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.
December 2, 1974 - A teen girl died from sniffing Pam, a spray vegetable coating used in cooking, consisting of 98 percent Freon and 2 percent vegetable oil. North Dakota State Toxicology Lab scientists Dr. N.G. Raugh and Dr. Alphonse Bocklus explain what Freon is and the dangers involved in sniffing it to get high. Freon, a brand name now used generically for a fluorocarbon, is found in spray product propellants in various concentrations.
December 30, 1974 - Anthropologist and author Margaret Mead speaks at American Museum of Natural History conference on aging.
April 4, 1975 - MPR’s Connie Goldman reports on the controversy that’s erupted over a directive banning teaching, advising directing, or suggesting of abortion or birth control in the classroom, issued by superintendent of South St Paul's Public School District.
April 14, 1975 - MPR’s Greg Barron presents the documentary “A Matter of Life and Death.” Barron rides with a paramedic unit at the Ramsey County Hospital in St. Paul, and in the process records during a call to save the life of a heart-attack victim.
May 29, 1975 - Dr. William Nolan, Litchfield surgeon and author of several books including "The Making of a Surgeon," speaking on the importance of good doctor-patient communication.
June 3, 1975 - Conference of American Industrial Hygiene Association. Explanation of what an industrial hygenist is. Objective is to protect the health of workers. Hygenists are trained in conditions that adversely affect health, to recognize occupational problems. Examples would be chemicals that would be objectionable although not damaging to health. More chemicals than ever in the workplace, learn more about how body responds. Four main stresses in workplace: chemical, physical, biological, ergonomics. Hygenists can be industry, government, academia. Talking about Industrial Hygiene
June 5, 1975 - Edward Baretta, interviewee: Fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons used in propellants. Abuse of these propellents by teens who discover huffing gives a high, absorbing into the body at 15 to 20 percent in atmosphere cause fibrillation of heart, can't pump blood, heart failure and sometimes death. Experiments find not as much problem to general public as once thought. With normal use of spray cans no adverse effects. Traces of these elements in atmosphere.
July 17, 1975 - Ann Zauikas of Minnesota Migrant Health Services laments the lack of proper resources to address health concerns of migrant population before they happen, i.e., preventative medicine.
July 17, 1975 - Migrant workers face issues at local health clinics due to lack of funds. Flooding during the year may have resulted in higher instances of respiratory and intestinal diseases.
October 1, 1975 - The frequency of claims is the most alarming aspect of malpractice turmoil. Adverse drug reaction, patients' unrealistic expectations and loss of job rather than negligence are the reasons for many suits, as is the state's tort system, so says a Mr. Burnswag, testifying before a state subcommittee on malpractice.