Friday Roundup

Here is a listing of articles of interest published within the paast 7-10 days:

Health
1. Environmental toxins cost billions in childhood disease, Time, May 4, 2011:
Brief Intro: "In a new study in Health Affairs, Trasande and Liu have included autism and attention deficit disorder in the mix, and they now estimate that environmental disease in children costs some $76.6 billion. "That's over 3% of total health care costs," says Trasande. "The environment has become a major part of childhood disease."

2. Healthy hospitals initiative launches in Michigan, Crain's Detroit Business, May 4, 2011:
Brief Intro:"Christine Eagle, Beaumont's clinical nutrition manager, said that for the past several years, the hospital system has increased the amount of fresh food it prepares. The healthy-food program will expand those efforts to cut back on processed meals."

Race/Health
1. Race seems to play role in colorectal cancer screening, Health Day, May 5, 2011:
Brief Intro:"Elderly black and Hispanic Americans are less likely than whites to get colorectal cancer screening, even though Medicare has expanded coverage for screening tests such as colonoscopy and fecal occult blood test, a new study has found."

Education
1. Bill would help Texas charter schools for at-risk students, New York Times, May 5, 2011:
Brief Intro:"Recovery charter schools in Texas serve about 18,000 students who have performed poorly at traditional public schools, according to state data from the 2009-10 school year. Many have skipped too many classes or used too many drugs to graduate on time. Others have gotten pregnant or have emotional problems or learning disabilities. Recovery charters offer a second chance."