The Texas Medical Association Council on Health Promotion (CHP) has launched a podcast series to inform and educate the public on some of TMA’s public health priorities, as well as community outreach programs the council oversees.
The 5-minute, physician-led discussions of TMA Health Beat focus on issues like obesity, vaccinations, diabetes, substance abuse, literacy, and mental health and are meant to be a “quick but accurate installation of information to listeners,” said council chair Li-Yu Mitchell, MD.
“We want to give listeners good information and lead them to the necessary resources.”
Each monthly installment features a subject relevant to the month of its release.
For example, many people set health goals in the beginning of the year, so January’s inaugural audio episode focused on healthy living and one of TMA’s signature outreach programs, Walk With a Doc. The conversation centered around the benefits of getting outside and walking more, aiming for 30 minutes a day.
“The truth is most people need more physical activity. [The podcast] offers a way to deliver a timely conversation while encouraging patients,” said Louise Bethea, MD, a CHP member who contributed her expertise to the episode.
Dr. Bethea, an allergist in Spring, also worked on a forthcoming episode on allergies.
“We want to remind people [during allergy season] to be aware of symptoms before they start, because it could lead to other health problems down the road,” Dr. Bethea said.
The podcast is in its earliest stages; TMA members are encouraged to provide feedback on episodes and offer suggestions for future topics they would like to see discussed. Listen here.
Health Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1392