Health Care

Monday is inauguration day for Governor David Ige’s second term. It’s also the start of the first term for Lieutenant Governor Josh Green — and he has several pretty specific plans.

Year after year, Hawai‘i’s physician shortage continues to grow. A 2017 report on the state’s physician workforce shows a shortage of more than 400 doctors, and the largest shortfall on all islands is in primary care. The good news is there is a health care model rising in popularity across the country, and it may be just what Hawai‘i needs to help meet its primary care needs. HPR’s Ku‘uwehi Hiraishi reports.

This coming Veterans’ Day, we will likely hear stories of service from those who have been to the frontlines of war. As America honors those who served in the U.S. military, the conversation also centers on how the U.S. can serve its veterans.  HPR Reporter Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi shares the story of an often overlooked group of veterans who are hoping the country they served will return that obligation.

Health care access just got more convenient for veterans living on the Leeward coast of O‘ahu.  The Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has started a care partnership with the Veterans Choice Program.

Hawai‘i is still experiencing a shortage of doctors… but help may be on the way.  A survey conducted by the John A. Burns School of Medicine says just under 3,000 doctors are licensed to treat patients in Hawai‘i. 

Last year yielded some good news, the state lost 45 doctors to retirement, but gained 97 new doctors…a huge jump from just four new recruits the year before.

Tonight on the Body Show we'll be taking a look at the causes of thyroid cancer, steps for prevention and options for treatment if you are diagnosed. 

The transition of three state-run Maui medical facilities to Kaiser Permanente has hit another snag. The move will now be delayed until next summer. The decision has left hospital officials worried about further cuts to services and staff.

In recent years, China has moved up the global rankings in a number of measures. Those include the size of the country’s economy and the growth of its middle class. But the country is also moving up the scale in at least one negative area as well. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Heart disease is a big growth area for China.  The latest Journal of the American College of Cardiology out this week includes the first study of its kind looking at a range of risk factors in China over a number of decades.

The news is not encouraging.

  With school back in session kids are once again in the classroom, which can be a petri dish for spreading infections.  How do we keep germs out of the curriculum this year?  Tonight on the Body Show Dr. Kathy Kozak will discuss what parents can do to keep kids healthy in school.

A standoff over control of three Maui hospitals appears to be over.

A settlement between the United Public Workers Union and the state was announced Friday.  The state run Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, and Lanai Community Hospital will transfer to the supervision of Kaiser Permanente.  Employees represented by the union will work under Kaiser until their contracts expire next June.

  What to do when a cut doesn't heal? Even minor cuts can a become serious issue if they become infected. With the rise of drug-resistant infections, preventing those infections more important than ever. 

  What happens when doctors get sick? Are they really the worst patients? Do they just diagnose themselves? Today on the Body Show, Dr. Kathy Kozak talks with the other Dr. Kozak, her brother Bill, about his journey from doctor to patient and back, and how seeing their job from the other side can affect their customer service.

  The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act has the potential to substantially change how addiction is prevented and treated.  It's a nonpartisan Congressional initiative now waiting for the President's signature.  Today on Town Square, we'll continue our look at this piece of legislation and what its provisions can do - if the act becomes law and funded enough to allow the strategy to work.

State Department of Health officials are investigating a case of Hepatitis A on Hawai‘i island.  That pushes the number of confirmed cases to 93. 

An employee of Sushi Shiono in Waikoloa tested positive... and all other employees were cleared.  DOH officials say the restaurant is safe, but they are asking patrons who visited the shop from July 5th through July 21st to watch for symptoms.

Dr. Melissa Viray is the Deputy State Epidemiologist for the DOH.

A gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease has been found in the brains of developing children.

Researchers from the John A. Burns School of Medicine participated in a test of nearly 1,200 subjects between the ages of 3 and 20.  Scientists say studying these genes in young children may ultimately give us early indications of who may be at risk for dementia in the future.

Linda Chang is the author of the study.  She says the research could develop ways to prevent the disease from occurring or to delay the start of Alzheimer’s. 

  Medical mistakes can happen to anyone. But there are unique design elements that can be incorporated into doctor offices or hospitals to reduce medical errors. Talking about evidence based design in architecture. 

  Take a quick look around the world and you'll see that healthcare is entirely different around the globe. Especially in developing countries. But if it's ebola, chikungunya, zika or another emerging infection, it affects all of us, even here in Hawai‘i.  Next time, The Body Show will focus on medicine around the world. 

There are now 33 reported cases of dengue fever on Hawai‘i Island- and 1 on O‘ahu.

Dengue is not endemic to Hawai‘i- and is spread through mosquito bites.  Now the State Department of Health officials are urging the public to keep safe through the “Fight the Bite” awareness campaign.

Getting a view into Hawai‘i’s current state of health may be a little easier thanks to a new website from the State Department of Health.

The Hawaii Health Data Warehouse is a collection of information gathered from surveys conducted year round.  Today the DOH released a new interactive query tool called the “Indicator-Based Information System” or “IBIS”.  Ginny Pressler is the Director of the Department of Health.  She says the new platform puts Hawaii’s health data at the public’s fingertips.

Healthcare in Hawai‘i is a complex and changing business. It’s also very personal—and interviews with a cross-section of healthcare executives produced a variety of information. Pacific Business News Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier has more.

Executives we spoke to represented major hospitals, such as Straub and Queens, community clinics and the health insurance industry. Here are just a few of the takeaways from a wide-ranging conversation.

Two hospitals serving some of Oahu's most vulnerable patients are in financial crisis. Leahi and Maluhia hospitals have frozen admissions and are cutting staff. They're also reducing the number of available beds by 25-percent, a decision that will have a broader impact for medical care around the island. 

  It’s back to school time, and with that comes the typical concerns about colds and flus, required school shots, and how to keep your entire family healthy all year long.  This show, we talk with Dr. Brent Matsumoto from Kaiser Permanente about the keys to keeping germs from taking over this school year.  

Tune in today at 5pm on HPR-2. 

Governor David Ige was on Maui last week to sign a historic bill about local health care. The measure will allow Maui's three public hospitals to partner with a private healthcare provider. Eileen Chao has more from The Maui News.

Overdoses of prescription drugs are the leading cause of accidental death in Hawai‘i. That’s according to the Hawai‘i Injury Prevention and Control Program and matches a national trend. A team of researchers in Australia is now working on a project that may produce a new generation of pain killers. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Hawaii’s state run hospital system appears to be in dire financial straits. However, it does have new leadership in its CEO, Dr. Linda Rosen, who as Pacific Business News reports, has a lot of experience dealing with emergencies. Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier has more. 

The flu season is hitting Hawaii residents a little harder than usual this year.  Hospitals and urgent care facilities are reporting an influx of people with flu symptoms.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the current vaccine is only 23% effective, but experts say that it shouldn’t stop people from getting them. Dr. Sarah Park is the Chief Epidemiologist for the Disease outbreak control division of Hawaii.  She says that the rising levels here match those on the mainland, but despite the numbers so far, this flu season is still developing. 

State hospitals in Maui are pursuing a partnership with the privately-run Hawai‘i Pacific Health. The state’s publicly-funded facilities have been struggling for years and plan to seek approval from the legislature. HPR’s Molly Solomon has more.

Hawaii is one of 23 states that allows the use of medical marijuana. 

On January 1st, control of the state medical marijuana system will be changing from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Health.  But patients whose registrations expire this month are urged to reapply by December 12th to avoid any lapse in coverage.  Applicants must still obtain a signed physician’s statement before applying.  Scotty Ruis is the project coordinator for the State Medical Marijuana program.