s research raises many new questions – none of which can be answered without additional dollars allocated for research into mitochondrial disease and dysfunction,” said Mohan. “This line of research holds great promise. Ultimately, the investment we make may enable doctors and researchers to transform medicine, benefiting not only those suffering from mitochondrial disease, but the many millions of Americans who suffer from the wide range of diseases related to mitochondrial dysfunction.”

Dr. Chinnery’s study was performed on 3000 randomly ascertained neonatal cord blood samples, screening for ten specific DNA mutations related to mitochondrial disease. The study’s findings establish that the incidence of new mutations and the frequency of asymptomatic carriers are not rare and emphasize the importance of developing new approaches to prevent transmission.

Source: United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation


“The passage of federal legislation two years ago mandating schools to adopt wellness policies — a response by Congress to the alarming surge in childhood obesity — will be looked back upon as the launching pad for the school wellness movement,” says a 60-page report issued this week by the Action For Healthy Kids Coalition (AFHK). “That legislation has gotten the ball rolling by identifying schools as playing a key role in the development of children’s eating and exercising habits,” says Andrea Thompson, Vice President of School Marketing for the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc., serving schools in New York, Northern and Central NJ and Northeast PA.

While the report commends schools for eliminating soft drink and junk food vending machines, it says the focus for improving nutrition can’t only be on foods and beverages to avoid. Improving the quality of the nutrient-rich foods that make up the USDA-guided school cafeteria menu presents an opportunity for increasing overall nutritional wellness. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the USDA say the nutritional content of school meals has improved since the mid-1990s, but the key — according to the report — is making healthy offerings more youth-appealing.

wellness

The dairy industry recognized this gap and has introduced innovated programs such as the “New Look of School Milk” to schools throughout the country. A collaborative effort between farmers and milk processors, the program has overhauled the appearance of school milk and has been successful in increasing milk consumption. “The goal of the program was to update milk’s image to make it more appealing to kids, so that they’d drink more and get the essential nutrients they need,” explains Thompson.

The key was changing packaging and adding flavors. “We got rid of the old fashioned, hard-to-open, paperboard cartons and put milk in contemporary plastic, resealable containers,” says Thompson. “We worked with milk processors to formulate additional low-fat milk flavors like strawberry, vanilla, and orange and are seeing increases in milk consumption up to 30 percent in schools that offer the new milk.”

In the New York Metro area, Farmland Dairies of Wallington, NJ produces the new milk, which is currently distributed to over 200 schools including Wall, Union City, Toms River, East Brunswick, Closter, Morris, Randolph, Budd Lake, Sayreville and Long Beach, Long Island. In Toms River, NJ, Pete Brattan, Director of the district’s school food service program, says the small increase in cost for the new milk is made up by the increase in volume. Brattan also says that recycling the plastic containers helps teach kids a lesson about going green. Kevin J Hannon, Jr., School Food Service Director of Long Beach Public Schools began offering the new milk to his 4,100 students last October. “I’m a milk drinker myself, and I was bothered by the statistics that showed so many young people were abandoning milk at such an early age,” says Hannon. “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from parents, teachers and students.”

Outside the Metro area, other processors including Upstate Farms of Buffalo and Galliker’s Dairy of Johnson, PA, produce the new milk as well and distribute it to schools in Buffalo, Canandaigua, Jamestown, Ballston Spa, Clarence, Corning, Grand Island and Milton, PA. “Students love the updated look and more flavor varieties — vanilla is the favorite,” says Sharon Bogue of Canandaigua City schools. To encourage even more healthy options, Bogue worked with the Dairy Association to put healthy vending milk machines in several of her buildings. In Milton, PA, school food service director Sharon Adami reported a 39 percent increase in milk consumption the first week the new milk was offered. “This is very positive news for the health of our students. While across the country we’ve seen milk consumption among teens dip, here in Pennsylvania, we’ve actually found a way to get kids to drink more.”

Thompson agrees with the AFHK report that a mix of ridding the school environment of high-calorie, nutrient-void items — coupled with an emphasis on bolstering the appeal of nutrient-rich foods like milk — will have a positive outcome for students, but talks about other options as well. “Schools have control over what is served in the cafeteria, but more schools are beginning to regulate what kids bring in from home,” she says. For example, in New Jersey, the Hillsborough middle school in Somerset County, with more than 1,200 seventh- and eighth-graders, is among a growing number across the country that has banned or is considering banning energy drinks from their campuses.

Another option for schools to try to increase consumption of nutritionally balanced school meals is to offer alternative service especially for breakfast. Thompson says the highly successful “breakfast in the classroom” program in Newark and Buffalo schools has increased participation in the breakfast program by 100 percent. “Many kids just do not arrive at school early enough to eat breakfast in the cafeteria and many do not eat at home,” says Thompson. “‘HUNGRY’ is no way to start a successful school day.”

The “breakfast in the classroom” program delivers morning meals to students right in their classroom, ensuring no child starts the day on an empty stomach. According to Thompson, a “grab and go” breakfast whereas healthy breakfast items are placed on carts positioned at the front door like the ones in Union City, NJ and Rochester, NY also increase the number of kids that have access to healthy morning meals. “Another alternative method of marketing healthy foods and beverages to students is through ala carte sales and vending,” notes Thompson. Through a matching grant program, the Dairy Association has placed over 250 healthy vending machines in schools that offer students milk, flavored milk, yogurt, string cheese and cereal.

The AFHK report surmises that new wellness policies and initiatives have put “school wellness” on the radar screen. To continue moving forward, more cooperation between administrators and parents is necessary as is a more stringent system of monitoring and evaluation.

Action for Healthy Kids is a public-private partnership of more than 60 national organizations and government agencies representing education, health, fitness, and nutrition. Action for Healthy Kids addresses the epidemic of overweight, sedentary, and undernourished youth by focusing on changes in schools to improve nutrition and increase physical activity. More than 10,000 volunteer educators, health professionals, school administrators, parents, and others take action at the national, state, school district, and school building levels through Action for Healthy Kids Teams in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Source: American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc.


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