Compton Native Dr. Leana Wen to Head Planned 22 Millionmillion Parenthood U.S.U.S
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AN AMERICAN PRINT MEDIA PUBLICATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 Compton Native Dr. Leana Wen to Head Planned 22 MillionMillion Parenthood U.S.U.S. TeensTeens AreAre VapingVaping MarijuanaMarijuana school-based survey shows near- in 2016 said they used an e-cigarette device ing THC, the chemical in marijuana that ly 1 in 11 U.S. students have used with marijuana, according to Monday’s re- gets people high, that work with a number marijuana in electronic ciga- port in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. That of devices. Juul, by far the most popular e- rettes, heightening health con- included one-third of those who ever used cigarette device, does not offer marijuana Courtesy Baltimore City Mayor’s Office A cerns about the new popularity of vaping e-cigarettes. pods, but users can re-fill cartridges with Dr. Leana Wen among teens. The number is worrying “because can- cannabis oil. E-cigarettes typically It was the first time a COMPTON—Cal State LA alumna Dr. Leana contain nicotine, but many “Cannabis use among youth can adversely question about marijuana Wen has been named president of Planned Par- of the battery-powered de- vaping was asked on this enthood, one of the nation’s largest providers of vices can vaporize other affect learning and memory and may impair particular survey, which health care and reproductive services to low-income substances, including mari- uses a nationally repre- women. juana. Results published later academic achievement and education.” sentative sample of stu- Wen, 35, graduated summa cum laude from Cal Monday mean 2.1 million dents in public and pri- State LA when she was only 18. She was a product middle and high school stu- vate schools. More than of the university’s Early Entrance Program, which dents have used them to get high. nabis use among youth can adversely affect 20,000 students took the survey in 2016. allows exceptionally gifted students as young as 11 to Vaping is generally considered less learning and memory and may impair lat- A different survey from the University enroll as full-time students. Wen was admitted when dangerous than smoking, because burning er academic achievement and education,” of Michigan in December found similar re- she was 13 and earned her B.S. in biochemistry. tobacco or marijuana generates chemicals said lead researcher Katrina Trivers of the sults when it asked for the first time about She exemplifies the potential and promise of that are harmful to lungs. But there is little Centers for Disease Control and Preven- marijuana vaping. In that study, 8 percent many young students who enroll at Cal State LA research on e-cigarettes’ long-term effects, tion. of 10th graders said they vaped marijuana through the Early Entrance Program, said Honors including whether they help smokers quit. Students who said they lived with a to- in the past year. College director Trinh Pham. The program is housed The rise in teenagers using e-cigarettes bacco user were more likely than others to “The health risks of vaping reside not in the Honors College and graduates about 20 stu- has alarmed health officials who worry kids report vaping marijuana. only in the vaping devices, but in the so- dents each year. will get addicted to nicotine, a stimulant, It’s unclear whether marijuana vap- cial environment that comes with it,” said “What really stands out about the students is how and be more likely to try cigarettes. Last ing is increasing among teens or hold- University of Michigan researcher Rich- remarkably brilliant they are—especially considering week, the Food and Drug Administration ing steady. The devices have grown into a ard Miech. Kids who vape are more likely their ages—and the sense of community and connec- gave the five largest e-cigarette makers 60 multi-billion industry, but they are rela- to become known as drug users and make tions they make while they’re here,” Pham said. days to produce plans to stop underage use tively new. friends with drug users, he said, adding Most are coming directly from middle school of their products. In states where marijuana is legal, shop- that “hanging out with drug users is a sub- to college and thrive in the company of classmates Nearly 9 percent of students surveyed pers can buy cartridges of liquid contain- stantial risk factor for future drug use.” who challenge and support them. “The students are extremely motivated and driven, and very passionate about learning,” Pham said. Wen has credited her Cal State LA professors and mentors with exposing her to new ways of thinking Compton’s Best Returns with about the world. “I feel strongly that I received an excellent, diverse education from Cal State LA,” she said in a 2009 interview with the university maga- Talent Showcase on Friday zine. After graduation, Wen attended medical school ompton’s Best is com- struggles of living in oppressive at Washington University, trained at Massachusetts posed of a small group of environments and the culture General Hospital as a Harvard Medical School Clini- passionate individuals, behind border cities. Through cal Fellow, and studied public health at the Univer- C donors, business own- this story Bettis gives voice to sity of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. ers, and volunteers, who see the thousands of women and shows value in supporting and uplifting their courage, fight and strength. (Dr.Wen’s family) settled in the residents of Compton. The “Women haven’t survived for overall purpose of the event is eons by being “weak” and “emo- Compton, where her family had to focus on providing Compton tional.” We’ve survived by being youth, young adults, and foster a hell of a lot tougher and braver to confront what she describes youth with an opportunity to than we’re given credit for, and as “the challenges of seeking showcase their talent, compete I wanted to show that through for prizes and speak directly with Raquel’s journey in this play.” healthcare with limited resources.” local agents, recruiters, and em- California Repertory Com- Date: Friday, September 21, 2018 ployers and to expose them to lo- pany is celebrating 30 years of cal educational and employment risk-taking theatre. California Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm She currently serves as Health Commissioner opportunities. The resource fair Repertory Company (Cal Rep) Location: Little Theatre Compton College, for the city of Baltimore, where she’s been hailed and luncheon provide our young is the producing arm of the The- 1111 East Artesia Blvd., Compton, CA 90221. as a strong advocate for expanding access to health adults, families, and entrepre- atre Arts Department at CSULB. Cost: FREE! services in vulnerable neighborhoods. Before taking neurs a chance to network and Over the past three decades, Cal that post in 2015, she was a university professor, meet with business owners and Rep has a history of creating new There is no Entry Fee for the Competition, author and emergency room physician. community leaders in an infor- work, devised theatre and ad- A native of Shanghai, Wen was almost 8 years old mal environment. aptations of classics. In its 30th the Resource Fair or the Luncheon when her parents, Chinese dissidents, immigrated Director Denise Blasor is season it showcases the work of to the U.S. and were granted political asylum. They the Associate Artistic Director local artists and brings a range of settled in Compton, where her family had to con- at Bilingual Foundation of the World, West Coast, and South- front what she describes as “the challenges of seeking Arts and founding member of ern California Premieres to Long healthcare with limited resources.” LAAFO and KOAN at the Odys- Beach. Jeff Janisheski says, “It’s a As a child, Wen was chronically ill with asthma. sey Theater and East LA Classic season that celebrates commu- She, her younger sister and her mother all “de- Theater. She says “Ghosts... is a nity: those that are already in our pended on Planned Parenthood for medical care at play about what we as human be- orbit, the new voices we champi- various times,” she said in a statement announcing ings do in order to survive. It’s a on and the community partners her new position. poetic piece about love and what and artists we want to work with. TALENT SHOW SIGN UP: Wen will step into her new role on Nov. 12. She a mother will do to protect her Cal Rep’s 30th Anniversary Sea- www.comptonsbesttalentshowcase.org will be Planned Parenthood’s sixth president—and children.” son is a celebration of what Cal Event Contact: Paula Boyd, 1.626.399.2580 only the second physician to lead the organization in Playwright Hilary Bettis is the Rep has been over the years: a its 102-year history. granddaughter of a Mexican im- destination for adventurous, dar- or [email protected] migrant and is familiar with the ing theatre..