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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1029 - What We Know About CTE
03/30/2026
1029 - What We Know About CTE
About this episode: A neurodegenerative disease that can only be diagnosed after death, CTE has made headlines for its prevalence in professional football players. But where does it stand as a public health issue? In this episode: Jesse Mez of the Boston University CTE Center gives an overview of what we know and don’t yet know about CTE, as well as tips for parents of children who play contact sports. Guest: , MD, MS, is the co-director of clinical research at the and associate professor of neurology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian 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: —JAMA —The Brink —The Hub 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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1028 - Vaccine Policy in the States
03/26/2026
1028 - Vaccine Policy in the States
About this episode: As policy has shifted at the federal level, state legislatures are considering a broad range of vaccine-related bills. In this episode: Jennifer Herricks and Northe Saunders of American Families for Vaccines talk about the landscape of vaccine policy, from "medical freedom" bills to those seeking shore up vaccine access. Guests: , PhD, is the founder of and the advocacy director of . is a grassroots organizer and the president 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: —American Families for Vaccines —International Vaccine Access Center —National Conference of State Legislatures 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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1027 - The EPA’s Approval of Two New Pesticides
03/25/2026
1027 - The EPA’s Approval of Two New Pesticides
About this episode: In late 2025, the EPA approved two pesticides for agricultural use that opponents argue contain PFAS—“forever chemicals” that pose hazards to human health. In this episode: the debate around what constitutes PFAS and the EPA’s role in regulating these harmful chemicals. Guest: covers energy and environmental policy for The Hill and is the co-author of the book “. 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: —New York Times —Washington Post —The Hill —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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1026 - A Mental Health Crisis for Adults with IDDs
03/23/2026
1026 - A Mental Health Crisis for Adults with IDDs
About this episode: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than those without IDDs. Barriers like cost, a lack of trained providers, and societal biases keep many from accessing the care they need. In this episode: what’s fueling this crisis hidden in plain sight and what needs to change in order to fix it. Guests: is a former Special Olympics Minnesota athlete, a founding member of the Athlete Leadership Program, and an Athlete Advisory Board member. , MPH, is the Chief Health Director for the Special Olympics and the George Adkins Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. 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 Network Open —Special Olympics —Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology —National Council on Disability 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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1025 - Advancing the Elimination of Schistosomiasis
03/19/2026
1025 - Advancing the Elimination of Schistosomiasis
About this episode: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmitted to human hosts via freshwater snails. It can cause serious and debilitating chronic conditions, but the Pan American Health Organization is leading a charge to end transmission in the Americas. In this episode: PAHO Parasitologist Ronaldo Scholte details how locations like Puerto Rico are successfully working to eliminate schistosomiasis. Guest: Ronaldo Scholte, PhD, MS, is a technical officer at the Pan American Health Organization where he oversees efforts to treat and eliminate neglected tropical diseases. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —WHO —PAHO —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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1024 - “Healing in a Changing America”—Starting with Florida
03/18/2026
1024 - “Healing in a Changing America”—Starting with Florida
About this episode: From working in immigrant health care under the Reagan administration to tackling today’s measles outbreak in Florida, George Rust has decades of experience caring for the disadvantaged. In this episode: Dr. Rust discusses the state of public health in Florida, the need to return to a community-focused model, and his new book “Healing in a Changing America: Doctoring in a Nation of Needless Suffering.” Guest: , PhD, is a family physician, a preventative public health specialist, and a professor at the Florida State University School of Medicine. 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 University Press (book) —FOX 35 Orlando —Newsweek 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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1023 - How Social Media is Changing the Way We Talk About Health
03/16/2026
1023 - How Social Media is Changing the Way We Talk About Health
About this episode: Once a useful tool for sharing critical information during the pandemic, social media has evolved into an oversaturated and underregulated marketplace for health disinformation. In this episode: Infectious disease epidemiologist and science communicator Jessica Malaty Rivera analyzes the online landscape and advises listeners on how to approach alarmist and misleading health content. Guest: Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, is a DrPH student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a researcher 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: —Annenberg Public Policy Center —CDC .—ABC News —Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine —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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1022 - Preventing Teen Car Crashes and Deaths
03/12/2026
1022 - Preventing Teen Car Crashes and Deaths
About this episode: Getting your license as a teenager is an exciting time but it’s also a dangerous one. In this episode: Johns Hopkins researcher Johnathon Ehsani discusses why teens are more vulnerable to serious crashes, how driving tests and licensing laws can improve safety, and how parents can best support their new drivers. Please send this podcast to a new driver or their parents—today. Guest: , PhD, MPH, is an internationally recognized road safety researcher and an associate professor in 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. Show links and related content: —JAMA Pediatrics —New York Times —Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine —JAMA 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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1021 - Antibiotic Overuse in Dentistry
03/11/2026
1021 - Antibiotic Overuse in Dentistry
About this episode: Dentists prescribe about 10% of all antibiotics in the U.S., but research shows that a large share may be unnecessary. In this episode: the grave public health risks of inappropriate antibiotic use, how this can be curbed, and the questions you should ask next time you’re in the dentist’s chair. Guest: , MA, is an investigative health reporter with CIDRAP News. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —CIDRAP News —JADA —JAMA —Global Health Now 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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1020 - TrumpRx and High Drug Prices
03/09/2026
1020 - TrumpRx and High Drug Prices
About this episode: The Trump administration’s online prescription drug platform promises the world’s lowest prices on medications. In this episode: Dr. Mariana Social explains how the site’s discounts work, who they benefit, and whether they’re truly the most affordable prices. Guest: , PhD, MPP, MSc, studies the pharmaceutical market and is an associate professor in Health Policy and Management 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: —The White House —CNN —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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1019 - Medical Aid in Dying
03/05/2026
1019 - Medical Aid in Dying
About this episode: Often referred to as “physician-assisted suicide,” medical aid in dying poses complex ethical, medical, and policy questions. In this episode: why some individuals with a terminal illness choose MAiD, the eligibility requirements in U.S. states, and the tension between individual health choices and public policy. Guests: , PhD, MPH, is the Robert Henry Levi and Ryda Hecht Levi Professor of Bioethics and Public Policy at the . , JD, MPH, is a research professor in bioethics and law 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: —Death Studies —Oregon Health Authority —Death with Dignity 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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1018 - Health and Wealth With Baby Bonds
03/04/2026
1018 - Health and Wealth With Baby Bonds
About this episode: Baby bonds programs, which create state-managed trust funds for low-income children, are associated with positive physical and mental health outcomes for recipients and their families. New research shows that a majority of Americans support these early wealth-building tools. In this episode: Professor Catherine Ettman talks about the growing excitement behind baby bonds and the state models that have already seen success. Note: The CLIMB study mentioned in this episode is supported by the de Beaumont Foundation and the Hopkins Nexus award. Guest: , PhD, is an assistant professor in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she studies population mental health and assets. 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 —CT.gov —Social Psychiatry and Psych —New York Times —TrumpAccounts.gov 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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1017 - Getting More Health Out of Health Care—By Paying for It
03/02/2026
1017 - Getting More Health Out of Health Care—By Paying for It
About this episode: Private insurers and the government typically reimburse providers based on metrics of appointments and procedures. An innovative approach to health care finance asks doctors and clinicians to measure success differently: by tangible health outcomes. In this episode: Dr. Darshak Sanghavi details the early promise of this approach and how it’s empowering communities to focus on better health. Guests: Dr. Darshak Sanghavi is Chief Medical Officer at Machinify and a former program manager at the (ARPA-H). Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —New England Journal of Medicine —ARPA-H —Circulation 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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1016 - An Unlikely but Promising Collaboration in Ohio
02/26/2026
1016 - An Unlikely but Promising Collaboration in Ohio
About this episode: Despite swirling controversy around public health policies, some experts and advocates are finding ways to work together. In this episode: what an unlikely collaboration between a grassroots MAHA organizer and a Yale epidemiologist can teach us about finding common ground for the betterment of people’s health. Guests: is an award-winning executive producer, showrunner and journalist. She is currently an executive producer and co-host of the podcast, . is an Emmy award-winning executive producer with experience in documentary series, digital, cable and network news. He is now an executive producer and co-host of the podcast, . 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: —Why Should I Trust You? —STAT —Your Local Epidemiologist —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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1015 - Unexplained Pauses in CDC Data
02/25/2026
1015 - Unexplained Pauses in CDC Data
About this episode: The CDC has long collected and publicly reported data on infectious diseases, vaccination rates, overdose deaths, and other health topics. But in 2025, many of these datasets inexplicably went dark. In this episode: the importance of real-time data in implementing public health solutions and the potential consequences of these lapses in reporting. Guests: , JD, is a professor at the Boston University School of Law. She writes and teaches in the areas of patent law, intellectual property, information law, and civil procedure. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Annals of Internal Medicine —Ars Technica —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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1014 - How the FDA Regulates Mifepristone, “the Abortion Pill”
02/23/2026
1014 - How the FDA Regulates Mifepristone, “the Abortion Pill”
About this episode: A recent analysis of FDA documents has found that the agency has historically regulated mifepristone—a medication commonly used to terminate pregnancy—based on available scientific evidence and without ideological bias. In this episode: Caleb Alexander, an author of the study, discusses these findings and their implications for a possible new review of the medication by FDA. Guests: , MS, is a practicing internist and drug safety expert 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 —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —New York Times —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —KFF 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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1013 - A College Course for Digital Detoxing
02/19/2026
1013 - A College Course for Digital Detoxing
About this episode: A class at Loyola University Maryland has pushed students to think critically about their technology use in an age of constant scrolling. In this episode: class instructor Shreya Hessler and student Emma Hester reflect on the value of getting offline and how to spend less time on our devices. Guests: , PsyD, is a psychologist and the director of the . Emma Hester is a senior studying psychology and speech, language, and hearing sciences at Loyola University Maryland. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Washington Post —Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine 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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1012 - A “Giant Geyser of Poop” Along the Potomac River
02/18/2026
1012 - A “Giant Geyser of Poop” Along the Potomac River
About this episode: A pipe collapse outside of D.C. has spilled nearly 300 million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River. Recent frigid temperatures and long-term infrastructure challenges are making cleanup a formidable job. In this episode: Natalie Exum of the Johns Hopkins University Water Institute talks about the spill, its health impacts, and whether it could have been prevented. Guests: , PhD, MS, is an assistant professor of at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and an affiliate 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: —DC Water —University of Maryland School of Public Health —New York Times 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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1011 - Policies for Play: School Recess and Public Health
02/16/2026
1011 - Policies for Play: School Recess and Public Health
About this episode: Daily recess has been shown to improve mental health and academic outcomes for children while also providing an opportunity for physical activity and social development. But few states have formal policies that protect dedicated recess time. In this episode: Researchers Rachel Deitch and Erin Hager discuss the public health benefits of recess and their toolkit for advancing state recess laws. Guests: Rachel Deitch, MS, is a program officer in the at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Erin Hager, PhD, is a professor of at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she also leads 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: —Bloomberg American Health Initiative —@bloombergamericanhealth via Instagram —American Journal of Preventative 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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1010 - Centering Pleasure in Sexual Health
02/12/2026
1010 - Centering Pleasure in Sexual Health
About this episode: Sexual education often focuses on the potential risks of unplanned pregnancies and STIs. But an approach to sexual health that includes frank discussions of what feels good could yield better health outcomes. In this episode: Sexual health expert Joshua O’Neal talks about the value of starting sexual health conversations with enjoyment and comfort. Note: This episode was produced in collaboration with the . Guests: Joshua O’Neal, MA, is a sexual health educator and program director 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: —The Lancet —American Journal of Men’s Health —Medicus Mundi Schweiz —NCSD Real Talk 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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1009 - What’s Happening at SAMHSA?
02/11/2026
1009 - What’s Happening at SAMHSA?
About this episode: Last month’s abrupt cancellation and reinstatement of $2 billion in grants is just the most recent ordeal in SAMHSA’s long year of funding cuts and administrative upheaval. In this episode: Dr. Yngvild Olsen, formerly the director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA, chronicles the challenges facing the agency and their possible implications for efforts to reduce opioid overdose deaths and improve mental health outcomes. Guests: , MPH, is a nationally recognized leader in addiction medicine, public health policy, and clinical care integration. She currently serves as a national advisor with Manatt 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: —NPR —SAMHSA —Stateline 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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1008 - The Outlook on Direct-to-Consumer Health Care
02/09/2026
1008 - The Outlook on Direct-to-Consumer Health Care
About this episode: Products and services like genetic testing, prescriptions for weight loss drugs, and health monitoring wearables are revolutionizing health and wellness in the U.S. But are these new gadgets and offerings easing the challenges facing the health care system or are they exacerbating them? In this episode: Dr. Josh Sharfstein speaks with health care entrepreneur Ashwini Nagappan about the pros and cons of the explosion of direct-to-consumer health care. Guests: Ashwini Nagappan, PhD, is a health care entrepreneur and researcher. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —STAT —Axios —STAT 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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1007 - Public Health and Gambling Part 2: Problem Gambling
02/05/2026
1007 - Public Health and Gambling Part 2: Problem Gambling
About this episode: Between scratch tickets, casinos, and the recent explosion of sports betting apps, opportunities to gamble abound. So too do opportunities for the development of a gambling disorder—a medical condition as serious as substance use disorders. In this episode: Will Hinman and Christopher Welsh from the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling explain how to recognize gambling disorders and where to seek help. Guests: is a certified peer recovery specialist at the . is an addiction psychiatrist and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is also the medical 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: —Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine —University of Maryland School of Medicine —Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling —Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gaming —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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1006 - Public Health and Gambling Part 1: How Gambling Became So Ubiquitous, and the Potential for Problems
02/04/2026
1006 - Public Health and Gambling Part 1: How Gambling Became So Ubiquitous, and the Potential for Problems
About this episode: Sports betting has exploded in popularity, offering bettors the opportunity to gamble on everything from coin tosses to touchdowns. But experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the public health implications. In this episode: Researchers Matthew Eisenberg and Mark Meiselbach discuss the rise of online sports gambling, its potential dangers, and how policy guardrails could make it safer. Guests: , PhD, is a health economist and associate professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where he also serves as the Director of the . , PhD, is a health economist and assistant professor of Health Policy and Management 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 —University of Maryland School of Medicine —Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling —Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gaming —Public Health On Call 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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1005 - Vaccines 101: The Past, Present, and Future of the Federal Vaccine Schedule
02/03/2026
1005 - Vaccines 101: The Past, Present, and Future of the Federal Vaccine Schedule
About this episode: For decades, the recommended immunization schedule has guided physicians through the proper administration of vaccines and empowered individuals to protect themselves against preventable diseases. But recent changes to the schedule and the overhaul of the CDC committee leading vaccine recommendations throws public and personal health into uncharted territory. In this episode: Vaccine expert Walter Orenstein explains the importance of a transparently developed, standardized schedule and shares his concerns about recent changes to the recommendations. Guests: is the associate director of the . He previously held roles with the CDC and served as the director of the United States Immunization Program and Assistant Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service. 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. Department of Health and Human Services —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health —Vaccine —Public Health On Call 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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1004 - The State of Obesity in the U.S.
02/02/2026
1004 - The State of Obesity in the U.S.
About this episode: Following decades of surging adult obesity rates, numbers have leveled out since 2022. But with GLP-1s dominating culture, nutrition guidelines shifting, and funding for chronic diseases vanishing, the state of obesity is set to undergo even more change. In this episode: J. Nadine Gracia returns to Public Health On Call to talk about the latest State of Obesity report from Trust for America’s Health. Guests: , MSCE, is the president and CEO of the , a nonprofit, nonpartisan public health policy, research, and advocacy organization that promotes optimal health for every person and community. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —Trust for America’s Health —U.S. Department of Health and Human Services —STAT 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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1003 - The U.S.’s Insurance-Based Health Care System
01/29/2026
1003 - The U.S.’s Insurance-Based Health Care System
About this episode: The U.S. takes a unique approach to health care by tying coverage to employment. This has led to high rates of uninsured Americans, the creation of the Affordable Care Act, and ongoing fights about health care spending culminating in a government shutdown late last year. In this episode: Jonathan Cohn details the health care debate happening in Washington right now, the nuances of universal coverage in other countries, and what might come next for health insurance in the U.S. Guests: is a writer for and the author of “The Ten Year War: Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage”. Host: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . Show links and related content: —POLITICO —National Bureau of Economic Research —STAT —Public Health On Call (November 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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1002 - On Public Health and Human Rights in Minneapolis
01/28/2026
1002 - On Public Health and Human Rights in Minneapolis
About this episode: Today: a human rights perspective on immigration enforcement and public protest in Minneapolis. Professor Joe Amon is the director of the Center for Public Health and Human Rights at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has also studied human rights issues in more than 40 countries. He talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about his perspective on some of the most dramatic images that have emerged over the last several weeks. Note: this episode contains descriptions of violence and trauma. Please listen with care. Guests: 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: —Health and Human Rights —KARE 11 —CNN —CNN —Minnesota Star Tribune —Public Health On Call (October 2025) —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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1001 - Vaccines 101: How FDA Regulates Vaccines
01/26/2026
1001 - Vaccines 101: How FDA Regulates Vaccines
About this episode: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for reviewing the safety and effectiveness of vaccines—a job that requires deep scientific understanding as well as thoughtful regulatory judgment. In this episode: Dr. Jesse Goodman, a former top vaccine regulator and chief scientist at the FDA, explains how the agency came to lead the world in vaccine oversight—and shares his concerns for the future. Guests: , MPH, is a professor and the director of Georgetown University’s He worked at the FDA from 1998 until 2014, including as chief scientist. Host: is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. Show links and related content: —KFF —Johns Hopkins Bloomberg 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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1000 - Celebrating 1,000 Episodes of Public Health On Call
01/22/2026
1000 - Celebrating 1,000 Episodes of Public Health On Call
About this episode: It started as a time-limited series of interviews with public health experts at the start of a global pandemic. Over nearly six years, Public Health On Call expanded to a wide range of topics, including humanitarian health, aging, and vaccines, becoming a home for nuanced public health discussions and analysis. In this episode: Hosts Stephanie Desmon, Josh Sharfstein, and Lindsay Smith Rogers reflect on 1,000 episodes of the show, the challenges of covering complex health topics, and what issues they want to focus on next. Note: This episode is also available . Guests: Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the . is distinguished professor of the practice in , a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland’s Health Department. 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. Episodes mentioned: —March 2020 —April 2020 —May 2020 —August 2020 —September 2020 —March 2021 —May 2021 —November 2021 —May 2022 —August 2023 —April 2024 —November 2024 —March 2025 —May 2025 —September 2025 —October 2025 —November 2025 —November 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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