HealthCetera

HealthCetera Producer Kristi Westphaln shares a personal […]

As our population lives longer with more […]

In many ways, the state of Kentucky […]

The drive along the coastal California San Diego 5 freeway yields gorgeous ocean views, blue skies, and rolling hills. Additionally, a large brown sign greets travelers with the promise of “preserving California’s precious resources.” This iconic sign announces both the United States Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton and a very important promise. While recently driving past the sign with one of my favorite kindergarteners, he excitedly provided a fantastic Tolkien-esque Gollum impression followed by a simple question- what is precious?. After a tickle and a giggle, I happily hissed back to him, “you are my precious.” My answer was transparent and his reaction was golden. As the Trump administration continues to support actions that will adversely impact families across America, it’s important to delve deeper into what America truly holds most precious. Federal actions such as gutting medicaid, defunding family planning services, disregarding the science behind climate change, and proposing cuts for coverage of essential health benefits and/or preexisting conditions hold both real time and generational consequences for the American people. Health policy conversations remain trapped in polarized partisan rhetoric and the question remains- what is America’s most precious resource and what is the best strategy to protect it? The uncertainty of the federal political landscape has fostered many opportunities for state leaders to get local. Challenges may continue over the next few years, yet hope exists through the passion of persistence of our state leaders! As a champion of diversity in the state of California, Assemblymember Todd Gloria joins Healthcetera Radio to share his journey in preserving California’s most precious resources. Along with representing the 78th Assembly District of California, he also serves as the Assistant Majority Whip and Chair for the Assembly Committee on Housing Affordability. During his first year serving in the California Assembly, he has proven to be an amazing advocate for vulnerable and underserved populations in San Diego, California.  Tune in as Assemblymember Gloria and Senior Fellow Kristi Westphaln discuss transgender youth and the LGBTQ community, california's housing crisis, HIV, health care, immigration, and more. Additionally, Todd shares strategies for citizens to become engaged in how to “get local” to support dignity and diversity for all Americans.

HealthCetera Radio Producer Kenya Beard, EdD, RN, interviews Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach, cognitive scientists who discuss their new book, Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone.

HealthCetera Producer Eve Adler interviews Ferris Kawar, Co-Founder and Vice President of Greenopia, about sustainable communities.

HealthCetera Radio producer and moderator Diana Mason, PhD, RN, interviews Dawn Fairlie, PhD, RN, Professor of Nursing at the College of Staten Island, about her recent study that found that family members are more comfortable making a decision not to pursue CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation) when the discussion is framed as "Allow a Natural Death" or AND, instead of "Do Not Resuscitate" or DNR. Dr. Fairlie provides some resources to help people complete advance directives and consider whether to approve a DNR or AND order.

At a recent workshop for the San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Olympian and Certified Life Coach Mary Andrews suggests that thinking like an Olympian can help lead individuals through fear and ambiguity. Andrews is no stranger to complex, volatile, and high stress environments. She represented the United States in the javelin throw for the 1980 Olympic Games. Her unique lived experiences as an elite athlete, a life coach, and her passion for empowering others has forged the path for her to inspire greatness. Andrews offers important insight about how Olympians address fear and uncertainty: “Fear is informative and it’s sometimes necessary to come to grips with it. Olympians always play big and they plan for the worst-case scenario. They give time to the fear, then plan and prepare for it. Let it inform, don’t deny it, and always remain in constant action for what you want.” Andrews’ advice rings true for all who may be struggling with the current political climate or life in general.

HealthCetera co-producer and host Barbara Glickstein interviews her about her hot-off-the-press graphic memoir, Taking Turns: Stories from HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371 published by The Pennsylvania State University Press. This graphic novel takes us back to a moment in history at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. We meet MK Czerciew, the novice nurse and the team of health care providers, patients, families and friends on Unit 371 at the Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. For the younger generation, who are increasingly turning to the graphic novel, not born yet during this pre-protease inhibitor therapy or PrEP therapy for HIV/AIDS, Taking Turns provides a them with a part of the history. For the rest of us, it provides an opportunity to reflect on those times with full hearts and many memories. MK Czerwiec is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement at George Washington University School of Nursing.

HealthCetera Radio producer Kristi Westphaln, RN, PNP, MSN, interviews Kim Aquaviva, a social workers on faculty at the George Washington University School of Nursing, about transgender youth.

The World Health Organization refers to health […]

  The American Health Care Act, the […]

    This past week I attended […]

Usha Ranji is Associate Director for Women’s Health Policy at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Her work addresses the impact of major health policy issues on women and girls, with an emphasis on insurance coverage, access to care, and low-income populations. Ms. Ranji was a panelist on the Voices from the Future of Reproductive Health Care. She provided an excellent over-view of the impact that the Affordable Care Act, Title X , Medicaid has had on women's health.

Emily Stewart, Director of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Federation of America presented on Tuesday's panel: The Future of Reproductive Health Care: Prospects for 2017. She addressed the Republican's move to eliminate Planned Parenthood's funding. Planned Parenthood gets its funding from several different government sources. According to the group's most recent annual report, Planned Parenthood affiliates got $553.7 million from federal, state, and local governments, accounting for almost half of its total funding. The report shows that about 75 percent of that government support comes from the Medicaid program to pay for direct medical services provided to low-income patients, including contraception, cancer screenings and sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment. The remaining quarter comes from other sources, primarily the Title X federal family planning program. She debunked myths reported that these funds are used for abortions and the impact defunding would have on women in the United States.