· 4 issues
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.
This issue of HealthPAC Bulletin discusses the evolution and challenges of Neighborhood Health Centers (NHCs) since their inception in the 1960s, highlighting the tension between community-based care and traditional medical institutions. It features insights from Sargent Shriver, former OEO Director, and Dr. Jack Geiger, emphasizing the need for community involvement in health care delivery. The issue also critiques the American Medical Association's (AMA) evolving stance on patient rights and health maintenance organizations, reflecting a shift towards political pragmatism in the face of changing health care dynamics. Additionally, it addresses the implications of toxic waste on community health, particularly in areas like Love Canal, underscoring the intersection of environmental and public health issues.
The March-April 1981 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on occupational health and safety, particularly the challenges faced by workers in industrial settings. It features a special survey on OSHA, highlighting both its regulatory performance and the political pressures it faces, including criticism from newly elected Senator Dan Quayle. The issue also discusses the historical context of labor movements and the increasing emphasis on health and safety issues in union negotiations. Notably, it reflects on the personal stories of workers and their families, illustrating the human cost of industrial hazards and the struggle for better working conditions.