Nature Deficit Disorder
A recent study from Australia found that of the 1975
children surveyed, 37% of children spent less than half an hour a day
playing outdoors after school, and 43% spent more than 2 hours a day on
screen time (i.e. watching TV, videos or playing computer games).
The story is similar from most urban places round the
world. In the US, between 1997 to 2003, studies have documented a 50%
decline in time that 9-12 year olds are spending outdoors. Issues of
safety, both working parents, lack of parks and natural surroundings in
our bleak urban landscape and the lure of the TV and computer are
important reasons why children are spending more time indoors. Richard
Louv, in his book "Last child in the Woods," has coined a new term "nature
deficit disorder" which includes a range of behavioral problems. He argues
that sensationalist media coverage and paranoid parents have literally
"scared children straight out of the woods and fields," while promoting a
litigious culture of fear that favors "safe" regimented sports over
imaginative play.
In the US they have now launched a public service mass
advertisement campaign "Leave no child indoors". The campaign is aimed at
tweens ( 8-12 year olds) to foster a life long interest and love in
nature. Besides improving their physical and psychological health, it will
make them more environmentally conscious (Scientific American, 4 August
2009).
Swine Flu Vaccine
Several companies around the world have started testing
their swine flu vaccines. Sanofi Aventis and Panacea Biotech in Europe and
CSL from Australia have started human trials. The trials are testing both
safety and dose requirement. WHO chief Marie-Paule Kieny feels that
vaccine should be ready by September. India is not far behind with 3
companies - Serum Institute of India (Pune), Bharat Biotech (Hyderabad)
and Panacea Biotech (Delhi), working on developing the vaccine. Serum
Institute is developing an egg based vaccine while the other two companies
are developing cell-line vaccines. Fast track approval of the vaccine will
be done and human trials should begin around November.
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
recommends that swine flu vaccine should first go to: pregnant women,
household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of
age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, all children and
young adults from 6 months through 24 years of age, and persons aged 25
through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of
medical complications from influenza. The fears that haunt a mass
immunization program like this include side effects of the vaccine like
Guillian Barre syndrome that resulted in stopping of the 1976 flu
vaccination campaign (The Times of India, 9 August 2009).
