To the Point
Big Soda: Obesity and Diabetes
In San Francisco and Berkeley, California, Big Soda has been lumped with Big Tobacco as a target of health-conscious reformers. Next month, voters may tax sugary soft drinks by a few cents per can. To defeat them, Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper will spend more than 15 dollars a vote.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenIn San Francisco and Berkeley, California, Big Soda has been lumped with Big Tobacco as a target of health-conscious reformers. Next month, voters may tax sugary soft drinks by a few cents per can. To defeat them, Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper will spend more than 15 dollars a vote. It’s all about the epidemics of child-obesity and diabetes. Similar measures in 30 other states have failed, but Big Soda sees a real threat from California. Will two liberal cities spark a national trend? We’ll hear the pros and cons.
Also, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to its youngest ever winner, and a look into the suicide epidemic among American soldiers.
Banner Image via Alexander Kaiser, pooliestudios.com
In this episode
3 storiesThe Nobel Peace Prize Sends a Message
It was announced today that this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been divided between two people—a 17-year old Pakistani crusader for girls’ education and a 60-year old Indian man who has liberated child laborers in that country. The young woman is Malala Yousafzai, known worldwide since she recovered after being shot by the Taliban.
Read the story7 minBig Soda Pours in Big Money to Stop Tax on Sugary Drinks
Sugar-sweetened beverages are the single biggest source of calories for American teenagers, who are increasingly obese. And, for children, just one or two sodas a day raise the chance of contracting diabetes by 26%.
Read the story35 minUS Military Personnel Still Reticent to Report Mental Illness
Major General Mark Graham was a decorated officer who inspired his two sons to join the military. When Jeff was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, the Army treated him as a hero. When Kevin committed suicide, there was silence.
Read the story8 min
