Radio Health Journal
The latest in health, science, technology, and the intersection of medicine and public policy.
When most of us think of genetic testing for health, we imagine tests to detect whether we’ve inherited genes that predispose us for cancer or other serious disease. But another kind of gene testing—genomic testing of tumor cells for their susceptibility to targeted treatments—is giving thousands of people hope of survival they’ve never had before. Experts discuss both genetic and genomic testing.
Eating chicken can be just as bad for you as eating red meat according to a new study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Then, a hormone released during pregnancy may be the solution.
Each year, the humanitarian organization Save the Children develops a nation-by-nation scorecard on how likely children are to grow up healthy, educated, and safe. The organization’s CEO discusses how most nations have improved the ways children are treated over the past generation, and why the US ranks 36th.
Since the 1980’s, almost all production of generic drugs has moved overseas, where FDA inspectors have a much tougher time making sure they’re following rules for safety. An investigative journalist describes the ways she’s found that many drugmakers cut corners, putting safety at risk, and details what consumers can do to protect themselves.
Job related stress or "burnout" is now a legitimate diagnosis according to the World Health Organization. Then, too hot, too cold? How the temperature at the workplace affects men and women's cognition, and finally, a study that shows you can be too passionate about your job.
Reed Pence speaks with investigative Reporter Katherine Eband, author of Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom about the quality of regulation of generic drugs.
Most forms of cancer have a built-in constituency of patients, loved ones, and concerned others. Lung cancer patients, instead, are often blamed for their own disease because of its frequent connection with smoking. Patients are often isolated, and research dollars lag behind other, less common cancer killers.
Many Americans believe that healthy food doesn’t taste good, and tasty food isn’t healthy. A chef who is also a cardiologist discusses how to find a balance by seeking out healthy ingredients rather than whole categories of foods.
A study showing the dangers of car seats. Kids are eating less fish than ever. How do VA benefits differ by gender? Is antibiotic use for acne a mistake? And finally, it's beneficial to base your workout routine on your personality.
Loneliness is increasing across all ages, but it’s especially noteworthy among seniors, and it can dramatically affect health. An expert geriatrician who has studied the effects of loneliness and the leader of an organization that provides friendly visitors to the isolated elderly discuss causes of increasing loneliness, its impact, and the effectiveness of visitor programs.
Many Americans believe if they have good health care, they’ll have good health. But many factors beyond medicine contribute to our level of health. A noted public health expert explains these factors, and why our own health is much more than an individual concern.
A new study shows that older Dad's may be also at risk to their child's physical well-being. Then, evidence showing that taking antibiotics over a long period of time puts women at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, and finally, coffee grounds can be used to improve your skin whether you decide to drink it, or smear it all over your face?
Measles had been declared eliminated in 2000, but has come roaring back because of the increasing number of people who have not been vaccinated. Parents may have legitimate fears of side effects, but claims vaccines are unsafe are not true. Experts discuss the complicated psychological reasons vaccine refusal exists despite this, and what may help change minds to promote public health.
Most infants are breastfed in the US today, but breastfeeding often doesn’t look the way most of us think of it, as a result of adoption, same sex marriage, and other changes in parenting. An expert discusses some of the hurdles and challenges to getting infants the best nutrition possible.
Pharmaceutical commercials are about to change by including their prices in the ad's and MDMA, or "ecstasy" is being used for PTSD with a high success cure rate. Finally, a study highlighting what makes us reach for our smartphones.
The proportion of severely obese teenagers continues to rise. Doctors increasingly understand that only weight loss surgery is likely to help them lose weight and avoid health consequences of obesity. But teens are often held back until they’re so heavy that even bariatric surgery isn’t enough to return them to normal weight. Experts discuss.
Millions of Americans cannot afford the medications they’ve been prescribed. Many skip doses, split pills or don’t fill prescriptions at all as a result, with sometimes even fatal consequences. But doctors are often unable to consider cost very well in prescribing, as the same drug often costs patients vastly different amounts due to insurance differences. Experts discuss the problem and what …
Could a poor sense of smell be a sign of a downturn in health? Then, hospital guidelines regarding eating food and drinking liquids before surgery, and finally, teamwork is great, but studies show that's only the case when team members take time to step away to solve problems on their own.
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus carry a genetic predisposition, but need an environmental trigger to take hold. Triggers are poorly understood, but some women claim their disease is a result of contraceptives, including birth control pills and IUDs. Experts and one women suffering from autoimmune disease discuss the issue.
Preeclampsia, an irregularity in the placenta during pregnancy, is the leading cause of premature delivery worldwide, and causes nearly 20 percent of maternal deaths in the US. Little is known about its cause and how it can be treated, but an inexpensive new test could help flag those suffering from it and lessen complications. The test’s inventor discusses it and the disorder.
A blood test that proves Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is real. Then, new studies to indicate an hour of walking can help you stave off "mobility disability" later in age. And finally, your doctor's white coat could be teeming with bacteria according to a study from the University of Maryland.
DNA mutations happen all the time in the body, but the immune system usually detects and deals with them. When the system fails, cancer results. Yet some animals, such as elephants, almost never get cancer, and scientists have learned that the elephant DNA repair system is 20 times more powerful than the human system. Experts explain how they hope to tap this knowledge.
Dementia has a much wider range than most people think, and people with dementia are usually functional for years. An expert discusses the course of the disease and how life can still be positive for years before it reaches the late, debilitating stage most people think of when they hear the word “dementia.”
A major tactic deployed by police called "Pro-active Policing" may be backfiring. Then, preschoolers are just as bad as adults at resisting large portions of food and finally, a study showing that young children are swallowing more foreign objects than ever...
Subscribe to get the latest from Radio Health Journal directly in your inbox.
