Heroes of the hills l Hidden America: Children of the Mountains PART 4/6

ABC News

21 Jun 201803:17

Summary

TLDRIn the Appalachian region, heroes like 81-year-old Eula Hall, the 'Mother Teresa of Mud Creek', and Dr. Edwin Smith of Kentucky, are combating healthcare challenges. Hall, who has served 19,000 patients annually for 36 years, operates a clinic where patients pay what they can. Dr. Smith, shocked by the prevalence of tooth decay linked to a high consumption of Mountain Dew, converted a truck into a mobile dental office. Despite the Pepsi Company's response to the issue, these healthcare warriors continue their mission to improve the health and well-being of the community.

Takeaways

🏞️ The script highlights the challenges faced by people living in remote mountainous regions, particularly in accessing healthcare and transportation.
👩‍⚕️ Eula Hall, nicknamed the 'Mother Teresa of Mud Creek,' is an 81-year-old hero who has dedicated 36 years to driving into the mountains to provide medical care to the sick.
🔥 Eula faced a significant setback when her clinic was burned down, but she persevered by setting up a table under a tree and continued her work.
🏥 Eula's clinic now serves 19,000 patients a year, charging them only what they can afford, emphasizing the importance of accessible healthcare.
🤝 Dr. Annette Chandelle, born and raised in India, works with Eula, showcasing the global nature of healthcare heroes.
🔫 Eula protects her prescription drugs with a gun, highlighting the desperate measures taken to ensure the safety of medical supplies in these remote areas.
🦷 Dr. Edwin Smith from Barbourville, Kentucky, is another healthcare hero who converted a truck into a mobile dental office to serve those in need.
📉 Central Appalachia has the highest rate of toothlessness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control, pointing to a significant dental health crisis.
🥤 The script discusses the overconsumption of Mountain Dew, a caffeinated soft drink, as a potential contributor to dental problems and other health issues in the region.
🍾 The high sugar and acid content of Mountain Dew is linked to rampant tooth decay, with some people even using it in baby bottles, leading to severe dental issues in children.
🆚 The Pepsi Company, which manufactures Mountain Dew, initially dismissed the concerns as 'old, irresponsible news,' but later acknowledged the issue and stated they do not advocate for such consumption.

Q & A

Who is Eula Hall and why is she called the 'Mother Teresa of Mud Creek'?
-Eula Hall is an 81-year-old woman who has dedicated 36 years of her life to driving into the mountains to help the sick. She is nicknamed the 'Mother Teresa of Mud Creek' due to her selfless service and care for the isolated population, similar to Mother Teresa's humanitarian work.
What happened to Eula Hall's clinic in 1983?
-In 1983, Eula Hall's clinic was burned down. Despite this setback, she set up a table under a tree and continued to provide medical services to her patients.
How many patients does Eula Hall see annually, and what is her payment policy?
-Eula Hall sees approximately 19,000 patients a year, and her payment policy is that patients pay only what they can afford.
Who is Dr. Edwin Smith and what is his contribution to the community?
-Dr. Edwin Smith is a dentist from Barbourville, Kentucky, who used $150,000 of his own money to convert a truck into a mobile dental office to serve people in remote areas who often have limited access to dental care.
Why is Central Appalachia ranked number one for toothlessness in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control?
-Central Appalachia is ranked number one for toothlessness due to a combination of factors including poor dental care, high consumption of sugary and acidic beverages like Mountain Dew, and a lack of access to dental services.
What role does Mountain Dew play in the dental health issues of the region mentioned in the script?
-Mountain Dew, a soft drink with high sugar and acid content, is a significant factor in the rampant dental decay in the region. It is often used as a form of antidepressant and is consumed excessively, leading to severe dental problems.
What are some of the health issues associated with excessive consumption of caffeinated sodas like Mountain Dew?
-Excessive consumption of caffeinated sodas can lead to dental decay, stomach troubles, and addiction to the beverages. It can also contribute to other health problems such as obesity and diabetes.
How does the Pepsi Company, the manufacturer of Mountain Dew, respond to the script's claims about the beverage's impact on health?
-Initially, the Pepsi Company dismissed the claims as 'old, irresponsible news.' However, they later issued a new statement saying they do not advocate for the consumption of their products in a manner that could harm health.
What is the impact of Dr. Smith's mobile dental office on the children in the community?
-Dr. Smith's mobile dental office has a transformative impact on the children, restoring their smiles and dental health. The script highlights the before and after cases of children like Anthony and Casey, showcasing the positive change brought about by Dr. Smith's efforts.
What is the significance of the 'winding roads' mentioned in the script?
-The 'winding roads' symbolize the geographical challenges faced by the people in the region, which contribute to their isolation and limited access to healthcare and other essential services.
How does the script portray the heroes working in the healthcare sector in rural areas?
-The script portrays healthcare workers like Eula Hall and Dr. Edwin Smith as heroes who overcome significant obstacles, including geographical isolation and limited resources, to provide essential care to their communities.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Healthcare Heroes of the Appalachian Mountains

This paragraph introduces the selfless heroes working in the Appalachian Mountains, who are dedicated to providing healthcare to a community isolated by difficult terrain and limited transportation. It features 81-year-old Eula Hall, known as the 'Mother Teresa of Mud Creek,' who has spent 36 years driving into the mountains to provide medical care. Despite her clinic being burned down, she continues her work under a tree. Dr. Edwin Smith of Kentucky is also highlighted for converting a truck into a mobile dental office, addressing the area's high rate of toothlessness and the unique challenges faced by the community, including a high consumption of Mountain Dew, which is linked to dental problems and other health issues.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew is a soft drink known for its higher caffeine content compared to other sodas like Coke or Pepsi. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a significant factor contributing to the rampant dental issues in Central Appalachia. The video mentions that people, especially children, consume it excessively, leading to severe tooth decay. It is even used in baby bottles, which is a concerning practice as it exposes infants to high sugar and acid levels, causing cavities at an early age.

💡Central Appalachia

Central Appalachia refers to a region in the eastern United States, known for its mountainous terrain. The video discusses how this area has become the number one region in the country for toothlessness, largely due to a lack of dental care and the excessive consumption of sugary drinks like Mountain Dew. The region's remoteness and limited access to healthcare services exacerbate these issues.

💡Eula Hall

Eula Hall, nicknamed the 'Mother Teresa of Mud Creek,' is an 81-year-old woman who has dedicated her life to helping the sick in her community. She is highlighted in the video for her selfless service, driving into the mountains to provide healthcare to those who are isolated due to difficult terrain and lack of transportation. Despite her clinic being burned down, she continued her work under a tree, embodying resilience and commitment to her community.

💡Dental Office on Wheels

The video features Dr. Edwin Smith, who converted a truck into a mobile dental office to serve people in remote areas. This innovative approach addresses the lack of dental care in Central Appalachia by bringing services directly to those who have difficulty accessing them. The 'dental office on wheels' is a practical solution to the region's healthcare challenges.

💡Toothlessness

Toothlessness refers to the condition of having no natural teeth. The video emphasizes that Central Appalachia has the highest rate of toothlessness in the United States. This is attributed to a combination of factors, including poor dental care, high consumption of sugary drinks, and a lack of education on oral hygiene.

💡Mountain Dew Addiction

The video discusses the addiction to Mountain Dew in the region, where it is consumed not only as a beverage but also as a form of self-medication for depression. The high sugar and caffeine content make it highly addictive, leading to health issues such as tooth decay and other complications. The script mentions that some individuals are trying to quit their excessive consumption of Mountain Dew, indicating the severity of the addiction.

💡Rampant Decay

Rampant decay refers to the widespread and severe dental problems prevalent in the region. The video describes how the excessive consumption of Mountain Dew, coupled with a lack of dental care, has led to a situation where children as young as two have multiple cavities. This term underscores the urgency and severity of the dental health crisis in Central Appalachia.

💡Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the practice of maintaining good health of the mouth and teeth. The video touches upon the lack of oral hygiene in Central Appalachia, where the consumption of sugary drinks and the absence of regular dental care contribute to poor dental health. The script mentions that some people resort to pulling their own teeth with pliers due to the severity of their dental issues, highlighting the dire need for better oral hygiene practices.

💡Community Health Heroes

Community health heroes are individuals who work tirelessly to improve the health of their communities, often in the face of significant challenges. The video features Eula Hall and Dr. Edwin Smith as examples of such heroes. They both go above and beyond to provide healthcare services to those in remote and underserved areas, demonstrating a deep commitment to the well-being of their communities.

💡Access to Healthcare

Access to healthcare refers to the availability and affordability of medical services for individuals. The video discusses the challenges faced by residents of Central Appalachia in accessing healthcare due to geographical isolation and limited resources. The efforts of Eula Hall and Dr. Edwin Smith to bring healthcare services to these remote areas highlight the importance of improving access to healthcare for all.

Highlights

Eula Hall, known as the 'Mother Teresa of Mud Creek', has dedicated 36 years to helping the sick in isolated mountain communities.

Hall's clinic was burned down in 1983, but she continued her work under a tree.

Her clinic now serves 19,000 patients a year, charging them only what they can afford.

Dr. Annette Chandelle, born in India, works with Hall to provide healthcare in the region.

Eula Hall stands guard over prescription drugs with a gun to protect them.

Dr. Edwin Smith of Kentucky converted a truck into a mobile dental office to serve rural areas.

Central Appalachia has the highest rate of toothlessness in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Lack of dental care and high consumption of Mountain Dew contribute to rampant tooth decay.

Mountain Dew is sometimes used as an antidepressant and is consumed in large quantities.

The high sugar and acid content in Mountain Dew leads to severe dental problems.

Some parents reportedly put Mountain Dew in baby bottles, causing severe cavities in young children.

Excessive caffeinated soda consumption can lead to stomach troubles and other health issues.

Dr. Smith's mobile dental office helps children like 11-year-old Anthony regain their smiles.

The Pepsi Company, which manufactures Mountain Dew, responded to the concerns with a statement.

Dr. Smith continues his battle against the negative impacts of Mountain Dew on dental health.

The documentary showcases the transformation of patients' smiles after receiving dental care.