Expensive chocolate

The sweet days of cheap chocolate may be over. For the third consecutive year, cocoa harvest in West Africa has slumbered mostly due to climate changing bad weather. Cocoa prices soared past $10,000 per metric ton, up from about $4,000 in January. Retail prices for chocolate rose by 10 percent just last year and chocolate companies are planning to raise prices even higher. So, when you reach for that sweet indulgence at the checkout line, get ready for a taste of financial ruin in every bite.

Health benefits of chocolate: Rich in Antioxidants, Heart Health, Improved Mood, Brain Function, Skin Health, Blood Sugar Regulation, Appetite Control.

In this week’s email:

• Promising Results for Chlamydia Vaccine in Early-Stage Trial

• Abortion Laws by State

• Kraft Lunchables has Lead

  A popular kids' snack made by Kraft Heinz, contains elevated levels of lead and sodium.

• Biden loan forgiveness for primary care physicians and OB-GYNs practicing in rural areas.

   Must serve in an underserved area.

   

Promising Results for Chlamydia Vaccine in Early-Stage Trial

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause infections among men and women. The disease can permanently damage women’s reproductive system and make pregnancies difficult or sometimes impossible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Promising results emerged from an early-stage clinical trial of the Chlamydia vaccine, conducted by researchers in the U.K. and Denmark. The initial phase found the experimental vaccine to be safe, with the study running from 2020 to 2022. Participants, including non-pregnant women and men without Chlamydia, received either the vaccine or a placebo over four months. The trial involved 154 screened participants, with 65 randomly assigned and 60 completing the study.

Chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted disease, can cause serious complications, especially for women's reproductive health. Currently, no vaccine exists for Chlamydia, which afflicted over 1.6 million cases in the country in 2022. In the trial, participants received the vaccine via eye drops as well as injections. Phase 2 trials will evaluate its effectiveness, aiming to address critical questions about preventing and managing Chlamydia infections. Dr. Hilary Reno, a professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, highlighted the need to determine if the vaccine can prevent Chlamydia infection and if it influences the likelihood of asymptomatic infections, underscoring the importance of further research in this area.

Abortion Laws by State

Alabama: Bans abortions with limited exceptions. “Trigger” law went into effect days after Roe was overturned.   

Arizona: Abortion is banned after 15 weeks. The state Supreme Court on April 9 said a near-total ban from 1864 can be enforced, but the ruling is on hold, pending further legal action. It could take effect in May or June.

Arkansas: A near total abortion ban went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned. 

Idaho: Abortion is almost completely banned with few exceptions; a judge blocked part of the law that allowed doctors to be prosecuted for performing an abortion in a medical emergency. 

Indiana: A near-total ban took effect Aug. 1. It was the first state to limit or ban abortions after Roe was overturned.

Kentucky: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.

Louisiana: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.

Mississippi: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.  

Missouri: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions. “Trigger” law took effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

North Dakota: Abortion is almost completely banned, with very limited exceptions.

Oklahoma: A near-total abortion ban with limited exceptions went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned.    

South Dakota: A near-total abortion ban with limited exceptions went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

Tennessee: A near-total abortion ban with limited exceptions went into effect shortly after Roe was overturned.

Texas: Abortion is almost completely banned, with very limited exceptions. Private citizens can also sue abortion providers and those who assist patients seeking an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

West Virginia: Abortion is almost completely banned, with limited exceptions.

6 weeks 

Florida: A 15-week abortion ban is in place. The state Supreme Court on April 1 said the Florida Constitution does not protect abortion, which will allow a six-week ban to take effect 30 days later.

Georgia: A “heartbeat” law bans abortions after about six weeks. 

South Carolina: A “heartbeat” law bans abortions after about six weeks.

12-18 weeks 

Nebraska: Abortion is banned at 12 weeks and later.

North Carolina: Abortion is banned after 12 weeks.

Utah: Abortion is banned at 18 weeks and later. A near-total ban is temporarily blocked in court, but other laws seek to shutter abortion clinics operating in the state.

Alaska: Abortion is legal and constitutionally protected.

California: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Colorado: Abortion is legal with no gestational restrictions. 

Connecticut: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Delaware: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

District of Columbia: Abortion is legal with no gestational restriction. 

Hawaii: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Illinois: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Iowa: Abortion is legal up to viability. A six-week “heartbeat law” ban was temporarily blocked by the courts.

Kansas: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Maine: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability.  

Maryland: Abortion is legal with no gestational limits. 

Massachusetts: Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks. 

Michigan: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Minnesota: Abortion is legal with no gestational limits. 

Montana: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability; the GOP governor and Legislature may try to change that.

Nevada: Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks. 

New Hampshire: Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks. 

New Jersey: Abortion is legal with no gestational limits. 

New Mexico: Abortion is legal with no gestational limits. 

New York: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Ohio: A ballot amendment approved in November makes abortion legal up until 22 weeks.

Oregon: Abortion is legal with no gestational limits. 

Pennsylvania: Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks. 

Rhode Island: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability. 

Vermont: Abortion is legal with no gestational limits. 

Virginia: Abortion is legal until the start of the third trimester, around 27 or 28 weeks.

Washington: Abortion is legal up to fetal viability.

Wisconsin: Abortion is legal up to 22 weeks.

Wyoming: Two near-total abortion bans are blocked by the courts.

Kraft Lunchables discovered to have elevated lead levels

A consumer watchdog group cautioned Tuesday that Lunchables, a popular kids' snack made by Kraft Heinz, contains elevated levels of lead and sodium.

Consumer Reports (CR) tested 12 store-bought Lunchables and similar lunch kits, finding "relatively high levels of lead and cadmium" in the Lunchables kits. Cadmium, a hazardous element, can adversely affect kidneys, skeletal, and respiratory systems and is deemed a human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there's no safe level of lead for children. Sodium levels in the kits varied from 460 to 740 milligrams per serving, nearly a quarter to half of a child's daily recommended limit. Additionally, all but one of the kits contained harmful phthalates, linked to reproductive issues, diabetes, and some cancers.

CR's tests on Lunchables distributed by schools under the National School Lunch Program showed even higher sodium levels, with the turkey and cheddar lunch containing 930 milligrams of sodium and the pizza kit having 700 milligrams.

Kraft Heinz defended Lunchables, highlighting their protein content and nutritional value from meat and cheeses. They noted efforts to improve nutrition, including a 26 percent reduction in sodium in crackers. CR initiated a petition urging the USDA to remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program, garnering over 12,000 signatures. Brian Ronholm, CR's food policy director, emphasized Lunchables' unsuitability for children's health. The USDA stressed its commitment to high-quality school meals but stated they don't dictate individual food items. They argued that Lunchables should be paired with fruits, vegetables, and milk, and schools should balance higher sodium items with lower sodium options.

Biden administration increases loan forgiveness for primary care physicians and OB-GYNs practicing in rural areas

To address rural healthcare shortages, the Department of Health and Human Services has upped the ante, boosting the initial loan repayment amount by 50% for primary care providers agreeing to serve underserved areas. Qualified individuals can now receive up to $75,000 forgiven in exchange for a two-year commitment to practice in high-need and rural regions, as announced by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) last week. This increased benefit extends to medical and osteopathic doctors, including OB-GYNs and pediatricians, as well as nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants.