Hi Joan:
 
The least dangerous assumption would be to assume that such endeavors  are 
profit or brand-driven or they would not exist.   
 
Sad to say, the days of corporate clients sharing their largesse with the  
greater community without some kind of a tie-in mechanism of benefit to them are 
 long gone. 
 
As an example of how non-profits, independent associations founded in the  
public interest, and quasi-government agencies can be manipulated  to influence 
behavior and outcomes in  society today, consider  today's news about the role 
of cholesterol in heart disease. This is really  not news. Most scientists, 
but not the lay public, have been aware for some time  now that much more than 
the lowering of cholesterol is necessary to reduce the  incidence of heart 
disease in America.
 
Much of this started with drug industry sponsored programs, such  as 
Countdown on Cholesterol and the independent (and also drug industry  sponsored) NHLBI 
National Cholesterol Education Program founded in 1985 -  just before Merck 
launched Mevacor, their blockbuster cholesterol lowering  drug. What a 
coincidence!
 
Paul  
 



**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
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