"Dr. Elders's Bully Point"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Dr. Elders's Bully Point"

New York Times (12/17/92), P. A34

Abstract: President-elect Bill Clinton made a wise choice in selecting Dr. Joycelyn Elders to be the new Surgeon General of the United States, write the editors of the New York Times. Elders has served as director of the Arkansas Health Department for five years. She has been straightforward in discussing AIDS, sexual abuse of children, the necessity of sex education, and easy access to contraceptives for teenagers. She is remarkably realistic about adolescent sex, which is a necessity when a quarter of sexually active teenage women under 18 have had four or more sexual partners. "I really feel we must put our children first and I'm willing to do whatever we have to do to save the children," she said. Being black and female, she helps fulfill Clinton's pledge of a diverse administration. Former Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, effectively used his office by turning it into a bully pulpit from which to warn of the dangers of smoking, support sex education, and speak intelligently and compassionately of AIDS. Dr. Elders, whose integrity and frankness matches Dr. Koop's, may be equally effective as a leader in public health, the editors conclude.

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