Talk! with Audrey

Lupus nephritis or LN is a debilitating kidney disease that disproportionally affects the Black community, partially due to Black individuals being at a much higher risk of developing severe manifestations following a systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE diagnosis. Joining me to talk about the challenges of living with and treating LN, the racial disparities currently present in the healthcare system, and the future landscape for the treatment of LN,  Dr. James Tumlin, Professor of Medicine, Emory University and founder and medical director of the NephroNet Clinical Trials Consortium and Victoria Gibbs, a meditation and yoga instructor, wellness influencer and LN patient.

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men in the U.S., it is more common, aggressive and deadly among Black men, compared to other racial groups. In fact, one in seven Black men will be diagnosed with the disease. Surgeon and urologist, Dr. Arnold Bullock and radiation oncologist Dr. Lannis Hall join me with important information on what all men, especially Black men, should know about prostate cancer.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a devastating inherited blood disorder that occurs in 1 out of every 365 African American births, impacting more than 100,000 people in the U.S. The community has been severely impacted by the pandemic, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listing SCD as one of the populations most vulnerable to severe illness and death from COVID-19. Joining me to talk about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on those with SCD, and the importance of receiving the vaccine to ensure patients can effectively manage this chronic illness, Lakesha Dickerson, a family nurse practitioner and Sickle Cell Disease patient and Dr. Biree Andemariam, founding director of the New England Sickle Cell Institute (NESCI) at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Rare diseases affect nearly 30 million Americans each year. One rare, progressive kidney disease, known as Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), is the most common, rare, inherited kidney disorder you’ve likely never heard of. My guest is Nephrologist, Dr. Meyon Park, Director of UCSF Polycystic Kidney Disease Center of Excellence, she shares the signs, symptoms and impact that ADPKD has on the kidneys.

The flu is a very common but potentially serious illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. As many as 45 million Americans can get the virus each year,  but even people who are vaccinated could still get the flu. Dr. CASEY LAFFERTY, Medical Director at Health First joins me to talk about  what to do if you get it,  how to protect yourself and your family and about a new preventive option people 12 years of age and older can take if they come into contact with someone who has the flu.

Digital currency is the wave of the future and central banks around the world are weighing introducing a new kind of money – one that will allow us to transact in our digital world, safely and securely by using central bank digital currency (CBDC.)  Joining me to talk about digital currency and the wave of financial innovation it might bring forward, David Treat, senior managing director Global Blockchain and Multiparty Systems Lead, at Accenture.

According to the American Diabetes Association, about half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. Joining me to talk about diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the signs, symptoms and risks, Dr. Nicole Reardon, a board certified podiatric surgeon who practices at the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Francisco.   Dr. Reardon is an expert in limb preservation and advanced wound care and oversees the limb preservation clinic and is a member of two wound care committees at the SFVA Medical Center; for one of which she sits as co-chair.

The K-12 education scene underwent considerable change over the past year, with unprecedented numbers of families considering new schools. Andrew Campanella, President of National School Choice Week, joins me to discuss how school choice can level the playing field, bringing info and options to parents.

The birth of a child is a joyous occasion for an entire family.  For the families of the more than 150,000 American babies are born with a birth defect each year, it also brings fear and uncertainty. Pioneering fetal surgeon Dr. Scott Azdick, Surgeon-In-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia specializes in treating these babies’ unique needs – including surgical procedures when they are still in the womb.   He joins me to talk about how fetal surgery can help save and better the lives of many children worldwide.

Mike McDaniel, an ACTIV-2 treatment study clinical trial participant talks about his personal experience in the ACTIV-2 treatment study clinical trial and why he feels it's important to consider volunteering to diversify the study. His family of five, were all Covid positive.   In April, 2020 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) public-private partnership to develop a coordinated research strategy for prioritizing and speeding development of the most promising treatments and vaccines. You’ve no doubt heard about the vaccine to help prevent covid 19 infections,  but there is also a need to find effective treatments for people with Covid 19. In this series you'll hear first hand from an infectious disease specialist, a community advisor and a clinical trial participant about the need to diversify the study to help save lives.

Dr. Lance Okeke is an infectious disease specialist and COVID-19 site principal investigator for the ACTIV-2 clinical trial at Duke University. We talk about the historical mistrust of clinical trials among Black communities, the clinical trial and who’s eligible to participate in the study.   In April, 2020 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) public-private partnership to develop a coordinated research strategy for prioritizing and speeding development of the most promising treatments and vaccines. You’ve no doubt heard about the vaccine to help prevent covid 19 infections,  but there is also a need to find effective treatments for people with Covid 19. In this series you'll hear first hand from an infectious disease specialist, a community advisor and a clinical trial participant about the need to diversify the study to help save lives.

Tony Wafford - President and CEO of the I Choose Life Health and Wellness Center and Rise Above Covid Community Advisory Board member. Tony lost 5 family members to Covid-19. We talk about the racial inequities and the impact on Black communities and the ACTIV-2 treatment study clinical trial that is testing different investigational medicines to determine if they are safe and can help adults with COVID-19 get better.   In April, 2020 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) public-private partnership to develop a coordinated research strategy for prioritizing and speeding development of the most promising treatments and vaccines. You’ve no doubt heard about the vaccine to help prevent covid 19 infections,  but there is also a need to find effective treatments for people with Covid 19. In this series you'll hear first hand from an infectious disease specialist, a community advisor and a clinical trial participant about the need to d

Small businesses are the heart of our country and they have been hit especially hard during the Coronavirus pandemic. Christina Tosi, a James Beard award-winning pastry chef and  founder of Milk Bar, has information about the Made for More Small Business Fund, a new initiative from Ball Canning to celebrate and honor small businesses and provide monetary funds to help them grow.

It’s no surprise that the kitchen is the heart of the home.  And, while this holiday season may look a little different for many, there are still ways to stay connected through food and technology. Food and Lifestyle Expert Whitney Bond joins me now with ways to optimise your time in order to connect with loved ones over the holidays in new and creative ways.

As friends and family consider what their holiday plans may look like, the American Medical Association (AMA) wants to remind Americans that there are precautions we can take to ensure a healthy Holiday Season in 2020, with tips to help you celebrate the holiday’s safely, Dr. Susan Bailey, President of the American Medical Association.

As this difficult year draws to a close, many Americans are taking stock of their economic situation and financial habits, with the goal of starting 2021 on sound footing. Setting yourself up for financial success requires an ongoing commitment. Lorrie Asker, Regional President of Idaho and Eastern Washington for First Interstate Bank joins me with a four step plan to help you reach financial success.

Sharon Miller, Head of Small Business at Bank of America, joins me now to discuss the impact of the pandemic on small business owners and the results of the 2020 Bank of America Small Business Owner Report, a study exploring the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of more than 1,000 small business owners across the country.

Lifestyle Expert Carmen Ordoñez  has some great last-minute shopping tips, picking out unique stocking stuffers, which tech items are trending and more.

Many people living with diabetes struggle to afford their insulin. In response to this problem, Lilly has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign called Insulin Affordability:Learn. Act. Share. Beginning Jan. 2021, people enrolled in participating Medicare Part D plans, those with commercial insurance or uninsured, can access Lilly insulin for $35 per monthly prescription. Wade Neucks, Director of the Patient Affordability Solutions Team at Lilly Diabetes is my guest.

In a typical year, there are over 17 million surgeries in the U.S. – all resulting in surgical incision wounds. As elective surgeries continue to resume, it’s critical that surgical incision wounds heal properly. November is Healthy Skin Month and joining me,  renowned dermatologist, Dr. Jeanine Downie, with more on this important topic.