What is Public Health with Dr. Kee Chan

2025 was loud. The headlines were heavy. But underneath the noise, public health was doing what it always does best: protecting us in ways we rarely see. In this episode, Dr. Kee Chan breaks down the biggest 2025 health stories in plain language, shares a personal milestone of finishing her textbook, and looks ahead to what to watch in 2026, including AI, medtech, healthy aging, mental health, and...

Burnout has become the silent epidemic within our healthcare system — draining energy, compassion, and billions of dollars every year. In this episode, Dr. Kee Chan unpacks the real cost of clinician burnout and reveals why prevention isn’t just good medicine — it’s good economics. Drawing from her textbook Public and Population Health: Perspectives for Health Systems Management , she introduces t...

In this episode, Dr. Kee Chan explores how screens are shaping childhood today—and what parents, educators, and communities can do to foster balance and well-being. We often hear about the harms of technology, but there are also real opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection. What does the science say about early screen use, attention, and social development? How can families find bal...

We’re excited to share our latest What is Public Health? episode featuring Dr. Jim Kaput, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Vydiant Inc. In this episode, we explore: The science and story behind OneHealth Pro, a platform mapping over 7,000 evidence-based health relationships How systems biology and nutrigenomics are redefining our approach to malnutrition and chronic disease The role of A...

Welcome to Season 3 of the  What is Public Health?  podcast! This season, we’re exploring the future of health — and what it means for both communities and individuals. From groundbreaking innovations in public and population health to the rise of personalized medicine, nutrition, and wellness, we’ll bring you conversations that connect science, practice, and everyday life. What you can expect thi...

In this timely episode, the host of "What is Public Health" podcast, Dr. Kee Chan unpacks the recent changes to the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations—particularly the shift from a strong recommendation to a more neutral “may get vaccinated” stance for healthy children and pregnant women. But what’s raising eyebrows is that this shift was publicly announced first by HHS Secretary Robert F. Ken...

From brain berries to mushroom powders, today’s smoothie comes packed with promises: sharper focus, better memory, and even protection against dementia. But are these claims backed by science—or just wellness marketing with a green glow? In this episode, the host, Dr. Kee Chan breaks down the most talked-about “brain foods” like MCT oil, turmeric, lion’s mane, and collagen through the lens of nutr...

In this episode, we explore the power of music as a tool for emotional healing and developmental support in childhood. I’m joined by two remarkable guests: Dr. Nicole St. Jean and Dr. Sarah Bartolome, who are co-leading of the Music for Childhood Well-Being Initiative (MCWI) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Together, they bring deep experience in education, public health, an...

In this solo episode, the podcast host, Dr. Kee Chan shares the inspiration, framework, and real-world applications behind her new textbook,  Public and Population Health: Perspectives for Health Systems Management , published by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Drawing from years of teaching public health management at the University of Illinois Chicago alongside co-author Ri...

In this powerful episode of What is Public Health Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Hurd, a passionate advocate and entrepreneur who created the EmpowHer app after her own experience navigating the emotional challenges of postpartum life. We explore how the app is addressing a long-overlooked public health crisis: the maternal mental health gap. From prenatal anxiety to postpartum depression, far t...

What happens when a routine newborn screening turns into life-changing news? In this episode of  "What is Public Health" podcast , I talk with Dr. Jennifer Brown — scientist, mom, and author of  When the Baby is Not Okay: Hope’s Genes . We dive into her personal story of navigating the emotional rollercoaster that followed her daughter’s unexpected screening results, and how it led her to write a...

As federal funded programs, public institutions, and universities roll back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, we are losing critical support for equity-centered initiatives. Now, public health leaders are faced with the question:  How do we continue the work of advancing health equity in a time when DEI itself is under attack? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Janine Hill—a leadersh...

In this episode of "What is Public Health" podcast, I'm your host, Dr. Kee Chan. April is the Autism Awareness month, and joining me in this special episode is Michael Pereira, founder of The Autism Voyage. Michael’s personal experience as a father navigating his son’s autism diagnosis led him to create The Autism Voyage—a platform offering compassionate, practical guidance for famil...

On this episode on What is Public Health Podcast, during National Public Health Week, for this special series on "How we built healthier communities , on Day 7, I explore what’s ahead for our field — and what’s at risk if we fail to act. From climate change to AI, from big data to precision medicine, public health is being shaped by forces that demand new tools, new partnerships, and new ways of t...

When disaster strikes — whether it’s a wildfire, a pandemic, or a hurricane — public health systems are often the first line of defense and the last to leave. In this episode of What is Public Health Podcast, during National Public Health Week, April 7-13, 2025, on Day 6, I examine how emergency preparedness has evolved in public health, from early bioterrorism response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a...

In today’s What is Public Health Podcast episode, during National Public Health Week April 7-13, 2025, on Day 5, we explore how maternal health has shaped public health — and why it’s still a critical issue today. We look at the history of maternal health programs, major breakthroughs in care and policy, and what’s at risk if we don’t protect funding for prenatal, postpartum, and mental health sup...

What we breathe affects every part of our health — from our lungs and hearts to our brains and unborn children. In this episode of "What is Public Health", in celebration of National Public Health Week, April 7-13, 2025, we have a special series called "How we built healthier communities ". On Day 4, we explore the history and impact of clean air laws in the United States, from smog-filled cities...

Clean water is one of the greatest public health achievements of all time — but it wasn’t always guaranteed. In this episode of What is Public Health, in this special series "How we built healthier communities", I explore how contaminated water once fueled deadly epidemics, how Dr. John Snow’s cholera investigation in 1854 laid the foundation for modern epidemiology, and how today’s policies conti...

What if a single test, done just days after birth, could prevent a lifetime of illness or even save a life? That’s the power of  newborn screening  — a public health breakthrough that quietly protects millions of babies each year. In this episode of What is Public Health, during National Public Health Week April 7-13, 2025, we have a special series "How we built a healthier communities"....

It's National Public Health Week (NPHW) from April 7-13, 2025. We will host a special series everyday during NPHW - "How We Built a Healthier Communities ". From smallpox to COVID-19, vaccines have changed the course of history — saving millions of lives, eradicating deadly diseases, and transforming global health. In this kickoff episode of  What is Public Health, I explore the history, science,...

In this fun and inspiring episode on "What is Public Health" podcast, we explore how yoga and mindfulness can help kids build focus, emotional resilience, and lifelong healthy habits. Our guest is Teresa Anne Power, a former lawyer turned international kids’ yoga expert, bestselling author of  The ABCs of Yoga for Kids  book series and flashcards, and founder of International Kids Yoga Day (on Apr...

In this episode of  What is Public Health , Dr. Julie Cakici, a leading expert in public health, precision medicine, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies, joins us to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare. From disease prediction and personalized medicine to tackling health disparities and improving health communication, Dr. Cakici shares insights on...

In this powerful episode of What is Public Health , I sit down with Sharon Terry , the President and CEO of Genetic Alliance , to explore how advocacy is transforming healthcare and empowering patients and families. Sharon’s journey into health advocacy began when her children were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition — a moment that led her to co-found a research and advocacy organization, dri...

In this powerful episode of  What is Public Health? , we dive into the critical importance of colorectal cancer screening. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and this topic is personal—my father’s early diagnosis and successful treatment underscore the life-saving power of early detection. - We explore the different types of screenings, their pros and cons, and why regular checkups can pr...

Is public health still a smart career choice? With layoffs, funding cuts, and public service jobs under pressure, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But here’s the truth: Public health isn’t dying—it’s evolving. In this episode of What is Public Health, host Dr. Kee Chan—a public health professor and advisor with 20+ years of experience—dives into the future of public health careers and why staying in...