Recorded during the scramble for third doses, this episode explores the need for vaccine equity in the face of the ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Robin sits down with prominent bioethicist and University of Toronto graduate, Dr. Maxwell Smith in this virtual interview to explore bioethics, obligations of charity vs. justice, fair vaccine distribution ideas, and covid fatigue. 

Welcome back listeners! Our first short episode of the 2021-2022 season introduces our new host: Robin Yuen. A third year at the University of Toronto, passionate about all things STEM- she is so ready to take you all on our journey this year to highlight important issues in global health. 

Mariam talks with Dr. Katrina Perehudoff, a health scientist and legal scholar with over a decade of experience in pharmaceutical policy. Her research focuses on the development, formulation, implementation, and evaluation of law and policy interventions in the field of pharmaceuticals and public health. Dr. Perehudoff spoke to Mariam about equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, balancing private and public interests, and the right to health in Canada.

For the first JuxtaPod episode of the New Year, Mariam talks with Dr. Laura Rosella, an epidemiologist working in population health. Dr. Rosella is the Canada Research Chair in Population Health Analytics, the Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Population Health Analytics Laboratory at U of T, and faculty member at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (to name a few of her positions!). Dr. Rosella reflects on the importance of community and discusses the tool that she and a team of researchers at howsmyflattening.ca developed to provide the public with a data-driven understanding of the pandemic.

Mariam talks with Dr. Nisha Thampi, a Pediatric Infectious Diseases physician and the Medical Director of the Infection Prevention and Control Program at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Dr. Thampi shares her insights on schools being open amidst the pandemic, pediatric COVID-19 cases, and the catchy song she developed to help kids remember the WHO’s hand-washing technique.

Mariam talks with Anjum Sultana, the National Director of Public Policy and Strategic Communications at YWCA Canada. Sultana shares her work (feministrecovery.ca) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss what makes this pandemic a "she-cession", and the disproportionate effects the pandemic has had on women, two-spirit people, and gender diverse people.

Introducing Juxtaposition Global Health Magazine's new podcast, "JuxtaPod", hosted by Mariam Zaidi. Follow us on instagram @juxtamagazineuoft for more information.