California has proposed new regulations for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Do the new rules go too far, or not far enough? Then, the latest on the damage from scores of destructive tornadoes in the Midwest. In health, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has banned unregulated herbs and supplements. Should decisions about supplements fall on the parents? Also in health, we'll discuss concerns that the American Heart Association's new cholesterol calculator overestimates risk and take a look at new ways to notify past partners about STIs. Then, do you suffer from Entomophobia? We'll talk with author Jeffrey A. Lockwood about why so many of us are afraid of creepy, crawly insects.
California releases proposed new fracking regulations
The proposed regulations, released Friday, would require that oil companies apply for permission to extract oil through the controversial practice known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The petroleum industry operating in the state is also required to monitor groundwater and test oil wells, as well as notify the public on the chemicals that would be used.
The California Department of Conservation said the new proposed rules take into account both environmental concerns and the economic opportunities brought forth by fracking. While the petroleum industry seems to welcome the proposed rules, environmentalists are up in arms.
Guests:
Jason Marshall, Chief Deputy Director, California Department of Conservation
Kassie Siegel, Director, Climate Law Institute, Center for Biological Diversity
Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President, the Western States Petroleum Association, a nonprofit trade group that represents oil producers in California and five other western states.
Rob Barnett, Bloomberg Government Senior Energy Analyst
Severe storms cause destruction in the Midwest
Severe weather hit the Midwest this weekend, creating dozens of tornadoes, flash floods and even hair. Washington, IL, a town of 10,000 people was amongst the hardest hit. The entire neighborhood was virtually flattened, and at least one person died in the area. Across the entire state six people were killed from the storms.
In neighboring communities, homes were destroyed, and rescuers were trying to teach people trapped in their basement. Throughout the region, the National Weather Service reported at least 67 tornadoes as of Sunday evening. Thousands of people were left without power across the station.
Residents in pother nearby states including Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio were left without power, and faced heavy winds as the tornadoes continued to move across states.
Guest:
Denise Molina, Morning Edition host for Peoria Public Radio
Doyle Rice, Weather Editor, USA Today
Should children’s hospital patients be allowed to take herbs and supplements?
Doctors usually ask you to disclose any herbs or supplements you may be taking because certain ones can interact negatively with traditional medicine. Now, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is taking an extra step by banning the use of herbs and supplements by their patients over concerns that they may interact negatively with treatment.
The hospital has created a list of herbs that will be allowed but it's aim is to "discourage" the use of supplements by patients. If families want the patient to continue taking any herb, vitamin or supplement they will now be required to sign a waiver taking full responsibility for the outcome. The hospital will not administer them or order them through the pharmacy.
Is the hospital going too far in preventing families from making their own decisions about herbs and supplements? Will this make sure children get the best care possible without the added risk of complications from unregulated supplements? Will the ban drive parents to give supplements to their children in secret, putting them a further risk of problems?
Guests:
Dr. Michael Carome,director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization in D.C.
Cara Welch, Ph.D., Senior VP of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at the Natural Products Association, a nonprofit organization representing the supplement and natural product industry in D.C.
New cholesterol risk calculator doesn’t seem to add up
Last week, the nation’s leading heart organizations announced new cholesterol-lowering guidelines. Central to the recommendations is a new online calculator meant to measure the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as treatment options. Now, that calculator appears to greatly overestimate risk. “So much so,” reports the New York Times, “that it could mistakenly suggest that millions more people are candidates for statin drugs.”
One leading cardiologist, a past president of the American College of Cardiology, called on Sunday for a halt to the implementation of the new guidelines until further evaluation could be done. The calculator’s reliability was called into question by two Harvard Medical School doctors, Dr. Paul M. Ridker and Dr. Nancy Cook.
According to their findings, which will be published Tuesday in The Lancet, the calculator over-predicted risk by 75 to 150 percent, depending on the subjects. For example, a person with a 4 percent risk, might show up as having an 8 percent risk. Since the threshold for treatment is 5 to 7.5 percent, many more patients would likely be advised to seek treatment, including some with no risk factors at all.
The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology said the calculator might not be perfect, and that it wasn’t meant to replace the advice of doctors.
But can the new guidelines be trusted? What’s the best way for doctors and patients to determine risk?
Guests:
Gina Kolata, senior reporter covering health and science for the New York Times and author of five books, the most recent of which is Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss and the Myths and Realities of Dieting"
Arthur Caplan, Head, Division of Medical Ethics, NYU Langone Medical Center
Should public health officials help those with STDs inform their exes?
The first thing you're supposed to do when diagnosed with an STD — besides seeking treatment, of course — is to inform any past partners you think may have also been exposed. It's such an uncomfortable conversation that people often don't bother suffering through the awkward phone calls. That’s leaving a lot of people at risk.
The CDC estimates that there are 20 million new cases of STDS, also known as STI’s or sexually transmitted infections, every year. In an effort to curb a recent epidemic of gonorrhea, the Spokane Regional Health District is offering a service where their own health workers will track down and notify your exes anonymously that they may have been infected.
Can this service help get more people treatment who otherwise would never know? Would you use this government service if you happened to contract an STD? Does do a disservice that the notifications are anonymous?
Guest:
Karl Eastlund, CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho
Why humans fear, loathe, and love insects
Do you feel disgusted when you a cockroach scurrying across the floor? What is your reaction when you hear someone says the word, “bed bugs?” Seeing and talking about insects usually evokes a strong reaction, often fear, from many people.
In his book, Jeffrey Lockwood goes in depth into why those fears exist. Why would such tiny creatures create such a stir in people’s emotions? While researching grasshoppers in Wyoming, Lockwood was surrounded and engulfed by a swarm of grasshoppers.
His terrifying experience led him to explore why he had felt such fear. In looking at history, science and psychology, Lockwood delves into the phobia and anxiety many people feel towards insects.
Guest:
Jeffrey A. Lockwood, author, “The Infested Mind: Why human Fear, Loathe, and Love Insects