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 30, 1972 - Consumer injuries from snowmobiles, snow blowers, bicycles and other machines being analyzed by NICE for safety standards. NICE, a committee operating under the US Food and Drug Administration analyze safety standards and statistics.
October 30, 1972 - Human growth week, Dr. Allan Drash, M.D. Director of the Clinical Studies Center of Children's Hospital at Pittsburgh and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh?s School of Medicine. Psychological problems tend to be more of a problem than physical functioning issues. Severe short stature can be a potential social problem; it can make it difficult to be hired for jobs. Some physical problems can be an inability to drive a car. The desks are too big in school, toilets too high.
October 30, 1972 - Coordination of medical training throughout the state of Minnesota. The future medical needs in central Minnesota. Linkages could be made between health care providers. The 3 million dollars from the University of Minnesota could be used towards training of doctors around the state. Importance of maintaining training of doctors and nurses
December 22, 1972 - Dr. William A. Nolen discusses problems in potentially unnecessary surgeries, specifically hysterectomies performed on women.
February 7, 1973 - Why men would choose to have a vasectomy. Side effects are much more minimal than the hormone treatment for women, but the simplest and most surefire birth control method is the vasectomy. However, men and partners should consider whether they want children before getting a vasectomy.
February 7, 1973 - Primarily because of experiments on animals and some humans, the vasectomy is seen as a good method of birth control as it has few side effects for the man. The procedure involves cutting the vas deference, which prevents the sperm from leaving the body. The sperm is then absorbed into the male's body.
March 2, 1973 - Protest on Nixon daycare cutbacks, and a call for Minnesota healthcare. Nixon daycare cutbacks, healthcare, welfare. Minnesota Children's Lobby.
March 13, 1973 - Legislation on non-smoking resolution. Note: not a law, but a resolution. Smoking, cigarettes, lucky strikes and Kool commercials, second hand smoke (says it's okay!)
March 13, 1973 - State daycare legislation. House Representative Arne Carlson speaks in favor of daycare funding. Nixon daycare cutbacks, healthcare, welfare.
March 20, 1973 - Several bills are before the legislature this session to regulate the hearing aid industry. Most are licensing bills for dealers of hearing aids. However one bill introduced in the Rep. Mike Sieben and Senator Conzemius requires that before a dealer may sell a hearing aid the buyer must obtain a prescription from a doctor. This ensures that the hearing aid is indicated and needed. The Attorney General?s office has run into the problem of dealers selling the devices to people who didn?t need them, either unwittingly or knowingly. A spokesman from the Attorney General?s office says not all hearing problems can be helped by a hearing aid. There are many different types and the correct type, or strength, is not always being recommended. Other physical problems may lead someone to think he has a hearing problem when he does not Dealers are not necessarily qualified to discover problems that may create hearing loss or the appearance of hearing loss Some dealers sell them much like cars, with the price being determined by the bargaining power of the buyer. The manufacturers suggest list prices and some dealers sell above or below that price The AG?s office has had many complaints about abuses by hearing aid dealers and supposed discounts that weren?t really discounts.