Public Health On Call

About this episode: Between lawsuits, layoffs, and lags in funding, NIH has undergone significant changes in how it reviews and approves grant proposals for critical research. In this episode: Jeremy Berg, a former NIH leader, talks about what's changed and what's to come for indirect cost reimbursements, funding approvals, and the scientific research ecosystem as a whole. Guests: Jeremy M. Berg ,...

About this episode: As the conflict in Ukraine nears its fourth year, what help is available for vulnerable children caught in the crossfire? In this episode: Irwin Redlener, co-founder of the Ukraine Children's Action Project, discusses how he's operationalizing care for children's medical, psychological, and educational needs, and urges for an end to the conflict. Guests: Dr. Iriwin Redlener is...

About this episode: Since taking office in 2020, Mayor Brandon Scott and his administration have embraced a public health approach to reducing gun violence. The results include an unprecedented reduction in the number of homicides and other violent crimes. Baltimore's homicide rate is now the lowest that it has been in decades. In this episode: Mayor Scott shares what is behind the city's progress...

About this episode: Cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies are setting higher premiums and pushing coverage out of reach for many Americans. In this episode: the yearslong political battle behind elevating insurance costs, ripple effects across health care providers, and what it will take to build a healthy insurance system. Guests: Gerard Anderson , PhD, is an expert in health policy and a profess...

About this episode: Last spring, Dr. Meghan Curry O'Connell joined Public Health On Call from ground zero of a syphilis outbreak among American Indian and Alaskan Native people in the Great Plains Region. In this episode: She provides an update on the situation, explaining how a collaborative team has been able to overcome obstacles and make progress. Guests: Dr. Meghan Curry O'Connell, MPH, is th...

About this episode: Millions of people across the globe continue to grapple with debilitating long COVID symptoms, as researchers untangle the unknowns of the condition. In this episode: Alba Azola, who leads long COVID research and treatment at Johns Hopkins, lays out the data on who's being diagnosed with long COVID, available treatment options, and the future of post-infectious chronic disease...

About this episode: In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a game changing reproductive technology that leads to more than 2% of births in the U.S. But high costs and a lack of coverage options put it out of reach for many would-be parents. In this episode: Sean Tipton of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses how new federal policies are moving the dial on IVF access and where more...

About this episode: As several states weigh suspending SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, the USDA is releasing the final edition of the Household Food Security Report—a national report card on the state of food insecurity in the U.S. In this episode: Maureen Black, whose career in nutrition spans decades, explains why losing the annual report could set back nutrition efforts as million...

About this episode: Last year, Public Health On Call released a special episode on the decades-long fight to make Baltimore's harbor safe for swimming. While the future looked bright in 2024, new challenges have emerged. In this episode: Baltimore Banner reporter Adam Willis offers an update on the health of the harbor and the city's recent—and smelly—"pistachio tide" event. Guests: Adam Willis re...

About this episode: Following months of personnel cuts, funding terminations, and escalating violence, CDC employees face a new hurdle with the government shutdown. In this episode: Yolanda Jacobs, president of the union chapter that represents more than 1,000 CDC employees, offers an inside look at how employees are grappling with these challenges and shares how those of us outside the CDC can of...

About this episode: Prescribing medicine to address fever or pain in pregnancy is a delicate task with a need to consider both potential benefits and risks. In this episode: Obstetrician Dr. Angie Jelin shares how she discusses Tylenol use with expectant parents in the context of emerging evidence and recent news from the federal government. Guests: Dr. Angie Jelin is the assistant director of pre...

About this episode: Pressure on and antagonism towards public health practitioners, researchers, and communicators has been mounting, reaching a frightening inflection point in August when a gunman opened fire on CDC's campus in Atlanta. In this episode: Tara Kirk Sell and Beth Resnick share methods for supporting the public health workforce and specific steps the Bloomberg School of Public Health...

About this episode: Since 1971, combination mumps, measles, and rubella vaccines have protected American children against life-threatening infection. Recent calls to split the MMR vaccines into three separate injections could unravel decades of progress. In this episode: William Moss details the history of MMR vaccines and the public health dangers posed by changing immunization recommendations wi...

About this episode: Buprenorphine is a highly effective medication used for treating opioid use disorder. But accessing this lifesaving prescription can be challenging. In this episode: Jeff Hom and Marlene Lira talk about the critical role of buprenorphine in reducing overdose deaths and the role pharmacies can play in improving access. Guests: Jeff Hom , MD, MPH, is the Medical Officer for Scien...

About this episode: Can a spoonful of sugar really cure your hiccups? Can a dab of soy sauce soothe a burn? Is there any science behind home remedies? In this episode: Joe and Terry Graedon of The People's Pharmacy discuss some of their favorite, evidence-backed home remedies and how they balance alternative medicine with scientific data to promote wellbeing. Guests: Joe Graedon , MS, and Terry Gr...

About this episode: Pharmacies do a lot more than dispense medications. In this episode: Christina Madison, known online as the Public Health Pharmacist, explains how pharmacists and pharmacies are able to support critical health needs in communities across the country. Guest: Christina Madison , PharmD, FCCP, is a clinical pharmacist and the founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist, PLLC ....

About this episode: Apprenticeships offer the unique opportunity to earn money while learning in-demand skills—and they can be a useful public health intervention, diverting young people away from violence and poor choices. In this episode: Maryland State Senator Cory McCray opens up about his own apprenticeship experience and how earn-while-you-learn opportunities can transform young people's liv...

About this episode: This summer, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at "ending crime and disorder on America's streets." In this episode: Ann Oliva of the National Alliance to End Homelessness discusses her concerns about what this executive order means for unhoused people. She also discusses proven strategies for reducing homelessness and the renewed role of states and localities in...

About this episode: For centuries, public health has seen invisible killers, believed in the power of community interventions, and created better health outcomes across the globe. In this episode: Former CDC director Tom Frieden explains how to tackle today's biggest health challenges and previews his new book, "The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own". Gues...

About this episode:  How do people in ICE custody, many of whom have chronic diseases or rely on daily medication, receive medical care? In this episode: Dr. Katherine Peeler, a medical adviser for Physicians for Human Rights, talks about the standards of care for detainees, challenges emerging at overcrowded detention centers, and high rates of burnout among providers. Guest: Dr. Katherine Peeler...

About this episode: How well do ICE detention centers provide mental health care? In this episode: We first hear from Dr. Solomiya Tsymbalyuk from the University of Maryland about an emergency department interaction that presented legal and ethical questions around treating individuals in ICE custody. Then, Dr. Katherine Peeler of Physicians for Human Rights offers a look at how mental health care...

About this episode: Social media and AI chatbots are changing the landscape of suicide prevention, requiring a multidisciplinary care model. In this episode: Walker Tisdale, Johns Hopkins' Director of Outreach for Suicide Prevention Initiatives, discusses how these developing technologies are changing care models and how to help loved ones who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. Guest: Walker R...

About this episode: Does acetaminophen use during pregnancy cause autism in children? In this episode: Brian Lee, who led the largest study on acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental outcomes, walks through the study's findings—as well as the challenges of researching the causal effects of medication use during pregnancy. Then, biostatistician Elizabeth Stuart discusses how she thinks about asses...

About this episode: Eighty years ago, the United States introduced the globe to atomic warfare, devastating the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In this episode: Author Leslie Sussan tells the story through the eyes of her father, who filmed the aftermath of this disaster on orders from the President of the United States. Guest: Leslie Sussan is an attorney and author, who wrote the book...

About this episode: Last week, Dr. Debra Houry was testifying before Congress. Today, she's talking with Dr. Josh Sharfstein on Public Health On Call. In this episode: Dr. Houry reflects on her time at the CDC, the drastic changes at the agency under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and what she hopes her testimony can do to uphold quality public health. Guest: Dr. Debra...