health

Future topics: patient privacy rights, the farmers market and traveling healthy

Leah Landry — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:49:18 +0000

Join us this Sunday on Take Care for a discussion on patient privacy rights. What happens when you surrender privacy for lower insurance premiums at work? A national patient's rights advocate warns us of the risks involved.

Then, got back pain? As many as 80 percent of Americans do at some point in their lives. A leading back expert explains how to minimize back pain and offers tips on prevention. Plus- coming soon to a farmer's market near you: tender lettuce, sun-warmed strawberries, and red ripe tomatoes. Get expert tips for smart shopping from a local producer who heads up a year-round farmer's market.

Cynthia Morrow on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:36:36 +0000

When it comes to health, what does the region do well, and what does it do poorly? What are the next frontiers in making the community healthier? In this edition of the Campbell Conversations, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Cynthia Morrow reflects on recent statistics about the county's health, discusses different approaches that communities and government can take toward improving health, and speculates about possible futures.

Schumer calls for curbing of hydrocodone prescriptions

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:05:19 +0000

Sen. Charles Schumer is continuing his assault on the misuse of prescription drugs with a proposal to tighten control over the painkiller hydrocodone.

Fracking overshadows other issues on Earth Day

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:16:00 +0000

On Earth Day lobby day at the state Capitol, whether or not to allow hydrofracking in New York continues to be the dominant issue.

Events like Boston Marathon bombing can have psychological effect on everyone

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:19:55 +0000

Central and northern New York may be hundreds of miles from Boston, but there is still a psychological fallout for people in this region and across the country from the marathon bombing and subsequent manhunt.

Farmers and foodies call for fracking ban

Ashley Hassett — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:50:42 +0000

A coalition of farmers and foodies are urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to ban hydraulic fracturing in New York state right away. Groups across the state are expected to meet throughout the week to alert the public to the risks they believe fracking poses to the state’s agricultural viability.

Just 20 minutes: The surprising science of exercise

Take Care Staff — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 23:05:00 +0000

This week on Take Care, an interview with Gretchen Reynolds, journalist, author and fitness advocate. Her most recent book “The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer” explains that being fit doesn’t have to mean running a marathon. In fact, just getting up and moving around regularly can greatly reduce your risk of dying prematurely.

(click on "Read more" for the podcast of this interview and more information)

Heel thyself

Take Care Staff — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 23:00:00 +0000

This week on Take Care, an interview with Dr. Neal Blitz on the negative effects wearing high heels can have on posture, the spine, and the wearer’s over-all orthopedic and podiatric health. Dr. Blitz is chief of foot surgery and associate chairman of orthopedics at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in New York City, and a leading authority on bunion surgery.

(click on "Read more" for the podcast of this interview and more information)

Take Care debuts this Sunday evening

Leah Landry — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:48:23 +0000

WRVO Public Media is adding a new half-hour program to its Sunday evening broadcast schedule. "Take Care," a conversation on health and wellness, will be co-hosted and produced by Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen.

Local health experts promote workplace wellness programs

Ellen Abbott — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:34:00 +0000

Stickley, Audi and Co. could be a poster child for workplace wellness. The 900 employees at the Manlius furniture making company lost a collective 2,600 pounds during its last round of a Biggest Loser contest, inspired by the popular TV show.

Fracking delay could take weeks or much longer

Matt Richmond — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:49:15 +0000

On Tuesday, New York state officials announced another delay of their final decision on hydrofracking. The Department of Environmental Conservation will wait for a report on the health protections in its environmental review of fracking. Then the environmental review can be completed. The delay could be less than a month or it could be much longer. But one thing is clear - the delayed health review is now the key factor in deciding whether or not fracking will go ahead in New York.

New technologies can help seniors "age in place"

Catherine Loper — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 11:05:07 +0000

As the number of seniors citizens in America grows each year, the issue of how to make life easier for older people is growing in importance as well. One researcher, Joe Coughlin, has made it his passion to use technology to help people live longer and live better. WRVO's Catherine Loper spoke with Coughlin, who has roots in upstate New York, when he was in Syracuse this fall.

Nutrition program to help HIV/AIDS patients stay healthier

Joanna Richards — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:26:11 +0000

Advancements in AIDS treatment means that people with the illness are living longer than ever. That means they need to take better care of their long-term health. A new program for AIDS patients in the north country focuses on improving their nutrition.

Could a mobile app beat the flu?

Kate O'Connell — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 13:30:02 +0000

Imagine using your smart phone to avoid getting the flu. A new mobile app designed by researchers at the University of Rochester could make it possible.

In the Adirondacks, a new model of primary care

Sarah Harris — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:36:40 +0000

On a Monday afternoon in December the Moreau Family Health Center, just south of Glens Falls, is packed. The doctor’s seeing patients back-to-back - and so is care coordinator Jessica Casey.

Simple Admit tries to make those pre-op screenings a little easier

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:05:03 +0000

You don't have to know the answer to every question. And a little cartoon dog named Sam will pop up to let you know if you messed something up.

Can a warmer office make us healthier?

Matt Richmond — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:14:28 +0000

At Cornell University’s Ergonomics Center, Professor Alan Hedge demonstrates new designs for a computer mouse. One looks like an old-fashioned desktop penholder. There’s one that looks like the throttle on a airplane. And another is long and flat.

A hospital invests not only in new buildings, but a neighborhood

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:56:00 +0000

Construction cranes poke above the already looming structure of St. Joseph's Hospital on the north side of Syracuse. Women in hospital scrubs and men in reflective vests and hard hats walk past, but Dominic Robinson is facing the other direction.

UAlbany expands research into RNA

Marie Cusick — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:18:00 +0000

Most of us know all about DNA, the genetic building blocks that make us unique. But in recent years, there’s a lot of interest in RNA— a molecule that controls how our genes are expressed.

Information technology improves health care in the North Country

Joanna Richards — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:11:00 +0000

While lots of industries turned to information technology long ago to improve efficiency, accuracy and collaboration, until now, health care has lagged behind. Now, a big project has aimed to leverage IT in the health care in the state’s rural North Country.

DEC says discussion about pollution on Watertown's north side to continue

Joanna Richards — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:28:00 +0000

At a packed public meeting November 7 in Watertown, state environmental and health officials began a dialogue with members of the public concerned about pollution on the city's north side, with the New York Air Brake plant at the center of concern. Now, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials talk about what they'll do with the new information from the meeting, and what might come next.

Cuomo says fracking study will not be done by deadline

WRVO News — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:38:56 +0000

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says a health study of hydrofracking will make it impossible to meet a looming deadline for regulations on the drilling process, which would pushing a much-delayed decision on the contentious issue into 2013.

Drillers impatient with slow pace of fracking review

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:09:55 +0000

Gas drilling companies in New York state says they’re “exhausted” by a more than four-year long review process on whether to allow hydrofracking in New York, that they say they now fear will drag on into 2013.

Onondaga County considers smoking ban in parks

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:07:10 +0000

Onondaga County lawmakers are considering the possibility of a smoking ban in county parks and the perimeter of county facilities. But an initial proposal from the county executive's office needs to be whittled down before lawmakers will agree to it.

Onondaga County warns of Shigella outbreak

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:32:56 +0000

It's not clear where it came from, but an outbreak of shigellosis, more commonly known as shigella, continues to afflict dozens of people in Onondaga County.

Anti-fracking health experts question state health study

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:59:50 +0000

A group of public health experts are questioning whether Governor Andrew Cuomo’s health officials can do a credible job reviewing a health study on hydrofracking, saying independent reviewers would be a better choice.

Cuomo says health review of hydrofracking is "no step back"

Karen Dewitt and Ryan Delaney — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:07:08 +0000

New York state recently decided to conduct a health review of the controversial natural gas extraction method, hydrofracking. This will likely cause a November deadline to be missed and the public comment period to be re-opened. However, during a visit to Syracuse on Tuesday Governor Cuomo denied that he is stalling the process, saying a delay in the state’s decision on allowing hydrofracking is not a “step back.”

Cuomo's environmental agency to study fracking's health impact

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:11:59 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s environmental commissioner is rejecting calls by environmentalists for an independent health impact study on hydrofracking. But Environmental Commissioner Joe Martens, says the state’s health commissioner has agreed to conduct a review.

Erin Brockovich's firm speaks out against industrial pollution in Watertown

Joanna Richards — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:28:30 +0000

You may remember actor Julia Roberts’ portrayal of environmental activist Erin Brockovich in the 2001 movie of the same name. The real Brockovich was scheduled to visit Watertown last night. But she got sick and was unable to travel.

Instead, concerned residents who live near the toxic waste site caused by the New York Air Brake factory got to talk with Brockovich’s representative. Some believe pollution in the area has caused them health problems.

Following death from West Nile, governments look to prevention

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:10:24 +0000

In the shadow of the death of an elderly Syracuse man from West Nile Virus this week, local governments continue to try to get the word out about how to stay away from the disease that is carried by mosquitos.

Local government and health officials met Tuesday at Beaver Lakes Nature Center in Baldwinsville to discuss West Nile prevention. The summit was organized by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)

"We're certainly going to try to educate the public and reach out to tell people to protect themselves," said Town of Lysander engineer Al Yeager. The town is launching an education campaign on its village website.