Speaking out for Vieques
May 27, 2009

The U.S. territory of Vieques is an island in crisis. Thousands of Americans are suffering and dying from exposure to toxic substances caused by more than 60 years of weapons testing by the U.S. Navy. The people of Vieques have a 25% higher infant mortality rate, 30% higher rate of cancer, a 381% higher rate of hypertension, a 95% higher rate of cirrhosis of the liver, and a 41% higher rate of diabetes than those on the main island of Puerto Rico a mere 8 miles away. Despite these facts, the Navy denies any culpability and refuses to help alleviate the suffering it has caused.
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Excellent blog post. Hopefully high blood pressure becomes a more popular focus point to people as they get older.