Global Health Pursuit

Ever thought about how a quick cataract surgery or a new pair of glasses might change not just someone's life, but an entire community's future? We're diving into that idea today, exploring how the economics of eye health can drive significant changes globally. Our guest, Jack Hennessey, brings over a decade of experience in health economics, tackling big challenges and shaping policies that impact eye health across various regions. He shares some eye-opening insights about how accessible eye care isn’t just about health—it’s a key driver of economic growth and personal independence. We’ll discuss real-world impacts, from how a simple eye exam can unlock opportunities to the broader economic benefits that come from improving vision health in communities.

Check out the shownotes for now!

Takeaways:

• Quick cataract surgery or new glasses can transform not just an individual’s life but the entire community's future.
• Improved vision can unlock opportunities for work, learning, and social connections, driving economic growth.
• Making eye care accessible is crucial for development and lifting communities out of hardship.
• Jack Hennessey's insights reveal how small health interventions in eye care yield significant societal benefits.
• Healthcare economics plays a vital role in ensuring that eye health services are accessible to all, regardless of income.
• Investing in eye health not only improves individual lives but also boosts national economies significantly.

In today's rapidly changing educational landscape, where classroom challenges like lockdown drills, information overload, and teacher burnout are increasingly common, one question arises: Why isn't mindfulness a mandatory part of our educational curriculum?

Our guest, Annamarie Fernyak, founder of MindBodyAlign, shares her journey of introducing mindfulness practices in schools and what she learned along the way. It’s not just about teaching kids to breathe; it’s about helping them—through their teachers—handle the emotional rollercoaster of school life and beyond. Annamarie's insights reveal that when we equip educators to be more mindful, they can create a supportive environment where kids feel less stressed and more in control of their emotions. 

Check out the shownotes for resources and more!

Takeaways:

• Mindfulness is crucial for students, helping them manage stress and emotions effectively in an increasingly challenging educational environment.
• The introduction of mindfulness in schools can significantly empower both students and teachers, creating a more resilient and focused atmosphere.
• Teachers often feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities, leading to burnout, which negatively impacts their students' learning experiences.
• Annamarie's journey into teaching mindfulness in schools highlights the urgent need for emotional support systems in education today.
• Children naturally possess mindfulness skills, but puberty complicates their emotional regulation, making mindfulness education even more essential.
• Mindfulness practices not only help students cope with anxiety but also foster kindness and gratitude, improving overall classroom dynamics.

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How does an engineering student shift their career ambitions from big pharma to global health challenges?

In this episode of the global health podcast, we learn from Lizzy Loughnane, an engineer who transitioned to humanitarian engineering after joining Villanova University's service learning program. Lizzy shares her journey working on water sanitation hygiene (WASH) projects in Nicaragua and Madagascar, emphasizing the impact of community service projects on clean water access and public health.

Through partnerships with Aqua water services and various NGOs, Lizzy discusses the importance of cultural awareness, sustainable water solutions, and community outreach programs in engineering. The episode also features insights from Krista Seng, Aqua's Corporate Giving and Community Affairs Lead, about the essential role of water resource management and the broader implications of engineering for social impact and international development.

Check out the shownotes for resources and more!

Villanova VESL Program

AQUA: aquawater.com

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For our first ever feedswap, I'm excited to bring you episode 63 of "Narratives of Purpose" -   a podcast hosted by a new friend of mine, Claire Murigande, that features global changemakers discussing social impact topics that include, youth empowerment, global health equity, and sustainable food systems. This one is on eradicating period poverty featuring Ira Guha!

Check out Narratives of Purpose wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Episode timestamps

00:26 - Episode introduction

02:32 - Asan's mission and Ira's motivations to create the start-up

06:39 - Asan cup's one-for-one donation and cost-saving model

07:58 - Designing and developing the Asan cup

12:12 - Asan's impact in rural India and beyond

14:28 - Breaking the taboos around periods

17:46 - Asan's partnerships and behavioural change framework

24:45 - Ira's entrepreneurial journey

26:36 - The evolving market for reusable period products

31:34 - How to connect with Ira and learn more about Asan00:26 - Episode introduction

02:32 - Asan's mission and Ira's motivations to create the start-up

06:39 - Asan cup's one-for-one donation and cost-saving model

07:58 - Designing and developing the Asan cup

12:12 - Asan's impact in rural India and beyond

14:28 - Breaking the taboos around periods

17:46 - Asan's partnerships and behavioural change framework

24:45 - Ira's entrepreneurial journey

26:36 - The evolving market for reusable period products

31:34 - How to connect with Ira and learn more about Asan

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Support the Global Health Pursuit Podcast!

Donate: Click here to send in a one-time or monthly donation

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Email me at [email protected]

Between 1999 and 2011, 17 Salvadoran women were sentenced to up to 40 years in prison after experiencing miscarriages, which were shockingly classified as aggravated homicide.

This episode unpacks that outrageous reality, raising questions about how miscarriages (spontaneous abortions) can even be treated as crimes and why the government chose to prosecute rather than protect these women in a healthcare crisis. We speak with Lina Lopez, an abortion activist with Abortiondata.org and Viva Futura who shares her insights from her experiences as an abortion doula in Colombia, a country that has faced significant restrictions on abortion rights.

The goal? To shed light on the stigma surrounding abortion and advocate for a narrative that places women's health and autonomy front and center.

Check out the shownotes for resources and more!

Takeaways:

• In El Salvador, the shocking reality is that women can face homicide charges for miscarriages, which raises serious questions about healthcare and justice.
• Abortion stigma is a global issue, deeply rooted in societal views of womanhood and autonomy over one's body, and it's time to challenge these norms.
• Data shows that legal restrictions on abortion do not prevent the procedure but rather lead to unsafe practices that endanger women's lives.
• Conversations about abortion should be grounded in empathy and respect for individual experiences, emphasizing that every story matters in this discourse.

Links referenced in this episode:

• abortiondata.org
• reproductiverights.org
• podcaston.org
• plannedparenthood.org

This episode is done in partnership with Podcasthon, a global charity movement focused on raising awareness for the charities and nonprofits that we love through the voices of podcasters all around the world. This week, and this week only from March 15 to 21st, over 1600 podcasters from around the world are dedicating one episode to a cause that they care deeply about.

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In the United States., psychiatric healthcare seems to be caught between two extreme ideologies...

Dr. Morgan Shields, Assistant Professor at the WashU Brown School in St. Louis, is back for part 2 after sharing her VERY personal experiences with the inpatient psychiatric setting. If you haven’t listened or watched part 1, make sure to go back one week and hit play.

On one side, there’s a push to expand inpatient psych beds—just add more space, and things will improve. On the other, some advocate for the complete abolition of psychiatric hospitals, believing that getting rid of them is the real solution.

Two drastically different views—but why is the debate so polarized? And is either approach truly the answer?

Check out the shownotes for further resources and ways to connect.

Takeaways:

• In this episode, we dive into the complex world of inpatient psychiatric care and its challenges, highlighting the need for better patient-centered practices.
• Dr. Shields emphasizes the alarming lack of accountability in psychiatric hospitals, suggesting that simply admitting someone doesn't guarantee quality care.
• We explore the contrasting ideologies in psychiatric care reform, from expanding bed capacity to advocating for community-based alternatives like peer respites.
• The differences in care quality between for-profit and nonprofit psychiatric facilities raise important questions about patient welfare and institutional priorities.
• Our discussion reveals how institutional betrayal can occur when patients feel let down by the systems meant to protect them, emphasizing the importance of trust in healthcare.
• Ultimately, we want to encourage listeners who’ve faced negative experiences in psychiatric settings to know they’re not alone, and change is possible.

*The views expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not represent the views of Global Health Pursuit Podcast or the host. This discussion is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or a generalization of inpatient psychiatric care. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, we encourage seeking support from a qualified professional.*

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Listen to the Progressive Pockets Podcast here!

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Submit a Question: Click here to send in a question!

Join the Podcast Mailing list: https://www.globalhealthpursuit.com/mailing-list

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• Email me at [email protected]

What if I told you that there are healthcare facilities that can inadvertently worsen your condition?

I’m talking about the case of inpatient psychiatric care. In this episode, I feature a special guest, Dr. Morgan Shields, whose lived experiences might make you question the state of mental healthcare in the United States. From witnessing it from the sidelines as her father experienced bipolar disorder, to experiencing psychosis and manic episodes herself, she found herself asking time and time again for help only to walk away feeling disappointed, hurt, and abandoned of the system. Her journey is one that you’ll be thinking about weeks after hearing her story.

Check out the shownotes for further resources and ways to connect.

Takeaways:

• Inpatient psychiatric care can sometimes make mental health conditions worse instead of better, which is a shocking reality that many people don't realize.
• Patients in psychiatric facilities often lack agency and choice, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and contribute to a negative experience.
• High suicide rates shortly after discharge from psychiatric care raise questions about the effectiveness and safety of these facilities.
• Dehumanization is a major issue in inpatient psychiatric care, as patients are often treated like they don't deserve respect or dignity during their treatment.
• There's a significant gap in the quality of care provided in inpatient settings versus outpatient care, highlighting the need for reform in mental health treatment.
• Dr. Shields emphasizes the importance of understanding the lived experiences of those within the mental healthcare system in order to drive meaningful change.

*The views expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not represent the views of Global Health Pursuit Podcast or the host. This discussion is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or a generalization of inpatient psychiatric care. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, we encourage seeking support from a qualified professional.*

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Listen to the Progressive Pockets Podcast here!

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Join the Podcast Mailing list: https://www.globalhealthpursuit.com/mailing-list

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What do charities truly need beyond just cash – a supportive community and ecosystem! Jeremie Mani is rallying podcasters worldwide to join a movement called Podcasthon. The mission? To get as many podcasters as possible to dedicate a single episode to a charity of their choice during a weeklong event in March 2025. If you’re a podcaster or know a charity that deserves the spotlight, this is your chance to shine!

Check out the shownotes!

Takeaways:

• Charities need more than just funding; they thrive on a supportive community and ecosystem.
• The Podcasthon movement aims to unite podcasters to dedicate episodes to charities they love.
• Jeremie's journey shows that success takes time, patience, and often some trial and error.
• Using podcasts to highlight charities creates emotional connections, planting seeds for future support.
• Podcasters have the power to amplify positive stories, countering the negativity bias in media.
• The upcoming Podcasthon event is set to feature over a thousand podcasters raising awareness for various causes.

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Listen to the Progressive Pockets Podcast here!

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*Disclaimer - this episode was produced prior to Trumps inauguration on January 20th, 2025*

Asylum seekers and refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border face harrowing conditions, often forced to live in makeshift camps with inadequate access to basic necessities like clean water and sanitation.

Erin Hughes, a licensed professional engineer and founder of Solidarity Engineering, shares her journey of being inspired to help these displaced populations after hearing about their struggles through a podcast. The episode delves into the impact of policies such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, which have left many asylum seekers stranded outside U.S. borders, and highlights the humanitarian crisis that unfolds as these individuals wait for their asylum applications to be processed. Hughes recounts her experiences at the border, the diverse demographics of people seeking refuge, and the challenges faced by grassroots organizations trying to provide essential services. With a blend of empathy and urgency, the conversation sheds light on the complex interplay of politics and humanitarian needs, urging listeners to recognize the human stories behind the statistics.

Check out the show notes!

Takeaways:

• Thousands of people risk their lives each year seeking safety and new beginnings in the U.S.
• Asylum seekers face a lengthy and challenging process, often waiting in dire conditions.
• Conditions at makeshift camps include poor sanitation, leading to health issues like diarrhea and skin infections.
• The U.S. asylum process requires credible fear documentation, complicating the entry for many refugees.
• Erin Hughes' organization, Solidarity Engineering, addresses humanitarian needs at the border with engineering solutions.
• Many asylum seekers come from diverse countries, facing unique challenges on their journey.

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Listen to the Progressive Pockets Podcast here!

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Support the Podcast: Click here to send in a one-time or monthly donation

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I think yes! In this episode, I reflect on my journey thus far. Listen in for insights on how I've successfully utilized portions of sponsorship funds to impactful charities like the Society for Women's Health Research and World Pediatrics. This episode dives into the importance of community and connection, reminding listeners that even small steps can lead to significant change.

<3 thank you for everything. Make sure you're subscribed and leave me a review!

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Support the Podcast: Click here to send in a one-time or monthly donation

Submit a Question: Click here to send in a question!

Join the Podcast Mailing list: https://www.globalhealthpursuit.com/mailing-list

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Email me at [email protected]

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