Chronic Illness, Partnership Profiles

WEKU and the Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center partnered for Simple Changes: Fighting Chronic Illness in Appalachian Kentucky, a year- long project to improve the quality of care for the chronically ill in the Appalachian counties of Kentucky. Four first-person radio diaries showed how the chronically ill and caregivesr cope day to day. Additional programming included news reports, live call-ins and a documentary. The Medical Center provided screenings and a project Web site offered additional resources and access to all programming.

Learn how Indiana Public Radio (WBST-FM) in Muncie, IN and its partner, Center for Gerontology at the Fisher Institute for Wellness at Ball State University, used steering committees to help shape their projects.

Learn how WNED-AM in Buffalo, NY and the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care produced an interactive panel discussion with medical, legal and spiritual professionals to address end-of-life issues.

WOMR, the Center for Life Care, Planning and Support (a program of Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod) and The Cape Cod Voice produced Silent Stories, a multi-media initiative giving voice to residents with chronic illnesses, disabilities and/or chronic pain.

Find out how KVMR-FM in Nevada City, CA and FREED, a disability advocacy group, created programming to educate their local community on the long-term care need of isolated elders in their community.

KMUW-FM and the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita joined to improve access to health care, promote discussion about health care within the community, and reduce the isolation experienced by many who suffer from chronic conditions and those who care for them. Chronic Illness, Acute Answers explored 12 topics in radio and television features, news programs, call-in programs, and discussion groups.

Find out how WDCB-FM in Glen Ellyn, IL and the DuPage County Department of Human Services and Public Health significantly improved area residents' knowledge about health care choices by informing them about available resources, services and options.

KBIA-FM and MU Health Care worked to increase their community's knowledge
about chronic illnesses so residents can make more informed health care decisions. In Living With It they explored how chronic illness is defined, gave exposure to services available in the area, discussed treatment options and examined the economic and social impacts of chronic illnesses on individuals and their community. KBIA produced weekly 8-minute features and monthly 30-minute programs. MU Health Care provided health screenings related to each topic KIBA featured, identified experts for KIBA, and promoted the initiative in the rural areas it serves.

Learn how KUFM-FM in Missoula, MT, and its partner, Missoula Demonstration Project, successfully used arts and humanities to enhance the intimacy of radio and its ability to promote introspection and discussion around end-of-life issues.

Discover how Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland, OR and the Oregon Health Forum helped Oregonians learn about and use advances in end-of-life planning and care.