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How this mobile cancer screening unit will help expand healthcare access in the Gulf South

Through its Prevention on the Go program, Mary Bird Perkins brings free and convenient cancer screenings to communities across southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi by utilizing three mobile medical clinics.
Courtesy of Ryan Sinitiere
Through its Prevention on the Go program, Mary Bird Perkins brings free and convenient cancer screenings to communities across southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi by utilizing three mobile medical clinics.

Nearly two decades ago, Louisiana lawmakers promised to reshape the state’s juvenile justice system to adopt a model of rehabilitation rather than punishment. All these years later, youth facilities remain understaffed, underfunded, and violent. Staff writer for the Baton Rouge Advocate Jacqueline DeRobertis joins us more on these broken promises and where to go from here.

It’s no secret that many residents of the Gulf South often have difficulties accessing healthcare due to transportation, language, and other barriers. Now, the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge is set to unveil a new mobile unit aimed at expanding access to cancer screenings and increasing healthcare options. Renea Duffin, Mary Bird Perkins Vice President of Cancer Support, Outreach, and Clinical Research, tells us more.

One unforeseen consequence of Hurricane Ida was a spike in the number of carbon monoxide related deaths largely due to the overuse of generators. This led to a new law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in homes. Law author Metairie Rep. Stephanie Hilferty and State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis join us for more information on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Karen Henderson. Our managing producer is Alana Schreiber and our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz. Our engineers are Garrett Pittman, Aubry Procell, and Thomas Walsh. 

You can listen to Louisiana Considered Monday through Friday at 12:00 and 7:30 pm. It’s available on Spotify, Google Play, and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Louisiana Considered wants to hear from you! Please fill out our pitch line to let us know what kinds of story ideas you have for our show. And while you’re at it, fill out our listener survey! We want to keep bringing you the kinds of conversations you’d like to listen to.

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Karen Henderson is an award-winning journalist whose stories have aired nationally on NPR.
Alana Schreiber is the managing producer for the live daily news program, Louisiana Considered. She comes to WRKF from KUNC in Northern Colorado, where she worked as a radio producer for the daily news magazine, Colorado Edition. She has previously interned for Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul and The Documentary Group in New York City.