Smart Fit Girls is a unique program that aims to positively influence the physical and psychosocial health of middle school girls. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Chrissy and Elli remain for the second half of the discussion to underscore the importance of:

• The need to intentionally design programs to be culturally responsive and explore ways to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion to provide safe spaces for Black and African-American Girls; 
• Co-creating through youth participatory action research (YPAR) when developing and evaluating youth-based health promotion programming at every step of the process; and
• Being aware of the various forms of youth oppression or adultism, as well as how it can cause harm and prevent youth from reaching their potential.

Podcast Guests

• Elli Jenkins
• Chrissy Chard, PhD

Podcast Host

• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH
• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, PMP®

References for Our Discussion 

• Smart Fit Girls: A Novel Program for Adolescent Girls Improves Body Image
• An Inclusive Approach to Exploring Perceptions of Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Physical Activity among Black and African-American Girls: Smart Fit Girls Melanin Magic

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Music Credits

The following tracks were used to produce this podcast episode:

• Mona Wonderlick: Wakanda • Kimochii • New Day • Lolo Popo • Poptarts • Himalayas • Alone Together • Suede • Creamy Soda
• Artificial Music & Syiphorous: Your Gentle Touch

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

The underlying motivation to engage in physical activity is a complex dynamic and one that is difficult to navigate for many people. Of particular concern are adolescent girls, who are less likely to engage in, and enjoy physical activity compared to adolescent boys. Programs that tackle this gap and create opportunities to instill confidence in young girls to be active, must be a priority for public health. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we’ll be talking about Smart Fit Girls, a unique program that aims to positively influence the physical and psychosocial health of middle school girls.

Podcast Guests

• Chrissy Chard, PhD
• Elli Jenkins

Podcast Host

• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH
• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, CAPM®

References for Our Discussion 

• Smart Fit Girls: A Novel Program for Adolescent Girls Improves Body Image
• An Inclusive Approach to Exploring Perceptions of Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Physical Activity among Black and African-American Girls: Smart Fit Girls Melanin Magic

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates about podcast episodes, community stars, blogs, conferences, workshops, webinars, relevant news, jobs, professional development, and career opportunities for students and career professionals. Subscribe to the newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/subscribe/. 

Share with a Friend

If you enjoy our podcast, it would mean the world if you share it on social media and be sure to tag us. If you are not the social media type, we would appreciate it if you shared with a friend or colleague who you think might enjoy the podcast. 

Join the Conversation

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and join in on the conversation by sharing your thoughts by commenting on our posts, direct messaging, or by emailing us at [email protected].

Music Credits

The following tracks were used to produce this podcast episode:

• Mona Wonderlick: Wakanda • Kimochii • New Day • Lolo Popo • Poptarts • Himalayas • Alone Together • Suede • Creamy Soda
• Artificial Music & Syiphorous: Your Gentle Touch

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

As humans become more connected, technologically advanced, and expand our horizons, novel diseases often emerge. In the previous episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we highlighted the factors that contribute to the cyclical emergence of pandemics throughout history. For this episode, we do a chronological deep dive into some of the most notable pandemics that have occurred and how they impacted societies at the time.

Pandemics Covered

• Antonine Plague
• Plague of Justinian
• Black Death
• New World Smallpox Outbreak
• Cholera
• Third Plague
• Influenza Pandemics & Spanish” Flu
• HIV/AIDS
• COVID-19

Podcast Host

• Sulaiman Alhalbouni, BMSc, MPH
• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Ben Umakanthan, HBSc, MPH
• William Wang, BA, MPH
• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH
• Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, CAPM®

References for Our Discussion 

• Geo History: Major epidemics and pandemics 
• Visual Capitalist: Visualizing the History of Pandemics 

Subscribe to the Newsletter

As a subscriber to the newsletter, you will receive updates about podcast episodes, community stars, weekly inspirational quotes, blog posts, upcoming conferences, workshops, webinars, and live interactive podcast episodes right to your inbox. You will also be kept informed about jobs, as well as professional development and career opportunities relevant for students and career professionals. Subscribe to the newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/subscribe/. 

Join the Conversation!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and join in on the conversation by sharing your thoughts by commenting on our posts, direct messaging, or by emailing us at [email protected].

Music Credits

The following tracks were used to produce this podcast episode:

• J.R.S. Schattenberg - Finding Land • Glory from the Heavens • Cavalcade • Mirage
• Twin Musicom - Dual M
• Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik
• Kevin MacLeod - Village Consort
• Habanero - Carmen
• Beethoven - Fur Elise
• Audionautix - Road to Kilcoo
• Johann Strauss -

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

Ever since humans transitioned from an animal hunting society into agriculture and husbandry, epidemics and pandemics have been close companions in our development right until this day and age. These pandemics ravaged several countries and regions around the globe, partly because there was less knowledge about the causes of these diseases, how they spread, and how to treat them. March 11th, 2021, marks a grim milestone, being exactly one year since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we talk about how and why pandemics, epidemics, endemics, and zoonosis occur.

Podcast Host

• Sulaiman Alhalbouni, BMSc, MPH
• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Ben Umakanthan, HBSc, MPH
• William Wang, BA, MPH
• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH
• Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, CAPM®

References for Our Discussion 

• Geo History: Major epidemics and pandemics 
• Visual Capitalist: Visualizing the History of Pandemics 

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Public Health Insight is launching a weekly newsletter to deliver inspiring, insightful, and relevant public health information right to your inbox. By subscribing, you will receive updates about our latest podcast episodes, community stars, weekly inspirational quotes, blog posts, upcoming conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, and live interactive podcast episodes. You will also be kept informed about jobs, as well as professional development and career opportunities relevant for students and career professionals. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/subscribe/. 

Join the Conversation!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and join in on the conversation by sharing your thoughts  by commenting on our posts, direct messaging, or by emailing us at [email protected].

Music Credits

The following tracks were used to produce this podcast episode:

• Twin Musicom - Dual M
• Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik
• Kevin MacLeod - Village Consort
• Habanero - Carmen
• Beethoven - Fur Elise

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

Men are significantly more likely to perpetuate gender-based violence, including violence against women and girls. This means that in addition to supporting women and girls who have experienced violence, efforts are required to prevent those acts of violence from occurring in the first place. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Lindsay Belvedere, a Senior Policy Advisor, remains with us for part 2 of the discussion to highlight the levels of prevention required to address the root causes of violence, COVID-19’s impact on gender-based violence, policy options, and some actions we can take to create safer environments. 

Trigger Warning

Please note that this episode will discuss issues around violence and trauma, and may contain sensitive or triggering content for some people. If you or someone you know has been impacted by violence of any kind, know that you are not alone. Please use your discretion when listening to this content and connect to the appropriate supports as needed. For our listeners in Canada, you can visit endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help.

Podcast Guests

• Lindsay Belvedere, MPH, CPH

Podcast Host

• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Ben Umakanthan, HBSc, MPH
• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH

References for Our Discussion 

• CBC: Reports of domestic, intimate partner violence continue to rise during pandemic
• Violence Against Women Learning Network: COVID-19 & Gender-Based Violence in Canada: Key Issues & Recommendations
• United Nation Women: The Shadow Pandemic: Violence against women during COVID-19
• Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children: Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls
• Canadian Women Foundation: Alright Now What Podcast

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Public Health Insight is launching a weekly newsletter to deliver inspiring, insightful, and relevant public health information right to your inbox. By subscribing, you will receive updates about our latest podcast episodes, community stars, weekly inspirational quotes, blog posts, upcoming conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, and live interactive podcast episodes. You will also be kept informed about jobs, as well as professional development and career opportunities relevant for students and career professionals. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/subscribe/. 

Join the Conversation!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and join in on the conversation by

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

As Former First Lady Michelle Obama once said, “Communities and countries and ultimately the world, are only as strong as the health of their women.” The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated gender inequities by shifting vital resources away from many violence against women and girl programs in the community and creating barriers to access. This reality has the potential of eroding progress made to achieve the United Nation’s fifth Sustainable Development Goal, which is to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, Lindsay Belvedere, a Senior Policy Advisor, joins us to have a conversation about the types of gender-based violence (GBV), burden on women and girls, and some long-term health consequences.

Trigger Warning

Please note that this episode will discuss issues around violence and trauma, and may contain sensitive or triggering content for some people. If you or someone you know has been impacted by violence of any kind, know that you are not alone. Please use your discretion when listening to this content and connect to the appropriate supports as needed. For our listeners in Canada, you can visit endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help

Podcast Guests

• Lindsay Belvedere, MPH, CPH

Podcast Host

• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Ben Umakanthan, HBSc, MPH
• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Public Health Insight is launching a weekly newsletter to deliver inspiring, insightful, and relevant public health information right to your inbox. By subscribing, you will receive updates about our latest podcast episodes, community stars, weekly inspirational quotes, blog posts, upcoming conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, and live interactive podcast episodes. You will also be kept informed about jobs, as well as professional development and career opportunities relevant for students and career professionals. Subscribe to the newsletter here: https://thepublichealthinsight.com/subscribe/. 

Join the Conversation!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and join in on the conversation by sharing your thoughts by commenting on our posts, direct messaging, or by emailing us at [email protected].

Music Credits

The following tracks were used to produce this podcast episode:

• Mona Wonderlick: Wakanda • New Day • Himalayas • Alone Together • Suede • Creamy Soda
• Artificial.Music & Syiphorous: Your Gentle Touch

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

It has been one year since Public Health Insight launched a podcast in March of 2020. We are excited to celebrate the milestone with our followers in 1500 cities in more than 100 countries who have supported us along the way. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we take a walk down memory lane and recap some standout moments from our most popular guests in 2020. 

Who was your favourite guest in 2020? Let us know through social media or by email, we’d love to hear your thoughts. 

Podcast Guests

• Dr. Orrett Thane
• Dr. Sajjad Fazel
• Jessica Schill
• Rose Marcelin
• Linda Holdbrook
• Nicole Vick
• Rishawn Dindial
• Praja Vaikuntharajan
• Tim Davis
• Dami Lawal
• Danielle Rawlinson
• Lwam Mehari
• Samantha Yang
• Janel Dhooma

Podcast Host

• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®

Join the Conversation!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and join in on the conversation by sharing your thoughts by commenting on our posts, direct messaging, or by emailing us at [email protected].

Music Credits

The following tracks used in this episode were all produced by DeKobe:

Ambon • Another Time • Bluebirds • Small Problems • Home • Bitsu-Bitsu • Learning • Dialogue • Reflection

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

The Socioecological Model has been widely adopted in public health, and an understanding of this framework is essential for becoming an effective public health advocate and practitioner. This model can also provide insight into the reasons why public health issues such as COVID-19 disproportionately affect some populations. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we bring the conversation full circle by using COVID-19 as a case study to apply the principles of the socioecological model. 

We want to find out from our audience of public health practitioners at various stages in their careers - how do you apply the socioecological model in your work? What are some success stories or challenges you’ve experienced while incorporating this model into your work? Message us through social media or by email, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

References for Our Discussion 

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The Social-Ecological Model: Violence Prevention
• Jill F. Kilanowski (2017): Breadth of the Socio-Ecological Model  
• COVID-19 Curriculum: Social-Ecological Model of Understanding Differential Impact of COVID-19
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Women and Children’s Health Policy Center: An Introduction to the Ecological Model in Public Health

Podcast Co-Hosts

• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, CAPM®
• Sulaiman Alhalbouni, BMSc, MPH
• William Wang, BA, MPH
• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH

Share Your Thoughts With Us!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. We would love it if you shared your thoughts by commenting on our posts, sending us a direct message through social media, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Until then, we’ll see you in the next one.

Music Credits

The following tracks used in this episode were all produced by Lukrembo:

• Daily • Bread • Biscuit • Bored • Chocolate • Onion • Holiday

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

The socio-ecological model (SEM) is a theory-based framework derived from the ecological systems theory initially developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner in the 1970’s in an attempt to understand human development in the fields of sociology and psychology. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we shift our discussion to highlight how this model can be applied to public health practice, using our current jobs and interests as examples.

We want to find out from our audience of public health practitioners at various stages in their careers - how do you apply the socioecological model in your work? What are some success stories or challenges you’ve experienced while incorporating this model into your work? Message us through social media or by email, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

References for Our Discussion 

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The Social-Ecological Model: Violence Prevention
• Jill F. Kilanowski (2017): Breadth of the Socio-Ecological Model  
• COVID-19 Curriculum: Social-Ecological Model of Understanding Differential Impact of COVID-19
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Women and Children’s Health Policy Center: An Introduction to the Ecological Model in Public Health

Podcast Co-Hosts

• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, CAPM®
• Sulaiman Alhalbouni, BMSc, MPH
• William Wang, BA, MPH
• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH

Share Your Thoughts With Us!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. We would love it if you shared your thoughts by commenting on our posts, sending us a direct message through social media, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Until then, we’ll see you in the next one.

Music Credits

The following tracks used in this episode were all produced by Lukrembo:

• Daily • Bread • Biscuit • Bored • Chocolate • Onion • Holiday

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.

It is often believed that people are in control of their own actions, behaviours, and ultimately their health status, but what if it’s not that simple. What if someone wants to eat healthier but the nearest grocery store is 30 minutes away, they don’t have a car, their area does not have reliable public transportation, and if buying fast food is cheaper to feed their family. The Ottawa Charter defines health promotion as “the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. Unlike medical models for individual-level health, population health models allow for an examination of the broader context that influence health outcomes. In this episode of the Public Health Insight Podcast, we’ll be taking a look at the socioecological model. 

References for Our Discussion 

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The Social-Ecological Model: Violence Prevention
• Jill F. Kilanowski (2017): Breadth of the Socio-Ecological Model  
• COVID-19 Curriculum: Social-Ecological Model of Understanding Differential Impact of COVID-19
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Women and Children’s Health Policy Center: An Introduction to the Ecological Model in Public Health

Podcast Co-Hosts

• Gordon Thane, BMSc, MPH, PMP®
• Leshawn Benedict, MPH, MSc, CAPM®
• Sulaiman Alhalbouni, BMSc, MPH
• William Wang, BA, MPH
• Linda Holdbrook, BSc, MPH

Share Your Thoughts With Us!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. We would love it if you shared your thoughts by commenting on our posts, sending us a direct message through social media, or by emailing us at [email protected]. Until then, we’ll see you in the next one.

Music Credits

The following tracks used in this episode were all produced by Lukrembo:

• Daily • Bread • Biscuit • Bored • Chocolate • Onion • Holiday

Send us a Text Message to let us know what you think.