Category: Health

Laura Ortiz-Ravick and Kelvin Yates: Multiple Myeloma, Second Most Common Blood Cancer in U.S. More Prevalent in African Americans

Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the U.S. and the most prevalent among African Americans. It is also the blood cancer with the greatest racial disparity in incidence and prevalence; Black Americans are not only at twice the risk of developing this type of cancer when compared to white Americans and other ethnic groups, they are also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age.My guests are Laura Ortiz-Ravick, Senior Manager of Outreach & Health Promotion at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and myeloma survivor Kelvin Yates.

Dr. Michael Ruchim, Gastroenterology Specialist at Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center, and his patient, former NHL All-Star Eddie Olczyk: Colorectal Cancer Awareness

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month which is a time to remind Americans of the importance of screening and early detection. The Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center has developed a leading, comprehensive colonoscopy quality improvement program focused on improving screening rates and ensuring that all patients who undergo screening colonoscopy get the highest quality care. We talk about the importance of regular screening, what the signs and symptoms may be and strides made in treatments.

Dr. James Tumlin and Victoria Gibbs: Lupus Nephritis, a Debilitating Kidney Disease Disproportionately Affecting African Americans

Dr. James Tumlin, professor of medicine at Emory University, founder and medical director of the NephroNet Clinical Trials Consortium, and Victoria Gibbs, a meditation and yoga instructor, wellness influencer, and Lupus Nephritis patient, have information about this debilitating kidney disease that disproportionately affects the Black community.

Dr. Meyeon Park – Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) A Rare Progressive Kidney Disease

Nephrologist, Dr. Meyeon Park, Director of the UCSF Polycystic Kidney Disease Center of Excellence joins me to talk about an autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; the most common rare inherited kidney disorder that you’ve probably never heard of.

Dr. Biree Andemariam and Lakesha Dickerson – COVID-19 and Sickle Cell Disease: Why It Is So Important to Receive the Vaccine

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a devastating inherited blood disorder that occurs in 1 out of every 365 African American births, impacting more than 100,000 people in the U.S. The community has been severely impacted by the pandemic, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listing SCD as one of the populations most vulnerable to severe illness and death from COVID-19. Joining me to talk about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on those with SCD, and the importance of receiving the vaccine to ensure patients can effectively manage this chronic illness, Lakesha Dickerson, a family nurse practitioner and Sickle Cell Disease patient and Dr. Biree Andemariam, founding director of the New England Sickle Cell Institute (NESCI) at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Dr. Casey Lafferty, DO, Medical Director at Health First Flu Season 2021: Protect Yourself and Your Family

The flu is a very common but potentially serious illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. As many as 45 million Americans can get the virus each year, but even people who are vaccinated could still get the flu. Dr. CASEY LAFFERTY, Medical Director at Health First joins me to talk about what to do if you get it, how to protect yourself and your family and about a new preventive option people 12 years of age and older can take if they come into contact with someone who has the flu.

Dr. Meyeon Park: Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) A Rare Progressive Kidney disease

Rare diseases affect nearly 30 million Americans each year. One rare, progressive kidney disease, known as Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), is the most common, rare, inherited kidney disorder you’ve likely never heard of. My guest is Nephrologist, Dr. Meyeon Park, Director of UCSF Polycystic Kidney Disease Center of Excellence, she shares the signs, symptoms and impact that ADPKD has on the kidneys.

Charles Morin, PHD – New Innovative Non-Medicinal Prescription Digital Therapeutic to Treat Chronic Insomnia

Can’t sleep? Insomnia specialist Charles Morin, PhD has information about a new innovative non-medicinal prescription digital therapeutic to treat chronic insomnia.

Dr. Gwen Hewitt – Information About Mycobacterium Avium Complex

Dr. Gwen Hewitt, infectious disease physician at National Jewish Health, has information about Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), a lung disease that often goes undiagnosed for years.

Dr. Thomas Corbridge – A New Survey That Suggests That The Pandemic has Motivated at Least One in Three People with COPD to Actively Manage their Disease

There’s a new survey that suggests that the pandemic has motivated at least one in three people with COPD to actively manage their disease. Joining me to talk about the survey, Dr. Thomas Corbridge, a pulmonologist and GSK medical expert. Jan, a COPD patient. And Justin, a COPD caregiver.