TMA Health Beat

Texas BookShare Program Helps Improve Literacy

The Texas Medical Association’s Texas BookShare program helps improve literacy in underserved areas by giving free books to children. The program is funded by TMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of TMA. Physicians, medical students, county medical societies and alliances use the TMA BookShare program to give books to kids in medical clinics, schools, and elsewhere. In this episode of TMA Health Beat physicians speak about the importance of health literacy and their experience reading books to children in schools.

Vaccination Clinics in Tarrant County

For more than two decades, the Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County has played an important role in ensuring uninsured and under insured families get necessary vaccinations, especially before kids head to school. Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance members participate en masse to make the vaccination clinics a success by greeting patients and providing information on the vaccines available. In this episode of TMA Health Beat, volunteers explain how the Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County got its start and what motivates them to spend their time at vaccination events.
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Caring for Older Patients

The number of people aged 65 and older in Texas will more than triple by 2050. As this population grows, Deborah Freeland, MD, a Dallas geriatrician, and Guadalupe  Zamora, MD, a family physician in Austin, weigh in on the specialized heath care needs of older patients and how the medical community can give them the care they need.
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.
 

Preventing Heat Exhaustion and Heat Exhaustion

As the summer temperatures rise and the heat index surges, many Texans suffer from heat-related illnesses. Hilary Fairbrother, MD, an emergency medicine physician and chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Emergency Medical Services and Trauma, says she sees many patients suffering from heat exhaustion and the more dangerous heat stroke. In this TMA Health Beat Podcast, she says, staying hydrated is the best way to stay safe in the heat and she describes some of her most typical heat illness patients.
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Strengthening Border Health Care

The Texas-Mexico border region faces unique health care challenges. Many people have diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health conditions, and they often lack health insurance – 42% of adults have no health coverage. At the recently held TMA Border Health Conference, physicians, other health care stakeholders, and government policymakers gathered to discuss how to strengthen border health care.
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Hard Hats for Little Heads Turns 30

TMA’s longest-running outreach program, Hard Hats for Little Heads, has turned 30 years old. TMA has given out more than 400 thousand bike helmets through Hard Hats. In this episode, physicians talk about how the free helmet giveaway program helps keep community kids safe and brings joy to both children and physicians.

Allergy Season in Texas

The allergy season can be tough for many Texans who struggle with cough, runny nose and itchy eyes. Louise Bethea, MD, allergist and immunologist from The Woodlands, talks about the allergens that affect Texans the most, allergy induced asthma and the difference between allergies, and respiratory illnesses. 
NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom.
Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties.
This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Benefits of Walk with a Doc

TMA’s new podcast called TMA Health Beat will focus on important health care issues and outreach programs organized by TMA. In the first episode, Marinel Munda, MD, a pediatrician from Tyler, Texas, talks about Walk with a Doc – a free program organized by physicians to encourage their patients to exercise. Dr. Munda explains why walking is important for a healthy lifestyle and how the program helps her give back to her community.