Dr. Justin Clark

Dr. Justin Clark was joined by Coleman Cutchins, who is the lead pharmacist for the Alaska Department of Health and the office of substance abuse and misuse and Venus Woods, Director of HIV Prevention & Education for the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A's). They discussed updates on the opioid epidemic including synthetics like fentanyl, counterfeit prescription pills, and opioid overdose reversal drugs.

The use of acupuncture and alternative medicine techniques has greatly increased over the last several decades in the United States, particularly in the treatment of chronic pain. What are the common uses for acupuncture and herbal medicine, and how is it used in combination with Western medicine? Join host Dr Justin Clark. As he explores these topics on this episode of Line One: Your Health Connection.

E-cigarette use among teenagers has skyrocketed in recent years, including in Alaska. A recent report from the Food and Drug Administration shows that one in ten middle and high schoolers report using e-cigarettes, overwhelmingly with sweet flavors like fruits or candy. What are the risks of vaping, especially at a young age, and what can parents and students do to bring these numbers down? Join Host Dr. Justin Clark as he explores these topics on this episode of Line One.

Summer has arrived in Alaska, at least as far as the trees are concerned. Pollen counts are high and it seems everyone is sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. Do you have questions about seasonal allergies? What about pet allergies or food allergies? Do you suffer from allergic rhinitis or asthma? Join host Dr Justin Clark as he explores these topics and more on this episode of Line One.

There’s a lot of barriers to accessing healthcare in Alaska including costs, long waitlists, language barriers, and more. Anchorage Project Access is a group that assists Alaskans statewide to help uninsured patients with a medical need access various specialties across 900 providers. On this Line One, join host Dr Justin Clark as he explores the resources available with Anchorage Project Access.

Tuberculosis is a disease with a complicated history in Alaska. For decades, the state has led the country in rates of infection, but care for people with tuberculosis has a history of discrimination and mistreatment. However, treatments have changed and health workers say cases are especially high right now. On this Line One, host Dr. Justin Clark explores the scope of tuberculosis in Alaska, and the treatments for those who have it.

Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs occur with more frequency than we are aware and the lasting effects are also high; not every injury is apparent thus many go undiagnosed and don’t get the services and treatments needed to heal. TBIs bring hundreds of Alaskans to our major medical centers each year and can be the result of accidents or medical conditions such as seizure or stroke. On this episode of Line One, Dr. Jillian Woodruff MD explores how to prevent and treat TBIs.

Everybody has suffered from a headache at some point in their lives. But when are headaches abnormal? There are many types of headaches, and the symptoms and treatments for each are very different. How are headaches related to chronic pain and pain management treatment plans? Join host Dr Justin Clark as he explores headaches and chronic pain management.

People aged 13 to 23, referred to as transition aged youths, are when serious mental health disorders are often first discovered. Research shows that early treatment significantly decreases hospitalization and increases participation in school and employment. Many resources are now available in our community including the Power Center and Alaska Seeds of Change. In this episode of Line One, Dr Justin Clark explores these resources and much more about mental health.

What are the modifiable and non modifiable risks for colon cancer? What are the current screening guidelines? Is colonoscopy the only option? Join host Dr Justin Clark as he explores these questions and much more about colorectal cancer on the next Line One.

As mental health needs in Alaska and the nation increase it has become harder to find resources for care, particularly for children and teens. Issues with inpatient care in Alaska have made headlines. However, newer intensive outpatient programs help to bridge this gap.

Around 22 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. The treatment often involves wearing a mask to sleep at night. Inspire is a new technology that eliminates the need for a mask by implanting a small device in the chest to stimulate breathing while you sleep. It is similar to a pacemaker and is now being offered in Alaska. Join me, Dr Justin Clark as I explore the indications and outcomes of this new device. That’s Line One, Wednesday at 10 am, repeating at 8 pm on Alaska Public Media FM 91.1.

Most thyroid nodules are not serious and do not cause symptoms, but a small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancerous.

Have you ever wondered if your bowel movements are normal? Is it too soft? Too hard? A weird color? Is it painful? We'll discuss bowel movements, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

A year and a half after COVID-19 shut down America, it seems to be as strong as ever. The numbers continue to rise and our hospitals are overflowing once again. What do we need to know about the Delta variant and breakthrough infections? Does vaccine effectiveness fade? What’s the story on booster shots and unverified treatments? 

Assisted-living homes are highly flexible and supportive communities that offer staff support for activities. As our population ages, it's becoming a popular option for seniors nationwide. What services are available in Alaska?

Alaska may be a small state but its services for pediatric surgery and oncology are robust. What services are available in Alaska?

If you have ever had a medical procedure done before, chances are you had some form of anesthesia. How safe is anesthesia, and how has it changed during COVID?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression.

Much of the stigma involving electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is from portrayal in movies. But when done correctly, it can cause changes in brain chemistry that can reverse certain mental health conditions like severe depression.