Public Health On Call

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

4.6 (585)
NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

Evidence and experts to help you understand today’s public health news—and what it means for tomorrow.

20 HR. AGO

824 - Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update

About this episode: Outbreaks of H5N1 continue to rise in dairy cattle and poultry, and human cases are also starting to creep up including a Canadian teen who was hospitalized in critical condition. In this episode: the latest on viral sequencing and patterns of spread, the potential for economic impacts and interruptions in the food supply, risks to the general public, and concerns about how an administration change in January may impact public health’s ability to mount a sufficient response. Guest: Dr. Meghan Davis is a veterinarian and public health researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a joint appointment at the School of Medicine. Dr. Andy Pekosz is a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with appointments in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Environmental Health and Engineering. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, the largest center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Why a teenager’s bird flu infection is ringing alarm bells for scientists—Nature ‘We are not testing enough’: new US bird flu cases stoke fears over poor response—The Guardian Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

18 min
1 DAY AGO

823 - Special Episode—The Fight For A Swimmable Harbor in Baltimore

About this episode: Baltimore’s iconic Inner Harbor is like a highway for massive ships. It’s also been a dumping ground for chemicals and pollutants, and every time it rains, stormwater runoff brings sewage and trash from miles inland. But in 2010, a coalition announced the Healthy Harbor initiative—a plan to make Baltimore’s famous waterfront swimmable and fishable by 2020. In June 2024, the city held its first public swim in the harbor in more than 40 years. It took nearly a decade and a half to pull it off—and some say, it’s only the beginning. In this special episode of Public Health On Call, we look at four ways Baltimore activists, coalitions, agencies, scientists, and residents came together to fight for a swimmable and fishable harbor: getting people’s attention, collecting data, mitigating sewage, and battling against trash. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: The Fight For A Swimmable Harbor in Baltimore City—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Episode transcript Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

38 min
4 DAYS AGO

823 - Fluoride In The Water

About this episode: Water fluoridation is considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th Century. Yet for as long as there has been fluoride in the water, some have raised concerns about its safety. In this episode: the history of water fluoridation, its enormous benefits for preventing tooth decay, and the recent wave of interest in whether fluoridation policies should change. Guest: Dr. Charlotte Lewis is a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s, a professor at UW Medicine, and an expert on infant and child nutrition and oral health. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, the largest center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Skeletal Fluorosis Due to Excessive Tea Drinking—The New England Journal of Medicine Fluoride Exposure: Neurodevelopment and Cognition—National Toxicology Program AAP stands by recommendations for low fluoride levels to prevent caries—American Academy of Pediatrics Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

18 min
6 DAYS AGO

822 - Book Club: “Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice”

About this episode: For nearly 30 years, Judge David Tatel served on the the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. But his rising legal career corresponded with his declining vision–a fact he tried to hide. Now, Tatel credits his blindness (and his guide dog Vixen) for helping him evolve as a judge and a person. In this episode: a look at Judge Tatel’s astonishing career, his take on how SCOTUS is blurring the lines between judging and policymaking, what science and the legal system have in common, and his experience learning to live with blindness. Guest: Judge David Tatel served nearly 30 years as a Clinton appointee in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. His recent book is “Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice.” Host: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: A Supreme Court Case That’s a “Big Deal” For Public Health—Public Health On Call (January, 2023) This Judge Is Blind. He Wishes Our Justice System Were, Too—The New York Times Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

20 min
NOV 19

821 - Psychological First Aid: Processing Big Post-Election Emotions

About this episode: In the wake of the presidential election, many people are feeling big emotions like shock, disbelief, anger, and fear. Psychological first aid is a process that can help “take the sting out of injury” and chart a way forward after disruptive, upsetting events. In this episode: an explanation of the process and how people can use the framework to start to regain control and feel empowered to meet the moment and construct a better future. Note: If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call 988 for immediate emotional support. Guest: Dr. George Everly is a world-renowned expert in disaster mental health, crisis intervention, and psychological first aid. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Psychological First Aid—Coursera (free course) The Power of Psychological First Aid—Hopkins Medicine Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

21 min
NOV 18

820 - The Anti-Vaccine Movement Gets Its Close-Up

About this episode: A new documentary, “Shot in the Arm,” looks at the modern anti-vaccine movement from its opposition to the measles vaccine in 2019 through the pandemic and its opposition to COVID vaccination. Filmmaker Scott Kennedy joins the podcast to talk about about the five-year project of creating the film, including details from his hour-long interview with a leading voice in the movement, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Guest: Scott Kennedy is an Academy Award nominated writer, director, producer, and documentarian. He is known for films such as The Garden and Our Town. Shot in the Arm is his most recent film. Host: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: Shot in the Arm—PBS Deadly measles outbreak hits children in Samoa after anti-vaccine fears—Washington Post Once struggling, antivaccine groups have enjoyed a pandemic windfall—NBC News 7 things about vaccines and autism that the movie ‘Vaxxed’ won’t tell you—Washington Post Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

19 min
NOV 15

819 - A Second Trump Term: A Look At The Headlines

About this episode: There’s a lot of speculation in the media about what Trump’s second term might mean for health and health policy. In this episode: a look at some of the headlines from this week and what we might see in the next four years around vaccines, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, contraceptives, the federal workforce, immigration, and global health programs. Guest: Dr. Josh Sharfstein served in a number of political roles in his career including as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, the Principal Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as Commissioner of Health for Baltimore City, and as a Congressional health policy advisor. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: After Trump win, RFK Jr. says he won’t ‘take away anybody’s vaccines’—NBC News With ACA subsidies set to expire in 2023, millions of Americans stand to lose health insurance—CBS News Trump’s win could accelerate the privatization of Medicare—NPR What Trump has said about birth control, and what he could do as president—ABC News How Trump Could Upend DC’s federal workforce—Axios A Trump second term could bring another family separation crisis—Vox What a Trump presidency means for global health—The Conversation The 2024 Election Series: What’s At Stake For Immigrants and Immigration—Public Health On Call (October, 2024) The Mental Health of Migrant Children—Public Health On Call (July, 2024) The Health Care Crisis at The U.S.-Mexico Border Part 1: Children and Families—Public Health On Call (April, 2024) The Health Care Crisis at The U.S.-Mexico Border Part 2: Border Walls and Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injuries—Public Health On Call (May, 2024) Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

15 min
NOV 13

818 - An Update On Measles, Pertussis, Mpox, and Other Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

About this episode: In this episode: an update on the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and pertussis (whooping cough) in the U.S. Globally, a look at the mpox vaccine and exciting news about two brand new vaccines for malaria and TB in the pipeline. Guest: Dr. Bill Moss is the executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: With Cases Rising, What You Need To Know About Whooping Cough—U.S. News & World Report Measles cases are up and childhood vaccinations are down—NPR Mpox cases in Congo may be stabilizing. Experts say more vaccines are needed to stamp out virus.—AP News Candidate malaria vaccine provides lasting protection in NIH-sponsored trials—NIH Every year, tuberculosis kil Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on X @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed

22 min

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4.6

out of 5

585 Ratings

Posted All Three Episodes at Once!

Jul 8

trying2Brational

Didn’t have to wait for subsequent episodes about oximeter defects and analysis of reasons why this has occurred. So smart. I have learned so much good science and policies from this podcast. Best practices in public healthcare always presented.
Great topical and timely resource!

May 31

BeaSpada

I stumbled upon it and I have been hooked ever since. I look forward to hearing every single episode and I always come away with more knowledge, greater understanding, and more inspiration. Public Health On Call should be on the “reading list” of anyone who is remotely interested in public health and any person who cares about people, animals, and planetary health! Could not recommend it more! 👏🫶🏼
Thank you

Mar 29

Ginagina Smith

For all the great info AND the tip about the Zoom play: Enemy of the People
Wonderful

Mar 7

mistyb08

I absolutely love this podcast. It’s so informative and focuses on today’s issues at hand.