PI's Weekly Media Digest: Georgetown’s first steps to atone for slavery; lack of funding persists and Zika spreads; and more
Welcome to our media digest for the week of September 9, 2016! Below you’ll find summaries of news coverage on the issues of preventing violence, trauma, nutrition, health equity, mental health, and more. The views expressed in these articles do not reflect those of Prevention Institute.
Health Equity
American Indian tribes peacefully protesting crude oil pipeline met with violence
Since April, The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and members of nearly 100 more tribes from across the U.S. and Canada have been protesting (some say the largest gathering of Native American tribes in 100 years) the construction of a pipeline that would transport about 500,000 barrels of crude per day from North Dakota to Texas through sacred Lakota lands, crossing several major rivers, including a tribal burial site. On Tuesday, numerous peaceful protesters suffered attacks by the dogs of security guards working for the Dakota Access pipeline company and were pepper sprayed, leading Native American activist Winona LaDuke to state, "You are not George Wallace, and this is not Alabama. This is 2016, and you don’t get to treat Indians like you have for those last hundred years." Dakota Access also bulldozed sacred tribal burial grounds, leading the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to ask for a temporary restraining order in federal court this week. While the judge granted a partial temporary restraining order against the crude oil subsidiary, it will only restrict some parts of the ongoing construction by the Dakota Access pipeline company, leaving some sacred sites vulnerable.
BLM members join historic tribal gathering in solidarity for social justice
Truthout interviewed a Black Lives Matter organizer about BLM members’ experiences joining the historic tribal gathering. The organizer notes, “As BLM, we have built power and we have a platform. And as a movement, we have a duty to uplift and amplify the stories and struggles of all marginalized folks, as our liberation is intertwined. The history of genocide and stolen land and stolen labor in America will forever link Black folks and Indigenous folks…as there can be no Black liberation without Indigenous sovereignty.” This BBC pictorial of the protests provides beautiful imagery combined with concise and compelling descriptions. And this interview of a protest leader is especially revealing, with the author connecting the efforts to a larger, national movement for social justice: “The Wisconsin Uprising. Occupy Wall Street. Keystone XL. Black Lives Matter. Add Standing Rock to the list of social movements spreading across the country and reshaping the political landscape.” Yet, as of Wednesday, the major broadcast news networks have aired exactly one report on the protests since the encampment started, according to a search of the Nexis news database.
Block grants don’t deliver to underserved
Mother Jones writes about the way block grants are failing because block grants untether funding from need and provide states that often have an interest in misappropriating funds with too much flexibility. The article notes, “Block granting also allows states more freedom to do what they want… So they do their best to game the system in every possible way, spending their block grant money on anything except helping the poor… only about 26 cents of every block grant dollar goes to cash assistance for the poor, and only half goes to core welfare programs at all.”
Backlash against Collin Kaepernick highlights historical demonization of black celebrity activism
This article in the Undefeated details how 49er quarterback Collin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem as a protest against racial injustice highlights how, throughout history, black celebrities who have spoken out against racism have been demonized and called "unpatriotic." As BMSG notes, “In an attempt to reframe patriotism, the writer argues that true love of country is shown through the countless black people who have risked their lives to criticize the nation for its shortcomings and seek equality for people brutally discriminated against.” Meanwhile, U.S. women’s soccer star and champion Meghan Rapinoe - who identifies as gay and advocates against homophobia and transphobia in sports - took a knee during the national anthem at a game on Sunday as a “nod to Kaepernick,” stating "We need a more substantive conversation around race relations and the way people of color are treated."
Baltimore Sun ties race to health equity
The Baltimore Sun covers a recently released report by the city’s Health Department that cites race as the difference maker for many of the city's health problems. The department outlined plans to cut health disparities in half in the next decade by focusing on four areas: behavioral health, such as drug overdoses; violence; chronic disease; and "life course," which includes the oft-cited 20-year gap in life expectancy between Baltimore's richest, white neighborhoods and poorest, black ones.
Since 2008 wealthier schools see increased funding while poorer schools see cuts
The latest addition to the Associated Press' Divided America series explores the gap between America's richest and poorest schools. Coverage notes that since the economic downturn in 2008, wealthy school districts have seen a steady increase in revenue, while poorer districts that serve mostly students of color have seen consistent cuts.
Details on how ACA has increased health coverage for LGBTQ youth and homeless
ThinkProgress details the impact that the Affordable Care Act - particularly state-by-state Medicaid expansion – has had on making health coverage and healthcare more accessible for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.
Georgetown’s first steps to atone for slavery
Over 200 years ago, Georgetown operated plantations in Maryland that worked with slave labor and, in 1838, sold 272 people to help pay off its debt. In an attempt to atone for its historic ties to slavery, Georgetown announced it will now give special preference in admissions to applicants who are descendants of Georgetown slaves, create an institute to study slavery and its legacy, and rename a building in honor of one of the slaves. Missing from this effort is any financial assistance for descendants to ensure they can actually afford the notoriously expensive private university if accepted.
Connecticut ordered to reform public education policies
In response to a lawsuit filed over a decade ago that claimed Connecticut was swindling the poorest districts when it came to school funding, Judge Thomas Moukawsher ordered the state to reform nearly all of its policies around public education, writing "[The current system] has left rich school districts to flourish and poor school districts to founder.”
Health Systems Transformation
ACA has increased coverage but not in an equitable way
In ACA news, the U.S. uninsured rate fell to 8.6 percent in the first quarter of 2016, according to new CDC estimates released on Wednesday. Overall, the national uninsured rate has been nearly halved since the ACA was passed in 2010. About 25 percent of people under age 65 were enrolled in a high-deductible health plan in 2010; that percentage grew to 40 percent by early 2016. It's the latest indicator that some newly insured might still be "under-insured" and unable to afford their health care. Also, being poor or Hispanic dramatically raises the likelihood of being uninsured. Roughly 24 percent of Americans aged 18 to 64 who were poor or near-poor were uninsured, compared to just 6.5 percent who were not poor and almost 25 percent of Hispanic adults aged 18 to 64 were uninsured, compared to 13 percent of black adults, 8.4 percent of Asian adults, and 6.7 percent of white adults.
Lack of funding persists and Zika spreads
On Tuesday, by a 52-46 margin - eight votes short of the 60 needed to pass the bill – the U.S. Senate rejected legislation that would provide funding for US Zika response efforts. Democrats have blocked Republican legislative efforts because of language that excludes Planned Parenthood from receiving funding for contraception to combat spread of the virus, which can be sexually transmitted. It’s been more than six months since President Obama requested $1.9 billion in funding to combat the Zika virus, and Congress has still failed to act. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has nearly exhausted the $222 million it was originally allocated to fight the virus. Nearly 17,000 cases of Zika have been reported in U.S. states and territories as of August 31 — more than four times the number when Congress left for its seven-week recess in July. To date, nearly 1,600 pregnant women have been infected, and at least 17 U.S. babies have been born with birth defects as a result of Zika.
Violence Prevention and Unintentional Injury
Gun lobby continues to oppose a halt to instant gun purchases
Alternet questions why the gun lobby continues to oppose a halt to instant gun purchases, noting that The National Shooting Sports Foundation recently announced a plan to prevent 10,000 gun suicides, though continue to advocate for the sale of guns and vehemently oppose any firearm waiting period laws, which significantly lower suicide rates. The author proposes that efforts by gun lobbyists to support causes for problems they perpetuate themselves, in the name of good publicity, should be termed "bloodwashing" - inspired by the environmental movement's term "greenwashing."
Education about informed consent as a means to stop sexual assault
The editorial board of the Daily Tar Heel challenges the victim-blaming arguments common in conversations about sexual assault. Instead of advocating for dressing more conservatively or drinking less, the Daily Tar Heel argues that education about informed consent to prevent sexual assault should be universally discussed on college campuses. (via BMSG)
Little research exists on sexual harassment in K-12 classrooms
Despite the scope of sexual harassment in public K-12 classrooms and its long-term impact on victims, little research has been done on the issue of sexual harassment in school settings. Additionally, few educators nationwide are looking into the issue and devising programs to report and prevent sexual harassment in schools.
Healthy Food & Activity Environments
Flint communities continue to suffer from lead poisoning
As reported in Rewire, “In the months since the Flint water crisis made national headlines, problems have not abated for area residents, many of whom still rely on filters and bottled water to satisfy a basic human need.” Amid news of widespread rashes and hair loss, advocates are reporting that Flint’s undocumented communities continue to go without access to testing and treatment for lead poisoning.
Air pollution remains a top global health threat
A new study found that toxic particles in polluted urban areas can infiltrate the brain, potentially contributing to degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Air pollution remains a top global health threat, with more than 80 percent of the world's urban population living in areas where air quality regularly fails health standards. (via BMSG) Meanwhile, the EPA rolled out the final version of its updated Cross-State Air Pollution Rule on Thursday, geared to cutting summertime emissions of nitrogen oxides from power plants in 22 states that contribute to downwind ozone problems.
Federal officials consider requiring stores that accept food stamps to offer healthier food
Federal officials are considering a proposal that would require stores that accept food stamp cards to stock more healthy food choices for customers. However, some advocates argue that smaller retailers serving in food deserts could be driven out of the SNAP program by too-restrictive rules. "Many rural or urban communities are not fortunate to have large-format stores in their communities," stated the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, which represents convenience stores, independent grocers and supermarkets.
Boulder City Council votes to include soda tax on November ballot
The Boulder, Colorado, City Council voted Tuesday to put a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages onto the November ballot. The tax measure comes after debate about whether sugar-tax advocates satisfied a provision of Colorado's constitution designed to limit government's growth. Meanwhile, a new study finds that health warning labels could raise awareness about the risks of consuming sugary drinks and steer teens away from consuming them. The average teen in America consumes at least one sugary drink per day -- more than twice the recommended daily serving of sugar in just one drink.
Report on asthma attacks caused by oil and gas industries
A new report shows how many asthma attacks are caused by the oil and gas industry.
Smart Snack packaging mirrors junk food brand name packaging
A study conducted at the UConn Rudd Center found that junk food makers are deliberately selling "look-alike" Smart Snacks in schools that mirror brand-name packaged foods. Smart Snacks, an initiative started by the USDA to offer healthier snacks foods to children in schools, are lower in sugar, salt, and/or fat content. However, when Smart-Snacks and brand-name packaging are nearly indistinguishable, it confuses kids into thinking they are the same thing.
E-cigarette industry hires high profile lobbyists to block restrictions
In an attempt to stop the FDA from examining their products for public health risks or banning them from the market, the e-cigarette and cigar industries have enlisted high-profile lobbyists to block restrictions on e-cigarettes. Lobbyists argue that restrictions would bankrupt small businesses and curb the availability of e-cigarette options, which some use as a way to quit smoking. The New York Times coverage further details the arguments made by the cigar industry, but fail to substantially cover the other side -- arguments that support the FDA's proposal for e-cigarette regulation. (via BMSG)
California
Governor Brown sets aggressive carbon reduction targets
Governor Brown signed historic climate legislation into law this week, setting carbon reduction targets that are among the strongest in the world, requiring California to reduce carbon pollution to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.
Clinic in Concord serves undocumented immigrants despite funding challenges
Stat News features a clinic in Concord, California, that, despite strains in funding and legislation challenges, continues to serve undocumented immigrants, many of whom are struggling to maintain their health while working low-wage jobs. The article notes that expanded access to health insurance isn't enough to remove all the barriers that prevent undocumented people from staying healthy and features the authentic experiences of two clinic patients and their struggles with seeking and receiving health care. (via BMSG)
Mental Health
Up to 1 in 5 children have mental health disorders and 80% are untreated
In part one of a series on mental health in schools, NPR's Meg Anderson and Kavitha Cardoza report that as many as one in five children in schools have mental health disorders and nearly 80 of those with disorders do not receive mental health services. These problems contribute to low achievement, drop outs and disruptive behavior. Among the reasons the problems are going unaddressed: parents and teachers who see the kids regularly either don't notice/acknowledge the issues or have the resources to address them, and counselors, social workers, school psychologists and nurses are in short supply.
Fewer than one third of patients who test positive for depression get treatment
Fewer than one-third of patients who screen positive for depression actually end up getting treatment, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Researchers combed through health data from adults across the US and found that about 8 percent had screened positive for depression. But of those individuals, just 3 three in 10 received any form of treatment. Those most likely to get treatment: white individuals, people with private insurance, and those with a college education. Among the people who received treatment for depression, only 30 percent had screened positive for depression and 22 percent had serious psychological distress. Adults in the lowest-income group were five times as likely to have signs of depression as were those in the highest-income group. But they were also less likely to receive treatment.
Intervention programs that address root causes of unruly behavior in school work
According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 6,000 children enrolled in public pre-K programs received one or more out-of-school suspensions. Connecticut, one of the few states to ban suspensions before 2nd grade, has seen tremendous improvement responding to challenging child behavior through use of the Early Childhood Consultation Partnership. The intervention program aims to address the source of unruly behavior, usually poverty, hunger and trauma, instead of reprimanding the symptoms.
Some researchers classify loneliness as a serious public health issue
The New York Times reports that some researchers are classifying loneliness as a “serious public health issue deserving of public funds and national attention.” Researchers are finding that loneliness can have physical consequences “at least in part through overstimulation of the body’s stress response” and can serve “as a predictor of early death, loneliness eclipses obesity.” Studies in Britain and the US have found prevalence rates ranging from 10 to 46% among people older than 60. Often this problem goes unaddressed, particularly among men, because stigmas discourage people from speaking frankly about loneliness. The article that men and women respond to loneliness differently and references men’s sheds, where men come together in woodworking workshops.
DoD’s TRICARE program to expand coverage of mental health care and substance abuse treatment
The Department of Defense is making moves to expand mental health care and substance abuse treatment for military personnel and veterans covered under the agency’s TRICARE program. Approximately 9.4 million people are covered under TRICARE, which provides civilian health benefits to military members and their dependents. A new rule will expand coverage of substance abuse treatment to include intensive outpatient programs for addiction as well as treatment for opioid use disorder. The rule also does away with inpatient day limits for mental health care — previously adults were only covered for 30 days in inpatient mental health facilities, while kids were covered for 45 days.
Department of Health and Human Services to fund treatment for opioid abuse
The Department of Health and Human Services will provide $53 million to 44 states, four tribes, and Washington, DC, for a variety of treatment and prevention programs for opioid abuse.