· 4 issues
The March 1973 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the severe health risks associated with asbestos exposure, particularly highlighting the case of the Johns Manville Corporation, a major asbestos producer. The editorial discusses the company's historical negligence and the ongoing plight of workers suffering from asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, emphasizing the lack of adequate safety measures and the absence of a push for zero exposure levels. It also critiques the broader labor movement's failure to prioritize health issues over economic concerns, suggesting that worker unity and activism are essential for meaningful change. The issue underscores the tragic consequences of industrial practices on worker health and the need for systemic reform in occupational safety.
The November-December 1974 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the extensive cover-ups by the asbestos industry regarding the health hazards associated with asbestos exposure. It highlights how industry-funded research has consistently downplayed the dangers of asbestos, with institutions like Harvard Medical School accepting grants from tobacco companies to divert attention from smoking-related health issues. The issue also discusses the broader implications of occupational health cover-ups, emphasizing the need for public awareness and political action against corporate interests that prioritize profit over worker safety.
The July-August 1976 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the dangers of vinyl chloride, highlighting a significant cover-up by the plastics industry, particularly BF Goodrich, which failed to protect workers from toxic exposure leading to severe health issues, including cancer. The article details the struggles of workers like Earl Parks, who suffered from liver damage and ultimately died from angiosarcoma, while the company contested their claims and suppressed evidence of the chemical's dangers. Additionally, the issue discusses the inadequacies of workers' compensation programs and the need for preventive care in industrial settings, emphasizing the historical opposition from industry to worker protections. The political context includes ongoing labor struggles and the push for stronger regulations from organizations like OSHA.
The May-June 1983 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin addresses critical health policy issues, notably the dangers of asbestos exposure and the ongoing struggles surrounding the AIDS epidemic. The article 'Breath of Death' highlights the asbestos disaster, while other pieces discuss the implications of Reagan-era policies on public health funding and the challenges faced by municipal health programs. The issue also features a letter praising Hal Strelnick's commentary on 'Reaganomics' and its impact on health services, reflecting a broader critique of the administration's approach to health care. Additionally, the bulletin covers the contentious debate over nursing education standards, particularly the push for a baccalaureate degree requirement for registered nurses, which has sparked significant activism within the nursing community.