The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health episodes:

• 12.04.2019

  Recreational Marijuana and CBD: Public Attitudes, Science, and the Law

  In the last decade, Americans’ relationship with cannabis has transformed: today, dozens of states have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use and American farmers can grow hemp on an industrial scale. Meanwhile, shoppers can find cannabidiol (CBD), which is...

  
• 11.20.2019

  Unprecedented Natural Disasters in a Time of Climate Change: A Governors Roundtable

  Hammered by unprecedented natural disasters, parts of the United States have coped with raging wildfires, catastrophic hurricanes, dangerous heat levels, blizzards and floods. In addition, climate change has introduced new risks and exacerbated existing problems, according to the National Climate...

  
• 10.25.2019

  Drug-Resistant Infections: Confronting an Escalating Crisis

  Antibiotics are a pillar of modern medicine. They have saved millions of lives. But as the use of antibiotics has increased, so has the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant microbes that have adapted to survive most, or all, of today’s antibiotics. The...

  
• 09.20.2019

  Mental Health and Wellness for Students of Color: Transitioning to College

  Amid the bustle on U.S. college campuses, a growing challenge is causing concern. Many college students of color report mental health issues–including depression, anxiety and, among some groups, increased risk for suicide–that are not well understood or effectively addressed. According...

  
• 09.16.2019

  The Measles Outbreak: Why Vaccines Matter

  The U.S. officially eliminated measles nearly 20 years ago. Yet, this year, more than 1,100 cases have been reported, despite being preventable by vaccine. The CDC says the majority of cases are among those who were not vaccinated. This Forum looked...

  
• 03.06.2019

  Deaths From Pregnancy and Childbirth: Why Are More U.S. Mothers Dying and What Can Be Done?

  Maternal mortality dropped by almost half over the last 25 years around the world. However, in startling contrast, deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth doubled in the United States between 2000 and 2014, putting the nation second-to-last in maternal mortality...

  
• 03.06.2019

  The Spread of Hate and Racism: Confronting a Growing Public Crisis

  In 2017, reports of hate crimes in the United States increased for the third consecutive year, according to the FBI. In addition to physical acts, such actions and other messages of racism, intolerance and extremism potentially impact large numbers of...

  
• 03.06.2019

  Rare Cancers: Charting a Faster Route to Treatment

  Rare cancers present doctors, researchers, and patients with a unique set of challenges. Rare cancers often are diagnosed at later stages. Patients typically have limited treatment options, in part because the small number of diagnoses makes gold-standard clinical trials difficult....

  
• 03.06.2019

  The New Congress: What’s Next on Crucial Health and Education Issues?

  In this uniquely insightful Forum, experts examined key health and education policies — and their broad implications — that are likely to be enacted by the new Congress. The panelists discussed the current climate, including the government shutdown. For background,...

  
• 12.06.2018

  Being Seriously Ill in the U.S.: Financial and Healthcare Impacts

  What is it like to be seriously ill in America today? From heavy financial burdens — despite insurance — to varied hospital experiences, to impacts on caregivers, people with serious illnesses shared their experiences through a recent poll by...

  
• 12.04.2018

  The Health and Economic Concerns of Rural Americans

  What do rural Americans say are the biggest problems in their local communities? A new poll finds that drug/opioid abuse and economic concerns are the top challenges. When it comes to drug addiction and abuse, a majority of rural Americans...

  
• 12.04.2018

  The 2018 Midterm Elections: Key Issues for Healthcare

  Healthcare has again emerged as a pivotal issue for American voters. Conversations around preexisting conditions protections, short-term health plans, drug costs and premium rates are as contentious as ever. Debates around Medicare and Medicaid have grabbed headlines, while the Affordable...

  
• 10.24.2018

  Stroke: Successes and Setbacks with a Notorious Silent Killer

  Stroke prevention and treatment is a remarkable success story — but strides appear to be stalling in some populations. Evidence suggests a dramatic increase in stroke incidence in people in their 30s and 40s. Disparities persist among race/ethnicities, and declines...

  
• 10.22.2018

  Conflicts Over Science And Policy At The EPA: Where Are We Headed?

  What is the status of evidence-based environmental policy in the U.S? Sweeping policy shifts, regulatory rollbacks, and decisions such as the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement prompt questions. This Forum provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing environmental...

  
• 09.27.2018

  U.S. Drug Prices: Why Are They So High?

  Americans pay more money – sometimes much more money – for prescriptions than consumers in many other wealthy countries. Why? The drivers are many and complicated. Pharmaceutical companies, employers, health care providers, patients, lawmakers, and pharmacy benefit managers all play...

  
• 09.14.2018

  The Future of Wellbeing: A Conversation with Deepak Chopra

  Globally, people are living longer. What are the most compelling ways to ensure a sustainably healthy life? In this exciting live-streamed event, world-renowned author and speaker, Deepak Chopra, discussed the important connections between mind, immunity, genes and body. Dr. Chopra...

  
• 05.07.2018

  Self-Driving Cars: Pros and Cons for the Public's Health

  No longer the stuff of science fiction, driverless cars already are being tested in numerous U.S. markets. These autonomous vehicles may revolutionize the automotive world, potentially reducing human error, reshaping transportation systems and transforming the country’s roadway infrastructure. However recent...

  
• 04.18.2018

  College Students and Mental Health: Confronting an Emerging Crisis

  Mental health issues are alarmingly on the rise among college students, and a serious gap exists in campus services to help them. What can be done to meet this growing need, spurred by issues of anxiety and depression, that has...

  
• 04.13.2018

  Opioids and Addiction: A Governors Roundtable on State Approaches to Treatment

  President Trump recently described a plan to tackle the opioid abuse crisis that includes tougher sentencing on dealers and expanding access to treatment. The President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis cites the need to move ahead...

  
• 04.09.2018

  The Gun Violence Epidemic: Protecting the Public’s Health

  Inspired by students across the country, the gun violence prevention movement has gained new momentum. But can it last or lead to substantive change on the Congressional level? This Forum brought together experts in mental health, violence, and gun policy...

  
• 03.22.2018

  Health in the LGBTQ Community: Improving Care and Confronting Discrimination

  More than half of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans report that they have experienced violence, threats or harassment because of their sexuality or gender identity. Nearly one in five LGBTQ people has avoided seeking medical care for fear...

  
• 03.09.2018

  Extreme Hurricanes: The Challenges for Puerto Rico and Beyond

  Six months after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, a panel of experts assessed persistent public health challenges on the island and the outlook for long-term recovery. Power restoration, health care coordination, and medical services delivery on the island are just...

  
• 02.13.2018

  The Flu Outbreak: What You Need to Know

  More than a half million deaths each year around the world result from flu-related respiratory illnesses. This year, flu has grabbed particular headlines, driven by an early start to flu season and the dominance of a particularly severe flu strain,...

  
• 12.12.2017

  Discrimination in America: Native American Experiences

  How do Native Americans experience discrimination in daily life? A new poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health illuminates Native Americans’ personal experiences with discrimination. The report reveals that...

  
• 12.05.2017

  The Health Data Revolution: Improving Outcomes, Protecting Privacy

  Will the next great medical insight come from a clinical trial, a laboratory study — or a database search? Today, health systems and insurers have access to a mountain of data about millions of Americans: what medications they take, their...

  
• 11.14.2017

  The Diabetes Epidemic: The Latest on Treatment and Prevention

  Despite decades of research and relentless messaging about the importance of diet and exercise, type 2 diabetes remains a major threat to the lives of millions of Americans. As new diagnoses in some populations plateau, rates in others groups, including...

  
• 11.06.2017

  Breakthroughs in Disease Treatment: The Landscape Moving Forward

  Cancer. Alzheimer’s. Precision medicine. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The opioid crisis. These are all areas that stand to benefit from boosted federal funding. On the other hand, other areas may take a hit — immunizations, preparedness for outbreaks and epidemics, and chronic...

  
• 10.24.2017

  Discrimination in America: African American Experiences

  How do African Americans experience discrimination in daily life? A new poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health illuminates reports from African Americans who share their personal experiences with...

  
• 10.20.2017

  Eradicating Polio: Reaching the Last Child

  Once a global scourge, polio is tantalizingly close to eradication with only 11 wild poliovirus cases reported worldwide in 2017. In this Forum event — held in advance of World Polio Day — experts from the Government of Pakistan, UNICEF,...

  
• 10.13.2017

  Climate Change: Responses from the Public and Private Sectors

  Climate-related programs face challenges from federal regulation rollbacks and proposed spending cuts. In response, some members of the public and private sectors have stepped in, announcing various commitments to take action to curb climate change. What can cities, states, research...

  
• 09.27.2017

  The Future of the Affordable Care Act: What Happens Next?

  The future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unclear. Republicans have decided not to vote this week on the Graham-Cassidy bill, but promised to revisit ACA repeal-and-replace efforts. Democrats announced recently a single-payer health care proposal. And another hurdle...

  
• 05.19.2017

  Gene Editing: Promises and Challenges

  In labs and in clinical trials, scientists are seeking ways to rewrite DNA, a building block of life. Tools such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), TAL effector nucleases (TALENs) and, more recently, CRISPR/Cas9 have the power to seek out and replace...

  
• 05.11.2017

  Supplements and Health: Sorting the Facts

  “Lose belly fat.” “Build muscle.” “Lower your cholesterol.” “Improve your sex drive.” Browse the shelves of any supermarket or pharmacy, and you will find dietary supplements that promise to do all this, and more. Supplements are a multi-billion-dollar business, and...

  
• 05.05.2017

  The Opioid Crisis: A Governors Roundtable

  Opioid overdoses claim the lives of 91 Americans every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this Forum event, four former governors offered candid insights into how government policy can help, exploring what works and what...

  
• 04.20.2017

  Lead Contamination Beyond Flint: Drinking Water and Children's Health

  On the whole, American drinking water is safe. However, more than a year after toxic lead levels forced a federal state of emergency in Flint, MI, 63 percent of Americans report that they worry a great deal about polluted drinking...

  
• 03.27.2017

  Race and Policing: State and Local Perspectives

  Building on two previous Forums about race, criminal justice and health (from February 2015 and October 2015), this event examined specific approaches and models to address the complexities of race and policing. Experts in law enforcement, public health, community relations...

  
• 03.24.2017

  Marijuana: The Latest Scientific Findings and Legalization

  California, Massachusetts, Maine, and Nevada became the latest states to legalize recreational marijuana, bringing to 28 the number of states that have okayed the drug for medicinal use, recreational use, or both. Even more states have rules that allow certain...

  
• 03.01.2017

  Hormone-Altering Chemicals: Fertility and Health Implications

  How can common chemicals affect our health? This Forum at HSPH was presented jointly with The Huffington Post. Watch the entire series at ForumHSPH.org.

  
• 02.27.2017

  The 21st Century Cures Act: Implications for Research and Drug Development

  The passage of the 21st Century Cures Act has drawn both applause and criticism. A sweeping bipartisan effort with multiple components, the law dramatically boosts funding for medical research, particularly in areas such as cancer and brain disease. The law...

  
• 01.31.2017

  Hormone-Altering Chemicals: Fertility and Health Implications

  How can common chemicals affect our health? This Forum at HSPH was presented jointly with The Huffington Post. Watch the entire series at ForumHSPH.org.

  
• 12.13.2016

  The Future of Food: Feeding the Planet During Climate Change

  By 2050, a projected 9.7 billion people will inhabit the planet. How will we produce enough nutritious food to support this burgeoning population and ensure access to food resources, particularly as climate change stresses the environment? This Forum explored innovative...

  
• 11.11.2016

  The Chronic Pain Epidemic: What's to Be Done?

  More than 100 million Americans struggle with chronic pain, according to one Institute of Medicine estimate, at an annual cost of as much as $635 billion in treatment and lost productivity. Further, the misuse of potent opioid painkillers, while increasing...

  
• 11.04.2016

  The 2016 US Presidential Election: Examining Possible Health Care Futures

  Health care has emerged as a hotly debated issue of the 2016 presidential election, with the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees expressing starkly different views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While approximately 20 million people have gained healthcare coverage...

  
• 10.24.2016

  The Domestic Violence Crisis: Mobilizing the Public and Private Sectors

  According to the CDC, nearly 29 million U.S. women and 16 million U.S. men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. Most of those experiences occur before the age of twenty-five. The...

  
• 10.18.2016

  Child Care and Health in America: Today's Challenges for Tomorrow's Children

  Quality child care can help children develop lasting social, emotional, and learning skills and can promote healthy eating and play. But high-quality care, whether it comes from a nanny, a sitter, a daycare, or a preschool, can be difficult to...

  
• 09.30.2016

  Zika in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Beyond: Risks and Response

  With more than 23,100 cases of Zika in the continental U.S. and U.S. territories — including four newly reported non-travel cases in Miami-Dade County, Fla — this Forum continued a conversation begun in March 2016 to discuss the risks and...

  
• 09.20.2016

  Eating Disorders, Mental Health and Body Image: The Public Health Connections

  More than 30 million Americans — women and men, children and adults — grapple with eating disorders. These complex illnesses, which include anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, severely undermine health and cost lives. This event explored the many dimensions...

  
• 07.11.2016

  Health in the American Workplace

  Experts take on the concerns most expressed by American employees in a poll done by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

  
• 05.20.2016

  Organ Transplantation: Medical, Technological and Ethical Challenges

  People die each day waiting on lists for lifesaving organs, and the rise of chronic diseases such as diabetes only increases the demand. With the need for scientific innovation and donor support becoming ever more critical, this Forum explored biomedical...

  
• 05.10.2016

  Asleep at the Wheel: Drowsy Driving and Public Health

  Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol has long been established as a public safety hazard. But what about hitting the road while fatigued? An estimated average of 83,000 accidents involving drowsy driving occurred annually between 2005 and...