· 4 issues
This double issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on critical issues in health policy, particularly human experimentation and the ethics surrounding it. The article 'Adding Insult to Injury' highlights the systemic abuses in clinical research, emphasizing the need for informed consent and ethical standards, referencing notorious cases like Willowbrook and Tuskegee. Other notable articles discuss the commercialization of blood centers and the implications of corporate mergers in the medical industry, illustrating the tension between profit motives and patient care. The issue also touches on labor issues within the United Mine Workers of America and the ongoing challenges faced by nursing professionals in asserting their identity and rights.
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 September-October 1984 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the growing income polarization in the U.S. and its detrimental effects on health, particularly during the Reagan administration. Articles highlight the alarming trends of increasing inequality, with the wealthiest gaining while the poorest suffer, as evidenced by statistics from the Urban Institute. A special section on California health issues discusses the impact of Medi-Cal reforms and organizing efforts against workplace hazards related to video display terminals. The issue also critiques the FDA's handling of antibiotic use in animal feed and its implications for public health, emphasizing the tension between regulatory oversight and corporate interests.
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.