University of Iowa College of Public Health

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The University of Iowa College of Public Health is a top-ranked school of public health, meeting the public health challenges of the 21st century through education, research, outreach, and community engagement.

  1. Measuring What Matters: Supporting Rural Dementia Caregivers

    Jun 12

    Measuring What Matters: Supporting Rural Dementia Caregivers

    What does support really mean for caregivers? In this episode, Lauren sits down with Emily Killian, a PhD candidate in Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa, to discuss her research on caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Emily shares how her interest in aging and caregiving led her to study social support networks, particularly among caregivers in rural communities. The conversation explores the realities of caregiving, the unique challenges faced by rural families, and why traditional measures of social support may not fully capture caregivers' experiences. Emily also explains how researchers use cognitive interviewing to improve survey tools and ensure that the voices of caregivers are reflected in public health research. Whether you have experience caring for a loved one, work in healthcare, or are simply interested in how research shapes public health programs and policy, this episode offers valuable insights into the importance of listening to the people most affected by the issues we study. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-supporting-rural-dementia-caregivers/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #communityhealth #behavioralhealth #caregivers #dementia #alzheimersdisease #research #support #iowacity

    22 min
  2. Aging in Rural America: What Happens When Nursing Homes Disappear?

    Jun 5

    Aging in Rural America: What Happens When Nursing Homes Disappear?

    As America's population ages, access to long-term care is becoming an increasingly urgent issue, especially in rural communities. In this episode, Lauren sits down with Dr. Hari Sharma to discuss the growing challenge of nursing home closures in rural America and what those closures mean for patients, families, and communities. While nursing homes have always opened and closed over time, recent years have seen an overall decline in the total number of facilities nationwide, creating new concerns about access to both post-acute and long-term care services. Dr. Sharma explains how researchers measure access to care, why rural communities are particularly vulnerable when facilities close, and what happens when older adults are forced to seek care farther from home. The conversation explores the financial pressures facing nursing homes, workforce shortages, Medicaid reimbursement challenges, and the growing gap between the care rural residents need and the services available to them. The episode also examines potential solutions, including expanding home-based care, investing in assisted living and adult day programs, and reimagining how rural nursing home facilities can serve multiple community needs. Whether you're caring for aging parents, working in healthcare, or simply interested in the future of rural health, this episode offers valuable insight into a challenge that will affect more and more families in the years ahead. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-aging-in-rural-america-what-happens-when-nursing-homes-disappear/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #nursinghomes #medicaid #ruralhealth #nursing #assistedliving #agingparents #research #iowacity

    31 min
  3. The Law of Pregnancy and Parenthood with Professor Katharine Baker

    May 29

    The Law of Pregnancy and Parenthood with Professor Katharine Baker

    In this episode of Plugged Into Public Health, Lauren sits down with Professor Baker from the University of Iowa College of Law to unpack the complicated legal framework surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, parental leave, and workplace protections in the United States. Together, they explore how pregnancy became treated primarily through discrimination law, why the U.S. differs so dramatically from many other industrialized countries on paid parental leave, and how policies like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) came to exist in their current form. The conversation digs into the tension between gender equality and biological reality in public policy, including whether treating everyone “the same” under the law always leads to equitable outcomes in practice. Professor Baker also explains how unpaid leave disproportionately impacts lower-income workers and single mothers, why many employers structure leave policies the way they do, and what realistic policy reforms could look like in the future. Throughout the episode, listeners are reminded that public health is shaped not only by healthcare systems, but also by labor policy, economics, law, and the broader social supports available to families. This episode offers a thoughtful and accessible look at an issue that affects millions of Americans, while also showing just how unusual the United States is compared to much of the rest of the world when it comes to supporting pregnancy and early parenthood. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-the-law-of-pregnancy-and-parenthood-with-katharine-baker/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #familyandmedicalleaveact #fmla #collegeoflaw #pregnancy #parentalleave #publicpolicy #genderequality #childbirth #iowacity

    32 min
  4. The Necessity of Friction: Dr. Bhramar Mukherjee on Courage, Data, and Public Health

    May 22

    The Necessity of Friction: Dr. Bhramar Mukherjee on Courage, Data, and Public Health

    This week on Plugged In to Public Health, Raj and Faith sit down with renowned biostatistician and public health researcher Bhramar Mukherjee following her Hansen Distinguished Lecture at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Dr. Mukherjee shares her journey from studying mathematics in India to becoming a leading voice in biostatistics, epidemiology, and public communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they explore the “four quadrants” that shaped her lecture and career: ethics, community engagement, communication, and capacity building. The conversation dives into some of the biggest questions facing public health today: -What responsibilities do statisticians have beyond the numbers? -How do we communicate uncertainty to the public? -What happens when politics shapes data collection? -How should researchers think about AI, privacy, and the future of education? -And why might friction, tension, and even mistakes be essential for growth and creativity? Dr. Mukherjee also reflects on the courage required to communicate science publicly during moments of crisis, the importance of community trust in research, and why foundational skills matter more than chasing every new technological trend. This episode is thoughtful, timely, and deeply relevant for anyone interested in science, leadership, ethics, education, or the future of public health. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-dr-bhramar-mukherjee-on-courage-data-and-public-health/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #data #statistician #biostatistician #artificialintelligence #healtheducation #research #HansenDistinguishedLecture #iowacity

    51 min
  5. Parental Rage & Burnout: The Mental Health Reality of Early Parenthood

    May 8

    Parental Rage & Burnout: The Mental Health Reality of Early Parenthood

    This week on Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Dr. Erin Wissler Gerdes, recent PhD graduate from the University of Iowa College of Public Health, to discuss the mental and emotional realities of early parenthood, including anxiety, burnout, loneliness, and “parental rage.” Drawing from her dissertation research and personal experience as a parent of three young children, Erin explains what parental rage actually is, why it remains under-discussed, and what her research revealed about how common these experiences are among both moms and dads. The conversation explores the role of social support, mental load, overstimulation, and the structural pressures shaping modern parenting. The episode also examines broader public health and policy questions surrounding childcare, parental leave, social isolation, and what meaningful support for families could look like moving forward. In recognition of Mother’s Day weekend, this episode highlights the importance of supporting parents not just individually, but through stronger systems and communities. In this episode, we discuss: -What “parental rage” means and how it differs from everyday frustration -Why anxiety and burnout are strongly linked to rage experiences -Differences and similarities between moms’ and dads’ experiences -The mental load of parenting and modern parenting expectations -Social isolation and the loss of “the village” -Structural barriers facing families, including childcare and parental leave -Why support systems matter for parental mental health *This episode contains discussion of parental mental health, anxiety, burnout, and emotional distress related to parenting.* A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-parental-rage-burnout-and-the-mental-health-reality-of-early-parenthood/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #mentalhealth #parenting #earlyparenthood #burnout #anger #anxiety #isolation #support #iowacity

    26 min
  6. Community and Coursework: Rethinking Graduate Student Wellness

    Apr 30

    Community and Coursework: Rethinking Graduate Student Wellness

    In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, Lauren sits down with Rachel Valentine, a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Iowa, practicing therapist, and Mental Health Director for Graduate and Professional Student Government. Together, they explore the growing issue of isolation among graduate and professional students and discuss how institutions can better support student well-being through community-centered approaches. What We Cover: -Why isolation is so common in graduate and professional programs -The role of academic pressure, life transitions, and systemic expectations -Why traditional student programming often fails to address real needs -The concept behind the Graduate Student Dialogue Series -How student-driven, informal spaces can foster connection -The importance of multidimensional wellness beyond clinical mental health -Practical ways students can begin to rebuild connection in their own lives Featured Initiative: Graduate Student Dialogue Series A new, student-informed initiative designed to create informal, discussion-based spaces for graduate and professional students to connect, share experiences, and build community across disciplines. Help shape the series by completing the needs assessment survey: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2qPRRhQJ0QOWIm Additional Resource: Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program The Graduate College’s GradLife P2P Mentorship Program matches first-year PhD students with experienced peer mentors. Participants also gain access to networking events and community-building opportunities. Learn more here: https://grad.uiowa.edu/grad-success/graduate-peer-mentoring About the Guest Rachel Valentine is a first-year PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Iowa and a practicing therapist in Iowa City. Her work focuses on student mental health, wellness, and building accessible, community-based support systems for graduate and professional students. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-rethinking-graduate-student-wellness/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #graduates #gradstudents #counseling #education #peertopeer #mentorship #gradlife #iowacity

    23 min
  7. Food Systems Under Pressure: Prices, Policy, and People (Part 2)

    Apr 17

    Food Systems Under Pressure: Prices, Policy, and People (Part 2)

    In part two of this conversation, we continue our discussion with Professor Hannah Shultz, shifting from rising food prices to the deeper policy and ethical questions shaping food access in the United States. This episode explores the debate around SNAP restrictions, including whether limiting certain food purchases actually improves health outcomes or instead reinforces stigma and inequity. We also examine how narratives around “healthy choices” often overlook broader structural factors, and what it means to approach food policy with dignity, autonomy, and real-world context in mind. The conversation also highlights where progress is happening, particularly at local levels through community-based food systems, school meal programs, and food-as-medicine initiatives. Throughout, a central theme emerges: food is not just fuel. It is cultural, social, and deeply tied to identity and well-being. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-food-systems-under-pressure-part-2/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #inequity #foodinsecurity #foodaccess #policy #inflation #farmbill #SNAP #iowacity

    25 min
  8. Food Systems Under Pressure: Prices, Policy, and People (Part 1)

    Apr 14

    Food Systems Under Pressure: Prices, Policy, and People (Part 1)

    In this episode, we sit down with Professor Hannah Shultz to unpack what rising food prices actually mean for food access and food insecurity in the United States. From grocery store sticker shock to broader policy decisions, this conversation connects everyday experiences to the larger systems shaping who can afford to eat and how. We explore how inflation, supply chain dynamics, and labor challenges are influencing the cost of food, along with the role of federal policy, including the Farm Bill and SNAP, in shaping access across communities. The conversation also highlights why food insecurity is not a one-size-fits-all issue and how unpredictability in prices and income can make it even harder for households to stay food secure. This is part one of a two-part series. Be sure to tune in next week as we continue the conversation. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-food-systems-under-pressure-part-1/ Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks. #publichealth #healthcare #foodprices #foodinsecurity #foodaccess #policy #inflation #farmbill #SNAP #iowacity

    26 min
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5
out of 5
25 Ratings

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The University of Iowa College of Public Health is a top-ranked school of public health, meeting the public health challenges of the 21st century through education, research, outreach, and community engagement.

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