Maternal Mortality Rates Steadily Climb In California As The State Faces A Maternity Care Crisis
Centinela Hospital Medical Center’s labor and delivery ward closed last month, leaving a gap in reproductive health care for Inglewood residents. The closest hospitals with comparable services are between 8 and 10 miles away and take nearly an hour to reach by public transportation from Centinela. This comes as the state faces steadily rising rates of maternal mortality. Since 2012, at least 46 hospitals have shutdown or indefinitely closed their labor and delivery wards, including services at El Centro Regional Medical Center, Petaluma Valley Hospital and many more. These closures doesn’t impact everyone equally. Black Californians die from pregnancy complications at a rate nearly four times higher than the general population. Research shows the factors that contribute to the disparities in Black maternal health include lack of access to high-quality care and health conditions stemming from the chronic stress caused by racism. Joining us today to discuss the dwindling of maternity healthcare across the state is Mariana Dale, senior reporter at LAist and Ana Ibarra, health reporter at CalMatters.
Is Zepbound Bound For Glory? A Look At The Latest Weight Loss Drug, And The Future Of The Market
A new version of the popular diabetes treatment Mounjaro can be sold as a weight-loss drug, U.S. regulators recently announced. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly’s drug, named Zepbound. The drug, also known as tirzepatide, helped dieters lose as much as 40 to 60 pounds in testing. Zepbound is the latest diabetes drug approved for chronic weight management, joining Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, a high-dose version of its diabetes treatment Ozempic. Both are weekly injections. The FDA approved Lilly’s drug for people who are considered obese, with a body mass index of 30 or higher, or those who are overweight with a related health condition, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. The drug should be paired with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise, the FDA said. How is Zepbound different from other drugs on the market? And, as weight loss medications become more available, how might we see treatment for obesity evolve? Joining AirTalk today to discuss is Dr. Scott Kahan, director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness in Washington, D.C and a faculty member at the George Washington University School of Medicine.
With files from the Associated Press.
Should You Break Up With That Long-Time Friend Of Yours? Here’s What To Consider
Friends are great, right? But what if that friend is no longer serving you? This can be a realization for a lot of older individuals in particular because it becomes even more important to make the years count. Some people start evaluating their friendships and which ones actually add value to their life. This is something author and journalist Francine Russo has been writing about. Her piece in the Wall Street Journal is “Why, and How, to Break Up With Old Friends.” She joins to discuss, and we also talk with friendship coach and educator Danielle Bayard Jackson. Have you ever broken up with a long-time friend or had it done to you? Tell us how it was handled. Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomment@laist.com.
FilmWeek: ‘Dream Scenario,’ ‘The Disappearance of Shere Hite,’ ‘Saltburn’ And More
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Lael Loewenstein, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms:
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” Wide Release
“Trolls Band Together” Wide Release
“Next Goal Wins” Wide Release
“Dream Scenario” In Select Theaters
“May December” In Select Theaters
“Leo” Streaming on Netflix November 21st
“Saltburn” In Select AMC Theaters | Wide on November 22nd
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite” AMC Burbank 16
“The Stones and Brian Jones” Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] | Available on AppleTV+
“A Still Small Voice” Laemmle Royal [West LA]
FilmWeek Feature: Larry Mantle Interviews Taika Waititi About NEXT GOAL WINS
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) and based on a true story, NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamously known for their brutal 31-0 loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy. Larry talks with the director on the film's development, casting, and his motivation for telling this story.