One to One with Bill Goodman:
Dr. Gilbert H. Friedell
premiered May 4, 2008
On this edition of One to One, Bill Goodman discusses the evolution of cancer treatment and access to health care with Dr. Gilbert H. Friedell, co-chair of the Kentucky Health Values Initiative and director emeritus of the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center.
Friedell recalls his days as a pathologist in Boston, his participation in the “doctor draft” of the 1950s, and his experiences as the first director of the Markey Center. He also highlights some of the many changes in cancer treatment he has witnessed over the years, including increased communication and interaction among specialists caring for the same patient and the importance of early diagnosis of cervical cancer.
These days, much of Friedell’s time is spent on the issue of health equity, especially in underserved areas like Eastern Kentucky. He talks about the effects of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and environmental surroundings on the health of the population and lists some of the requirements for a healthy community: People must be well educated about how to stay healthy; citizens, religious communities, and health experts must all participate in shaping health care; and political leaders should discuss not only health insurance, but also quality health care.
Related Resources:
- The effects of social, economic, and racial factors on individual health were also examined in the PBS series Unnatural Causes and a 2008 special edition of KET’s Connections with Renee Shaw.
- Friedell was a panelist for KET’s The CommonHealth of Kentucky, a 13-part series that explored community health initiatives across the state.
