Health

  How big of a problem is heroin addiction in Maine and what is the latest of our understanding about how addiction affects the brain?

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Carolee Lindsey, Director of Services, Catholic Charities 

Brian Townsend, Director of Social Work, Preble Street 

Nick, in treatment

  Where to turn for help when in a crisis that's not a medical emergency. Maine's crisis centers are located in communities throughout the state, and offer services to help those with mental health, substance abuse or other issues not related to a medical emergency.

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Leslie Mulhearn, LCSW, CSP, Senior Director Crisis and Community Based Services Sweetser 

Amy Brook, Mobile Crisis Manager/ACFS (Adult, Child and Family Services) 

  The American Lung Association recently released a report on the State of Tobacco Control 2014. Our panel will discuss tobacco addiction and what to do about it, and the safety and health effects of e-cigarettes.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by 

Rebecca Hitchcock, nurse practitioner and certified tobacco treatment specialist representing the Partnership for a Tobacco Free ME

Dr. Sheila Pinette, Director of Maine CDC 

  Gluten - what is it and why does it affect so much of the population? Our panel discussed why gluten causes such trouble and what can be done about it.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by 

Anna Furr, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Maine Medical Center, specializing in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 

G. Alex Millspaugh—gastroenterologist with Portland Gastroenterology Center and Maine Medical Center 

  How to keep healthy in the new year. A panel of experts discussed how to help you keep - or make - new years resolutions to keep you fit in the year ahead, whether you're trying to lose weight, get in shape, or just lead a healthier life.

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Dr. Victoria Rogers/Lets Go Initiative

Diane Atwood/Health Writer, Blogger Catching Health 

Chris Scott/USM, Department of Exercise, Health and Sport Sciences

  Our panel will discuss ideas about how to help our elders stay in their own homes as they age instead of needing to move into an assisted living facility. Learn about a virtual village in our state that provides services to seniors that allows them to remain at home. Ideas on keeping Mainers healthy and thriving in their communities.

Host Keith Shortall will be joined by 

Noelle Merrill, Executive Director, Eastern Area Agency on Aging 

Kara Janes, Program Director of At Home Downeast(AHD) 

  More than 8-thousand Mainers are diagnosed with cancer each year. A state commission has spent the past few months studying the incidence of cancer and cancer deaths in Maine. What have they learned and what can be done?

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Hilary Schneider/Director of Government Relations and Advocacy/American Cancer Society 

Rep. Paul McGowan/(D) York 

Dr. Andrew Hertler/Director of Oncology Services at Maine General Hospital 

  14% of adults over age 60 have hip pain regularly. Hip replacement is on the rise (about 1/1000 persons has a hip replacement). Learn the latest on keeping hips healthy and what to do if you have hip pain.

Host Keith Shortall will be joined by:

Dr. George Babikian, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Director, Division of Joint Replacement Surgery, Maine Medical Center

Dr. Brian J. McGrory, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Research Director, Division of Joint Replacement Surgery, Maine Medical Center

  The feeling of being alone- what does it mean, who does it affect and how to feel less isolated and more connected.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by:

Blanca Gurrola, VP of Clinical Services at the Community Counseling Center in Portland

Paul Revier, Clinician at the Community Counseling Center who specializes in counseling the refugee and immigrant population

Maureen Hannigan, Senior citizen who serves as a volunteer foster grandparent at a local school

  A panel of experts discussed ways to recognize and reduce diabetes in our state.

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Eileen Molloy, registered dietician at Pen Bay's Diabetes and Nutrition Care Center 

Nathan Morse, CHES, TTS-C, Program Coordinator, Diabetes Prevention & Control Program, Division of Population Health, Maine CDC, DHHS

  As the Iraq and Afghanistan wars wind down, our country is facing another longer-term battle -  against post-traumatic stress. How can we help those with PTSD?

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Dr. Dave Meyer from Togus VA

Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and Executive Director of Give An Hour

Kathy Russin, MST Program Director at Togus 

Clifford Trott, PhD, Team Leader/Clinical Psychologist, Portland Vet Center 

  The importance of having a healthy lifestyle and how to achieve one.

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Nadine Villani, Family Nurse Practitioner / Patient Educator with Health Access Network 

Dr. Jonathan Fanburg, pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist at Maine Medical Partners. He also works MaineHealth on the Let's Go childhood obesity program. 

Tom Bartol, Nurse Practitioner at the Richmond Area Health Center

  The School of Dentistry opens at the University of New England this week. We heard from it's dean and talked about increasing access to dental care.

Host Keith Shortall was joined by 

Dr. James Koelbl, founding dean of the University of New England's new College of Dental Medicine 

Dr. Jonathan Shenkin, pediatric dentist and Clinical Associate Professor of Health Policy, Health Services Research and Pediatric Dentistry at Boston University 

  A panel of experts were on hand to discuss all things Medicare, including it's future and what the ACA may mean for Medicare enrollees.

Host Jennifer Rooks was joined by 

Gordon Smith, Maine Medical Association 

A. Jan Berlin, MD, Physician Leader - Special Projects, MMC Physician-Hospital Organization and Medical Director for the Low Vision Clinic at The Iris Network

Lori Parham, AARP Maine State Director