news and media: news
May 7, 2007
American Leprosy Missions (ALM) Challenges Lou Dobbs’ Accuracy
(Greenville, SC—May 7, 2007)—American Leprosy Missions President, Christopher J. Doyle finds the comments of self-proclaimed advocacy journalist Lou Dobbs both disappointing and offensive.
During a May 6 appearance on CBS’s “Sixty Minutes,” Dobbs heatedly discussed his views on illegal immigration with correspondent Leslie Stahl. Stahl challenged Dobbs about a recent report on his show by Christine Romans who cited 7,000 cases of leprosy in the U.S. in the past three years.
In actuality, Dobbs’ figures are inaccurate. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there were 7,000 cases of leprosy reported in the United States in the last 30 years. And there is no clear indication that any of these involve illegal immigrants.
When Stahl challenged Dobbs’ figures, he responded,
“Well, I can tell you this. If we reported it, it’s a fact... I’m the managing editor. And that’s the way we do business. We don’t make up numbers Lesley.”
But that is exactly what they did according to Doyle who disputes Dobbs’ numbers, calling them nothing more than a political agenda. He says,
“I’m both disappointed and frustrated that someone like Mr. Dobbs would misrepresent figures that are readily available in an effort to advance his own agenda. His mischaracterizations are highly offensive to those who have this disease. These are real people who live daily with the stigma of leprosy through no fault of their own.”
Doyle cites figures released by the US Public Health Service, which show only 166 new cases of leprosy reported in the US in 2005, the latest year for which figures are available. And during the last decade the USPHS, reported slightly more than 1,000 cases in total (http://www.hrsa.gov/hansens/data/summary05.htm). None of these patients are known to be illegal immigrants. Doyle says,
“Dobbs’ comments are no less offensive than those made recently by Don Imus, as they insult a group of people who are already the target of discrimination, prejudice, and ostracism—that is those affected by leprosy. We are asking that Mr. Dobbs publicly apologize for his offensive conduct, and his use of people affected by leprosy to score some kind of political points.”
American Leprosy Missions is the oldest and largest non-profit organization in the United States providing cure and care to people affected by leprosy.
June 7, 2007 - Update to this news release: Read More...
