Local students awarded for creative environmental protection
May 7, 2008
Students at Albright College in Reading have been using global positioning software to create digital land use maps of the Schuylkill River Watershed. Miles away, 6th graders at Springside School in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia have planted native plants in their driveway to help protect the Wissahickon. These are some of the environmental projects that received awards from the Schuylkill Action Network. WHYY's Peter Crimmins Reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Delaware health officals look for cancer causes in Sussex County
May 7, 2008
The season of health surveys in Sussex County continues. Delaware health experts are trying to find the cause or causes of cancer clusters. WHYY's Meegan Chiplock reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Previous stories: Cancer Clusters Revealed (4/25/08)
Cancer Cluster (4/17/08)
Philly sees drop in needle infected HIV
May 6, 2008
Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the 10 states with the highest numbers of people living with AIDS. But according to the latest report from the city of Philadelphia, the number of city residents contracting the disease through infected needles has dropped in recent years. The rates are on the rise in other groups. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
Listen to the mp3 »
Surgery for obese teens
May 2, 2008
Obesity is a problem facing growing numbers of adolescents - and for those who are more than 100 pounds overweight, the challenge to try and lose that weight can be immense. Doctors at a children's hospital in Delaware are now turning to surgical options that were previously reserved for adults. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
Listen to the mp3 »
 Seeking healthcare help
May 1, 2008
Protesters outside Mercy Hospital in West Philadelphia today say the hospital doesn't do enough to make sure uninsured patients are aware of charity services. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
Listen to the mp3 »
FDA asks Merck to shape up its vaccine plant
April 30, 2008
The Food and Drug Administration has asked Merck to shape up its vaccine plant in West Point, Pennsylvania. The agency found manufacturing conditions there sub-par. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Read the letter from FDA to Merck »
U.S. Falling Behind in Vaccination of Children
April 29, 2008
Many children in the United States are not up to date on their vaccines. Those are the findings of a report published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. From WHYY's Health and Science Desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
More info: American Journal of Preventive Medicine: Compliance with Vaccination Recommendations for U.S. Children (full report).
 Cancer Clusters Revealed
April 25, 2008
Delaware's public health division released information on eight cancer clusters in the state. The report follows pressure by environmental groups, media and lawmakers to disclose more data. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Cancer Cluster Reaction
April 24, 2008
Delaware Tonight talks to local residents and concerned families about the public health division's release of the cancer cluster areas. WHYY's Kyle Schmoyer has more on the report. watch
More info: See maps and additional coverage by the News Journal
Read the public health division's report
Energy Eaters
April 25, 2008
Vampire appliances are sucking the juice from your home, leading to higher energy costs. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with science and environment expert Mike Weilbacher. Listen to the mp3 »
 Psych Center Investigation
April 24, 2008
Lawmakers in Dover address problems and allegations of abuse at the Delaware Psychiatric Center. House members release legislation aimed at fixing the problems at the Delaware Psychiatric Center. watch
Website helps Families with Long-term Care Decisions
April 24, 2008
For nursing home patients, the tell-tale signs of problems with their care might be bed sores, infections or anxiety. Now families can instantly find out whether a nursing home has had a history of chronic violations. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Recycling Options
April 23, 2008
Next month residents in north Philadelphia will have a more convenient option for recycling - being able mix recyclables in one bin. The effort is also expected to earn the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. WHYY's Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Candidates' Healthcare Plans
April 21, 2008
The democratic presidential candidates are attacking each other's healthcare plans in a volley of television advertisements in Pennsylvania. From WHYY's health and science desk Kerry Grens has more. Listen to the mp3 »
See the Annenberg Political Fact Check's analysis of the ads.
Hospital Profits
April 18, 2008
A report out today finds Pennsylvania hospital profits have grown for the fifth year in a row. At the same time, the cost of health insurance to pay for care has also risen. From WHYY's health and science desk Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Earth Day
April 18, 2008
During this year's "Earth Day" and into the garden season, WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett found out from science and environment expert Mike Weilbacher, it is easy being "green."
Listen to the mp3 »
Cancer Cluster
April 17, 2008
The incidence of cancer and the cancer death rate is above the national average in Delaware. Some groups say the state's public health division has been blocking efforts to get data and investigate possible causes. Lawmakers are taking action now to try to force the division to disclose more information. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
Listen to the mp3 »
National Decision Day
April 16, 2008
National Decision Day is the first widespread effort by a host of organizations to encourage people to consider life and death healthcare decisions now. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with the Philadelphia-based American College of Physician's governor, Dr. Charles Cutler about the critical thought and decisions needed in creating an advanced directive, or living will, along with designating a healthcare proxy. There's more information and forms at www.acponline.org.
Listen to the mp3 »
Counting Calories?
April 11, 2008
In an effort to combat obesity, calorie information on menus could become a requirement at some Philadelphia restaurant chains. But restaurant owners are saying please don't make us. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
Listen to the mp3 »
 
Click on the images to make them bigger
Pharmacists in Need
April 9, 2008
A report on eight of Philadelphia's public health centers finds a severe shortage of pharmacists. The centers serve much of the city's uninsured and poor. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Listen to the previous health centers story »
Costly Errors
April 8, 2008
A study of Medicare records finds errors made by hospital staff cost more than eight billion dollars. And upcoming changes to Medicare rules say hospitals will have to start footing the bill. From WHYY's health and science desk Kerry Grens has more. Listen to the mp3 »
Citywide Cleanup
April 4, 2008
Thousands of volunteers are expected to take to streets, parks and empty lots tomorrow for Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter's citywide cleanup. His goal is to make Philadelphia one of the cleanest city's in the country. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports there are more benefits than beautification. Listen to the mp3 »
Voters Express Healthcare Concerns
April 4, 2008
Voters around Pennsylvania are gearing up for the April 22nd presidential primaries - often with debates around the dinner table. For one Collegeville couple, the discussion centers around healthcare. He's a republican and she's a democrat. And while they agree with the candidates that expanding health insurance coverage is good, they can't agree on how to do it. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens has more. Listen to the mp3 »
 Gluten Free
April 1, 2008
More people are being diagnosed with meat allergies than ever before, and local stores and bakeries are trying to help. One local baker gives her testimonial on how a gluten free diet has changed her life. From the health and science desk at WHYY, Kerry Grens reports.
Watch via RealPlayer »
Help for Health Centers
March 31, 2008
Philadelphia's public health centers are poised to receive the bulk of a three million dollar raise the mayor has proposed for the health department. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
City Council to Hear about Health Centers
March 31, 2008
Philadelphia City Council begins another week of budget hearings and today council members consider giving the health department a raise. From WHYY's Health and Science Desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
House Calls
March 28, 2008
Each year, house calls are becoming a more popular way to treat people with chronic illnesses. And while doctors, patients and insurance groups think they are a good idea, they are costly, time consuming, and still pretty rare. Now, with pending threats to the Medicare budget, some are afraid the rare breed of home visiting doctors could disappear. WHYY's health and science reporter Kerry Grens tagged along with one home visiting doctor in Philadelphia and filed this report. Listen to the mp3 »
Home visiting doctor Alfred Stillman is also guest on Voices in the Family March 31st, find out more about the show here ».
The Science of Skin
March 28, 2008
The science and evolution of human skin has been the focus of more than a decade of research for Penn State University anthropology chair Dr. Nina Jablonski. She will present her groundbreaking research at the Wagner Free Institute of Science as a Westbrook Lecture on March 29th. She talked with WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett. Listen to the mp3 »
Cancer Screening
March 24, 2008
A large study of people at risk for developing colon cancer finds that only a minority get tested for cancer through a procedure called colonoscopy. And the rates are even lower for African Americans. From the health and science desk at WHYY, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Juvenile Diabetes
March 20, 2008
Earlier this week the National Institutes of Health announced the launch of a new center to study the role of genetics in health disparities. One focus will be diabetes. In Pennsylvania, researchers have been collecting data on racial disparities and juvenile diabetes for decades. Now their push is to find out why those differences exist. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens has more. Listen to the mp3 »
Hospital Quality
March 19, 2008
A website launched today tells you how well hospitals are treating their patients. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Antiobiotic Resistance
March 17, 2008
Antiobiotic resistance is a huge problem for modern medicine. But proposed rules from the FDA to raise the standards for new antibiotics could end up backfiring. From the health and science desk at WHYY, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Lack of Health Insurance Kills
March 17, 2008
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is expected to vote today on Governor Ed Rendell's plan to use cigarette taxes and other funding sources to provide health coverage to about 300,000 uninsured working Pennsylvanians. The authors of a new study say that this expansion could prevent hundreds of deaths each year. WHYY's Bill Hangley has more. Listen to the mp3 »
Ovarian Cancer Treatments
March 14, 2008
Ovarian cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers. It's mostly detected only in later stages, when the outcomes are not good. About 10% of cases are inherited, and women can get a genetic test to find out if they carry one of the mutations that causes cancer. When that's the case, more and more women are taking drastic measures to prevent cancer by removing their ovaries. But new considerations are now emerging that may affect women's decisions. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Read a summary of the findings on ovary removal and reducing the risk of breast cancer here
Living with Wildlife
March 14, 2008
There are ways to co-exist with wildlife as we move into another growing season. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with John Hadidian, Director of Urban Wildlife programs at the Human Society of the United States. He has co-thored a guide: "Wild Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife." Listen to the mp3 »
There's also more information at www.hsus.org
EPA Air Quality Standards
March 13, 2008
Environmental officials and activists are sounding off on the EPA's new rules regarding air quality, saying they are too lax. The EPA yesterday released the new standard, which requires nearly 350 counties nationwide to make improvements. WHYY's Shai Ben-Yaacov reports. Listen to the mp3 »
Science Fair
March 12, 2008
It's science fair season. More than 500 Philadelphia students presented their science and math projects at the George Washington Carver science fair yesterday. And last night the national Intel science talent search announced the top ten winners in its annual competition. This was serious business - the grand prize is 100,000 dollars in scholarship money. Pennsylvania sent four students to Washington DC for the competition this year - that's the most that have made it to the finals in more than 20 years. From the health and science desk at WHYY, Kerry Grens has more on what it takes to get there. Listen to the mp3 »
And here are some pictures of the finalists, Clifford Kim, Isha Jain, Kenny Kao, and Ana Roda.
Ethanol Production Worries
March 7, 2008
A Nature Conservancy study points to concerns over depleting land to produce corn for ethanol production. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with science and environment expert Mike Weilbacher. Listen to the mp3 »
Horse Stable Raid
March 7, 2008
Decrepit horse stables in Philadelphia have been condemned following a raid by city officials and animal cruelty officers this week. Bulldozers are slated to level one section of the stables Friday morning, and as of Thursday night, owners were still evacuating horses. WHYY's Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
SPCA officer Wayne Smith says the horses at the stables on 27th and Fletcher were in good health.
A pony peaks out of a flimsy stable while its owner tries to find a new home for it immediately.
The stables are a mud and manure pit that posed a health risk to neighbors from run-off during rains.
Tire tracks lead down 27th Street from the stables, where owners had 24 hours to relocate their horses.
Long Term Care Insurance
March 6, 2008
State and federal governments currently have a big push underway to encourage people to buy long term care insurance. The plans cover expenses for things like nursing home care, long hospital stays, or visits from a home health aid. Traditionally, patients with conditions like Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis were denied outright by insurance companies. But now some are finding options are opening up. WHYY's Kerry Grens reports.
Listen to the mp3 »
Dementia Medications
March 3, 2008
Despite over a billion dollars in sales, drugs to treat dementia have very little benefit to patients. That's the finding of a report this week by the American College of Physicians. As WHYY's Kerry Grens reports, the group is urging doctors to take care when prescribing these medications. Read the findings here.
Listen to the mp3 »
WHYY's Wider Horizons service has more on Alzheimer's And Dementia »
Electronics Disposal
February 29, 2008
The environmental dilemma of disposing of old electronic products will be on the increase. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Mike Weilbacher, science and environment expert who also heads the Lower Merion Conservancy. Listen to the mp3 »
Antidepressants
February 26, 2008
A study published this week finds some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs are no better than a sugar pill. Researchers looked at data submitted to the FDA for the approval of four drugs. Those were prozac, paxil, effexor and serzone, all of which were approved in the 80s and 90s. The study was published in the most recent edition of the journal PLoS Medicine. As WHYY's Kerry Grens explains, the results don't necessarily mean antidepressants don't work. Listen to the mp3 »
Read the study here »
Genetic Testing
February 22, 2008
The ethical dilemma of genetic testing of children who may be predisposed to developing breast or ovarian cancer later in life is the focus of a study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics. Dr. Angela Bradbury was the lead author of the study that recruited interview subjects through the University of Chicago Cancer Risk Clinic. She now directs the Margaret Dyson Family Rish Assessment Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Northeast Philadelphia. She talked with WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett. Listen to the mp3 »
Pharmaceutical Factories
February 15, 2008
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have teamed up with a Massachusetts company to expand the ways farm animals can be used as pharmaceutical factories. The company, GTC Biotherapeutics, is the first to make a drug that can be milked from genetically engineered dairy goats. The medication is an anti-thrombin drug called ATryn, which is used to treat people with clotting disorders. It's not the first time animals have been used to made medicines, but their latest technology is pushing the limits of pharmaceutical science. WHYY's Kerry Grens reports. Listen to the mp3 »
At the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center researchers are genetically engineering goats into "pharm" factories.
Male dairy goats like these are genetically altered so their female offspring produce medicine in their milk.
Professor Ina Dobrinski and her lab technician Mark Modelski have found a way to short-cut the conventional method of goat cloning and make the process more efficient.
Phtalates
January 18, 2008
Phthalates in plastic products are causing some governments to consider or pass bans on the chemical because of possible effects affecting the growth of children. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talks with science and environment expert Mike Weilbacher who is also executive director of the Lower Merion Conservancy. Listen »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
January 11, 2008
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can go undiagnosed for years and affects tens of thousands of Americans. The CFIDS Association and Centers for Disease control is on a campaign to bring more awareness of the disease. (www.cfids.org) An exhibit of photographs of the faces of people suffering from the illness is on display along with information on CFIDS at 30th Street Station January 14-21. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Andre Garabedian of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center of Philadelphia. Listen »
Pulmonary Hypertension
January 4, 2008
Pulmonary hypertension can go undetected in patients for months. Experts are trying to raise awareness of the symptoms and possible treatments. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Harold Palevsky, director of University of Pennsylvania Health System's Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program. Listen »
Personal Health Records
October 11, 2007
The American Health Information Management Association is has a new web site aimed at helping consumers create their own personal health record. (www.MYphr.com) The web site comes as the problem of medical identity theft is spring up more and more. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Laurinda Harman, associate professor and chair of Temple University's College of Health Professions and a member of the association which Met in Philadelphia in October. Listen »
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