Throughout history, humans have been engaged in public health work. In a new book, epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers shares lessons from past outbreaks, what’s changed since COVID-19, and how, at a difficult moment for public health, she’s thinking about the future and keeping a watchful eye on mpox, H5N1, and more.

Caitlin Rivers is an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who specializes in preparedness and response for epidemics and pandemics.

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, the largest center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• Dr. Caitlin Rivers’ New Book ‘Crisis Averted’ Explores Public Health Lessons and Provides Insights for Future Pandemic Preparedness—The Center for Health Security

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As the administration in Washington DC changes, where will public health be able to work across partisan lines to improve the health of all Americans? A conversation with Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation.

Brian Castrucci is president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, a philanthropy dedicated to supporting state and local public health agencies.

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department.

• Health Action Alliance

• What the Senate Needs to hear from RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz—US News and World Report

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The FDA’s ban on the use of Red Dye No. 3 raises two questions — why is this color additive leaving the food supply? And what does this mean for other chemicals in the foods we eat?  In this episode: a discussion about how the FDA regulates food additives, and how that might change in the future. A note for listeners: By the end of this episode, you will understand why “GRAS reform” is not about cannabis.

Howard Sklamberg is the former deputy commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a legal expert in FDA compliance and enforcement.

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department.

• What to Know About the Ban on Red Dye No. 3 in Food—The New York Times

• Red #3’s Swan Song: The Science Behind the FDA’s Latest Decision—Unbiased Science

• A New Law To Enhance the Safety of Cosmetics—Public Health On Call (February 2023)

• The U.S. Food Safety System—Public Health On Call

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Conversations about fluoride in the water supply are revving up but a key factor in the debate is the legal framework. In this episode: a discussion about the relevant law for assessing fluoride added to drinking water known as the Toxic Substances Control Act—a law limited to a focus on risk, not benefit—and what that means for emerging science and policy discussions around fluoridating water.

Dr. Lynn Goldman is a pediatrician, the dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University, and an expert in environmental health.

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department.

• EPA ‘in a really tough spot’ after landmark fluoride ruling—E&E News, Politico

• The Benefits and Risks of Fluoride, Explained—New York Times

• Fluoride’s PR Nightmare—Unbiased Science

• Fluoride Face-Off: Court Ruling Challenges, But Science Stands Firm—Unbiased Science

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The U.S.’s first reported human death from bird flu is another sign that the virus is not going away anytime soon. In this episode: why it’s time to double down on efforts to limit H5N1 transmission among cattle and birds, concerns about cats and other mammals, and how response measures need to scale up quickly and more broadly to try and prevent the virus from gaining a foothold in humans. The experts also discuss why bird flu poses an existential threat to the dairy industry.

Dr. Meghan Davis is a veterinarian and public health researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a joint appointment at the School of Medicine.

Dr. Andy Pekosz is a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with appointments in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Environmental Health and Engineering. Host:

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, the largest center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• Bird flu H5N1 claims first human life in U.S.: “We remain vigilant”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza—USDA

• Defend The Flock: Biosecurity Practices—USDA

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A new report from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative finds that the U.S. lags behind many other high-income countries in life expectancy. In this report, researchers found that babies born 40 years ago in the U.S. and U.K could expect to live to the same age. Today, however, life expectancy is nearly three years shorter for those on our side of the Atlantic Ocean. In this episode: a look at the four main causes of death driving this gap—all of which are preventable—and how one of the world’s richest countries that spends the most on healthcare is continually failing to improve the health of its people.

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a faculty member in health policy, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department.

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, the largest center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• A Tale of Two Countries: The Life Expectancy Gap Between the United States and the United Kingdom—The Bloomberg American Health Initiative

• Americans Die Younger Than U.K. Counterparts Due to Four Preventable Causes—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

• Expanding Access to Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Carceral Settings—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

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Hearing declines for everyone as we get older, no matter what we do. As it declines, it can cause health problems like cognitive decline and brain atrophy, and is directly linked with Alzheimer’s. But there are ways to understand and reduce these impacts including over-the-counter hearing aids and a new app where people can test their hearing on their smartphone. In this episode: a conversation about a health issue that will impact all of us to some degree, and how technology is helping to address impacts early and upend the stigma of hearing loss.

Dr. Frank Lin is the director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health and a professor of otolaryngology, medicine, mental health, and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University Schools of Medicine and Public Health.

Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• Episode transcript

• How and Why to Learn Your Hearing Numbers

• Download the Hearing Number app for iOS (App Store) or Android (Google Play)

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Science communication is a vital skillset for public health practitioners. But what does it really take to cut through the noise? In today’s episode, Katelyn Jetelina, the publisher of Your Local Epidemiologist, talks about the art and science of science communication, and why it’s less about being right and more about a commitment to changing the way people think.

Dr. Katelyn Jetelina is an epidemiologist and scientific communicator. She is the co-founder of Health Trust Initiative, an adjunct professor at Yale School of Public Health, and a Senior Scientific Advisor to several government and non-profit agencies, including the CDC. In addition, Dr. Jetelina is the publisher of Your Local Epidemiologist.

Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• Your Local Epidemiologist

• Public Health Professionals Must Engage The Public. Communications Training Is Key.—Forbes

On December 3, the Bloomberg American Health Initiative held its annual summit. This year, the theme really marked the moment: Advancing Public Health in Uncertain Political Times. In today’s episode, you’ll hear three conversations from the Summit about how public health can provide a roadmap for making needed progress. First: how public health data and evidence provide context for judicial decisions. Then, how a public health lens is helping to address the issue of gun violence. And finally, how to find common ground on mental health and addiction.

Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• 2024 Bloomberg American Health Summit—YouTube

• Public Health At Work in Uncertain Times: A Recap of the 2024 Bloomberg American Health Summit

• Hopkins Judicial Health Notes

• What The White House Office of Gun Violence Has Accomplished In Its First Year—Everytown For Gun Safety

• Bipartisan Mental Health In Schools Excellence Act

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For decades, regular mammograms to detect breast cancer have been recommended for women ages 50-75. In 2024, the age range dropped to include women 40-49 as well. But what do we really know about mammography as a tool to save lives? Are all scans created equal? What is the risk/benefit analysis to upping the number of screenings a woman is recommended to receive in her lifetime? In today’s episode: a deep dive into the evidence around mammography, and a look at the new guidelines—including the controversy around them.

Dr. Otis Brawley is a globally-recognized expert in cancer prevention and control whose work focuses on developing cancer screening strategies and ensuring their effectiveness. He is a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in epidemiology with a joint appointment in oncology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. He was the former Chief Medical Officer of the American Cancer Society.

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, the largest center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• Final Recommendation Statement: Breast Cancer Screening—U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

• The Rise of Colorectal Cancer Among Younger People—Public Health On Call (June 2024)

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