Healthier Together: Larimer County's Public Health Podcast

What's up in public health this week? Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or mentor, having conversations with teens about tough topics like substance use, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health can be challenging. Building a trusting relationship can make those conversations easier - and have a lasting impact on a young person’s well-being. In this episode, we’re joined by Ki...

What's up in public health this week? In this two-part conversation, we take a closer look at the Longview Acute Care Facility , a key part of the region’s mental health crisis care system, and explore how its work is evolving to meet the needs of the community. Our guests are Dr. Lesley Brooks , SummitStone’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director at Longview, and Cassie Damato , SummitSton...

What's up in public health this week? In this two-part conversation, we take a closer look at the Longview Acute Care Facility , a key part of the region’s mental health crisis care system, and explore how its work is evolving to meet the needs of the community. Our guests are Dr. Lesley Brooks , SummitStone’s Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director at Longview, and Cassie Damato , SummitSton...

What's up in public health this week? One choice can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Positive decisions can protect opportunities, aspirations, and future success. Poor decisions involving firearms can result in consequences that permanently alter a young person's future. This week, the Larimer County Juvenile Gun Safety Coalition introduced "Choices" an educational video with a si...

This episode contains discussions of suicide. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide, you can call or text 988 anytime day or night to access free, confidential support. What's up in public health this week? In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, we’re continuing the conversation about how our community can come together to prevent suicide...

What's up in public health this week? August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery. Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce s...

What's up in public health this week? August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery. Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce s...

What's up in public health this week? August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery. Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce s...

What's up in public health this week? August is National Overdose Awareness Month, a time to remember those lost to overdose, provide space for grief, connection, and healing, and highlight the work happening in our communities to prevent overdose and support recovery. Throughout the month, we're featuring organizations across our community that work to prevent overdose, support recovery, reduce s...

What's up in public health this week? The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment and the Health District of Northern Larimer County are frequently confused for one another. In this episode, we sit down with the health department's Executive Director Tom Gonzales and Brian Ferrans , the Executive Director of the Health District of Northern Larimer County to explain the distinct roles o...

What's up in public health this week? Extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather-related hazards in the United States, and it's becoming more common across Colorado. Extreme heat can sneak up on anyone and can sometimes cause serious illness. In this episode, we explore how extreme heat impacts the body, our emergency medical system, and the wider community. First, we speak with Dr. Tyler Vaughn...

What's up in public health this week? The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment is governed by the Larimer County Board of Health (BOH), a group of five volunteers who are appointed by the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners to serve five-year, staggered terms. In this episode, we sit down with outgoing BOH member Dr. Bernard Birnbaum as he reflects on his 10 years of servic...

What's up in public health this week? Health equity is critical to our mission here at the health department. As we work to provide everyone in Larimer County the opportunity for a healthy life, identifying and addressing inequities is crucial. This week, our Health Equity Initiatives Coordinator, Devontay Tobe , joins us to discuss health equity and how it shows up in the work of the health depar...

What's up in public health this week? The health department recently launched a new Perinatal Nurse Support Program (PNSP). This program provides support for pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use. They work alongside families during pregnancy and early infancy, offering education, resources, care coordination, and encouragement. In this episode, Senior Public Health Nurse K...

What's up in public health this week? Ground-level ozone is Larimer County's most pressing air quality issue. This week, we're joined by Mike Silverstein and Kelsey Simpkins from the Regional Air Quality Council . Mike serves as their Executive Director and Kelsey is the RAQC's Communications and Program Manager. They explain how ground-level ozone forms, how it impacts our health, and steps we ca...

What's up in public health this week? Ticks may be small, but they can have a big impact on human and animal health. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Chris Roundy, Medical Entomologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , to discuss ticks, tickborne illnesses, and practical steps people can take to prevent tick bites while enjoying Colorado's outdoors. We also discus...

What's up in public health this week? In this episode, we continue our conversation about social prescribing - an emerging approach to supporting health and well-being that connects people with community resources, groups, and activities that support overall health beyond traditional medical care. As our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) team continues their work to promote social prescribi...

What's up in public health this week? As we enjoy the outdoors this summer, a common risk we encounter in Larimer County is West Nile Virus . This week, we’re joined by Alison Barbee , Communicable Disease Epidemiologist here at the health department, to discuss how West Nile Virus is transmitted, common symptoms, who is most at risk for severe illness, and what residents can do to protect themsel...

What's up in public health this week? Zac Hummel , Community Impact Manager at the Food Bank for Larimer County, joins us to talk about The Lunch Lab , a program that provides free, nutritious meals to school-aged kids during school breaks and throughout the summer. The Lunch Lab food truck travels to libraries, parks, neighborhoods, and other community locations, helping ensure that young people...

What's up in public health this week? Every May, we celebrate Healthy and Safe Swimming Week in the lead up to Memorial Day. Healthy & Safe Swimming Week highlights the roles of swimmers, caregivers, facility owners and operators, and public health officials in preventing disease outbreaks, pool chemical injuries, and drowning. This week, Kate Uchitel, Environmental Health Specialist here at L...

What's up in public health this week? This week, we are thrilled to bring you a feature episode with Dr. Adrienne LeBailly. Dr. LeBailly served as the previous director of the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment before retiring in 2019 after 31 years at the health department. She joins us to share some of the history of public health in Larimer County and reflect on how the work of...

What's up in public health this week? In recognition of Clean Air Month, we’re joined by Stefanie Shoup, Deputy Director for Regulatory Affairs for the Air Pollution Control Division at CDPHE, for a conversation about air quality in Colorado and the state’s ongoing efforts to reduce pollution and protect public health. We discuss how air quality data is collected, the primary drivers of poor air q...

What's up in public health this week? Northern Colorado has experienced more than twice as many red flag warnings as it had at this point in 2025. Ricardo Perez, Public Engagement Manager for the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management, joins us this week to discuss steps we can all take to be prepared for wildfires this season. Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? O...

What's up in public health this week? Social media’s impact on youth mental health has been in the news a lot lately with recent lawsuits against Meta, Google, and others. This week, we asked two guests to share how they see the impact of social media show up in their work with youth: Jonathan Judge, Director of Community Engagement & Campaigns at Rise Above Colorado, shares what Rise Above ha...

What's up in public health this week? In early March, Fort Collins City Council adopted five major priorities for its 2026-2028 term. One of those priorities was Vision Zero, a program working to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries in Fort Collins by 2032. This week, we sat down with the Mayor of Fort Collins, Emily Francis, and Deputy Director of Planning, Development, and Transport...