This is Public Health

Men die almost 6 years earlier than women are almost 4 times more likely to die by suicide in Illinois. This June, we’re recognizing Men’s Health Awareness Month and discussing how Illinois is taking steps to close this gap. In this episode of This Is Public Health, Andrew Lerch, Section Chief for Men’s Health at IDPH, shares insights on the current state of men’s health in Illinois, why preventive care is often overlooked, and how we can better engage men in their own health journeys.   

Episode Resources 

IDPH’s Men’s Health Webpage: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/mens-health.html  

Men's Health Initial Assessment 2024-2025: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/mens-health/initial-assessment-2024-2025.html  

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/  

Measles has returned to Illinois, and case counts across the United States have now exceeded 1,000. We’ve seen your questions and heard your concerns, and now we have answers.  

In this episode of This Is Public Health, we cover all you need to know to keep yourself and your loved ones protected from measles. Dr. Jennifer Seo, Pediatric Medicine Medical Advisor at IDPH, discusses what measles is, addresses common misconceptions about measles treatments – and emphasizes why vaccination is the best, and only, protection against measles.  

Episode Resources 

Measles Information, Case Counts, Exposure Locations, and More: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/measles.html  

School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization/coverage-dashboards/school-vaccination-coverage-dashboard.html  

Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/immunization/coverage-dashboards/measles-outbreak-simulator-dashboard.html  

In this episode of This is Public Health, we're covering the important topic of maternal and infant health and what we’re doing to improve health outcomes in Illinois. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Lisa Masinter, OB/GYN and Deputy Director of the Office of Women's Health and Family Services at IDPH, and Dr. Robin L. Jones, OB/GYN, Institutional Lead for Birth Equity at Rush University Medical Center, and Chair of IDPH's Maternal Mortality Review Committee. 

Dr. Masinter shares why maternal and infant health is a key pillar of the Healthy Illinois 2028 state health improvement plan, what Illinois is doing to address health equity issues, and how we can help newborns thrive in their first year. Dr. Jones explains the disparities in maternal mortality, barriers to equitable care and potential solutions, and the importance of addressing substance use disorders among pregnant persons and new mothers.  

Episode Resources 

Healthy Illinois 2028 State Health Improvement Plan: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/provider-partner-resources/healthy-illinois.html  

2023 Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report: https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/life-stages-populations/maternal-child-family-health-services/maternal-health/mmmr/maternal-morbidity-mortality-report2023.pdf  

2024 Illinois Infant Mortality Data Report: https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/publications/idph/topics-and-services/life-stages-populations/maternal-child-family-health-services/maternal-health/perinatal-health/fetal-and-infant-mortality-report-2024.pdf  

Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative: https://ilpqc.org/  

Illinois Helpline: https://helplineil.org/app/home  

In this episode of This is Public Health, we’re diving into the future of Illinois’ public health workforce. Join us for a conversation with Kristin Rzeczkowski, Workforce Director at the Illinois Department of Public Health, and Molly Peters, Public Health Administrator at Greene/Scott County Health Department and co-chair of the Public Health Workforce Transformation project.

Kristin breaks down what workforce transformation really means and how it’s poised to improve health outcomes across the state. Molly shares her frontline perspective on what keeps people motivated in public health—and why investing in the workforce is an investment in every community’s well-being. Whether you're a public health professional or simply curious about how systems evolve to meet community needs, this episode highlights the people, passion, and planning behind the progress.

Public health is everywhere—protecting us from disease, ensuring access to care, and responding to crises. But what happens when funding cuts threaten its impact? In this special episode, IDPH’s Director Dr. Sameer Vohra joins us to kick off 30 Days of Public Health, highlighting why we celebrate this work, the challenges of sustaining it, and what’s ahead for Illinois. We’ll discuss how public health acts as a shield, protecting communities in ways we often don’t see, and share our plans for the next month. Plus, if you’re considering a career in public health, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

🎧 Tune in to learn why public health matters—and how you can get involved.

Mental health and substance use disorder are deeply connected, yet stigma and systemic barriers often prevent people from accessing the care they need. In this important episode of This Is Public Health, we're joined by Julia Strehlow, Senior Advisor to the Director at IDPH; Melissa Stalets, Deputy Director of the Office of Health Promotion at IDPH; and Dr. Nicole Gastala, Medical Director for Substance Use Prevention & Recovery (SUPR) at the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Together, they discuss the intersection of mental health and substance use, the importance of integrating services, and how Illinois is working to create more accessible, trauma-informed care. Learn how IDPH is addressing the challenges through the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and other community initiatives. Tune in to hear how Illinois is transforming behavioral health care and making recovery possible for more people.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, YouTube, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

In this episode of This is Public Health, we're exploring how racism impacts health outcomes and what actions are being taken to create more equitable communities. Dr. Janice Phillips, Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, and Illinois State Representative Camille Lilly join us to discuss the ways systemic racism affects health and the work being done to address it.

Dr. Phillips breaks down how racism can lead to poorer health outcomes and shares why it's critical to both name racism as a public health crisis and ensure that those most impacted have a seat at the table when decisions are made. Representative Lilly highlights recent legislation aimed at increasing investment in minority communities, along with ongoing efforts to close the life expectancy gap between neighborhoods just miles apart.

Tune in to learn how Illinois is turning words into action — and what it will take to build a healthier, more equitable future for all.

In this episode of This is Public Health, we explore the crucial issue of chronic disease prevention through the lens of health equity.

Our guests, Dr. David Chung, a family practice physician from Sparta, IL, and a member of the Illinois State Board of Health, and Dr. David Ansell, Chief Health Equity Officer and Senior Vice President for Community Health Equity at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, discuss how chronic disease can disproportionately affect certain communities. They share insights on how these disparities can vary, and what efforts we're taking to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to live a healthy life.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation on tackling chronic disease through equitable public health strategies and community-driven solutions.

In this episode of This is Public Health, we explore the world of emerging diseases—from what they are to how public health systems work tirelessly to detect and respond to potential threats.

Join us as:

🩺 Dr. Arti Barnes, IDPH Chief Medical Officer, defines emerging diseases and explains their impact on global health.

🚨 Andrea DosSantos, Deputy Director, IDPH Office of Preparedness and Response, shares how planned large-scale events, like the 2024 total solar eclipse, are used to practice emergency operations and strengthen preparedness.

Whether you're a public health professional or just curious about how we tackle health crises, this episode is a must-listen!

Welcome to a brand new season of This is Public Health!

In this episode, we explore Healthy Illinois 2028, a transformative initiative aimed at improving health and advancing equity across the state. Comprised of the State Health Assessment (SHA) and the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), Healthy Illinois 2028 is a collaborative effort to align resources, processes, and priorities for maximum impact.

Join us as we discuss how SHA and SHIP work together to address public health challenges, engage communities, and build a healthier future for all Illinoisans. We're joined in this episode by Karen Phelan, Chair of the State Board of Health and Jenny Epstein, Deputy Director of IDPH's Office of Policy, Planning, and Statistics.

Tune in to learn how Illinois is leading the charge for health equity this year and beyond.