More than 115 people are dying in the United States every day from an opioid overdose.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, a baby suffering from opioid withdrawal is born every 25 minutes.  The opioid epidemic has been declared a national public health emergency.  Here in Pennsylvania, the ripple effect from the epidemic has reached our schools.  Many schools now stock Naloxone, the opoioid overdose reversal drug.  Some conduct random drug testing to deter students from using.  But, teachers say their main concern is students who have parents struggling with opioid addiction.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an estimated 25% of American school-age children are growing up in households where substance abuse is present. For some of these children, school is the only place that is safe and free from chaos.  But, just because you remove a child from that environment physically doesn't mean they can escape it mentally.  On HealthSmart: Education vs Epidemic, Pennsylvania educators will explain why school often takes a back seat for children who have parents struggling with opioid addiction.  Plus we'll talk about what schools are doing to educate children on the dangers of drugs.

Don't miss HealthSmart: Education vs Epidemic Thursday, June 14th at 8pm.

More than 115 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day.  In Pennsylvania, that number is ten.  Which means that on this very day we will likely lose ten mothers, children, neighbors or friends to the opioid epidemic.  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the epidemic is the worst public health crisis the state has ever seen - claiming the lives of the rich, poor, old and young.

First responders are on the front line of the epidemic.  Pennsylvania is spending $5 million to arm first responders with naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.  That money will provide police, EMTs and other first responders with more than 60,000 naloxone kits.

On HealthSmart: Front Line of the Opioid Crisis we'll examine how the role of a first responder has changed as a result of this epidemic.  We'll talk to first responders who will share their frustration and determination to save lives.  Don't miss HealthSmart: Front Line of the Opioid Crisis March 28^th at 8pm on WITF.

Longer life spans and aging Baby Boomers will soon lead to a surge in the number of Americans 65 or older.  By 2030, health care spending is expected to increase by 25%, largely because the population will be older.  Although there is a big push to offer assistance in keeping seniors as healthy as possible while "aging in place," nearly 42 percent of people who live to age 70 will spend time in a nursing home.  And, for those who want to age in place, the pool of potential family caregivers will be smaller for baby boomers than it was for their parents.  What is being done to prepare for the surge in the number of older Americans and what should Baby Boomers do to prepare for the future?

Don't miss HealthSmart: The Aging Boom Thursday, November 16th at 8pm.

Of the 74.5 million children in the United States, an estimated 17.1 million have or have had a mental health disorder.  That's more than the number of children with cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, half of all mental illness occurs before the age of 14 and 75 percent by the age of 24.  In spite of the magnitude of the problem, lack of awareness and entrenched stigma keep many of these young people from getting help.

On HealthSmart: Children and Mental Illness we'll talk about what causes a mental health disorder in a child, how they're treated and why they often go untreated.

Childhood.  We think it should evoke happy memories.  Playing outside until sunset.  Camping in the backyard.  But for many, childhood was a time of fear and stress.  Instead of happiness, it was filled with experiences that have the power to completely change the course of a child's life.

In the 90s, the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente conducted one of the largest studies on what it referred to as ACEs or Adverse Childhood Experiences.  The study examined the link between childhood adversity and poor health later in life.  The findings have been called eye-opening and groundbreaking.

On HealthSmart: The Adversity Effect we'll learn more about those findings and why many hoped the study would be more well-known by now.  Plus, we'll talk about what some are doing to prevent further childhood adversity.

Don't miss HealthSmart: The Adversity Effect June 15th at 8pm on WITF.

Ninety-one Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.  That's according to the Centers for Disease Control.  In fact, public health officials are calling the current opioid epidemic the worst drug crisis in American history.  Chances are you know someone struggling with opioid addiction.  Sadly it seems no one is immune no matter their gender, race, income level or age.

HealthSmart first focused on the opioid epidemic in 2015, when the percentage of drug overdose deaths involving heroin had tripled in just five years.  In response, the Centers for Disease Control recommended states take an active role in prevention, treatment and recovery efforts.  It was a scary time.  Sadly, the situation has not improved.

On HealthSmart: The Opioid Epidemic we'll revisit our guests from the HealthSmart program produced in 2015 as they continue to recover, heroin having forever changed their lives.  Plus, we'll talk with experts about what's happening now and how they plan to get a handle on this drug crisis.

Don't miss HealthSmart: The Opioid Epidemic Thursday, April 27th at 8pm on WITF.

Health and happiness. We strive for them. We hope for them.
Both are important in our lives but they're separate, right? One refers to our body, the other to our mind.  Well, maybe not. What if having one made you more likely to have the other?

Doctors have pondered the link between mind and body for centuries. Until the 1800s, most believed that emotions were linked to disease.  When one was sick, they were advised to visit a spa or resort.  But gradually that theory decreased in popularity as causes of illnesses like bacteria or toxins were discovered and treatments such as antibiotics were introduced. 

More recently, researchers have been rediscovering the link between mind and body.

On HealthSmart: Health and Happiness we'll talk with doctors, mental health experts, best-selling authors and individuals to gain advice on achieving both.
Don't miss HealthSmart: Health and Happiness February 23rd at 8pm on WITF.

According to the Centers for Disease Control the majority of Americans say it's extremely important to them that their families are not burdened by tough decisions at the end of life.  But about the same number have not communicated their end-of-life wishes.

On HealthSmart: Finding Peace we'll talk about attitudes towards mortality and how have they changed over time.  Families will bravely share their stories of love and loss.  Experts from across the country and right here in Central Pennsylvania will offer advice about end-of-life concerns.

Through it all we'll attempt to find peace with a topic that's hard for so many.

Don't miss HealthSmart: Finding Peace October 13th at 8 pm on WITF.

Millennials live in a fast-paced world.  So it's no surprise they desire convenience in most aspects of their lives including healthcare.

On HealthSmart: Millennial Mindset we'll take a closer look at members of this generation.  How healthy are Millennials and how does their health knowledge compare to that of other generations?  How do they prefer to receive their care and how could their preferences impact the future of healthcare?

Don't miss HealthSmart: Millennial Mindset September 8th at 8pm on WITF.

According to the National Institutes of Health the majority of teens are sleep deprived, only about 4% of high schools require physical education every day and most kids are not getting the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables in their diet.

In today's world we're busy.  We have work, school, afterschool activities and homework.  How do we slow down to make sure we're allowing time for sleep, exercise and good nutrition?  On HealthSmart:  Growing up Healthy we'll talk about the challenges of raising healthy kids in today's world.  Plus we'll offer tips for good sleep, exercise and nutrition.

Don't miss HealthSmart:  Growing up Healthy Thursday, April 28th at 8pm.

We should spend about a third of our lives sleeping.  That's if we get eight hours of sleep every night.  The reality is, most Americans do not get the recommended amount of sleep.  In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, over 40 million adults are sleeping six or fewer hours a day.

Distractions, responsibilities and stress are a few possible reasons for not getting enough rest.  No matter what the reason, sleep deprivation can impact your health.  Those who are sleep deprived are at risk for heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.

On HealthSmart: The Importance of Sleep we'll talk about the importance of sleep and why many of us have trouble getting enough.  Plus we'll provide tips for getting a good night's rest.