Public Health Moment Podcast
Persistent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11299/257419
Weekly segments on topical public health issues featuring University of Minnesota experts.
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Item The relationship between respiratory disease and mining work has been a continuing concern in northeastern Minnesota(2007-10-16) Finnegan, John; Jeffrey MandelWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. The relationship between respiratory disease and mining work has been a continuing concern in northeastern Minnesota, where unusually high rates of mesothelioma—a rare and fatal form of cancer—have been reported among males since the late 1980s. Jeffrey Mandel, an environmental health sciences professor at the University of Minnesota, is helping lead an effort to find out why. A 2003 study attributed 17 of 58 known cases to exposure to “commercial” asbestos, which is not unique to the mining industry. That study, however, did not look at potential exposure to taconite dust. With another Public Health Moment, I’m John FinneganItem Melanoma Monday(2011-04-25) Engebretson, Mark; DeAnn LazovichWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. May 2, is Melanoma Monday, an annual event to promote the prevention and detection of melanoma. Last year, more than 100,000 Americans were diagnosed with melanoma. About 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths are from melanoma, with nearly 9,000 in 2010. But melanoma is very curable, if detected early, dermatologists say. So, what are the risk factors? We asked DeAnn Lazovich, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota. So, how can you lower your risk?Item Minnesotans have lower heart disease risk(2011-07-08) Engebretson, Mark; Lyn SteffenWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Minnesotans are less likely than the average American to die of heart disease. The reason? Likely because, compared to national averages, Minnesotans smoke less and fewer have high blood pressure. That’s according to a recent study, led by Lyn Steffen, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota. But Steffen adds that Minnesotans can do better, simply by improving their diets and consuming fewer calories. For Public Health Moment, I’m Mark Engebretson.Item Mediterranean Diet benefits(2011-05-11) Engebretson, Mark; Henry BlackburnWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. May is Mediterranean Diet Month. What is the Mediterranean Diet? And why is it good for you? We asked Dr. Henry Blackburn, professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota. Blackburn worked with Ancel Keys, the famed U of M scientist best known as the man who linked a high-fat diet to cholesterol and heart disease. Keys was a proponent of the Mediterranean diet. Blackburn provides advice for those wanting to eat the Mediterranean way.Item UMN's MERET program can help in case of pandemic(2007-10-22) Finnegan, John; Andrea HickleWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. In the case of an emergency, such as the pandemic flu or a natural disaster, would you and your family be prepared? If not, MERET, a program at the University of Minnesota, may be able to help. Project coordinator Andrea Hickle has more. On its Web site, meret.umn.edu, MERET provides a free online course designed to help families and individuals prepare an emergency preparedness plan. With another Public Health Moment, I’m John FinneganItem Lyme Disease(2007-05-11) Finnegan, John; Craig HedbergWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. May is Lyme disease awareness month. And while many people know that bites from a Deer tick can transmit Lyme disease to humans, most are unaware of two similar diseases spread by deer ticks. Craig Hedberg, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota, says the three diseases exhibit similar symptoms. If untreated, Lyme disease can lead to chronic inflammation of joints, facial palsy, memory loss, and irregular heart rhythms. As a result, Hedberg says that if you notice these symptoms, you should immediately seek medical care. With another Public Health Moment, I’m John Finnegan.Item Determining the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is the goal of a new $26 million study, funded by the National Institutes of Health.(2010-07-26) Finnegan, John; Alvaro AlonsoWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Determining the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is the goal of a new $26 million study, funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study involves University of Minnesota researchers, including Alvaro Alonso, an assistant professor of epidemiology. He says it will build on the so-called ARIC study, an influential 20-year-old project that has looked at and identified risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Previous research has already shown a connection between cardiovascular disease and dementia, Alonso says. This study, when finalized in about three years, should lead to new preventive strategies and treatments for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. With another Public Health Moment, I’m John Finnegan.Item New president Eric Kaler: overall excellence at the U of M is dependent on strong health sciences programs.(2011-07-29) Engebretson, Mark; President Eric KalerWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Last month, Eric Kaler took the reins as the 16th University of Minnesota president. His top priorities: Ensuring access and delivering excellence. Kaler said that Minnesota’s many quality programs provide the University with a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful multidisciplinary efforts spanning agriculture, veterinary medicine, public health, human health, and more. Kaler adds that overall excellence at the U of M is dependent on strong health sciences programs.Item Infants and obesity(2009-01-29) Finnegan, John; Demerath, EllenWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Research tells us that babies who gain weight rapidly have twice the risk of obesity compared to babies with more gradual weight gain. But researchers know little about how much weight gain in babies is fat as opposed to lean tissue. University of Minnesota researcher Ellen Demerath, using the latest technology, aims to find out. Her project is titled the Minnesota Infant Nutrition and Neurodevelopment Obesity Study. Or Minnows. Demerath hopes the Minnows study will shed light on specific nutritional recommendations for infants.Item Exposure to lead paint(2006-11-14) Finnegan, John; Lisa BrosseauWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Exposure to lead paint can cause memory loss, negatively effect learning ability, interfere with your central nervous system, and cause reproductive problems. Lisa Brosseau, associate professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota, says that children are most at risk.Item Longterm Care(2007-05-04) Finnegan, John; Robert KaneIn his book, “It shouldn’t be this way: The failure of long-term care,” Robert Kane, a University of Minnesota professor on aging, documents the difficulties that he and his sister encountered when trying to arrange long-term care for their ailing mother. We asked Kane: What should people know about caring for their aging parents. Kane says he doesn’t believe government will do more for families until the public demands it.Item National Immunization Awareness Month(2007-08-20) Finnegan, John; Joan PattersonWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. August is National Immunization Awareness Month. As kids head back to school, it’s a good reminder for parents to make sure that their children are up to date with their vaccinations, says Joan Patterson, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist. Parents can seek an exemption from the state law, and although there has been an increase in such exemptions, Patterson says, Minnesota still ranks above the national average in the percentage of children who are current with their immunizations. If you don’t have health insurance, or you’d like more information, contact your local public health agency or the Minnesota Department of Health, Patterson says. With another Public Health Moment, I’m John Finnegan.Item Holiday eating tips(2007-12-18) Finnegan, John; Melanie JaebItem Young adults who are physically active less likely to develop high blood pressure(2007-07-20) Finnegan, John; David JacobsWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Young adults who are physically active are less likely to develop high blood pressure. That’s according to researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Lead researcher David Jacobs says that the results were from 15 years of research involving more than 4,000 people. Although this was the first major study to look at physical activity and hypertension in young adults, the results, Jacobs says, are not surprising. With another Public Health Moment, I’m John Finnegan.Item Over the last 10 years the death rate for heart disease has dropped 45% in Minnesota.(2008-02-19) Kris Stouffer; John FinneganWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Over the last 10 years, the death rate from heart disease has dropped 45 percent in Minnesota—faster than in any other state. That’s according to a report from the American Heart Association. John Finnegan, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health says there are several reasons for this good news. Finnegan adds that the health education and research at the University of Minnesota are also factors in the decline of heart disease in Minnesota. With another Public Health Moment, I’m Kristin Stouffer.Item Binge drinking has declined(2007-04-16) Finnegan, John; Rhonda Jones-WebbItem Debate on Public Option plan in health reform legislation(2009-10-27) Engebretson, Mark; Lynn BlewettWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. Whether or not Congress votes to include the hotly debated Public Option plan in its health reform legislation this year, the overall bill will fall short of comprehensive reform, says Lynn Blewett, an associate professor of health policy at the University of Minnesota. But Blewett believes while the bill may fall short of the ideal, it’s the start of ongoing, incremental reform.Item Importance of handwashing(2006-12-04) Finnegan, John; Will HuestonItem Importance of handwashing(2007-12-03) Finnegan, John; Jill DeBoerWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. This week is National Handwashing Awareness Week. Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. That’s according to Jill DeBoer, associate director of the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. As a result, DeBoer says it’s important to wash our hands often and thoroughly. With another Public Health Moment, I’m John Finnegan.Item Flu is widespread in Minnesota, but who is at risk/(2009-09-17) Engebretson, Mark; John FinneganWelcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. State health officials report that the flu is now widespread in Minnesota. While not all cases of the H1N1 variety, or swine flu, officials believe it's playing a big role in the upsurge. So, who is at risk and what are the symptoms? We asked John Finnegan, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Finnegan says the symptoms are similar to those of seasonal influenza – they include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. So, when should people seek medical care? For public health moment, I’m Mark Engebretson.