Late Night Health Radio

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call regarding the state of our health, individually and collectively. Our nation’s lack of health has left us blindsided and vulnerable to the ravages of COVID-19, particularly in minority and underserved communities. In particular, is the need to address the explosion of chronic disease that has plagued our country for decades. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine addresses the gaping void for quality, evidence-based Lifestyle Medicine medical education and certification as well as advocates for its members in their individual practices. Dr. Dexter Shurney, President of the college, talks with Mark Alyn about how Lifestyle Medicine saves lives.

Taking a college gap year is a practice that may be more fully realized in 2020 than ever before, due to the global pandemic. After high school, many students take a “gap year” before heading to college.

Phyllis Folb is a well versed in all things gap with a specialty in programs based in Israel, one of the most popular gap year destinations. And most of the questions to consider when planning a gap year are universal.

“That year is a crucial time for young people,” she said. “These young people are going to be our leaders,” Folb added. “Where the U.S. freshman drop rate is at 41%, the Gap Year has proven to be the key to academic success and clarity of direction. I want people to recognize that this year of self-exploration is worth the investment, for themselves and as global citizens.” Phyllis joins Mark Alyn for an entertaining discussion on taking off to live in Israel.

In early March, and because of COVID-19, thousands of skilled nursing facilities across the nation closed their doors to outside medical staff, including visits from the team of specialists Executive Mental Health (EMH), a geropsychology and neuropsychology practice based in Los Angeles and operating in California and Nevada. EMH’s regular psychotherapy sessions with and neuropsychological assessment of elderly residents, many of them dealing with heightened stress and disorientation due to coronavirus, were abruptly cut off. As a consequence of this policy approach, residents became more vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic, e.g., greater risk of onset of depressive, anxious, and trauma-based symptoms. Dr. Ari Kalechstein, CEO of Executive Mental Health guests with Mark Alyn.

So much has been written and broadcast about the hardships endured by gay, lesbian, and trans people—we’re all familiar with queer suffering. Yet, as a society and nation, we tend to overlook or gloss over the constraints and miseries of straight culture.
In THE TRAGEDY OF HETEROSEXUALITY (NYU Press, September 2020), Jane Ward calls attention to the entrapment, disappointment, unwanted sex, and countless daily injustices endured by straight women. While conservatives have long promoted the belief that homosexual relationships are unnatural, damaged, and fraught with dysfunction, Ward examines what might be gained from raising similar questions about the health and sustainability of the heterosexual status quo.

Each September, we recognize Life Insurance Awareness Month to build awareness of the importance of life insurance and the role it plays in protecting families’ financial security. Today’s challenges highlight the need to be in control of your finances when there are so many things we cannot control. Yet, a study from 2019 found that 43% of Americans - 4 in 10 people – have no life insurance. This is especially significant when you consider that at least 35% of households would face financial hardship within a month if the primary wage earner died.

Sean Scaturro, USAA Director of Insurance Advice visits with Mark Alyn to discuss the importance of life insurance. . Mr. Scaturro answers important questions about life insurance and why how the pandemic and economic impacts are wake up calls for Americans when it comes to their financial health and decisions about insurance. He explains why only 56% of women have life insurance, compared 62% of men, and only four in 10 children are covered by life insurance. At the same time, many consumers overestimated the price of life insurance, especially millennials. Learn why there has never been a better time to discuss life insurance awareness.

Suicide trends in the U.S. are staggering. The rate of suicide is now at its highest level since 1941, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among those between the ages of 10-24. While suicide rates have been increasing significantly over the last 20 years, the COVID-19 pandemic is further threatening the mental well-being of all Americans.

Cara McNulty, DPA, President of Behavioral Health & EAP at Aetna, talks with Mark Alyn for a look at how CVS Health is joining in a campaign called the Zero Suicide Framework. You’ll learn how to identify at-risk individuals and how suicide is preventable with proper mental health care, resources and management of suicidal thoughts. In fact, 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a potentially treatable mental health condition.

In late October of 2016, 59-year old Chris Joseph was diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer. He thought he was a goner.

In the midst of the panic and tremendous fear that immediately ensued, Joseph followed the doctor’s orders without hesitation and underwent chemotherapy—a choice that was almost a fatal mistake.

Months of chemotherapy poisoned his body and nearly destroyed his spirit. With no immediate plan in mind, Joseph fired his oncologist and embarked on an alternative path of recovery, including both natural and Western medicine immunotherapy—one that, against all odds, opened his eyes and healed him, both physically and spiritually.

“Life is a Ride: My Unconventional Journey of Cancer Recovery”, Joseph’s recently-released book (Launch Pad Publishing), is a story of dealing with the physical and emotional fallout of a cancer diagnosis. Chris talks with Mark Alyn on this edition of Late NIght Health.

Many people with shorter stature dream of being taller, and now, that dream can be a reality.
Dr. Nic Gay of Silicon Valley Orthopaedics performs this amazing procedure with an experienced orthopedic surgical team. The orthopedic limb lengthening can be life-changing for those who feel their height is holding them back in their personal or professional lives. Using the most advanced medical technology and techniques, Dr. Gay at Silicon Valley Orthopaedics can help add up to five inches of height.

Bailey Bloom loves to play superheroes with her two best friends, Zoey and Rose. The three girls dream of a day when they can fly through the air, saving princesses in far-off lands. But when the girls learn that Coronavirus is spreading through their town, they quickly realize that they already have what it takes to be real-life superheroes as they help those in need. Jill Rosenweig, who created the book, visits with Mark Alyn for an uplifting look at the pandemic.

Angel works with CEOs to improve their business. He works with people to make them the CEOs of their lives.. Angel visits with Mark Alyn.