Every once in awhile, we invite a health expert on the show who is also engaged in the arts. While medical science is the language of facts, research, data, diagnosis and treatment, the arts is the language of the heart. Abby Caplin MD teaches us how, even in chronic illness, to find the gifts that we have, whether they be from the soul, our intellect, even our bodies, so that the illness does not become the major focus in life.

Certified sex therapist, Dr. Jenni Skyler, discusses the lesser known ingredients that are essential for bolstering your sex life in a long-term relationship.

Are you over 50? Did you have chickenpox as a child? You are in a high risk group to come down suddenly with Shingles, a painful disfiguring skin condition. Our guest shares her sudden onset story as she was landing for vacation in Hawaii with her family. Spent the vacation in the hospital. Please, plan ahead. Get the Shingles Vaccine and avoid the heartbreak.

DEI is under attack at the national level. DEI is essential for creating a healthcare system that is equitable, inclusive, and patient-centered. By embracing diversity, promoting equity, and fostering inclusion, healthcare organizations can improve the health and well-being of all individuals throughout the United States.

Every person deserves a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow, learn, and thrive. Unfortunately, millions of people around the world are victims of trafficking, subjected to unimaginable hardships and deprived of their basic rights. At Made for Freedom, and the Made for Freedom Foundation, Founder Dawn Manske believes that together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these vulnerable children.

If you are over 60 or have immune deficiency, flu and Covid can be deadly. Antiviral treatments are effective, but they are widely underused. They need to be prescribed and started quickly to prevent symptoms from becoming more severe - so, awareness and planning ahead can be key.

The New Year symbolizes a chance to reset and start fresh, making it ideal to focus on health and wellness. Setting fitness and wellness goals is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Keep yourself motivated with inspiration from two top Apple Fitness Plus trainers with workout tech that supports you anywhere!!

In today’s health-conscious world, the shift towards dairy-free diets has become a prominent trend across America. Chef Jane Olivia, a renowned holistic chef, brings her expertise to the forefront, guiding you through a journey of discovering amazing dairy-free foods that not only satisfy your taste buds but also nourish your body.

Do you hate fundraising? Does the thought of asking for money make you nauseous? Or make you want to crawl into bed? This session will help you identify some of your fears, and help you appreciate the value of helping raise money for your healthcare organization.

Dr. Scott Smith, President of the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, delves into the importance of fluoride in combating the chronic childhood disease of tooth decay.

The treatment of achondroplasia has evolved significantly, focusing on enhancing quality of life and addressing specific health concerns. Dr. Klane K. White and his team at Children's Hospital Colorado emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to care.

https://bit.ly/medicare-drug-savings-2025 Are you on Medicare?  Do you know someone on Medicare? If yes, listen up. There are huge good news changes taking effect in January 2025 to reduce your prescription costs. Medicare Part D enrollees’ out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000. This is due to a provision in President Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, that AARP championed, and is a significant step towards lowering prescription drug prices for the nearly 55 million Medicare Part D enrollees. A new AARP report shows that 94% of enrollees expected to reach this cap will see an average saving of $2,500 in 2025 nationwide. The report also analyzes state-level data, showing that Part D enrollees will see lower out-of-pocket costs averaging $2,500 or more in 22 states. We want to welcome back to the Show our expert, Leigh Purvis. She is AARP’s Prescription Drug Policy Principal, where she heads the organization’s work on prescription drug issues and is a recognized expert on prescription drug pricing and coverage. Her work focuses on improving prescription drug affordability and accessibility for older adults. Purvis has testified before Congress and state legislatures on behalf of AARP and speaks frequently on a wide variety of prescription drug-related issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/Medicaid-cuts-threaten-your-healthcare Medicaid covers one fifth of the US population – 72 million Americans;  31 million of those Americans are children (43%). We’ve seen articles in many new sources that say the incoming GOP Congress intends to cut Medicaid. Medicaid plays a larger role in providing health coverage to people living in small towns and rural communities than it does in metropolitan areas, a trend that is particularly striking among children, according to an extensive analysis by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) and the University of North Carolina NC Rural Health Research Program. A Georgetown University Report found that non-elderly adults and children in rural areas and small towns are more likely than those living in metro areas to rely on Medicaid for their health insurance. As a consequence, reductions in federal Medicaid funding being contemplated in Congress are more likely to cause greater harm to these communities than metro areas. This Report corroborates a Video Series we did late in 2024 on how Project 2025 will change healthcare in the United States.  And one of those videos was on how Project 2025 would negatively effect healthcare in rural areas. With us to talk about this more with today is Joan Alker, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Children and Families (CCF), and a Research Professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy. She is a nationally recognized expert on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and is the lead author of CCF’s annual report on children’s health care coverage trends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you looking for affordable healthcare insurance for 2025?  Do you know someone who is?  Stay tuned and listen up!  We’ve got an expert with us today who can tell us all about an affordable, quality health plan from HealthCare.gov. Open Enrollment is the time for people who don’t have health insurance to find a plan. Millions of people still lack the peace of mind we get from having health insurance and this is the time for YOU to take advantage of the excellent coverage and prices available at HealthCare.gov. Select a plan by January 15 for coverage starting February 1. Open Enrollment is also the time people who are enrolled can change their current health plan and update their application information. Plans change every year, so it is worth reviewing what’s available.      https://bit.ly/govhealthinsurance2025 As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed by President Biden in 2022, many customers continue to have access to newly expanded financial assistance through HealthCare.gov, which was first made available under the American Rescue Plan enacted by President Biden in 2021 during Covid. These plans provide financial assistance for Marketplace customers, so that nearly everyone who buys their own individual or family policy through a Marketplace and is otherwise eligible can receive a tax credit to reduce their premiums through 2025, even if their household income was previously too high. Help is now more available than ever before. With us to talk about this today, and help us learn more is: Shannon Hills who is a Regional Administrator at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) located in Dallas, Texas. Shannon has over 25 years’ experience managing large-scale health and human services programs at the federal government level and in the non-profit sector. Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Science from the University of Houston, a master’s degree in Public Administration from American University in Washington, DC, and the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation from Toastmasters International.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/holidayswithoutstress Enjoy a FREE download - "The Eight Holiday Health Hacks" The holidays are a time for joy and celebration, but they can also wreak havoc on your health. You know it! From indulging in rich, spicy meals to sipping festive cocktails, it’s easy to overdo it—leading to unwelcome side effects like heartburn, hangovers, seasonal illnesses, and stress. Did you know that heartburn affects up to 20% of U.S. adults weekly or that stress levels often peak during the holiday season, impacting sleep, immunity, and digestion? The good news: A little preparation can go a long way in protecting your health while enjoying the festivities. From soothing heartburn to beating hangovers and speeding healing from seasonal bugs, discover how to keep holiday stress under control and stay energized and healthy to make the most of the season. Sherry Torkos, pharmacist, author, and health expert with a passion for wellness and disease prevention. She combines conventional and holistic approaches to help people achieve better health. Sherry has received multiple national pharmacy awards for her dedication to patient care and is a trusted authority in holistic medicine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/loneliness-support-women-over-60 The Holidays are not an easy time for everyone. People can feel sadness, depression, isolation over times past. This is especially true for women over 60, one-third of whom are part of the US Surgeon General’s warning about the epidemic of loneliness and isolation. AARP’s Ethel Gathering Groups help women across the country (27,000+ in 44 States) to provide each other company, support, commiseration, and humor via private Facebook groups and local get-togethers. Shelley Emling, Senior Director, Specialized Content at AARP and Kentucky group Member Lisa Marcellino provide insight into the program and share how easy it is to join and get support. This is a heart-warming interview. QUESTIONS ANSWERED - How has a support group impacted your life? - How do you join an Ethels support group? - How do you start an Ethels support group? - How have these support groups impacted women's lives across the USSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/jackieforjoy This show today is for you overthinkers, over-achievers, people-pleasers and perfectionists – in other words, those of you who are probably too focused on everyone else and not enough on yourself and what’s best for you. With this focus on everyone else, your stress level may be through the roof and your nervous system in overdrive.  A number of folks just like you suffer from chronic headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, insomnia and high levels of anxiety. If this sounds like you, or someone you know, stay tuned, because our guest today has written a book just for you called The Overthinker’s Guide to Joy: A Handbook for Overachievers, People-Pleasers, and Perfectionists. Her motto is, "You’re not broken, you’re not too old, and it is never too late to start living the life you want… instead of just surviving the one you have." Enjoy this insightful and uplifting interview.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/best-baby-nutrition For Moms and Dads, there is this concept of The First 1,000 Days.  Do you know about this?  It’s the time between conception and two years of age. Why is this time so important?  Because the brain goes through the most development than at any other time during life. That makes nutrition vitally important.  For both Mom AND the Baby.  It’s Mother’s nutrition while baby is in the womb that determines the baby’s health and development.  It’s Mother’s breast milk during infancy that continues the nutrition for the child. So, what makes for the best nutrition?   Listen to our interview with award-winning registered dietician Lauren Manaker. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has identified a list of 14 nutrients that are vital for prenatal and infant growth.  They are: choline, copper, folate, iodine, iron, lutein, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin A, vitamins B, vitamine D, zeaxanthin, and zinc. You can learn more about this by visiting these two websites: gonnaneedmilk.com and thousanddays.org  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/gth-holiday-vaccines As we say at this time of year, Tis the Season! Tis the season for flu, pneumonia, RSV and COVID-19. Don’t let these illnesses ruin your end-of-year holidays and celebrations. The good news is vaccines help reduce the risk of severe illness, particularly for older adults who are at greater risk for complications and reduce the odds of hospitalization from a respiratory infection. Immunization rates went down during the pandemic when many people missed routine care. For certain vaccines, progress is being made to get people back on track, but immunization uptake for other vaccines continues to lag. IQVIA tracks this information and has provided the latest trend analysis: COVID-19 immunization rates this fall were higher than they were last year at this time. But vaccination against influenza, a disease that sickens tens of millions of people in the U.IS. each year, has declined every year since 2021. We also see stubborn disparities, with lower immunization rates among black and Hispanic individuals Two experts in the field join us to explain the safety of vaccines, their development, testing and surveillance, as well as the advisability of getting your vaccines NOW before you travel and gather for the Holidays.Nandini Selvam, PhD, Vice President and General Manager of IQVIA Government Solutions, and Michelle Fiscus, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Association of Immunization Managers (AIM).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/gth-overactivebladder Do you have to find a bathroom to go pee more often than you like?  About 30% of men and 40% of women in the US have a condition that’s called Overactive Bladder, or OAB.  The numbers may be much higher because a lot of people think this is just part of aging and don’t report symptoms to their doctor.  OAB is most common in people 65 and older, but women may have OAB at a younger age, usually around 45.  Are you tired of feeling like your overactive bladder is running the show? Do you find yourself constantly worrying about when and where you’ll be able to find a bathroom? Overactive bladder causes anxiety, embarrassment, and disruption to daily life. And there are things you can do about it.  You don’t have to live like this. To talk with us today, we are honored to have Holly Robinson Peete. She is an actor, author, talk show host, activist, and philanthropist, working in the film and TV industry for more than three decades. She is popularly known for her roles as Judy Hoffs on 21 Jump Street, Dr. Malena Ellis on For Your Love, and was one of the original co-hosts on The Talk, as well as her most recent hosting of the dating show Queen’s Court. Holly is also a passionate advocate raising awareness of several diseases through her HollyRod Foundation, founded with her husband and former football player Rodney Peete.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/medicare-in-trouble 68 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare, 90% of whom are over the age of 65. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that helps people pay for hospitalizations, physician services, prescription drugs, home and skilled nursing care and hospice care. Medicare expenditures are expected to double by 2030 with the aging of the Baby Boomer population, and the concern is that funding will not cover the rising costs.  Medicare is funded primarily by payroll taxes, self-employment taxes, and taxes on social security benefits.  One of the ways the Government has controlled the costs of Medicare is to limit the payments made by Medicare to doctors for the services they provide.  Medicare physician payment has been cut 29% since 2001, and an additional almost 3% cut is scheduled for 2025.  According to the American Medical Association (AMA), this is leading to reduced access to care for patients, with many physician practices eliminating staff or limiting the number of Medicare patients they see. And this is compounded by physician workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Bruce Scott, MD, President of the American Medical Association (AMA) discusses their appeal to Congress to eliminate the 3% cut for 2025 and restore reimbursements to a level that covers costs. Dr. Scott also tells how WE can communicate with our elected representatives to inform them that these Medicare reimbursement cuts are harming patient accessibility and quality of treatment in healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/facs-lung-cancer-awareness Which cancer causes the greatest number of deaths in the United States?  If you guessed lung cancer, you’re right.  We hear so little about lung cancer.  Each year we lose about 130,000 people to lung cancer in the United States.  That’s four times higher than colorectal and pancreatic cancer deaths, which average around 50,000 each year.  And it’s more than colon, breast and prostate cancer deaths combined. According to the American Cancer Society, the average age of diagnoses with lung cancer is 65 and older, and it’s equal among women and men.  And if you get lung cancer, you have only a 50% survival rate.  The two largest causes of lung cancer are, to no surprise, smoking of tobacco products which accounts for over 80% of deaths.  And, you guessed it again, second-hand smoke- being exposed to tobacco smoke.  November is LUNG CANCER Awareness Month, and with us to talk about this today is Dr. Luis A. Godoy, Assistant Professor in General Thoracic Surgery at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, California.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/adhdevidence If you want to understand the latest evidence-based information on Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), fasten your seatbelt for this informative interview with internationally known ADHD Expert Stephen V. Faraone, PhD. He covers five important topics about the Disorder. Understanding ADHD Impact on Daily Life Co-occurring Conditions Diagnosis and Assessment Treatment Options Research and Future Directions Dr. Faraone is at SUNY Upstate Medical University where holds the titles of: Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Professor of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Professor of Neuroscience Graduate Program. He also holds the following positions nationally and internationally: Principal at the Institute for Human Performance President of the World Federation of ADHD whose Board members represent the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and the People’s Republic of China Principal at The ADHD Evidence Project See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/gth-palliativecare Most of us have experienced a friend or relative who has been seriously ill.  You know then that seriously ill patients often juggle many doctor visits, complicated medication schedules, and care instructions. They also experience a range of emotions that comes with navigating complex condition management. Serious illness can also affect patients financially, because it's common for people with these conditions to end up in the hospital or emergency room on multiple occasions. William Logan, MD, Medical Director of Palliative Care at Carelon Health, takes us through the benefits of enrolling in a palliative care program, the purpose of which is to improve patient well-being and provide comprehensive, wrap-around support throughout their treatment journey.  Carelon Health has the largest in-home palliative care program in the United States, which is covered by most insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He also discusses transition to hospice care. What is extremely important is to have an Advanced Care Directive - directions you agree on with your trusted health professional outlining what treatment you want and don't want when you are not able to make those decisions on your own.  It's best to create the Directive now, when you are healthy.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://bit.ly/gth-fluvaccine Each year, the CDC reports more than 500,000 hospitalizations due to flu (influenza) and life-threatening complications, and 50,000 deaths.   Flu season runs from September to May.  It’s important you get vaccination each year.  Why?  Because the flu virus mutates frequently.  Scientists survey what’s happening in the Southern Hemisphere during their winter, and prepares flu vaccines for the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months. Who is particularly susceptible to serious flu complications?  Children, teenagers, those with underlying chronic health conditions, women who are pregnant, and senior citizens. IF you get diagnosed with flu, there are anti-viral medications that can help if you catch it early.  See your doctor. Best practice?  Get your flu shot every year in September or October.  Proven safe and effective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.