Healthy Maine Talks

For this month's episode, Matt speaks to Shelley Hearne, DrPH, the Deans Sommer and Klag Professor of the Practice in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Director of the Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy. Shelley shares why it's critically important for public health professionals to engage in policy-making right now, and simple ways you can ma...

Sarah Alexander from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) joins Matt to discuss how we can incentivize local, organic food production that supports and nourishes communities.    To learn more check out MOFGA's website .

For this bonus episode of Healthy Maine Talks, Matt sits down with Barry Chaffin, co-founder and managing partner of Nova Analytic Labs, one of a handful of certified, licensed cannabis testing facilities in Maine. Barry and Matt discuss the lack of sufficient testing and oversight in Maine's medical cannabis program and how it puts consumers at risk. Nova Analytic Labs recently conducted its...

For this month's episode, Heather Paquette, new President of Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, and Laura Vinal, Senior Manager of Community Initiatives, join Matt to discuss food insecurity, an issue that intersects health, nutrition and community well-being.  Heather and Laura share how the organization is working alongside partners and community members to implement Maine’s Roadmap to End H...

Jennifer Boothroyd, MPA, CCP, Manager of Sustainability at Northern Light Health, joins Healthy Maine Talks to discuss climate resiliency and what that means for Maine's health systems. Jen digs into Northern Light Health's climate resiliency plan, " Keeping Our Promise in the Face of Change " and shares how other health systems can learn from their experience. *This Healthy Ma...

Adam Nordell, Campaign Manager at Defend Our Health and previous owner of Songbird Farm in Unity, Maine, joins the podcast to share his experience with severe PFAS contamination on his farm and how it's impacted his family and livelihood. Adam's story is deeply personal and we're grateful to him for sharing it with us and for the work he is doing with Defend Our Health to combat PFA...

"All you have to do is make a little time and open the door. The kids will lead the way and show you how to play."--Alicia Heyburn, Executive Director of Teens to Trails. Tune into the episode to hear how Teens to Trails is working with schools and partners across Maine to get young people outside, and how doing so can support youth mental health.  *This episode is supported by the New E...

Joe Lawlor from the Portland Press Herald joined Matt for this special episode of Healthy Maine Talks to discuss the intersection of gun safety and access to health care services in light of the tragic shootings in Lewiston.  Check out Joe's recent stories that we reference in this episode:  "Maine’s gun laws rated as among the most lax in the nation" --November 5th, 2023 "Havi...

This week Matt sat down with Lori Manson from AdCare Educational Institute  of Maine to talk about resources people can access to identify and address problem gambling as sports betting goes live in the state. Check out AdCare 's website and the Maine Council on Problem Gambling for more info.  " We want people to know that help is available, treatment is available at no cost, and that r...

"Dental disease is the most common chronic disease among children and it can have whole body effects."--Kalie Hess, MPH, Children's Oral Health Network of Maine "Sometimes we tend to separate oral health from overall health but they are one in the same."--Courtney Vannah, MS, MPH, MCD Global Health Tune into this week's episode to hear about barriers to oral healthcar...

“It is my belief based on the research I've done that in America and in Maine the reason for zoning restrictions at its root is because of race and racism.”--Deb Ibonwa, Esq. Deb Ibonwa, Esq, Legal Advocate with Maine Equal Justice , joins Matt this month to discuss the housing crisis in Maine. Deb makes clear that while there are many facets to the housing crisis, we can pass policies that e...

In this month's episode, Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Bryant shares her personal story, as well as the background and history behind the Wabanaki Alliance and the push to recognize the sovereignty and self-determination of the tribes in Maine. Visit wabanakialliance.com to learn more. *This episode is supported by the New England Public Health Training Center*

As of now, cancer is the leading cause of death in Maine, and 1 in 3 people in the state will eventually receive a cancer diagnosis. In this month's episode, Matt sits down with Ray Ruby, Executive Director of Maine Cancer Foundation, to discuss their community led approach to combating cancer in Maine. Tune in to hear more about how you can help advance MCF's mission, including through...