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.
March 22, 1994 - Midday focuses on how public policy effects the use of alcohol. Allan Spear, Minnesota state senator; and George Hacker, director of the Alcohol Policies Project of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, discuss legislation (both state and national) intended to stop alcohol abuse. Spear and Hacker also answer listener questions.
April 8, 1994 - U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks at Minnesota Nurses Association rally at the IDS crystal court in downtown Minneapolis for an address about health care reform. MPR’s Dan Olson reports from rally.
May 12, 1994 - MPR's Stephen Smith and Bill Catlin present "A Suffering Mind," a documentary about depression. Documentary interviews individuals battling depression and psychologists and about a commonly misunderstood condition.
June 13, 1994 - Connie Goldman, former Minnesota Public Radio reporter, presents "The Ageless Spirit: Conversations in Praise of Age," a program about growing older that she produced and narrated. Goldman traveled the country gathering insight and interviews with celebrities in their 50s and beyond. They shared their hopes, passions and concerns about the second half of their lives.
July 19, 1994 - Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole and President Bill Clinton speaking before the Plenary Session of the National Governors Association Convention in Boston's Hynes Convention Center. Speeches highlighted differing views on proposals for federal health care coverage. The biggest debate is the issue of universal coverage. Following speeches, MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Dave Durenberger, Minnesota U.S. Senator (I-R), who provides commentary about legislative health care reform.
August 5, 1994 - On this First Friday program, MPR’s Beth Friend presents story and interview collection that includes: discussion with rape activists; interviews with authors Jeff Torrington and Nina Vida about their books, a look back at the history of American movie theatres, and the magic of Monarch butterflies, amongst other segments.
August 17, 1994 - U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone comments on what was found in U.S. Army documents about spraying in parts of Minnesota in the 1950s. Wellstone worked to get information released.
August 18, 1994 - Jon Gordon reports on St. Paul School Board Teaching and Learning Committee’s hearing regarding gay & lesbian support groups in the school district. Report includes commentary from both opponents and proponents of the program for gay and lesbian students.
September 29, 1994 - Marna Canterbury, a nutrition advisor at Health Partners, discusses a project that promotes various healthy alternatives. The project sponsors a challenge to local restaurants in offering health focused dishes.
October 6, 1994 - Eli Coleman, director of program on Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota, discusses results of research study, which includes insight that measuring behavior is not the only piece in defining sexual health. Topics of married couples and sexual preference are discussed.