KAZU Health News

Budget Crisis Threatens Children's Health Insurance Once again, California is facing a multi-billion dollar deficit heading into the next fiscal year. To close the gap, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget includes cuts that could leave as many as 27,000 children in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties without health insurance.  Emily Apel reports.     Medical Marijuana: An Uphill Battle for Users Californians voted to allow the use of medical marijuana more than a decade ago. Then last year after the Obama Administration announced it won't prosecute patients and their caregivers, dispensaries starting popping up all over the state. Despite these changes, the issue remains unresolved for everyone involved. Emily Apel reports from Monterey County. Pilot Program Launches in the Monterey Bay Area The New Year will bring a new approach to helping kids with life threatening illnesses.  KAZU's Krista Almanzan reports. Related Information: Children's Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition   Protecting the Frontlines of a Pandemic Health Care workers are on the frontlines of the Swine Flu pandemic, but they're not at the front of the line for receiving the vaccine.  For KAZU, reporter Emily Apel explains what is being done to protect them.  Related H1N1 Information: Monterey County & Santa Cruz County Farmworkers Face Health Care Obstacles Cost can be a big obstacle to health care. That's especially true for farmworkers who, according to the USDA, are one of the most economically disadvantaged groups in the United States. For KAZU, reporter Emily Apel explains how some local farmworkers get care.   Related Information: Clinica de Salud

Health Dialogues Episodes

February 2010: Teens Coming of Age Join Health Dialogues as we talk about teens coming of age. We’ll explore the health issues surrounding the transition from childhood to being an adult. How do parents and schools talk to teenagers about responsible sex and positive, loving relationships? How do teens interpret the images of health and sexuality that they see in the media? And, what are some of the most pressing health issues for teenagers on their journey to adulthood?   January 2010: Pain Pain has been called America's silent epidemic. It is estimated that between 50 and 90 million Americans live with some kind of pain, which affects a person's family, job and community. Pain costs billions of dollars in lost productivity and health care bills each year, and yet, it remains a complex and mysterious issue. Health Dialogues explores many aspects of pain: the different types, the latest research on pain and the brain, pain relief, addiction, even attitudes towards pain. December 2009: Reflections on Health The winter holidays can be a time to reflect on our lives - a season to appreciate family, friendship and good health. Join us this December as Health Dialogues shares stories of how health - and sickness - have affected people's lives and humbled them, bringing joy, sorrow and sometimes even inspiration.     November 2009: Workplace Safety Last year Cal/OSHA, the state agency charged with protecting employees from workplace hazards, said more than 400 workers died from job-related injuries in California.   Health Dialogues explores some of the most dangerous sectors of the economy, including agriculture, construction and manufacturing.     October 2009: Immigration Reform & Public Health Immigration reform is in the air once again - with President Obama saying the issue will be tackled next year. Join Health Dialogues as we look at what it's like for undocumented and seasonal workers to get health care under the current system, and how immigration reform could change things.