Population Healthy

In this episode of the Population Healthy podcast, get a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of epidemiology. Join two of the University of Michigan's leading epidemiologists, Arnold Monto and Emily Martin, as they discuss groundbreaking moments in the history of infectious disease research, and highlight the challenges and triumphs that have shaped public health practices. Hear about historic breakthroughs, like the development of the polio vaccine, and gain insights into current challenges, such as emerging infectious diseases and combating misinformation, with these influential infectious disease experts.

In 2023, the US Surgeon General issued a national health advisory on loneliness. According to the advisory, “Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health.” In this episode, discover the surprising impacts of loneliness on our physical and cognitive health with Lindsay Kobayashi, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She’ll delve into the roots and repercussions of long-term loneliness and examine how it can lead to serious health issues like memory decline and increased mortality risk — as well as the impacts on population health. We’ll also explore research-backed interventions and policy solutions that can help combat the loneliness epidemic.

In this episode of Population Healthy, we dive into the groundbreaking research of the BASIC (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi) study, led by University of Michigan researchers Dr. Lewis Morgenstern and Dr. Lynda Lisabeth. Every 40 seconds, someone in the US experiences a stroke, a leading cause of long-term disability and death, particularly among older adults. Drs. Morgenstern and Lisabeth have dedicated nearly 25 years to understanding stroke, with a special focus on health disparities faced by Mexican Americans in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Join us as we explore how their collaborative and community-centered approach has illuminated key aspects of stroke epidemiology, the significant burden on Mexican Americans, and the critical role of health equity. Learn about the study's evolution, intriguing findings on stroke recurrence and mortality, and the project's innovative use of big data to enhance patient outcomes.
We'll also discuss their recent work on the link between stroke and sleep apnea, the logistical challenges of managing a long-distance research project, and the prestigious recognition they've received for their impactful contributions. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in public health, neurology, and health equity.

Cancer disparities manifest as differences in cancer incidence, outcomes, or mortality across various demographic groups—whether by gender, age, location, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. For instance, Black women in the US face a significantly higher mortality rate from breast cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive and hard-to-treat subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer, than their white or Asian American counterparts. The underlying causes of these disparities are complex and multifaceted.

In this episode of Population Healthy, we explore the pressing question: Why are certain populations unequally impacted by chemical exposures, and how do these exposures contribute to cancer disparities? Our guest, Justin Colacino, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, delves into the intersection of pollution, environmental exposures, and cancer disparities. Discover how everyday factors like air, water, food, and household products might influence chronic diseases, shedding light on the broader implications for public health.

Listen to a sneak peek of the new season of the Population Healthy podcast from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. This season, join our faculty experts as they unravel pressing public health issues and share breakthrough research related to loneliness, cancer, stroke, and infectious disease.

In Season 6 of the Population Healthy podcast from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, we look at the health benefits of living with purpose, unexpected sources of air pollution, weight stigma, declining childhood vaccination rates, cancer research, how math can be used to solve some of today's most pressing public health issues, and more!

In this episode of the Population Healthy podcast, Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, joins Matthew L. Boulton, senior associate dean for Global Public Health at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, in a thought-provoking conversation about childhood vaccination, the demands of the top doctor job, and more.

Together, they analyze the decline in routine childhood immunizations in Michigan following the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover more about the factors keeping some parents from vaccinating their children, and the ongoing efforts to ensure the health and well-being of Michigan's children and communities.

Dr. Bagdasarian, who has been in the top doctor role since 2021, sheds light on the importance of public health communication and shares some of the challenges and triumphs from her career in public health.

In this episode, two researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health outline some of the health and safety challenges faced by farmworkers in the state of Michigan.

Epidemiologists, Alexis Handal and Lisbeth Iglesias-Rios, describe findings from the Michigan Farmworker Project - their ongoing study on the precarious employment and labor exploitation of farmworkers. They share the struggles, exploitation, and health risks these workers endure, and underscore the vital need for data-driven solutions. The researchers discuss how documenting the experiences of this vulnerable population can lead to policy change and improved conditions in the agricultural sector.

In this episode of Population Healthy from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Professor of Epidemiology Celeste Leigh Pearce digs into her team's extensive work on cancer research, focusing on ovarian, breast, and cervical cancers. Pearce outlines the possibilities of eradicating cervical and potentially other cancers through vaccination, screening and early detection. Her team puts a strong emphasis on disease prevention, aiming to lessen the occurrence of cancer cases. The ultimate goal is to put oncologists out of business — in other words, to leverage screening and other prevention tools that Pearce believes could ultimately eradicate certain cancers altogether.

Pearce also discussed MI-CARES, a new project that aims to gather insights on the effects of environmental exposure on cancer risk and other health outcomes for people across Michigan.

In this empowering episode of the 'Ahead of the Curve' Speaker Series by University of Michigan, Dean DuBois Bowman and renowned civil rights activist, author, and lawyer Bakari Sellers deep dive into Sellers’ impactful journey packed with resilience, ambition, and public service.

Sellers recalls his childhood memories growing up in South Carolina in an activism-rich family and his trailblazing entrance into politics as the youngest member of the South Carolina State Legislature at just 22. He expresses his unyielding commitment towards progressive policies that aim at addressing entrenched issues such as education, poverty, and domestic violence. Sellers shares the invaluable lessons he learned from his family's traumatic healthcare experiences including his wife's childbirth complications and his daughter's liver transplant, which in turn strengthened his resolve to eradicate healthcare disparity.

He emphasizes how leadership can bolster the fight against health inequity, and the need for politicians to leverage personal narratives over macro data to draw attention to important issues. He emphasizes mental health within the Black community, his bold stance on police violence, calling for significant policy and societal changes, and his unwavering dedication towards the battle against miseducation and anti-intellectualism.