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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989 - A Sharp Rise in Pickleball Injuries
12/18/2025
989 - A Sharp Rise in Pickleball Injuries
About this episode: The only thing increasing faster than the number of new pickleball players is the number of pickleball injuries. Between 2017 and 2022, sports medicine experts saw a seven-fold increase in injuries. In this episode: orthopedic surgeon Eric Bowman tells Stephanie Desmon—Public Health On Call’s resident pickleball devotee—what’s driving these injuries, who’s most at risk, and how players can stay healthy. Guests: Dr. Eric Bowman, MPH, is an orthopaedic surgeon in the practice of sports medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —JAMA —Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine —JAMA Ophthalmology —NBC 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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988 - An End to Animal Testing?
12/17/2025
988 - An End to Animal Testing?
About this episode: For decades, cosmetics and medicine developers have relied on animal testing to assure product safety for humans. Today, more ethical and accurate alternatives to animal testing are poised to improve this process. In this episode: scientist and lawyer Paul Locke on the new technologies replacing lab animals and how regulators can lead the gradual and necessary transition to these innovative models. Guests: , DrPH, MPH, JD, is a lawyer and scientist who serves as the principal investigator for the and an advisory board member 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: —JHU Toxicology Program —CBS News —Harvard Medical School 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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987 - The Disturbing War Strategy of Attacking Health Care
12/15/2025
987 - The Disturbing War Strategy of Attacking Health Care
About this episode: Attacking health care facilities and providers is becoming a standard strategy of war in places like Colombia, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Gaza, and it is increasingly being perpetrated by state actors. In this episode: Health and human rights lawyer Leonard Rubenstein discusses these disturbing trends, why there’s so little accountability for attacks on health care, and what it would take to see meaningful progress. Guests: , JD, LLM, is a lawyer who has spent his career in health and human rights in armed conflict. He is core faculty of 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: —British Medical Journal —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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986 - "Information Sick"
12/11/2025
986 - "Information Sick"
About this episode: The decline in journalism and the explosion of social media have converged to form an information crisis, with millions exposed to misleading and false information relevant to their health. In this episode: Joanne Kenen, Lymari Morales, and Josh Sharfstein—authors of a new book exploring this issue—talk about the diagnosis of "information sick," as well as its causes, symptoms, and solutions. Guests: is an experienced public health and health care journalist who has been the journalist in residence at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health since 2021. , MPP, is the Associate Dean of Communications and Marketing at the School of Public Health. She previously worked in communications leadership roles at The Atlantic and Gallup, and in national newsrooms. is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. 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 University Press —Johns Hopkins University —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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985 - How to Investigate a Cancer Cluster
12/10/2025
985 - How to Investigate a Cancer Cluster
About this episode: In 1979, the town of Woburn, MA, raised the alarm as unusual numbers of children fell ill with leukemia. An investigation determined that this cancer cluster was likely caused by contaminated drinking water from two of the town’s wells. In this episode: Suzanne Condon, who served as the associate commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Health at the time, and Megan Latshaw, an expert in disease clusters, explain what the Woburn investigation highlights about unusual patterns of cancer and how they are studied. Guests: Suzanne Condon, MSM, is an environmental health expert who served as the associate commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Health from 1980 to 2015. , PhD, MHS, is a professor in Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is also the co-instructor of an . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Washington Post —Coursera —New York Times —Public Health Reports 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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984 - Sneak Attacks: How Viruses Can Hide In Our Bodies and Cause Problems Years Later
12/08/2025
984 - Sneak Attacks: How Viruses Can Hide In Our Bodies and Cause Problems Years Later
About this episode: After recovering from an illness like the flu or mononucleosis, most of us will return to our normal lives without complications. But for some, viruses can linger in the body—sometimes for years—and reemerge, wreaking new havoc on the immune system and even triggering chronic diseases. In this episode: Virologist Maggie Bartlett explains how viruses—many of which are vaccine-preventable—can cause post-acute infection syndrome and what’s needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. . Guests: , PhD, is an assistant research professor in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the co-host of . 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 —Dr. Maggie’s Substack —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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983 - Why Do We Believe Misinformation?
12/04/2025
983 - Why Do We Believe Misinformation?
About this episode: Whether it’s a social media post claiming that CBD oil can cure cancer or a very convincing AI video of a dog driving a semi-truck, falsehoods abound in our lives. But why do we believe misinformation, even when presented with evidence that debunks it? In this episode: Matthew Facciani, an expert on the topic, details the psychological identities and biases that make us vulnerable to false information and explains how good information can break through. Guests: , PhD, is an interdisciplinary social scientist and the author of . 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: —C-SPAN —Columbia University Press —Substack 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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982 - An Uncertain Outlook for Injury Prevention in the U.S.
12/03/2025
982 - An Uncertain Outlook for Injury Prevention in the U.S.
About this episode: Injury prevention—a field focused on preventing injuries from falls, choking, homicides, car crashes, and other incidents—saves lives and money. Now, the United States’ leading injury prevention unit, the CDC Injury Center, is grappling with cuts to funding and personnel that debilitate critical work. In this episode: Natalie Draisin, an injury prevention expert, details the lifesaving work at risk in extended funding battles. Guests: Natalie Draisin, MPH, MBA, is the director of the North America Office and United Nations representative for the , an organization promoting road safety. She also serves as an advisor on road safety to WHO and the International Transport Forum. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Baltimore Sun —NPR —Public Health On Call (September 2025) —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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981 - Maine’s Largest Ever HIV Outbreak
12/01/2025
981 - Maine’s Largest Ever HIV Outbreak
About this episode: For over two years, the city of Bangor, ME, has been in the throes of a serious HIV outbreak, exacerbated by a combination of local political battles and negative perceptions of drug users and unhoused people. In this episode: Aneri Pattani, who has been reporting on this outbreak, discusses the challenges of tracking transmission and treating those infected, and how harm reduction measures might finally turn the tide. Guests: , MPH, is a senior correspondent at KFF Health News, where she focuses on mental health and substance use disorders. 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 —Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention —AIDS and Behavior 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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980 - Why Early Introduction Helps Reduce Children’s Peanut Allergies
11/24/2025
980 - Why Early Introduction Helps Reduce Children’s Peanut Allergies
About this episode: Since 2015, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents and caregivers introduce peanuts to children’s diets at around four to six months old to avoid the onset of a peanut allergy. In this episode: Pediatric allergist David Hill explains why early allergen introduction is safe and effective and how these recommendations have led to a significant reduction in peanut allergies in children. Guests: , PhD, is an allergist, immunologist, and an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is also an assistant professor of pediatrics at the at the University of Pennsylvania. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Pediatrics —New York Times —New England Journal of Medicine 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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979 - Why Are More People Choosing Not to Vaccinate Their Pets?
11/20/2025
979 - Why Are More People Choosing Not to Vaccinate Their Pets?
About this episode: As hesitancy about human vaccines rises, so too does skepticism of routine pet immunizations. In this episode: Veterinarians Meghan Davis and Kaitlin Waite explain what’s behind growing anti-vaccine sentiment among pet owners, how veterinarians are navigating this divide, and why an understanding of the human-animal bond can yield better public health outcomes for all. Guests: , PhD, MPH, DVM, is a veterinarian and public health researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a joint appointment at the . Kaitlin Waite, MPH, DVM, is a veterinarian and a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she also serves as the Deputy Director of Outreach Core at 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: —TIME —New York Times —Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine —Public Health On Call (September 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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978 - Advancing Robotic Telesurgery
11/19/2025
978 - Advancing Robotic Telesurgery
About this episode: Robotic telesurgery allows providers to conduct minimally invasive surgeries across long distances, reaching remote communities. In this episode: Binita Ashar, a surgeon with a background in policy, discusses the revolutionary role this technology can play in medicine and what issues need to be addressed—from cost to cybersecurity—in order to greenlight more procedures in the United States. Guests: Binita Ashar, MD, MBA, is a general surgeon who previously served as the Director of the FDA’s Office of Surgical and Infection Control Devices. She also serves on the board 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: —ABC News —WHO 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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977 - The Health Risks of Alcohol
11/17/2025
977 - The Health Risks of Alcohol
About this episode: Long-cited research has promoted potential health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. But updated information disproves these claims and links drinking at any amount with increased cancer risk. In this episode: Professor Johannes Thrul, whose research covers substance use and addiction, details recent research on this topic and shares how to communicate these findings to help people make their own decisions around drinking. Guests: , PhD, MS, is an Associate Professor of Mental Health 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: —Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine —MedPage Today —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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976 - Championing the Just Treatment of People Who Use Substances
11/13/2025
976 - Championing the Just Treatment of People Who Use Substances
About this episode: A single court case in North Carolina is holding skilled nursing facilities accountable to adopt anti-discrimination policies for those with a history of substance use. In this episode: Sally Friedman, part of the team behind this lawsuit, explains the case and why it could set a national precedent for the just treatment of people who use substances in health care. Guests: , JD, is the Senior Vice President of Legal Advocacy at the , where she leads a team of attorneys and paralegals that help over 1,500 clients annually to access jobs, housing, health care, and other basic rights. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —STAT —Legal Action Center — —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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975 - A Tumultuous Year for NIH Funding
11/12/2025
975 - A Tumultuous Year for NIH Funding
About this episode: Between lawsuits, layoffs, and lags in funding, NIH has undergone significant changes in how it reviews and approves grant proposals for critical research. In this episode: Jeremy Berg, a former NIH leader, talks about what’s changed and what’s to come for indirect cost reimbursements, funding approvals, and the scientific research ecosystem as a whole. Guests: , PhD, is a professor of computational and systems biology at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is also the Associate Senior Vice Chancellor of Science Strategy and Planning. He previously served as the Director of the National Institute for General Medical Sciences at NIH. 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: —STAT —Nature —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 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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974 - Caring for Children in War-Torn Ukraine
11/10/2025
974 - Caring for Children in War-Torn Ukraine
About this episode: As the conflict in Ukraine nears its fourth year, what help is available for vulnerable children caught in the crossfire? In this episode: Irwin Redlener, co-founder of the Ukraine Children’s Action Project, discusses how he’s operationalizing care for children’s medical, psychological, and educational needs, and urges for an end to the conflict. Guests: is a pediatrician and the co-founder of the . A longtime humanitarian activist, he is also the co-founder of the and the founder of the at Columbia University. 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: —Ukraine Children’s Action Project —MSNBC —Joan Baez Art —Public Health On Call (March 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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973 - Baltimore's Record Low in Homicides
11/06/2025
973 - Baltimore's Record Low in Homicides
About this episode: Since taking office in 2020, Mayor Brandon Scott and his administration have embraced a public health approach to reducing gun violence. The results include an unprecedented reduction in the number of homicides and other violent crimes. Baltimore's homicide rate is now the lowest that it has been in decades. In this episode: Mayor Scott shares what is behind the city's progress and what comes next. Guests: is the 52nd mayor of Baltimore, serving his second term. A lifelong Baltimorean, he previously served as President of the Baltimore City Council. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Baltimore Sun —The Guardian —City of Baltimore —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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972 - Inside Rising Health Insurance Costs
11/04/2025
972 - Inside Rising Health Insurance Costs
About this episode: Cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies are setting higher premiums and pushing coverage out of reach for many Americans. In this episode: the yearslong political battle behind elevating insurance costs, ripple effects across health care providers, and what it will take to build a healthy insurance system. Guests: , PhD, is an expert in health policy and a professor in and 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: —BBC —ABC News —Public Health On Call (August 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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971 - An Update on Syphilis in the Great Plains Region
11/03/2025
971 - An Update on Syphilis in the Great Plains Region
About this episode: Last spring, Dr. Meghan Curry O’Connell joined Public Health On Call from ground zero of a syphilis outbreak among American Indian and Alaskan Native people in the Great Plains Region. In this episode: She provides an update on the situation, explaining how a collaborative team has been able to overcome obstacles and make progress. Guests: Dr. Meghan Curry O’Connell, MPH, is the chief public health officer at the and a member of the Cherokee Nation. 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: —South Dakota Searchlight —Vox —Public Health On Call (May 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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970 - What We Know—and Still Don’t Know—About Long COVID
10/30/2025
970 - What We Know—and Still Don’t Know—About Long COVID
About this episode: Millions of people across the globe continue to grapple with debilitating long COVID symptoms, as researchers untangle the unknowns of the condition. In this episode: Alba Azola, who leads long COVID research and treatment at Johns Hopkins, lays out the data on who’s being diagnosed with long COVID, available treatment options, and the future of post-infectious chronic disease research. Guests: is a rehabilitation physician and the co-director of the Long COVID/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Clinic at Johns Hopkins 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: —RECOVER —ABC News —Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine —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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969 - Access to In Vitro Fertilization, 2025
10/29/2025
969 - Access to In Vitro Fertilization, 2025
About this episode: In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a game changing reproductive technology that leads to more than 2% of births in the U.S. But high costs and a lack of coverage options put it out of reach for many would-be parents. In this episode: Sean Tipton of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses how new federal policies are moving the dial on IVF access and where more work needs to be done. Guests: , MA, is the Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer at the , a non-profit representing over 7,000 members focused on advancing the science and practice of reproductive medicine. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —The White House —American Society for Reproductive Medicine —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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968 - An End to the Household Food Security Report
10/27/2025
968 - An End to the Household Food Security Report
About this episode: As several states weigh suspending SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, the USDA is releasing the final edition of the Household Food Security Report—a national report card on the state of food insecurity in the U.S. In this episode: Maureen Black, whose career in nutrition spans decades, explains why losing the annual report could set back nutrition efforts as millions of Americans struggle to access healthy food. Guests: , PhD, is a pediatric psychologist who has made significant contributions to the intersection of child development and nutrition. She previously chaired the at the University of Maryland 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: —ABC News —NPR —Bloomberg American Health Initiative 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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967 - An Update on Baltimore’s Swimmable Harbor and the Pistachio Tide
10/23/2025
967 - An Update on Baltimore’s Swimmable Harbor and the Pistachio Tide
About this episode: Last year, Public Health On Call released a special episode on the decades-long fight to make Baltimore’s harbor safe for swimming. While the future looked bright in 2024, new challenges have emerged. In this episode: Baltimore Banner reporter Adam Willis offers an update on the health of the harbor and the city’s recent—and smelly—“pistachio tide” event. Guests: reports on climate and the environment across Maryland for The Baltimore Banner. He previously covered Baltimore City Hall for The Banner. 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: —The Baltimore Banner —Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore —Public Health On Call (November 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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966 - “CDC is a horrible place to be at this time”
10/22/2025
966 - “CDC is a horrible place to be at this time”
About this episode: Following months of personnel cuts, funding terminations, and escalating violence, CDC employees face a new hurdle with the government shutdown. In this episode: Yolanda Jacobs, president of the union chapter that represents more than 1,000 CDC employees, offers an inside look at how employees are grappling with these challenges and shares how those of us outside the CDC can offer support. Guests: Yolanda Jacobs is a health communications specialist at the CDC and the president of the Local 2883. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —NPR —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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965 - Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Medication Use During Pregnancy
10/20/2025
965 - Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Medication Use During Pregnancy
About this episode: Prescribing medicine to address fever or pain in pregnancy is a delicate task with a need to consider both potential benefits and risks. In this episode: Obstetrician Dr. Angie Jelin shares how she discusses Tylenol use with expectant parents in the context of emerging evidence and recent news from the federal government. Guests: is the assistant director of prenatal genetics at the Prenatal Diagnostic Center in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —Columbia Mailman School of Public Health —Public Health On Call (September 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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964 - Supporting the Public Health Workforce in Challenging Times
10/16/2025
964 - Supporting the Public Health Workforce in Challenging Times
About this episode: Pressure on and antagonism towards public health practitioners, researchers, and communicators has been mounting, reaching a frightening inflection point in August when a gunman opened fire on CDC’s campus in Atlanta. In this episode: Tara Kirk Sell and Beth Resnick share methods for supporting the public health workforce and specific steps the Bloomberg School of Public Health is taking to protect community members. Guests: , PhD, MA, is an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering and a senior scholar at the . , DrPH, MPH, is the Assistant Dean for Practice and Training at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a practice professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management. 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 —New York Times —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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963 - Separating the MMR Vaccine?
10/15/2025
963 - Separating the MMR Vaccine?
About this episode: Since 1971, combination mumps, measles, and rubella vaccines have protected American children against life-threatening infection. Recent calls to split the MMR vaccines into three separate injections could unravel decades of progress. In this episode: William Moss details the history of MMR vaccines and the public health dangers posed by changing immunization recommendations without scientific justification to do so. Guests: , 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: —STAT —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —@johnshopkinssph via Instagram —Public Health On Call (March 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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962 - Buprenorphine Can Save Lives—If You Can Get It
10/13/2025
962 - Buprenorphine Can Save Lives—If You Can Get It
About this episode: Buprenorphine is a highly effective medication used for treating opioid use disorder. But accessing this lifesaving prescription can be challenging. In this episode: Jeff Hom and Marlene Lira talk about the critical role of buprenorphine in reducing overdose deaths and the role pharmacies can play in improving access. Guests: , MD, MPH, is the Medical Officer for Science and Policy in the Substance Use Services section of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. He is also a DrPH student in Health Policy and Bloomberg Fellow at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Marlene C. Lira, MPH, is the Senior Director of Research at Workit Health, a multi-state telemedicine treatment provider for evidence-based addiction care, and a doctoral candidate in Health Policy & Management 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: —JAMA Network Open —Health Affairs —Public Health On Call (April 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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961 - The Science Behind Home Remedies with The People’s Pharmacy
10/09/2025
961 - The Science Behind Home Remedies with The People’s Pharmacy
About this episode: Can a spoonful of sugar really cure your hiccups? Can a dab of soy sauce soothe a burn? Is there any science behind home remedies? In this episode: Joe and Terry Graedon of The People’s Pharmacy discuss some of their favorite, evidence-backed home remedies and how they balance alternative medicine with scientific data to promote wellbeing. Guests: , MS, and , PhD, are the award-winning authors, newspaper columnists, and podcast hosts behind , an enterprise focused on sharing information on both medical and alternative health treatments. 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: —http://peoplespharmacy.com —The People’s Pharmacy —The People’s Pharmacy 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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960 - How Pharmacists Improve Community Health
10/08/2025
960 - How Pharmacists Improve Community Health
About this episode: Pharmacies do a lot more than dispense medications. In this episode: Christina Madison, known online as the Public Health Pharmacist, explains how pharmacists and pharmacies are able to support critical health needs in communities across the country. Guest: , PharmD, FCCP, is a clinical pharmacist and the founder and CEO of . Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: — —Instagram 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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