This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Health and Science Report, a weekly radio show hosted by Dr. Brian Porteous, produced by the University of California at Irvine.
Originally begun with a back-to-the-basics format, the Health and Science Report has evolved to covering what's new and controversial in science and medicine. "Any topic relating to general health and welfare, endorsed by mainstream medicine or not, is Health and Science Report material," said Dr. Porteous. Specific doses of healing herbs, the FDA's attempts to regulate vitamins, research on shark cartilage, pesticides in our food supply, and vegetarian approaches to immune support are all topics for discussion.
Dr. Porteous recently returned from touring hospitals in Mexico where he interviewed doctors involved in alternative treatments for cancer. He plans to air the interviews in a special series and discuss the treatments, many of which are illegal in the US (such as oxygen therapy).
The Health and Science Report includes chiropractic. "When we cover chiropractic, I'll invite another chiropractic physician into the studio to field the questions," said Dr. Porteous.
Each hour-long show features two topical interviews, medical briefs, and a psychology segment called "Checkup from the Neck Up." About 90 percent of the interviews are live and 10 percent are pretaped, to fit into the busy schedules of the guests.
"The Health and Science Report focuses on getting to the heart of current health issues. We want to find practical, readily applicable information and advice that listeners can apply to their lives right away," explained Dr. Porteous. "We don't mind the statistics and they are definitely included in the show," he noted, "but what really impresses me is the expert who is not just preaching from the lab, but from real life. You know, experts who walk their talk."
An example is Jack Lalanne, the exercise and fitness king. "During all his years preaching the benefits of fitness, I don't think Jack ever admitted that he doesn't like to exercise. But he did on our show. He said that exercising every day was always a challenge for him. Now that's something listeners can relate to. If Jack Lalanne needs some motivation, then the average people working hard to stay on a program can feel a little better about themselves."
The Health and Science Report guest list is impressive. In addition to local medical experts and University of California faculty members, recent guests include: Dr. C. Everett Koop, former US Surgeon General; two time Noble laureate Dr. Linus Pauling, vitamin C advocate and director of the Linus Pauling Institute in Palo Alto; Norman Vincent Peale (recently deceased), author of The Power of Positive Thinking; Earl Mendell, author of the Vitamin Bible; and Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the impish, ubiquitous sex therapist.
"We have Dr. Ruth on the show a couple times a year and she's very popular. Listeners seem to really appreciate open discussion on sex and sexuality," said Dr. Porteous. "With Dr. Linus Pauling, we tried to find out exactly how many grams of vitamin C he advises. Pauling takes over 18 grams each day, which he worked up to, but he advises three grams for the average adult."
The Health and Science Report's list of guests also includes: Dr. Morton Cooper, the vocal therapist who trains leading public figures how not to strain their voices; Dr. Robert Schuller, the charismatic minister of Southern California's famed Crystal Cathedral; and Maureen Solomon, author of Foods That Heal.
Dr. Porteous isn't afraid to try new things with his guests while looking for practical information. When a herbalist from England spoke on the air about healing herbal teas, Dr. Porteous sampled one of the teas. The production crew, and probably more than a few listeners, got a good morning laugh when the herbalist explained that the tea was blended specifically for menstrual cramps.
Finding new, interesting topics to cover on the show is not a problem. At any one time, as many as six UC Irvine students research material and potential guests. The students use the medical library and go through some 60 professional journals each month. Dr. Stephen Mason, psychology editor of "Checkup from the Neck Up," also brings in new ideas for the psychology segment from his private practice in Newport Beach.
The radio show's success is supported by its committed staff. Paul Harvey, the venerable radio new broadcaster, helps coordinate the show's details and hosts whenever Dr. Porteous is away. The staff also includes: Nana Athanikar, PhD, nutrition editor; Fred Garica, MD, medical editor; Stephen Mason, PhD, psychology editor; and Betty McClellan, media coordinator.
Whether listening to Dr. Porteous on the air or speaking with him in person, one successful ingredient can't be denied: His enthusiasm is infectious. The show comes alive when he's on the air searching for that pearl of information listeners can relate to. It's his enthusiasm that keeps him going on and off the air.
An honors graduate and now a postgraduate faculty member of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, Dr. Porteous maintains a busy schedule. When not interviewing guests for the show or treating patients at his private practice in Newport Beach, he spends time with this wife Teri and their children, Mike, Michelle and Brian. They love outdoor activities and athletics. Dr. Porteous lectures frequently throughout the US, and serves as the California state representative to the International Chiropractors Association. He is also on the board of directors of the ICA of California.
"Each week I leave the studio enthusiastic about the show and about my practice," reports Dr. Porteous. Like many other chiropractors, he emphasizes teaching his patients how to live healthier lives. "We know that chiropractors paved the way toward today's understanding of the benefits of exercise, good food, and a balanced lifestyle. Through both my practice and the show, I'm able to continue the chiropractor's tradition as a health educator."
Dr. Porteous confides that the only drawback to hosting the program is that people think he knows a lot more than he does. "Because I host experts in many different fields, I get asked questions about those fields as if I'm the expert. In reality, I learn something new with each interview."
Dr. Porteous is optimistic about the future of the show. The format works, the guests are renowned experts, and the staff is committed. Earlier this year, the UC Irvine radio station expanded its wattage to reach a larger area of Southern California. The station no longer receives calls from disappointed listeners who want to tune in but can't.
One of the biggest decisions in the next few years concerning the future of the show is funding: whether the program will stay public or go commercial. "We recently applied to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting seeking their financial sponsorship for about 50 percent of the show's costs. They usually look for shows that don't fit into regular commercial niches, so I think we have a good chance," Dr. Porteous surmised. The show gets offers all the time to endorse products. "We haven't taken any money," Dr. Porteous explained, "because I don't want to lose our integrity or objectivity. The only way I would go commercial is if I could be assured that the content of information we cover would not be jeopardized. That's what's so great about public radio -- I like the freedom."
The Health and Science Report airs every Tuesday morning from 8-9 a.m. on KUCI, 88.9 FM in Southern California. For comments or information, you may call (714) 474-2188.
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