4/30/02
College Students Using A.D.H.D. Drugs
John Alexander

For years, Ritalin and Adderal have been prescribed for high school students and young children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. These prescription drugs are said to increase mental alertness, decrease fatigue, and help students focus in school. But in recent years, unprescribed Ritalin and Adderal have become increasingly popular study aids on college campuses. Michigan Radio's John Alexander reports.

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5/1/02
Link Found Between Hunger & Teen Suicide
Gina Carrier

A new study links hunger to teen suicide and other mental health and social problems. Michigan Radio's Gina Carrier has the details.

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8/16/01
Problem Gambling: Consequences and Treatment
Jasmine Huda

Last year, Michigan residents spent over $5 billion on legal forms of gambling. For the majority of the population, gambling is a safe recreational activity. But for some, gambling is a dangerous addiction. These problem and pathological gamblers face serious mental and social consequences. Michigan Radio's Jasmine Huda reports on the steps the gaming industry and state are taking to reduce problem gambling.

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7/11/01
Tobacco Settlement Benefits Senior Program
Gina Carrier

Two years ago the federal government reached a 206 billion dollar settlement with tobacco companies. 46 states including Michigan were part of the settlement. Governor Engler and the Michigan legislators dedicated the lion share of the state's eight and a half billion dollar settlement to the Merit Scholarship program. But a good portion of it also went toward programs to help senior citizens. And one program in Southeastern Michigan is already benefiting from the tobacco settlement money. Michigan Radio's Gina Carrier reports.

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Support for Senior Healthcare reporting on Michigan Radio comes from the H-C-R Manor Care Foundation. H-C-R Manor Care, Incorporated is committed to ensuring patients live with the greatest dignity and comfort by providing nursing, rehab and home care services through its Heartland and Manor Care facilities.

6/22/01
Paying For Cancer Treatment: Ursela's Story
Tracy Samilton

Since 1991, the federal government has funded a program that offers free mammograms to low-income women who have no health insurance. The program is called the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program. But the program doesn't pay for treatment itself. Michigan Radio's Tracy Samilton tells us the story of one uninsured woman who is facing this troubling situation.

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6/14/01
Access to Health Audio Diaries
Matt Shafer Powell

Michigan Radio has formed a partnership with the Okemos-based Center for Advancing Community Health to provide a series of reports on uninsured children in Michigan. This is part of a project called "Sound Partners for Community Health," a program of the Benton Foundation, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to improving health and health care for all Americans.

This week, Michigan Radio will take an in-depth look at publicly-funded health insurance in the state of Michigan. The Access to Health Audio Diaries will examine the strengths and weaknesses of programs like Medicaid, Medicare and MI Child. And we'll hear about these programs in the words of those who know them best, including a doctor at an urban health clinic and a government caseworker.

Today, we go to the Family Independence Agency office in Muskegon. Formerly known as the Department of Social Services, the FIA is responsible for administering a variety of services, from Food Stamps to Cash Assistance to Medicaid. Over the years, caseworkers have often been characterized as insensitive and the agency's procedures have given it a bureaucratic reputation. But F-I-A leaders-and caseworkers like Mary Thompson--insist that is changing…

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Health care reporting on Michigan Radio is supported by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents. The foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of America Association.

6/13/01
Access to Health Audio Diaries
Matt Shafer Powell

Today, the Access to Health series features Dr. Maxine Peterson. Dr. Peterson runs a general health clinic in an urban Muskegon neighborhood. Among her patients who have health coverage, she estimates about forty percent use Medicaid or some other government-funded health plan...

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Health care reporting on Michigan Radio is supported by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents. The foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of America Association.

6/12/01
Access to Health Audio Diaries
Matt Shafer Powell

Today, we hear from three people who need and use government-funded health coverage. Shemira is the uninsured 17 year-old mother of a baby boy. Ann is a 40 year old cashier who is just now getting Medicaid insurance for her and her teenage daughter. And Helen is a 74 year-old grandmother, living alone on a fixed income…

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Health care reporting on Michigan Radio is supported by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents. The foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of America Association.

5/25/01
Health Care in Rural Areas
Michelle Bolek, Bill Poorman

Michigan Radio has formed a partnership with the Okemos-based Center for Advancing Community Health to provide a series of reports on uninsured children and access to healthcare in Michigan. This is part of a project called "Sound Partners for Community Health," a program of the Benton Foundation, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to improving health and health care for all Americans.

Health care is often very different in rural areas than cities or suburbs. Some health care problems may be more pronounced. Others are unique to rural areas. Michigan Radio's Bill Poorman reports on access to health care in one rural community in the Upper Peninsula...

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Health care reporting on Michigan Radio is supported by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents. The foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of America Association.

3/20/01
County Prescriptions
Gina Carrier

Many senior citizens in Michigan have a hard time affording prescription drugs. This past campaign year, almost every politician promised better access to and affordability of prescription drugs for seniors. And while a comprehensive plan is still being worked out in Washington, some local governments in Michigan aren't waiting. Michigan Radio's Gina Carrier reports.

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Support for senior healthcare reporting on Michigan Radio comes from the H-C-R Manor Care Foundation. H-C-R Manor Care, Incorporated is committed to ensuring patients live with the greatest dignity and comfort by providing nursing, rehab and home care services through its Heartland and ManorCare facilities.