Eating disorders: Taking
precautions are better than treatments. Page 3
SOCCCD’s STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Nursing: California heading into shortage. Page 2 Vol. 43 No. 18
28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, California
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Local support for Japan disaster IVC Japanese instructor doesn’t hesitate to start fundraising for those suffering in her native country EVELYN CAICEDO The recent devastation in Japan has left thousands homeless and the disaster could cost over $300 billion to repair, according to an article in the Huffington Post. When the 9.0 earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean 80 miles east of Sendai at 2:46 p.m. on March 11 local time, the live helicopter footage began recording the 30foot wave demolishing the city. Along with the earthquake and tsunami, other problems began to branch into the surrounding cities such as cooling issues with the nuclear plant. “Retired and older nuclear plant workers have volunteered to sacrifice their lives and be exposed to radiation in order
U.S. Navy/Mass Comm. Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord/Released
TOTAL DEVASTATION: An aerial view of damage to Sukuiso, Japan, a week after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the area on March 11. to protect the others around,” said Fumiko Ishii, a Japanese instructor at Irvine Valley College. Ishii was born and raised in a city near Tokyo. She was in
transit to Costa Rica when she heard the news. “I was so frustrated because I knew there was not much I could do,” said Ishii. “All I could do is wait.”
As soon as class resumed on Monday, she began fundraising. She has been gathering money on her own in an empty gallon bottle that she sets in her classroom. She plans to donate to the
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Alongside her own project, she advices the Japanese Club at IVC. Today, her club will sell T-shirts costing $10 each from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Student Center. “Our club needs help with fundraising and spreading the word for the T-shirts,” Ishii said. “I think if we could work together with the clubs at Saddleback College that would be great.” The Anime and International Clubs at Saddleback are also doing their share of fundraising. To Japanese student, Tomoko Yokoyama, 32, web design, the live feed that she saw of the tsunami was surreal. Her family lives on the other side of Japan so she was happy to hear they were safe. “I could not stop watching the TV because it seemed like a movie and I had to keep getting informed on what was going on,” said Yokoyama. “I felt helpless for what was happening.”
Saddleback vocalists use music to raise funds for Japan To raise funds for victims of Japan’s recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the Irvine Young Concert Artists will host a benefit concert, “A World Apart...In Music Together,” on Sunday at the Irvine Barclay Theatre at 5 p.m. Members of Saddleback College choirs as well as vocalists from other community and church choirs will come together as the Japan Relief Choir, accompanied by the various instrumentalists of the IYCA. Tickets are $10, and free for children under 10. Additional donations will be accepted in the Theatre lobby. More more information, visit http://tinyurl. com/4esobxb.
See AID FOR JAPAN Page 2
Federal funding cuts for many services offered through Planned Parenthood available at student health centers MARYANNE SHULTS An amendment to spending bill H.R. 1 to disallow federal funding for Planned Parenthood, and its affiliates, was adopted in the U.S. House of Representatives last month with a 240-185 vote, the majority of yeas coming from Republicans. The amendment now faces a Senate vote. Presented by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), the amendment declared the organization would loose approximately $75 million for all its operations for Title X of the Social Security Act, which has been around for the past 40 years. The program offers family planning services to low-income women. Pence’s amendment went the distance by depriving funding that supports health care services for low-income patients, the majority of which are women, including annual wellness exams, contraceptive services, screening for breast and ovarian cancer as well as HIV/AIDS, STD screening and treatments,
pregnancy testing and education. Kathy Kneer, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California said in a statement that the House vote “strips millions of American women of access to basic preventative health care.” Although the cuts may greatly diminish the provision of these services from Planned Parenthood, students using these services have an alternative resource on both the Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College at campus health centers. Both centers provide services for free, or for a nominal fee, to any student currently enrolled who has paid their health fee and is attending classes. Services are provided by physicians and registered nurses, as well as other certified, licensed health care providers. Saddleback’s Student Health Center provides screening for cervical cancer, testicular cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. It also provides family planning counseling, birth control, and preg-
nancy testing. In collaboration with Associated Student Government, the center provides free educational material concerning sexually transmitted disease prevention and condoms to any interested student. This semester alone, the center has already seen approximately 10,000 student patients overall. However, many students do not know that the center’s services are included in the required $17 health fee paid each semester—some are not aware the center exists. “About half of those seen were here for some type of sexual education or testing,” said Monica Nelson, the director of the Student Health Center. “About 30 percent come in to be tested for clyamidia. Some come in to ask about its symptoms.” Privacy is a major concern of some students, namely those who fear their parents discovery of something personal. “Students can stop by anytime and talk to a nurse regarding questions or issues,” Nelson said. “If a parent calls, we don’t
even acknowledge the call. Our services are strictly confidential. Education in respect to reproductive health is a key function of the Student Health Center at Saddleback. According to Nelson, the center has an active outreach program where a nurse goes into the classroom to hand out brochures, free condoms and stress balls, while explaining about the center including its hours and wide range of services. “Since February, we’ve made over 100 visits,” Nelson said. For those who may financially struggle to even pay the minimal fees for services or tests, the center advised they apply for qualification as part of the Family PACT program. Family PACT is California’s innovative approach to provide comprehensive family planning services to eligible low-income men and women. This clinical program increases access to services by expanding the provider network to include medical providers, pharmacies and laboratories, according to its website at familypact.org.
“Qualification can be done on the phone or online,” Nelson said. “It offers a more personal alternative than a large clinic because the patient can see a private doctor.” Nelson noted that Family PACT is another organization that may be negatively impacted by H.R. 1’s proposed cuts to health care. At the Health and Wellness Center at IVC, walk-ins are welcome, but the preferential method is to make an appointment. To obtain birth control, an appointment with a health center nurse is required to help determine which of many birth control options are the best choice based on individual need. After a gynecological exam by a physician, the appropriate method will be taught and/or prescribed.
Photo Illustration/Oliver Yu
There is not a gynecologist on staff, but all doctors are boardcertified general practitioners and can suggest an alternative. Supporters of the bill’s amendment seem more concerned that Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider of abortions, ignoring the majority of services involve family planning, health screening, or education. continued on lariatnews.com
Rising gas prices hit the wallets once more KYLIE CORBETT
From pump to pump, the nation is seeing an increase in the gas prices and it’s the highest ever since two years ago. According to Jerry Bartash of MarketWatch, the cost of gasoline has risen by 50 cents, which is contributed by the unrest going on in the Middle East. Exponentially, the increased price of gas is also impacting basic necessities ranging from consumer goods to fruits and vegetables. On average, the price of regular gasoline will be $3.57 per gallon, although there’s speculation of gasoline going up to $5 per gallon in the summer. Morgan Barrows, environmental studies instructor
at Saddleback, said that the amount of petroleum and gasoline in the world is very limited. “At the current consumption rates, there is only a 10-year supply of gasoline in the U.S. and a 40-year supply worldwide,” Barrows said. Such staggering statistics can serve as a wake-up call to people across the nation. As of right now, the United States is the largest consumer of gasoline- and petroleum-based products in the world at a total of 19.5 million barrels per day. China takes second place with a daily consumption of 7.9 million barrels per day and Japan in this place with 4.8 million barrels daily. In addition to the economic and environmental costs of uti-
lizing gasoline, there’s also a significant price when it comes to health. People living in high density areas such as Los Angeles are more susceptible to being exposed to air pollution. Burning gasoline- or petroleum-based products is one of the key factors that contribute to the pollution. According to Barrows, she said that the population of people living in Southern California have ten years shaved off their lifespan in comparison to the average American. Not only are the gas prices affecting the cost of various items, but it’s also affecting the way Americans spend their money. Dhanya Skariachan of Reuters writes that the rising cost of gasoline will cause a serious dent in the spring season.
Former student of Saddleback College, Kelly Ervin, 19, nursing, believes the government should lift the off shore drilling restrictions. “It would make the U.S. self sufficient again instead of allowing war torn countries to control our supplies,” Ervin said. “I easily spend up to $200 on gas every month. If it gets any worse, I will stop driving outside my usual routine and start walking, or start taking the bus to get to places.” The ever-changing skyrocketing prices on gas, put a hold on several people’s budget for essential life necessities. “I could use the money I put towards gas to pay for school supplies and books,” Ervin said. “I really need a laptop for my classes, but I can’t afford to
put money aside right now because of gas.” A survey conducted by America’s Research Group asked three-quarters of Americans stated that they plan to spend much less due to the lagging economy. About two-thirds of the American economy is dependent on consumer spending, which is a significant majority for the nation. “There’s only so much oil. The more we take, the less there is, and the more we’ll have to, and continue to, pay,” Jeremy Cordova, 21, environmental science, said. “Oil prices have steadily risen for decades, and that’s a trend I see continuing for decades more, until we run out, or find something better.” kcorbett5@saddleback.edu
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