China's Lethal Air Pollution

By Penelope Chuah 

China’s economic performance and growth in the past ten years is unparalleled to the economic growth of any other country. Over the past decade, China has steadily climbed to the number two position in the world’s largest economies ranking, surpassing economic powerhouses including Germany and Japan. A factor behind this development can be attributed to the nation’s rapid urbanization. With rapid urbanization came technological advancements that produced large quantities of pollution. With the growing urban population, the number of automotives, factories, houses, skyscrapers, and other coal producing entities, the heavy blanket of pollution that covers most bustling cities in China will continue to grow denser.

In 2010 it was recorded that approximately 1.2 million deaths occurred as a result of air pollution in China (Atlantic Wire). As urban areas and industrialized cities become ever increasingly popular, pollution levels will proportionately increase. According to an article in the Bloomberg Businessweek, a group of researchers investigated the outcomes of the heavy polluted province of Shanxi. Over the course of ten years, researchers concluded that large amounts of “pesticides, industrial solvents, and especially polycrylic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are released into the air when fossil fuels are burned” (Larson) were found in the placentas of newborns with various birth defects. Researchers then studied the placenta of newborns without birth defects and noticed a significantly lower amount of chemicals and industrial solvents. This direct correlation between exposures to fossil fuels and birth defects is a serious health issue that is a result of excessive coal consumption. 

Another contribution to the rise in the air pollution index is cigarette smoke from China’s heavy tobacco use. According to a BBC News article, “because of a sharp increase in cigarette sales in the last 30 years, around 2,000 people a day are currently dying of smoking in China”. This shockingly high number reflects the troubling effects of China an increasingly heavily dependent smoking society. The article continues to further state, “by 2050, the researchers expect this number could rise to 8,000 a day- some three million people a year”. In regards to health concerns, smoking causes higher chances of lung cancer and various forms of respiratory diseases and problems. The combination of a heavy smoking population as well as the dependency on coal for energy, China’s environment is concernedly a worrisome place for health outcomes. While tremendous progress has been made in the healthcare sector in China, with an improved infant mortality rate in some areas and development of more advanced medical technology, China’s pollution index continues to skyrocket.

In what ways can this issue be addressed? Health education is an important aspect that needs attention with a focus on health precautions and increased awareness. BBC news states from a survey taken in China, approximately 60% of the survey takers did not regard smoking cigarettes as detrimental to their health. Furthermore, more stringent health safety regulations need to be enforced. Shanxi province, for example, represents an area that needs government intervention to enforce a cap on the amount of coal used and fuel emitted by factories and power plants. China is in the midst of a booming economy and a focus on a greener, cleaner environment will remain on the backburner for quite sometime.

China is a place of rich culture and incredible history. Large cities are transforming into cosmopolitan metropolises attracting massive tourism, business development, and global integration. It is a nation of tremendous success; it is often times considered the future. Its deadly air pollution, however, requires desperate attention. 

Sources:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/04/china-air-pollution-2013/63836/

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-28/air-pollution-birth-defects-and-the-risk-in-china-and-beyond

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/216998.stm

What does Covered California mean for Californians?

By Penelope Chuah

Tremendous strides towards developing more affordable, accessible, and higher quality healthcare has taken place within the past three years; this year California is about to kick-off its new health market under Covered California.

These changes to the healthcare market all began with the momentous occasion in 2010 when “President Obama with the stroke of a pen, made health care for all Americans a right not a privilege” (Nancy Pelosi, Covered California Town Hall Forum). This monumental legislation called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was designed to restructure the fractured American healthcare system that has consequently ranked the nation 37th in worldwide health performance. Changes to individual premiums as well as other state insurance policies will vary from state to state. In California, Covered California will offer people an online platform to appropriately choose an affordable and high quality health plan.

So what else exactly does this legislation mean for Californians? It means ensuring that both the insured and uninsured find plans well suited to their needs; it means allowing people to choose from 13 health plans presented by the Health Benefit Exchange; it means providing premium assistance targeted by income; and it means decreasing health disparities. 5.3 million represents the number of currently uninsured Californians or those who purchase health insurance on his or her own; this number, however, will decrease tremendously this October 1, 2013 when the California health insurance marketplace opens for enrollment. In the Covered California forum hosted at UCSF, Peter Lee, Executive Director of the California Health Benefit Exchange and Berkley graduate, stated Covered California’s mission: 1. Increase the number of insured Californians and decrease health disparities, 2. Increase healthcare quality, 3. Decrease healthcare costs. The new system will provide standard benefits designed to ensure that money does not become a deterrent of access to care. Rates will be determined by age, zip code, income, and household size. How can you access this new exchange? Covered California has created an easily navigable website to facilitate new users to the options available. This online marketplace offers people a clear layout of the various health plans offered and to which ones they may qualify. For those who already have health insurance, they will be able to keep their insurance and receive the new benefits and security provided by the Affordable Care Act.

The remaining few months of 2013 and the forthcoming months of 2014 provide a bright future for the ongoing health reform process. For more information and details about Covered California and how to enroll, please follow this link: http://www.coveredca.com/

Soda Consumption

By Melanie Tina Mascarenhas

As we all know, summer typically brings us days of cloudless skies and up to fifteen hours of warm sunshine. This beautiful weather often comes with temperatures in the upper 80’s and 90’s and often times surpasses 100 degrees for a week or two. With hotter days, hydration becomes an important issue that is easily overlooked in the no-school frenzy.

Summer is the time for beach bashes and BBQs, events where sugary drinks and alcohol abound but natural beverages can be scarce. Soda consumption spikes during the summer months because, let us face it, grabbing a chilled can of Coke is convenient and refreshing in the short term. In fact, in California 62% of adolescents aged 12-17 consume at least one soda per day and, on average, soda is the top caloric source in modern teen diets. A twenty ounce soda contains sixteen teaspoons of sugar that not only fail to quench thirst, but also do nothing to satisfy hunger and lead to the familiar “crash” in energy levels mere hours after consumption. Consequently, drinking soda only serves to add to our caloric intake, which eventually contributes to unhealthy weight gain over time. In addition to increasing obesity nationwide, soda consumption also raises the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Now I am not saying that we should abandon sugary drinks entirely and subsist on water and milk from here onwards (though from a nutritional standpoint, that would be ideal). After all, there are some things that just are not complete if there is no fizzy drinks involved. What is a New Year’s Eve party without apple cider? And Superbowl Sunday simply would not be the same if our beverage options were restricted to…water. The idea is to eliminate excessive soda consumption in order to lead a healthier lifestyle. This means that instead of reaching for the two liter Dr. Pepper at the grocery store, grab a watermelon that you can blend into watermelon juice or a squeeze a bunch of carrots for a boost of Vitamin A with every carrot-y sip. There are countless possibilities that can replace the sugary drinks of our time without skimping on convenience and revitalizing tastiness. Here are a few of my favorites that you can try:

1. Citrus Water
A simple alternative to flavored water, citrus water is a quick way to jazz up plain filtered water for celebratory events or everyday use.
Making this is easy if you happen to have fruit trees and an herb garden in your backyard. If not, head over to the nearest Safeway and stock up on your favorite kinds of fruit (pretty much anything will work) and a couple of herbs to add some pleasant fragrance and you are all set.

To make the citrus version, slice up a lemon, a lime, and an orange into a two quart pitcher and gently press the slices with a wooden spoon to release a bit of the juice. Fill up the pitcher with ice and add water to the top along with some more citrus slices and you are done! If you are not a citrus fan, add 2 cups of any kind of fruit (strawberry, pineapple, blackberry, etc.) along with mint, sage, or rosemary if desired and follow with ice and water for an all-natural twist on water according to your preference.

2. Lassi
My personal obsession, lassi is a traditional Indian beverage that is a staple for my summer days. There are many varieties, the most popular in the U.S. being mango. The simplest kind, however is known as plain lassi and is still as mouth-wateringly delicious as all the others.

Lassi is wholly yogurt-based so be sure to have some plain yogurt on hand if you are planning to make it. All you need to do is put 2 cups of yogurt, one cup of ice, and a little bit of salt and sugar into a blender and blend away! The final product is a frothy, white liquid that is a delight to the senses.

3. Frozen Berry Smoothie
To be honest, I’m sure berry smoothies are supposed to be made with actual berries but fresh berries can be quite pricey. Plus going to the store can be a tad out of the way. The nice thing about frozen fruit is that you can keep the little packages in your freezer, break off how much you want to use, and save the rest for the next time you have a midnight craving for a homemade Jamba Juice.

For this smoothie, use half a pack of Trader Joe’s Berry Mix (containing blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries) or any kind of frozen berry mix, really. Put the berry mix into a blender with one freshly sliced banana for thickness. If you want to shoot for the health stars or would like some added crunch, add in a dash of flaxseed or a handful of chia seeds (I hear they’re extremely nutritious). Blend until desired smoothness is achieved. Because the berries were frozen, the smoothie should be cold already so you can enjoy it right away.

4.Avocado Shake
Now I know what you’re thinking: avocados? Avocados are for salads and sandwiches! Why would I want to drink them? Trust me on this, as long as you’re not allergic to avocados, this shake is one you’ll love. Containing almost 20 essential nutrients that help with everything from lowering blood cholesterol to reducing the risk of a variety of eye diseases, avocados are a highly valuable addition to any diet.
To get your fill of this little green fruit, simply slice up one avocado and put it in your blender along with a cup of milk, ice, and a tablespoon of sugar for added sweetness. Run the blender till the shake is reasonably smooth and drink up!

Sources:
http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1195&context=iph_theses
http://www.kickthecan.info/soda-facts
http://www.kickthecan.info/files/documents/ktc_facts_health_consequences_R1_1.pdf
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sugary-drinks-fact-sheet/