Health - Resources and discussion for everything health-related

2851 readers

98 users here now

Health: physical and mental, individual and public.

Discussions, issues, resources, news, everything.

See the pinned post for a long list of other communities dedicated to health or specific diagnoses. The list is continuously updated.

Nothing here shall be taken as medical or any other kind of professional advice.

Commercial advertising is considered spam and not allowed. If you're not sure, contact mods to ask beforehand.

Linked videos without original description context by OP to initiate healthy, constructive discussions will be removed.

Regular rules of lemmy.world apply. Be civil.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

230

Utah becomes the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water (apnews.com)

submitted 6 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

62 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Summary

Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation prohibiting local decisions on fluoridation.

Cox cited cost and personal choice, likening fluoride to government “medication.”

The ban faces opposition from dentists and health experts, who argue fluoride prevents cavities and benefits low-income communities.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans receive fluoridated water. Some cities have already removed fluoride, and a recent court order requires the EPA to regulate high levels that may affect children’s intellectual development.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 14 points 5 days ago (2 children)

This, this is what people completely whiff on...

People forget not everyone can afford toothpaste...

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago

Some people are unable to comprehend poverty. "just buy toothpaste" is low-key the equivalent of "just get a loan from your family and start your own business" or "Just get your accountant to write it off" or "just buy a second house" or "just let the lawyers clean it up". If you have the financial means, certain problems just don't affect you.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I only use home brand toothpaste which is like 50cent here in Europe. Everyone can afford that or they have other bigger issues than their fluoride intake

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

You'd be surprised how much the intersection of "I luve in a literal cardboard box and can't afford toothpaste" and "no longer getting fluoride in my water super fucks me over" is.

There's huge chunks of the population who, yes, can't a0fford to brush their teeth, they Jaber neither toothbrush nor toothpaste.

But they do drink free tap water, and that as a source of fluoride in any sane city is a powerful cheap way to help with their bone health, teeth health, etc.

Cities that turn off fluoride in the water are, 4-5 years later, going to have some seriously excercerbated problems in their homeless communities which is going to impact everyone.

It's very dumb short term thinking that only someone very stupid would do...