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.
October 11, 1994 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen looks at the ongoing debate over support groups developed for gay and lesbian students in local public schools and St. Paul School District’s approval of a more expansive program, Out For Equity. Reports includes comments from a student who utilized program, educators involved in program, and criticism of the support groups from a member of Minnesota Family Council.
October 20, 1994 - Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, pediatrician and professor emeritus of clinical pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, speaking at the University of Minnesota on what he sees as the primary problems in childcare, and what we can do to fix them. After the speech, Dr. Brazelton answered audience questions.
October 24, 1994 - New York Times nutrition and health columnist Jane Brody will be in the studios to answer listener questions about food, nutrition, and health.
November 18, 1994 - MPR’s Marlena Benzie-Lourey reports on a forum to discuss solutions in reducing and eventually phasing out mercury in Lake Superior basin. The forum is made up of industry representatives and environmentalists from the U.S. and Canada.
December 24, 1994 - Midday studio guest is William Doherty, director of marriage and family therapy programs at the University of Minnesota. Doherty answers questions about family dynamics during the holiday season, and listeners call in with stories about their families' holiday rituals, traditions and expectations.
January 3, 1995 - A Midday discussion on welfare reform with KJ Jacobson from Women for Change; Susan Rowe from the welfare rights group Women, Work and Welfare; and John Petraborg, deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
January 12, 1995 - Judy Knapp, director of the St. Paul-based Minnesota Smoke-Free 2000 Coalition, details results of cigarette tax poll.
February 13, 1995 - Dr. Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Minnesota, provides a definition of the Office of Surgeon General.
March 9, 1995 - Voices of Minnesota, featuring a conversation with doctor John Najarian and his work with organ transplants.
March 9, 1995 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Dr. Guilford Hartley, doctor of internal medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, about the limitations of dieting. Dr. Hartley also discusses the limits of exercise alone in losing weight. He states lifestyle changes is the best opportunity in losing weight.