A Matter of Public Health
The Podcasting Service of the Kent County Health Department
KCHD Marketing and Communication Manager Steve Kelso hosts timely and in-depth discussions about the topics that impact Public HealthPost Pandemic Blood Shortage
Episode 5: June 30, 2021
The United States is experiencing a blood shortage due to a lack of donors.In West Michigan the situation is described as critical. Hear what you can do to help and why this is happening now on this edition of A Matter of Public Health.
Description: In this episode we learn how radon levels can be dealt with through mitigation. Guests on this episode include Brendan Earl of the KCHD. He underscores the importance of testing. Aaron Berndt, the Indoor Radon Specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, will us through the steps you need to take after you have discovered radon in your home. Nancy Bredhoff, President of the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). The NRSB offers independent certification and accreditation for radon mitigation specialists. Bredhoff shares valuable information about choosing a contractor and the costs of mitigation. Communications Manager for the Western Michigan Better Business Bureau, Troy Baker has information for consumers to avoid hiring the wrong contractor.
Description: Flu season 2019-2020 is upon us but there are other upper respiratory illnesses that are “going around.” So much so, that area hospitals are asking people who are sick to refrain from visiting loved ones and friends who are hospitalized. Guests on this episode from KCHD are Epidemiologist Briand Hartl and Immunizations Supervisor Mary Wisinski. Do you want to do your part to stop the spread of disease? You will hear from Dr. Kristi Artz from Spectrum Health who says, there’s an APP for that.
For more information about the flu:
www.cdc.gov/flu/
Description: What is radon and why do you need to be concerned about it? Do have radon in my home? You will be surprised when you learn the answers to these and many more questions. Guests on this episode include Dr. Adam London, Administrative Health Officer at the Kent County Health Department, Brendan Earl, KCHD Supervising Sanitarian and Aaron Berndt who is the Indoor Radon Specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
For more information about Radon:
www.cdc.gov/features/protect-home-radon/
www.epa.gov/radon
Description: Kent County Health Department Epidemiologist Brian Hartl separates the fact from the fiction when it comes to getting your flu shot. Hartl talks about the difficult science of predicting the flu season and why the vaccine is more effective some years than others.
For more information about the flu vaccine:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm