ADHD Industry Staying Relevant & Sustainable (Part 2)

So last post I discussed how all industries have an inherent drive toward sustainability.  It's only natural--no industry will work to render itself obsolete.  This is my best explanation for the significant rise in ADHD diagnoses over the last decade.  As that industry grows, many mouths are fed, from the diagnosticians, to the experts and researchers, to the drug manufacturers, to the authors, to the critics, and the list goes on and on.

Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2007-2009, an average of 9% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 were diagnosed with ADHD. This compared with just under 7% between 1998-2000.  Again I ask the question: Are more children being born with this disorder every year?  The genetic explanation is always popular, you know.  Or is it something in the environment?  Video games, social media, what?

Further, researchers have found a narrowing of prevalence among racial groups--that is, whites, blacks and some Hispanic groups are being diagnosed in comparable numbers.  You don't say?  With Obamacare on its way, you bet I do.

But astute doctors understand that increased numbers do not always tell the whole story.  According to study author, Dr. Lara J. Akinbami, a medical officer with the National Center for Health Statistics, "We don't have the data to say for certain what explains these patterns, but I would caution against concluding that what we have here is a real increase in the occurrence of this condition."  Precisely.

"In fact, it would be hard for me to argue that what we see here is a true change in prevalence," Akinbami added.  "Instead, I would say that most probably what we found has a lot to do with better access to health care among a broader group of children, and doctors who have become more and more familiar with this condition and now have better tools to screen for it. So, this is probably about better screening, rather than a real increase, and that means we may continue to see this pattern unfold."  Bingo!

You see, better access means "more widely accepted", and therefore, "reimbursable."  That is exactly why it is being diagnosed across a broader racial spectrum.  Universal health care means, "every ADHD diagnosis pays."  No worrying about the uninsured; everybody has the right to have a child labeled ADHD now.  What a magnificent country we live in--equality at its finest.

And "better tools to screen for it" means, "wider, more accepted parameters; acceptance of subjective criteria used by diagnosticians to account for variability, as this is a mental condition."  So darn near any non-conforming kid is a candidate for ADHD drugs, like Adderall or Ritalin, and the industry continues to sustain itself.  According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD is the most common behavioral disorder among children.  Well, no shiitake mushrooms--I hope you see it, too.

This is really an interesting phenomenon if you take the time to analyze it.  The industry will keep growing, and it won't change until parents say, "Enough! No more!"  No more drugging my children, no more labeling them as dysfunctional, no more holding my child back because teachers don't understand how to inspire him, no more discouraging my kid by assuming something is wrong with him because he doesn't care about the same things an outdated school system tells him to care about.  It won't change until parents wake up.

Don't believe me when I tell you the ADHD industry is growing by keeping itself relevant and sustainable?  We'll let the good doctor, Akinbami, explain it in her own words:

"Children of ADHD use a lot more health care dollars than their peers, because the condition itself requires a lot of monitoring. And they are also much more likely to have other chronic health care conditions, such as asthma or learning disabilities or conduct diagnoses like conduct disorder, which makes managing them for schools and physicians and parents much more difficult. So, it's clearly something for public policy experts to be concerned about."

In other words, "Not done growing."  I'll keep opening my big mouth until people get it.

Brain-Eating Amoeba & the Neti Pot Nightmare

How's this for random and weird?  Three people have died this year from a brain-eating amoeba--Naegleria fowleri--a microscopic organism found in warm fresh water like lakes, rivers, hot springs and soil.  The victims include a a 16-year-old Florida girl, who contracted the infection from swimming in a river, and a 9-year-old Virginia boy, who died a week after he went to a fishing day camp, and a 20-year-old man in Louisiana, who died after using a neti pot--a teapot-shaped device used to run salt water through the sinuses to relieve allergies, colds and sinus troubles.

N. fowleri usually enters the system through the nasal passages, very often from jumping or diving into water.  The amoeba then makes its way up to the brain where it digests brain cells, killing the person within two weeks.  The disease is called primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or "PAM."

Although a harrowing fate for the inhaler, N. fowleri does not actively seek out human brains; it really is a bacteria-consuming parasite.  But, like all of us, it will consume what it can until it finds the meal of its choice--to the great misfortune of the human unlucky enough to inhale the microscopic blob.

This illness is extremely rare--only 120 reported U.S. cases (almost all of them deaths) since the amoeba was first identified in the early 1960s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The annual incidence of infection (and thus deaths) is three per year.

Brain-eating amoebic infection seems to be confined to the south, where all three victims this year contracted it.  The neti pot case is especially weird, as the parasite tends to live in warmer waters.  It also brings up some useful precautions one should take at all times when swimming in fresh water lakes and rivers in the south, or when using a neti pot.

Lake and river swimmers should hold their nose shut or use nose clips to prevent water being forced up the nasal passages.  And neti pot users should always boil and sterilize the water before running it through the nasal passages.  By following the instructions on the package of the neti pot, users will be most safe.

It's a tragedy for the families suffering the loss of their loved ones to something as random as an encounter with a rare amoeba.  But it should remind us all to take precautions.  I will admit, though, I probably wouldn't have considered running into a brain-eating amoeba while filling my neti pot, either (although I also have no desire to use one of these--not against it, just not interested).

I think the most important thing is for people to be aware; so perhaps the CDC needs to make one of those public service announcements (PSAs) and show it as summer begins every year.  Saying that, we probably will still see three deaths a year.  N. fowleri probably hasn't survived for this long without having a few tricks up its flagella.

Half Staph: Bacteria Found on Supermarket Meat

Hold on to your hats, peeps, but your butcher might be a chronic nose picker.  What?!?!  Ya man, diggin' for diamonds--a snotter.  That's because a new report says that half the meat and poultry sold in supermarkets may be tainted with the staph germ.

The Translational Genomics Research Institute in Arizona found that more than half of 136 samples of beef, chicken, pork and turkey purchased from grocery stores in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Flagstaff, Ariz. and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. contained Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that can make people sick.  Even worse is that some meats were found to contain a dangerous antibiotic resistant strain, methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA).  If ingested it could kill ya!  The study is being published in the journal Clinical infectious Diseases.

Staph germs are commonly found on the skin and in the noses of up to 25% of healthy people. The bacteria can be spread in many settings, including the packing plant or in the kitchen.  Although the bugs are killed during the cooking process, and can be thwarted with good 'ol fashioned hand-washing, it still kind of grosses me out...how 'bout you?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that staph accounts for roughly 240,000 cases of food poisoning a year.  The researchers found MRSA in three of the 136 samples.  Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials say meat does not seem to be a significant route for MRSA transmission, but health officials continue to watch and study the issue.  Scuse me while I puke.

The government doesn't routinely check retail meat and poultry for staph bacteria; however, a two fairly recent studies showed their might be reason for concern.  One FDA pilot study in the Washington area looked at more than 1,100 meat and poultry samples and found staph in 280 of them.

The other, a study out of Louisiana State University, looked at 120 meat samples and found staph in almost half of pork chops and 20% of beef steak samples. That study, published in 2009, calculated the superbug MRSA was in about 5% of pork samples and 3% of beef.  Is nothing safe?

OK, so well now I'm grossed out.  I'm certain that we should be relatively safe...but the rotating wheel of MRSA roulette--no matter how small the risk--is of concern to me.  Stay away from the roast, Grandpa...you're vegan now.

The only way to really sum up this story is to note that the American Meat Institute says the study is misleading.  Of course it is....but check your butcher's nose anyway?

ER Visits Down Following Children's Cold Medicine Removal

Big "No duh!" at the latest reports that pulling cough and cold medicines led to a significant drop in children's ER visits resulting from bad reactions to the drugs.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which led the study, ER visits for children dropped by more than half--from 2,790 visits to 1,248--following the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) warning against using the medication.

In 2007, manufacturers of cough and cold medicines voluntarily withdrew their products, mostly syrups, following complaints from pediatricians that the medications don't work in young kids and posed a safety risk because of accidental overdoses causing extreme drowsiness, increased heart rate and even some deaths.

For the study, CDC researchers compared nonfatal ER visits in children younger than 2 with bad reactions to cough and cold medicines in the 14 months before the withdrawal and in the 14 months afterward.

On the down side, two-thirds of children's ER visits, both before and after the withdrawal, resulted from children taking medications on their own.  It is likely due to parents having not thrown out old medications and possibly leaving them easily accessible.

According to one ER physician at Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital, Dr. Elizabeth Powell, many parents felt helpless following the removal of cough and cold meds from drugstore's shelves.  Powell states that it is not uncommon for parents to bring babies with stuffy noses and other cold symptoms to the ER for help, but that there isn't much that can done for them there.

Sigh...parents, let your kids fight off their colds on their own.  Can't we just resist the temptation to save our kids from any and every discomfort they encounter?  Geez.  Try, at least.  This is where our parents had it wayyyyy above us--they didn't have a crutch for every challenge thrown into their laps.  When we got sick--bed, soup, TV, mama--that was it.

Next time you find yourself jonesing for the Robitussin for junior, think back to the time when you were walking to school barefoot in the snow...uphill both ways.  That'll remind you that you did just fine without cough and cold medicine.  Your kids' will, too.  Promise.

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

CDC's Big 6: The Winnables

Just to show you that today's health care is all politics and money, let's discuss the uproar over new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Thomas Frieden's latest statement on the six priorities--or winnable battles--that the center should focus on: smoking, AIDS, obesity/nutrition, teen pregnancy, auto injuries and health care infections.

So what's the uproar?  Think of all the other groups that want political backing and money: cancers, heart disease, eating disorders, mental health...SWINE FLU for crying out loud!  These left out groups just ain't gonna see the money, baby.

Many advocates, legislators and others in public health have dedicated their lives to problems that did not make Frieden's short list, so the complaints are rolling in...wah, wah, wah...and you thought health care was just about health.

Part of the problem for the groups left out is that most of Frieden's "priorities" are long-standing, major challenges that get a lot of attention already.  Like, let somebody else in the club.  Corn nut allergies are grossly overlooked time and time again.

"So is hepatitis C," cry pundits of this condition.  Heps B and C is are ticking time-bombs ready to explode, according to experts, so why not move smoking to the side for a decade or two?  Isn't it enough that we've banned nearly all public smoking, and have reduced cigarette smokers to ostracized lepers?  

Frieden is known to somewhat shake the system.  As New York City's health commissioner in 2002, he began by identifying the city's most pressing health issues, leading campaigns to ban smoking in the workplace, tax soda, cut salt in processed foods, and ban artificial trans fats in restaurants.

Frieden calls his new short list "winnable battles" because, he says, proven programs can save lives and reduce harm from each of these health problems.  He believes government can make dramatic improvements if available money and manpower are focused.

I've personally got nothing against the CDC's fight against "winnable battles."  I might focus on six different priorities, but Frieden's choices are certainly noble.   No doubt smoking and poor nutrition/obesity are the cause of numerous health problems.  Auto accidents kill many people unnecessarily, and with texting the new drinking for driving, we are going to have our hands full for quite awhile, I presume.

AIDS, frankly, doesn't scare me as much as syphilis does, but...well, I'll just say it...lots of money and politics there.  Reality is that many cases could be prevented through safe sex.  And nobody can convince me that there just aren't enough free condoms to go around.  Uh huh...and infections continue to soar in certain populations, although we all know better...hmmm.

Health care infections?  Just a part of today's overuse of medical care.  Got to change a whole paradigm to make a shift there, but the fact that the CDC considers it a priority is a move int he right direction.

I must say that I am pleased at the attention health and health care has been getting nationally.  Everybody is thinking about it these days--good, as it should be.  But I still can't help but marvel at the bickering among health groups and organizations over which health malady is most important...especially since we all know that would be health maintenance.  But of course.

Childrens' Prescription Pill Poisonings

Well surprise, surprise--pills in the medicine cabinet pose a greater threat to children than household cleaners.  This from a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report stating that two out of every three children showing up at emergency rooms for poisoning were due to ingesting prescription drugs.  And you thought those orange canisters were child proof.

Poisonings being the number one health hazard for children makes it prudent to know which household items are causing the greatest harm.  Medications by far lead the pack--they are twice as likely to cause pediatric poisoning as cleaning substances, pesticides, personal care products and other toxic household substances.

Says Jay L. Schauben, a pharmacist and director of the Florida Poison Information Center in Jacksonville, Florida,

"Normally what occurs when someone is taking medicine on a chronic basis, they'll leave it out.  Any pills left out are within the grasp and reach of a child. Some of the medicine can look like candy. Some of the cough syrups are flavored and taste good. You can sort of see how that would be a disaster waiting to happen.

The drugs children most often overdose on are over-the-counter (OTC) medications, with 10% of all poisonings in children under five coming from common analgesics like Tylenol or Motrin.  Don't forget that very young children put things in their mouths all the time--they are sampling their environment.  When common OTC meds are left out, children will likely want to try them.  Further, when hosting guests, always remember that they might be on medications, too, so keep an eye out for meds left out in guest bathroom.

Fortunately, not all kids that swallow pills overdose: only 26 deaths from 1.3 million poisonings in children 5 or younger were reported in 2008.

The best thing parents can do if they suspect medication poisoning, experts say, is to first call the Poison Help hotline: 800-222-1222. That number will connect them to the Poison Control Center nearest them.

"The only time you want to call 911 first is if the child is unarousable, the child is having difficulty breathing or the child is having convulsions or seizures," Schauben said.

According to another expert, "More than 95 percent of the time, a child will be able to stay at home.  I don't think just because a child got into something, the parents should automatically pack them into the car and take them to the emergency room. We can determine who needs to go to an ER or not."

Once again,

Poison Help hotline: 800-222-1222.

An Apple A Month Ain't Cutting It

Bad, bad, bad adults.  You haven't been eating your veggies.  How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your beets?

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows that most Americans are still not eating vegetables, and fruit consumption has dipped a bit, too.  According to the report taken from a telephone survey of hundreds of thousands of Americans, only one-third of U.S. adults consumed fruit or fruit juice at least twice a day. That's down slightly from more than 34% in 2000.

And vegetable consumption is at 26%, right where it sat in 2000.  Doh!  Not good, people.  And we wonder why cancer rates continue to soar. 

Although the survey did not say which fruits and vegetables were being consumed by Americans, a CDC study last year showed that orange juice was top source of fruit for most U.S. adults, while potatoes were the most consumed vegetable.  Oh God bless the french fry...

Some other interesting facts:

• California was the fruitiest, having the highest consumption of fruits
• Tennessee had the highest vegetable consumption
• Oklahoma ate the least fruit
• South Dakota was last in eating vegetable

I know lots of clients in my Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood chiropractic clinic are taking various supplements that have high-concentrations of ground fruits and vegetables in them, particularly berries and other fruits high in antioxidants.  Uh, sorry folks...vitamins don't replace food.  And I know others that swear by exotic fruit drinks.  That's fine, but for the price of one bottle you can probably stock up on fresh produce for the week.

Look, it ain't rocket science.  You've got to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain good health and prevent degenerative diseases like heart disease and cancer.  When I say this to people they always shake their heads in complete agreement because, well, everybody knows that.  But these numbers show that many of the head shakers aren't walkin' their shake.  OK, you know...so how 'bout steppin' it up?  It's for your health.

Flu Shots: Government's Big Lie

Governments don't lie, do they? Nah. Political parties lie, right? Especially the one you disagree with--they always lie. And your party never lies, right? Governments don't lie, no way.

Well, one lie hard to pass off for very long is the scientific lie. One such lie is about the efficacy of the flu vaccine. This is one of my staunchest issues, and I'll never shut up about it: Flu shots are bull turds!

A recent interview with prestigious epidemiologist and flu-vaccine researcher for the Cochrane Collaboration in Britain, Tom Jefferson uncovers exactly why we must question the utility of the flu vaccine (not to be confused with swine flu or H1N1 vaccine), despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) new public health campaign in the U.S. encouraging vulnerable patients--particularly the elderly--to "protect yourself and the ones you love against flu: GET VACCINATED!"

According to Mr. Jefferson, when a systematic review of ALL studies on the efficacy of flu vaccines was conducted, the findings were inconclusive. In other words, they didn't show effectiveness or non-effectiveness one way or the other. The governments of the U.S., Britain, Australia and Germany, however, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) use a "citation bias" when evaluating flu vaccines, which essentially means they cite studies that agree with their viewpoint, and ignore (or fail to cite) studies that show no effect or disagree with their agenda. What do you know? Keep that in mind Global Warmers.

This isn't news to me as I've pointed out in several posts(here, here, here, here, and here) the use of selective science. This method of subjective objectivity has been running rampant in today's science, particularly the health sciences. It's shameful, and buyer beware: You better check many sources when trying to get the truth these days.

He goes on to say that bigger and better studies on flu vaccinations are needed, but somehow governments are largely ignoring this. An "extraordinary situation," Mr. Jefferson calls it. Not if you understand modern politics, sir.

He believes, as I do, that effective and provable methods for preventing the spread of flu are simple hygienic practices like hand-washing, wearing gloves and masks (a little weird but effective), and distancing oneself from infected people. Duh! And here's one of my own, not mentioned by Mr. Jefferson: How about just catching the flu? I don't mean actively seek it out, but being ill has its benefits, you know.

Too avant-garde? OK, then just try washing your your hands. Mr. Jefferson states,

"There is solid evidence that [hygienic practices] work against all [flu viruses], not just specific strains [unlike the flu vaccine, as it is designed]. They are culturally acceptable and cheap, and they reduce transmission rates of other viruses too. A great American called Stephen Luby of the CDC has published a study from Karachi, Pakistan, that found that physical interventions are lifesavers. He should receive a Nobel Prize for his work, but I'm sure he never will.

I'm sure he will not, either--no money in simple hygiene. But oodles in useless vaccines.

Mr. Jefferson concludes that he is not antivaccination (and neither am I); he has five children, all of them vaccinated. As he says, childhood vaccines have strong evidence to back up their effectiveness, unlike the annual flu shot. "I am not antivaccine. I am anti–poor evidence," he says.

Bravo! Nothing more refreshing than a scientist dedicated to the truth. Sounds weird, I know, since science is the investigation of truths of the universe. But that's the way it goes when politics get involved in any endeavor. When it comes to your health, you better find the truth for yourself, because you won't get it from the government. Governments lie.

Drug Deaths New Number One Killer

Let's see what you think of this one: In nearly one-third of states, drug deaths now outnumber traffic fatalities. You heard right--16 states now list drug overdoses as their number one killer. And it's not just illicit drug use causing the increase in fatalities, but the rise of prescription painkillers.

According to experts at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the drug-related death rate roughly doubled from the late 1990s to 2006. Although traffic accidents have been the top killer in America for the last several decades, drug deaths have been slowly inching by--leading in only eight states in 2003, they crept to 12 in 2005, and then 16 in 2006. Ouch! The states: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Experts say that the increase in drug deaths is not just due to usual heroin and cocaine overdoses, but to increases in narcotic painkiller prescriptions like methadone, Oxycontin and Vicodin. From 1999 to 2006, death rates for such medications climbed for every age group. Deaths from methadone alone increased sevenfold, according to the CDC.

And mind you, these are not just of the black market variety, either: About half of the opiate medication deaths in King County, Wash., which includes Seattle, involved people who got their drugs through legal prescriptions, said Caleb Banta-Green, a University of Washington research scientist. Some experts believe that doctors' prescribing habits changed in the 1990s when they found chronic pain overwhelming (to them*). Although most of the 39,000 drug deaths in 2006 were sudden, due to overdose, the numbers also reflected those due to organ damage from chronic use and abuse.

Here's my issue with this situation: While many people have been crying for more medicine recently, this country's obsession with drugs has been causing a large portion of the untimely deaths we are now seeing. Great--give us more drugs. More medicine. Not enough people have it, right? Let's make drug deaths the top killer in all 50 states. Yeah. If some people have their way, we'll be there soon enough.

*God forbid these doctors should refer some of these patients to alternative practitioners like chiropractors, acupuncturists or others. It might be simply disastrous to admit that perhaps these practitioners have a safe non-drug solution. Simply archaic.

Americans to Blame for Poor Heart Health

Flash, this just in: Only 10% of American adults have low heart disease risk. You heard right, nine out of every 10 people in the U.S. have at least one risk to their heart health; and the worst part is that these risks are all lifestyle dependent. Not good for a nation bent on pointing the finger at external causes for its poor health rankings.

According to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that looked at four national studies covering tens of thousands of Americans aged 25 to 74, only ten percent had low risk in the following categories:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• high blood sugar
• overweight
  
• smoking
• exercise too little

Each one of these categories is significantly impacted by lifestyle behaviors. High blood pressure, cholesterol and weight can all be controlled with regular and moderate exercise. Regular. Three times per week, minimum. Are you doing that?

High blood sugar and weight is directly related to the amount and types of food we eat. The U.S. has a morbid addiction to sugar. I'm not talking just desserts here--oh, we've got that too, but what I'm talking about is sugary regular foods: cereals, canned foods, ketchup, BBQ sauce, French toast, scones and muffins for breakfast, and the worst of all--sodas! Hey I'm guilty too, because I have recommended sports replacement bars to my readers. No more! That stuff is sugary shit. I don't eat them, and I'm not going to recommend them to anyone else, anymore. Pure crap.

And the portions we eat are obscene. We all put away way too much every time we eat out. Sorry, but them's the facts. Too much food.

And smoking? Like my good friend J.C. says, "Smoke 'em if you got 'em." But just don't point the finger at anyone but yourself when it's time to pay the piper.

This is what really gets me irked about people: A full 90% of citizens are not doing all they can to care for their health, yet somehow it's somebody else responsibility to take care of them if they fall ill. Sorry, but nobody can do your push-ups for you, no matter how much you demand it.

Gets Yer Swine Flu Shots Here

Listen up, people--get your swine flu shots straight away. Seriously. The U.S. government, along with the CDC, really, really wants you to be well. So they are reaching out (and I'm helping) through Facebook and Twitter to let you know--they care.

According to recent reports, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention is turning to social networking sites targeting 50% of the population to spread the fear about the swine flu. The CDC reports that it is urging people to get their annual inoculations--three to be exact--one for the regular flu (the one that doesn't work), and two for the swine flu (the one that could be dangerous). They would like you to know that despite 50% of health care workers in Hong Kong stating that they wound NOT be getting the vaccine--you should--because you're American, and well, you're dumb.

They also want you to know that despite the mild nature of the current swine flu spreading throughout the world, it COULD be deadly. And so in the event that it might...you really need to get inoculated. Please do not fixate on the fact that the vaccines currently in the works have not been thoroughly tested; and please do not spend too much time thinking about that silly little legal immunity thing granted to the vaccine makers--those are simply technicalities.

What is really important is that you are safe. The CDC and the U.S. government want you to know that in these certainly uncertain times, the only thing that is certain is uncertainty.

As I will be posting this on Facebook and Twitter, I certainly hope that I have done my part.

Cookie Recall

Here we go again: Nestle's is recalling its popular Toll House Cookies due to a possible bacterial outbreak. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), various Nestle's Toll House refrigerated products may be contaminated with E. coli causing food poisoning in people who eat the raw cookie dough.

Nestle's said the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were investigating reports of 66 illnesses across 28 states tied to E. coli O157:H7. Twenty five people have been hospitalized, but no one has died. A spokesperson from the company has strongly advised people to not eat raw cookie dough--a warning prominently displayed on the packaging. Food poisoning from E. coli can cause cramping, vomiting and diarrhea.

The following Nestle's Toll House products are being recalled: refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub, Cookie Dough Tube, Limited Edition Cookie Dough items, Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. If you currently have any of these products in your home, throw them away. The FDA advises against trying to cook the product as handlers may get the bacteria on their hands or cooking surfaces.

I never did get the fascination with cookie dough; I've always thought it was nasty. Saying that, I never considered that it was raw food. Duh, in hindsight. Of course it's raw food and can harbor bacteria, so safety requires cooking it. Bet all those ice cream manufacturers feel dumb now--I sure would. So toss out the Toll House products sitting in your fridge, peeps--you'll have to settle for Pepperidge Farms this weekend.

STD Home-Testing Kits

Los Angeles county health official have announced that they will be offering free at-home testing kits for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Urine of fire can now be diagnosed in the privacy of your own home thanks to a new county public health program aimed at fighting the high incidence of STDs in L.A. County.

The L.A. County program is being created for women in need who are concerned that they may have contracted chlamydia or gonorrhea. It's intention is to eliminate long waits at clinics or costs that might prevent women from getting tested. Any female Los Angeles resident aged 12-25 can get a free home test kit by calling the toll free number: 1-800-758-0880 or logging on to the website www.dontthinkknow.org.

The program is a response to the inordinately high rate of chlamydia and gonorrhea in Los Angeles County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranks Los Angeles first in chlamydia and second in gonorrhea cases throughout the nation. A few more statistics:

• There are 19 million new cases of STDs each year in the United States, at an estimated cost of $15.9 billion annually to the national health-care system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• In 1999, there were 340 million new cases of STDs worldwide--syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis--in men and women ages 15-49, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Financial support for a U.S. government program that funds low-cost, confidential family planing services is 61 percent lower today than it was in 1980, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

So if you are sexually active and suspect that you could have contracted a STD--don't guess, know! Order your free STD home testing kit today. There are 10,000 kits available immediately, and more should be on hand shortly.

*It's unclear for me whether men are eligible for these free kits. The dontthinkknow website has a check box for men and transgender people, so it may in fact be available. It's certainly worth calling the toll free number to find out.