The Local Edition

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 795,000 people experience a stroke each year, and it remains one of the leading causes of death and the top cause of serious long-term disability—especially among adults over 65.

But there is hope: 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Dr. Kavita Aggarwal, a primary care physician at Optum Health specializing in internal medicine, about how residents in the region can better understand the warning signs and take steps to reduce their risk.

Dr. Aggarwal compared a stroke to a heart attack of the brain and explained the three types: ischemic, hemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), commonly referred to as “mini-strokes.” Ischemic strokes, which make up 87 percent of all cases, occur when blood clots or plaque block blood vessels leading to or in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, result from ruptured arteries leaking into brain tissue.

TIAs may resolve quickly, but Aggarwal called them “warning strokes,” emphasizing they require immediate medical evaluation to prevent a larger, potentially fatal stroke.

Quick response, she stressed, is everything. “Most treatments need to be administered within the first three hours of symptom onset,” she said.

To help identify stroke symptoms, Aggarwal pointed to the CDC-endorsed acronym FAST:

Aggarwal added, “Do not drive to the hospital. Call 911. EMS may be able to start life-saving treatment on the way.”

She also addressed disparities in stroke risk. “Studies have shown that African Americans are more likely to die from strokes than other racial groups, and the risk of a first stroke is nearly twice as high for Black individuals,” she noted, citing contributing factors like higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and genetic conditions like sickle cell disease. Hispanic men and women are also at elevated risk for similar reasons.

While age remains a significant factor—risk doubles every 10 years after age 55—Dr. Aggarwal warned that strokes are increasingly affecting younger adults. “One out of seven strokes now occurs in people between 15 and 49,” she said.

She emphasized that prevention should be the first line of defense: “We work hard to manage known risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, but also encourage healthy lifestyle changes.”

Her recommendations include:

Recovery after a stroke varies, but it begins immediately in the hospital. Aggarwal explained that rehabilitation may include physical, speech, and occupational therapy to help patients regain mobility and perform daily tasks.

Asked about misconceptions, she pointed to a gap in public awareness: “Most people recognize one-sided numbness as a stroke symptom, but only 38 percent are aware of all the major signs—or when to call 911.”

That’s why, she said, it’s crucial for everyone to speak with their healthcare provider. “Make sure you schedule your annual physical. That’s the foundation for preventing these serious events.”

For Dr. Aggarwal, the message is personal, too: “I actually sit down with my parents and talk to them about stroke symptoms. After this interview, I’m going to do it again.”

County leaders across New York State came together on May 21st to address the devastating toll the proposed House budget reconciliation bill could have on New Yorkers. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar has this report. 

The legacy of the Borscht Belt continues to thrive across the Catskills. This summer and fall, the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project—co-founded by photographers Marisa Scheinfeld and Isaac Jeffreys—returns with six new historical markers and an expanded lineup of immersive cultural events.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Scheinfeld and Jeffreys about their ongoing efforts to preserve the region’s vibrant past. From Ellenville to Livingston Manor, each marker unveiling will be paired with community programs, including walking tours, art talks, and even a film screening in an original Catskills nightclub.

The season kicks off May 24 in Ellenville, with additional dedications scheduled throughout the summer and fall.

📍 2025 Marker Events

For full details, visit maytheborschtbewithyou.org or follow the project on social media.

Sullivan County legislators are scrambling for a new location to build a gateway housing shelter in the county. Last week, the legislature voted against scheduling a public hearing to operate a gateway housing center on Pittaluga Road in Thompson, N.Y. This follows months after heated debate between opponents and advocates for the shelter.

District 5 Legislator Cat Scott was the sole vote in favor of scheduling the public hearing. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Scott about what’s at stake amidst the county’s housing crisis.

May is National Women’s Health Month, a time dedicated to encouraging women and girls to prioritize their health through regular checkups, preventive screenings, mental wellness, and healthy lifestyle choices.

To help raise awareness, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Dr. Caroline DeFilippo, Medical Director of Primary Care at Optum Medical, CareMount in Mount Kisco, NY. In their conversation, Dr. DeFilippo highlighted the unique health challenges women face—including maternal health, menopause, and heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.

“There are a number of unique health challenges that face women that National Women’s Health Month really wants us to draw more attention to,” said DeFilippo, adding that many conditions like high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol often go undetected without routine screenings.

She emphasized the importance of holistic care: staying active, eating well, avoiding harmful habits like smoking, and most importantly—prioritizing mental health.

“So often women are juggling many things, probably more than they should be juggling, and they don’t take a second to say, what is it that I need?” DeFilippo noted.

The conversation also explored barriers in the healthcare system, particularly for underserved communities. Dr. DeFilippo advocated for making access to care easier and more streamlined—from getting screenings in a single visit to ensuring women feel safe and supported in medical settings.

Her message to women during Women’s Health Month: “Please treat your body well. Treat it kindly and take care of it—it’s all we get, and we get one shot to do this right.”

Listen to the full interview to hear Dr. DeFilippo’s advice on screenings, heart health, mental wellness, and how healthcare providers can better support women across the regio

As preventable diseases like measles make a resurgence across the U.S., the importance of routine vaccinations and a strong public health system has never been clearer.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Dr. Richard Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting CDC Director, about why vaccine education is more vital than ever amid sweeping cuts to public health departments.

Listen to the full conversation on Radio Catskill and hear Dr. Besser’s insights on how communities can stay informed, protected, and supported in the face of growing public health challenges.

On May 8, a flash flood struck the Borough of Honesdale after a large underground pipe carrying the Fourth Street Creek suddenly gave way. The resulting surge of water damaged homes, flooded streets, and left the community reeling.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Honesdale Mayor Derek Williams about the emergency response, the impact on residents, and what’s being done to prevent future disasters. Mayor Williams, often called the “walking mayor” for his hands-on leadership style, shares how the community pulled together—and what the road to recovery looks like for Honesdale.

Sullivan County’s Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a confirmed case of measles was reported in neighboring Orange County. 

With measles being one of the most contagious viral diseases, local health officials are urging vigilance to prevent potential spread within our community—especially with summer camps and public gatherings on the horizon.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo Dr. Jessie Moore, Sullivan County’s Public Health Director, about what this advisory means, how the county is responding, and what steps residents should take to stay protected.

A federal civil rights lawsuit involving allegations of religious discrimination in the Town of Forestburgh has escalated into a national legal flashpoint, with both the U.S. Department of Justice and the New York State Attorney General backing the Hasidic Orthodox Jewish developers behind a long-stalled housing project.

The developers allege that Forestburgh officials deliberately revised zoning laws to prevent their planned community from moving forward. The 2,600-unit project, originally envisioned as a golf resort called Lost Lake, has changed hands over the years. The latest owners purchased it for over $13 million and say they have encountered systemic resistance rooted in religious bias.

“This is a version of a fight we’ve seen across the Hudson Valley and the Catskills,” said Philip Pantuso, Managing Editor of the Times Union’s Hudson Valley bureau, in an interview with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo. “But what’s different here is the depth of evidence pointing to discriminatory intent.”

That evidence includes internal emails exchanged by town officials and residents. In one message cited by federal prosecutors, the chairman of the planning board wrote, “Please don’t be scared about the Hasidic threat ― we’re energized and have the cash to fight and make their lives miserable.” Another email warned of Hasidic families “taking over like locusts” and destroying Forestburgh “as we know and love it today.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan filed a 21-page statement of interest in federal court supporting the developers’ civil rights claims. State Attorney General Letitia James followed with a strongly worded letter praising the Justice Department’s action.

“Your engagement in this matter sends a powerful message that no individual or community is above the law — and no community is beyond its protection,” James wrote to the acting U.S. attorney.

James’ office had previously warned Forestburgh officials that the town’s zoning code may violate anti-discrimination laws, particularly for requiring five-acre minimum lots for places of worship and excessive lot-line setbacks—restrictions the plaintiffs argue were designed to keep Hasidic Jews out.

In response, Forestburgh’s legal counsel, Jafid Afzali, defended the zoning laws, saying they apply equally to religious and secular uses such as daycares and libraries. He also argued that the cited emails dated back to 2015—well before the current developers acquired the property—and that they don’t represent official town policy.

“These communications have been taken out of context and do not reflect the actions or official position of the Town Board,” Afzali wrote, adding that the town has worked to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory land-use laws.

Still, critics of the town’s actions say the pattern resembles other legal battles, including a 2019 case in Chester, Orange County, where the state and federal governments intervened to stop what they deemed discriminatory housing policies aimed at blocking Hasidic migration.

The Forestburgh case remains in federal court, with the developers seeking damages and a halt to what they describe as unconstitutional zoning barriers. In the meantime, development on the site remains frozen.

“There have been other disputes on this land before the Hasidic community got involved,” Robayo noted during his conversation with Pantuso. “But what’s surfaced in the emails is something entirely different—it goes beyond environmental or aesthetic concerns and reveals deeper issues.”

A resolution may still be months away, but the involvement of the top state and federal law enforcement agencies signals that Forestburgh’s zoning practices will remain under intense scrutiny.

“This case exemplifies the critical need for robust enforcement of the Fair Housing Act,” James said, “and the protection of all communities from discriminatory governmental conduct.”

On this World Ovarian Cancer Day, hope is on the horizon for the estimated 300,000 women diagnosed globally each year with one of the most lethal forms of cancer. A groundbreaking new international effort is being launched today that aims to transform how ovarian cancer is detected and treated—by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), based in the United States, in partnership with research organizations from Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Backed by a $1 million grant and an additional $1 million in AI compute credits from Microsoft’s AI for Health Lab, the new Global Ovarian Cancer Coalition intends to accelerate research breakthroughs that have long lagged behind those for other cancers like breast or skin.

Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo spoke with Audra Moran, President and CEO of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, to learn more about this international effort and how AI may change the future of ovarian cancer care.

“There is no mammogram for ovarian cancer,” said Moran. “That’s been the holy grail—developing a reliable early detection test. Right now, by the time symptoms appear, the cancer has often already spread.”

But AI, Moran believes, can help rewrite that narrative.

One promising example comes from Memorial Sloan Kettering, where a researcher funded by OCRA is using nanotechnology and AI to scan blood for molecular markers that may indicate ovarian cancer years before symptoms arise. “This kind of innovation could shift detection forward by five years,” Moran said, offering a potential lifeline to countless women.

The lack of early detection is only one of the challenges. Ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease—many different types fall under the same label, and most originate not in the ovaries, but in the fallopian tubes. By the time the disease is diagnosed, it is often in advanced stages, contributing to a 50 percent survival rate—a figure Moran calls “unacceptable.”

That stark reality is what inspired this global coalition. “We don’t care where a cure comes from,” said Moran. “We just want to find it.”

AI’s role will not only be in detection but also in treatment optimization, potentially tailoring therapies to each patient’s genetic profile. The coalition also aims to address systemic hurdles in global research—like the sharing of data across borders—and create a collaborative environment that supersedes national and institutional competition.

For patients, families, and advocates wondering how to help, Moran encourages visiting OCRA’s website, where individuals can take a free genetic risk assessment, access peer mentorship, and learn about advocacy efforts. “If a test is developed,” Moran noted, “we’ll need to ensure it gets covered by insurance and Medicare.”

The launch today marks a turning point, not only in strategy but in optimism. Moran, reflecting on her own experience with rapidly evolving AI tools like ChatGPT, believes the same acceleration can—and must—apply to life-saving medical technology.

“Just a year ago, I would’ve said it could take 10 years to see this kind of change,” she said. “Now, I believe we can do it much faster.”

For Moran and so many others—including families affected by ovarian cancer, like this reporter’s own—this initiative represents more than innovation. It represents a promise that the future can be different.