For a long time, RSV has sent too many babies to the hospital—but new breakthroughs in vaccine science are turning the tide.

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald puts on his pediatrician coat for this episode of New York Public Health now - he and Executive Deputy Director Johanne Morning explores why prevention matters, while also offering practical advice for parents and families during RSV season.

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In this episode of "New York Public Health Now," Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne are joined by Dr. David Holtgrave as they explore the remarkable story of the cost effectiveness of naloxone in New York State.

This episode dives into the real-world impact of naloxone, illuminating stories, budget realities, and lives saved. Learn how New York’s overdose prevention and harm reduction programs are changing lives, the science of measuring cost effectiveness, and why ongoing community engagement remains vital.

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Joining Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne is Brown University's School for Public Health Dean Dr. Ashish Jha.  They discuss Dr. Jah's strategies to "departisanize" public health and reach out to communities that feel disaffected, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in addressing current and future public health challenges.

Hear Dr. Jha's personal story, from his initial aspirations to become a journalist to his transition into medicine and his influential role at the federal level assisting the Biden administration as White House COVID-19 response coordinator and most recently as the Dean of Brown University's School of Public Health.

Dr. Jha shares his innovative approaches to public health education, including his focus on diversifying the student body, not just along racial lines, but also socio-economic and political, and his focus on integrating new voices and perspectives while preparing students for the evolving challenges and media landscape facing the next generation public health workforce.

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In this episode, Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Director Johanne Morne sit down with Dr. Nick Mantis, a Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center, to explore the vital role of microbiology research in improving public health outcomes. Discover how Dr. Mantis and his team's discoveries are paving the way for more effective vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for a wide range of infectious diseases.

From investigating the immune response to Lyme disease to tackling the rise of drug-resistant fungal infections, this episode delves into the critical work that is shaping the future of public health.

Find out more about the work being done at the Mantis Laboratory: https://www.wadsworth.org/research/laboratories/mantis

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Dr. Geeta Sood joins Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne to discuss the growing public health concern of Long COVID, highlighting the need for comprehensive care and ongoing research.

They explore the diverse range of symptoms associated with Long COVID, from brain fog to POTS, and the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to management and care. The conversation also covers the effects of vaccination and antiviral therapies, such as Paxlovid, in helping to reduce the risk of developing Long COVID after a COVID-19 infection.

The Department of Health will also be holding a Commissioner's Medical Grand Rounds on Long COVID on October 13, 2024 at noon - you must register to attend: https://forms.office.com/g/Eus28gsTfk

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In this episode, New York Commissioner of Health Dr. James McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne welcome Dr. Erin Bell, the new dean of the UAlbany College of Integrated Health Sciences, to discuss the strategic merger of the School of Public Health and the School of Social Welfare, creating a groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach to addressing community health and well-being.

The conversation delves into Dr. Bell's passion for community engagement and her vision for the new college, where students and faculty work hand-in-hand with local communities to identify and address their unique health and social needs. The new college, which includes over 1,000 students, aims to address health disparities through interdisciplinary approaches.

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In this episode, New York State health and environmental experts discuss the far-reaching impacts of climate change on New Yorkers' health, from heat-related illnesses to the effects of severe weather. The conversation explores the critical partnership between agencies and the innovative tools and programs being implemented to address these evolving threats.

New York is taking innovative and proactive steps to understand and address the resulting health impacts of a changing climate. This episode highlights the collaborative work among state agencies in New York to monitor emerging threats, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and implement adaptation measures to build resilient communities.

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In this episode of New York Public Health Now, Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne welcome the Department of Health's own Dr. David Holtgrave and Allan Clear to discuss the encouraging trends, indicating a decline in fatal drug overdoses across the state and nation. The nationally-recognized leaders explore the potential reasons behind this positive trend and outline strategies to maintain and accelerate the life-saving progress.

This episode provides a comprehensive data-driven analysis of the overdose trends in New York, including both fatal and non-fatal incidents, and an in-depth conversation about the harm reduction initiatives spearheaded by the New York State Department of Health over the past decades.

Guests discuss how these evidence-based programs have been instrumental in saving lives and reducing the devastating impact of the overdose crisis.

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In the season three opener of the New York Public Health Now podcast, Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne have a conversation with Dr. David Holtgrave, our newest senior policy advisor at the New York State Department of Health.  

The discussion delves into the department's efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, with Dr. Holtgrave providing his expansive expertise and insights. 

The conversation covers topics such as the mechanics and history of opioid antagonists like naloxone, the emergence of alternatives like nalmefene, and the latest trends in fatal overdoses across the nation and here in New York State. 

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted approach the New York State Department of Health is taking to combat this public health crisis to help save lives. 

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In the season 2 finale of New York Public Health Now, Commissioner McDonald and Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne welcome Dr. Ted Long from NYC Health + Hospitals to discuss expanding access to primary care through the NYC Care program. 

Dr. Long views healthcare as a basic human right, and shares how the NYC Care program provides universal healthcare access regardless of ability to pay and immigration status, with positive health outcomes including improved control of chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

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