Our Time PressThe Local Paper with the Global View

By David Mark Greaves

It only takes Michael West a deceptive seventy-nine pages  to write, “How to Increase your Child’s Intelligence and Academic Success  -Through the use of Vitamins-Minerals”.   However, the results of his work argue strongly for offering vitamin supplementation in school-meal programs and maintaining a healthy diet at home.   Mr. West begins his examination of vitamins in the brain on the cellular level and works his way out and into the food chain all the way back to the soil. He gives an explanation of the makeup of the brain tissue, and the vitamin-mineral bath these molecules and microscopic structures of dendrites, axons and synapses need to function in the best possible way.   These are the elements of consciousness itself and when they are damaged or stunted, the essence of the being is changed.  In a scholarly way, Mr. West, a teacher in the New York public school system, gives examples and citations which support his analysis. 
In one case Mr. West writes, “Chavez and Martinez (1979) administered an experiment among children of the Jorge Nuchita Community which they described as one of the poorest communities in Mexico. They compared poorly nourished children to children who received nutritional supplementation.
Here is how Chavez and Martinez described the nonsupplemented and supplemented children: “At 36 weeks, which is when a child begins to be active, the nonsupplemented child tried to clutch the mother and in open-field tests frequently showed great anxiety and fear when left in the middle of the checkerboard pattern on the floor…In general, the behavior of the nonsupplemented children may be defined as quiet, reserved and timid (p. 248). 
The method of sampling showed that at 72 weeks of age the nonsupplemented child rarely talked and very rarely played. Fifty-five percent of the time the child was quiet, close to his mother, and at times was clutching her skirt (p. 250).”
 “For an extended period, even up to the age of 3, the child spent much of his time asleep in his cradle in the darkness of his home, very often with his face covered by a netting, or wrapped up and carried on his mother’s shoulder (p. 250).”
About the supplemented children Chavez and Martinez said: “The supplemented children exhibited important differences from 24 weeks of age. For example,  they slept less during the day, were not resigned to remaining in the cradle, even when rocked, and preferred to stay out of doors. Other aspects in which observation through sampling showed differences were revealed when supplemented children, after 24 weeks of age, refused to be carried on their mothers’ backs or to be rolled up in the ‘rebozo,’ and preferred to be free, playing in the yard with their brothers and sisters (p. 248).”
Chavez and Martinez (1979) summarize their observations by saying: “The design, to a great extent, made it possible to prove the hypothesis that ‘food modifies behavior.’ It also confirmed our belief that insufficient nutrition is the principal factor of a deprived environment, affecting the personality, limiting it to a passive, negative and dependent one (OTP emphasis) (p. 252).”
Barrett and Frank (1987) conclude in a way that makes it unnecessary for me to say more about malnutrition and behavior. They said:  “It is clear that when a child receives insufficient food at any period in development, behavior is affected. When the deprivation occurs during infancy, we see immediate behavioral disturbances. The consequences of long term energy deficit are seen most clearly for those behavior attributes usually described as ‘motivational or affecting performance’.” 
Mr. West explains that even if you feed your child in a healthy way, modern farming methods deplete the soil of nutrients making less available for the plants.  The nutritional value of the food is then decreased more through processing techniques and time in transit and storage.  What’s left to be eaten is filling but lacking in the basic elements of health.   Your child may be eating all day and still be starving his or her body of elements that are key to healthy development.  But this starvation is not seen by the shriveling of skin and bones.  This starvation is expressed through the shriveling of consciousness and hope.  The symptoms vary.  Deficiency in B-1 leads to apathy, poor memory, depression; deficiency in B-5 leads to depression, insomnia; deficiency in calcium leads to nervous system disorders.  The list is a very long one.  Additionally, there are substances we eat that don’t even give a pretense to health.  Dr. Gerald Deas, the renown “People’s Doctor”, frequently cites the popular “quarter waters” as a source of asthma-inducing chemicals.  Sometimes these chemicals come in waves, as during the Halloween toxic assault of multicolored, multiflavored sweets.  The ingredients on the sides of those candy bags only add to the frights of the day.
We will give Mr. West’s conclusions and notes on how to help your child in Part 2 of the review October 1st.

“Increase your Child’s Intelligence” is published by Heri Ab Corp. in Brooklyn. Contact: Mr. Michael West (718) 230-5605. michaelwest5@aol.com

It only takes Michael West a deceptive seventy-nine pages  to write, “How to Increase your Child’s Intelligence and Academic Success  -Through the use of Vitamins-Minerals”.   However, the results of his work argue strongly for offering vitamin supplementation in school-meal programs and maintaining a healthy diet at home.   Mr. West begins his examination of vitamins in the brain on the cellular level and works his way out and into the food chain all the way back to the soil. He gives an explanation of the makeup of the brain tissue, and the vitamin-mineral bath these molecules and microscopic structures of dendrites, axons and synapses need to function in the best possible way.   These are the elements of consciousness itself and when they are damaged or stunted, the essence of the being is changed.  In a scholarly way, Mr. West, a teacher in the New York public school system, gives examples and citations which support his analysis. 
In one case Mr. West writes, “Chavez and Martinez (1979) administered an experiment among children of the Jorge Nuchita Community which they described as one of the poorest communities in Mexico. They compared poorly nourished children to children who received nutritional supplementation.
Here is how Chavez and Martinez described the nonsupplemented and supplemented children: “At 36 weeks, which is when a child begins to be active, the nonsupplemented child tried to clutch the mother and in open-field tests frequently showed great anxiety and fear when left in the middle of the checkerboard pattern on the floor…In general, the behavior of the nonsupplemented children may be defined as quiet, reserved and timid (p. 248). 
The method of sampling showed that at 72 weeks of age the nonsupplemented child rarely talked and very rarely played. Fifty-five percent of the time the child was quiet, close to his mother, and at times was clutching her skirt (p. 250).”
 “For an extended period, even up to the age of 3, the child spent much of his time asleep in his cradle in the darkness of his home, very often with his face covered by a netting, or wrapped up and carried on his mother’s shoulder (p. 250).”
About the supplemented children Chavez and Martinez said: “The supplemented children exhibited important differences from 24 weeks of age. For example,  they slept less during the day, were not resigned to remaining in the cradle, even when rocked, and preferred to stay out of doors. Other aspects in which observation through sampling showed differences were revealed when supplemented children, after 24 weeks of age, refused to be carried on their mothers’ backs or to be rolled up in the ‘rebozo,’ and preferred to be free, playing in the yard with their brothers and sisters (p. 248).”
Chavez and Martinez (1979) summarize their observations by saying: “The design, to a great extent, made it possible to prove the hypothesis that ‘food modifies behavior.’ It also confirmed our belief that insufficient nutrition is the principal factor of a deprived environment, affecting the personality, limiting it to a passive, negative and dependent one (OTP emphasis) (p. 252).”
Barrett and Frank (1987) conclude in a way that makes it unnecessary for me to say more about malnutrition and behavior. They said:  “It is clear that when a child receives insufficient food at any period in development, behavior is affected. When the deprivation occurs during infancy, we see immediate behavioral disturbances. The consequences of long term energy deficit are seen most clearly for those behavior attributes usually described as ‘motivational or affecting performance’.” 
Mr. West explains that even if you feed your child in a healthy way, modern farming methods deplete the soil of nutrients making less available for the plants.  The nutritional value of the food is then decreased more through processing techniques and time in transit and storage.  What’s left to be eaten is filling but lacking in the basic elements of health.   Your child may be eating all day and still be starving his or her body of elements that are key to healthy development.  But this starvation is not seen by the shriveling of skin and bones.  This starvation is expressed through the shriveling of consciousness and hope.  The symptoms vary.  Deficiency in B-1 leads to apathy, poor memory, depression; deficiency in B-5 leads to depression, insomnia; deficiency in calcium leads to nervous system disorders.  The list is a very long one.  Additionally, there are substances we eat that don’t even give a pretense to health.  Dr. Gerald Deas, the renown “People’s Doctor”, frequently cites the popular “quarter waters” as a source of asthma-inducing chemicals.  Sometimes these chemicals come in waves, as during the Halloween toxic assault of multicolored, multiflavored sweets.  The ingredients on the sides of those candy bags only add to the frights of the day.

We will give Mr. West’s conclusions and notes on how to help your child in Part 2 of the review October 1st.

“Increase your Child’s Intelligence” is published by Heri Ab Corp. in Brooklyn. Contact: Mr. Michael West (718) 230-5605. michaelwest5@aol.com

as Harlem Week Salutes Fashion Week in Borough of Kings
The borough of Kings opened its majestic gates as the Harlem Jazz & Music Festival traveled downtown to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of HARLEM WEEK’s Harlem’s In Vogue fashion extravaganza. The stylish, event, which took place Monday, September 10, 2007, at the Downtown Brooklyn Marriott, was hosted by Fox 5 meteorologist Tracy Humphrey, reality star, Richelle Jones and NBC Reporter, Reg Chapman, featured the 2008 spring collections of designers, Conrad Lamour, Ballare Clothing, Akini Collection and Alex Risimnic Couture. Sponsored by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and the Marriott Hotels, this official New York City Fashion Week event also included live performances by Cuba Gooding, Sr. and Three Mo’ Tenor.
In addition to the spectacular display of clothing and accessories, the Harlem Jazz & Music Festival Fashion Showcase also included a special awards presentation honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Ebony Fashion Fair. Other honorees included president & CEO of The Ground Crew, Audrey Smaltz; Brooklyn designer, Brenda Brunson Bay, Jr.; Associate Publisher, EBONY Magazine, Jeff Burns; NY State Senator, Eric Adams; and Harlem-based restaurateur, Melba Wilson. Special guests included New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson and NY State Senator Bill Perkins.
The Harlem Fashion Initiative (HFI) launched in 2002 as the fashion component of the Harlem Jazz & Music Festival, is an expansive movement that strategically elevates the diverse mix of fashion talent and style that is Harlem. In association with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, HFI provides educational scholarships and mentoring in its efforts to preserve the legacy of Harlem’s fashionable past and stylish future.
With the support of sponsors and both public and elected officials, HARLEM WEEK, Inc. has been a proponent for advancing education. It provides grants to educational organizations, and scholarships to thousands of students who have worked diligently inside the classroom and in the community. The relationship between those parties and HARLEM WEEK has not only garnered higher educational enrollment, but also provides internships and careers for students. At virtually every HARLEM WEEK, Harlem Jazz & Music Festival, and National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame event, scholarships and grants are presented. HARLEM WEEK also hosts events focused on economic development and on the welfare of Senior Citizens. Perhaps this is why mayors, Governors, Senators, Members of Congress, foreign leaders, and other inspirational figures, have traveled uptown to address HARLEM WEEK audiences over the years.
HARLEM WEEK invites you to come discover the treasures of a proud community. Discover Harlem. For further information about the excitement and culture that is HARLEM WEEK, log on to www.HarlemDiscover.com

By Aminisha Black

Creating Habits for Health
Pharmaceutical commercials promise magical cures while warning us of the side effects from taking the cure.  We’re not to worry about the side effects because there are drugs to handle those symptoms.   What do you choose?  Sickness or Health?
Of course, we want health but unless we’re willing to examine our practice and make changes where necessary we’re choosing sickness and disease for ourselves and setting our children up for the same.
Years ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes. My body communicated the effect of the stress in my life.  Not taking responsibility for my own health, I blamed the doctors for simply increasing the insulin doses.  There’s a saying that it takes twenty-one days to make or break a habit.  I haven’t tested that theory but I changed some habits and my glucose readings changed. My energy level also changed.  Once I realized that the sluggish feelings disappeared when my blood sugar was normal, I committed to feeling good.
Having health as a primary family goal is a smart thing to have.  If harmful habits are stopped or not formed, children will be saved from the side effects of drugs, the family medical budget spared and school performance should improve.
It appears that the body emulates other miracles of the universe if we don’t interfere.    Robert O. Young, author of The pH Miracle, says that the cells of the body renew and remain healthy in an alkaline environment. He says that all disease is caused by acidity; names are given based on the organ under attack.  He recommends a pH balanced diet and exercise.  The book contains research studies, needed nutrients and recipes, resources for checking your own pH balance and more.  It’s a “take charge” manual.
 Make your children partners in this new adventure of discovery and respect for the human body.   I had tolerated diabetes for years.  During a colonoscopy, I viewed my intestines at work quietly doing their job without acknowledgement and in spite of the interference.
Do you have a habit you need to break?  Have your child monitor you.  I needed support in giving up coffee because of its acidity.   Nailed, my four-year-old granddaughter became the caffeine monitor.  She’s doing a great job making sure I don’t drink coffee and she questions the caffeine content of teas. 
Concentrating on diet, physical exercise and stress reduction, involve the young folk in planning a family program.  Start with the following three areas.
Diet – 25g of fiber and 64 ounces of water daily are recommended to keep the digestive system functioning. Read the labels.  Sources of fiber: oatmeal, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, beans, peas and whole grains.  Baked or broiled is preferred to fried; poultry and fish to red meat if you’re not vegan. Including raw veggies (salad) daily, children can choose the veggies and make salad of their choice.  Eliminate sugary drinks, cut fast foods. Cooking meals on the weekend and freezing them will allow more home cooked meals for the busy household.
Exercise – 30 minutes to an hour of exercise is recommended.  The new Bedford Y is open 6am-11pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 8pm Saturday and Sunday.  Programs include swimming, karate, aerobics, basketball, dance and more.  Plan family trips to the Y and enjoy individual activities.  For membership rates call Sharlene Brown at 718-789-1497, Ext. 4001 or online at www.ymcanyc.org/bedstuy.
If programs like the Y don’t work for you, create your own exercise plan.  Gather your family for a 30-minute or more walk after dinner.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to the next train or bus stop, dance.  Find ways to move.
Stress – Eliminate stress.  Identify sources of stress, looking to see what you can change.  If there’s nothing you can change, accept it or leave it. Explore forms of meditation, begin your day sitting still for 5 to 20 minutes, focusing on your breath; turn all sounds off in your house for 30 minute intervals.enjoy the silence; play mellow instrumental music; spend time among trees, plants or near water – nature has a way of rejuvenating.  Be sure to release emotions.   If you or a child is  upset, find a way to communicate the feelings – speak it or write it. 
Once we take responsibility for our health, the professionals become equal and valuable partners in our mission of total health for our family.
Send questions and comments to parentsnotebook@yahoo.com.

Twenty-five years after the discovery of the HIV/ AIDS virus, Central Brooklyn hosts some of the highest concentrations of gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV/ AIDS in NYC.  Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and several minor sexually transmitted diseases are also prevalent.
This week, the NYC Dept. of Health reported new HIV diagnoses rising in NYC among young men who have sex with men (MSM). New HIV diagnoses among MSM under age 30 have increased by 33% during the past 6 years, and have doubled among MSM ages 13 to 19. Among all MSM, Blacks received twice as many HIV diagnoses as whites in 2006. These figures do not include MSM who were diagnosed with both HIV and AIDS. In 2006, 20% of MSM diagnoses concurrently with HIV and AIDS (285 men). The Health Dept. attributes this with missed opportunities for care to stay healthy and may have unknowingly spread HIV to others.
As of June 2006, there are 43,874 Black Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in NYC, 45% of all cases in the city. Within Brooklyn, 24.8% of the city’s PLWHA reside here. Of these 25,234 PLWHA in Brooklyn, most live in Central Brooklyn.
Blacks accounted for 532 deaths of PLWHA throughout the city Jan. – June 2006, 52.3% of the total. Brooklyn had 291 deaths, 28.5% of the total.
Risk factors for HIV/AIDS include: men who have sex with men, injection drug use history, heterosexual sex and perinatal (childbirth). Amazingly, 28,525 PLWHA, or 29.1% of the city’s total, did not identify any of these risk factors.
Sadly, in NYC, there were 3,828 children infected through perinatal HIV/AIDS transmission (born to HIV/AIDS-infected mothers) and diagnosed before age 13 through Dec. 2005. In addition, there were 82 children infected through other means (74 from contaminated blood products). There are 1,228 perinatally infected children living in Brooklyn, 32% of the citywide total. Blacks accounted for 58% of the citywide total of children infected through perinatal transmission.
HIV infection among young people ages 13-24 is also an issue. Among adolescents ages 13-19, there were 2,493 infected (58% were males), and of the 9,643 young adults diagnosed at ages 20- 24, 64% were males. For the males in both groups, the most common risk factor is sex with other men (57%). Males reported an unknown risk factor of 23%. For the females, the risk factor was heterosexual sex (39%). This heterosexual sex included sexual abuse (5%). The females had an unknown risk factor of 57%.
Citywide, the rates of HIV/AIDS in Black infected males 13- 19 is 60%, Black males 20-24 is 48%. For Black females, the rate is 68% for those aged 13- 19, and 66% for ages 20- 24.
Brooklyn is the borough of residence for 30% of diagnosed males 13- 19, and 27% for males 20- 24. The rates of infected young females living in Brooklyn is 35% of the NYC total for ages 13- 19, and 34% for ages 20- 24.

For those who think HIV/AIDS infection is a young people’s disease, think again. According to a Fact Sheet on HIV/AIDS among people over age 50, published by the NYC Dept. of Aging, people 50 years of age and older now comprise 31% of the more than 95,000 PLWHA in NYC. 47% of deaths citywide as a result of HIV/AIDS infection in 2005 occurred in persons 50 years or older.
The NYC Dept. of Health reports anyone age 12 or older can get free, confidential, anonymous HIV testing and STD treatment at the Health Department’s 10 STD clinics. Services are available without parental notification and without regard to insurance or immigration status. The clinics provide rapid HIV testing on a walk-in basis; results are typically available within 30 minutes. They also offer free testing for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, as well as hepatitis immunization.
(The Health Dept. offers confidential partner notification to people who think they may have exposed others to HIV or another STD.)
Other common sexually transmitted diseases infecting Central Brooklyn are chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. The syphilis rates include early and late latent syphilis, neurosyphilis and tertiary syphilis. (Don’t some people ever go to the doctor?)

Chlamydia occurrences in Crown Heights, East Flatbush, and East New York are soaring. Like some other STD’s, the absolute numbers of infections in men are less than in women, leading to the belief that some men are infecting multiple women. In East New York, there were 141 infections in men ages 20- 24, and 438 infections in females of the same age. In Crown Heights, males age 15- 19 accounted for 185 infections, while there were 783 infections in females of the same age.
We should not sleep on chlamydia. Chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease because its symptoms are mild.
Untreated chlamydia in men typically causes urethral infection. It sometimes spreads throughout the reproductive system, causing pain, fever, and potentially, infertility.
In women, chlamydia can spread through the uterus into the fallopian tubes and causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can permanently damage the female reproductive organs, leading to chronic pelvic pain, infertility and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Babies born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts.
Rates of gonorrhea in Crown Heights and East New York reflect similar male/ female ratios. In Crown Heights, males ages 15- 19 have 87 infections, while females of the same age have 170 infections. In East New York, there are 48 males ages 20- 24 infected with gonorrhea, and 92 females in the same age group.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection spread through intimate contact with an infected person. Left untreated, gonorrhea can spread and cause severe pain and permanent damage to the reproductive system. It may make both women and men infertile. Like other STD’s, if left untreated, gonorrhea can increase a person’s chance of getting or spreading HIV.
Citywide, syphilis is increasing. At one point, the NYC Dept. of Health was considering declaring war against syphilis. That is no longer the case. Last year, females accounted for 549 cases of syphilis. Total male numbers for syphilis are 1,238, including 379 that report having sex with men and 591 that have sex with women.
Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread through direct, skin-to-skin contact with a syphilis sore, lesion or moist rash. Usually, contact occurs during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Kissing can spread syphilis if syphilis sores are present in the mouth or on the lips. Syphilis can also be passed from a woman to her unborn baby. Left untreated, syphilis can cause very serious and permanent damage to the heart, brain and nervous system. The results of this damage may not show up for many years. The final result may be death.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. There are approximately 6.2 million new infections each year, 74% of which occur in the 15-24 age group. HPV infection is responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. On average, there are 9,710 new cases and 3,700 deaths from cervical cancer. Although not mandatory in NYC, the Dept. of Health recommends the routing use of HPV vaccine for females 11-12 years of age. The vaccine may also be given to girls aged 9-10 years and as a catch -up vaccination for females at 13-26 years. Ideally, the vaccine should be given before the onset of sexual activity (i.e., before exposure to HPV), but sexually active females should also be vaccinated in order to obtain some protection. The HPV vaccine is not a treatment.
 (All figures are derived from the www.nyc.gov/health. Reports include The Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Quarterly Report- 2nd quarter 2007, HIV Epidemiology & Field Services Program Semiannual Report- April 2007, and the Pediatric/ Adolescent HIV/AIDS Surveillance in NYC: Semiannual Report, June 2006) and Health Advisories.
The costs of sexually transmitted diseases are enormous. In the April 2006 report from the Public Advocate’s Office entitled Patients Losing Patience: A Performance Review of New York City’s STD Clinics: “The approximately 19 million STD infections that occur each year (including HIV) are estimated to cost $13 billion annually in direct medical expenses. Reducing the incidence of STDs through prevention, screening and treatment efforts, however, can help to realize significant cost savings.
Effective programs can halt the spread of STDs and prevent future health complications among infected individuals. For example, early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the duration of STDs, thereby reducing the number of partners exposed to infection. In addition, early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent the serious health effects that occur when STDs go untreated. According to Dr. John Douglas, director of CDC’s STD prevention programs, “STD prevention efforts are increasingly shown to be effective and economically sound strategies for improving the nation’s health.”
For example, research has shown that every $1 spent on chlamydia control saves $12 in future health care expenditures. As previously mentioned, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause permanent damage to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Screening and treatment of chlamydia, however, has been found to reduce the incidence of PID by as much as 56 percent. Cost savings are realized primarily by averting cases of PID, as well as ectopic pregnancy and infertility- complications also associated with untreated chlamydia.

STD prevention, screening and treatment programs are particularly valuable for their role in preventing future HIV infections. As previously discussed, individuals with STDs are three to five times more likely than noninfected individuals to contract HIV if exposed through sexual contact. Curing bacterial STDs through diagnosis and treatment can lessen individuals’ susceptibility to HIV. In addition, increased HIV testing can help to halt the spread of the virus. HIV-infected individuals who know their status are less likely to transmit the disease than those who are unaware. Given that estimates indicate that the average lifetime cost of treating an HIV infection is $195,000, in addition to the human costs that HIV and other STDs exact, investments in effective STD and HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment programs are well-advised.”
Racism and white supremacy control a lot of things, but thankfully, neither choose who we have sex with or how. It is up to us to take responsibility for our own health and the health of other members of the community. Until that happens, think twice before having sex with someone in Central Brooklyn. The life you save may be your own.