» > * /* >
♦ F
• f
A pril 7 ,1 9 9 3 • T he P orh . anp O bserver
P age A6
Dr. Alvin Poussaint
Action For Children’s “Give Kids A Shot'
Program Extends Corporate Incentives
Portland Association of Teach-
ers/O regon Education Association
Offers Free Immunization for 1,000
Children at Multnomah Health Clin­
ics
Over the past six months. Action
For Children’s (AFC) “Give Kids A
Shot” immunization awareness pro­
gram has rewarded 1,000 families
with free shots, Tri-Met tickets and
Skippers’ seafood dinners after visit­
ing Multnomah Count) health clin­
ics. AFC, in conjunction w ith the Port­
land Association of Teachcrs/Orcgon
Education Association (PAT/OEA),
Tri-M et and Skippers’, today an­
nounced plans to continue the pro­
gram in an effort to promote immuni­
zation of children under the age of
two Incentives will be available at
M ultnomah County Health Clinics.
"PAY/OEA. Tri-Met and Skip­
pers' generosity has helped begin to
raise community awareness about
childhood immunization, bat the sad
fact is that over 7,000 children under
the age of tw o in Multnomah County
are still not adequately vaccinated,’
stated Rich Cohen, president of Ac­
tion For Children. “Childhood dis­
eases such as measles, mumps, ru­
bella A(Gcrnian measles), tetanus
(lockjaw), diphtheria, pertussis (whop­
ping cough), and polio should no
longer be part of a child’s life.”
Tri-Met supports AFC’s "Give
Kids A Shot” program by providing
round-trip tickets to offset the trans­
portation cost to the county clinics.
Skippers’ Seafood & Chowder House
Restaurants rewards each caregiver
with a free meal and child's treat for
taking this step toward better health
And free vaccinations are made pos­
sible through a donation from the
Portland Association of Teachers/
Oregon Education Association.
According to Dr. TomOlsen.past
president of the Oregon Pediatric Soci­
ety and member of Action For Chil­
dren Advisory Board, every effort
should be made to confront the prob­
lem of children not receiving their
needed vaccinations. For example,
Latex Gloves May Cause
Allergies, Expert Warns
from 1989 to 19951, 55,000 Ameri­
cans caught measles because they had
not received adequate immunization.
This impacts not only the health of our
children but also the cost of medical
care in the United States. The United
States Department of Health and Hu­
man Sen ices (HHS) cites a ratio of
$14 in long-term medical savings for
every $1 spent on immunizations for
measles, pertussis and hemophilus
influenzae type b (Hib) vaccinations.
Action For Children, Inc. (AFC),
founded in 1992, is an independent,
multicultural grass roots political ad-
vocacy rights groupbased in Portland,
Oregon. Its board of directors is com­
prised of adults and children who are
chartered to promote the needs, aspi­
rations, and rights of youth at every
level of government The “Give Kids
A Shot" program is their first mobili­
zation effort For further information
regarding Action For Children, or to
become an active member, contact
Action For Children, P O. Box 12027,
Portland OR 97212; 503-288-6009.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 cup (H 4 g )
Servings Per Container 4
A m o u n t Per S erving
Calones from Fat 30
C alories 90
The latex rubber gloves used with
increased frequency to protect health
care w orkers, emergency personnel or
family members from infection may
pose risks o f their own, warns a
Stanford University allergist.
Dr Abba I. T en, clinical profes­
sor of medicine, says that a small but
undetermined number of people are
allergic to latex and may suffer
symptoms ranging from swelling of
the hands to hives to respiratory
difficulties if they use latex gloves.
The federal Centers for Disease
Control began tracking reported
cases of latex allergy in the spring of
1991.
T e n says that physicians appear
to be seeing an increase in the number
of such latex allergies, since they have
been used more frequently in the wake
of the HIV epidemic
“It may not be instantly apparent
what is causing the allergy, so it’s
important that people who use these
gloves alert their physician to that fact
if they develop any allergic symp­
toms," says T en.
Unfortunately, avoiding latex
gloves can be a bit troublesome Alter­
native non-latex gloves may be expen­
sive and may not offer the same high
levels of touch and conv enience, says
T en But happily, he says, the symp­
toms usually go away quickly after the
gloves are removed.
O f course persistent symptoms
may require medical attention and
could be the sign of a more complex
allergy or another problem. T en says.
% Daily V a lu « ’
5%
To tal Fa t 3g
0%
Saturated Fat Og
0%
C holestero l Omg
13%
S od ium 300mg
4%
To tal C a rb o h y d ra te 13g
Sugars 3g
P ro te in ¿g
Calcium
A
The family is the unit that shapes
the choices each of us make in our
lives. If the choice is a career and a
family, today’s demands on the indi­
vidual are unprecedented. Two-ca-
rcer families, increased competition
in the workplace, and the desire for a
healthy and integrated family life all
compete, with all-too-common re­
sults: divorce, violence, neglect.
There has been a dramatic increase
in stress-related illnesses in recent
years, an ominous trend that shows
no sign of decreasing. Author, psy­
chiatrist, educator and respected so­
cial critic Dr. Alvin Poussaint can
help show you how to balance these
and other important issues to avoid
burn-out...and build positive solu­
Pregnant Women Have Special Needs
12%
Dietary Fiber 3g
Vitamin
Dr. Alvin Paussaint
the Judge Baker Children’s Center in
tions for the future.
From stress to interpersonal com­ Boston, and has serv cd as a consultant
munication, from affirmative action to the Department of Health and Hu­
to family dynamics. Dr. Poussaint is man Resources as well as for Congres­
recognized as one of the country s sional hearings. He is an Associate
lop authorities. He has worked with Professor of Psy chiatry and Associate
corporate managers on the origins Dean for Student Affairs at Harvard
and management of stress-related Medical School
Dr. Alvin Poussaint attended
work issues. In addition, because of
Colombia
and receiv ed his M D from
the shortage of labor in many re­
Cornell
in
1960. He took post-gradu­
gions, hiring managers are selecting
a
te
tr
a
in
in g at the U CLA
from a much more diverse pool of
Neuropsychiatric Institute, where he
workers As a result, managers are
confronting the unique problems of served as Chief Resident in Psychia­
supervising a staff composed o f highly try in 1964-65, pursuing research.
From 1965-67, he w as Southern Field
varied races and economic back­
grounds. Drawing from both a physi­ Director for the Medical Committee
cal and psychological perspective of fo r H um an R ig h ts in Jack so n
Mississippi, providing medical care
human interactions, Poussaint offers
to civil rights workers and aiding in
insights to the manager on how to
the desegregation of health facilities
draw out the best in each worker. He is
particularly helpful to those who feel throughout the South
In these times, television wields
they are member of out-groups, who
an enormous influence. Dr. Poussaint
feel they do not fit easily into tradi­
was retained as a script consultant to
tional organizations.
one o f th e m ost p o p u la r and
Dr. Poussaint joined Tufts Medi­
groundbreaking shows on the televi­
cal School faculty in 1967 as director
sion, the Cosby Show and later, A
o f the psychiatric program in a low-
D ifferent W orld. Dr. Alvin Poussaint
income housing project. He developed
is an adv ocate and influence for more
a strong interest in community psy­
responsible network programming.
chiatry and race relations, particularly
Today, the juggling act of bal­
in the psychological impact o f racism
ancing home and career is an espe­
on the Black psyche, in 1969, he joined
cially treacherous one. Dr. Alvin
Harvard. He is the author of the ac­
claimed W hy Blacks Kill Blacks and Poussaint offers creative solutions to
co-author of B lack C hild C are. He is some of today ’s most challenging
on the staff of child ren ’ s Hospital and problems.
80^
•
Vitamin C
4%
•
Iron
60%
4%
•Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000
calorie d e t Your daily values may be highe or
lower depending on your calorie needs
Calones
Total Fat
less than
Sat Fat
less than
Cholesterol
less than
Sodium
Less than
Total Carbohydrate
Fiber
2,000
2,500
65g
20g
300mg
2 400mg
300mg
259
80g
25g
300mg
2 400mg
375g
30g
Calories per gram
Fat 9
•
Carbohydrates 4
•
Protein 4
To Your Good Health: A
Mental Health Moment
Pregnant women need to take
special precautions against electric
shock, warns an emergency medicine
expert from Stanford University Hos­
pital.
“Unborn children appear to be
very vulnerable to electric injury and
to be checked immediately by an ob­
stetrician even if the mother feels fine
immediately after a ‘jolt’ from house­
hold (alternating current) electricity,”
explains Dr. Robert L. Norris, assis­
piUlL’bMJi of
ui auigvij
tant professor
surgery (emergency
medicine) at Stanford University.
The amniotic fluid, the liquid in
the uterus that surrounds the fetus,
appears to be an excellent conductor
of electricity. Therefore it’s quite pos-
sible that an unborn fetus can sustain
extensive injury or even death from a
level of current that leaves the mother
unscathed and feeling fine, explains
Norris, who serves as associate direc­
tor of emergency services at Stanford
University Hospital.
Although extensive research on
/v.u.vut,..
topiC of electrical injury to fetuses
has not been conducted, Norris says
discrepancy between the relatively
jow level of pain or ill effects experi-
enced by the mother and high risk to
q ic fetus makes it important to be
watchful and seek medical attention if
an electric shock does occur
F o r At»/.-rem/tx
A dvertise in the O bserver
Crime, Genes, Federal Grants
And Your Health Concluded
hoods—and schools Some be leagured derstand the protocols for screening
and treatment Throughout the dis­
Now, how did all that get mixed citizens have even remarked on a suc­ cussion, there was a constant refer­
up with “COMMUNITY POLICING? cessful use of this type law enforce­
ence to an “Action calendar” in re­
pecially noticeable in a child who by those around the child will allevi­
BY RAY EAGLIN
If you have been following this series ment in England and Japan But all of spect to prenatal, infant and child­
ate some of his tensions.
leaves
home
for
school,
and
who
asso­
this tentative approval is almost uni­
Fear and worry. Emotional young
Successful achievement and en­ of articles, you know very well how
versally combined with certain reser­ hood intervention (state laws and pro­
children bom of feelings of insecurity ciates with many different people out­
this
situation
has
come
about.
There
joyable activity have positive ten­
side
the
home,
unless
he
has
been
vations, not only emphasized here the cedures differ).
usually represents the basis of serious
sion-reducing value. Worry is over­ have been alarms sounded from not
Now, regarding that “Fascinat­
maladjustment. No matter what the prepared gradually by his parents or
only the black media and universities past month, but bom of a long-term ing Japanese Sickle-Cell Anemia Sur­
come
to
the
extent
that
a
child
and
or
racial experience. It was the Arabs
age of a person he or she needs to be guardian or a love god for entrance
adult engages in meaningful activity (Howard, Southern), but also a “few”
who warned of what to expect if you vey” . What is really “fascinating” is
reasonably secure in relations with into this new and larger world
w hich diverts -his attention from the members of the white science estab­
He
may
dev
elop
fear
of
the
police,
ever let the camel get his nose under the fact that such a broad-scale, ini­
other people and able to handle situa­
cause of the worry. If the worry state lishment. However, this latter group,
the
landlord,
a
store
clerk,
the
post­
the lap of the tent—The FBI and tially highly-publicized venture by the
tions and conditions that constitute
arises out of an actual problem situa­ except for those previously cited, has
most reputable and well-intentioned
man,
the
bus
driver,
his
teachers,
of
his day-today life pattern. Otherwise,
COINTEL PRO?
tion, an attitude of willingness to joined with the criminal justice sys­
his
class
mates
who
appear
to
be
better
In a somewhat lighter vein (just a scientists should suddenly have been
he may retreat from what can be con­
meet and solve the problem is help­ tem in a frantic and outrageous effort
adjusted
than
himself,
or
of
failure
in
little bit) I have put together an alter­ aborted-dropping from sight like the
sidered normal activity If the fear and
ful An individual's worry can be to make up for the nationwide short­
Titanic. Originally , the screening was
class
activities.
It
is
only
as
he
is
worry become too intense, the indi­
fall in funds which threatens jobs, native criteria to be used in screening to have covered certain populations of
alleviated or eliminated if he/she:
helped
to
find
a
place
for
himself
in
his
for CRIMINAL GENES among popu­
vidual may lose contact with reality.
(1) Thinks through a possible institutions and programs at every
lations that have “dem onstrated a Southeast Asia and some Pacific Is­
Reality being that amount of peace environment that these fears can be
level.
A
new
battle
cry
“Minority
solution to the problem.
successfully
overcome.
Worry
is
not
knack for wrongdoing” : Congress land, and then move “westward” to
and justice one may be likely to find in
(2) Gathcrsconsiderabledatathat Health.”
the borders of a “Middle East” popu­
an inner city that never sleeps with aroused by an direct stimuli such as
It should not be surprising, there­ people who write bad checks, savings
helps find the solution to the prob­
lation whose blood had already been
found
in
the
child's
immediate
physi­
and
loan
executives,
Junk
bond
sales­
both eyes shut.
for, that we find the more enterprising
lem.
F e a r-it’s causes and expression. cal environment? But rather arises out
men, Lobbyists, Ku Klux K ian mem­ screened by westerners (this latter
(3) Face the worry , evaluate it’s members of the law enforcement com­
of
an
imagined
fear
of
a
possible
un­
bers, skinheads, brutal policemen, Irish population definitely had the Sickle-
Children are susceptible to the arousal
causes, and remove the causes if pos­ munity, joining with physicians, psy­
pleasant
experience
terrorists, Sicilians, Serbs, roofing and Cell gene, from North African to the
of fears that may be real or imaginary
sible, and (4) Co-operate with other chologists, geneticists, sociologists,
Therefor,
worry
is
not
found
in
Fear arousing stimuli vary widely in
siding salesmen, used car dealers, etc. other populations surrounding the
people in the avoidance or elimina­ educators, anthropologists and politi­
very
young
children
The
child
must
their form and in their effect on the
You can see how stupid and ri­ Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf).
tion of serious, worry-arousing situa­ cians in a concerted effort to tap the
have
matured
sufficiently
in
his
men­
Circa 1978-79.
developing child What to the secure
gold mine of federal funds provided by diculous a genetic approach to law
tions.
Undoubtedly, you readers have
tal
abilities
for
him
to
imagine
things
enforcement can bccom e-and how
chid may be just one of his many new
No matter how disturbing fear Dr. Louis W Sullivan’s half-billion
reached
the same conclusions that I
immediately
present
in
order
that
he
dangerous when a legitimate process
experiences may to another young
may be at times, it remains an impor­ dollar “Health Initiative". Nor should
did
about
the source and kind of pres­
be
capable
of
worrying.
Worry
affects
allows
itself
to
be
infiltrated
by
some
person constitute an intolerable situa­
tant and desirable human experience it be surprising that I reported here on
sures that would have been brought by
of
the
same
genocidal
fraternity
that
tion from which he feels himself driven every one to one degree or another. It
unless it takes on the characteristics 3/31/93, “Sickle Cell Anemia Scan­
introduced racism into the interpreta­ western nations to halt such an “em­
to retreat A chid tends to reflect the deals with a past experience or with
of a phobia, (pathological fears, irra­ ning Sidetracked” Funds Diverted To
tion of IQs and the formulation of barrassing “ screening process This
fears of his elders As the adult gives something that is being done at the
tional). A certain amount of fear is Screen For Black Crime Genes’” .
opposition would have come from
evidence that fears do exist he may present If the circumstances that
It is in the context of that latter immigration quotas. Be sure to read
necessary for protection from harm­
caused
it
are
removed,
the
worry
dis­
“The Mismeasure of Man” by Ste­ beyond groups like these Jews who
arouse in the child ev idence that the
ful elements in the environment. concern in particular, that I wrote
appears.
Our
neighborhood
child
ex­
phen Gould It is frightening to realize opposed the massive “Tay Sachs-car-
fear is rational.
When a child’s behavior is so condi­ several existing W ashington agencies
periences
worry
if
or
when
he
devel­
how many of our most highly edu­ rier” gene screening that began in the
It is in this manner that many-
tioned that hc/shc bcccmes cautious, involved w ith A frican A m erican
ops
an
attitude
or
inferiority
or
a
feel­
cated and respected professionals can U S. in 1971 to detect a disease mostly
childhood fears are developed, such as
it is probable that fear of consequences health issues, and just got off a letter
ing
of
personal
inadequacy
or
of
util­
descend to the level of Hitlers Naz.is- found am o n g F a st E u ro p ean
fear of storms, high places, death,
is basic to the development of his to black congress woman, Cardiss
ity,
or
if
he
believes
that
he
lacks
-driven by greed, grants and garnish­ Ashkenazi Jew s and their descendants.
teachers or the night. The more imagi­
cautious attitude Failures and disas­ Collins (D 111). She recently, won ap­
preparation
for
the
solution
of
a
prob­
ments (and need for prestige among The Japanese screening would have
native the child is and the less experi­
ters have been avoided or prevented proval for a “Federal Office on M inor­
lem
with
which
he
is
faced
Worry
peers). “Ethnic Cleansing" is not a destroyed the increasingly shaky pre­
ence he has in out-going play activi­
through such conditioning. The ef­ ity Health" from the House Energy
sumptions about a “European iden­
ties with peer groups, the more sensi­ results from the dread of meeting situ­
foreign concept
fects of socializing influences upon a and Commerce Committee. Again,
tity” for the developers of civilization
There
seems
to
be
some
resur­
tive he is to possible fear-producing ations for which the child or older
child show themselves in his/her de­ within that same context, you may
and culture Reenter African Genes.
gence
of
national
media
interest
in
stimuli, darkness, unusual sounds, and person feels unprepared It represents
veloping fear of loss of prestige or also wish to get a copy of the follow ing
Once again Sickle-Cells may have
a
kind
of
imaginary
fear
of
things
that
S ic k le -C e ll A n em ia; p ro b ab ly
similar situations and conditions may
loss of recognition of his capability or book: “Technologies For Detecting
saved
the African. Not from malaria
probably
never
materialize
prompted by that growing awareness
so stimulate his imagination that he
achievements Interpreted in this way, Heritable Mutations In Genes", No
A
child
cannot
be
talked
out
of
his
this
time,
but from insidious attempts
becomes lost in a m ental world,
1875343, $9/98.2 50shipping. Barnes among African Americans of the in­
fear may serve as a opus to greater
to
banish
him from his proper role in
fears
nor
will
adult
ridicule
of
his
fear
credible bumbling we described last
p e o p le d
by
activity. Tobe motivated to do well or and Noble. 126 Fifth Ave. N Y., N.Y.
the
historical
scheme of things "God
help
him
over
come
it.
Trying
to
rea­
fishheads.robbers.ghosts.and other
10011 (published by a FEDERAL task week It is not as strong as it should be
to be well liked indicates a positive,
works
in
mysterious
ways!” Go back
son
with
the
child,
in
and
of
itself,
will
yet.
but
Sunday
afternoon
on
“Family
“supernatural" agents of evil or harm
force-arc you surprised?)
and
read
them
again-A
nta Diop. The
not eliminate fear To show by per­ wholesome attitude based upon fear
to him self
In all my exchanges with readers Practice Update’ , this disease was
components If you think your young
African
Origin
of
Civilization;
J.S
sonal
example
that
the
fear
is
un­
discussed
by
two
experts.
Dr
Felix
He maybe in constant dread of the
child is worried or expressing exces­ and others, 1 find little opposition to Feldm an and Dr M elvin Gerald Rogers, Sex And Race. I A. II. Also,
founded
may
or
may
not
meet
with
loss of a beloved parent or friend, the
sive fear at one or many things con­ “Community Policing” as such The (black) Both emphatically cited a Chancellor Williams. The Destruc­
loss of a job or the inability to find one, success The development of certain
tact your family doctor, or the local residents of both African American
pressing need on the part of inner-city tion O f Black Civilization, Bernal,
o f an accident or of personal in-effec­ skills often aide in preventing and
mental health organization in your and White communities arc desperate
Black Athena I & 11.
tiveness A feeling of inadequacy and overcoming unreasonable fears In a
to gain security in their ncighbor- parents and physicians to better un­
area
consequent fear reactions may be cs- time of crisis, the display of calmness
BY PROFESSOR MCKINLEY BURT
A #,
4 f 4 f .f. A4.« « t
\
A ».
¿