VitalTalks: Future of Public Health

Over the past year, the Public Health Power Hour podcast has featured leading voices in the public health space. In this special episode, Sandra Mullin, Senior Vice President, and Steve Hamill, Vice President of our Policy Advocacy and Communication team, reflect on segments from their favorite episodes in a roundup of moments you shouldn't miss on the state and future of public health. Issues cov...

In her new book, Under the Skin:The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation, award-winning writer Linda Villarosa argues that any effort to close the gap in health outcomes must also address the structural racism that underpins the U.S. health care system. She points to the adverse impact historical myths about Black bodies have had on policymaking and the way care...

According to The Tobacco Atlas, smoking prevalence is falling globally for the first time, but countries and people marginalized by the vestiges of colonialism, by racism, bias and other social determinants are due to suffer the greatest harm. They suffer a triple impact, as they are the least protected by health systems and policies, less likely to have access to health care, and are targeted by...

In this episode of the Public Health Power Hour, we discussed the impact women have when they have equal power, how COVID-19 has changed the landscape, systems and policies that can accelerate gender equity in global health leadership, and what aspiring women leaders should look for and demand in their careers. Panelists include: - Magda Robalo M.D, Global Managing Director, Women in Global Health...

Women's health means ensuring that women have access to healthy environments and quality health care throughout their lives, including care for important issues during their reproductive years such as safe motherhood and access to modern contraception, safe abortions and postabortion care. Women often face pervasive systemic bias and stigma that lead to challenges across the health spectrum that c...

This discussion focused on the past and future of public health and social reform movements, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting from a historical perspective of public health's history of activism in social movements, and considering the challenges of the current moment, our panelists offer perspectives on how the field of public health can work differently towards a healthier world. This...

This Public Health Power Hour focusses on the importance of civil registration and vital statistics in ensuring people have access to the basic rights and protections afforded by a legal identity. The discussion highlights the  #CountingEveryone  campaign, which emphasizes the need for strong leadership and coordination to propel progress in counting every person, everywhere. With registration of...

This Public Health Power Hour examines activism in public health, looking at decades of HIV/AIDS activism in particular and discussing how it may apply to today's challenges, especially confronting COVID-19 vaccine inequity. HIV/AIDS activism successful created a movement that changed the global public health landscape. Are there strategies, tactics, or common causes we can make to more effectivel...

Mass incarceration is a public health crisis, especially in the United States, where the incarcerated population has ballooned to 2.3 million people in prisons and jails. COVID-19 has amplified the crisis, underlining the urgent need to address the drivers of this era of mass incarceration. It has brought new attention the enormous health and social costs of the carceral system, amplified urgent c...

What impact does alcohol consumption have on global health? In this episode of the Public Health Power Hour we discuss the state of alcohol control and hear about countries leading the way with policies aimed at excessive consumption. Speakers include Alison Douglas, Chief Executive, Alcohol Focus Scotland; Adam Karpati, Senior Vice President, Public Health Programs, Vital Strategies and Pubudu Su...

Two new reports from global tobacco watchdog STOP suggest that British American Tobacco was engaged in potentially illegal activity in Africa, including a military-style surveillance operation to disrupt competitors and hundreds of payments to influence health policy. BAT's activity may have undermined tobacco control progress across the continent. On this episode of the Public Health Power Hour,...

More than 90% of the world breathes polluted air, making air pollution a global health challenge in need of urgent attention. On this episode of Public Health Power Hour, we discuss air pollution and respiratory health, looking at its growing health burden and its effect on children's health. Speakers include Qurota Ayuni, Center for Indonesian Medical Students' Activities; Alejandro Daly, UNICEF...

This episode of the Public Health Power Hour looks forward to the United Nations General Assembly, and what it will mean for Public Health. COVID-19, climate change and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are just some of the public health issues that will headline the UNGA in September. Join Kerry Cullinan, Africa Editor at Health Policy Watch, Tala Dowlatshahi, Consultant on Global NCDs at Vital St...

Big Tobacco has the next generation of smokers in their sights. In this episode of the Public Health Power Hour, we discuss how the tobacco industry continues to target youth with new addictive products, sleek designs and candy flavors. Yayne Hailu, Senior Content Strategist with the global tobacco control watchdog STOP was joined by special guest Janan, Youth Ambassador, Truth Initiative, for a f...

In this episode of the Public Health Power Hour Dr. Lisa Bowleg, an award-winning scholar on intersectionality, joins us for a discussion on how research can help foster health equity. Dr. Bowleg is a Professor of Applied Social Psychology at The George Washington University. The discussion looks at her recent paper "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House": Ten Critical Lessons...

Advertising is an essential tool for harmful industries - both in acquiring customers and shaping public and policymaker opinions to insulate them from potential regulation. This episode looks at how communicators and ad makers are fighting back against the promotion of unhealthy commodities such as tobacco and fossil fuels. Duncan Meisel, Campaign Director at Clean Creatives joined Nandita Muruku...

Listen to our Public Health Power Hour discussion on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and COVID-19. Featuring experts who are driving global and national progress on NCDs, including: - Labram Musah, Ghana NCD Alliance - Dr. Anupam Pathni, Resolve To Save Lives, India - Nina Renshaw, NCD Alliance We discussed how COVID-19 has impacted the NCD agenda, both on the world stage and within countries. Joi...

Listen to the Public Health Power Hour discussion on the role of cycling and active transport in cities to promote public health. We discussed why COVID-19 has changed the landscape for these projects, and how we can accelerate progress. Hear about success stories and challenges from a number of cities, from our experts: - Claudia Adriazola-Steil, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities; - Mariana...

This discussion on Women and Health was moderated by Her Royal Highness Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, a noted health advocate and Special Envoy for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) at Vital Strategies, with Christina Chang, Deputy CEO at Vital Strategies and Fatima Marinho, Principal Technical Advisor, Vital Strategies Brazil office. This discussion touched on a wide range of issues, from how the...