Book Review: Not for Sale:The Return of the Global Slave-Trade and How We Can Fight It

David Batstone, in his book Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade – and How We Can Fight It, wrote a heart wrenching, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful profile of human trafficking. The modern slave trade generates $31 billion per year and ranks third in criminal activity (after drug and arms smuggling) worldwide. No country is immune from its activities or its effects. My hometown, Kansas City, is a hotbed for human trafficking, Its highways, that link the east coast to the west coast, the north to the south, give opportunity for trucks carrying human cargo to remain hidden in plain sight.

The author was shocked when the San Francisco restaurant where he and his wife were frequent customers was exposed as part of a slave-trafficking ring. The dishwashers, wait staff, and cooks were slaves of the owner, Lakireddy Reddy. This experience led Batstone to explore the issue of the modern slave trade. He found “well over one hundred thousand people live enslaved at this moment in the United States, and additional 17,500 new victims are trafficked across our boarders each year.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice, they have prosecuted slave-trade cases in ninety-one cites and nearly in every state in the nation.

The book profiled former slaves and advocates working to stop human trafficking. Most of the stories were filled with inhumane treatment and unspeakable acts. Yet, the author weaved in glimmers of hope through the actions that advocates and the former slaves have taken to defeat slavery.

The last chapter contained information on what one person can do to end human trafficking. With slavery, there are the tangible ways you can make an impact, such as donating money and time. However, there are other everyday acts that need to be screened for the mark of human trafficking. Purchases such as food, clothing, and household items are often hotspots for slave labor. Derek Ellerman, co-founder of The Polaris Project, stated he “would like to see grassroots activists track the supply chain of every consumer product we buy to determine how it is produced. Armed with that data, we could shape a policy to hold companies accountable that use slave labor in any way to produce products that they offer to consumers in the United States.”

Big and small, acts must be taken to end slavery. The stories in Not For Sale were overwhelming at times, but worked as a reality check. My eyes and heart were opened to suffering of children, women, and men across the globe and in my backyard.

ADVISORY: This Book Deals With Mature Subject Matter.

Dear Target, You Rock!

We send a big thank you to the Target on N. Madison Ave in Kansas City, MO for their generous donation of a gift card. Though their donation and a special discount, we were able to purchase sixteen coats for GSP’s kids. In addition, employees at Target set aside a rack of children coats that made for an easy shopping trip.

Target is known for their commitment to supporting the communities in which they operate. Five percent of the company’s income, over three million dollars per week, is put back into the community. Thank you Target!

Thank you to our new intern, Katy, for your assistance on the shopping trip. She kept us on budget and found great coats for our teens. Thanks Katy!

What a Wonderful World

Have you heard of Project Linus? The following statement is from the Project Linus website (http://www.projectlinus.org/)

Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help us achieve our mission statement, which states:
First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.
Together we have distributed over three million blankets to children in need since our inception in 1995.

The Johnson/Wyandotte County chapter has lovingly crafted and donated 60 blankets for the 19th Annual Good Samaritan Project’s Children’s Holiday Party. Thank you so much for your generous donation of handmade warmth!

Ryan White Program Extended

Funding for the Ryan White Program was extended to September 30, 2013. This funding functions as the payer of last resort for those infected by HIV and funds the case management portion of Good Samaritan Project. Nationwide, this funding is allotted 2.2 billion dollars and funds a variety of services, including direct care and education for health care professionals.

To learn more about one of the activists that made this funding possible, visit www.ryanwhite.com

October is Fair Trade Month

Yesterday, I was hanging out with my friend Emerson, his two kids and his wife, Ashley. With Halloween upon us, Ashley, who is super crafty (seriously, there isn’t anything she can’t build with a glue gun and stuff from the recycle bin) was pulling out items to make the kids' costumes. I asked, “Wow, making costumes seems to be a lot of work, why not buy their costumes?”

Ashley paused for a moment and said, “I like to make things, especially if I can make it with something that would otherwise become trash. When Em and I buy something, we ask ourselves a couple of questions. Do we need the item or do we something that would serve the same purpose? Can we make the item ourselves? If not, can we purchase the item from a locally based producer? Is the item fairly produced? Does it fund a cause we support? Your shirt is a great example of some of these principles.”

I looked down. I was wearing an “I Gave a Buck” t-shirt.

Ashley asked, “Your shirt is made in the USA, right?”

“Yeah,” I responded.

“That tells me that the worker that made that shirt was paid at least minimum wage, had the opportunity to use the bathroom when needed, had a lunch break and worked in an environment that was accessed for health risks. Also, if these protections were not in place, the manufacturer can be subject to fines. When items are made outside of the US, you can look for the Fair Trade Federation stamp. That stamp insures that the producers of the product were given a fair price for their goods and the working conditions are safe. You used a local printer, right?” asked Ashley

I nodded my head. “I could have used an online company, but Blue Collar Press always does great work and we get our orders on time. I didn’t want to worry about needing the t-shirts for an event and having to wait on a package being shipped from halfway around the world.”

After talking to Ashley, I did a little research. Did you know October is Fair Trade Month?www.fairtrademonth.org Do you know there are whole towns and cities dedicated to practicing fair trade? Check out this website http://www.firstfairtradetownusa.org/ Do you know we still have “I Gave a Buck!” t-shirts for $15, $17 for XXL (what are you waiting for? Contact my store manager, Nicole Davis ndavis@gsp-kc.org today!)

When Using Television as a Tool, Make Sure it’s the Sharpest One in the Shed

With a wide variety of media tools at our disposal, television has one of the longest track records (remember those after school specials?) The medical drama provides a unique format to present public health information. Its hour long format allows enough time to discuss symptoms, treatment, as well as prevention of disease. Is this format being used effectively?

A study conducted by Sheila Murphy, PhD and Heather Hether, MA of the Annenberg School for Communication and Victoria Rideout, MA of the Kaiser Family Foundation titled How Healthy is Prime Time? An Analysis of Health Content in Popular Prime Time Television Programs points to changes that need to be made in order to fully harness the power of television. The data shows the following:
The most common health topic found in top-rated TV shows was an unusual illness or disease. This topic appeared more than four times as often as heart disease, five times as often as cancer, and 20 times as often as diabetes – all more prevalent medical conditions among the American populace.
Health storylines are much more likely to focus on symptoms (65%), treatment (59%) and diagnosis (50%) than prevention (10%).

In addition, the study also noted few portrayals of access to care. Disparities between racial groups were also observed.

A different study (Television as Health Educator: A Case Study of Grey’s Anatomy) was conducted to research the use of television to impart public health information. The Kaiser Family Foundation worked with writers from Grey’s Anatomy, a medical drama based at fictitious Seattle Grace, to create a storyline regarding mother-to-child HIV transmission. With proper treatment the current rate of transmission between mother and child is less than two percent. Viewers were tested on this statistic one week before, one week after, and six weeks after the target episode. One week after the show 61% could correctly quote the statistic and after six weeks, 45% responded correctly. The six week response was still three times higher than before the episode aired. In addition, this information was passed in another form of media. The study found at least 35 blogs that referenced the statistic from the Grey’s Anatomy episode.

Another affect of the storyline, according to the study, was a shift in attitudes of the viewers towards HIV positive woman that have children. Before the broadcast, 61% of viewers thought it was “irresponsible for a woman who knows she is HIV positive to have a baby.” After the show, that number dropped to 34%.

Given Grey’s Anatomy’s experience with using a storyline to educate viewers about HIV, it was disappointing to hear some of the language used on Private Practice, a spin-off series of Grey’s Anatomy. Last Thursday, the cast struggled with an ethical issue related to HIV. A patient was in need of a kidney transplant, had been on the list for three years and she was given only days to live. Her sister was a match, however she was HIV positive and it was against the law to transplant the organ. One doctor remarked that the laws were outdated and treated HIV as a death sentence.

The problem with this episode was the language. Dr, Sam Bennett, played by Taye Diggs, used the offensive term “full-blown AIDS.” As explained on the HIV/AIDS Media Guide posted on the ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto) website, “This term implies there is such a thing as “half-blown” AIDS.” A person only has AIDS when they present with an AIDS-defining illness such as an opportunistic infection.” Throughout the episode, the dialogue seemed to use HIV and AIDS interchangeably, instead naming two separate medical conditions. This episode did well at spotlighting an ethical issue, however it failed in educating the audience on language to discuss the disease. As noted by Victoria Rideout, vice president and director of The Program for the Study of Media and Health at the Kaiser Family Foundation, and author of Television as a Health Educator: A Case Study of Grey’s Anatomy “for better or worse viewers do absorb the health information they see on TV, so it’s important for these shows to get it right.”

Changing language on medical dramas would be a step in the right direction. Given the sexual storylines on both Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice involving the main characters, maybe a better public health tool would be depicting safer sexual practices.

For more information visit http://www.gfem.org/node/385

Koala Survives Fire, Dies of Chlamydia

February of 2009 bought devastating wildfires to Australia, killing 170 people and destroying thousands of homes and acres of land. One survivor was a cute marsupial known as Sam the Koala. Sam had been living at Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter, where she had been treated for second and third-degree burns to her paws. While at the wildlife center, Sam was undergoing treatment for chlamydia.

Sam was having surgery to remove cysts caused by the chlamydia. During the surgery, her disease was found to be inoperable. A shelter spokeswoman, Peita Elkhorne noted, “It was so serve that there was no possible way to be able to manage her pain.” On August 6th, Sam was put to sleep.

Chylamydia is becoming another threat to the koala way of life. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of the Australia’s koala population have the disease. According to Professor Peter Timmus of Queensland University of Technology Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, chlamydia in koalas causes “infertility, urinary tract infections, and inflammation in the lining of the eyes that often leads to blindness.”

There is some good news for koalas. Researchers are developing a vaccine for koalas. Last year, trails began for eighteen koalas. “We’ve been able to develop the vaccine for koalas as a result of our studies on the development of human chlamydia vaccines done in the mouse model”, stated Professor Ken Beagley of Queensland University of Technology Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation. However, vaccines for humans and koalas are still in the development stage.

Information adapted from Science Daily and Foxnews.com

What is Chlamydia? STD Spotlight

How is chlamydia transmitted?

Chlamydia is transmitted in the following ways:
Vaginal sex
Anal sex
Oral sex
Vaginal childbirth (from mother to child)

What are the symptoms?

About 50 percent of men and 75 percent of women have no symptoms when infected with Chlamydia.

In women, the symptoms are:
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Burning sensation when urinating
Lower abdominal pain
Low back pain
Nausea
Fever
Pain during intercourse
Bleeding between menstrual periods

In men, the symptoms are:
Discharge from penis
Burning sensation when urinating
Burning and itching around the opening of the penis

Chlamydia is also found in the throats of those having oral sex with an infected partner.

What are the long-term effects of chlamydia?

Since, a majority of people infected with chlamydia remain non-symptomatic, the long term effects reflect the result of individuals not receiving treatment. In women, chlamydia can spread to the fallopian tubes and/or uterus causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The damage caused by PID can be permanent to the fallopian tubes, uterus and surrounding tissue leading to infertility, chronic pelvic pain and pregnancy outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).

Men rarely experience long-term effects. However, infections can spread to the tube that carries sperm from the testis (epididymis) and in rare cases, cause sterility.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “rarely genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis that can be accompanied by skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra.”

How is chlamydia diagnosed?

Specimens collected from the site or urine can be tested.

How is chlamydia treated?

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.

How can chlamydia be prevented?

Abstaining from sexually activity or being in a monogamous relationship with a partner that has tested negative for STDs prevents the transmission of chlamydia. Use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of getting an STD.

What is the link between chlamydia and HIV?

According to the CDC, “women infected with chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.”

This information was adapted from CDC Fact Sheet on Chlamydia

Now Playing – Another Castro Movie Night

October’s Castro Movie Night benefits Good Samaritan Project. It will feature the movies Taking Woodstock and The Informant! Sponsored by Bella Realty.

When: October 15th
Where: Screenland Armour 408 Armour Road, North Kansas City, MO 64116
Time: Cocktails at 6:40, Taking Woodstock at 7:10, The Informant! At 7:30

How to purchase tickets: Purchase tickets on-line at www.gsp-kc.org or at the door. Tickets purchased on-line will be entered for a chance to win two tickets to GSP’s Holiday Homes Tour (a $75 dollar value).

General Admission - $8.00

Premier Seating - $12.00 Guaranteed seating in of the first three rows behind the VIP section.

VIP - $25.00 Includes deluxe reclining seat, NEW GSP Bucky t-shirt, and one raffle ticket.

Raffle: Tickets $1 or six tickets for $5.
Prizes: facial from Hollyday Aesthetics
$50 gift card to Serenity SpaThree night stay to The Royal in Cancun (airfare not included

What is Syphilis? STD Spotlight

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease passed from person to person through a syphilis sore called a chancre. Sores can occur on the lips, in the mouth, external genitals, vagina, anus or rectum. These chancres can be hidden from view due to the location.

What are the symptoms?

Some people remain non-symptomatic for years. However, there are three distinct stages: primary, secondary and latent.

In the primary stage, the appearance of one or more chancre will occur. The chancre is painless, round in shape, firm in texture, and small in appearance. The sore lasts between three to six weeks. Without treatment, syphilis continues to the secondary stage.

There are more symptoms in the secondary stage. This stage is marked by rashes and lesions, as well as, fatigue, weight loss, head aches, hair loss, sore throat and fever. The rash may appear on the hands and bottom of the feet as a rough, reddish brown spots.

In the latent stage, symptoms are not present, yet infection remains in the body. During the last stage of syphilis, damage may be found in the heart, brain, liver, eyes, blood vessels, nerves, bones, and joints. Due to the damage to these areas of the body, individuals can experience dementia, blindness, paralysis, and death.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

Syphilis can be detected by a blood test or by examining material gathered from a chancre.

How is syphilis treated?

If an individual has had syphilis for less than a year, a single injection of penicillin is the treatment. For individuals that have had syphilis for longer than one year, additional doses are required. Other antibiotics will treat syphilis for individuals allergic to penicillin.

What prevents the transmission of syphilis?

To prevent syphilis, either abstain from sexual contact or maintain a monogamous relationship with a partner who has tested negative for syphilis. Proper use of condoms can reduce the risk of syphilis. However, condoms that are treated with Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) are not recommended for preventing STDs. Likewise, individuals undergoing treatment for syphilis should abstain from sexual contact until all chancres are healed.

Are HIV and syphilis linked?

According to the CDC “there is an estimated two to five fold increased risk of acquiring HIV if exposed to that infection when syphilis is present.” The transmission of HIV is made easier by the chancres caused by syphilis.

Are there additional risks for pregnant women and their babies?
Syphilis carries many risks for babies. The syphilis can infect the baby causing stillbirth or having a baby that dies shortly after birth. Infants can be treated immediately after birth; however delaying treatment many cause seizures, developmental issues, or death. Since the health risks to infant are serious, pregnant women should be tested for syphilis.

This information was adpated from CDC Fact Sheet: Syphilis

Bucky’s Book of the Month for October

Not For Sale: The Return of Global Slave Trade and How We Can Fight It by David Batsone, follows modern day abolitionists in their struggle to free captives of human trafficking. Discover how you can join the fight against human trafficking, both at home and abroad. Visit http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/ for more information.

Book Review: Typhoid Mary

Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical by Anthony Bourdain is more of a snapshot of a disease and time than a biographical account of Mary Mallon, the first known non-symptomatic carrier of typhoid. The interplay of classism, sexism, and disease is clearly defined in Bourdain’s account. Personally, I couldn’t help noticing similarities between the social climate of the late 1800s and the early days of the AIDS epidemic of the early 1980s.

New York and the country as a whole were in the middle of a foodie frenzy. Cooks for New York’s society families were expected to be well versed in a variety of cuisines. According to Bourdain, “cookbooks and fad diets and manuals on housekeeping and proper deployment and use of domestic help were all the rage.” Given the caliber of family that employed Mary, she would have been an accomplished cook. These families kept Mary in their employ even after she was suspected of carrying typhoid.

In addition to a food revolution occurring among the wealthiest Americans, a new wave of feminism was taking place, especially within the ranks of middle and working class women. “Quiet, demure, compliant women-whose sole purpose in life had previously been to get married and raise kids and run a household for their husbands, however brutish those husbands might have been, were being replaced by brainy, assertive, cigarette-smoking, self-indulgent “new women”, for whom the twentieth century promised new pleasures and real choices”, noted Bourdain. Mary Mallon was one of these “new women” whom was financially independent and appeared to be the sole support of her live-in boyfriend. When Mary was arrested the first time, it required five New York City policeman and the famed Dr. Josephine Baker to take her into custody.

After her arrest, Mary lived in quarantine for three years on North Brother Island. When she was released, Mary had agreed to never work as a cook. She was employed as a laundress, a much lower paying and less fulfilling position. In 1915, she was arrested again for working as a cook under the name Mary Brown. This time, defeated by years of bad publicity, low paying work, and life circumstances, she went without a fight. There were few traces of the new woman she had once been. Mary lived the last portion of her life in state ordered quarantine until she died of pneumonia in 1938, six years after a debilitating stoke.

Bourdain writes from the perspective of fellow chef, at times empathic to the plight of Mary. His portrait of her life opens a window into a time and place that has much in common with our own. His writing style is engaging and enjoyable to read. I give it three and a half out of five bucks.

Check in on Monday for my next book selection.

Picture of Anthony Bourdain from Wikipedia.