Minnesota plays a unique role in the arena of health, with impactful political/cultural moments, and important contributions from institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Hazelden, UCare, among others. Over the decades, MPR News and American RadioWorks have produced a breadth of reports and programming specifically dedicated to the subject of health. This collection includes interviews, debates, speeches, and documentaries that provide greater detail to the many facets of healthcare, from both a local and national perspective.
April 19, 1989 - MPR’s Stephen Smith and Tom Meersman present “Burning the Needles,” a documentary report on the issues of medical waste and the challenges in how to dispose of it.
May 9, 1989 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on the concern over contaminants such as mercury, PCBs, and dioxin in northern Minnesota fish. Some are concerned that the contaminated fish might cause a decrease in fishing and tourism, but others said there are simply nothing to worry about.
July 28, 1989 - Steven Smith, reporter.
October 19, 1989 - Laura Oatman, public health engineer at the Minnesota Health Department, talks radon with MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten. Oatman details the serious danger of the naturally occurring gas.
November 7, 1989 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Rural Health Care,” John Biewen looks at the struggle to get doctors in rural Minnesota. Biewen interviews numerous medical professionals about the issue.
November 8, 1989 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Rural Health Care,” Rachel Raebe visits Browerville, Minnesota to see how town is coping after losing its hospital. Only an empty building remains.
November 9, 1989 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Rural Health Care,” Leif Enger reports on how rural health administration officials have found creative ways in bringing in money with non-traditional duties.
November 10, 1989 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Rural Health Care,” John Biewen reports from Mankato’s Immanuel Saint Joseph's Hospital, a regional hospital that is used as a resource to surrounding rural communities without local hospital specialty options. Biewen also looks at Mankato physicians traveling into rural areas.
November 21, 1989 - MPR’s Stephen Smith presents "Armed in America," an examination on gun ownership and gun control in the United States, and more specifically, in Minnesota. Program highlights topics of crime, protection and cultural impact of firearms.
December 2, 1989 - Tom Coplin, owner of Coplin Physical Therapy, discusses how to prepare for winter activities; how to avoid winter injuries; and if hurt, what to do. Coplin also answers listener questions.