Is texting behind the wheel an addiction?

In the latest effort to handle the growing problem of texting behind the wheel, Deboarh Hersman, the chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board compared it to smoking, suggesting that it is a compulsion or addiction that individuals cannot control. Calling it an addiction or compulsion makes if easier to understand whey people would engage in this dangerous activity. Some psychologists argue that for some, texting, like smoking, may be a solution to bordem which turns into habit. Texting also fills a need for human connection, and for some, hearing a text come in teases them with the possibility of human connection, which is too important to resist, even if they are behind the wheel. Framing distracted driving in this way does not make it any more acceptable, but at least may shed some light on the behavior for those who can put their texting on hold while they drive. Feel free to share your thoughts below on what this new way of looking at the issue may mean for putting an end to it.

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Related reading: Richtel, M. (17 December, 2011). Reframing the debate over using phones behind the wheel. The New York Times. Retreived from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/us/reframing-the-debate-over-using-phones-while-driving.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&ref=technology

 

Ecocide Act–the next step toward international environmental protection?

I recently came across another WordPress blog which covered the concept of ecocide, a movement that would make environmental destruction a crime recognized  at the international level. Although I’m unsure of how this would be enforced, how well this could be enforced,  or how much of a priority this would be to counties compared to other international crimes (such as genocide), I think it’s an incredibly interesting and worthy concept for environmental health. Perhaps this is something that could be successful with a grassroots effort (one example being the grassroots campaign Eradicating Ecocide), or legislation starting at the state and country level before it gains support at the international level. Read the original WordPress blog post here.

Extracirricular activities replace recess

In the midst of multiple campaigns against obesity, an elementary school in New York City has taken to offering extracurricular activities during recess. This practice is emerging among schools where “enrichment” actives were seen to be lacking. Students can choose to participate in recess, or in a variety of clubs and activities offered throughout the week, which could include book clubs, chorus, cheerleading, music lessons, and knitting, which are some of the offerings at P.S. 188 in Queens. 

As a student in elementary school, I loved being able to participate in music lessons and a gifted and talented program. However, I was pulled out of class for these. At the same time though, recess was not frequently offered for students until a playground was built. However, in each grade, we participated in specials including music classes, gym classes, library time and computer classes (once we reached third grade). I was fortunate to be in a school district that could employ teachers to regularly offer these classes, as well as music lessons and gifted and talented programs for students who were interested or qualified. 

Although I enjoyed the time away from class to participate in extra activities, I don’t completely agree with sacrificing recess time for these programs, especially in the case where they are optional, and students might not then have any recess time (read physical activity) during the school week. I can say with certainty that my younger self would have opted for a book club or knitting over playing outside, since I was always involved in some kind of physical activity outside of school. I’m sure other students would opt for time inside as well, regardless of whether they were on a soccer team or in a martial arts class outside of school. Perhaps limiting students to only a few activities, so they have a couple days when they have to go outside for fresh air and to run around, or perhaps requiring one or two of those activities be related to physical activity or fitness. I think activities that enrich the mind are important for developing new skills and expanding creativity, but physical activity is equally important as well. A balance between the two should be required if parents and educators are seeking opportunities for children that will help them become well-rounded, and healthy in both the physical and mental aspects of their lives. 

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Reference: 
Spencer, K. (2011, December 6). At top public schools, the arts replace recess. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/nyregion/in-high-rated-new-york-city-public-schools-enrichment-instead-of-recess.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion

Letter grades for all

The great debate between food trucks and restaurants in New York City these days isn’t over the quality of food, but whether both should be rated with a letter grade by Health Department inspectors. Restaurants argue that all food vendors should also maintain the same level of cleanliness and food safety and should have to post letter grades of how well they score. Some food truck vendors feel that it is unfair to rate food trucks the same way that restaurants are treated, whereas others feel that it is not a problem to display letter grades, when they are already inspected and are already expected to maintain cleanliness and food safety.

Example of the letter grade a restaurant would post, courtesy of NYC DOHMH

As a consumer and member of the public health field, I would have to agree that a letter grade should be displayed by all food vendors, from food trucks to fast food joints to the fanciest eateries in town. There are certain factors that affect my decisions on where to eat: flavor, creativity, cost, nutritional value, location and convenience. However, these are all things I would sacrifice in the name of safety. I would travel farther to eat at a restaurant or food cart that has a higher rating, because regardless of what I’m eating, what it costs and how it tastes, I want to be certain that I will not be eating in a restaurant where employees don’t wash their hands, where dishes aren’t properly sterilized, where food is stored improperly, etc. It is easier to me as a consumer to make a “safe choice” when the food inspection rating is evident.

This debate is an issue which should not be reduced to discrimination against certain businesses (i.e. food trucks) but should be looked at as a best practice in business for consumer protection and the consumer’s right to “safe food”. It is fair to grade these vendors in the same way as upscale restaurants, because in the end, a safe food truck would win out over an establishment with a failing grade, regardless of the special of the day or the chefs on staff.

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References:

Epstein, E. & Bowen, A. (2011, December 4). Food feud between restaurants, street carts. Metro. Retrieved from http://www.metro.us/newyork/local/article/1041601–food-feud-between-restaurants-carts

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygeine. (2011). New grading system for restaurants. Retrieved from http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/rii/grading.shtml

Sugary drinks the latest battle in the fight against obesity

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is using the scare tactic to convince New Yorkers to avoid sugary drinks. Seeing that calorie counts may not be sufficient, and that a sweetened beverage tax and sweetened beverage restrictions for Temporary Assistance for Nutrition (formerly referred to as food stamps) users are not in place, the NYCDOHMH took another step towards reducing sweetened beverage consumption. The new ad campaign, launched to coincide with Food Day, features videos, subway posters and healthy alternatives information. Read more about this initiative and view the campaign videos at the links below. 

An example of the posters in this campaign, courtesy of nyc.gov.

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References:

Einhorn, E. (2011, October 25). Ad campaign takes pep out of Pepsi: City Health Department declares war on sugar packed sodas. New York Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ad-campaign-takes-pep-pepsi-city-health-department-declares-war-sugar-packed-sodas-article-1.967834

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2011). Physical activity and nutrition. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cdp/cdp_pan_pop.shtml

New food labels coming soon?

A new labeling system proposed by the Institute of Medicine would make it easy for consumer to understand the nutrients in food. The front of food packages would feature a “stars system”, with zero to three stars for an item, based on the amount of trans fats, added sugars and sodium in the food.

IOM Proposed Label

The Grocery Manufacturers of America, an advocacy group, proposed its own food labeling system, which displays nutritional information on the front of the package.  While this label saves the consumer time by not having to search for the information, it does not rank food in the same manner that the IOM method would, and does not help consumers understand whether the levels of added sugars, trans fats or sodium are in a healthy range.

Facts Up Front

Some grocery stores already participate in similar programs. Price Chopper, for example, participates in NuVal, which rates the nutrition value of food in each category. Consumers can easily compare how nutritious items within the same category (such as bread, cereal, milk, cheese, etc) by looking at a number value between 0-100 on the price tag. The closer the item is to 100, the more nutritious an item is in that category. While it is helpful in making informed decisions while shopping, the score is not affixed to the item itself, it does not appear on price tags when items are on sale, and it is not a well-advertised program; consumers need to know to look for it and know how to use the ranking scale.

NuVal

It does not appear that a consensus will be reached any time soon among groups as to the best ways to rate and display nutrition information. It appears that the differing interests and goals of the groups matter more than the nutrition of the consumers.

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References:

Neuman, W. (2011, October 20). Label plan offered to rate food nutrition. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/business/a-plan-to-rate-nutrition-of-food-with-stars.html?_r=1&ref=nutrition

Neuman, W. (2011, January 24). Food makers devise own label plan.  The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/business/25label.html