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November 9, 2009
Teen Car Accident Fatalities and GDL
 Motor vehicle accidents is the No. 1 cause of death for American teenagers.
In an effort to reduce this rate many states have adopted graduated driver's licensing standards — or GDL — for these young drivers.
But has GDL been effective? That's what University of Minnesota researcher Pinar Karaca-Mandic is trying to find out.
Listen to Karaca-Mandic on Public Health Moment
June 9, 2009
Smoking bans do not cause economic harm
 Smoking bans do not cause economic harm to bars and restaurants. That's according to a study led by epidemiologist Jean Forster from the University of Minnesota.
Forster and colleagues used state-mandated reporting data from 10 Minnesota cities for the years 2003 to 2006. That was before the introduction of a statewide smoking ban, but at a time when a number of local cities had adopted their own full or partial bans.
Forster says that smoking bans are an effective way to protect people--especially bar and restaurant employees--from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
• Listen to Forster on Public Health Moment
January 13, 2009
Radon Awareness
 According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 20,000 Americans die each year of lung cancer caused by exposure to radon. What is radon and what can we do to minimize our risk?
We asked Pete Raynor, an environmental health scientist at the University of Minnesota.
• Listen to Raynor on Public Health Moment
November 5, 2008
Plastic bottles, BPA, and Your Health
 Higher levels of Bisphenol A - or BPA - a chemical compound used in some plastic packaging for food and beverages, are associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver-enzyme abnormalities.
That's according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Bill Toscano, an environmental health professor at the University of Minnesota, explains why this study is unique.
• Listen to Toscano 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
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
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
May 28, 2008
Asthma Awareness
 Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that affects about 20 million Americans.
According to John Adgate, an associate professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota, asthma is on the rise.
• Listen to Adgate on Public Health Moment
November 6, 2007
Children's Health Study
 The University of Minnesota has been awarded nearly $14 million over five years to lead a national study assessing the effects of both environmental and genetic factors on children's health. The lead researcher is University of Minnesota professor Pat McGovern.
• Listen to McGovern on Public Health Moment
July 9, 2007
Fish Consumption Guidelines
 Minnesota, home of 10,000 lakes, leads the nation in the number of fishing licenses sold per capita.
But is it safe to eat the fish we catch?
It's an important question because fish can contain contaminants such as mercury, says Deb Swackhamer, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota.
• Listen to Deb Swackhamer on Public Health Moment
July 2, 2007
Summer Safety
 This week, families across the United States will be involved in numerous events as they celebrate summer and the independence of our country.
To ensure that our fun time is also safe, Nancy Nachreiner, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota, recommends a dose of common sense.
• Listen to Nachreiner on Public Health Moment
May 18, 2007
Asthma Awareness
 May is often the time when people with asthma notice that their symptoms worsen. Prevention is the first step in keeping those symptoms in check, says Ian Greaves, a University of Minnesota professor of environmental health sciences.
• Listen to Ian Greaves on Public Health Moment
November 14, 2006
How do I know if my home has lead paint?
 Exposure to lead paint can cause memory loss, negatively effect learning ability, interfere with your central nervous system, and cause reproductive problems.
So, how do I know whether my home has lead paint?
• Listen now to Lisa Brosseau on Public Health Moment
October 30, 2006
Asthma and Indoor Air Pollutants
The numbers of children with asthma is on the increase, but health professionals cannot say for sure why.
Ian Greaves, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota, has some insights.
• Listen to Ian Greaves on Public Health Moment
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Last modified on Monday Jul 02, 2007