As January comes to a close so does Radon Action Month, but officials want North Carolinians to test for the poisonous gas this winter.

Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil and rocks. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. with the Environmental Protection Agency estimating it claims the lives of 21,000 Americans annually.

The gas seeps into homes via gaps and cracks in foundations, joints connecting walls to floors, as well as pipes and drains. Homes of any age can have a radon problem, this includes both well sealed and drafty structures.

Radon has no smell, color, or taste and requires testing to detect. Test kits are available at retailers and online.

Radon mitigation can cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Phillip Gibson is the coordinator of the North Carolina Radon Program, and said in some cases the state offers financial assistance.

"In terms of mitigation," said Gibson, "if someone is to find a high level in their home, then we have the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency that works with local groups to provide assistance to those who have financial need."

Short term test kits run for 2 to 7 days and are sent off to a lab for results.

The cancer risk associated with radon varies from person to person, with genetics playing a role. Gibson said there are three main factors to consider when assessing risk for radon induced lung cancer.

"Number one is testing, finding out what your level is in your home," said Gibson. "Secondly, understanding that we're looking at lifetime exposure, so the longer they're exposed to an average level. And then the third variable is whether you are an ever smoker or never smoker. If you've smoked 100 cigarettes or more ever in your life then you're an ever smoker, and that just puts you at a higher risk."

Experts say winter is the ideal season to check for radon as people keep their doors and windows closed and soil conditions are optimal for testing.

Health advocates are promoting a package of bills this legislative session to make health care easier to get - and more affordable.

The Care 4 All California coalition, which includes more than 70 organizations, unveiled a set of 10 bills Wednesday in Sacramento.

Andrea Rivera, senior legislative advocate for the California Pan Ethnic Health Network, said grassroots support can make big things happen.

"Historically, communities of color, we're not invested in," Rivera pointed out. "Together, we are stronger, louder, and more powerful. Together, we cannot be ignored."

The coalition sees the bills as a series of steps on the way to achieving universal coverage by bringing down costs and removing barriers to care.

Right now, the Affordable Care Act bars undocumented people from purchasing health coverage through the Covered California marketplace.

Asm. Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, introduced a bill to ask the feds for a waiver.

"That's why I introduced a before this year, a bill that will end the unjust exclusion of our undocumented community from Covered California," Arambula explained. "We have to create a health care system that is more universal, affordable and equitable for all Californians."

Asm. Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, authored Assembly Bill 1208 to eliminate deductibles and lower copays for people on Covered California Silver plans. She wrote a second bill to allow Medi-Cal to offer additional services to new mothers.

"AB 608 would expand a mother's access to perinatal health workers who screen for postpartum depression, help with child nutrition, and provide a warm handoff to a host of other social services," Schiavo outlined.

Other bills in the package aim to eliminate surprise ambulance bills, require private health plans to cover things like wheelchairs when prescribed by a doctor, improve access to mental health care for youths, increase oversight of health care mergers, and improve financial transparency from medical groups.


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Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer in the number of lives it will take in Iowa this year. Now, doctors at the University of Iowa are studying ways to not only save lives, but reduce the number of colon cancer surgeries for patients.

Currently, colon cancer patients typically have to undergo surgery to have part of their colon removed or resected. Now, University of Iowa researchers are using immunotherapy to reduce surgeries and improve survival rates. If a patient's tumor biopsy has a certain genetic marker or mutation, they can receive targeted therapy instead of undergoing surgery.

Dr. Saima Sharif, Oncologist at the University of Iowa Holden Cancer Center, is directing a new treatment trial and said the number of people with the genetic mutation could be as high as 20%.

"So one in five patients who are getting their colonoscopy is a significant amount of patients," Sharif pointed out. "If we look in Iowa, we are expecting to have about 1,600 new cases diagnosed in 2023."

If doctors can detect the tumors early and treat them, they can reduce the number of people who need surgeries and, potentially, the number of deaths. Researchers began accepting patient applications for the clinical trial this week.

Cancer tricks the body's natural immune system into thinking abnormal cancer cells are normal, so the body will not attack them, allowing the cancer to grow. Immunotherapy turns the tables on cancer and uses the body's own cells and other drugs to attack it. Sharif noted immunotherapy makes the cancer fighting cells unrecognizable, which is what makes it successful.

"So what immunotherapy drugs do is it helps release the brakes off of the patient's immune system that the cancer has placed," Sharif outlined. "Preventing it to recognize cancer as abnormal, and this unleashes the patient's own immune system against the cancer to fight the cancer cells and kill them."

The trial will start with 25 patients. Sharif added they will grow the study depending on how many patients' tumors respond well to the treatment.

This March marks the 50th anniversary of National Nutrition Month.

Making sure children eat healthy can be tricky.

Chuck Larimer, an elementary school physical education teacher in Stayton, southeast of Salem, said his school has been part of the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge for 23 years.

He observed students look forward to the program, but it's not just about getting active.

"There's more to it than just exercise, which is also important," Larimer explained. "It's that whole body wellness that's more of a focus"

The Kids Heart Challenge has been going on for nearly 45 years in elementary, middle and high schools across the country.

The American Heart Association said a few tips for parents can help introduce healthy foods to kids, even if they're picky eaters. Parents should include at least one item in meals everyone at the table likes. The group urged parents to shop and cook with their kids, and not get discouraged.

"I know at least with my boys' experience that taste buds do change and things that taste weird, or they might not like early on," Larimer noted. "That can change. And just try to continue to introduce different items."

Research has shown it can take at least 11 tries for a child to decide they like a new food, according to the American Heart Association. It also advised parents to offer fruits and vegetables when it is snack time to get them used to it.