Tagged: health

A story from Environmental Health News reports that lead poisoning in children in Detroit has decreased 70 percent since 2004. However, the number of children with exposure to excessive lead levels in Detroit still exceeds the national average, and funding for cleanup is dwindling.

Brian Bienkowski is a senior editor and staff writer at Environmental Health News. He discusses the decrease of lead poisoning and the motor city's environmental future.

Today on Current State: Curtis Hertel on plans to run for Senate; former congressman advocates for mental health; Lansing City Council president's response to budget proposal; and measuring water quality over the years in the Great Lakes.

On Wednesday, Governor Rick Snyder ordered a review of how Michigan delivers mental health services.  Among other issues, commissions headed by Lt. Governor Brian Calley will focus on how to close the gap for people who need help but end up in jail instead.

Bob Sheehan, executive director of Community Mental Health of Lansing, discusses mental health challenges in mid-Michigan and what he thinks the review needs to address.

Michigan continues to face a serious health challenge. A closely watched annual report shows the percentage of people categorized as "obese" in the state continues to rise.

The annual "F As in Fat" report is a project of the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is an underwriter of NPR. The report forecasts the percentage would rise to 59% in less than 20 years.  

Obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other serious illnesses.

Michigan officials say a second person has died from the West Nile virus, and 18 more cases have been reported this week.

Michigan is now one of 12 states with very high obesity rates.