Vax Matters

In another More That Matters episode, we talk about kids’ exercise with former pro-athlete Rudy Macklin. Macklin, the current director of the Governor’s Fitness Council and Bureau of Minority Health, takes us into the world of kids’ health and how consistent activity and exercise is crucial to their health.

Vaccinations have been around for centuries…but what would happen if we decided to stop giving them? Dr. Christina Lord joins us in today’s episode as we delve into the importance of vaccinations in order to protect our futures.

Listen along to find out more information on how the state of Louisiana fits into the topic of STIs, or sexually transmitted infections. Dr. John Vanchiere guest stars in this episode to discuss the types of STIs, our state’s high infection rate, treatments and prevention methods.

Health insurance is needed by the masses, that’s why in this episode we take a glance at Medicaid eligibility. The Deputy Director for Medicaid eligibility at the Louisiana Department of Health, Charlene Julien, gives us an overview of important facts you should know.

Vax Matters is joined by Dr. John Vanchiere to discuss all things respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known as RSV. Dr. Vanchiere takes us on a deep-dive into the virus including its complications, symptoms and the new immunization option available.

The Louisiana summer heat causes multiple heat-related illnesses for those of all ages. In this episode, we review heat advisories and the precautions you can take to stay safe while outside.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children in the United States. In this episode, Dr. Martha Whyte, the Regional Medical Director for Region 7, joins us to discuss facts and tips on how to stay safe around all types of water including pools, open water and even bathtubs.

It's official: we're back for Season Two of Vax Matters! Created by the Louisiana Office of Public Health, Vax Matters, and its subseries, More That Matters, discusses all the truth with none of the misinformation. Vaccinations are crucial to a healthy and growing community, which is why we release episodes filled with honest conversation and factual information. We're excited to dive into a new season filled with varying topics such as immunizations, history, health and building stronger communities. Join us to get all the knowledge you need to keep Louisiana healthy.

Your baby won’t tell you she has COVID, but she just might have it after all. Tune in as we talk with Region 8 Medical Director Dr. Tonya Hunter on how COVID can affect young children, and what we can do to watch for the virus in our little ones.

More That Matters is back… and obesity is more than meets the eye. From raising your disease risk to increasing the burden of medical bills, this chronic condition brings numerous hidden costs. Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s Melissa Martin, who heads its Greaux Healthy program, joins us on this episode to talk about obesity, its widespread consequences and what we can do to reverse the trends.