Public Health Scene

State health officials report that the flu is now widespread in Minnesota. While not all of the cases are the swine flu, or H1N1, officials believe it's playing a big role in the upsurge.

So, what are the symptoms? We asked John Finnegan, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

He provides background on H1N1, explains the symptoms, who is most at risk and explains when someone should seek medical care.

Listen to Finnegan on Public Health Scene (4:58)

Posted by Mark Engebretson at 3:27 PM
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The University of Minnesota hosted a panel Thursday morning on the global impact of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu. As WCCO news reported, however, it was not just an academic discussion. The U was part of the story.

University officials say that about 50 to 60 students had H1N1 as of Sept. 10.

"I think that it's going to take off here. I think that we're going to see many more cases. This is just the very, very beginning of it," said University of Minnesota Dean of the School of Public Health John Finnegan.

Read or watch the WCCO report

Meanwhile, Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, stated during the panel discussion that "college campuses will continue to be the primary seeding location for much of the rest of the country."

Listen to the entire presentation with Finnegan, Osterholm, and others

The panel disucssion was hosted by the Global Health Initiative of the Woodrow Wilson Center

Posted by Mark Engebretson at 3:43 PM
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For many Midwesterners, the tanning bed is a necessity of life. Now, it's also officially a cancer-causing agent, according to the World Health Organization.

In a recent report, the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer states that there is a causal link between ultraviolet radiation produced by tanning beds and cancer.

DeAnn Lazovich a University of Minnesota cancer epidemiologist, explains.

Based on this report and her own research, Lazovich offers advice.

Listen to Lazovich on our Public Health Moment podcast

Posted by Mark Engebretson at 12:17 PM
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