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July 14, 2011
What were you doing 40 years ago in 1971? In case you can’t remember or weren’t even born yet, take a look:
- Average Cost of new house: $25,250.00
- Average Income per year: $10,600.00
- Average Monthly Rent: $150.00
- Cost of a gallon of Gas: 40 cents
- Cost of a Datsun 1200 Sports Coupe: $1,866.00
- Cost of United States postage Stamp: 8 cents
- Population of Los Angeles: 2,816,061 (vs. 9,818,605 in 2010)
- Number one song of the year: "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night
- John Lennon releases his megahit "Imagine"
- Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opens
- Musical "Jesus Christ Superstar," premieres in NYC
- Cigarette advertisements banned on TV
- "All in the Family" premieres on CBS
- Apollo 14 launched, 1st landing in lunar highlands
- The Nasdaq stock market index debuts.
- Senate approves amendment lowering voting age to 18
- Amtrak Railroad begins operation
- National Public Radio begins programming
- The Ed Sullivan Show airs its final episode.
- The South Tower of the World Trade Center is topped out at 1,362 feet, making it the second tallest building in the world.
- The U.S. dollar is devalued for the second time in history.
Also in 1971, a group of concerned residents and medical volunteers banded together to improve the quality of life in the Northeast communities of Los Angeles by forming one of Los Angeles’ first free clinics, then called Northeast Community Clinic.
Today, 40 years later, there are 12 NECC facilities in Los Angeles, providing quality, comprehensive healthcare to of the most underserved, underinsured and indigent populations.
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, I hope you will consider making a generous contribution of $40 or more to commemorate this hallmark of our success in serving the residents of Los Angeles, regardless of their ability to pay.
I look forward to your participation in our cause as we transform lives and meet the healthcare needs of the poor, uninsured and underserved by building healthier communities for a brighter tomorrow.
Do your part and donate today to honor NECC’s 40 years of service to Los Angeles County and its most underserved populations.
Be well,
Christopher Lau, MD
NECC Executive Director/CEO
 The average American spends about 5 hours a day watching TV, which is more time than is devoted to any other activity with the exception of sleeping and working.
All that television has been linked to an increased risk for health problems associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Now a new analysis of past studies by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health helps to quantify the risk.
More than two hours of TV watching a day was found to raise the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while more than three hours of TV time was associated with an increased risk for early death.
Europeans watch an average of about three hours of television a day.
Compared to three hours of daily watching, the typical American’s five hours of TV time was associated with a 20% increase in type 2 diabetes, a 15% increase in risk for cardiovascular disease, and a 13% increased risk for premature death. The study appears in tomorrow’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
We have known that excessive TV watching is an important risk factor for these diseases and early death. This analysis shows that the relationship is linear and substantial. The more time someone spends watching TV, the greater their risk.
The analysis included eight large studies conducted during the past four decades examining the impact of TV time on diabetes, heart and vascular disease, and early death. Study participants were followed for an average of seven to 10 years.
Based on disease incidence in the United States, the researchers estimated that each additional two hours of TV time results in about 100 early deaths for every 100,000 American adults per year.
It stands to reason that the more time people spend in front of the TV, the less time they have to engage in more active pursuits linked to better health.
TV watching is more risky than other sedentary behaviors like working at a computer all day because it is associated with poorer eating behaviors.
People tend to eat while they watch TV, and they tend to eat junk foods and sugary beverages. This may have something to do with the fact that they are bombarded with commercials for these foods.
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The Fabulous 40
