Higher Education with Dr. B Fran

Peoples Media
  • 5.0 (16)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Unlocking health equity is not just a goal—it's a necessity. In this insightful and powerful podcast, we dive deep into the complex web of structural determinants that fuel health disparities for marginalized communities. Join Dr. BFran with leading experts, innovators, and change-makers as they explore the root causes of these inequities and share actionable strategies to break down barriers, empowering us all to create a more just and equitable health landscape. Whether you're a health professional, advocate, or simply passionate about making a difference, this pod class offers the knowledge and inspiration you need to help shape a healthier future for everyone. Tune in and join the movement towards true health equity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1D AGO

    Don't Call it a Come Back

    “Weʻre back for a whole new season, and we are not easing in quietly!”  In this powerful season opener of Higher Ed with Dr. B Fran, Dr. B Fran gets real about where she’s been and what it means to navigate both the personal and professional toll of watching public health infrastructure unravel, not just in the U.S., but across the globe. This episode sets the tone for a bold new season. Dr. B Fran breaks down how the field has shifted, what’s at stake, and why understanding all sides, including the opposition, is critical to figuring out how we got here. She also introduces a more global lens for upcoming episodes, connecting the dots between geopolitical changes and the future of health equity worldwide. She asks the question we can’t afford to ignore: Who are we making “America healthy again” for? If health equity is truly the goal, we have to think bigger. As global health systems face increasing strain, Dr. B Fran challenges us to consider what comes next: Will we be ready to rebuild something stronger and more just or will the future of health fall into the hands of private interests driven by profit over people? Honest, thought-provoking, and deeply necessary, this episode is your call to tune in, reflect, and get ready for a season that doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  2. 05/22/2025

    Project 2025, Part 3: Dismantling Care – The Future of Medicaid, Medicare, and Health Justice

    In Part 3 of our deep dive into Project 2025, we’re turning our attention to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—and what’s at stake as powerful forces push to reshape it. Fresh off the confirmation of CMS’s 17th Administrator, we’re already seeing the outlines of a radical shift: one that proposes over $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP over the next decade. Framed as “fiscal responsibility,” these proposed changes are more than just budget adjustments—they're an ideological attack on the health care safety net that millions rely on. And it doesn’t stop there. The plan outlines sweeping restrictions on access to reproductive health care, slashes funding for Planned Parenthood, and seeks to eliminate support for gender-affirming care for trans people. In this episode, Dr. B Fran breaks down what these proposed reforms mean for public health. From defunding care to redefining who gets to be healthy, Project 2025 threatens to undo decades of progress in health equity and social justice. Let’s talk about the policies, the politics, and why this moment demands our full attention. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 21m

  3. 05/06/2025

    Project 2025, Part 2: Reshaping Public Health from the Top Down

    In Part 2 of our deep dive into Project 2025, we are turning our focus to two more health agencies: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Both have new directors, and both are making quiet but powerful moves that could shape public health in ways most folks aren’t even aware of. From cuts to health equity research that they categorize as "woke" to state level cuts causing delays in public health programs, these shifting priorities seem more political than scientific. On the surface, it’s all being branded as “reform and reduction of waste.” But when you dig a little deeper? It starts to look a lot like rolling back decades of work on health and environmental justice.  In this episode, Dr. B Fran breaks down the recommendations being proposed for these agencies under Project 2025—and how many of them run counter to core public health principles. From sidelining prevention to eliminating a focus on structural drivers of health, these proposed changes aren’t just policy tweaks—they could have real consequences for millions of people, especially those already facing steep marginaliza. Let’s talk about what’s at stake, and why it matters now more than ever. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min

  4. 04/22/2025

    Project 2025: Rewriting Public Health?

    In this episode, we dig into Chapter 14 of Project 2025, a sweeping conservative blueprint for reshaping the Department of Health and Human Services. From the CDC to the FDA, the document outlines a radical restructuring of federal health agencies—one that could fundamentally shift the nation’s public health priorities. Dr. B Fran unpacks the goals laid out in the plan, starting with proposed changes to the CDC, and explore the potential impact on health equity, science, and trust in public health systems. While much has already shifted since this recording, this episode serves as a living resource for public health professionals, medical practitioners, and advocates to understand what's at stake—and how we can collectively respond. This is more than policy—it's about the future of health justice globally.  For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 12m

  5. 04/08/2025

    H.E.L.L.P: Structural Racism and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

    Did you know that Black women in the U.S. are 3-4 times more likely to experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality? These complications not only affect pregnancy outcomes but also pose long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease later in life. As we observe Black Maternal Health Week, this episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran will shine a spotlight on the structural racism that drives these disparities for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Dr. B Fran will explore the intersection of structural racism and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S. diving deep into how systemic inequities—ranging from discrimination in healthcare settings to environmental pollutants in marginalized neighborhoods—disproportionately affect Black women and their health outcomes. We’ll discuss the history of how race has been biologized in medical research, how structural issues like food insecurity and poor access to healthcare impact coping mechanisms, and the devastating effects of noise pollution, particularly from police sirens, on maternal health. By understanding the interconnected nature of these factors, we examine how addressing structural racism is key to reducing health disparities and improving the well-being of Black pregnant people. This episode calls for systemic solutions to dismantle the harmful barriers that perpetuate these inequities. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can better support Black women through changes in policy, community infrastructure, and healthcare practices to combat the growing crisis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  6. 03/25/2025

    Health Without a Home: How Homelesness Drives Health Disparities

    Homelessness isn’t just an issue of the present—it’s the result of decades of policy decisions that continue to shape who has access to stable housing and who doesn’t. In this episode of higher education with Dr. B Fran, we are joined by Dr. Margaret Sullivan to we break down the structural determinants of homelessness, from outdated policies still in use today to the communities most at risk, including LGBTQ+ youth and people with chronic illnesses. We explore how past housing policies, designed to reduce homelessness and increase homeownership, were steeped in racial discrimination—and how those same patterns are playing out again today. From redlining in the 1930s to today’s rising housing costs and displacement, the same structural barriers that led to mass homelessness during the Great Depression are resurfacing and health inequities in this population will surely follow. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  7. 03/11/2025

    Health Equity on Life Support: How Politics will Make Us All Sicker

    Let’s keep it real—health equity is under attack. From climate funding getting slashed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs being gutted, to reproductive rights being rolled back, the current administration is making some dangerous moves. And guess who’s getting hit the hardest? Marginalized communities, low-income families, and, well… probably you or someone you love. In this episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran breaks down what health disparities actually are, why health equity should be a non-negotiable, and how political chaos in the U.S. is causing ripple effects worldwide. She will also dive into how global health equity efforts will be diminished by these funding cuts and research efforts. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  8. 02/25/2025

    Under His Eye: Reproductive Rights and the Fight for Autonomy

    In this powerful episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran, we delve into the escalating battle for reproductive rights in the United States and the complex intersection of politics, healthcare, and personal autonomy with Dr. Elizabeth Janiak. From the ongoing challenges women face in accessing safe abortion care to the alarming political changes under the current administration, we explore the implications of these policies and their impact on marginalized communities, especially Black and low-income women. We discuss critical topics like the halt on maternal health research, the historical significance of the Comstock Act, what happens when these services are limited and how abortion bans could increase maternal mortality. We also discuss the documentary AKA Jane Roe, where the woman behind the infamous Roe v. Wade case reveals the extent to which political movements, particularly the evangelical right, have influenced the fight over abortion rights. Through personal stories, expert insights, and a deep dive into the political landscape, this episode reveals the dangerous consequences of restricting reproductive healthcare access and the power of collective action to protect reproductive rights. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
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About

Unlocking health equity is not just a goal—it's a necessity. In this insightful and powerful podcast, we dive deep into the complex web of structural determinants that fuel health disparities for marginalized communities. Join Dr. BFran with leading experts, innovators, and change-makers as they explore the root causes of these inequities and share actionable strategies to break down barriers, empowering us all to create a more just and equitable health landscape. Whether you're a health professional, advocate, or simply passionate about making a difference, this pod class offers the knowledge and inspiration you need to help shape a healthier future for everyone. Tune in and join the movement towards true health equity.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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