Public Health Moment
October 08, 2008
Breast Cancer Awareness
 Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. This year, nearly 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. And about 40,000 women will die from the disease.
Who is at risk and what are the risk factors?
We asked Kristin Anderson, a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota.
• Listen to Anderson on Public Health Moment
September 30, 2008
Social Oppression, Homosexuality, and Health
 For more than 150 years, scholars and educators have debated whether homosexuality is an objective disorder or whether social oppression, not homosexuality, leads to the higher rates of depression, drug use, and HIV in gay men.
In a study of 422 Midwestern gay and bisexual men, Simon Rosser, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist, found that in all cases, internalized negative attitudes about homosexuality predicted poorer mental health.
• Listen to Rosser on Public Health Moment
September 23, 2008
The Health Benefit of Whole Grains
 Each year the Whole Grains Council promotes September as Whole Grains Month.
Why are whole grains important for our diet? We asked Lyn Steffen, a University of Minnesota expert on nutrition.
• Listen to Steffen on Public Health Moment
September 18, 2008
Healthy Aging
September is Healthy Aging Month, a campaign intended to focus attention on the positive aspects of growing older.
Lyn Steffen, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist, says that it’s important for seniors to adopt healthy dietary practices in order to better manage chronic conditions.
• Listen to Steffen on Public Health Moment
September 11, 2008
Alcohol Sales in Sports Stadiums
 A new University of Minnesota study found that three out of four people posing as intoxicated fans and one out of five trying to pass as underage drinkers succeeded in buying alcohol at sports stadiums around the country.
Researcher Traci Toomey, who led the study, has more.
Listen to Toomey on Public Health Moment
September 04, 2008
Prostate Cancer Screening
 A national task force of has recommended that doctors stop screening men ages 75 and older for prostate cancer because the search for the disease in this group was causing more harm than good.
The PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen test is the screening method that doctors use, says Tim Church, a University of Minnesota expert on cancer screenings.
• Listen to Church on Public Health Moment
August 28, 2008
Binge Drinking on Campus
 What is the cause of binge drinking among college students? A new 14-year study links it to college culture — campus environments that allow easy access to inexpensive alcohol and have weak control policies and lax enforcement.
Toben Nelson, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist who worked on the study, has more.
Listen to Nelson on Public Health Moment
August 19, 2008
PFCs and Lake Johanna
 In the first study of its kind locally, University of Minnesota researchers are analyzing perfluorochemical levels—or PFCs—of Lake Johanna, a St. Paul suburban lake that contains high PFC levels but is not connected to any known source of PFCs.
Matt Simcik, a University of Minnesota professor of environmental health, says what he learns in Lake Johanna will be beneficial for other lakes in Minnesota and the United States.
• Listen to Simcik on Public Health Moment
August 05, 2008
Alcohol and Homicides
 A new study has found that poor neighborhoods with high concentrations of African Americans had higher homicide rates and significantly greater numbers of off-sale alcohol stores than other neighborhoods.
Rhonda Jones-Webb, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist, says this study was unique because it looked at neighborhoods rather than individuals.
• Listen to Jones-Webb on Public Health Moment
July 29, 2008
Obesity Rate Stabilizes
 Childhood obesity has been on the rise for more than 20 years. Now, however, the rate appears to have stabilized.
Melissa Nelson, a University of Minnesota expert on nutrition and obesity, says the news should be greeted with cautious optimism.
• Listen to Nelson on Public Health Moment
July 23, 2008
Rise in Health Insurance Premiums
 Over the last five years, employer-based health insurance premiums have increased 10 times faster than workers’ incomes.
That’s according to a study from the University of Minnesota’s State Health Access Data Assistance Center.
Associate Professor Lynn Blewett led the study.
• Listen to Blewett on Public Health Moment
July 18, 2008
Fish Consumption Advisories
A diet that includes fish provides an excellent source of low-fat protein and may reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
But fish can contain contaminants such as mercury that can harm human health.
Matt Simcik, a University of Minnesota professor of environmental health sciences, recommends following the Minnesota fish consumption guidelines.
• Listen to Simcik on Public Health Moment
July 08, 2008
Summer Grilling Tips
It’s peak summer grilling season—an especially important time to follow some basic cooking guidelines.
For example, don’t burn or char meat. Studies indicate it may lead to cancer.
That’s according to Kristin Anderson, a University of Minnesota cancer epidemiologist.
• Listen to Anderson on Public Health Moment
July 03, 2008
Sleep and Mortality
 Getting a good night’s sleep appears to be important factor for health and longevity for people of all ages—but especially for older adults.
A University of Minnesota study involving 3,000 men over age 67 found higher mortality rates among those whose sleep patterns were irregular and whose activity levels were uneven.
Researcher Misti Paudel has more.
• Listen to Paudel on Public Health Moment
June 30, 2008
Salmonella and Tomatoes
 More than 500 people in 32 states have become sick after eating tomatoes carrying salmonella bacteria.
Craig Hedberg, a University of Minnesota expert in food-borne disease, says that we’re seeing an increase because people are eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and also because public health officials are doing a better job of identifying outbreaks.
• Listen to Hedberg on Public Health Moment
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Last modified on Monday Jul 02, 2007