In the fifth season of Contagious Conversations, each of our episodes takes a deep look at the COVID-19 pandemic from a different perspective. Our guest experts discuss health equity and COVID-19's disproportionate impact on people of color, the challenges and opportunities facing tribal nations in the time of coronavirus, what's really involved in contact tracing, and more.

Dr. Jim Curran has served as dean and professor of epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University since 1995, following 25 years of leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Curran is co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research and he holds faculty appointments in the Emory School of Medicine and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.

In this episode, Dr. Curran discusses our nation’s need for the next generation of the public health workforce and how our universities, associations and employers are preparing individuals to meet those demands. Dr. Curran also discusses his work at CDC during the very early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, how far the world has come since that challenging time and the road to eliminate the disease.

Key Takeaways:

[1:21] Dr. Jim Curran shares what sparked his interest in public health

[2:23] How the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University has evolved to become the largest school of public health in the world.

[3:33] Dr. Curran talks about the most intriguing current research taking place at Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.

[4:51] How deeply the public health workforce shortage in the USA should be addressed

[7:08] How is Emory University working to strengthen the workforce for the future?

[8:24] Dr. Curran shares his view related to the greatest human resource needs to tackle some of the current challenging health threats.

[9:13] Dr. Curran talks about the biggest challenges he faced while working in the field of HIV/AIDS at CDC 40 years ago.

[14:50] Dr. Curran explains how the discovery of retroviral therapy changed the life quality of patients with HIV/AIDS as well as it is proven to reduce the transmission of the virus to other people.

[17:25] The audiences that are harder to reach with HIV prevention messages

[19:18] Dr. Curran talks about the opportunities and challenges with the future of public health

[22:03] The challenges presented by an increasing aging population

[23:57] Dr. Curran extends his advice for those thinking of pursuing a career in public health

[24:59] Dr. Curran talks about how the role of collaboration can make a difference in improving the work of public health

Mentioned in This Episode:

• CDC Foundation
• Answer this episode’s question: What is the best career advice you ever received? Share your experience with us. Just email your answer to [email protected] and you'll have the chance to win some CDC Foundation merchandise.
• For more information about this episode go to Contagious Conversations.

Dr. Georges Benjamin is the executive director of the American Public Health Association, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of public health professionals. Dr. Benjamin also previously served as a secretary at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For the last 20 years he has been actively practicing public health at the local, state and national level with expertise in the areas of emergency preparedness, administration and infectious diseases.

In this episode, Dr. Benjamin discusses our nation’s health and how public health has changed over time, he also shares insights on how disparities impact health, how data informs decisions, and how we can bring many diverse fuse together to tackle the most pressing health challenges of our time.

Key Takeaways:

[1:19] Dr. Benjamin shares how he started his professional career in public health.

[2:31] The American Public Health Association and its role in public health and how public health has changed over time.

[5:15] APHA brings diverse voices together to advocate for health issues.

[5:51] APHA priorities: Access to care;health equity; and building public health infrastructure.

[6:56] Resources and timing are everything to improve the health of the public.

[7:23] 80% of what makes you healthy happens outside the doctors office.

[9:20] Dr. Benjamin shares an example of how APHA has elevated the importance of the social determinants of health.

[10:57] Dr. Benjamin talks about how data impacts the creation of a healthier population from a chronic and infectious disease perspective as well as how it helps addressemerging health threats.

[14:22] The greatest needs at local and state health levels, and how they need to be tackled. 

[17:29] The significance of the government’s approval of funding for research on gun violence.

[20:36] What are the biggest needs in the public health profession from a human capital perspective?

[23:42] Public health is now popular as an undergraduate degree.

[25:05] Dr. Benjamin reflects on the opportunities to bring health and public health together in an effective way to improve health overall.

[28:15] Dr. Benjamin talks about how collaboration is making a difference in improving the field of public health and the health of people overall.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• CDC Foundation
• Answer this episode’s question: What does Public Health mean to you? Share your experience with us. Just email your answer to [email protected] and you'll have the chance to win some CDC Foundation merchandise.
• For more information about this episode go to Contagious Conversations.

Dr. Rasha Khoury is a physician in the Bronx, New York, with a focus on global maternal health. Dr. Khoury has completed six Doctors Without Borders surgical missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. She also serves on the organization's U.S. board of directors.

In this episode, Dr. Khoury shares her experiences with Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organization that provides medical aid where it's most needed. Doctors Without Borders is the recipient of the CDC Foundation's Fries Prize for Improving Health presented at the American Public Health Association annual meeting.

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] Dr. Khoury shares the principles of Doctors Without Borders. [3:02] Dr. Rasha Khoury talks about her motivation to join Doctors Without Borders even though this implies potentially putting herself at risk. [6:22] Dr. Khoury shares her experience during her first mission at Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak. [10:06] Challenges faced when delivering children and caring for pregnant women in Khost, Afghanistan. [13:30] Dr. Khoury shares a memorable story while working in Afghanistan. [16:33] Dr. Khory talks about how her perspective changed now that she is on the organization’s U.S. board of directors. [19:18] Dr. Khoury identifies herself as a field worker. [21:18] Two destinations where Dr. Khoury hopes to do more field work. [22:23] Dr. Khoury extends her advice to people with an interest in serving for Doctors Without Borders. [23:53] The importance of seeking opportunities to work out of your comfort zone. [24:56] The role of collaboration in improving the health of patients. [29:28] Maintaining institutional memory through collaborative work.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• CDC Foundation
• Answer this episode’s question: Have you ever worked in another country to help address a local health or humanitarian need? If so, share your experience with us. Just email your answer to [email protected] and you'll have the chance to win some CDC Foundation merchandise.
• For more information about this episode go to Contagious Conversations.

Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. In season 4, our guest experts share their perspectives on some of the world's toughest health challenges, including global maternal health, the evolution of public health in America, and what it takes to be part of the next generation of the public health workforce.

For our tenth episode, we sit down with the CDC Foundation's own president and CEO, Dr. Judy Monroe. Dr. Monroe has also previously been deputy director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana State Health Commissioner, and president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

In this episode, Dr. Monroe shares shares stories from her recent trip to West Africa: meeting Ebola survivors and the many individuals who are making an impact on global health, the progress made since the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak, and the ongoing challenges and needs in the region.

For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).

Key Takeaways: [1:20] Dr. Monroe talks about her recent trip to West Africa. [2:47] Stories from West Africa and the many individuals who are making an impact. [4:58] Why listening to the community is critical. [6:10] What is contact tracing? [7:31] Ebola survivor story. [9:24] Making connections in West Africa. [13:02] Dr. Monroe’s visit to Nigeria. [15:04] Infant and mother mortality in Nigeria. [17:10] The current situation with the Ebola outbreak. [18:15] What is Global Health Security? [19:14] Public health infrastructure is needed to identify emerging diseases. [20:05] Global Health Security agenda. [21:22] Other priorities in Global Health Security. [23:14] Working domestically vs. globally. [25:48] Dr. Monroe’s background as a family physician. [26:55] How the donations during the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic are making a difference. [29:33] How vaccines make an impact in global health. [32:45] Parents today don’t see the diseases that have been prevented because of vaccines. [33:31] Longer and healthier lives thanks to vaccines. [34:07] Dr. Monroe shares her excitement about the future of global health. [35:08] The world needs creative minds.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

The Global Health Security agenda

Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)

Answer this episode’s question: Have you ever taken a trip that really impacted your life? Email your answer to [email protected] and win some CDC Foundation Merchandise.

Dr Michael McGinnis is an epidemiologist, health policy expert and Leonard D. Schaeffer Executive Officer at the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. McGinnis is well regarded both for his program and policy leadership and his research and publications on population health and life expectancy. Dr. McGinnis was also the recipient of the 2018 Fries Prize for improving health.

In this episode, Dr. McGinnis discusses his role leading a team that worked on eradicating smallpox, his pivotal work related to causes of death in the United States, and how he created some of the world's most influential approaches for highlighting the importance of prevention efforts to address disease threats.

For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).

Key Takeaways: [1:30] Dr Michael McGinnis talks about his early career. [4:55] Research on population health and the root causes of mortality. [5:27] The essence of prevention. [8:16] Addressing the urgent and also what is preventable. [9:55] The causes of morbidity and mortality in 1990 vs. today. [13:11] Medical errors. [14:11] The decline of sexual behavior as a cause of mortality. [17:18] The impact of social determinants of health. [18:12] The main goals of the Healthy People process. [21:01] Celebrating the absence of disease. [22:08] Improving data systems. [23:25] Participating in the Smallpox eradication program in India. [26:45] Evolution of the practice of public health protection in the last four decades. [30:29] More work to be done. [31:39] Improving the human condition for both the population and for the individual. [32.18] What Dr. McGinnis is grateful for. [33:15] Make it easier for the right thing to happen. [33:48] Advice for future public health leaders of America.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

Healthy People 2020

Answer this episode’s question: What are you most proud of in your career? Email your answer to [email protected] to win some CDC Foundation merchandise.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and a public health advocate whose research helped expose the Flint water crisis. Dr. Mona is founder and director of the Michigan State University and the Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative and model public health program in Flint, Michigan.

In this episode, Dr. Mona shares how she became an advocate for the people of Flint during the water crisis, and discusses the community-centered work that is creating a better future for families and children in Flint today.

For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).

Key Takeaways: [1:12] Dr. Mona discusses her background and career path. [3:13] A pediatrician’s job is to be an advocate. [3:50] What Mona loves the most about being a pediatrician. [5:01] Becoming an advocate during the water crisis in Flint. [8:20] Why is lead so dangerous for children? [9:22] There is no safe level of lead. [11:22] Lead as an environmental injustice. [12:04] Alice Hamilton, a hero in the battle against industrial poisons. [13:40] Why the story of Hamilton resonated with Dr. Mona. [18:13] What the Eyes Don’t See, Dr. Mona’s book. [20:54] Dr. Mona talks about her work at Michigan State University. [21:28] The Flint water crisis: a crisis of trust. [25:11] The success of the nutrition prescription program. [26:25] All kids need great nutrition, early education resources and access to health. [27:03] How can we inspire people to play a larger role in improving the health of their community? [28:05] Community work in Flint and how this is making an impact. [30:15] How is the situation in Flint today? [32:15] Other health challenges Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha wants to tackle in the near future.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance and Hope in an American City

Answer this episode’s question: How have you made an impact on your community? Email your answer to [email protected] and win some CDC Foundation merchandise.

Dr. Robert Redfield is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Prior to becoming CDC’s Director, Dr. Redfield had a long and distinguished career in public health, including researching and contributing to the early scientific understanding of HIV, serving as the chief of infectious diseases and vice chair of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and serving on the president’s advisory council on HIV/AIDS from 2005 to 2009.

In this episode, Dr. Redfield shares his thoughts on eliminating HIV in the United States by 2030, why opioid disorder is the public health crisis of our time, and what it’s like to work with a team that puts science and data into action to improve the human condition.

For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).

Key Takeaways:

[1:21] Dr. Redfield’s career path. [3:11] Dr. Redfield in his early years working with HIV. [6:45] Starting at CDC. [7:19] Three priority areas at CDC. [10:21] A plan to eliminate HIV in the USA by 2030. [11:10] Prevention strategies are critical to public health. [14:09] Progress made in opioid addiction. [15:05] Drug use disorder as a medical condition and not a moral failing. [15:51] The challenge with drug use disorder is confronting stigma. [16:13] Where we are doing to address opioid addiction. [19:18] Using data to address public health challenges. [22:47] Dr. Redfield’s ambitious goals during his term at CDC. [23:25] The most challenging part of being director of CDC. [24:28] The most rewarding part of being CDC’s director. [26:16] The biggest misconception about CDC’s work. [28:26] The impact of CDC’s work globally. [30:19] The importance of global health security. [32:33] Public-private partnerships accomplish key goals. [35:35] What Dr. Redfield has learned over the past year about CDC’s team. [36:34] CDC’s team and being on the frontlines of public service.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America

PEPFAR

Answer this episode’s question: How has the work of CDC impacted your life? Email your answer to [email protected] and win some CDC Foundation merchandise.

Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. The third season features experts who are sharing their perspectives on some of the world's toughest health challenges, including advocating for safe water for the children of Flint, tackling the Ebola crisis, ending the AIDS epidemic and developing policy that creates healthier lives.