Contagious Conversations

It's easy to take for granted that the food we eat and the water we drink is safe and healthy.   Several recent high-profile outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, however, are a reminder of how critical food safety is. CDC estimates that nearly 48 million Americans contract a foodborne illness each year. Of those, 128,000 people are hospitalized annually, and 3,000 people die. So, who is tasked with k...

Your first day at any new job is always a little stressful. But for Julia Petras, the day she started working at CDC was especially high stakes. In this episode of Contagious Conversations, we explore a mysterious outbreak that affected four patients in four months, sickened by a bacteria not seen before in North America. The FBI—and the public—wanted answers. We hear from CDC's Julia Petras, Dr....

Have you ever asked yourself what routine auto repairs can teach us about how we think of our investment in public health? Listen in on our latest Contagious Conversations podcast as host Claire Stinson uncovers the answers and details how quick action quashed a recent outbreak of an illness long considered to be eliminated in the United States. In this episode, "The Costs of Getting Sick," we exp...

Host Claire Stinson welcomes you to a special year-end episode of Contagious Conversations focused on highlights from the 2023 season! Listen to selections from the year's episodes on topics as diverse as heath threats facing Black women; training the next generation of public health professionals; and the respiratory triple threat posed by COVID-19, influenza and RSV. Highlights featured include...

Doctors have long known that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Yet today, nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, creating a silent public health threat. Host Dr. Judy Monroe is joined by Dr. Jerome Adams and Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. Dr. Adams is a former U.S. Surgeon General of the United States and now serves as the ...

Each year, fall means heading back to school for the nation's students. But as students, teachers and school staff return again this year, the social, academic and mental health impacts of the pandemic are still being felt. In this episode, host Claire Stinson speaks with Heather Martel-Balfour about the mental health challenges faced by students and teachers in today's educational environment, an...

We're bringing you a special episode this month, as our president and CEO sits down for a conversation with Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Administrator. Dr. Cohen has extensive experience leading large and complex organizations and a proven track record protecting Americans'...

In 2022, a mysterious outbreak of a deadly drug-resistant bacteria began spreading across several U.S. states. A CDC investigation would eventually reveal an unusual culprit: common eye drops. In this episode, Dr. Danielle Rankin takes us behind the scenes of the investigation, sharing how they made their big break and what we've learned as a result. Dr. Rankin is an epidemiologist for the Antimic...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for Americans overall. And sadly, our nation's veterans face even higher rates of suicide. In this month's episode, we discuss the crisis of veteran suicide and the community-based preventative approaches being taken today. Joining us in this conversation is Nicola Winkel, project director f...

Physicians face many challenges in treating people living with pain, especially in light of the U.S. opioid overdose epidemic. In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Chris Jones on how physicians are handling these challenges, and the steps CDC is taking at a community level to help address the issue. Dr. Chris Jones is Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Center...

As we emerge from the COVID public health emergency, it is a critical time to think about the future of public health. The next generation of public health workers will be charged with leading through the challenges that lie ahead . In this episode, we speak with Anna Heilers and Dr. Antoine Denis , two public health students who are preparing to meet these public health challenges of tomorrow. An...

April is National Minority Health Month, and this episode we're sitting down with Dr. Melody McCloud to discuss the health threats faced by minority women—Black women in particular—as well as the vital role of equity in public health. Dr. McCloud is an obstetrician-gynecologist who became the first black woman to establish an OB-GYN practice in DeKalb County, Georgia. Dr. McCloud is also the found...

You've probably heard a lot recently about the so-called "tridemic" or "tripledemic." This concurrent impact of COVID-19, influenza and RSV introduced major challenges to our public health system...but taught major lessons, too. David Snyder, director of content for the CDC Foundation, is your guest host for today's episode. He's joined by Dr. Laura Evans, a professor in the Division of Pulmonary...

What lessons can we learn from public health victories like the eradication of smallpox? How can we expand those lessons to the fight against non-infectious diseases, too? And how can each of us become a better ancestor to the generations to come? This episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, in conversation with Dr. Bill Foege and Dr. Mark Rosenberg. Dr. Foeg...

How can creative messaging and the arts help people better understand issues around antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance? Our guests discuss the power of art to promote public health and protective behaviors, as well as the power of patient advocacy in raising awareness about these issues. This episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, in conversation with...

Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, is your special host for today's episode, as we discuss nutrition, medicine and public health with Dr. Thea James and Dr. Elizabeth Petelin... starting with a mystery clinical case that at first seems straight out of the 18th century.  Dr. James is an associate professor at the Boston Medical Center, vice president of mission, associate chi...

In our latest episode, we discuss the gaps that exist in today's healthcare systems around climate change and health, and what young people in particular are doing to bridge those gaps. Our guests today are Hazel Rogers and Ben Rabin. Hazel is the assistant director of patient experience and cultural transformation at Mt. Sinai Morningside in New York, where she advocates for patients and employee...

This month, we're talking monkeypox: what is it, what CDC is doing to tackle the outbreak and what challenges face future disease responses. Our guest expert is Jennifer McQuiston, DVM, the deputy director of the Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. As a veterinarian,...

In honor of International Podcast Day, we're releasing a bonus episode that takes a look back at some of our most memorable Contagious Conversations episodes from 2022! Whether you're new to our podcast and curious what we're all about, or a long-time listener interested in a quick recap of the year, tune in for a retrospective on some of the fascinating discussions on public health we've been hav...

This episode we discuss the critical role businesses play in keeping their employees and communities safe during a public health crisis. Plus, learn about the Health Action Alliance, a partnership that has helped nearly 4,000 employers do just that. Our guest this month is Stephen Massey, co-founder of Meteorite, a social impact firm. Stephen is a social entrepreneur and communications expert who...

Learn about the COVID-19 Detection Dog program—a collaboration between the California Department of Public Health and Early Alert Canines—which is introducing a new, less invasive, and more fun method of testing to schools across the state.  Dr. Carol Glaser of the CADoH and Carol Edwards of EAC tell the story. Carol Edwards began her career in dog obedience training at the age of 13 and since the...

For our milestone 30th episode, we're bringing you 3 discussions in one! Host Claire Stinson introduces a collection of speakers from this year's Aspen Ideas Health Festival , an annual event that brings together innovative thinkers and doers to address the world's biggest health challenges. Listen as the CDC Foundation's own Dr. Judy Monroe and Pierce Nelson talk climate change with Dr. Patrick B...

In this episode, we'll discuss the link between people experiencing homelessness and public health and what CDC is doing to address this issue. CDC's Dr. Emily Mosites details the unique health challenges for those living with homelessness and discusses state and local solutions to this national issue. For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations Key Takeaways : [1:32] Dr. Mosite...

How does climate change affect health? What are some successful approaches from public health's past that we can use to tackle this challenge today? And most importantly: how can we all work together to combat this growing crisis? In this episode of Contagious Conversations, Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, discusses these questions and more.   For full episode transcripti...

"We can't do the work alone. That is why it is important to have partnerships in our communities." Hear Dr. Mysheika Roberts discuss this idea and more, as she takes listeners through her own journey in community-centered public health. Plus: how critical relationships helped build trust and shape responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Roberts is the Health Commissioner for the...