This week's episode inludes a terrific discussion about the Breast Cancer Prevention Program (BCPP) at the National University of Singapore, a multifaceted research initiative aimed at improving breast cancer screening, care, and prevention in Southeast Asia.

Led by Dr. Mikael Hartman and Jenny, the program collaborates with medical anthropologist Dr. Cynthia Chou to integrate cultural and community perspectives into its work.

The BCPP emphasizes a holistic approach to the breast cancer journey, from screening and early detection to treatment, prognosis, and survivorship. Key priorities include developing culturally responsive screening strategies, leveraging genetics and genomics to personalize risk assessment, and conducting community outreach to address barriers to healthcare access and utilization. The program's international collaborations allow it to study the unique genetic and sociocultural factors shaping breast cancer patterns in Asian populations.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-culturally-responsive-breast-cancer-screening-treatment-and-care/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth #breastcancer #prevention #cancer #culturallyresponsivecare

Dr. Nichole Nidey joins Lauren to talk about the Empower Project; a collaborative effort that aims to improve research and clinical care related to substance use during pregnancy. It includes researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals with lived experience of drug use during pregnancy. The project has grown from an initial group of 6 mothers in 2019 to over 20 mothers from 8 states.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-changing-stigma-to-support-with-the-empower-project/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

This episode features an interview with Dr. Shadi Saleh, the founding director of the Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut. Dr. Saleh discusses the institute's work to shift the global health paradigm from a North-led, implementer-driven model to one where institutions in the Global South are originators of context-driven solutions. Key highlights include:

• The institute's work to create a cloud-based electronic health record system for refugee populations, allowing them to access their medical histories as they move between countries.

• Initiatives to integrate "conflict medicine" into the training and education of healthcare professionals, preparing them to practice in disrupted and resource-limited settings.

• The institute's role as a regional hub for research and innovation in the use of AI for global health applications, focusing on community health and sexual/reproductive health.

• The institute's commitment to diversifying its funding sources to maintain independence and sustainability.

• Dr. Saleh's optimism about the next generation of global health leaders, who are driven to be equal partners in finding solutions rather than merely implementers of ideas from the Global North.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-changing-the-global-health-paradigm/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth #global health

This week, Lauren welcomes UI College of Public Health alumnus and recipient of the college's 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award, Dr. Vijay Golla. They discuss his journey into public health that began with his medical training in India, where he became interested in preventive medicine and social medicine. This led him to pursue a Ph.D. in industrial hygiene at the University of Iowa, where he focused his dissertation on assessing pesticide levels and related doses among farm families in Iowa.

After graduating, Dr. Golla returned to Western Kentucky University, where he obtained a training grant to support undergraduate and graduate students in environmental health sciences. In his current role as Vice Provost for Research and Health Sciences at Texas A&M, Dr. Golla has been able to significantly increase research funding and expand the university's health science initiatives, which he sees as a critical part of public health's future focus on disease prevention.

Dr. Golla emphasizes the importance of field experience, networking, and staying research-active for current public health students and young professionals. He is excited about public health's growing influence and its potential to play a pivotal role in providing personalized preventive healthcare recommendations, much like a vehicle's diagnostic system.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-a-conversation-with-dr-vijay-golla/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth

Lauren welcomes Mary Charlton to the podcast to discuss the Iowa Cancer Registry's "99 Counties" project.

The "Cancer in Iowa 99 Counties" project aims to educate Iowans about the high cancer rates in the state, the types of cancer driving these rates, and risk factors that can be addressed through policy and community action

Iowa has the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the U.S., with the most common cancers being breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and melanoma

The project involves creating detailed reports on cancer trends and risk factors for each of Iowa's 99 counties, which are presented to local public health officials and community members to spur action

Key findings include geographic patterns in different cancer types (e.g. higher lung cancer in southern Iowa, higher melanoma in northern Iowa), highlighting the complex, multifactorial nature of cancer

The goal is to empower Iowans to advocate for evidence-based policies (e.g. tobacco tax increases) and community initiatives to reduce the cancer burden in the state.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-the-iowa-cancer-registry-and-the-99-counties-project/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth #cancer #canceriniowa

This is part 2 with guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office. They provide practical tips on building authentic connections, asking the right questions, and mapping your next steps, even if you're not sure where you want to end up. They emphasize that networking is more than just formal events - it's about telling the people in your life what you're looking for and letting them help make connections. They also recommend preparing thoroughly for informational interviews, going beyond traditional job boards to find public health-specific opportunities, and being open to exploring different career paths through internships and job shadowing. The conversation covers a range of resources available to both undergraduate and graduate students, including the College of Public Health's career services website and professional associations' job boards.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-career-readiness-and-life-after-college-part-2/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

This two-part podcast episode discusses career readiness and preparation for a career in public health. The guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office, provide practical advice on getting started with the job search, including tips for crafting resumes and cover letters, avoiding common mistakes, and highlighting relevant experience even from classroom projects. They emphasize the importance of seeking help early and often, as the job search process takes more time than many students realize. The guests also address common misconceptions and concerns from students at different stages of their academic journeys, and provide guidance on how to stand out as an applicant, network, and discover the right career path in public health.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-career-readiness-and-life-after-college-part-1/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

This episode features an interview with Dr. Anjali Deshpande, a clinical associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the current president of the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA). Dr. Deshpande discusses her journey into public health, the role of IPHA in advocating for and strengthening public health practice in Iowa, and the challenges facing the public health field, particularly around funding. She provides advice for students looking to build careers in public health, emphasizing the importance of getting involved in organizations like IPHA to develop advocacy skills and make connections. Dr. Deshpande expresses hope for the future of public health in Iowa, highlighting the need to build bridges with policymakers and the public to make the work of public health more visible and impactful.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-advocating-for-public-health-with-anjali-deshpande/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth

This week, Lauren introduces some of our newest student podcasters, Raj, Caroline, and Max. They discuss their backgrounds, what excites them about public health, and their experiences so far in graduate school.

Key takeaways:

The podcasters come from diverse backgrounds, including epidemiology, agricultural safety and health, and public health more broadly.

They are passionate about topics like infectious diseases, chronic disease prevention, and environmental/occupational health literacy.

They share advice for other graduate students, such as making connections with faculty, balancing work and personal life, and taking advantage of opportunities.

The podcasters are excited to bring fresh perspectives to the podcast and explore issues in public health that don't receive enough attention, like qualitative research and the connections between chronic diseases and future conditions like dementia.

A transcript of this podcast is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-get-to-know-our-newest-student-podcasters/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth

In this episode, Dr. Denise Jamieson, the Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa, shares her vision and priorities for improving healthcare in Iowa. She focuses on serving the state’s 3.2 million residents through clinical care, education, and research at UI Health Care. Dr. Jamieson discusses her goal of building an integrated, efficient health system that ensures the right care is delivered at the right time and place, while also tackling challenges related to access and workforce shortages.

A key topic is her emphasis on the importance of clear communication, particularly during public health crises, and the need to rebuild trust in science and public health efforts. Drawing from her unique experience at the intersection of clinical medicine and public health, Dr. Jamieson outlines how this perspective informs her leadership approach. She concludes by expressing her enthusiasm for the future of academic medicine and the potential for the next generation to drive impactful change in Iowa and beyond.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-a-conversation-with-denise-jamieson/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth