New York Public Health Now

What is it like to practice public health in ever-changing political climates? Dr. Demetrre Daskalakis reflects on lessons learned at the CDC and the importance of humility, trusted messengers, and coordinated action amidst political pressures and public health challenges. If you have an idea for topics we should discuss, please let us know: PublicHealthNowPodcast@health.ny.gov

For a long time, RSV has sent too many babies to the hospital—but new breakthroughs in vaccine science are turning the tide. New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald puts on his pediatrician coat for this episode of New York Public Health now - he and Executive Deputy Director Johanne Morning explores why prevention matters, while also offering practical advice for parents...

In this episode of "New York Public Health Now," Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne are joined by Dr. David Holtgrave as they explore the remarkable story of the cost effectiveness of naloxone in New York State. This episode dives into the real-world impact of naloxone, illuminating stories, budget realities, and lives saved. Learn how New York’...

Joining Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne is Brown University's School for Public Health Dean Dr. Ashish Jha.  They discuss Dr. Jah's strategies to "departisanize" public health and reach out to communities that feel disaffected, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in addressing current and future public health challenges...

In this episode, Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Director Johanne Morne sit down with Dr. Nick Mantis, a Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center, to explore the vital role of microbiology research in improving public health outcomes. Discover how Dr. Mantis and his team's discoveries are paving the way...

Dr. Geeta Sood joins Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne to discuss the growing public health concern of Long COVID, highlighting the need for comprehensive care and ongoing research. They explore the diverse range of symptoms associated with Long COVID, from brain fog to POTS, and the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary appr...

In this episode, New York Commissioner of Health Dr. James McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne welcome Dr. Erin Bell, the new dean of the UAlbany College of Integrated Health Sciences, to discuss the strategic merger of the School of Public Health and the School of Social Welfare, creating a groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach to addressing community health and well-bein...

In this episode, New York State health and environmental experts discuss the far-reaching impacts of climate change on New Yorkers' health, from heat-related illnesses to the effects of severe weather. The conversation explores the critical partnership between agencies and the innovative tools and programs being implemented to address these evolving threats. New York is taking innovative and...

In this episode of New York Public Health Now, Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne welcome the Department of Health's own Dr. David Holtgrave and Allan Clear to discuss the encouraging trends, indicating a decline in fatal drug overdoses across the state and nation. The nationally-recognized leaders explore the potential reasons behind this positive trend and outline...

In the season three opener of the New York Public Health Now podcast, Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne have a conversation with Dr. David Holtgrave, our newest senior policy advisor at the New York State Department of Health.   The discussion delves into the department's efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, with Dr....

In the season 2 finale of New York Public Health Now, Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne welcome Dr. Ted Long from NYC Health + Hospitals to discuss expanding access to primary care through the NYC Care program.  Dr. Long views healthcare as a basic human right, and shares how the NYC Care program provides universal healthcare access regardless of ability to pay and immi...

New York's Health Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne sit down with NYSDOH's epidemiology experts Dr. Debra Blog and Travis O'Donnell to discuss the risks of measles and the importance of immunization. Learn about measles transmission, complications, historical and recent outbreaks in New York, and much more. If you have an idea for topics w...

On this episode of New York Public Health Now, Dr. Shaunna Escobar joins hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Johanne Morne to discuss New York's new contraception standing order which allows people to get birth control from pharmacies without a prescription. Hear why this was implemented and who it aims to help. If you have an idea for topics we should discuss, please let us know: PublicHealthNowPodca...

On this special eclipse episode of New York Public Health Now, hosts Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne are joined by Jason Gough, a meteorologist and member of Governor Hochul’s eclipse communications team, and NYSDOH's Western Regional Office Director, amateur astronomer and eclipse chaser Patrick Toye. They discuss New York's eclipse-related preparations, wh...

In this episode of the New York Public Health Now podcast, hosts Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne are joined by Sabrina Dunn, a third year medical student at the University at Buffalo. Sabrina talks about her journey to becoming a physician, the barriers she's overcome as a woman of color, and her experiences in the post-baccalaureate program and how it helped pre...

Dr. Sharon Stancliffe and Emily Payne join Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne to discuss their groundbreaking study published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report comparing the effectiveness of 4mg and 8mg doses of naloxone.  The study, conducted with assistance by the New York State Police, found the higher 8mg dose resulted in more withdrawal symptom...

In this episode of the New York Public Health Now podcast, hosts Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne are joined by Dr. Cord Stone, Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the New York State Department of Health. They discuss the links between health disparities and systemic racism, and how addressing implicit bias is key to eliminating health inequiti...

New York State Medicaid Director Amir Bassiri joins Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne to talk about the new Medicaid 1115 waiver, and how it will transform healthcare delivery for the most vulnerable New Yorkers. If you have an idea for topics we should discuss, please let us know: PublicHealthNowPodcast@health.ny.gov

To kick off season two of the New York Public Health Now podcast, Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne sit down with Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kerri Neifeld to discuss important priorities and initiatives for 2024 including dental care and preventative care, health equity work, and their ongoing shared mission wit...

For the final episode of season 1 of New York Public Health Now, we feature one of our own: Dr. John Morley. Dr. Morley is retiring at the end of 2023 after a 30+ year career as a doctor, board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine; hospital administrator; and public health leader. He provides a candid, inside glimpse into both the improvements in and continued chall...

Commissioner McDonald and Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne talk flu and the flu vaccine with the Department of Health's in-house infectious disease expert Bryon Backenson. If you have an idea for topics we should discuss, please let us know: PublicHealthNowPodcast@health.ny.gov

Commissioner McDonald and Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne have an open discussion about cybersecurity and New York's nation-leading proposed cybersecurity regulations and $500 million in funding to help hospitals safeguard health care systems. Joining Commissioner McDonald and Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne is Colin Ahern, New York's first Cybersecurity Officer, al...

In this special bonus episode, Commissioner McDonald and Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne talk about the Department of Health's AIDS Institute and their Ending the Epidemic Summit and World AIDS Day 2023 commemoration with Joe Kerwin, Director of the AIDS Institute and Stephanie McHugh from the Office of Planning and Community Affairs at the AIDS Institute. An annual feature of Worl...

Commissioner McDonald and Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne discuss Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection, better known as RSV with New York State Department of Health's Director of the Division of Epidemiology Dr. Emily Lutterloh. Programming note: We will have a bonus episode next week in coordination with the Department of Health's AIDS Institute to commemorate the Ending the...

Commissioner McDonald and Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne sit down for a conversation with Dr. Paul Masters, Wadsworth Center's in-house coronavirus expert on SARS-COV-1, how it relates to COVID-19, PCR, and antibody testing. If you have an idea for topics we should discuss, please let us know: PublicHealthNowPodcast@health.ny.gov