The Health Show on WAMC

The Health Show #1315

Bob Barrett — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

If you had the chance, would you go back to being a teenagers again? Before you answer think back to just exactly what that meant. It wasn’t easy. Now imagine living that portion of your life over with a parent who has cancer. On today’s Health Show we’ll talk to a father and daughter who co-wrote a book about that experience in the aptly titled book: “Cancer Sucks!”.

We’ll also hear from some musicians who continue making music...even though they are hearing impaired.

The Health Show #1314

Bob Barrett — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:00 +0000

What is it about Americans that makes solving the problem of drugs and addiction so difficult? Addiction to drugs impacts almost every other problem facing the nation, from education to crime to poverty to health care. What are the most effective ways to defeat addiction and how has the war on drugs made the problem worse? These are the questions being tackled by award winning journalist and author David Sheff.

The Health Show #1313

Bob Barrett — Fri, 31 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Clostridium difficile is not only very difficult to say, it can be deadly. This gut infection has been in the news with outbreaks in hospitals and nursing care facilities in the US and Canada. And now there’s a study that says if you are depressed, you have a much higher risk of getting infected. On today’s Health Show we’ll talk to the lead author of this study and depression and infection.

The Health Show #1312

Bob Barrett — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

We hear an awful lot about “awareness” in health care. The breast cancer awareness campaign has, over the years, made a huge difference in the way the public views the disease...and how women look at their own bodies. But there’s another condition out there...one that millions of people are at risk for but have never heard of. On today’s Health Show, a look at Lupus.

We’ll also spend time with a family of care givers...and take a trip down the weight loss yellow brick road.

The Health Show #1311

Bob Barrett — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:40:37 +0000

I’ve often said to colleagues that if I want to get a lot of mail...and usually nasty mail...I need to a story on either vaccines or Lyme disease. So today let’s go for broke. You may not remember this, but there is a vaccine for Lyme disease. The catch: no one makes it anymore. On today’s Health Show the story of the vaccine your dog can get...but you can’t.

The Health Show #1310

Bob Barrett — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:17:08 +0000

Advances in medical technology have made it possible to screen children for a huge number of conditions by the time they are two. That’s two DAYS. On today’s Health Show we’ll talk to a clinical geneticist about the advances in newborn screening for disease.

We’ll also hear from the N-I-H about screening for cancer in children and adults...and how they must balance the pros and cons of these tests. And we’ll hear commentary from a young woman about a brave young member of her family with terminal cancer.

The Health Show #1309

Bob Barrett — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Sakeenah Francis was living a comfortable, successful life. A college graduate with a career and a young family...until schizophrenia tore that life and that family apart. On today’s Health Show, we’ll talk to Sakeenah and her daughter about life with her illness, the letter to her daughter...and the book they’ve written together.

We’ll also hear from a veteran national reporter about the state of parental leave opportunities for new parents in the US. Here’s a hint: they’re not good.

The Health Show #1308

Bob Barrett — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The bombing of the Boston Marathon has a lot of people asking questions. Questions like why. Like who was involved. Like is the danger over. We’re asking questions, too. Questions about the people injured in the bombing and what their lives will be like going forward. On today’s Health Show, we’ll talk to a doctor who served in Iraq about the traumatic injuries, treatment and future of the people injured in the attack.

The Health Show #1307

Bob Barrett — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

OK parents, I’m looking at you. How old was your child when you first started adding solid food to the little bundle’s diet. According to a new survey, if you’re like a lot of parents...you did it too soon. On today’s Health Show we’ll talk to a researcher from the CDC about their new findings.

We’ll also hear from the NIH about another problem that seems to be coming from our diet: a lot of us are becoming frail. And we’ll hear about age-related Macular Degeneration and how you can take some steps that may help save your sight.

The Health Show #1306

Bob Barrett — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:33:12 +0000

About one in every 100 people in the US are living with epilepsy. It is a condition that most people have heard of...but don’t really understand. And the way it’s portrayed in the media often adds to the confusion. On today’s Health Show, we have a program long conversation about epilepsy with a pair of doctors who specialize in the detection and treatment of people living with the condition.