Contagious Conversations

As we emerge from the COVID public health emergency, it is a critical time to think about the future of public health. The next generation of public health workers will be charged with leading through the challenges that lie ahead. In this episode, we speak with Anna Heilers and Dr. Antoine Denis, two public health students who are preparing to meet these public health challenges of tomorrow.

Anna is currently an MPH candidate at Indiana University, Purdue University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. She works with the Indiana State Department of Health while in school, and during her schooling has had broad professional experience through research, internships, data collection and supporting infectious disease investigations. Antoine is an MPH student at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. In 2022, he launched an effort to improve health safety in New York City by strengthening a network of hand sanitation stations in subway stations and other transportation nodes around the city.

This month's episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:24] How did Anna get interested in public health?

[2:28] Dr. Denis shares how he got involved in public health.

[4:18] Why is engaging in the public health world important?

[6:33] What is driving schools of public health to so actively support the work of health departments across the country?

[8:20] Anna talks about the reasons for collaboration between the schools of public health and health departments.

[10:03] Antoine talks about the goals of the RISE project.

[12:35] What was the biggest surprise during the RISE project?

[14:48] Antoine speaks of Academic Immersion in Health Care, a nonprofit organization he founded.

[17:28] Anna shares her experience at the Department of Health and her current role as a Covid 19 epidemiologist on the CDC reporting team.

[20:03] How does Anna balance the workload of study while engaging in active public health work?

[21:55] Where are organizations strongest and weakest in providing public health students opportunities to interact with their communities?

[24:20] How does Anna think her experiences will shape her future career in public health?

[25:19] Antoine shares how he believes his experience will shape his future career in public health.

[27:00] What does Antoine see as the most significant challenges ahead in public health?

[28:38] Anna shares what she believes are the biggest challenges ahead in public health.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Academic Immersion in Health Care

Learn more about the CDC Foundation's Public Health work

April is National Minority Health Month, and this episode we're sitting down with Dr. Melody McCloud to discuss the health threats faced by minority women—Black women in particular—as well as the vital role of equity in public health.

Dr. McCloud is an obstetrician-gynecologist who became the first black woman to establish an OB-GYN practice in DeKalb County, Georgia. Dr. McCloud is also the founder and medical director of Atlanta Women's Healthcare PC and lectures nationwide on women's health, sex and social issues. Her recent book, entitled Black Women's Wellness: Your "I've Got This!" Guide to Health, Sex, and Phenomenal Living, was released in January.

This month's episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

1:40] Dr. McCloud talks about her life journey and what drew her to the field of medicine.

[3:28] What are some of the most significant physical health threats faced by minority women, and what effect do societal stresses have on black women's physical health?

[4:55] Dr. Monroe and Dr. McCloud discuss homicide as the sixth leading cause of death among Black people.

[6:00] Dr. McCloud speaks of the journey of writing her book.

[7:49] What changes has Dr. McCloud seen in maternal health outcomes?

[10:22] What are the most important steps that women, particularly minority women, can take to improve their health and well-being?

[13:06] Why is it essential that we focus on health equity? Where can this focus lead us in public health?

[15:29] Dr. McCloud addresses implicit racial bias.

[16:15] Dr. McCloud speaks of the societal stress black women experience.

[17:19] What bright spots does Dr. McCloud see in public health related to women?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Black Women's Wellness: Your "I've Got This!" Guide to Health, Sex, and Phenomenal Living

Learn more about the CDC Foundation's Health Equity work

You've probably heard a lot recently about the so-called "tridemic" or "tripledemic." This concurrent impact of COVID-19, influenza and RSV introduced major challenges to our public health system...but taught major lessons, too.

David Snyder, director of content for the CDC Foundation, is your guest host for today's episode. He's joined by Dr. Laura Evans, a professor in the Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Washington and medical director of critical care at the University of Washington Medical Center. Dr. Evans also serves as the principal investigator of the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Preparedness study—known as SARI Prep—supported by the CDC Foundation as a way to provide better clinical care and treatment for those with severe respiratory illness.

In this episode, David and Laura discuss the recent tridemic of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as the origins, purpose and impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Preparedness study.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:36] Dr. Evans talks about the unique and remarkable event of the recent tridemic.

[3:22] How does an acute respiratory infectious disease affect the life of someone infected?

[5:18] Dr. Evans talks about what lessons we have learned from seasonal influenza.

[6:07] What barriers do we face in educating people about the health risks of respiratory infections?

[8:08] Dr. Evans explains how COVID affects every aspect of our society.

[8:45] Dr. Evans speaks of the origins of the Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Preparedness study.

[11:33] What are the main goals of the study?

[14:18] Dr. Evans shares the importance of remembering that patient care doesn't happen in a vacuum; it occurs within a healthcare system.

[15:45] How do you measure the level of stress suffered by medical staff and people caring for patients with respiratory infectious diseases?

[19:08] Dr. Evans talks about the infrastructure necessary for an effective emergency response.

[22:24] Dr. Evans shares what surprised her during the study.

[24:06] How can this study prepare us for the next outbreak?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Preparedness Study

What lessons can we learn from public health victories like the eradication of smallpox? How can we expand those lessons to the fight against non-infectious diseases, too? And how can each of us become a better ancestor to the generations to come?

This episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, in conversation with Dr. Bill Foege and Dr. Mark Rosenberg.

Dr. Foege is a renowned physician and epidemiologist well known for his contributions to the eradication of smallpox in the late 1970s. A former CDC director, Dr. Foege has spent his career championing the science and management of vaccines and vaccination.

Dr. Mark Rosenberg is a physician-scientist trained in infectious diseases, psychiatry and public health, who served as the founding director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and as the U.S. assistant surgeon general. From 2000-2016, Dr. Rosenberg was president and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health, which was instrumental in providing people in the developing world with greater access to vaccines and critical medicines.

Through The Center of Global Health Innovation, Dr. Foege and Dr. Rosenberg codeveloped a project called "Becoming Better Ancestors™: 9 Lessons to Change the World," dedicated to solving global health concerns and creating positive change for future generations.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

1:45] Dr. Foege speaks about the nine lessons he learned from eradicating smallpox.

[5:44] Were these lessons applied to the public health response to COVID-19?

[8:51] Dr. Rosenberg shares why he advocates for global health collaboration in his project Becoming Better Ancestors™.

[9:34] The five essential parts of forming a successful coalition.

[11:25] Dr. Foege talks about the effective approach to eradicating smallpox.

[14:45] Dr. Foege talks about Becoming Better Ancestors™ and what they want to achieve with this project.

[21:25] What does it mean to become a better ancestor to Dr. Foege?

[22:51] What do Dr. Foege and Dr. Rosenberg believe it will take for public health to stay ahead of future public threats?

[28:16] Dr. Rosenberg explains why these lessons apply to non-infectious disease problems.

[30:19] Dr. Rosenberg emphasizes the power of compassion

Mentioned in This Episode:

9 Lessons to Change the World

Follow CDC Foundation on Twitter

How can creative messaging and the arts help people better understand issues around antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance? Our guests discuss the power of art to promote public health and protective behaviors, as well as the power of patient advocacy in raising awareness about these issues.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, in conversation with Dr. Meghan Perry and Ella Balasa. Dr. Perry is an infectious disease physician in the Scottish National Health Service and a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Her experience with infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance sparked the idea for a musical titled "The Mold That Changed the World," which details the life of Dr. Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin. Ella has endured a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis and has experienced lung infections by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Her journey led her to become a patient advocate for cystic fibrosis.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:54] Dr. Perry shares how she became involved in the production of "The Mold that Changed the World."

[5:20] Dr. Perry talks about the story within the story of Alexander Fleming's groundbreaking discovery.

[6:06] Ella talks about her journey as a patient with cystic fibrosis.

[10:16] Dr. Perry talks about the innovative therapies in the field of antimicrobial resistance.

[14:55] What unique opportunities do the arts present for public health messaging?

[17:21] Ella talks about becoming a patient advocate.

[21:18] Does Ella think that medical professionals can better communicate to the public the threats posed by anti-microbial resistance and how to avoid contributing to the problem?

[23:10] Ella talks about the economic aspects of prescribing antibiotics.

[23:47] Dr. Perry talks about other emerging public health issues that could also benefit from art as a medium to spread awareness.

[25:10] The guests reinforce the idea that people should only take antibiotics when they absolutely need them.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Mould That Changed the World

Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, is your special host for today's episode, as we discuss nutrition, medicine and public health with Dr. Thea James and Dr. Elizabeth Petelin... starting with a mystery clinical case that at first seems straight out of the 18th century.

Dr. James is an associate professor at the Boston Medical Center, vice president of mission, associate chief medical officer and co-executive director of the Health Equity Accelerator. Dr. James also serves on the board of Community Servings, an organization that engages communities to provide scratch-made, medically tailored meals to individuals and their families experiencing critical or chronic illness and nutrition insecurity. Dr. Petelin is in her third year of residency in the Family Medicine Residency Program at MercyOne in Des Moines, IA, and has a background in kinesiology.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] Dr. Petelin talks about an unusual medical case and how her team ultimately made the diagnosis.

[4:44] How does an illness more closely associated with the 18th century arise today?

[6:19] Dr. James speaks of the importance of proper diet and nutrition in the overall health of the patients she sees in her practice.

[8:42] How do Dr. James and her colleagues work with patients to address nutrition issues?

[10:46] What kind of exposure to the connection between diet, nutrition and overall patient health did Dr. Petelin have when she was a medical student? How much did she learn about social determinants of health?

[13:31] How much exposure to the public health system did Dr. Petelin have before her residency?

[15:31] Dr. James talks about how Community Servings work.

[19:12] How can we do a better job educating medical students on the importance of nutrition?

[20:44] Dr. Petelin shares her advice on why she always asks about patient nutrition.

[21:04] Dr. James encourages doctors to use patient visits to fully engage with patients and set high bars.

[22:25] Dr. Monroe discusses the US national strategy to end hunger and nutritional deficiencies.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Community Servings

CDC Foundation: Hunger and Health

In our latest episode, we discuss the gaps that exist in today's healthcare systems around climate change and health, and what young people in particular are doing to bridge those gaps.

Our guests today are Hazel Rogers and Ben Rabin. Hazel is the assistant director of patient experience and cultural transformation at Mt. Sinai Morningside in New York, where she advocates for patients and employees on issues of health, equity and inclusion. Ben is a fifth-year medical student at Atlanta's Emory University, and has worked closely with faculty and other students to make climate change a formal part of the Emory Medical School curriculum.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:38] What prompted Ben to take action on the health impacts of climate change?

[2:51] When did Ben get involved in shortening the gap between medical training and the impact of climate change on health?

[3:57] What training would better prepare medical students for the health impacts of climate change?

[5:25] What factors enabled Ben and his peers succeed?

[7:29] Hazel talks about her role at Mount Sinai.

[8:30] What is the biggest climate health threat facing the communities Hazel works with?

[9:49] Did the pandemic bring to light particular disparities in the community Mount Sinai serves?

[12:22] Hazel discusses getting involved with the community and knowing more about them to better serve their needs.

[13:31] How does Ben envision better aligning the public health and clinical care systems to tackle the health impacts of climate change together?

[15:26] Ben discusses reframing the climate change conversation from one of economics to one of health?

[17:22] How can we better bring community health into the current healthcare structure?

[18:51] What or who gives Hazel the most hope about effectively addressing climate change and the health issues that we face today?

[20:21] What or who gives Ben the most hope about effectively addressing climate change and the health issues that we face today?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Mount Sinai Morningside

Emory University School of Medicine

This month, we're talking monkeypox: what is it, what CDC is doing to tackle the outbreak and what challenges face future disease responses.

Our guest expert is Jennifer McQuiston, DVM, the deputy director of the Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. As a veterinarian, Dr. McQuiston specializes in outbreak investigation and research involving diseases that spread from animals to people. She believes that helping people understand how to prevent disease is her most important job, and has dedicated her career to turning science into easy-to-understand disease detection and prevention strategies to keep both people and animals healthy and active.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:36] Dr. McQuiston talks about her role at CDC.

[2:33] What is monkeypox and how is it transmitted?

[3:56] What is CDC doing to address the monkeypox outbreak?

[5:21] Dr. McQuiston talks about her work with contact tracing and how the vaccination program started in the US.

[6:42] How is CDC dealing with the challenges of facing another disease outbreak with people experiencing COVID fatigue?

[8:11] Are there learnings from the COVID response that have helped with the monkeypox response?

[10:07] Dr. McQuiston talks about the stigma that certain populations are facing.

[12:41] Dr. McQuiston addresses the importance of partnerships in the monkeypox response.

[15:39] What are the biggest challenges ahead for the next disease outbreak response?

[17:19] Dr. McQuiston gives advice to anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in public health.

In honor of International Podcast Day, we're releasing a bonus episode that takes a look back at some of our most memorable Contagious Conversations episodes from 2022!

Whether you're new to our podcast and curious what we're all about, or a long-time listener interested in a quick recap of the year, tune in for a retrospective on some of the fascinating discussions on public health we've been having lately.

(For a full transcript of today's episode and more, visit cdcfoundation.org/conversations.)

This episode we discuss the critical role businesses play in keeping their employees and communities safe during a public health crisis. Plus, learn about the Health Action Alliance, a partnership that has helped nearly 4,000 employers do just that.

Our guest this month is Stephen Massey, co-founder of Meteorite, a social impact firm. Stephen is a social entrepreneur and communications expert who builds unlikely partnerships for social good. Over the past two decades, he has led integrated cause-marketing campaigns in the U.S. and abroad on a wide range of social issues, including public health, civic engagement, climate change and early literacy.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:21] Stephen shares his background and details why partnerships are so important.

[4:16] Stephen talks about the role of the Health Action Alliance partnership.

[6:49] Stephen shares examples of the work of the Health Action Alliance.

[8:31] What has it been like for Stephen to engage in partnerships for social good?

[9:21] Stephen speaks about the Alliance's plan to release a pandemic preparedness plan for business.

[9:57] Stephen outlines the reasons why now is the time to start preparing for the next pandemic.

[12:51] What lessons have businesses learned from the COVID 19 pandemic? How can businesses be better prepared to keep their employees and communities safe during future public health crises?

[13:40] Stephen addresses social determinants of health to emphasize the importance of communities.

[15:23] Companies' relationships really matter.

[18:35] Stephen talks about the role of businesses in protecting the health of their employees and in bolstering community health.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Health Action Alliance