Health Matters, produced locally by Red River Radio, airs Thursdays at 6 p.m. The producer is Ranae Moran. Hosts of Health Matters include Dr. Randall Brewer, Dr. Sanford Katz, Dr. Patrick Lavo and Red River Radio General Manager Kermit Poling. Psychologist Dr. Shelley Visconte (Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT) hosts the Mental Health Edition of Health Matters the last Thursday of each month. Health Matters features guest physicians and health care specialists joining our hosts to bring you up-to-date information on topics that affect your health. Listeners are provided the opportunity to call in with questions or comments during the show at 1-800-552-8502 or tweet a question via Twitter @rrrpublicradio.
Health Matters is currently supported by a grant from the Community Foundation of Northwest Louisiana.
Health Matters Disclaimer:
Health Matters is a program for informational purposes only. Consult your physician or health care provider for all health concerns. The opinions expressed on Health Matters are those of the individual guests and callers and do not represent the views of Red River Radio or LSUS. Health Matters is part of Red River Radio's Community Connections series of outreach programs. Guests on Health Matters are not compensated and are selected by relevance to the topic. No fees are charged for participation in Health Matters.
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Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. On this edition of Health Matters, Red River Radio presents a special live broadcast of the Rasberry Lecture Series from LSU Health Shreveport’s Center for Medical Education.Michael A. Curran, PhD, Professor of Immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, will deliver the inaugural lecture of the Rasberry Lecture Series. His presentation, "Cancer Immunotherapy: Today's Breakthrough, Tomorrow's Possibilities," explores cutting-edge advancements and promising future innovations in cancer treatment.Health Matters hosts Dr. Sanford Katz and Jesse Gilmore will host Health Matters from the event. -
Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. On this Health Matters, we’ explore the neurogenerative disorder Parkinson’s Disease and talk about the treatment options and current research for this condition. Health Matters host Dr. Randall Brewer is joined by Elizabeth Disbrow, PhD, Professor of Neurology and Director of the LSU Health Shreveport Center for Brain Health; Dr. Natalia Chunga, Assistant Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Shreveport; and Marie Vazquez, PhD, PT, Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Director - LSUHS Institutional Wellness. -
Thu., Feb. 27, 2025, at 6 p.m. Family medicine physicians are often the first medical care providers that a patient may turn to when experiencing a mental health crisis or challenge. On this Health Matters: Mental Health Edition, host Jenny Gregorio is joined by Dr. Ammar Husan, Assistant Professor, Director of Undergraduate Medical Education for Family Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport, and Medical Director of Family Medicine In-Patient Service for Ochsner LSU Health. We learn more about how family medicine physicians identify and care for patients’ mental health needs. -
Feb. 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. February is Heart Health Month. Heart disease is a common health issue in the U.S., related to one in five deaths in 2022. On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Randall Brewer will be joined by Dr. Pavan Katikaneni, cardiologist with Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists, and Dr. Karen Stokes, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Assistant Director of Scientific Excellence for the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences at LSU Health Shreveport. We will learn about tips for caring for our hearts, risk factors for heart disease and the latest in diagnostic testing and treatments. We'll also learn about cardiac research happening right here in our community and how it can advance cardiac care. Your heart health questions will be taken during the show at 1-800-552-8502. -
Thu., Feb. 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. Vaccines have been a topic of recent discussions on the national stage, bird flu is being reported in poultry, cows, and humans, a measles outbreak is reported in West Texas, and flu season in general is ongoing. Pediatric infectious disease physician Dr. Joseph Bocchini joins Health Matters host Dr. Randall Brewer to help us learn more about infectious diseases including how vaccination has affected the prevalence of certain infectious diseases. -
Jan. 30, 2025, at 6 p.m. On this Health Matters: Mental Health Edition, host Jenny Gregorio talks with Chris Felan, psychology technician and visual and performing artist, about the connection between art and mental health. -
Thurs., January 23, 2025, at 6 p.m.Our host, Dr. Anand Bhat, talks with Dr. Ammar Husan about the current respiratory viruses circulating this winter including flu, RSV, COVID, pneumonia and more.
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Thurs. Jan.16,2025, at 6 p.m. A new year brings about new beginnings, and for many, new goals to eat healthier, exercise more, or to kick the habit of smoking. On this Health Matters, Dr. Randall Brewer will be joined by Jarrod Mitchell, Cardiac Rehab Coordinator and tobacco treatment specialist at Willis Knighton Health System, Julie Hartley, Registered Dietitian specializing in Integrative, Functional and Ornish Lifestyle Medicine, and Mary Simpson, Group Fitness Coordinator for the YMCA in Shreveport. They’ll share information and take your questions on how to get started and stay on track with your lifestyle goals in the new year. Phone 1-800-552-8502 during the program to talk with one of our health experts. -
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. According to the CDC, the average number of adults getting enough sleep has stayed the same from 2013 to 2022. Anywhere from 30 to 46 percent of people in the U.S., depending on the region in which they live, report not getting enough sleep. What does quality sleep mean and how can it affect our health? How much sleep do we need for our age? Dr. Anand Bhat hosts this Health Matters with guest Dr. Sheila Asghar, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Neurology and Sleep Medicine Fellowship Faculty at LSU Health Shreveport. Dr, Asghar will explain the role sleep plays in our health, provide tips on steps to take for better sleep, and take your sleep questions during the show at 1-800-552-8502. -
Thursday, November 14, at 6 p.m. Host Jenny Gregorio is joined by Dr Lukas Wolf, Lecturer (assistant professor) in Social Psychology, University of Bath; and Paul Hanel, Senior Lecturer (associate professor) of Social Psychology at the University of Essex. They delve into post-election emotions and the professors’ research on how shared human values affect well-being.
