|
||||||
|
Story Archives of 'public health'
NH Short on H1N1 Vaccine
By Elaine Grant on Monday, November 23, 2009.Like every other state, New Hampshire has a shortage of H1N1 vaccine.
Public health officials are trying to conserve doses for those at highest risk.
NHPR’s Elaine Grant has the details.
A Swine Flu Update
By Laura Knoy on Monday, September 28, 2009.We’ll find out how the H1N1 virus is affecting the Granite State so far, and what the expectations and preparations are for later this fall. At this point, most swine flu cases have been mild; there’ve been several outbreaks at New Hampshire colleges and a vaccine has been developed. We’ll learn more about how Granite Staters are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
Guest
- Christine Adamski, Chief of Disease Control at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- Kathy Bizarro , Executive Vice President for the New Hampshire Hospital Association
- Katherine Rannie, School Health Services Consultant for the New Hampshire Department of Education New Hampshire Department of Education
We'll also hear from
- Pam Spear, director of the Baird Health and Counseling Center at Colby Sawyer College
Handling H1N1
By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.You’ve heard about it on talk shows, news reports, even on Sesame Street: swine flu is coming back. But public officials and some media have been scratching their heads over the best way to cover H1N1 and how to report the facts without overhyping. We’ll discuss how to cover a disaster that no one is sure will even happen.
Guests
- Dr. Jose Montero, New Hampshire state epidemiologist
- Maryn McKenna, independent public health journalist who has covered the Centers for Disease Control and several major public health events, contributing writer at the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, and Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Media Fellow
- Dr. Mona Khanna, physician, health reporter, and current Medical Editor at icyou.com, a site focusing on medicine and health care information
We'll also hear from
- Mark Bevis, news director for New Hampshire Public Radio
Keep Swine Flu in Perspective
By Elaine Grant on Friday, August 28, 2009.The media this week have been reporting dire predictions about the effects of the second wave of swine flu this fall.
As kids are heading off to school, parents are reading reports that children and young people may be most affected by H1N1.
But public health officials are asking people to keep the news and predictions in perspective.
Dr. Jose Montero is New Hampshire's Director of Public Health.
He tell's NHPR's Elaine Grant that it is in our power to limit the damage from this new strain of flu.
New Hampshire is #1 When It Comes to Childrens' Health
By Mark Bevis on Wednesday, June 11, 2008.New Hampshire is number one... when it comes to childrens health.
That's according to the annual Kids Count survey compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The Survey looks at several factors evaluating children's lives from low birth rates to drop out rates.
Despite the good news, Ellen Fineberg, President of the Childrens' Alliance New Hampshire, tells NHPR's Mark Bevis that bad news may be on the horizon.
Fineberg says the most recent survey is based on 2006 numbers.
She fully expects the poverty rate numbers to jump as the survey takes into account the recent economic downturn.
Climate Change Possibly Linked to Spike in Lyme Disease
By Dianne Finch on Tuesday, June 3, 2008.Last year we had 892 cases of Lyme Disease in the state – nearly doubling the numbers from 2006.
Some people think that global warming trends are linked to that spike.
NHPR’s Dianne Finch has more.
To Spray or Not to Spray?
By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, May 27, 2008.For most of us, summer mosquitoes are just an annoyance, but they can be dangerous if they carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis or West Nile Virus. Some towns spray insecticide each year to reduce the risk of these diseases, but others choose not to, saying there's potential harm in spraying as well. We’ll look at the debate over whether to spray or not to spray.
Guests
- Alan Eaton, entomologist with the UNH Cooperative Extension and coordinator of their Integrated Pest Management program
- Kim McNamara, Public Health Official for Portsmouth
- Melodie Esterberg, Public Works Director for Rochester
- Dr. Jason Stull, State Public Health Veterinarian at the Department of Health and Human Services
People with Mental Illnesses Often Rely on Emergency Care
By Dianne Finch on Thursday, May 22, 2008.National data show that half the population will likely need treatment for substance abuse or a mental health issue in their lifetime.
A report from the University of New Hampshire reveals that people with such issues are increasingly using emergency care for treatment.
NHPR's Dianne Finch has more.
Hooked from the First Cigarette
By Virginia Prescott on Thursday, April 24, 2008.Research on cigarette addiction has long held that it takes years to develop the nicotine habit. But new research indicates that the symptoms of addiction - withdrawal, cravings, and failed attempts at quitting - can appear within the first week of smoking. That's even more cause for tobacco-prevention programs to keep kids from picking up the habit in the first place.
Here in New Hampshire, 20.5 percent of high school students smoke cigarettes. Last year, the state ranked dead last in the country for spending on tobacco prevention programs, with zero dollars spent on prevention, and it looks like New Hampshire will earn that dubious distinction again this year due to budget constraints. It's alarming, given that some scientists have found evidence of changes in the brain of novice smokers after just one dose of nicotine.
Word of Mouth host Virginia Prescott spoke about the research with John Rennie, editor-in-chief of Scientific American, which published the new findings in its May issue.
Read a preview of the Scientific American article "Hooked from the First Cigarette"
(Photo by Juan Jackson)
Health Insurers to Stop Paying Hospitals for Medical Mishaps
By Dianne Finch on Monday, January 28, 2008.Starting this year, a few health insurers in the state say they’ll stop paying hospitals for conditions caused by medical mishaps.
Last year, Medicare implemented similar rules.
Proponents say that the trend will likely boost patient safety and lower healthcare costs.
NHPR’s Dianne Finch reports.
