Conversations on Public Health

Conversations on Public Health

By Conversations on Public HealthBusinessNon-Profit
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Conversations on Public Health episodes

  • Ep #09: Waste and Public Health with Sameera Satija, Citizen Volunteer
    In this episode, we invite Samira Satija to speak about all things Waste. How we handle our waste is an important indicator of our living standard. It is no secret that waste mismanagement is probably the largest determinant of our health in today's time. Samira is the founder of "Crockery Bank for Everyone", and truly embodies the virtues of a golden citizen. Tune on to here more about:
    What is Waste, really?
    Waste Mismanagement- What are the effects of it- Visible and invisible
    How is waste a public health problem?
    The Story of Crockery Bank for Everybody
    Why do we continue to use products that are harmful for us?
    What are the few steps we can take to be more waste conscious?
    32 min
  • Ep #08: Culture and Mental Health with Riddhika Bhandari, Counsellor
    Our conversation today explores the intersections of culture, generational trauma, mental health and millennials- often touted as the "therapy generation". 
    The influence of culture and society on mental health is immense. Culture is a strong, and sometimes invisible underlying thread in most of our daily interactions. But more importantly, it is a major determinant of our relationship with ourselves. It gives us the vocabulary that can both limit and promote our self awareness, and how we choose to deal with the mental strains of cohabiting an increasingly globalised, interconnected world. 
    Riddhika Bhandari is a Bangalore based counsellor. She holds an M Sc in Work Psychology and brings a unique understanding of culture to her practice, using both holistic and alternative techniques of psychotherapy. Tune in to hear about:
    How culture impacts mental health
    What kind of stigma exists around mental health
    The issues that millennials usually employ mental health services for
    How culture contributes to mental health issues that millennials face
    Generational and Intergenerational trauma
    29 min
  • Ep #07: Creating Convincing Video Content for Awareness Campaigns with Ananya Roy, Netflix Documentary Filmmaker

    One of the greatest challenges of any Public Health project is taking information effectively to vulnerable populations. More often than not, the target demographic is uneducated, unconvinced or simply doesn't have the time to hear what the government has to say through its educational posters, pamphlets or radio content. This is where video content comes in. As a medium that is conducive to engaging, memorable and convincing content, it holds immense promise. 

    Ananya Roy is a Bangalore based documentary film maker who's work has found viewership on various platforms including Netflix, Youtube and various Film Festivals throughout the world. In the course of this insightful 30 minute conversation, we discuss:

    1. Why Video over other forms of content?
    2. How does one go about the process of creating engaging content?
    3. Why is research a crucial first part of any kind of content creation?
    4. How do you touch sensitive topics while speaking to subjects?
    5. Is funding really all that important?
    6. Are government ads at a disadvantage because they are perceived to be boring?
    7. What potential does cinema hold as a medium of behaviour change?
    8. As a medium of information, how important is initiative within community?

      9. Short-forms used in the conversation:

      • PSA= Public Service Announcement
      • IEC= Information Education Communication
        • 32 min
      • Ep #06: How Bad Road Design Makes Us Sick with Sarika Panda Bhatt, Co-Founder - Raahgiri Day

        Sarika Panda Bhatt is a woman on a mission. She is the Co Founder of Raahgiri Day, India's first car free day campaign, and is a leading voice on road design and safety. In this very interesting 30 minute chat, we speak about what it will take to make Indian roads safer. Tune in to hear about:

        1. How do policy makers, planners and engineers think about road design?
        2. New Motor Vehicle Act, 2019- Do regulations help create better roads?
        3. Do we need a radical shift in how we plan our cities?
        4. What will it take to build climate change resilient cities for the future?
        5. Are futuristic technologies the way to go?
        6. How can concerned citizens emulate Raahgiri Day like initiatives in their own cities?


          7. 30 min
        7. Ep #05: How GuruJal is solving Gurgaon's Water Problems with Shubhi Kesarwani, Program Manager (GuruJal)

          This unique organisation is tackling Gurgaon's water problems head on! In this episode, we speak to Shubhi Kesarwani of GuruJal. In an insightful 30 minute chat, we talk about how Gurujal is coordinating and spearheading what is probably the largest movement to clean and maintain ponds across Gurgaon. Tune in to hear about:

          1. How GuruJal functions
          2. Why they chose to work with Waste Water Ponds
          3. The unique 10 step process they follow to clean ponds
          4. How their work affects the local community
          5. How they plan to sustain the impact

            6. GuruJal is always looking for folks who are passionate about the cause. If you're like to get involved with GuruJal, drop them a mail at [email protected] or reach out to them through their various social media handles!

            29 min
          6. Ep #04: Neglected Tropical Diseases with Dr Debajit Sarkar, Div Head (East), GLRA India

            Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) impact 1 billion people across the globe. On the occasion of World NTD Day, we got the NTD specialist Dr Debajit Sarkar to talk to us about NTDs. Dr Sarkar is the Divisional Head (East) at GLRA India. He holds about 15 Years of experiences in Public Health across different portfolios in the rural health system as well as urban slums and with marginalised populations.

            Tune in to hear about:

            1. What are NTDs? And why are people talking about them?
            2. What is the social impact of such diseases?
            3. What is the best way to prevent and treat such diseases?
            4. What are our key learnings in the process of supporting NTD work throughout the country?
            5. Future plans, how can India support other countries in the fight against NTDs
              6. 24 min
            6. Ep #03: Public Health is Gendered with Sapna Kedia, Technical Specialist, ICRW

              We live gendered lives. What this means is that our experiences in life vary greatly depending on the gender we identify with.

              In this episode, we talk to the calm and composed Sapna Kedia. Sapna is a Technical Specialist with the ICRW,  and has over 10 years of experience working with issues around Social Inclusion and Gender. Sapna refers to various organisations in our 25 minute chat. You can find links to their websites here:

              1. MASUM
              2. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
              3. David and Lucile Packard Foundation
              4. TARSHI
              5. Women in Global Health (Sapna is a Founding Member of its India Chapter)

                6. Tune in to hear about:

                • Sapna's background in Public Health
                • How the Public Health system looks at Women's Health
                • How biases of Service Providers (doctors, nurses, field workers) reinforce gender stereotypes
                • What women's leadership for women's health looks like
                • What are Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
                • Why it is crucial to engage with male partners, and hold them accountable
                • Why and how we need to be prepared for the long haul when it comes to shifting societal mindsets
                • How it takes all types of organisations to shift the lever on Gender Issues

                  • Reach out to us at [email protected]

                  (The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of their employers)

                  27 min
                • Ep #02: Water (Part 2) with Tanya Agrawal, Public Policy Expert

                  This episode is a continuation of our previous one. Backed by some incredible experience, Tanya shares her insights on water security, climate change, accountability and policy making! Tanya is a young professional with over 8 years of experience in the social and public health space. Tanya refers to several documents, reports and programs in our short 18 minute chat. 

                  You can find these here: 

                  1. National Family Health Survey - 4 (2015-16)
                  2. National Family Health Survey - 5 (2019-20)
                  3. Har Ghar Jal
                  4. National Water Mission
                  5. Common Application Software

                    6. Tune in to hear about: 

                    • How we ended up with different kinds of water contamination
                    • How contaminated water impact nutrition outcomes
                    • What interventions are possible today, and what problems exist with them
                    • Why it is important to set realistic policy targets
                    • How policy is now customised to reflect context
                    • Climate change, and what it means for nutrition and water security
                    • Policy Strategy vs Policy Implementation
                    • Policy- Futuristic or Retrospective?

                      • Reach out to us at [email protected]

                       (The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of their employers)

                      18 min
                    • Ep #01: Nutrition (Part 1) with Tanya Agrawal, Public Policy Expert

                      In our inaugural episode, we invite Tanya Agrawal to speak about all things Nutrition! Tanya is a young professional with over 8 years of experience in the social and public health space. Tanya refers to several documents, reports and programs in our 25 minute chat. You can find these here: 

                      1. Global Hunger Index
                      2. National Nutrition Mission (Poshan Abhiyan)
                      3. Integrated Child Development Services Scheme
                      4. National Family Health Survey - 4 (2015-16)
                      5. National Family Health Survey - 5 (2019-20)
                      6. Global Nutrition Targets - 2025 

                        7. Tune in to hear about:

                        •  Tanya's background in Public Health
                        •  The critical difference between Nutrition and Hunger
                        •  Double Burden of Malnutrition
                        •  The relationship between Nutrition and Public Health
                        •  Anaemia as a major cause of concern among Indian women
                        •  What are the 3 critical anthropometric indicators of malnutrition?
                        •  What is the GoI's flagship ICDS program? How does it work?
                        •  How are Self-Help Groups assisting the ICDS program and how do they solve the challenges of accountability?
                        •  What are the logistical and programmatic challenges in the ICDC program?
                        •  Why is it difficult to track progress in Nutrition specific public health programs?


                          • Reach out to us at [email protected]

                          (The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of their employers)


                          25 min

                        About Conversations on Public Health

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                        Conversations on Public Health aims to create a valuable repository of insights into public health by interviewing researchers, consultants, policy makers, donors, opinion shapers and health workers…