Health Snaps

In our final episode of the season,  Professor Dara  Ford  explains the growing  attention  around  GLP-1 receptor agonists,  how these medications work, and why they are reshaping conversations about diabetes, weight management, and  public health.

Professor Anastasia Snelling   discusses how mentorship, hands-on learning, and real-world partnerships define the  graduate experience  in public health. She highlights how practice-based education equips students with the skills, confidence, and critical thinking needed to  lead  meaningful change in their  communities .

Professor Dara Ford  breaks down the purpose of the  Dietary Guidelines for Americans , explaining how they shape national nutrition policies and everyday food choices. She explores recent changes, controversies around the guidelines, and what  evidence-based  nutrition really tells us about building  healthier diets

This episode explores how building meaningful partnerships  with community organizations strengthens public health work. Professor Anastasia Snelling discusses why collaboration with local partners is essential for sustaining impactful programs and improving  community health outcomes .

Professor Liana Petruzzi  explores how community health workers and collaboration across healthcare teams improve  maternal health outcomes, strengthen support systems, and help ensure healthier pregnancies and postpartum care for moms.

Professor Liana Petruzzi  discusses postpartum mental health, highlighting the physical, emotional, and systemic supports new mothers need to recover, thrive, and stay healthy.

Professo r Katie Holton   examines how nutrition can support veteran health, highlighting food-based strategies to improve physical, mental, and long-term well-being.

Professor Katie Holton   explains how nutrition supports brain health, revealing links between diet, cognition, and mental well-being through emerging nutritional neuroscience research.

Professor Gabriela Meltzer  explores  climate change  as a threat multiplier intensifying health, equity, and policy challenges and explains why collective, cross-sector solutions are essential.

Professor Katie Holton  explores  nutritional neuroscience , how diet affects  cognition  and brain health, and the public health career paths connecting food, science, and population health.

Professor Melissa Hawkins  discusses  maternal health equity , pregnancy outcomes, and how  public health systems  and policy can better support mothers, babies, and families across communities.

Professor  Jody Gan  discusses American University's required Health Studies internship as a model of experiential learning that integrates academic preparation, professional partnerships, and applied practice to address complex public health challenges.

Design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem solving that emphasizes empathy, experimentation, and collaboration. Professor  Celeste Davis  shares how design thinking at American University blends rigor, creativity, and ethics to prepare students for impact-driven careers. This episode highlights how design thinking equips public health students with practical, innovative skills combini...

Professor Caroline Kuo : In this episode of Health Snaps, we tackle sexual-assault prevention — a crucial public-health issue. Learn why early conversation about consent, respect, and boundaries matters — and how we can build safer communities together. Health Snaps⁠ is presented by the American University Department of Health Studies.

Professor Celeste Davis : The Public Health Scholars Program at American University offers cohort-based learning, personalized mentorship, accelerated or traditional tracks, and immersive hands-on experiences in the community that connect public health education directly to real-world practice. Health Snaps⁠ is presented by the American University Department of Health Studies.

Professor  Gabriella Meltzer   unpacks how climate change fuels extreme events, illness, and mental health strain, while offering clear, practical steps families can take to prepare, stay safe, and adapt to a warming world. Health Snaps  is presented by the American University Department of Health Studies.

In this first episode of Health Snaps, discover how resilience transforms public health! Professor Caroline Kuo shares how focusing on strengths—not problems—empowers individuals and communities, shaping programs that build wellbeing and thrive in the face of adversity. Health Snaps is presented by the American University Department of Health Studies.