More Political Interference in Government Health Studies

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Friday, August 31, 2007

More Political Interference in Government Health Studies

In July, former Surgeon General _ Carmona reported_

(http://ombwatch.org/article/blogs/entry/3678/24) political appointees within

the Bush

administration suppressed his work. Now, hard evidence of the manipulation is

surfacing, as _The Washington Post reports today_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083001846\

..html?nav=rss_print/asection) .

Yesterday, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) released a batch of emails proving the

political interference. In one email, a consultant within the Department of

Health and Human Services (HHS) wrote to HHS's White House liason in the run-up

to the '04 election: " He needs to be the SG [surgeon General] with specific

speeches, on specific topics addressing the Secretary's and the president's

agenda — which will become more political as the re-elect gets underway, "

That's about as blatant as it gets.

In a related story, you've probably heard of Big Tobacco and Big Oil, but

what about Big Baby Formula? (Editors note: " Big " refers to the size of the

formula lobby, not the size of the baby.)

_According The Washington Post_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083002198\

..html) , HHS bowed to lobbyists from the

baby formula industry by toning down TV commercials promoting breast-feeding.

HHS also downplayed a scientific report which shows an association between

breast-feeding and decreased health risks, according to the article.

A top HHS official said that at the time, Suzanne Haynes, an epidemiologist

and senior science adviser for the department's Office on Women's Health,

argued strongly in favor of promoting the new conclusions in the media and

among

medical professionals. But her office, which commissioned the report, was

specifically instructed by political appointees not to disseminate a news

release.

Posted by Matt Madia

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