If I Could Change One Thing

In this episode, James Romine speaks with Alzheimer’s prevention advocate Dr. Phyllis Ferrell about her work with the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative—a global health organization dedicated to transforming Alzheimer’s research, prevention, and care worldwide. Tune-in to hear about why Alzheimer’s preparedness is so important and the many connections between Alzheimer’s and Public Health policy, on this episode of If I Could Change One Thing, the Health Policy Podcast of San Diego State University.

Dr. Paula Stigler Granados, environmental health expert and Associate Professor at SDSU's School of Public Health, discusses her research on Chagas disease—an emerging public health threat in the United States that is typically transmitted by blood-sucking insects nicknamed kissing bugs. Additionally, Dr. Granados shares her expertise about the Tijuana River contamination crisis near the Mexico-US border.

In this episode, Jonathan Vasquez Ramirez and Roberto Santana, two recent graduates of the School of Public Health undergraduate program, talk about their current public health fellowships and how SDSU prepared them for success. Jonathan’s fellowship is with the California academic health department residency program, placed at the San Diego County Public Health Services Administration; and Roberto’s fellowship is with the CDC’s CureTB program. Tune in to hear about how they chose their fellowships and how SDSU influenced their exciting career paths.

After serving as a US Army Officer for 14 years and completing 4 combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rich has worked as both a defense contractor for Northrop Grumman; as well as an Air Force Federal employee with the US Space Command’s Academic Engagement Enterprise. On November 19, 2022, Rich and his family were at the scene of the Club Q mass shooting, where Rich was credited with helping subdue the gunman. For his efforts he’s received numerous awards such as the 2023 Congressional Medal of Honor Society's - Citizen Honors Award for Valor; the VFW Life Saving Award for Valor;  and the Veteran of the year National Able Network award. Additionally, Rich works with his wife Jessica to operate their own brewery—Atrevida—in Colorado Springs. Atrevida’s motto is “Diversity, it’s on tap!” and Atrevida strives to demonstrate diversity in everything it does. Atrevida has won multiple awards such as the 2019 Colorado Governor’s Minority Small Business of the Year award. Rich has his BA in Education from SDSU and earned his MBA from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in 2021. Above all Rich is committed to serving his family and community. The following conversation includes some discussion of violence and deep personal loss. Please engage with this content in a manner that’s safe to you.

Dr. Wendi Gosliner works to improve population health and nutrition by eliminating health disparities and improving federal food programs. How did SNAP and WIC programs change during the COVID-19 pandemic? How do socioeconomic factors impact access to nutritious foods? What are common misperceptions about nutrition policy in the US? Find out, on this episode of If I Could Change One Thing, the Health Policy Podcast of San Diego State University.

Food insecurity is a major problem in the United States. How do public institutions such as food pantries and federal assistance programs relieve or exacerbate this problem? In what ways do food-insecure individuals experience stigma, and how do political-economic ideologies perpetuate that stigma? We discuss these questions and more with Dr. Rebecca de Souza, expert on the political-economics on food-access, health, and social wellbeing.

While preventing an overdose death is possible if someone present knows how and when to intervene, there is often little knowledge about overdose first-aid, as well as limited access to the overdose-reversal medication called naloxone. Find out where to learn this live-saving skill, in this episode of If I Could Change One Thing, the Health Policy Podcast of the School of Public Health at San Diego State University.

Healthy communication between parents and adolescents is important for the well-being of young people, yet there is a shortage of research on ways to improve parental communication. In this episode, we ask Dr. Katrina Pariera--expert on sexual communication and family or interpersonal communication--about strategies for improving communication and ways to address this important Public Health topic.

One of the pioneering Public Health policy makers during his 40 years in the US Congress, Henry Waxman shares his insights as to how to get big policy changes enacted.  Learn about  important actions such as the Affordable Care Act and taking on Big Tobacco in this special episode.