February 19, 2010

Public television show to focus on children’s health care challenges

Public television show to focus on children’s health care challenges

Nashville Public Television's new documentary series, “NPT Reports: Children's Health Crisis,” debuts Thursday, Feb. 25.

Much of the documentary was filmed at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, and will include interviews with physicians and patients.

The first episode of the seven-part series, premiering on NPT-Channel 8 at 8 p.m. on Feb. 25, will provide an overview of the challenges that children in Tennessee face in leading healthy lives, including a survey of the central problems such as infant mortality, prenatal care, the obesity epidemic and mental wellness.

It features Gregory Plemmons, M.D., Michael Warren, M.D., and Susanna Quasem, M.D.

The second episode, premiering in June, will take an in-depth look at the issues surrounding prenatal care, preterm birth and infant mortality in Tennessee.

“NPT deserves tremendous credit for taking on this bold initiative to increase awareness of the national crisis in child health, and we are honored to partner with them in this historic event,” said Jonathan D. Gitlin, M.D., James C. Overall Professor and chair of the Department Pediatrics.