Green, Harris, and Orlando publish new paper to improve healthcare for elders
by Olivia Olson
Falling is the number one cause of injury and seventh leading cause of death in adults ages 65 and older. Over a quarter of that population falls annually, with approximately a third of those falls resulting in medical treatment or lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, however, today’s elderly are the most indebted in history and frequently lack the resources to invest in the non-urgent measures?“devices to call for help, grab bars, ramps, shower seats, and other modifications for wheelchair accessibility”?that would allow them to safely age in place and minimize the severity of falls.
Crisis on the Streets: Homelessness in Los Angeles County
by Olivia Olson The County of Los Angeles encompasses 88 cities, 75 miles of coastal beauty, and 28 Fortune 500 companies. On glittering beaches and glossy skyscrapers lit by perennial sunshine, the contrast between success and poverty is starkly illuminated. Perusing iconic locations such as the Grand Central Market or the Read more…
Our civic duty
by Olivia Olson Absentee ballots are bubbled in with a flourish. Crowds emerge from local polling places, flashing selfies of the “I voted” stickers that peel from their sweaters. Snapchat stories, Instagram posts, and Facebook pages extol candidates of choice, admonish other contenders, and exhort others to vote (as long as Read more…
Consume with care: the social and environmental implications of the US avocado craze
by Olivia Olson Whether blended into smoothies, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, or mashed into guacamole, one feature remains constant: America’s love for avocados. With an extensive array of health benefits, an increase in Latino population, and a delicious buttery flavor–not to mention their social media trendiness–our avocado consumption has unsurprisingly skyrocketed Read more…
A spoonful less sugar helps the obesity rates go down
by Olivia Olson
While consumers frequently vilify fat, salt, or red meat, most fail to acknowledge sugar’s role in obesity and overweight. In the past 60 years of increased health consciousness, sugar has managed to largely avoid blame, and indeed increase its presence in a wide variety of ‘fat free,’ ‘gluten free,’ or ‘all natural’ ‘health foods.’
Snap Peas and Socioeconomic Inequality: the role of farmers’ markets in addressing food insecurity
by Olivia Olson
40 million Americans live in a state of perpetual uncertainty. Food insecurity, the condition that plagues these 40 million, leaves them without consistent access to healthy food or the resources to feed themselves and their families. This hardship manifests itself differently across income brackets and geographical locations?forcing families to skip meals, eat less and with less frequency, depend on unhealthy food options, or struggle to find their next meal.
An unHappy Meal: how government spending forced reliance on fast food
by Olivia Olson Despite being one of the richest, most resource-dense, and innovative countries on the globe, the United States “remains the most obese country in the world.” Given that obesity is an epidemic that disproportionately affects those of lower socioeconomic status, public opinion often characterizes it as a byproduct of Read more…
Corn-Fed: Taking stalk of the government’s role in industrialized corn
by Olivia Olson Not on a cob. Not served with peas. But in your soft drinks, condiments, fast food, and salad dressing. The term ‘corn-fed’ once harkened back to Midwestern children with rosy cheeks, but has taken on a whole new meaning with the pervasiveness of industrialized corn. Whether Read more…