Plan B Forum

Bureaucrats have been asked to raise money by selling sunscreen or mangoes instead of sweet treats under a new policy that will see fundraising chocolates phased out of ACT government workplaces.

The ACT Public Sector Healthy Food and Drink Choices Policy uses a traffic light system to dictate the food and drinks allowed at government functions, in vending machines and fundraising activities.

Foods and drinks categorised as red - including cake, confectionary and soft drinks - are no longer permitted at fundraisers or as rewards and gifts.

Directorates and agencies have been given a year to become compliant.

A memo sent to staff on Tuesday explained the health risks of chocolate and confectionery fundraisers.

"Combining these high-energy foods with sedentary lifestyles can lead to unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, which increases the risk of developing long lasting health issues, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer," the memo said.

"The ACT government is leading by example to the community in promoting healthy food and drink choices in the workplace.

"A number of schools are now fundraising mangoes which have proven to be very popular.

"If you are organising a fundraiser, try suggesting a novel approach like sporting equipment, fruit trays, movie tickets or store vouchers.

"These creative ideas will help to promote the fundraiser, while also encouraging healthy habits within the club, school, workplaces and the broader community."

ACT Health staff have operated under a similar policy since March last year.

The ban on fundraising chocolates forms part of the government's Healthy Weight Initiative.

oldr_n_wsr wrote:And we drank water out of the garden hose.
And rode bicycles without helmets.
And skatboarded without pads.
And went barefoot.
And lived to tell about it.

rubato wrote:Time marches on, and forward:

Fatalities per million vehicle miles:

1955 ...... 6.06

2014 ..... 1.12


yrs,
rubato

A Slate piece Friday notes that as computers start taking the wheel of our vehicles, cars will become safer, and in turn, fewer people will die in car crashes. While on the surface that seems like a good thing, organs from a lot of those victims are what doctors use to save Americans dying from kidney and liver disease, and much more.

Currently, 6,500 Americans die each year waiting on an organ transplant, and that number is about to get much higher. Right now, 20 percent of the organs used in those transplants come from victims of vehicular accidents. When those accidents go down, so will the amount of donated organs.

One solution to the issue could be technology. Research is currently underway that would allow doctors to use 3D printers to essentially “print” a new organ for patients. Researchers at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for instance, have successfully printed human muscles and tissue. Some printed organs, from a variety of different researchers working in the space, have already been used in some clinical trials; however, there are quite a few outstanding questions about both the federal regulation of printed living matter and ethical implications of creating human parts. Organs are also exceptionally complex, and much more research will be needed before they’ll be ready to become commonplace.

Hopefully, 3D printed organs are ready for prime time when driverless Ubers start replacing real ones permanently behind the wheel.

dales wrote:Yeah, me too.

eta: she does have her issues. Sad.

dales wrote:

oldr_n_wsr wrote:And we drank water out of the garden hose.
And rode bicycles without helmets.
And skatboarded without pads.
And went barefoot.
And lived to tell about it.

No seatbelts in cars with hard metal dashboards.
Most adults smoked and drank.
Firearms could be purchased at the hardware store or ordered thru the mail.
Leaded gasoline.
Real Coca-Cola (not the crap we have now).
And so on and so forth.

The 1950's were great!