The Spitz Report

Last month we looked into the largest pre-natal to 3 home visiting program in the United Sates. In that St Joseph program, based in Albuquerque and headed by Allen Sanchez, first time pregnant women receive weekly home visits by a trained health educator. The visits are an opportunity for new parents to learn about encouraging infant growth and development, selecting books & toys that teach, and nurturing positive relationships. At least six similar 0 to 3 “first born” home visitation programs have now begun in New Mexico and our Legislature is being asked to approve additional distributions from the Permanent Fund which could lead to almost $200 million per year in additional investments early childhood (0 – 5 years) programs. This month host Stephen Spitz sits down with one of the leading authorities in the US, Dr. M. Rebecca Kilburn, director of Child Policy for the Rand Corporation, and asks whether such huge expenditure in early childhood programs makes scientific and economic sense. The discussion will focus on research into the effectiveness of early childhood programs and whether any state-wide programs, such as those envisioned, have been tried, much less succeeded, elsewhere.  We will also learn about the “models” for the Albuquerque home visiting program, the randomized trial evaluation now under-way for a “sister” program in Santa Fe, and how “first born” home visitation programs compare in effectiveness to other early childhood programs such as pre-K programs for 4 and 5 year olds. Produced with the assistance of Joe Green.

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One of the largest and most comprehensive home-visiting programs in the country is being carried out right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico by St. Joseph Community Health. St. Joseph has taken the $ 80 million earned from the sale of the former St. Joseph Healthcare System in Albuquerque and is investing the profits into early childhood programs. As CEO Allen Sanchez will explain, the goal is to make sure our children reach kindergarten with the health and family support necessary to support learning. The program focuses on a child’s health & development during the most important period of early brain development – from prenatal to three years of age. First time pregnant women and parents receive weekly home visits by a trained health educator. The visits are an opportunity for new parents to learn about encouraging infant growth and development, selecting books & toys that teach, creating stimulating environments, and nurturing positive relationships.  Double-blind social science research shows that this type of program has lasting benefits into adulthood. So please join host Stephen Spitz and Allen Sanchez, to learn much more about why St. Joseph’s early childhood program works. Produced with the assistance of Joe Green.

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Although known as the vacation home for many a movie and media star, New Mexico’s climate has also pulled in many other amazing transplants such as our guest this month, Dr. Laurence H. Lattman. Dr. Lattman, who, among other things, is the Past President and Professor Emeritus of Geology of New Mexico Tech, will sketch for us the development of Western science. Starting with the Greeks and Archimedes, continuing with Newton, and ending with Einstein, today we will all be able to audit a very short course on the development of Western mathematics and physics. So please join host Stephen Spitz and for a journey with a fascinating New Mexican into how and why Western science evolved. Produced with the assistance of Joe Green.

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Many continue to question the benefits of the Health Reform Act passed under President Obama. To address these questions, Stephen Spitz is joined by Dr. Paul Cochran, the former Medical Director and head of Cardiology for Presbyterian Health care Services. We start with an analysis of how  Health Care Reform will and will not affect health care services in New Mexico Among other subjects are: (a) the importance of universal coverage in a State where 27% of residents lack insurance coverage, (b) why the present “system” is truly broken even for those with insurance, and (c) how reform will impact  those who now have access only to the hospital emergency room . We then spend the majority of program on the question raised by ever increasing health care costs, namely why are costs rising exponentially and why don’t increased health care services actually add to the “health” of patients, such as at the end of life.  So please join Stephen Spitz and Dr. Paul Cochran for a discussion of health care reform and what to do about costs. Produced with the assistance of John Burgund

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For the last 60 years UNM law graduates and its faculty have shaped the practice of law and legal education in New Mexico. 60 for 60 is the just released book highlighting the colorful stories of the people and programs that have lead the way. Former Dean Fred Hart and Professor Margaret Montoya join host Stephen Spitz to talk about how these accomplishments have impacted New Mexico and its unique cultures. As just one example, the School has played a major role in increasing the number of Indian lawyers in the US from about 25 in 1968 to thousands of Indian advocates for Indian tribes. Similarly the School led the way in graduation rates for Hispanics and women in the US. And finally, the School’s impact in professionalizing the Bar and Judiciary in New Mexico cannot be overstated. Please join us to learn more about how UNM law school changed the face of the legal profession in New Mexico. Produced with the assistance of John Burgund

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In this Holiday Season, many older New Mexicans are experiencing unprecedented economic insecurity. The “great” recession caused high rates of unemployment and mortgage foreclosures and has now called into question the ability of many elders to pay for basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, and health care. In a state with one of the highest poverty rates in the nation and where an estimated 13% of people over the age of 65 live in poverty, the abrupt downturn in economy has created an environment where unacceptable levels of hardship have been magnified. How much income do older New Mexicans need to meet the real cost of living? How much do public support programs- income, food, and medical, utility and housing assistance help to meet these rising expenses? What policy changes need to be made to have a demonstrable impact on their economic security?  To answer these questions Emily Kaltenbach, the policy director for the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department conducted forums through-out the State and now joins host Stephen Spitz to talk about economic insecurity for elders in New Mexico.  Produced with the assistance of John Burgund

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The November, 2010 election is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in years and will be the subject of this month’s program. Critical to the success of both parties in New Mexico will be the Hispanic vote. Joining host Stephen Spitz will be Dr. Gabriel Sanchez, an assistant professor of political science at the University of New Mexico, and a leading expert on Latino and New Mexico politics. Among other publications, Professor Sanchez is the author of “Hispanics and the U.S. Political System: Moving Into the Mainstream”. Dr. Sanchez has provided political commentary to numerous media outlets and is a native New Mexican. Produced with the assistance of John Burgund

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New Mexico author Max Evans is best known for The Rounders, which along with a later book, Hi Lo Country, were turned into popular Hollywood movies. Evans is also the recipient of numerous witting awards, including the 1990 Levi Strauss Saddle man Award for lifetime achievement in Western literature. However, Max Evans has been much more than “just” an author including stints as a working cowboy, artist, miner, mine operator, and, above all, a wonderful story teller. His latest book, and he swears his last work of fiction, War and Music: A Medley of Love, stems from WWII when he was one of the “doughboys” who stormed the beach at Normandy, France, and, unlike many of his comrades, lived to tell about it. Please join host Stephen Spitz for what promises to be a very entertaining half-hour with one of our premier writers. Produced with the assistance of John Burgund

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Not many of us know much about Navajo (Diné) spiritual practices or have ever spoken with a real medicine man.

Larry Tyler grew up in a family of Diné spiritual healers and spends his life restoring health, balance, and harmony to the lives of others. Sometimes his help is sought for healing a disease, sometimes for healing the psyche, and sometimes the goal is to promote harmony between groups of people or between humans and nature.

While the term “medicine man” is not entirely inappropriate, it greatly oversimplifies the leading role that real medicine men have played in the Diné culture.  To learn more about the wisdom of  Diné spiritual healers, please join host Stephen Spitz with his special guest, Larry Tyler.

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Picture in your mind President George W. Bush, bullhorn in hand, with a group of firemen crowded around him at Ground Zero, or picture the former President, wearing a cowboy hat, and driving his truck, at his Crawford, Texas ranch. These mental images come from actual photographs taken by today’s guest, White House photographer Eric Draper.

Among other topics, Draper will talk about his coverage of Bush’s 2000 campaign, how he went from the Albuquerque Tribune to Bush’s White House Photographer, and how he managed to capture so many genuine moments, such as President-elect Obama’s intense conversation with President Bush on his very first visit to the Oval Office. To learn much more about campaign photography and the role of the White House Photographer, please join host Stephen Spitz for this fascinating discussion with Rio Rancho, New Mexico resident, Eric Draper.

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