Public Health On Call
Evidence and experts to help you understand today’s public health news—and what it means for tomorrow.
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What We Must Learn From Ebola—A “Disease of Compassion”
06/08/2026
What We Must Learn From Ebola—A “Disease of Compassion”
About this episode: Dr. Craig Spencer became sick with Ebola while treating patients in West Africa in 2014. He ultimately recovered at a treatment center back in the United States before returning to Guinea to continue his work. In this episode: he talks about what scares him about the current Ebola outbreak, what it’s like to treat the disease on the ground, and what lessons he fears we still haven’t learned about this “disease of compassion.” Guest: , MPH, is an emergency medicine physician, public health researcher, and associate professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at . Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —The New York Times —KFF —STAT —Washington Post —Associated Press —ABC News —Public Health On Call (May 2026) —Public Health On Call (May 2020) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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How College Campuses Can Support Students in Recovery
06/04/2026
How College Campuses Can Support Students in Recovery
About this episode: Recovering from a substance use disorder while in college is a unique challenge mired by stigma and social pressures to drink or use drugs. But collegiate interventions for young adults can change the trajectory and even save lives. In this episode: Noel Vest, an addiction recovery researcher, explains what makes a good collegiate recovery program and why now is a great time for higher education institutions to expand support for students. Guest: , PhD, is an assistant professor of community health sciences at the . Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the , an editor for , and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: —Times Higher Education —The White House —SAFE Project Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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Violence Against Healthcare in Conflict: 2025 Report
06/03/2026
Violence Against Healthcare in Conflict: 2025 Report
About this episode: An annual report from the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition assesses attacks on healthcare facilities and workers in conflict. In this episode: the implications for international humanitarian law as drone warfare surges, state forces increasingly perpetrate attacks, and cuts to foreign aid exacerbate healthcare gaps. Guest: , PhD, MSPH, is the director of the . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009. Show links and related content: —Safeguarding Health in Conflict —Public Health On Call (May 2026) —Public Health On Call (June 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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The Legal Challenges Facing Mifepristone
06/01/2026
The Legal Challenges Facing Mifepristone
About this episode: In May, the Supreme Court issued an order preserving access to the abortion medication mifepristone by telemedicine—for now. In this episode: a breakdown of Louisiana v. FDA and other cases involving mifepristone as legal and political battles continue after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Guest: , JD, MA, is an expert in public health law and a co-director of the at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009. Show links and related content: —KFF —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —Public Health On Call (February 2026) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1057 - Five Baltimore Health Commissioners Walk into an Auditorium
05/22/2026
1057 - Five Baltimore Health Commissioners Walk into an Auditorium
About this episode: In the city of Baltimore, the health department works to prevent overdose, reduce violence, provide vaccinations, inspect restaurants, and so much more. In this episode: Host Stephanie Desmon leads a panel discussion with five Baltimore City Commissioners of Health who collectively served over three decades. They swap stories and speak candidly about the challenges and opportunities of the role. Guests: , MPH, is a lecturer at the . He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 1992 to 2005. Dr. Letitia Dzirasa is the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services with the City of Baltimore. She served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2019 to 2023. is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009. , DrPH, MPA, is the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health. She also serves in the Tennessee Air National Guard, and she previously led operations at the Shelby County Health Department. , MSc, is a physician and professor of health policy and management at George Washington University. She served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2014 to 2018. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Public Health On Call (May 2026) —Public Health On Call (November 2025) —Public Health On Call (September 2025) —Public Health On Call (May 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1056 - An Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa
05/21/2026
1056 - An Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa
About this episode: A deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has been declared a global public health emergency by WHO. In this episode: infectious disease epidemiologist Emily Gurley explains why this outbreak is particularly concerning for a region managing existing crises and how public health systems are working to contain transmission and treat patients. Guest: , PhD, MPH, is a professor in Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she focuses on infectious disease and outbreak investigation. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Science —Newsweek —The Uptake Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1055 - Rethinking Humanitarian Health
05/19/2026
1055 - Rethinking Humanitarian Health
About this episode: A new report from the CHH-Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement establishes a new blueprint for humanitarian health, including giving more agency to impacted communities. In this episode: Dr. Paul Spiegel, chair of the commission, details the fundamentals of the report and the dire need for a more effective approach to helping people in desperate need at a time of escalating conflict. Guest: is a physician, epidemiologist, and the director of the at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Spiegel has worked in humanitarian emergencies for the last 30 years. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —CHH-Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement —Public Health On Call (June 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1054 - Interview With a Graduate: A Newly Minted DrPH in Louisiana
05/19/2026
1054 - Interview With a Graduate: A Newly Minted DrPH in Louisiana
About this episode: It’s graduation time at the Bloomberg School! In this episode: New graduate Della Wright shares how a passion for community engagement and a drive to sharpen her skills steered her towards public health, and how a DrPH degree is supercharging her work bringing researchers and communities together to protect the environment. Guest: Della Wright, DrPH, MPH, is a and the director of evaluation at the . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Bloomberg American Health Initiative —Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1053 - Health Commissioner Michelle Taylor is Betting on Baltimore
05/18/2026
1053 - Health Commissioner Michelle Taylor is Betting on Baltimore
About this episode: Not even a year into her job as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health, Dr. Michelle Taylor is balancing leading a diverse team with tackling major public health issues. In this episode: She speaks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein, who served as commissioner from 2005 to 2009, about what drew her to Baltimore, her early priority initiatives, and how she applies her public health training to her new role. Guest: , DrPH, MPA, is the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health. She also serves in the Tennessee Air National Guard, and she previously led operations at the Shelby County Health Department. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former Baltimore health commissioner and secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine —Public Health On Call (November 2025) —Public Health On Call (February 2024) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1052 - Should AI Renew Your Prescription?
05/15/2026
1052 - Should AI Renew Your Prescription?
About this episode: In a first-of-its-kind program, the state of Utah is partnering with an AI health platform to offer prescription renewals to nearly 200 medications. In this episode: the director of the state’s office of artificial intelligence explains how the program works, responds to concerns that have been raised, and discusses what's next. Guest: , PhD, is the director of the . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy —Politico —Public Health On Call (October 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1051 - The Fate of Foreign Aid in 2026
05/14/2026
1051 - The Fate of Foreign Aid in 2026
About this episode: A recent study by the Rockefeller Foundation and ISGlobal estimates that cuts made to foreign aid last year could result in 23 million more deaths globally by 2030. In this episode: how researchers calculated this figure, why funding has slowed, and what global development leaders are trying to do about it. Guest: , JD, MPP, is the vice president of international policy at the Rockefeller Foundation. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Rockefeller Foundation —Public Health On Call (September 2025) —Public Health On Call (April 2025) —Public Health On Call (February 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1050 - A Doctor Uses Social Media to Advocate for Children in Immigration Detention
05/13/2026
1050 - A Doctor Uses Social Media to Advocate for Children in Immigration Detention
About this episode: Dr. Anita K. Patel emerged as a prominent online educator during the pandemic. Today, she’s leveraging social media to advocate for the humane treatment of children in ICE detention. In this episode: her work to help detained children obtain much-needed medical attention and her advice for doctors on using social media to make a wider impact. Guest: is an attending physician at Children’s National Medical Center and associate professor of pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the , an editor for , and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: —ProPublica —Texas Public Radio —Public Health On Call (October 2025) —Public Health On Call (March 2026) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1049 - What to Know About Hantavirus
05/11/2026
1049 - What to Know About Hantavirus
About this episode: An outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship has triggered a global public health response to treat those infected and trace those exposed. In this episode: why this type of hantavirus is unique, what the symptoms and severity are, and why experts are assuring the public that the risk of pandemic-level transmission is low. Guest: , PhD, MEd, is a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —New York Times —@johnshopkinssph via Instagram —Johns Hopkins Medicine —Public Health On Call (November 2021) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1048 - Understanding and Ending Violence
05/08/2026
1048 - Understanding and Ending Violence
About this episode: What would change if we thought of violence as an infectious disease? In this episode: a trailblazer in the movement for community-based solutions to violence, Dr. Gary Slutkin, explains how treating violence like an epidemic can point the way to solutions. Guest: is a physician and epidemiologist who founded the organization . He is also the author of the book “.” Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions —Journal of Urban Health —Penguin Random House (book) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1047 - Food Access at Your Neighborhood Y
05/07/2026
1047 - Food Access at Your Neighborhood Y
About this episode: Connecting community members with nutritious foods can also open the door to other resources for improving wellbeing, from nutrition education to legal services to housing support. In this episode: Devonne Franklin and Shikera Shelton of the Y in Central Maryland talk about the organization’s Fresh Mart program and how providing a good meal opens the door to improving community health outcomes. Guests: is the executive director of community and associate wellbeing at the . Shikera Shelton is a member of the community health team at the and manager of the Fresh Mart in Druid Hill. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Y in Central Maryland —Y in Central Maryland —Public Health On Call (April 2026) —Public Health On Call (March 2024) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1046 - “The Service is the Message”: A Conversation with New York’s Commissioner of Health
05/06/2026
1046 - “The Service is the Message”: A Conversation with New York’s Commissioner of Health
About this episode: Appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani earlier this year, Dr. Alister Martin is developing creative ways to make life healthier and more affordable for New Yorkers. In this episode: Dr. Martin shares how his office is meeting problems head on, finding innovative ways to connect with neighbors, and serving through a public health trust deficit. Guest: , is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He is also an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the founder of . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —MSN —Public Health On Call (September 2021) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1045 - What’s Next for a New Lyme Vaccine
05/04/2026
1045 - What’s Next for a New Lyme Vaccine
About this episode: A new vaccine shows 70% efficacy in preventing Lyme disease, but limitations to the clinical trials put the fate of this intervention in limbo. In this episode: Anna Durbin, an expert in experimental vaccines, explains where this vaccine shows promise, where it falls short, and what could happen next for licensing and regulation. Guest: is a professor of International Health and the director of the . Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Pfizer —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —New York Times —Public Health On Call (April 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1044 - A Peek Behind the Curtain: A Conversation with Our Resident in Residence
04/30/2026
1044 - A Peek Behind the Curtain: A Conversation with Our Resident in Residence
About this episode: Amid a major turning point for the field of public health, physicians and public health experts are reckoning with their approach to their work, especially in the context of public outreach. In this episode: a discussion with a preventive medicine resident who is spending a month working with the podcast team. Topics include his experiences, interplay between new media and public health, and the power of telling stories to support changemaking. Guest: Ari Goldstein, MD, is a family medicine physician and a preventive medicine resident at the Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the , an editor for , and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: —American College of Preventive Medicine —Global Health Education and Learning Incubator at Harvard University Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1043 - How Community Health Workers Improve Research
04/29/2026
1043 - How Community Health Workers Improve Research
About this episode: Many people know community health workers for their work supporting clinical care and connecting people to resources. In this episode: the role of community health workers in crafting research questions, recruiting study participants, sharing results, and making a broader impact. Guest: Donald Young Jr. is a community outreach engagement specialist for the D.C., Maryland, Virginia . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity —Baltimore Connect —WMAR 2 News Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1042 - The Red Hill Water Crisis: How Jet Fuel Contaminated the Water Supply of More Than 60,000 People
04/27/2026
1042 - The Red Hill Water Crisis: How Jet Fuel Contaminated the Water Supply of More Than 60,000 People
About this episode: A 2021 leak of jet fuel into the drinking water supply on O‘ahu has caused neurological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory conditions and prompted outrage from community members. In this episode: the story of an in-depth investigation into the disaster, which covered how to measure exposure and support the individuals and families compromised by this crisis. Guest: , PhD, MS, is an assistant professor of at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and an affiliate of the . , PhD, MS, is a professor of civil and construction engineering at Purdue University. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine —United States Environmental Protection Agency —Public Health On Call (December 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1041 - World Malaria Day: Promising Tools for Elimination Amidst Research Cuts
04/23/2026
1041 - World Malaria Day: Promising Tools for Elimination Amidst Research Cuts
About this episode: Exacerbated by cuts to research funding and on-the-ground interventions, malaria remains one of the deadliest and most burdensome health crises across the globe. In this episode: Jane Carlton of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute details the state of the disease in 2026 and how tools like improved vaccines and genetically modified mosquitoes can bring us closer to elimination. Guest: , PhD, is a Bloomberg distinguished professor and the director of the . Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute —Public Health On Call (April 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1040 - Growing Demand for Menopausal Hormone Therapies Brings Excitement—and New Concerns
04/22/2026
1040 - Growing Demand for Menopausal Hormone Therapies Brings Excitement—and New Concerns
About this episode: Following the FDA’s removal of black box warnings for hormone therapy drugs, demand has skyrocketed for menopause treatments. In this episode: why this explosion in popularity marks a trend in the right direction for quality reproductive care while also raising concerns about “menowashed” products and blanket prescribing of hormonal interventions. Guests: , MPH, is a primary care doctor and associate professor with appointments at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine. is a primary care doctor and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —NPR —U.S. Department of Health and Human Services —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —Public Health On Call (March 2024) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1039 - Spending Down Billions in Opioid Settlement Money: The Debatable, The Inventive, and The Innovative
04/21/2026
1039 - Spending Down Billions in Opioid Settlement Money: The Debatable, The Inventive, and The Innovative
About this episode: A collaboration between the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, KFF Health News, and Shatterproof is tracking how communities across the country are spending opioid settlement funds. In this episode: Abigail Winiker of the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative details the good, bad, and the ugly of the expenditures the team has tracked, from EMS-delivered harm reduction methods to punitive law enforcement investments to... D.A.R.E magicians? Guest: , PhD, MSPH, is an assistant scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the program director of the . Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the , an editor for , and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —Health Policy and Management – BSPH via YouTube —KFF Health News —Rocky Mount Telegram Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1038 - Cannabis Use Disorder in Adolescents Linked to Other Psychiatric Conditions
04/20/2026
1038 - Cannabis Use Disorder in Adolescents Linked to Other Psychiatric Conditions
About this episode: New findings suggest that, compared to adults with similar habits, teens with patterns of problematic cannabis use are at an elevated risk for developing other mental disorders like schizophrenia and depression. In this episode: Johannes Thrul breaks down a study on this potential link and outlines what it may mean for the growing field of cannabis research. Guest: , PhD, MS, is an associate professor of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the , an editor for , and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: —American Journal of Psychiatry —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —Men’s Journal via Yahoo —Public Health On Call (January 2024) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1037 - Chatbots, Mental Health, and Suicide
04/16/2026
1037 - Chatbots, Mental Health, and Suicide
About this episode: People are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for therapeutic purposes—but these platforms are built for engagement, not mental health care. In this episode: Laura Reiley, whose daughter took her own life after confiding in a chatbot, explains why this technology is ill-equipped to treat those struggling with their mental health and how a transparent regulatory system could establish responsible practices for AI companies. Note: This episode includes discussions of suicidality and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is 24-hour assistance in the United States available by dialing 988. Guest: Laura Reiley is a journalist whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Baltimore Sun. She is currently a writer for the Cornell Chronicle. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —New York Times —NBC News —National Conference of State Legislatures —Centre for Suicide Research —Public Health On Call (July 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1036 - Geopolitics and Humanitarian Health in Iran, Cuba, and Ukraine
04/15/2026
1036 - Geopolitics and Humanitarian Health in Iran, Cuba, and Ukraine
About this episode: Humanitarian crises don’t exist in a vacuum—they are shaped by geopolitical actions like blockades, sanctions, and armed conflicts between countries. In this episode: Stanford University scholar Ruth Gibson details how geopolitical decisions impact civilians on the ground and how this framing applies to current situations in Iran, Cuba, and Ukraine. Guest: , PhD, is a scholar at Stanford University where she holds appointments in at the and the . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —U.S. Central Command —Geopolitics and Humanity Dispatch —Reuters —Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab —Public Health On Call (November 2025) —Public Health On Call (July 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1035 - The Epic Struggle for Public Health
04/13/2026
1035 - The Epic Struggle for Public Health
About this episode: Public health efforts have led to tremendous gains throughout history—and sparked backlash. That’s the argument made by Michelle A. Williams in her new book “The Cure for Everything The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving.” In this episode: why community interventions often go underappreciated, the economic benefits of a healthy society, and the tension between medicine and public health. Guest: , ScD, is a professor of epidemiology and population health at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also the co-author of “.” Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Penguin Random House —Public Health On Call (May 2025) —Public Health On Call (February 2022) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1034 - An Update on Measles and the U.S.’s Elimination Status
04/09/2026
1034 - An Update on Measles and the U.S.’s Elimination Status
About this episode: The U.S. is on track to surpass 2025’s alarming number of measles cases in 2026. At the same time, the nation’s measles elimination status remains under review as health entities use genome sequencing to better understand the state of transmission. In this episode: Infectious disease specialist William Moss explains what’s at stake with the verification of the U.S.’s elimination status and why this resurgence of measles is so concerning for immunization writ large. Guest: , MPH, is an infectious disease specialist and the executive director of the at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —KFF Health News —NPR —Reuters —International Vaccine Access Center —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1033 - Chemical Contaminants and Fungal Fixes in Wastewater and Agriculture
04/08/2026
1033 - Chemical Contaminants and Fungal Fixes in Wastewater and Agriculture
About this episode: Biosolids created by the wastewater treatment process are useful fertilizers in agriculture, but they often contain chemical compounds from the pharmaceutical and personal care products we send down our drains. In this episode: Researcher Carsten Prasse details new findings that suggest that fungi could reduce our risk of exposure to these compounds in our drinking water and food. Guest: , PhD, MSc, is an associate professor of at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he studies organic contaminants in the urban water cycle and their impact on environmental and human health. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —ACS Environmental Au Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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1032 - A Judge Rules on Vaccines
04/06/2026
1032 - A Judge Rules on Vaccines
About this episode: A federal judge has halted changes from the Department of Health and Human Services to the childhood immunization schedule and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice. In this episode: the impact of this decision and what comes next. Guest: , JD, is a lawyer with over 25 years of experience in public health policy and advocacy and is an expert on immunization policy. She served as counselor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021-2025. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the , an editor for , and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: —Associated Press —CIDRAP —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —Public Health On Call (June 2025) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us or . Follow us: Here's our Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
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