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Fluoride exposure impacts babies' brains, USC study finds
‘An Evening with Ezra’ sets benchmark for inclusivity in Hollywood
By City News Service
May S. Ruiz MayRChu56@gmail.com
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luoride exposure during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of childhood behavioral problems, according to research published Monday by the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Researchers at the university conducted the first U.S.-based study examining the link between prenatal fluoride and childhood social, emotional and behavioral functioning. Nearly three-quarters of Americans consume drinking water that contains fluoride, a practice that began in 1945 to help prevent tooth decay, according to researchers. The findings appear in JAMA Network Open, a medical journal published by the American Medical Association. The study analyzed more than 220 mother-child pairs, collecting data on fluoride levels during pregnancy and child behavior at age 3. The researchers found that a 0.68 milligram per liter increase in fluoride exposure was associated with nearly double the chance of a child showing neurobehavioral problems in a range considered close to or at a level to meet the criteria for clinical diagnosis. "Women with higher fluoride exposure levels in their bodies during pregnancy tended to rate their 3-year-old children higher on overall neurobehavioral problems and internalizing symptoms, including emotional reactivity, anxiety and somatic complaints,"
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Tracy Bastain, an associate professor of clinical population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine, said in a statement. The findings add to existing evidence from animal studies showing that fluoride can harm neurodevelopment, as well as data from studies conducted in Canada, Mexico and other countries showing that prenatal exposure to fluoride is linked with a lower IQ in early childhood, according to the study. The researchers said they hope the new findings help convey the risks of fluoride consumption during pregnancy to policymakers, health care providers and the public. "Our findings are noteworthy, given that the
women in this study were exposed to pretty low levels of fluoride — levels that are typical of those living in fluoridated regions within North America," Ashley Malin, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida's College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, said in a statement. Malin conducted the research in part as a postdoctoral scholar at the Keck School of Medicine. Tracking emotions and behavior data for the study came from the Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors Center for Environmental Health Disparities at the Keck School of Medicine. MADRES follows predominantly Hispanic families in
Los Angeles from pregnancy throughout childhood. "The overall goal of MADRES is reducing the effects of environmental contaminants on the health and well-being of marginalized communities," said Bastain, who co-directs MADRES. Currently, no official recommendations exist for limiting fluoride consumption during pregnancy. However, the researchers hope the findings can help stimulate change. "There are no known benefits to the fetus from ingesting fluoride," Malin said. "And yet now we have several studies conducted in North America suggesting that there may be a pretty significant risk to the developing brain during that time."
ccording to the American Psychiatric Association, autism is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 36 children has been identified as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Academic books have been written to help us understand it while fiction novels and movies with autistic protagonists have been published and produced. A Hollywood film makes cinema history with the release of "Ezra" at the end of the month in about 1,000 movie theaters across the country — marking the first time a neurodivergent actor is playing the title role. With an ensemble cast starring Robert de Niro, Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rainn Wilson, the movie follows a father’s journey co-parenting his autistic son. Written by Tony Spiridakis, directed by Tony Goldwyn, and introducing autistic actor William Fitzgerald, 'Ezra' is more than a film about autism; it's a groundbreaking step towards inclusive filmmaking, inspired by Spiridakis’ own journey of acceptance with his son, Dimitri. Taking that history-making event one step further, Love & Autism hosted Hollywood’s 'An Evening with Ezra,' on Tuesday. Held at The Writer’s Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, it was a first-of-its-kind neurodivergentaffirming film screening. This event aimed to become the blueprint for inclusive screening practices in Hollywood, advocating for authentic representation of neurodiversity both on and off the screen. The entire movie production centered around a neurodivergent-affirming ethos, tapping filmmaker and autistic advocate Alex Plank as the film’s associate producer, creative consultant, and DEI advisor to ensure meaningful representation behind the camera as well as thoughtful accessibility for its titular actor on set. Dr. Jenny Palmiotto, an expert in neurodivergentaffirming care and founder of Love & Autism, is the driving force behind this screening, inviting Hollywood to celebrate the autistic and neurodivergent community and confront internalized ableism in traditional screening practices. The neurodivergent community features prominently in every aspect of the event – from the chefs and musicians to artists and guests. “Ezra captures the universal themes of love and connection that are often missed within the larger conversation and beliefs about what it means to be See "Ezra" Page 15