In case anyone else is interested...
Apr. 30th, 2003 12:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
moominmuppetI sometimes post snippets from the Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report in my journal (that's the source of my last post on male sterilization, for example), but I rarely post the entire thing. I decided to go ahead and do so today, so that folks who are interested can see a typical report, and decide if they want to subscribe (free) for themselves. If you have any interest in reproductive health issues, I highly recommend doing so. Oh, and standard disclaimers about "not affiliated with them, not profiting from, yadda-yadda-yadda" apply.
A service of kaisernetwork.org
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/reproductivehealth
________________________________________
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
IN THE COURTS
========================================
1. Supreme Court Denies Appeal of S.C. Abortion Law That Gives
Investigators Access to Medical Records of Abortion Patients
STATE POLITICS & POLICY
========================================
2. Arizona Governor Vetoes Expanded Contraceptive Coverage Law
Exemption
3. Hawaii Senate Approves Bill That Would Require Hospitals To Give
Sexual
Assault Survivors Information About Emergency Contraception
4. Texas House Committee Approves Bill That Would Require Parental
Consent
for Minors Seeking Abortions
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES
========================================
5. Most Women With Abnormal Pap Smears Will Not Develop Cervical
Cancer,
Study Says
MEDIA & SOCIETY
========================================
6. 'Controversial' Book on Children's Sexuality Receives Los Angeles
Times
Book Prize
7. MTV To Air Two New Programs on Gender and Sexual Health
****************************************
IN THE COURTS
1. Supreme Court Denies Appeal of S.C. Abortion Law That Gives
Investigators Access to Medical Records of Abortion Patients
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17420
The Supreme Court yesterday denied the Center for Reproductive Rights'
appeal of a South Carolina law that allows state investigators to have
access to the medical records of abortion patients, the Washington
Times
reports (Murray, Washington Times, 4/29). A Greenville, S.C., abortion
clinic and an individual abortion provider, who are represented by CRR
attorneys, challenged the 1995 law, saying that it amounted to an
unconstitutional violation of women's privacy rights, according to USA
Today (Biskupic, USA Today, 4/29). South Carolina is the only state
that
allows investigators to "see, copy and store abortion patients' medical
records" without strict confidentiality requirements, according to the
AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch (AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/29). In
September 2001, U.S. District Judge Henry Herlong ruled that the
provision
mandating access to clinic records "raised privacy concerns" but that
the
remainder of the law was constitutional. However, a three-judge panel
of
the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in September 2002 ruled that the
provision did not violate patients' privacy rights. Following the
panel
ruling, CRR filed an appeal and asked the full court to hear the case,
but
the court refused. CRR lawyers then petitioned to keep the medical
records
provision from being enacted until they could appeal to the U.S.
Supreme
Court (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 12/4/02). In addition,
the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists filed a
friend-of-the-court brief supporting the challenge to the law, saying
that
it is a "harbinger for the erosion of doctor-patient confidentiality in
all
areas of medicine" (AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/29). The Supreme
Court's
rejection of the appeal, which was made in a one-sentence order and
does
not set a national precedent, allows the law to go into effect,
according
to USA Today. George Oxner, an attorney who was part of the team that
represented the state, said yesterday that he expects the law to go
into
effect immediately.
Reaction
CRR attorney Bonnie Scott Jones said that when the law takes effect
some
women may leave the state to access abortion services out of a concern
that
their names might become public if they obtain abortion services in
South
Carolina, according to USA Today. "Confidentiality is vital to women
seeking abortions because they may face harassment and violence from
their
partners or others for having decided to undergo an abortion," Scott
Jones
said (USA Today, 4/29). Vicki Saporta, president of the National
Abortion
Federation, said, "We're very disappointed that the Supreme Court
didn't
recognize what a serious invasion of privacy this law is," adding, "We
think it will adversely impact women's access to abortion services."
Trey
Walker, a spokesperson for South Carolina Attorney General Henry
McMaster
(R), who defended the state law, said, "The regulations are reasonable
health and safety measures that do not infringe on anyone's
constitutional
rights" (Brundrett, Columbia State, 4/29).
Effect on Similar Arizona Case?
The Supreme Court's decision will likely have "little effect" on a
similar
Arizona statute that was struck down by a federal judge last fall and
is
now being appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, according
to
the Associated Press. Scott Jones said that the Supreme Court's
decision
leaves the 4th Circuit's decision upholding the law in effect; however,
she
added that "it's not unusual for the 9th and 4th Circuits to go in
opposite
directions on abortion." Kevin Ray, an assistant state attorney general
who
represented Arizona in the District Court case, could not be reached
for
comment (Associated Press, 4/28).
STATE POLITICS & POLICY
2. Arizona Governor Vetoes Expanded Contraceptive Coverage Law
Exemption
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17421
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) on Friday vetoed a bill (SB 1089)
that
would broaden exemptions from a state law that requires insurance
companies
to provide prescription contraceptive coverage in drug plans, Capitol
Media/Arizona Daily Star reports (Fischer, Capitol Media/Arizona Daily
Star, 4/26). The original law, passed last year, provided exceptions
for
religious organizations that "hire people of the same faith and provide
goods or services related to their faith." The bill, which passed the
House earlier this month, would have expanded the exemption to any
not-for-profit religious corporation, association, educational
institution,
charity or society "whose religious tenets prohibit the use of
contraceptives" but would not limit the exemption to private,
for-profit
businesses. The bill would also prevent insurance companies and other
entities from being held liable for participating in the exemption
(Kaiser
Daily Reproductive Health Report, 4/17). Napolitano said, "If these
women
cannot obtain contraceptive coverage from their employer, they may not
be
able to obtain it at all, and unintended pregnancies and abortions are
likely to increase." However, Sen. Mark Anderson (R), the bill's
sponsor,
said that Napolitano "failed to grasp 'that this is really about
religious
freedom,'" the Associated Press reports. "It's a much bigger issue
than
health care coverage for a few women," Anderson said adding, "The issue
boils down to a state telling a particular religion that you have to
violate the tenets of your faith and the state is forcing them to do
so"
(Associated Press, 4/25). Ron Johnson, lobbyist for the Arizona
Catholic
Conference, said that the group's next step will be to challenge the
law in
court. According to Capitol Media/Daily Star, a similar case is
pending in
California (Capitol Media/Arizona Daily Star, 4/26).
3. Hawaii Senate Approves Bill That Would Require Hospitals To Give
Sexual
Assault Survivors Information About Emergency Contraception
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17422
The Hawaii Senate on Thursday voted 18-6 to approve a bill (SB 658)
that
would require hospitals to inform victims of sexual assault about
emergency
contraception and provide the pill if requested, the Honolulu
Advertiser
reports. If the bill becomes law, hospitals found to have denied such
information to patients would face a $5,000 fine for each instance and
would face a suspension or revocation of a license after two such
violations. Supporters of the bill said the bill would prevent the
"additional trauma" of a pregnancy after a sexual assault, the
Advertiser
reports. But opponents of the measure said it would force church-run
hospitals to go against their beliefs, adding that the penalties are
"too
harsh," according to the Advertiser. The bill has already passed the
House, and now goes to Gov. Linda Lingle (R) (Arakawa/Pang, Honolulu
Advertiser, 4/25). In related news, the Hawaii House on Friday
approved a
bill that would allow pharmacists to dispense EC without a prescription
from a physician (Associated Press, 4/25). If the bill becomes law,
pharmacists who wish to dispense EC -- which can prevent pregnancy if
taken
up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse -- would undergo
training and would work together with physicians regarding procedures
and
protocols (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 2/13). The bill
has
already been approved by the state Senate and now goes to the governor
(Associated Press, 4/25). The House last year passed a similar measure
but
it was never heard in the Senate (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health
Report,
2/13).
4. Texas House Committee Approves Bill That Would Require Parental
Consent
for Minors Seeking Abortions
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17423
The Texas House State Affairs Committee on Friday approved 7-1 a bill
(HB
945) that would require a minor seeking an abortion to obtain written
parental consent before undergoing the procedure, the Houston Chronicle
reports (Houston Chronicle, 4/26). Current state law requires a
physician
to notify a pregnant girl's parent or legal guardian before performing
an
abortion procedure but does not require parental consent. Teens who
believe they cannot tell their parent or guardian can request to have
the
rule waived by a judge. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Phil King (R),
would
still allow a minor to gain a judge's permission to bypass parental
consent
but would tighten the criteria a minor must meet to prove that parental
notification or consent could subject her to physical, sexual or
emotional
abuse. The measure would also mandate that a minor could only seek
permission to bypass parental consent from judges in her own county
(Kaiser
Daily Reproductive Health Report, 4/9). The measure now moves to the
House
Calendars Committee to be scheduled for a vote by the full House
(Houston
Chronicle, 4/26).
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES
5. Most Women With Abnormal Pap Smears Will Not Develop Cervical
Cancer,
Study Says
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17424
At least 80% of women who have abnormal pap smears will not go on to
develop cervical cancer, according to a study published in the April 25
issue of BMJ, Reuters Health reports. Dr. Angela Raffle of the Avon
Health
Authority in Bristol, England, and colleagues, analyzed the cervical
cancer
screening records of 348,419 women in the area from 1976 to 1996.
Researchers found that for every 10,000 women screened, 1,564 women had
test results showing abnormal cervical cells. Of those, 818 underwent
further investigation, 543 were found to have abnormal tissue present
and
176 had cell abnormalities that persisted for at least two years
(Pincock,
Reuters Health, 4/25). The researchers state that without screening 80
of
the participants would be expected to develop cervical cancer by 2011
and
the cancer would be fatal for 25 of the 80 women. According to the
study,
screening would prevent 10 of those deaths. The researchers conclude
that
for each death prevented, more than 150 women have an abnormal result,
over
80 women are referred for investigation, and more than 50 are treated
(Raffle et al., BMJ, 4/25). Raffle said women with abnormal Pap smears
should be treated "just in case," including further tests and small
operations, because cervical cancer treatments are "relatively minor"
and
"not too invasive," compared to other cancers -- such as prostate,
bowel or
ovarian cancer -- Reuters Health reports. For other cancers, the
treatment, which could include radiation or major surgery, can be "much
more damaging" than treatment for cervical cancer. Raffle said, "It's
only
minimal harm with the cervix ... but if you're talking about an
operation
that could leave you dead or impotent or incontinent, then it's a
different
equation really." She added that the findings demonstrate a need to
"change people's perception of what's meant by an abnormal smear,"
adding,
"Most of these abnormalities are no problem at all, but the treatment's
simple and we really think that everyone with a high grade abnormality
needs treatment because we know that for one in eighty it will make
that
big, life-saving difference" (Reuters Health, 4/25).
MEDIA & SOCIETY
6. 'Controversial' Book on Children's Sexuality Receives Los Angeles
Times
Book Prize
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17425
New York-based journalist Judith Levine on Saturday received the Los
Angeles Times Book Prize for her "provocative" book on children's
sexuality, "Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from
Sex," the Los Angeles Times reports (Kennedy, Los Angeles Times, 4/27).
The book, released last year, promotes comprehensive sex education and
asserts that teens are "entitled to safe, satisfying sex lives."
Levine
states in the book that abstinence-only sex education is "misguided"
and
that the threat of pedophilia and molestation by strangers has been
"exaggerated by adults who want to deny young people the opportunity
for
positive sexual experiences" (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report,
4/3/02). The book sparked a "firestorm of controversy even before it
was
published," the Times reports (Los Angeles Times, 4/27). The book was
condemned as "evil" by critics who called for action to be taken
against
the book's publisher, the University of Minnesota Press, which agreed
to
publish the book after a review panel of five academic experts agreed
that
the book's premise was based on sound research (Kaiser Daily
Reproductive
Health Report, 4/3/02). The prize judges said that the book was a
"cogent
and passionate critique of the war against young people's sexuality,"
adding that Levine "exposes the moral panic behind such policies as
'abstinence only' sex education and insists on adults' responsibility
to
give affirmative support to children's and teenagers' sexual
development"
(Los Angeles Times, 4/27).
7. MTV To Air Two New Programs on Gender and Sexual Health
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17426
MTV tonight as part of its Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself
campaign -- a partnership between MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation
--
will air two new programs that focus on gender and sexual health. The
shows will focus on gender-related sexual myths and stereotypes and the
ways in which these issues may present barriers to practicing safer sex
and
maintaining healthy relationships. The programs, which were developed
with
support from the Ford Foundation, will air tonight from 10:00 to 11:00
PM
ET/PT.
________________________________________
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A service of kaisernetwork.org
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/reproductivehealth
________________________________________
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
IN THE COURTS
========================================
1. Supreme Court Denies Appeal of S.C. Abortion Law That Gives
Investigators Access to Medical Records of Abortion Patients
STATE POLITICS & POLICY
========================================
2. Arizona Governor Vetoes Expanded Contraceptive Coverage Law
Exemption
3. Hawaii Senate Approves Bill That Would Require Hospitals To Give
Sexual
Assault Survivors Information About Emergency Contraception
4. Texas House Committee Approves Bill That Would Require Parental
Consent
for Minors Seeking Abortions
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES
========================================
5. Most Women With Abnormal Pap Smears Will Not Develop Cervical
Cancer,
Study Says
MEDIA & SOCIETY
========================================
6. 'Controversial' Book on Children's Sexuality Receives Los Angeles
Times
Book Prize
7. MTV To Air Two New Programs on Gender and Sexual Health
****************************************
IN THE COURTS
1. Supreme Court Denies Appeal of S.C. Abortion Law That Gives
Investigators Access to Medical Records of Abortion Patients
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17420
The Supreme Court yesterday denied the Center for Reproductive Rights'
appeal of a South Carolina law that allows state investigators to have
access to the medical records of abortion patients, the Washington
Times
reports (Murray, Washington Times, 4/29). A Greenville, S.C., abortion
clinic and an individual abortion provider, who are represented by CRR
attorneys, challenged the 1995 law, saying that it amounted to an
unconstitutional violation of women's privacy rights, according to USA
Today (Biskupic, USA Today, 4/29). South Carolina is the only state
that
allows investigators to "see, copy and store abortion patients' medical
records" without strict confidentiality requirements, according to the
AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch (AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch, 4/29). In
September 2001, U.S. District Judge Henry Herlong ruled that the
provision
mandating access to clinic records "raised privacy concerns" but that
the
remainder of the law was constitutional. However, a three-judge panel
of
the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in September 2002 ruled that the
provision did not violate patients' privacy rights. Following the
panel
ruling, CRR filed an appeal and asked the full court to hear the case,
but
the court refused. CRR lawyers then petitioned to keep the medical
records
provision from being enacted until they could appeal to the U.S.
Supreme
Court (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 12/4/02). In addition,
the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists filed a
friend-of-the-court brief supporting the challenge to the law, saying
that
it is a "harbinger for the erosion of doctor-patient confidentiality in
all
areas of medicine" (AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/29). The Supreme
Court's
rejection of the appeal, which was made in a one-sentence order and
does
not set a national precedent, allows the law to go into effect,
according
to USA Today. George Oxner, an attorney who was part of the team that
represented the state, said yesterday that he expects the law to go
into
effect immediately.
Reaction
CRR attorney Bonnie Scott Jones said that when the law takes effect
some
women may leave the state to access abortion services out of a concern
that
their names might become public if they obtain abortion services in
South
Carolina, according to USA Today. "Confidentiality is vital to women
seeking abortions because they may face harassment and violence from
their
partners or others for having decided to undergo an abortion," Scott
Jones
said (USA Today, 4/29). Vicki Saporta, president of the National
Abortion
Federation, said, "We're very disappointed that the Supreme Court
didn't
recognize what a serious invasion of privacy this law is," adding, "We
think it will adversely impact women's access to abortion services."
Trey
Walker, a spokesperson for South Carolina Attorney General Henry
McMaster
(R), who defended the state law, said, "The regulations are reasonable
health and safety measures that do not infringe on anyone's
constitutional
rights" (Brundrett, Columbia State, 4/29).
Effect on Similar Arizona Case?
The Supreme Court's decision will likely have "little effect" on a
similar
Arizona statute that was struck down by a federal judge last fall and
is
now being appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, according
to
the Associated Press. Scott Jones said that the Supreme Court's
decision
leaves the 4th Circuit's decision upholding the law in effect; however,
she
added that "it's not unusual for the 9th and 4th Circuits to go in
opposite
directions on abortion." Kevin Ray, an assistant state attorney general
who
represented Arizona in the District Court case, could not be reached
for
comment (Associated Press, 4/28).
STATE POLITICS & POLICY
2. Arizona Governor Vetoes Expanded Contraceptive Coverage Law
Exemption
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17421
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) on Friday vetoed a bill (SB 1089)
that
would broaden exemptions from a state law that requires insurance
companies
to provide prescription contraceptive coverage in drug plans, Capitol
Media/Arizona Daily Star reports (Fischer, Capitol Media/Arizona Daily
Star, 4/26). The original law, passed last year, provided exceptions
for
religious organizations that "hire people of the same faith and provide
goods or services related to their faith." The bill, which passed the
House earlier this month, would have expanded the exemption to any
not-for-profit religious corporation, association, educational
institution,
charity or society "whose religious tenets prohibit the use of
contraceptives" but would not limit the exemption to private,
for-profit
businesses. The bill would also prevent insurance companies and other
entities from being held liable for participating in the exemption
(Kaiser
Daily Reproductive Health Report, 4/17). Napolitano said, "If these
women
cannot obtain contraceptive coverage from their employer, they may not
be
able to obtain it at all, and unintended pregnancies and abortions are
likely to increase." However, Sen. Mark Anderson (R), the bill's
sponsor,
said that Napolitano "failed to grasp 'that this is really about
religious
freedom,'" the Associated Press reports. "It's a much bigger issue
than
health care coverage for a few women," Anderson said adding, "The issue
boils down to a state telling a particular religion that you have to
violate the tenets of your faith and the state is forcing them to do
so"
(Associated Press, 4/25). Ron Johnson, lobbyist for the Arizona
Catholic
Conference, said that the group's next step will be to challenge the
law in
court. According to Capitol Media/Daily Star, a similar case is
pending in
California (Capitol Media/Arizona Daily Star, 4/26).
3. Hawaii Senate Approves Bill That Would Require Hospitals To Give
Sexual
Assault Survivors Information About Emergency Contraception
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17422
The Hawaii Senate on Thursday voted 18-6 to approve a bill (SB 658)
that
would require hospitals to inform victims of sexual assault about
emergency
contraception and provide the pill if requested, the Honolulu
Advertiser
reports. If the bill becomes law, hospitals found to have denied such
information to patients would face a $5,000 fine for each instance and
would face a suspension or revocation of a license after two such
violations. Supporters of the bill said the bill would prevent the
"additional trauma" of a pregnancy after a sexual assault, the
Advertiser
reports. But opponents of the measure said it would force church-run
hospitals to go against their beliefs, adding that the penalties are
"too
harsh," according to the Advertiser. The bill has already passed the
House, and now goes to Gov. Linda Lingle (R) (Arakawa/Pang, Honolulu
Advertiser, 4/25). In related news, the Hawaii House on Friday
approved a
bill that would allow pharmacists to dispense EC without a prescription
from a physician (Associated Press, 4/25). If the bill becomes law,
pharmacists who wish to dispense EC -- which can prevent pregnancy if
taken
up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse -- would undergo
training and would work together with physicians regarding procedures
and
protocols (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 2/13). The bill
has
already been approved by the state Senate and now goes to the governor
(Associated Press, 4/25). The House last year passed a similar measure
but
it was never heard in the Senate (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health
Report,
2/13).
4. Texas House Committee Approves Bill That Would Require Parental
Consent
for Minors Seeking Abortions
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17423
The Texas House State Affairs Committee on Friday approved 7-1 a bill
(HB
945) that would require a minor seeking an abortion to obtain written
parental consent before undergoing the procedure, the Houston Chronicle
reports (Houston Chronicle, 4/26). Current state law requires a
physician
to notify a pregnant girl's parent or legal guardian before performing
an
abortion procedure but does not require parental consent. Teens who
believe they cannot tell their parent or guardian can request to have
the
rule waived by a judge. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Phil King (R),
would
still allow a minor to gain a judge's permission to bypass parental
consent
but would tighten the criteria a minor must meet to prove that parental
notification or consent could subject her to physical, sexual or
emotional
abuse. The measure would also mandate that a minor could only seek
permission to bypass parental consent from judges in her own county
(Kaiser
Daily Reproductive Health Report, 4/9). The measure now moves to the
House
Calendars Committee to be scheduled for a vote by the full House
(Houston
Chronicle, 4/26).
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES
5. Most Women With Abnormal Pap Smears Will Not Develop Cervical
Cancer,
Study Says
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17424
At least 80% of women who have abnormal pap smears will not go on to
develop cervical cancer, according to a study published in the April 25
issue of BMJ, Reuters Health reports. Dr. Angela Raffle of the Avon
Health
Authority in Bristol, England, and colleagues, analyzed the cervical
cancer
screening records of 348,419 women in the area from 1976 to 1996.
Researchers found that for every 10,000 women screened, 1,564 women had
test results showing abnormal cervical cells. Of those, 818 underwent
further investigation, 543 were found to have abnormal tissue present
and
176 had cell abnormalities that persisted for at least two years
(Pincock,
Reuters Health, 4/25). The researchers state that without screening 80
of
the participants would be expected to develop cervical cancer by 2011
and
the cancer would be fatal for 25 of the 80 women. According to the
study,
screening would prevent 10 of those deaths. The researchers conclude
that
for each death prevented, more than 150 women have an abnormal result,
over
80 women are referred for investigation, and more than 50 are treated
(Raffle et al., BMJ, 4/25). Raffle said women with abnormal Pap smears
should be treated "just in case," including further tests and small
operations, because cervical cancer treatments are "relatively minor"
and
"not too invasive," compared to other cancers -- such as prostate,
bowel or
ovarian cancer -- Reuters Health reports. For other cancers, the
treatment, which could include radiation or major surgery, can be "much
more damaging" than treatment for cervical cancer. Raffle said, "It's
only
minimal harm with the cervix ... but if you're talking about an
operation
that could leave you dead or impotent or incontinent, then it's a
different
equation really." She added that the findings demonstrate a need to
"change people's perception of what's meant by an abnormal smear,"
adding,
"Most of these abnormalities are no problem at all, but the treatment's
simple and we really think that everyone with a high grade abnormality
needs treatment because we know that for one in eighty it will make
that
big, life-saving difference" (Reuters Health, 4/25).
MEDIA & SOCIETY
6. 'Controversial' Book on Children's Sexuality Receives Los Angeles
Times
Book Prize
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17425
New York-based journalist Judith Levine on Saturday received the Los
Angeles Times Book Prize for her "provocative" book on children's
sexuality, "Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from
Sex," the Los Angeles Times reports (Kennedy, Los Angeles Times, 4/27).
The book, released last year, promotes comprehensive sex education and
asserts that teens are "entitled to safe, satisfying sex lives."
Levine
states in the book that abstinence-only sex education is "misguided"
and
that the threat of pedophilia and molestation by strangers has been
"exaggerated by adults who want to deny young people the opportunity
for
positive sexual experiences" (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report,
4/3/02). The book sparked a "firestorm of controversy even before it
was
published," the Times reports (Los Angeles Times, 4/27). The book was
condemned as "evil" by critics who called for action to be taken
against
the book's publisher, the University of Minnesota Press, which agreed
to
publish the book after a review panel of five academic experts agreed
that
the book's premise was based on sound research (Kaiser Daily
Reproductive
Health Report, 4/3/02). The prize judges said that the book was a
"cogent
and passionate critique of the war against young people's sexuality,"
adding that Levine "exposes the moral panic behind such policies as
'abstinence only' sex education and insists on adults' responsibility
to
give affirmative support to children's and teenagers' sexual
development"
(Los Angeles Times, 4/27).
7. MTV To Air Two New Programs on Gender and Sexual Health
Access this story and related links online:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=17426
MTV tonight as part of its Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself
campaign -- a partnership between MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation
--
will air two new programs that focus on gender and sexual health. The
shows will focus on gender-related sexual myths and stereotypes and the
ways in which these issues may present barriers to practicing safer sex
and
maintaining healthy relationships. The programs, which were developed
with
support from the Ford Foundation, will air tonight from 10:00 to 11:00
PM
ET/PT.
________________________________________
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