· 10 issues
The September 1971 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the health crises in Cincinnati and Northern Appalachia, highlighting the detrimental impact of industrial interests on public health. The issue critiques the inadequacies of local health institutions, particularly the University of Cincinnati Medical College and its affiliated hospitals, which are criticized for their poor service to marginalized communities. It discusses the emergence of community health councils in neighborhoods like English Woods and Price Hill, where residents are organizing for better health services and demanding accountability from the Health Department. The bulletin also emphasizes the need for a shift in focus from institutional leaders to the industrial elite responsible for health disparities.
The September 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the critical issues surrounding occupational health and safety in the United States, highlighting the toll of workplace accidents and diseases on workers across various industries. The editorial discusses the historical neglect of occupational health by the mainstream medical establishment and the emergence of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1970 as a response to public pressure for safer working conditions. Notable articles examine the historical context of workplace hazards, including the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the Gauley Tunnel Disaster, which underscore the ongoing struggle for worker rights and safety. The issue also emphasizes the need for greater accountability and reform within the occupational health establishment, as well as the influence of corporate interests on medical education and research.
The November 1972 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the industrialization of health care and its implications for hospital workers. It discusses the rise of allied health professions and the ongoing struggle for decent wages and job security among low-paid hospital workers, many of whom are beginning to organize and unionize. The issue highlights the historical parallels between the current health workforce dynamics and the past struggles of craft unions, emphasizing the need for solidarity among workers rather than competition for status. The Bulletin critiques the role of professional associations, particularly the American Medical Association (AMA), in maintaining hierarchies and limiting the mobility of workers within the health care system.
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.
This issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the crisis facing the United Mine Workers' (UMW) health and welfare programs, which have been severely impacted by financial mismanagement and production-linked benefits. The article 'Health Care by the Ton' discusses the historical significance of the UMWA's health care system, once a model for comprehensive care, now in decline due to cutbacks and a financial crisis exacerbated by a nationwide miners' strike. Additionally, the issue reflects on the Gauley Bridge disaster, highlighting the intersection of race, class, and occupational hazards in American labor history. The political context includes ongoing struggles for miners' rights and health care reform, emphasizing the need for universal coverage and community-based health services.
The September 1979 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the role of Health Systems Agencies (HSAs) in the U.S. health care system, highlighting their potential for progressive change amidst concerns of cooptation by larger institutional interests. Notable articles include Samuel S. Epstein's examination of the politics surrounding cancer and a critical study of occupational health services in Hudson County, New Jersey, dubbed 'Cancer Alley.' The issue also discusses the challenges faced by nurse practitioners and the implications of corporate influence in health care, particularly through the lens of pharmaceutical companies like Hoffman-La Roche. Overall, the issue reflects a growing awareness of the intersection between health policy, activism, and corporate power.
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.
The Winter 1987 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the intersection of health care and economic crises, particularly in light of the stock market crash and its implications for health care access. Key articles include a critique of the Dukakis proposal for universal coverage in Massachusetts and an analysis of the ongoing struggle for occupational safety and health led by industrial unions. The issue also highlights the National Gay and Lesbian March on Washington, emphasizing grassroots activism in response to the AIDS epidemic and the need for comprehensive health reform. The publication calls for a shift away from profit-driven health care towards a system that prioritizes public health and equity.