“Sound Medicine,” also available via podcast and Stitcher Radio for mobile phones and iPads, covers controversial ethics topics, breakthrough research studies and the day-to-day application of recent advancements in medicine.
What is the secret behind the ALIVE program’s success? The John Hopkins School of Public Health ALIVE program, or AIDS Linked to the Intravenous Experience, is celebrating 25 years of research into HIV and injection drug use. A large part of the program’s success can be attributed to a single person known as Bert. In a special field piece, Scott Goldberg chronicles Bert’s amazing journey from a heroin user to valued employee of the ALIVE program who is responsible for tracking down study participants who have missed visits.
How can we fight obesity at a societal level? The Institute of Medicine recently released its report on obesity, and the outlook is not good from a public health perspective. The Institute of Medicine concluded that the obesity epidemic is deeply engrained in our culture, and extreme public policy measures will have to be taken to properly confront the crisis. “Sound Medicine” frequent public health policy contributor Aaron Carroll, M.D., discusses the report and the barriers in our culture that impede healthy eating habits. Also, he shares potential public policy changes such as a soda tax and regulating school lunches that would fight obesity at a systemic level.
Are gaps present in seniors’ health care? Rosanne Leipzig, M.D., conducted a survey by the John A. Hartford Foundation about senior wellness. The results made it apparent that many seniors are not receiving the preventive care necessary to thwart avoidable medical problems. Dr. Leipzig visits “Sound Medicine” this week to share her insight regarding the kinds of care seniors are missing and the importance of wellness visits.
What would your doctor do in your shoes? A recent study suggests that physicians make safer, more conservative treatment plans for their patients than they would make for themselves in the same situation. Kathy Miller, M.D., of “Sound Medicine” discusses how this has played a role in her career and the impact this could have on patients.
How does the industry shape health and fitness myths? The fitness industry is cluttered with fads and trends that may or may not be supported by sound scientific evidence, along with myths that many people subscribe to as a part of their health regimen. Tim Caulfield confronts the legitimacy of these myths in his book “The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages About Health, Fitness and Happiness.” This week on “Sound Medicine,” Caulfield describes the contrasting messages we receive from the health industry and the role that health policy researchers may play in shaping these messages.
“Sound Medicine,” co-produced by the IU School of Medicine and WFYI Public Radio (90.1 FM) and underwritten in part by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, is aired on the following Indiana public radio stations: WBSB (Anderson, 89.5 FM), WFIU (Bloomington, 103.7 FM; Columbus, 100.7 FM; Kokomo, 106.1 FM; Terre Haute, 95.1 FM), WNDY (Crawfordsville, 91.3 FM), WVPE (Elkhart/South Bend, 88.1 FM), WNIN (Evansville, 88.3 FM), WBOI (Fort Wayne, 89.1 FM), WFCI (Franklin, 89.5 FM), WBSH (Hagerstown/New Castle, 91.1 FM), WFYI (Indianapolis), WBSW (Marion, 90.9 FM), WBST (Muncie, 92.1 FM), WBSJ (Portland, 91.7 FM), WLPR (Lake County, 89.1 FM) and WBAA (West Lafayette, 101.3 FM).
“Sound Medicine” is also broadcast on these public radio stations across the country: WLRH (Huntsville, Ala.), KSKA (Anchorage, Alaska), KTNA (Talkeetna, Alaska), KUHB (Pribilof Islands, Alaska), KUAF (Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Ark.), KIDE (Hoopa Valley, Calif.), KRCC (Colorado Springs, Colo.), KEDM (Monroe, La.), WCMU (Mount Pleasant, Mich.), WCNY and WRVO-1 (Syracuse, N.Y.), KMHA (Four Bears, N.D.), WYSU (Youngstown, Ohio), KPOV (Bend, Ore.) and KEOS (College Station, Texas).