913 - Uncovering America’s Decades-Long PFAS Contamination
Release Date: 06/30/2025
936 - The New Reality Facing Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA
Public Health On Call
About this episode: The reconciliation bill passed by Congress in July is set to unravel key aspects of the Affordable Care Act that have expanded health coverage to millions of Americans. In this episode: One of the architects of the ACA, Liz Fowler, outlines how work requirements, truncated enrollment periods, and higher premiums will change health care for Americans on Medicaid and Medicare and for those buying coverage through their state’s marketplace. Guest: Elizabeth Fowler, PhD, JD, is a distinguished scholar in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of...
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935 - World Mosquito Day: Harnessing New Tools to Jumpstart the Fight Against Malaria
Public Health On Call
About this episode: Progress in the global mission to eradicate malaria has stalled due to mosquito evolution, drug resistance, and underfunding. In this episode: Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles discusses what it will take to get this mission back on track, promising new tools recommended by WHO, and why a multisector approach to defeating malaria is crucial for achieving healthy outcomes. Guest: , MPH, is the Chief Executive Officer of the which brings together over 500 international partners dedicated to eliminating the disease. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and...
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934 - Sickle Cell Disease: Genetic Therapies and Treatment Hurdles
Public Health On Call
About this episode: Sickle cell disease affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. Recent advancements in gene therapies and medicines like hydroxyurea are diminishing extreme pain, reducing strokes, and extending survival times for those afflicted by the disease. In this episode: leading sickle cell disease expert Dr. Mark Gladwin explains how revolutionary new treatments work and discusses the challenges to accessing life-saving care. Guest: is a physician-scientist and the Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs at...
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933 - Fall Vaccine Confusion with Your Local Epidemiologist
Public Health On Call
About this episode: Fall vaccines for flu, RSV, and—more recently—COVID have long followed a uniform rollout schedule allowing clinics and pharmacies ample time to order and administer shots. But that process looks different this year, raising concerns about access. In this episode: Katelyn Jetelina, publisher of Your Local Epidemiologist, explains how changes to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the FDA are pushing back the timeline and changing recommendations for routine vaccinations. Guest: , PhD, MPH, is an epidemiologist and scientific communicator....
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932 - Cuts to mRNA Vaccine Development
Public Health On Call
About this episode: The Department of Health and Human Services has cancelled nearly $500 million in funding for the development of mRNA vaccines, including for vaccines against potential new pandemic threats. In this episode: Professor Bill Moss delves into the misinformation surrounding mRNA vaccines, explains their potential to treat diseases like cancer and HIV, and warns of the national security threats posed by cuts to development. Guest: , MPH, is an infectious disease specialist and the executive director of the at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: Stephanie...
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931 - A Big Setback for Nutrition Education
Public Health On Call
About this episode: Since 2010, the nonprofit ChopChop Family has published magazines, cookbooks, and other tools to help pediatricians and nutrition educators inform families about the positive health outcomes of cooking nutritious foods. But deep cuts to SNAP-Ed, the federally-funded nutrition education program, are placing programs like ChopChop Family in limbo. In this episode: ChopChop Family founder and president Sally Sampson explains how the rapid rollback of SNAP-Ed is crippling nutrition education. Guest: Sally Sampson is a cookbook author and the founder and president of , a...
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930 - Peace Building in a Polarized Public Health Landscape
Public Health On Call
About this episode: As the United States grows more polarized along regional, political, and ideological lines, it is critical to resolve conflict civilly—particularly when it comes to pressing public health concerns that implicate all of us. In this episode: Peace building experts David Addiss and John Paul Lederach draw on their careers in conflict resolution and public health to share strategies for building relationships, restoring trustworthiness, and fostering solutions-oriented conversations to bridge ideological gaps. Guest: , MPH, is a public health doctor whose career has involved...
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929 - How To Spot Unregulated Pharmacies and Falsified Medications
Public Health On Call
About this episode: Trying to save money on antibiotics, GLP-1 antagonists, or other medications using online pharmacies can pose serious health risks. These sites are flush with substandard and falsified drugs, which can cause adverse side effects, leave serious conditions untreated, and, in some instances, lead to death. In this episode: Dr. Henry Michtalik shares how providers and patients can spot unregulated suppliers and report counterfeit drugs. Guest: , MHS, MPH, is a hospitalist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and an assistant professor at both the School of...
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928 - When Pharmacists Prescribe Medication for Abortion
Public Health On Call
About this episode: Following the rise of restrictive abortion laws around the country, a pilot program in Washington state is training pharmacists to screen for and prescribe medication abortion. In this episode: Dr. Beth Rivin talks about the Pharmacist Abortion Access Project and how it’s creating more options for safe, convenient, and effective care for women—especially those living in rural and low-income communities. Guest: , MPH, is the President and CEO of , an organization focused on improving health and human rights with a particular emphasis on family planning and reproductive...
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927 - World Breastfeeding Week: Creating Sustainable Support Systems
Public Health On Call
About this episode: Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in babies’ development and new research is even suggesting that breast milk can provide benefits to the microbiomes and immune systems of adults. In this episode: Meghan Azad, a breastfeeding researcher from the University of Manitoba, explains the chemical compounds that make human breast milk unique from other mammals, the opportunities to build more community support for breastfeeding, and the benefits of lactation for mothers. Guest: , PhD, is a professor of pediatrics and child health at the University of Manitoba, where she leads a...
info_outlineAbout this episode:
Since the 1950s, companies have been using PFAS—or “forever chemicals”—to manufacture everyday household items from waterproof mascara to shaving cream to Bandaids. Research and advocacy have not only linked these chemicals to certain cancers, liver disease, and fertility issues, but they have also posited that 97% of Americans have traces of PFAS in their blood. In this episode: guest host Tom Burke talks with writer Rachel Frazin about her new book outlining the dark history of PFAS in American manufacturing, the communities across the country demanding accountability and regulation, and the near future of regulation of drinking water.
Guest:
Rachel Frazin covers energy and environmental policy for The Hill and is the co-author of the book Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America.
Host:
Dr. Tom Burke is an emeritus professor at Johns Hopkins and a former top official with the Environmental Protection Agency in the Obama administration.
Show links and related content:
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Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America (book)—Island Press
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Exposure to “forever chemicals” before birth may raise blood pressure during teen years–American Heart Association
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Trump Administration to Uphold Some PFAS Limits but Eliminate Others—The New York Times
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What You Need to Know About PFAS, Or “Forever Chemicals”—Public Health On Call (April 2024)
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