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Public Health On Call

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Evidence and experts to help you understand today's public health news—and what it means for tomorrow.

2174 - The Primary Care Crisis

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2174 - The Primary Care Crisis
About this episode:
Seeing a primary care provider has benefits for long-term wellbeing and financial security. But workforce shortages and the rise of concierge medicine have left roughly 30% of U.S. adults without access to primary care. In this episode: Could changing how we invest in primary care connect more people with the services and guidance they need to live a healthy life?
Guest:
Dr. Zirui Song, MD, PhD, is a professor at Harvard Medical School and a general internist at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Primary Care as a Public Utility: The Case for a Common Fund—JAMA
Primary Care — From Common Good to Free-Market Commodity—New England Journal of Medicine
Fee-based primary care is rapidly rising in U.S., hastening doctor shortages for public—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 05 Nov 2026 - 16min
2173 - A Community Bridge to PrEP
About this episode:
Pharmacists and community leaders are both on the frontlines of improving access to HIV prevention services, but often their efforts are siloed. What can it look like when they work together? In this episode: Host Lindsay Smith Rogers interviews Leisha McKinley-Beach and Natalie Crawford, two implementation scientists asking this question in Georgia and Louisiana.
Guest:
Leisha McKinley-Beach, MPH, is a national HIV prevention expert and the CEO and founder of Black Public Health Academy.
Natalie Crawford, PhD, MPH is an associate professor and the co-director of the Prevention and Implementation Sciences Core in the Center for AIDS Research at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
National Coalition Announces Initiative to Help Community Pharmacies Expand HIV Prevention Services—Emory Rollins School of Public Health
PharmacistInitiated PrEP and PEP—National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)
A Critical Moment in the Fight Against HIV—Public Health On Call (July 2025)
Voices in Print: Elevating Patient Perspectives in Medical Literature—Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
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@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 04 Nov 2026 - 19min
2172 - How Community Workers Are a Bridge to Immigrant Families
About this episode:
Families that have immigrated to the United States face financial, legal, and healthcare challenges. Health professionals often struggle to connect to their patients in office settings, especially today—but community health workers who can do home visits can bridge the gap. In this episode: Professor Kiara Álvarez discusses the indispensable role that community health workers play as navigators, connectors, and promotores in the healthcare system.
Guest:
Kiara Álvarez, PhD, EdM, is a Bloomberg associate professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a clinical psychologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content: Uniendo Voces – Uniting Voices: Community Health Workers Serving Baltimore's Latine Immigrant Community—CentroSOL
LaToya Ruby Frazier, More Than Conquerors: A Monument for Community Health Workers of Baltimore, Maryland 2021–2022—Baltimore Museum of Art
Mitigating The Health Impacts Of Exclusionary Immigration Policies: An Evidence Review—Health Affairs
How Community Health Workers Improve Research—Public Health On Call (April 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 02 Nov 2026 - 14min
2171 - What's Happening to the Federal Task Force that Oversees Prevention?
About this episode:
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force makes recommendations for preventive services that insurers in the United States must cover. Its rigorous process, however, is getting a makeover from the new administration. In this episode: Host Josh Sharfstein and former USPSTF chair Michael Silverstein discuss the panel's operations and how recent changes to the task force will shape the future of healthcare.
Guest:
Dr. Michael Silverstein, MPH, is a pediatrician, former chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and professor at the Brown University School of Public Health.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Kennedy Fires Leaders of Key Health Task Force—The New York Times
The ACA Preventive Services Coverage Requirement—Congressional Research Service
US Health Secretary Kennedy Jr. Adds Eight New Members to Key Health Committee—U.S. News & World Report
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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 30 Oct 2026 - 17min
2170 - Is MAHA Making Food Great?
About this episode:
The Make America Healthy Again movement has embraced the cause of reform of federal food policy. Two years after one of its prominent leaders came into government, what has—and what has not—been accomplished? In this episode: Two food systems experts from Johns Hopkins provide an interim assessment.
Guest:
Patti Anderson, PhD, MPH, is an assistant practice professor of Environmental Health and Engineering and the policy director of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future.
Tom Philpott is a senior research associate at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Glyphosate is driving a rift in MAHA. Here's what the science says about its effects on health—Scientific American
The MAHA Strategy and Food Systems—Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
Marion Nestle on the New Dietary Guidelines—Public Health On Call (January 2026)
The FDA Says Goodbye to Red Dye No. 3—Public Health On Call (January 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 29 Oct 2026 - 14min
2169 - Raising Kids in the Digital World
About this episode:
Talking about tech and social media with kids can be stressful, but according to a new resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics, intentional conversations about social media use rooted in shared values can help families connect over healthy habits. In this episode: Dr. Megan Moreno, co-author of "Connecting: Raising Kids in the Digital World," addresses common concerns about technology use and youth mental health, the benefits of digital connection, and how to set boundaries with devices.
Guest:
Dr. Megan Moreno, MSEd, MPH, is a pediatrician and professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She also serves as the co-medical director of the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence: Creating a Healthy Digital Ecosystem for Children and Youth.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Connecting: Raising Kids in the Digital World—American Academy of Pediatrics (book)
Mental Health in the Scroll Age—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Meta Settled a Case Over Social Media Addiction Claims. What Happens Now?—Public Health On Call (September 2026)
Chatbots, Mental Health, and Suicide—Public Health On Call (April 2026)
Voices in Print: Elevating Patient Perspectives in Medical Literature—Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 28 Oct 2026 - 17min
2168 - A Beleaguered Baltimore Incinerator Shuts Down
About this episode:
A massive incinerator located in the Curtis Bay neighborhood of Baltimore will no longer burn medical waste under a new deal with the state of Maryland. It's a big win for local activists and neighbors who have long voiced concerns about the facility's repeated air pollution violations and residents' health. In this episode: Community leader Shashawnda Campbell and professor Christopher Heaney detail the neighborhood advocacy and research partnerships that led to this pivotal moment—and the work still ahead to safeguard the health of communities like Curtis Bay.
Guest:
Shashawnda Campbell is a community leader and the environmental justice director of the South Baltimore Community Land Trust.
Christopher Heaney, PhD, MS, is an associate professor of Environmental Health and Engineering and Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for The Uptake, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Troubled Baltimore incinerator will stop burning medical waste under state deal—The Baltimore Banner
Curtis Bay Energy will end incineration of medical waste under agreement with state—Maryland Matters
Explosion at CSX coal terminal rattles Baltimore buildings—WUSA9
Air Pollution in Baltimore's Curtis Bay Community Linked to Nearby Coal Terminal Activities and Wind—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Community vs. Coal: Reclaiming Health in Curtis Bay—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 26 Oct 2026 - 17min
2167 - Should It Be Daylight Saving Time All the Time?
About this episode:
In addition to making you feel a bit jetlagged, the semiannual practice of moving our clocks forward and back can have health impacts. And while many Americans agree that we should "lock the clock," there's a growing debate about whether the clock should be fixed to daylight saving time or standard time. In this episode: Sleep expert Vadim Zipunnikov discusses the biology behind changing clocks and why many scientists—himself included—are on team standard time.
Guest:
Vadim Zipunnikov, PhD, MS, MA, is a professor of Biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for The Uptake, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
H.R.139 - Sunshine Protection Act of 2025—Congress.gov
7 Things to Know About Daylight Saving Time—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
End of daylight saving time can send our internal clocks into a tailspin—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 23 Oct 2026 - 10min
2166 - How Can We Respond Better to Sexual Violence?
About this episode:
Headlines about an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University provide a devastating reminder of how common sexual violence is in the U.S., particularly among high school and college students. In this episode: Michele Decker, whose research focuses on gender-based violence prevention and response, discusses the scope of sexual violence as a public health problem, misconceptions about how it's perpetrated, and evidence-backed methods for prevention, survivor support, and accountability.
Note: This episode includes discussion of incidents of sexual assault. If you or someone you know are concerned about having experienced sexual violence or supporting a survivor, you can reach out to to http://RAINN.org or call 800-656-HOPE or text HOPE to 64673.
Guest:
Michele Decker, ScD, MPH, is a Bloomberg Professor of American Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the founder and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Women's Health and Gender Equity.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for The Uptake, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content: Stop downplaying the plague of violence against women—The Hill
How a Cornell Student Went From Shame to Action—The New York Times
The Jeanne Clery Act—Clery Center
Chanel Miller reads her entire victim impact statement—60 Minutes via YouTube
The "Red Zone" of Sexual Assault—Johns Hopkins Student Well-Being Blog
Child Sexual Abuse is Preventable, Not Inevitable—Public Health On Call (August 2026)
The 30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act—Public Health On Call (October 2024)
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) and the Dual Crises of Nurse Shortages & Post-Roe Fallout—Public Health On Call (November 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 22 Oct 2026 - 20min
2165 - Public Health and… Anesthesiology?
About this episode:
We promise this episode won't put you to sleep. Adam Milam is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist with a PhD in public health who leverages this unique background to improve the quality of care for his patients inside the operating room and beyond. In this episode: Dr. Milam shares how his public health training has allowed him to probe at larger questions about ethics and care as a clinician, and how his time in the operating room has given him a sense of urgency in solving population-level challenges.
Guest:
Dr. Adam Milam, PhD, MHS, is a professor of anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and he serves as vice chair for health outcomes in the department of anesthesiology and critical care medicine.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Equity and Quality—Improving Health Care Delivery Requires Both—JAMA
Advancing Health Equity Research in Perioperative Medicine—Anesthesiology & Analgesia
Social drivers of health and perioperative outcomes: Identifying domains and barriers with significant impact—The American Journal of Surgery
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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 - 15min
2164 - Kratom, the Opioid-Like Drug Available at Your Gas Station
About this episode:
Kratom is an imported leaf containing opioid-like psychoactive compounds that can be found at your local convenience store or online. Recently linked to the deaths of two college students, the product sits at the intersection of burgeoning research, drug policy limitations, and harm reduction, leaving the potentially dangerous compounds found in kratom unregulated. In this episode: Drug safety expert Caleb Alexander and host Lindsay Smith Rogers discuss what kratom is and where regulation of the drug stands.
Guest:
Dr. G. Caleb Alexander, MS, is an internal medicine physician and co-director of the Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness. He holds joint appointments in Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Temporary Control of 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and Other Kratom-Related Substances Under the Controlled Substances Act—Congressional Research Service Legal Sidebar
The rise of novel, semi-synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine products—Addiction
Kratom: Summary of State Laws—Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association
Kratom found at locations where two Ole Miss students were discovered dead—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 19 Oct 2026 - 19min
2163 - Why Health?
About this episode:
In the field of medicine, health is often treated as an end goal, achieved by procedures, prescriptions, and physicians. A new book argues that we should see health instead as a social value—connected to other values we care about. In this episode: Physician, population health scientist, and author Sandro Galea talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about his book, "Why Health?: What We Need to Think About When We Think About Health."
Guest:
Dr. Sandro Galea, DrPH, is the Margaret C. Ryan dean of the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky School of Public Health at Washington University. He is also the author of "Why Health?: What We Need to Think About When We Think About Health."
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Why Health?: What We Need to Think About When We Think About Health—Oxford University Press
The Invisible Shield—Public Health—Public Health On Call (July 2024)
How "Illiberal" Is Public Health?—Public Health On Call (March 2024)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
Here's our RSS feed
Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 - 17min
2162 - Utah's .05 Legal Blood Alcohol Limit is Saving Lives
About this episode:
In 2018, the state of Utah became the first state in the country to lower its blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05. Within a year of implementation, the state's fatal crash rate dropped by nearly 20%. So, why haven't other states followed suit? In this episode: Dr. Federico Vaca, an expert in health and transportation, takes a close look at Utah's law, why it's been so effective, and how it can serve as a national model for safer driving.
Guest:
Dr. Federico Vaca, MPH, is a physician and a professor of emergency medicine at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Utah's Move From 0.08 to 0.05 Blood Alcohol Concentration Per Se Policy: Effects on Driver Crash Fatalities Compared With Contiguous States—American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Evaluation of Utah's .05 BAC Per Se Law—National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Utah's 0.05 BAC Law: If You Drink, Don't Drive—Utah Highway Safety Office
Alcohol-Impaired Driving—National Safety Council
For Better Health, Drink Less Alcohol—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 - 15min
2161 - Youth Suicide Prevention on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation
About this episode:
Suicide rates in the U.S. are highest among American Indian and Alaska Native populations and are concentrated among young people. Personal brushes with this devastation sparked members of the White Mountain Apache tribe to develop an innovative and community-centered suicide prevention program. In this episode: Novalene Alsenay Goklish and Emily Haroz of the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health discuss the impact of the Celebrating Life program and how its deep roots in the tribal community allow caseworkers and staff to connect directly with those in need.
Note: This episode includes discussions of suicidality and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is 24-hour assistance in the United States available by dialing 988.
Guest:
Novalene Alsenay Goklish, DrPH, MS, is an assistant scientist with the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health.
Emily Edmunds Haroz, PhD, MHS, MA, is an associate professor of International Health and Mental Health, and a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for The Uptake, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Celebrating Life—Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health
Suicide Prevention Programs for Native American Youth—Bloomberg American Health Initiative
Decreases in Suicide Deaths and Attempts Linked to the White Mountain Apache Suicide Surveillance and Prevention System, 2001–2012—American Journal of Public Health
Suicide Data and Statistics—CDC
Why the Health of Indigenous People Impacts Us All—Public Health On Call (October 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 - 23min
2160 - Change at the EPA
About this episode:
Since its inception, the Environmental Protection Agency has served as the bedrock for major policy initiatives to protect human and environmental health in the U.S.—from safeguarding access to clean air and water to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. But a recent move towards deregulation reflects major changes happening at the agency. In this episode: Tom Burke, who served as the deputy assistant administrator of the EPA from 2015 to 2017, talks about his serious concerns about recent policy moves—and his confidence that the future of environmental health nonetheless remains strong.
Guest:
Tom Burke, PhD, MPH, is an emeritus professor at Johns Hopkins and a former top official with the Environmental Protection Agency in the Obama administration.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
EPA Hits 40-Year Lows in Staffing After Trump Targets Its Public Health Experts—Inside Climate News
The EPA's Approval of Two New Pesticides—Public Health On Call (March 2026)
The Future of the Environmental Protection Agency Under Trump—Public Health On Call (December 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 08 Oct 2026 - 16min
2159 - The Case For Not Eating Lettuce
About this episode:
A leaf of iceberg on a sandwich or a serving of chopped romaine in a salad can add a satisfying crunch to your lunch—but does it offer much of anything else? In this episode: Washington Post food policy columnist Tamar Haspel unpacks the environmental implications of growing lettuce, the limited nutritional benefits offered by the crop, and why it's such a common culprit behind outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
Guest:
Tamar Haspel is an author and columnist with the Washington Post, who covers food, health, and science.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Why we should stop eating lettuce, cyclospora or not—The Washington Post
Why salad is so overrated—The Washington Post
The Explosive Diarrhea Episode—Public Health On Call (July 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 07 Oct 2026 - 14min
2158 - From Saving Lives to Selling Supplements: A History of Vitamin A
About this episode:
Vitamin A is essential for good vision, a healthy immune system, cell growth, and reproductive health, and it has proved to be a critical tool in fighting childhood mortality in parts of the world where access to nutrient-rich foods is limited. But while Vitamin A has saved many lives, supplementation isn't necessary for most people, despite what you may read online. In this episode: a slate of experts from the Johns Hopkins University join host Lindsay Smith Rogers to dive into the history of vitamin A supplementation, how it has shaped global health, and what this incredible nutrient can't do despite its benefits.
Note: This episode was produced in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University sesquicentennial campaign.
Guests:
Brian Foster, PhD, MSc, is an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and director of the laboratory of cardiovascular biochemistry.
Amanda Palmer, PhD, MHS, is an associate professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr. Alfred Sommer, MHS, is a Johns Hopkins University distinguished service professor and dean emeritus of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Keith P. West, Jr., DrPH, MPH, is the George G. Graham professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
The Story of Dean Sommer and Vitamin A—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Bellagio brief: vitamin A deficiency and childhood mortality—Bulletin of the Pan American Health Organization
Moving from science to public health programs: lessons from vitamin—American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Double blind, cluster randomised trial of low dose supplementation with vitamin A or β carotene on mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal—The BMJ
Posner Fellow Studies Role of Vitamin A and Advocates for Patients—Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
In A Grain Of Golden Rice, A World Of Controversy Over GMO Foods—NPR
Poison Centers Observe Increased Vitamin A Exposures in Children During Measles Outbreak—America's Poison Centers
Remedy Supported by Kennedy Leaves Some Measles Patients More Ill—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 05 Oct 2026 - 34min
2157 - Will AI Generate New Biological Threats?
About this episode:
Scientists, tech companies, and world leaders are sounding the alarm on potential threats to humanity as AI models grow more powerful. Is part of this threat related to the technology's biological capabilities? In this episode: Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, answers: yes. He provides an overview of what AI is capable of doing and what possible threats could be around the corner if policies don't intervene to control these developments.
Guest:
Dr. Tom Inglesby is a professor of Environmental Health and Engineering and the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
A.I. Queries From Abroad Raise Fears of a Biological Weapons Race—The New York Times
How AI makes biological research more dangerous—Axios
Detecting and countering misuse of AI: September 2026—Anthropic
Generative design of bacteriophages with genome language models—Science
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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. You can also leave us a voicemail at ‪(667) 217-6214‬ for the chance to hear your voice on the podcast.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 01 Oct 2026 - 17min
2156 - An mRNA Flu Vaccine Hits the Market
About this episode:
For the first time ever, mRNA flu shots are available this respiratory virus season for adults age 50 and older, offering an opportunity to create vaccines better tailored to certain strains of the virus. Moderna's mFLUSIVA was approved by the FDA this summer and is available in some pharmacies. In this episode: Vaccine expert Anna Durbin explains how the vaccine works, discusses the current data on its safety and efficacy, and reflects on the quest for a universal flu vaccine.
Guest:
Dr. Anna Durbin is a professor of International Health and the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
New mRNA Flu Vaccine Makes This Flu Season 'One to Watch'—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
August 5, 2026 Clinical Review - MFLUSIVA—FDA
How Influenza (Flu) Vaccines Are Made—CDC
How Flu Viruses Can Change: "Drift" and "Shift"—CDC
The Long History of mRNA Vaccines—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
A Guide to Fall Vaccines for People Who Are Immunocompromised and Those Who Care For Them—Public Health On Call (September 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 30 Sep 2026 - 16min
2155 - Aging with HIV
About this episode:
Life expectancies for those living with HIV are nearly identical to those living without the virus, thanks to groundbreaking advancements in medicine and care. But that data point doesn't tell the full story about the unique needs and nuanced challenges facing those with HIV, particularly as that population skews increasingly older. In this episode: Keri Althoff and Vanessa Johnson, co-authors of a new report on aging and HIV, explain why and how prevention and treatment should adapt to support lifelong health.
Guest:
Keri N. Althoff, PhD, MPH, is a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Vanessa Johnson, MPA, JD, is a recognized advocate, community leader, and champion for people living with HIV. She is the co-executive director at Ribbon, a social justice organization, and senior advisor to ROC4Aging+, a project that seeks to improve quality of life for those aging with HIV.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
The Lancet HIV Commission on ageing and HIV: a global perspective—The Lancet HIV Commissions
Amy Justice and Keri Althoff on the Lancet HIV Commission on ageing and HIV—The Lancet
On the Cusp of Eliminating HIV—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Growing and Aging: The Population of People Living with HIV—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
"On Going Backwards": A New HIV/AIDS Epidemic?—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 28 Sep 2026 - 23min
2154 - A Public Health and Business School Graduate with Sickle Cell Disease
About this episode:
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, recognizing a severe disease that affects an estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. In this episode: Shayla Ellington, who lives with Hemoglobin SC disease, shares how her diagnosis has shaped her life, how she sees the underfunding of research and treatment, and how she uses her public health and business school training to advocate for a brighter future.
Guest:
Shayla Ellington, MPH, MBA, is a recent alumna of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Carey Business School.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
About Sickle Cell Disease—Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
Beyond Gene Therapies: People With Sickle Cell Disease Need Comprehensive Care—Health Affairs
Sickle Cell Disease: Genetic Therapies and Treatment Hurdles—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 24 Sep 2026 - 21min
2153 - A Guide to Fall Vaccines for People Who Are Immunocompromised and Those Who Care For Them
About this episode:
Those whose immune systems are more vulnerable due to age, illness, or another condition are at a higher risk of getting sick with and experiencing severe symptoms of seasonal illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV. In this episode: Epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers provides her recommendations for vaccines this respiratory virus season for people who are immunocompromised and for those who care for them, when to get them, and how to find disease trends in your area.
Note: The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine, though the virus flares up seasonally in the fall and winter. According to the best available research, only one dose of the RSV vaccine can offer protection for multiple seasons.
Guest:
Caitlin Rivers, PhD, MPH, is an associate professor of Environmental Health and Engineering, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Outbreak Response Innovation, and a senior scholar at the Center for Health Security. She is also the author of the Force of Infection newsletter.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Guide to seasonal vaccinations for people who are immunocompromised—Force of Infection
IDSA recommends respiratory vaccines for people with weakened immune systems—Infectious Disease Society of America
Respiratory Virus Activity Levels—CDC
Book Club—Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Preventing Outbreaks—Public Health On Call (January 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 23 Sep 2026 - 15min
2152 - U.S. Healthcare Failures: Is Neoliberalism to Blame?
About this episode:
A new book argues that a wave of Reagan-era policies grounded in limited government intervention in the free market has given way to deregulation and corporate consolidation in healthcare, driving up costs and yielding poor health outcomes. In this episode: John McDonough, author of "America's Wrong Turn: U.S. Healthcare in the Neoliberal Era," walks through the pivotal policies of past political eras and provides his insights on where the country is headed next.
Guest:
John McDonough, DrPH, MPA, is a health policy expert, author, and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
America's Wrong Turn: U.S. Healthcare in the Neoliberal Era—Johns Hopkins University Press (book)
Why Are Americans Dying So Much Earlier Than Some Of Their Counterparts?—Public Health On Call (January 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 21 Sep 2026 - 18min
2151 - The Rabies Episode
About this episode:
According to the CDC, rabies cases are on the rise nationwide. This aggressive RNA virus, primarily transmitted through biting, can infect any mammal—including household pets and humans—with horrific and fatal consequences. In this episode: Veterinarians Meghan Davis and Monica Murphy discuss how to identify a rabid animal, why preventing infection is critical to saving lives, and the fascinating cultural history of rabies with ties to werewolves, vampires, and zombies.
Guest:
Meghan Davis, PhD, MPH, DVM, is a veterinarian and chair of the Master of Public Health program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Monica Murphy, MPH, DVM, is a veterinarian and author of the book "Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus."
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus—Penguin Random House
Disease experts urge safe animal practices amid 'unusual' rabid beaver attacks—Maryland Matters
Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures: Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis Administration—CDC
Stopping Dog Bites Helps Stop Rabies—Johns Hopkins Center for Communications Programs
Why We Vaccinate Our Dogs and Cats—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 17 Sep 2026 - 18min
2150 - Private Equity in Healthcare
About this episode:
Private equity is purchasing hospitals, long-term care facilities, laboratories, and clinics—often promising to introduce efficient, cutting-edge care. But what's actually happening in communities? In this episode: Two health policy researchers explain one way that private equity operates in the healthcare system and its consequences for patients.
Guest:
Karen Davenport, MPA, is a senior research fellow at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.
Kennah Watts, MSPH, is a research fellow at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR) at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Hollowed Out - How Private Equity Destabilized Safety-Net Hospitals in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Rhode Island—Center on Health Insurance Reforms
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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 16 Sep 2026 - 15min
2149 - Meta Settled a Case Over Social Media Addiction Claims. What Happens Now?
About this episode:
In August, Meta—the parent company of Instagram and Facebook—agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion to 54 states and U.S. territories over claims that it harmed children by fostering unhealthy digital habits. In this episode: An addiction researcher and an expert in adolescent mental health explain the terms of the agreement, what comes next, and what parents should take away from the larger conversation on youth social media use.
Guest:
Tamar Mendelson, PhD, MA, is a professor of Mental Health and Population, Family and Reproductive Health, as well as the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent Health.
Johannes Thrul, PhD, MS, is an associate professor of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Meta to Pay Up to $17.1 Billion in Landmark Settlement Over Social Media Addiction Claims—New York Times
Mental Health in the Scroll Age—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Social Media and Youth Mental Health—Office of the Surgeon General
A College Course for Digital Detoxing—Public Health On Call (February 2026)
Social Media and Adolescent Health—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 21min
2148 - Does Legalizing Marijuana Affect Alcohol and Other Drug Use?
About this episode:
New research examines the relationship between the legalization of medicinal or recreational cannabis and patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and opioid use. In this episode: Lead author of the study, Sarah Windle, explains what her team's systematic review, published in the Milbank Quarterly, can tell us about whether legal cannabis is being used to substitute or to complement other substances.
Guest:
Sarah Windle, MPH, is a PhD student in epidemiology at McGill University.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Impacts of Global Cannabis Policy Changes on Substance Use: A Systematic Review of Quasi-Experimental Studies—The Milbank Quarterly
Here's how cannabis legalization affected tobacco, alcohol and opioid use: McGill study—CTV News
The Hazy World of Cannabis Policy—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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 11 Sep 2026 - 13min
2147 - Hot Topics This Fall: Food Recalls, Measles, Respiratory Vaccines
About this episode:
Between the cyclosporiasis outbreak and other food safety issues, the ongoing measles outbreak, and the coming respiratory season, there's a lot going on in public health. In this episode: Dr. Josh Sharfstein, a pediatrician, former principal deputy commissioner of the FDA, and Public Health On Call host, covers these and other hot topics in public health.
Guest:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts—U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania mark first 2 US fatalities this year—CIDRAP
AAFP Announces Fall Immunization Recommendations to Protect Patients and Communities—American Academy of Family Physicians
The Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines—Public Health On Call (August 2026)
The Explosive Diarrhea Episode—Public Health On Call (July 2026)
An Update on Measles and the U.S.'s Elimination Status—Public Health On Call (April 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. You can also email PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu to request a transcript.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 10 Sep 2026 - 15min
2146 - Taking Public Health from the Classroom to the Community
About this episode:
Malcolm Cunningham and Amelia Hulbert both work in local government, spearheading violence prevention programs and reducing barriers to food access, respectively. Through the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, they've supercharged their work with MPH degrees and instruction from leaders in their fields. In this episode: Malcolm and Amelia discuss their work to create better health outcomes in their communities and how programs at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have guided them.
Guest:
Malcolm Cunningham, MPH, is the director of the Toledo, OH, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and an alumnus of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.
Amelia Hulbert, MPH, is the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) specialist with Boulder County Public Health and an alumna of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
The Cost of Gun Violence: The Direct Cost to Tax Payers—National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform
To get fresh vegetables to people who need them, one city puts its soda tax to work—NPR
The Bloomberg Fellows Program—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.
AI disclosure (as of September 2026):
The conversations you hear on the podcast are happening between real humans, and real humans are developing and researching episodes behind the scenes. In addition to real human audio engineers, Public Health On Call uses AI production tools to assist with the removal of filler words and improve audio quality. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to PublicHealthQuestion@jhu.edu.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 09 Sep 2026 - 24min
2145 - Challenges in Global Access to Life-Saving Medications and Vaccines
About this episode:
During the recent pandemic, low-income countries struggled to access the COVID-19 vaccine, despite a global framework that had been established for this purpose. In this episode: Tahir Amin, a leader in the access to medicines movement, shares his perspective on what failed during the pandemic and how this experience reflects larger challenges in the availability and affordability of critical medications.
Guest:
Tahir Amin, DPLP, is a founder and CEO of the Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge (I-MAK), a nonprofit organization working to address the inequities in how medicines are developed and distributed.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Pharma Monopoly: The Battle for the Future of Medicines—Polity Books (book)
Americans' Challenges with Health Care Costs—KFF
Patently imperfect—Science
Could Patent Reform Lower Drug Prices?—Public Health On Call (March 2023)
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 03 Sep 2026 - 17min
2144 - Why Does A Bee Matter to My Health?
About this episode:
Wild pollinators like bees and hoverflies play a direct role in human health. A recent study in Nepal shows that flourishing pollinator populations lead to higher agricultural yields, bolstering both human economic wellbeing and access to ample, nutrient-rich foods. In this episode: Dr. Samuel Myers of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health details the link between biodiversity and human health and the risk that mankind's ecological footprint poses to this complex and essential relationship.
Guest:
Sam Myers, MD, MPH, is the founding director of the Planetary Health Alliance and the faculty director at the brand new Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Pollinators support the nutrition and income of vulnerable communities—Nature
Why Pollinators Matter for Human Health: Five Questions With Samuel Myers—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Case for Planetary Health—Can We Change?—Public Health On Call (April 2025)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 02 Sep 2026 - 15min
2143 - Saving Babies' Lives by Preventing Neonatal Sepsis
About this episode:
Global infant mortality has fallen dramatically since 1990, but neonatal sepsis—a serious bloodstream infection occurring in newborns—still accounts for a significant portion of preventable deaths. Simple interventions like good hygiene practices and sufficient staffing in delivery rooms could reduce infections and prevent fatalities. In this episode: Pablo Duran, a perinatal health expert with the Pan American Health Organization, explains how providers, parents, and public health can prevent, recognize, and treat neonatal sepsis early on for better outcomes.
Guest:
Dr. Pablo Duran, PhD, MPH, is a pediatrician and neonatologist who serves as the regional advisor on perinatal health for the Pan American Health Organization.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
A Simple Action, a Major Impact: Hand Hygiene Against Maternal and Neonatal Sepsis—Pan American Health Organization
Strategies to prevent, detect, and treat neonatal sepsis in the face of AMR—PAHO TV via YouTube
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:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 - 12min
2142 - How Safe Are E-Bikes and E-Scooters?
About this episode:
As electric scooters and bikes explode in popularity in cities across the globe, concerns about safety abound. Early data shows that injuries from collisions and falls on these devices can include severe head trauma and injuries to internal organs, culminating in increased visits to the hospital. In this episode: Road safety expert Johnathon Ehsani provides an epidemiological overview of the safety data and offers advice for parents and policymakers to prevent injuries.
Guest:
Johnathon Ehsani, PhD, MPH, is an internationally recognized road safety researcher and an associate professor in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
E-Scooters and Micromobility Are Potential Public Health Game Changers for Transportation and Equity—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Injuries From Electric Bikes and Scooters: Illinois, U.S., 2021–2023—American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Crash-Related Protective and Risky Behaviors Among Micromobility Riders: A Nationally Representative Survey—American Journal of Public Health
Riding an electric scooter: the rules—gov.uk
Should Cities Be Welcoming Autonomous Vehicles?—Public Health On Call (July 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:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 - 17min
2141 - Gas Stoves Are Worsening Breathing Issues, According to Canceled Study
About this episode:
Accumulating research has linked nitrogen dioxide emissions from gas stoves to exacerbated respiratory issues. A recent study from Case Western Reserve University set out to conduct a large analysis of whether switching to electric stoves could improve breathing conditions, but funding was halted just as early results came in showing significantly improved asthma symptoms. In this episode: what this truncated study can tell us about air quality inside our homes and what's lost when public health research is canceled.
Guest:
Ana Rule, PhD, MHS, is an associate professor of Environmental Health and Engineering.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Asthma Control Before and After Changing Gas Stoves to Electric Stoves—The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
The EPA halted a study on gas stoves and asthma. But even partial results were striking.—Washington Post
Gas stoves might pose risks to both our planet and health—The Hub
How States Can Better Regulate Indoor Air Quality—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 via email or visit our website.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 26 Aug 2026 - 15min
2140 - Abel Wolman, "Friend of the Thirsty": A Life and Legacy of Water Sanitization
About this episode:
At the turn of the 20th century, waterborne diseases like typhoid and dysentery posed a significant threat to public health, accounting for a large part of infant mortality and overall morbidity. Enter Abel Wolman, an early graduate of Johns Hopkins' engineering program and a professor at the university's school of public health. In this episode: the story of the Baltimore-born pioneer of water sanitization and how his work in water chlorination and infrastructure set the stage for better health across the globe.
Note: This episode was produced in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University sesquicentennial campaign.
Guest:
Graham Mooney, PhD, is an associate professor of history of medicine and epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Host:
Ari Goldstein, MD, is a family medicine physician and a recent alum of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health General Preventive Medicine Residency program. This year, Dr. Goldstein served a one-month rotation with Public Health On Call.
Show links and related content:
Heroes of Public Health: Abel Wolman—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Friend of the Thirsty—New York Times
Mon, 24 Aug 2026 - 23min
2139 - The Workplace Hazard of Radiation—For Flight Crews
About this episode:
Long flights at high altitudes can expose pilots and flight attendants to dangerous levels of cosmic radiation over their careers, potentially increasing their risk for a variety of cancers and posing special dangers to pregnant crewmembers. In this episode: a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine urges action on in-flight radiation exposure, including mandating airline safety programs and developing new ways to measure hazards.
Guest:
Tom Burke, PhD, MPH, is an emeritus professor at Johns Hopkins and a former top official with the Environmental Protection Agency in the Obama administration.
Lindsay S. Fenwick is an accomplished pilot with over 21,000 flight hours spanning military, corporate, VIP, and major airline operations. He also has extensive experience in aviation safety management.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers—National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Aircrew and Cosmic Ionizing Radiation—CDC
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 via email or visit our website.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 - 18min
2138 - Child Sexual Abuse is Preventable, Not Inevitable
About this episode:
Millions of children will experience sexual abuse before they turn 18, either in-person or online and often at the hands of people they know. The mental, behavioral, and physical health consequences can linger into adulthood. In this episode: Elizabeth Letourneau, director of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, explains why child sexual abuse is one of the nation's most pressing public health crises and what can be done to prevent it.
Guest:
Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD, MA, is a professor of mental health and the director of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. She is also the co-author of "One in Five: Why Child Sexual Abuse Is Our Biggest Public Health Crisis—and What We Can Do to Stop It."
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
One in Five: Why Child Sexual Abuse Is Our Biggest Public Health Crisis—and What We Can Do to Stop It—Hachette Book Group
What Would It Take to End Child Sexual Abuse?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Dr. Elizabeth Letourneau and Luke Malone (on child sexual abuse prevention)—Armchair Expert
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse—Public Health On Call (January 2023)
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 19 Aug 2026 - 17min
2137 - A Settlement in the Gardasil Lawsuits
About this episode:
This summer, Merck & Co. settled more than 200 lawsuits alleging that the company's HPV vaccine, Gardasil, caused cases of autoimmune conditions and fertility issues in young women. But that $50 million settlement is not an admission of fault on the part of the company or the vaccine. In this episode: Vaccine law expert Dorit Reiss details the lawsuits, including why evidence isn't stacking up for plaintiffs and how headlines about the dollar amount can misconstrue the facts of the case.
Guest:
Dorit Reiss, PhD, is an expert on vaccine policy and a professor of law at UC San Francisco.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Merck to Settle Bulk of Gardasil Suits for About $50 Million—Bloomberg
Kennedy played key role in Gardasil vaccine case against Merck—Reuters
What VAERS Is (And Isn't)—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The HPV Vaccine, 20 Years Later—Public Health On Call (August 2026)
Vaccines 101: The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 17 Aug 2026 - 15min
2136 - The Executive Order on Childhood Vaccines
About this episode:
In the latest move to alter the childhood vaccine schedule, the president has signed an executive order seeking to scale back and restructure routine immunizations. In this episode: what's in the executive order, what it means, and what comes next.
Guest:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Delivering Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations for Americans—The White House
HHS Changes Its Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations: What's Different, What Remains, and What It Means for American Health—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
What Exactly is in a Vaccine?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
A Judge Rules on Vaccines—Public Health On Call (April 2026)
The Evidence on Vaccines and Autism—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 14 Aug 2026 - 12min
2135 - Building a Better World with Prevention Thinking
About this episode:
Could applying a public health approach to issues like education, crime, and the environment help tackle some of society's most pressing challenges? That's what one researcher argues in a new book titled "Imagine Doing Better: Why Policies Backfire and How Prevention Thinking Can Change Everything." In this episode: Author and professor Paul Fleming discusses his new book, a generational approach to policymaking, and the power of collective action.
Guest:
Paul Fleming, PhD, MPH, is an associate professor of health behavior and health equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and co-founder of the Collaborative for Transformative Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Imagine Doing Better: Why Policies Backfire and How Prevention Thinking Can Change Everything—Johns Hopkins University Press
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 13 Aug 2026 - 14min
2134 - Senator Andy Kim on the MediKids Act
About this episode:
Over four million children in the United States are uninsured, while many more lack health insurance that adequately meets their care needs. A proposed bill aims to fix that by providing universal health coverage for everyone aged zero to 26. In this episode: Senator Andy Kim, sponsor of the MediKids Act, on why now is the right time for this bill to become law and how it can be implemented by building on the existing Medicaid framework.
Guest:
Andy Kim, PhD, is a U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He previously held roles at the Pentagon, State Department, and White House.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
MediKids Act—Congress.gov
U.S. and State-by-State Child Health Coverage Trends—Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy
Underinsurance Among Children in the United States—Pediatrics
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 12 Aug 2026 - 15min
2133 - Are Humans Hot Enough to Survive a Fungal Apocalypse?
About this episode:
New research has identified massive fungal blooms in North America in the Cretaceous period, suggesting significant ecological upheaval before and after the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. In this episode: Arturo Casadevall, senior author of the study, explains why these findings are so significant and his hypothesis that fungi gave mammals an evolutionary leg-up over reptiles.
Guest:
Dr. Arturo Casadevall, PhD, MS, is chair of the department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a global expert in host defense mechanisms, fungi, and antibody-based therapies. He is also co-author of the book What If Fungi Win? with Stephanie Desmon.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Fungal Surges Marked Cretaceous Mass Extinction that Ended Age of Dinosaurs—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
What zombie show 'The Last of Us' gets right about fungus in a warming world—Washington Post
What If Fungi Win?—Johns Hopkins University Press
The Discovery of a New Clade of Candida Auris—A "Critical Pathogen"—Public Health On Call (August 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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 10 Aug 2026 - 14min
2132 - The HPV Vaccine, 20 Years Later
About this episode:
In the two decades since the HPV vaccine was approved, women's risk of developing cervical cancer has dropped by 80% for those vaccinated before age 16 and 66% in those vaccinated after age 16. It has also lowered the risk of other HPV-related cancers in men. In this episode: Journalist Liz Szabo recounts the incredible successes of this intervention in preventing cancer and discusses the existing misinformation surrounding the vaccine, still considered by some to be too "new."
Guest:
Liz Szabo, MA, is an investigative health reporter with CIDRAP News.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
20 Years of HPV Vaccine Success—CIDRAP News
Do I Need an HPV Vaccine?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Preventing Cancer: The Far-Reaching Impact of Vaccines—International Vaccine Access Center
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 06 Aug 2026 - 16min
2131 - Prescription Denials Are on the Rise
About this episode:
If you've ever been prescribed a new medication from your doctor only to be told by the pharmacy that your insurance won't cover it, you're not alone. In fact, new research shows that denials and requirements for prior authorizations are happening more frequently and that, in half of these cases, patients are subsequently forgoing their prescriptions. In this episode: Joseph Levy, lead author of the study, explains why this is the case and discusses the tradeoffs between controlling drug spending and ensuring access to necessary treatments.
Guest:
Joseph Levy, PhD, is a health economist and assistant 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 Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Insurance Denials for Brand-Name Prescription Drugs Rose Sharply From 2018 to 2024—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Insurance deny your prescription? You're far from alone, Hopkins study finds—The Baltimore Banner
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 05 Aug 2026 - 17min
2130 - The Peptide Episode
About this episode:
In June, the FDA convened an advisory committee to discuss whether seven selected peptides should be permitted for legal sale under pharmacy compounding laws despite little research into safety and efficacy. Agency scientists oppose the decision while some committee members with ties to the growing industry support it. In this episode: Dr. Josh Sharfstein, who previously served as the Principal Deputy Commissioner of the FDA, explains what is happening and what it may mean for consumers and patients.
Note: That this episode was updated on August 5, 2026.
Guest:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
FDA committee votes to make peptides more widely available—Science
July 23-24, 2026: Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee—FDA
Why Are People Injecting Themselves with Peptides?—The New Yorker
Peptide boom has states scrambling to protect consumers, Post investigation finds—Washington Post
How to Spot Unregulated Pharmacies and Falsified Medications—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 03 Aug 2026 - 15min
2129 - An Early Start to West Nile Virus Season?
About this episode:
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the U.S., and while most people who contract it won't even know they're infected, it can be debilitating for older adults and the immunocompromised. In this episode: an expert in insect-borne diseases gives listeners the essential information on West Nile, offers a forecast on this year's disease season, and answers the most important question: can we just get rid of mosquitoes?
Guest:
Douglas Norris, PhD, is a professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology who studies vector-borne diseases.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
CDC Encourages Americans to Stay Mosquito Bite-Free during America's 250th Independence Day holiday weekend—CDC
Early, intense West Nile season may signal a severe year for the mosquito-borne illness, CDC says—CNN
How to Prevent Dengue or "Break-Bone Fever"—Public Health On Call (May 2024)
Why Are Some Humans' Scents More Preferable to Mosquitoes?—Public Health On Call (June 2023)
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 - 15min
2128 - Immigration Crossfire in Tennessee Threatens Children's Health
About this episode:
Children in Tennessee who need ventilators, chemotherapy and other essential medical treatments—but who have no means to pay for them—turn to the Children's Special Services program. But as a result of a new state law, hundreds of children and their families were told to withdraw from the program or risk being reported to immigration officials. In this episode: Dr. Morgan McDonald explains what happened—and how a lawsuit is aiming to preserve lifesaving care.
Guest:
Dr. Morgan McDonald is a pediatrician, a public health physician, and a Nashville Metro Health board member.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Tennessee to restrict medical aid for critically ill undocumented children—Washington Post
Snader v. Tennessee Department of Health—Tennessee Justice Center
A Doctor Uses Social Media to Advocate for Children in Immigration Detention—Public Health On Call (May 2026)
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 - 14min
2127 - All About Legionnaires' Disease
About this episode:
Cooling towers rife with Legionella bacteria are fueling an outbreak of a serious respiratory disease in New York City. Legionnaires' disease is common in the summer months as the water we use to shower and cool our air conditioning systems warms, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. In this episode: Environmental scientist Natalie Exum details the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease, who is most at risk of infection, and how cities can monitor and treat water systems to reduce exposure.
Guest:
Natalie Exum, PhD, MS, is an assistant professor of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Fourth death confirmed in NYC Legionnaires' disease outbreak—NBC News
Legionnaires' Disease—NYC Health
Two-Year Evaluation of Legionella in an Aging Residential Building: Assessment of Multiple Potable Water Remediation Approaches—Science of the Total Environment
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 27 Jul 2026 - 13min
2126 - Are SSRIs Being Overprescribed?
About this episode:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most widely used class of antidepressants. While these medications have undoubtedly saved lives, they have also gained scrutiny for having significant side effects and being difficult to taper off of. In this episode: Two psychiatrists talk about the existing recommendations for deprescribing and why SSRIs remain a critical treatment tool despite pressure from federal health officials to wean Americans off of them.
Guest:
Dr. Paul Nestadt is an associate professor of Mental Health who studies the epidemiology of suicide and serves as the primary supervising psychiatrist for the Johns Hopkins Hospital Anxiety Disorders Clinic.
Dr. Jimmy Potash, MPH, is the director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and psychiatrist-in-chief at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Kennedy Starts a Push to Help Americans Quit Antidepressants—The New York Times
Prescriptions for Antidepressants Increasing among Individuals with no Psychiatric Diagnosis—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms—Lancet Psychiatry
Changes in antidepressant use by young people and suicidal behavior after FDA warnings and media coverage: quasi-experimental study—BMJ
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Older Adults in Primary Care—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 - 16min
2125 - Curbing Urban Sprawl: Why Better City Planning Could Mean Better Health
About this episode:
Recent research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that living in a compact metropolitan setting could yield more health benefits than living in a more sprawling suburban area. In this episode: the report's lead researcher, Shima Hamidi, explains why this is the case and how communities can reshape infrastructure to foster mobility and connection.
Guest:
Shima Hamidi, PhD, MSc, is a Bloomberg Associate Professor of American Health in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering and director of the Center for Smart Transportation.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Sprawl Rankings Reveal Health Benefits and Cost Offsets in Compact, Connected U.S. County and Metro Areas—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Mapping Urban Sprawl in the U.S.@bloombergamericanhealth via Instagram
Associations between Urban Sprawl and Life Expectancy in the United States—International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Relationship between urban sprawl and physical activity, obesity, and morbidity - update and refinement—Health & Place
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 22 Jul 2026 - 15min
2124 - Could GLP-1s Help Treat Addiction?
About this episode:
As GLP-1 use surges among U.S. adults for weight loss and diabetes management, researchers are exploring whether these medications could play a role in treating substance use disorders. In this episode: an addiction medicine doctor gives a research update, discusses promising early results, and ponders the larger questions these treatments pose about satiety.
Guest:
Dr. Sarah S. Kawasaki is the director of addiction medicine services at the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and an assistant professor of psychiatry at PennState Health. (Full disclosure: Public Health On Call Host Dr. Josh Sharfstein is the proud brother of Dr. Kawasaki)
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Can Ozempic Cure Addiction?—The New Yorker
Could popular weight loss drugs become the new treatment for addiction? Evidence is starting to mount—CNN
Efficacy of the GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, in abstinence from illicit and nonprescribed opioids in an outpatient population with OUD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial protocol—Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 16min
2123 - The Explosive Diarrhea Episode
About this episode:
A parasite that can cause severe gastrointestinal discomfort is sickening people across the country. While cyclosporiasis cases are common in summer months, recent outbreaks in states like Michigan have far exceeded typical numbers. In this episode: Food safety expert David Acheson talks about how cyclosporiasis differs from other foodborne illnesses and the importance of a strong public health system for catching contaminants like this. Note: This episode was recorded on July 15, just before the investigation identified lettuce from Taylor Farms, the supplier to Taco Bell, as the culprit.
Guest:
Dr. David Acheson is the President & CEO of The Acheson Group Consulting Company. With more than 40 years of medical and food safety experience, Acheson has served in prominent roles at the FDA and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 states confirmed as source of a diarrhea-causing parasite outbreak—AP
Surveillance of Cyclosporiasis—CDC
CDC cuts back foodborne illness surveillance program—CIDRAP
The outbreak that changed meat and poultry inspection systems worldwide—Animal Frontiers
Peanut Outlook: Impacts of the 2008-09 Foodborne Illness Outbreak Linked to Salmonella in Peanuts—USDA
What's Behind All the Food Recalls—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 17 Jul 2026 - 19min
2122 - How Storytelling Can Advance Public Health
About this episode:
When it comes to solving big public health issues, personal storytelling can turn abstract research into real impact. In this episode: Monica L. Wang, an award-winning public health researcher and educator, discusses her new book, "The Collective Cure: Upstream Solutions for Better Public Health," and how individual stories can help to identify and solve collective health challenges.
Guest:
Monica L. Wang, ScD, MS, is an associate professor at the Boston University School of Public Health and an adjunct professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is also the editor at large of the Public Health Post.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
The Collective Cure: Upstream Solutions for Better Public Health—Penguin Random House
What public health can learn from the MAHA movement—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 16 Jul 2026 - 18min
2121 - As Baby Boomers Age, Caregiving Trends Are Shifting
About this episode:
Between a growing aging population, the emergence of new technologies, and cuts to Medicaid spending, the landscape of American caregiving is shifting. In this episode: Researcher Jennifer Wolff walks through changes in caregiving trends, underscores the importance of more research on the topic, and highlights new programs that aim to support older adults and their caregivers.
Guest:
Dr. Jennifer Wolff is an expert in policy relating to the care of persons with complex health needs and disabilities, the Eugene and Mildred Lipitz Professor in Health Policy and Management, and director of the Roger and Flo Lipitz Center to Advance Policy in Aging and Disability.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
About NHATS & NSOC—NHATS
The Number Of Family Caregivers Helping Older US Adults Increased From 18 Million To 24 Million, 2011–22—Health Affairs
Cognitive assessment & care plan services—http://Medicare.gov
GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Model—http://CMS.gov
America's Caregiver Crisis—Public Health On Call (July 2025)
The Potential Impacts of Cuts to Medicaid—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 15 Jul 2026 - 17min
2120 - A Forecast for the 2026 Hurricane Season
About this episode:
Strong El Niño activity in the Pacific could mean a quieter Atlantic hurricane season, but recent events like tropical storm Arthur show that extreme weather can still impact the U.S. this summer. In this episode: Hurricane specialist Michael Lowry returns to the podcast to give an update on the 2026 hurricane season, the promising role of AI in storm forecasting, and the state of meteorology amidst federal funding cuts.
Guest:
Michael Lowry is a hurricane specialist and storm surge expert for WPLG-TV in Miami, FL. He previously served as a senior scientist at the National Hurricane Center and as disaster planning chief at FEMA.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
AI Weather Models Changing the Hurricane Forecast Game—Eye on the Tropics
Remnants from Tropical Storm Arthur drench Gulf states, flooding homes and forcing evacuations—CBS News
Congressional committees push back on Trump administration's proposed NOAA budget cuts—ABC News
The Texas Floods and the Future of Forecasting—Public Health On Call (July 2025)
Climate Change and Meteorology: 2025 Update—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 13 Jul 2026 - 17min
2119 - $168 Million in Federal Dollars for Rural Health in Maryland
About this episode:
Late last year, the federal government awarded the state of Maryland $168 million for projects advancing rural health. In this episode: Elizabeth Kromm of the Maryland Department of Health explains how the state plans to use this Rural Health Transformation grant to bolster the state's health workforce, connect more people to primary care, get more locally-grown, nutritious foods on Marylander's plates—and the massive effort to turn around a grant proposal like this on a very tight timeline.
Guest:
Elizabeth Edsall Kromm, PhD, is assistant secretary of population health and strategic initiatives at the Maryland Department of Health and adjunct assistant professor of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)—Maryland Department of Health
What Rural America Can Learn from Global Health—Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs
Maryland All-Payer Model—CMS.gov
The State of Rural Health—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 18min
2118 - Should Cities Be Welcoming Autonomous Vehicles?
About this episode:
As self-driving cars reach new corners of the country, there is more data on crashes and safety. But is there enough data to confidently assess the benefits and dangers? In this episode: Road safety expert Johnathon Ehsani parses the complexities of the existing data, shares in which contexts driverless cars could be safer, and offers advice to mayors and city residents.
Guest:
Johnathon Ehsani, PhD, MPH, is an internationally recognized road safety researcher and an associate professor in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
An Open Letter from the Medical Community on America's Road Deaths
Waymo Safety Impact—Waymo
Advancing Transportation Equity and Safety Through Autonomous Vehicles—Health Equity
Are Self-driving Cars Safe?—Public Health On Call (March 2023)
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 - 15min
2117 - From the Research Lab to Open Mic Night: Comedy in Science Communication
About this episode:
Telling a good joke is a science—it requires gathering data, thoughtful analysis, and constant experimentation to get it right. A good joke can also help us better communicate about science. In this episode: A stand-up comedian with a research background explains why comedy is a useful tool in science communication and shares tips for using humor to illustrate academic concepts.
Guest:
Sarah Adelman, MPH, is a stand-up comic, screenwriter, and former scientist. She is also the creator, host, and executive producer of the original social media series "BLOW MY MIND."
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
A Scientist Walks Into a Bar…—Nautilus
Not Just Funny After All: Sarcasm as a Catalyst for Public Engagement With Climate Change—Science Communication
Can a Joke Make Science More Trustworthy?—Journal of Science Communication
Specialized terminology reduces the number of citations of scientific papers—Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Why Do We Believe Misinformation?—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 06 Jul 2026 - 20min
2116 - A New School of Public Health is Coming to Detroit
About this episode:
Established in 1868 as a medical school, Wayne State University has championed decades of community-engaged research and interventions in the Detroit community and throughout the state of Michigan. That work will soon take center stage with a new school of public health. In this episode: Bernard Costello, who oversees the institution's health sciences enterprise, explains why now is the right time for a devoted public health curriculum and how a university goes about starting a new school.
Guest:
Bernard Costello, MD, DMD, is senior vice president for health affairs at Wayne State University, where he oversees the School of Medicine, College of Nursing, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and development of the emerging school of public health.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
New public health school emerging at Wayne State University—WDET
How Karmanos is Partnering with Communities Against Cancer and How You Can Get Involved—Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Healthcare Occupations—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 - 15min
2115 - Right-Sizing Traffic Enforcement for Safer Roadways
About this episode:
The U.S. stands out among peer countries for having the worst rate of traffic deaths. Approaching this issue from a public health angle can help to make roadways safer by focusing on population-level interventions rather than directing resources towards policing "bad apple" individuals. In this episode: Tiffany Joyce Smith, lead author of a new report on the role of enforcement in road safety, explains the value of a proactive approach to preventing crashes versus a reactive one.
Guest:
Tiffany Joyce Smith, MPH, is a public health and mobility expert and program advisor with the Vision Zero Network.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Right-Sizing the Role of Traffic Enforcement: Prioritizing Effective, Cost-Efficient and Equitable Improvements to Road Safety—Vision Zero Network
Money Drove Criminal Justice System In Ferguson, DOJ Report Says—NPR
The Surprising Benefits of Narrower Traffic Lanes—Public Health On Call (November 2023)
Why Are So Many Pedestrians Getting Struck and Killed By Cars, and Why Aren't We Doing More To Stop It?—Public Health On Call (July 2023)
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 - 19min
2114 - Harnessing the Power of Social Media to Find Organ Donors
About this episode:
Individuals awaiting organ transplants are often encouraged to reach out to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to ask if they will consider becoming a living organ donor. As social media expands our reach beyond our immediate communities, it could become a powerful tool in connecting recipients with donors. In this episode: Macey Levan, a kidney donor and researcher, explains why social media can be so useful in forging life-saving connections and what to consider when making the ask of an online community.
Guest:
Macey Levan, PhD, JD, is an associate professor of surgery and population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She also serves as director of policy and external affairs for the Transplant Institute and director of the qualitative core in the Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Social Media in the Identification of Living Kidney Donors: Platforms, Tools, and Strategies—Current Transplantation Reports
Social media and organ donation: Ethically navigating the next frontier—American Journal of Transplantation
Kidney Donation: How to Make the Ask—National Kidney Foundation
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 - 16min
2113 - Animal Diseases and Human Health: The Sloth and Screwworm Episode
About this episode:
Headlines about sick sloths in Florida and the reemergence of the New World screwworm in the southwest are raising concerns about potential animal-to-human spillover of certain diseases. In this episode: an update on gammaherpesvirus at Sloth World, why experts are concerned about new screwworm cases, and what both of these situations may mean for human health.
Guest:
Dr. Meghan Davis, PhD, MPH, is a veterinarian and chair of the Master of Public Health program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Mass Sloth Deaths in Florida Are a Warning About Wildlife Trade and Pandemic Risk, Scientists Say—Inside Climate News
USDA Confirms Presence of New World Screwworm in the United States—USDA
Could One Health Prevent the Next Pandemic?—Public Health On Call (September 2025)
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 25 Jun 2026 - 21min
2112 - The Ethics of Including Pregnant People in Clinical Trials
About this episode:
Research on the potential impacts of certain medications, vaccines, and interventions on pregnant people and their fetuses is lacking. Much of this is due to culturally perceived risks associated with pregnancy and fears of litigation. In this episode: Ruth Faden, an expert in bioethics, explains how this gap in data can fuel other risks and how to ethically and responsibly include pregnant people in clinical trials.
Note: This conversation builds on a recent episode of playing god?, the podcast from the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Listen to that episode here.
Guest:
Ruth Faden, PhD, MPH, is the Philip Franklin Wagley Professor of Biomedical Ethics and the founding director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Two Bodies, One Prescription—playing god?
COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The second wave: Toward responsible inclusion of pregnant women in research—International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Medication Use During Pregnancy—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 16min
2111 - Two Federal Changes to Support Children and Families in the Foster Care System
About this episode:
Data from 2025 shows that over 300,000 children are living in foster care in the United States. The Administration for Children and Families—the federal agency that oversees child welfare programs—aims to keep more children out of the system and with their families. In this episode: a conversation with Assistant Secretary Alex Adams about recent changes to grants and policies that seek to support families affected by substance use and reform practices around survivor benefits for children who have lost their parents.
Guest:
Alex Adams, PharmD, MPH, is the Assistant Secretary for Family Support, leading the Administration for Children and Families.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Rolling Out the Welcome Mat for Prevention—The Imprint
Former Idaho official ended state taking foster kid's Social Security money. Are other states next?—Idaho Capital Sun
A Home for Every Child—Administration for Children and Families
The AFCARS Dashboard—Administration for Children and Families
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 14min
2110 - Juneteenth: Celebration, Reflection, and Recommitment with Janice Bowie
About this episode:
Juneteenth is a holiday that asks Americans to balance celebration with the continued pursuit of freedom and equality. In this classic episode from 2022: Professor Janice Bowie talks about the meaning of Juneteenth and issues a call to reflect and recommit to championing progress within our own communities.
Guest:
Janice Bowie, PhD, MPH, is professor emeritus in Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Juneteeth: Sun, Sounds and the Spirit of Freedom—Smithsonian Institution
Juneteenth National Independence Day Act—Congress.gov
Where Research Meets the Street—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
The Concepts Behind the Language of Equity—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 10min
2109 - A New Test for Lyme Disease, Developed by High Schoolers
About this episode:
A group of students from suburban Atlanta has developed a new method for detecting Lyme disease using the gene-editing tool CRISPR. In this episode: why there's such a desperate need for a new diagnostic, how the students' model works, and why it's so promising for the treatment of Lyme and other diseases.
Guest:
Nicole Baumgarth, PhD, DVM, is Bloomberg Distinguished Professor in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and the director of the Lyme and Tickborne Disease Research and Education Institute at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Sankalp Yeleti is a recent graduate of Lambert High School and a rising freshman at New York University, where he plans to study biomolecular science.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Teens may have come up with a new way to detect, treat Lyme disease using CRISPR gene editing—CBS News
Lancet—Lambert iGEM 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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 17 Jun 2026 - 11min
2108 - The Rise of "Big Wellness"
About this episode:
The wellness industry covers everything from fitness to biohacking, yoga to peptides, and it's backed by culturally and financially powerful players. In this episode: a new paper in the Milbank Quarterly covers how social media fuels the industry's proliferation, the growing skepticism of traditional medicine that allows it to thrive, and the tension between the concepts of wellness and public health.
Guest:
Nancy Karreman, PhD, is a researcher of public health interventions at the University of Cambridge.
Nason Maani, PhD, MPH, is a senior lecturer in inequalities and global health policy at the University of Edinburgh.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
The Political Economy of Wellness: Commercial Determinants of a Burgeoning Industry—Millbank Quarterly
The Outlook on Direct-to-Consumer Health Care—Public Health On Call (February 2026)
Dietitian Influencers On Social Media Are Being Paid By the Food Industry to Promote Products and Messages—Public Health On Call (October 2023)
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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 - 15min
2107 - The Race for a Bundibugyo Ebolavirus Vaccine
About this episode:
Vaccines for the Zaire ebolavirus have been licensed since 2019, but no such treatment exists for the current outbreak of Bundibugyo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In this episode: Anna Durbin, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research, introduces listeners to three candidate vaccines and discusses the hurdles to deploying new treatments.
Guest:
Dr. Anna Durbin is a professor of International Health and the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Three Ebola vaccines in development amid growing outbreak fears—BBC
USAID's closure led to 'entirely preventable' deaths, latest Ebola outbreak: House Dem report—The Hill
HHS confirms Americans with high-risk Ebola exposures will have access to experimental therapy—STAT
Regeneron's Ebola Antibody Recommended by World Health Organization for Investigational Use in Response to Current Bundibugyo Ebolavirus Outbreak—Regeneron
What Will It Take to Contain the Central Africa Ebola Outbreak?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Use of Investigational Drugs in an Outbreak: Separating Science and Politics With Hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19—Public Health On Call (May 2020)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 16min
2106 - An Unlikely Alliance to Lower Healthcare Costs
About this episode:
Two health policy experts could not disagree more about the Affordable Care Act. Yet they're working together to tackle what they see as a root cause of unaffordability. In this episode: A 1954 change to federal tax code made employer-provided health benefits tax-free, incentivizing employers to cover workers' health insurance—but this policy is one explanation for high healthcare costs for Americans today.
Guests:
Michael F. Cannon, JM, MA, is the director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute.
Elizabeth Fowler, PhD, JD, is a distinguished scholar in Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
This policy is at the root of unaffordable health care—Washington Post
The New Reality Facing Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 - 17min
2105 - What We Must Learn From Ebola—A "Disease of Compassion"
About this episode:
Dr. Craig Spencer became sick with Ebola while treating patients in West Africa in 2014. He ultimately recovered at a treatment center back in the United States before returning to Guinea to continue his work. In this episode: he talks about what scares him about the current Ebola outbreak, what it's like to treat the disease on the ground, and what lessons he fears we still haven't learned about this "disease of compassion."
Guest:
Dr. Craig Spencer, MPH, is an emergency medicine physician, public health researcher, and associate professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at Brown University School of Public Health.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
I Survived Ebola. This Is What Scares Me Most About This Outbreak.—The New York Times
Is The U.S. Stepping Up In The Fight Against Ebola?—KFF
HHS confirms Americans with high-risk Ebola exposures will have access to experimental therapy—STAT
White House resisted letting doctor with Ebola return to U.S.—Washington Post
Guinea families transport bodies in public taxis—Associated Press
Protests against US Ebola facility in Kenya turn deadly—ABC News
An Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa—Public Health On Call (May 2026)
The Use of Investigational Drugs in an Outbreak: Separating Science and Politics With Hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19—Public Health On Call (May 2020)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 - 23min
2104 - How College Campuses Can Support Students in Recovery
About this episode:
Recovering from a substance use disorder while in college is a unique challenge mired by stigma and social pressures to drink or use drugs. But collegiate interventions for young adults can change the trajectory and even save lives. In this episode: Noel Vest, an addiction recovery researcher, explains what makes a good collegiate recovery program and why now is a great time for higher education institutions to expand support for students.
Guest:
Noel Vest, PhD, is an assistant professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Drug recovery is now US national policy. Campuses need to step up—Times Higher Education
ADDRESSING ADDICTION THROUGH THE GREAT AMERICAN RECOVERY INITIATIVE—The White House
Association of Recovery in Higher Education
What is SAFE Campuses?—SAFE Project
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 04 Jun 2026 - 16min
2103 - Violence Against Healthcare in Conflict: 2025 Report
About this episode:
An annual report from the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition assesses attacks on healthcare facilities and workers in conflict. In this episode: the implications for international humanitarian law as drone warfare surges, state forces increasingly perpetrate attacks, and cuts to foreign aid exacerbate healthcare gaps.
Guest:
Joe Amon, PhD, MSPH, is the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health and Human Rights.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Care in the Crosshairs: Violence Against Health Care in Conflict 2025—Safeguarding Health in Conflict
Rethinking Humanitarian Health—Public Health On Call (May 2026)
Violence Against Health Care in Conflict: 2024 Report—Public Health On Call (June 2025)
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 03 Jun 2026 - 14min
2102 - The Legal Challenges Facing Mifepristone
About this episode:
In May, the Supreme Court issued an order preserving access to the abortion medication mifepristone by telemedicine—for now. In this episode: a breakdown of Louisiana v. FDA and other cases involving mifepristone as legal and political battles continue after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Guest:
Joanne Rosen, JD, MA, is an expert in public health law and a co-director of the Center for Law and the Public's Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Show links and related content:
Louisiana v. FDA: Access to Mifepristone Back at the Supreme Court—KFF
What Is Mifepristone, aka "The Abortion Pill"?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
How the FDA Regulates Mifepristone, "the Abortion Pill"—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 01 Jun 2026 - 19min
2101 - 1057 - Five Baltimore Health Commissioners Walk into an Auditorium
About this episode:
In the city of Baltimore, the health department works to prevent overdose, reduce violence, provide vaccinations, inspect restaurants, and so much more. In this episode: Host Stephanie Desmon leads a panel discussion with five Baltimore City Commissioners of Health who collectively served over three decades. They swap stories and speak candidly about the challenges and opportunities of the role.
Guests:
Dr. Peter Beilenson, MPH, is a lecturer at the Johns Hopkins Kreiger School of Arts & Sciences. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 1992 to 2005.
Dr. Letitia Dzirasa is the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services with the City of Baltimore. She served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2019 to 2023.
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009.
Dr. Michelle Taylor, DrPH, MPA, is the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health. She also serves in the Tennessee Air National Guard, and she previously led operations at the Shelby County Health Department.
Dr. Leana S. Wen, MSc, is a physician and professor of health policy and management at George Washington University. She served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2014 to 2018.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Health Commissioner Michelle Taylor is Betting on Baltimore—Public Health On Call (May 2026)
Baltimore's Record Low in Homicides—Public Health On Call (November 2025)
Baltimore's Back-to-Back Mass Overdoses—Public Health On Call (September 2025)
B'More for Healthy Babies: A Look Back at 15 Years of Infant Mortality Reduction in Baltimore—Public Health On Call (May 2025)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 22 May 2026 - 41min
2100 - 1056 - An Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa
About this episode:
A deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has been declared a global public health emergency by WHO. In this episode: infectious disease epidemiologist Emily Gurley explains why this outbreak is particularly concerning for a region managing existing crises and how public health systems are working to contain transmission and treat patients.
Guest:
Emily S. Gurley, PhD, MPH, is a professor in Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she focuses on infectious disease and outbreak investigation.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
WHO declares major outbreak of rare Ebola virus species an international emergency—Science
US Imposes Ebola Travel Restrictions as CDC Says Risk Remains Low—Newsweek
What else to know: The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa will be challenging to control, but decades of experience will help—The Uptake
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 21 May 2026 - 13min
2099 - 1055 - Rethinking Humanitarian Health
About this episode:
A new report from the CHH-Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement establishes a new blueprint for humanitarian health, including giving more agency to impacted communities. In this episode: Dr. Paul Spiegel, chair of the commission, details the fundamentals of the report and the dire need for a more effective approach to helping people in desperate need at a time of escalating conflict.
Guest:
Dr. Paul Spiegel is a physician, epidemiologist, and the director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Spiegel has worked in humanitarian emergencies for the last 30 years.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health–Lancet Commission on health, conflict, and forced displacement: health in a world of crises and impunity—CHH-Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement
Humanitarian Health in Gaza and Beyond—Public Health On Call (June 2025)
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Tue, 19 May 2026 - 22min
2098 - 1054 - Interview With a Graduate: A Newly Minted DrPH in Louisiana
About this episode:
It's graduation time at the Bloomberg School! In this episode: New graduate Della Wright shares how a passion for community engagement and a drive to sharpen her skills steered her towards public health, and how a DrPH degree is supercharging her work bringing researchers and communities together to protect the environment.
Guest:
Della Wright, DrPH, MPH, is a Bloomberg Fellow and the director of evaluation at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Get to Know Della Wright—Bloomberg American Health Initiative
HBCU-CBO Gulf Equity Consortium—Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Tue, 19 May 2026 - 15min
2097 - 1053 - Health Commissioner Michelle Taylor is Betting on Baltimore
About this episode:
Not even a year into her job as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health, Dr. Michelle Taylor is balancing leading a diverse team with tackling major public health issues. In this episode: She speaks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein, who served as commissioner from 2005 to 2009, about what drew her to Baltimore, her early priority initiatives, and how she applies her public health training to her new role.
Guest:
Dr. Michelle Taylor, DrPH, MPA, is the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health. She also serves in the Tennessee Air National Guard, and she previously led operations at the Shelby County Health Department.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former Baltimore health commissioner and secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
The Commissioner: A Q&A With Michelle Taylor—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Baltimore's Record Low in Homicides—Public Health On Call (November 2025)
Healing City Baltimore: How A City Is Responding to A Mental Health Crisis—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 18 May 2026 - 17min
2096 - 1052 - Should AI Renew Your Prescription?
About this episode:
In a first-of-its-kind program, the state of Utah is partnering with an AI health platform to offer prescription renewals to nearly 200 medications. In this episode: the director of the state's office of artificial intelligence explains how the program works, responds to concerns that have been raised, and discusses what's next.
Guest:
Zach Boyd, PhD, is the director of the Office of Artificial Intelligence for the State of Utah.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Doctronic AI Regulatory Mitigation Agreement—Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy
Artificial intelligence begins prescribing medications in Utah—Politico
How Pharmacists Improve Community Health—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:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 15 May 2026 - 18min
2095 - 1051 - The Fate of Foreign Aid in 2026
About this episode:
A recent study by the Rockefeller Foundation and ISGlobal estimates that cuts made to foreign aid last year could result in 23 million more deaths globally by 2030. In this episode: how researchers calculated this figure, why funding has slowed, and what global development leaders are trying to do about it.
Guest:
Eric Pelofsky, JD, MPP, is the vice president of international policy at the Rockefeller Foundation.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
93 Countries Worldwide at Risk of Losing Nearly 23 Million More People by 2030—Rockefeller Foundation
"Taxpayer Money Went to Buy Food to Feed People… Now It's Being Burned"—Public Health On Call (September 2025)
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—Public Health On Call (April 2025)
What Foreign Aid Means for National Security—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 14 May 2026 - 16min
2094 - 1050 - A Doctor Uses Social Media to Advocate for Children in Immigration Detention
About this episode:
Dr. Anita K. Patel emerged as a prominent online educator during the pandemic. Today, she's leveraging social media to advocate for the humane treatment of children in ICE detention. In this episode: her work to help detained children obtain much-needed medical attention and her advice for doctors on using social media to make a wider impact.
Guest:
Dr. Anita K. Patel is an attending physician at Children's National Medical Center and associate professor of pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
The Children of Dilley—ProPublica
Pediatricians send letter to DHS demanding release of children in ICE detention—Texas Public Radio
Medical Care in Immigration Detention—Public Health On Call (October 2025)
How Social Media is Changing the Way We Talk About Health—Public Health On Call (March 2026)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 13 May 2026 - 20min
2093 - 1049 - What to Know About Hantavirus
About this episode:
An outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship has triggered a global public health response to treat those infected and trace those exposed. In this episode: why this type of hantavirus is unique, what the symptoms and severity are, and why experts are assuring the public that the risk of pandemic-level transmission is low.
Guest:
Kari Moore Debbink, PhD, MEd, is a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
What Is Hantavirus, Which Is Linked to the Deaths of 3 People Aboard a Cruise Ship?—New York Times
In the News: Hantavirus—@johnshopkinssph via Instagram
Emerging Infectious Diseases—Johns Hopkins Medicine
Can Spillover—How Viruses Move From Animals to Humans—Be Prevented?—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:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 11 May 2026 - 12min
2092 - 1048 - Understanding and Ending Violence
About this episode:
What would change if we thought of violence as an infectious disease? In this episode: a trailblazer in the movement for community-based solutions to violence, Dr. Gary Slutkin, explains how treating violence like an epidemic can point the way to solutions.
Guest:
Dr. Gary Slutkin is a physician and epidemiologist who founded the organization Cure Violence Global. He is also the author of the book "The End of Violence: Eliminating the World's Most Dangerous Epidemic."
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Estimating the Effects of Safe Streets Baltimore on Gun Violence—Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions
Interrupting Violence: How the CeaseFire Program Prevents Imminent Gun Violence through Conflict Mediation—Journal of Urban Health
The End of Violence: Eliminating the World's Most Dangerous Epidemic—Penguin Random House (book)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Fri, 08 May 2026 - 17min
2091 - 1047 - Food Access at Your Neighborhood Y
About this episode:
Connecting community members with nutritious foods can also open the door to other resources for improving wellbeing, from nutrition education to legal services to housing support. In this episode: Devonne Franklin and Shikera Shelton of the Y in Central Maryland talk about the organization's Fresh Mart program and how providing a good meal opens the door to improving community health outcomes.
Guests:
Devonne Franklin is the executive director of community and associate wellbeing at the Y in Central Maryland.
Shikera Shelton is a member of the community health team at the Y in Central Maryland and manager of the Fresh Mart in Druid Hill.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Y Fresh Mart: Reliable Access to Healthy Food—Y in Central Maryland
Get Involved—Y in Central Maryland
What is Prediabetes—Public Health On Call (April 2026)
Hidden Food Insecurity: The Adolescents Who Aren't Getting Enough to Eat—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 via email or visit our website.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 07 May 2026 - 14min
2090 - 1046 - "The Service is the Message": A Conversation with New York's Commissioner of Health
About this episode:
Appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani earlier this year, Dr. Alister Martin is developing creative ways to make life healthier and more affordable for New Yorkers. In this episode: Dr. Martin shares how his office is meeting problems head on, finding innovative ways to connect with neighbors, and serving through a public health trust deficit.
Guest:
Dr. Alister F. Martin, MPP, is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He is also an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the founder of A Healthier Democracy.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
I'm New York City's new health commissioner. Here's how I'll help deliver on Zohran Mamdani's affordability agenda.—MSN
VoteER: Helping Patients and Providers Vote Like Their Health Depends On It—Public Health On Call (September 2021)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website.
Follow us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 06 May 2026 - 18min
2089 - 1045 - What's Next for a New Lyme Vaccine
About this episode:
A new vaccine shows 70% efficacy in preventing Lyme disease, but limitations to the clinical trials put the fate of this intervention in limbo. In this episode: Anna Durbin, an expert in experimental vaccines, explains where this vaccine shows promise, where it falls short, and what could happen next for licensing and regulation.
Guest:
Dr. Anna Durbin is a professor of International Health and the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Pfizer and Valneva Announce Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate Demonstrates Strong Efficacy in Phase 3 VALOR Trial—Pfizer
Tickborne Diseases Are on the Rise—Here's What To Know—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
F.D.A. Reverses Decision and Agrees to Review Moderna's Flu Vaccine—New York Times
It's Tick Season!—Public Health On Call (April 2025)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 04 May 2026 - 15min
2088 - 1044 - A Peek Behind the Curtain: A Conversation with Our Resident in Residence
About this episode:
Amid a major turning point for the field of public health, physicians and public health experts are reckoning with their approach to their work, especially in the context of public outreach. In this episode: a discussion with a preventive medicine resident who is spending a month working with the podcast team. Topics include his experiences, interplay between new media and public health, and the power of telling stories to support changemaking.
Watch this episode on YouTube.
Guest:
Ari Goldstein, MD, is a family medicine physician and a preventive medicine resident at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health General Preventive Medicine Residency
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
What is Preventive Medicine?—American College of Preventive Medicine
HEAL Collaborative
National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention
Storytelling for Global and Public Health - Resource Pack—Global Health Education and Learning Incubator at Harvard University
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 - 13min
2087 - 1043 - How Community Health Workers Improve Research
About this episode:
Many people know community health workers for their work supporting clinical care and connecting people to resources. In this episode: the role of community health workers in crafting research questions, recruiting study participants, sharing results, and making a broader impact.
Guest:
Donald Young Jr. is a community outreach engagement specialist for the D.C., Maryland, Virginia Community Engagement Alliance.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Community Health Workers—Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity
Donald Young—Baltimore Connect
Baltimore man shares story of his struggle with substance use disorder—WMAR 2 News
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 29 Apr 2026 - 14min
2086 - 1042 - The Red Hill Water Crisis: How Jet Fuel Contaminated the Water Supply of More Than 60,000 People
About this episode:
A 2021 leak of jet fuel into the drinking water supply on O'ahu has caused neurological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory conditions and prompted outrage from community members. In this episode: the story of an in-depth investigation into the disaster, which covered how to measure exposure and support the individuals and families compromised by this crisis.
Guest:
Natalie Exum, PhD, MS, is an assistant professor of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins University Water Institute.
Andrew Whelton, PhD, MS, is a professor of civil and construction engineering at Purdue University.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Clinical Follow-up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill—National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
About the Fuel Releases at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility—United States Environmental Protection Agency
How to Investigate a Cancer Cluster—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:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 27 Apr 2026 - 18min
2085 - 1041 - World Malaria Day: Promising Tools for Elimination Amidst Research Cuts
About this episode:
Exacerbated by cuts to research funding and on-the-ground interventions, malaria remains one of the deadliest and most burdensome health crises across the globe. In this episode: Jane Carlton of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute details the state of the disease in 2026 and how tools like improved vaccines and genetically modified mosquitoes can bring us closer to elimination.
Guest:
Jane Carlton, PhD, is a Bloomberg distinguished professor and the director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
The Malaria Minute Podcast—The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute
World Malaria Day: Advocacy on Capitol Hill—Funding, Research, and Global Impact—Public Health On Call (April 2025)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 - 15min
2084 - 1040 - Growing Demand for Menopausal Hormone Therapies Brings Excitement—and New Concerns
About this episode:
Following the FDA's removal of black box warnings for hormone therapy drugs, demand has skyrocketed for menopause treatments. In this episode: why this explosion in popularity marks a trend in the right direction for quality reproductive care while also raising concerns about "menowashed" products and blanket prescribing of hormonal interventions.
Guests:
Dr. Wendy L. Bennett, MPH, is a primary care doctor and associate professor with appointments at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine.
Dr. Tina Zhang is a primary care doctor and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Why the 'mad scramble' to fill hormone therapy prescriptions for menopause—NPR
FACT SHEET: FDA Initiates Removal of "Black Box" Warnings from Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Products—U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
What Is a Black Box Warning?—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
De-medicalizing Menopause—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 - 18min
2083 - 1039 - Spending Down Billions in Opioid Settlement Money: The Debatable, The Inventive, and The Innovative
About this episode:
A collaboration between the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, KFF Health News, and Shatterproof is tracking how communities across the country are spending opioid settlement funds. In this episode: Abigail Winiker of the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative details the good, bad, and the ugly of the expenditures the team has tracked, from EMS-delivered harm reduction methods to punitive law enforcement investments to... D.A.R.E magicians?
Guest:
Abigail Winiker, PhD, MSPH, is an assistant scientist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the program director of the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Six Innovations in Settlement Fund Spending—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Innovations in Opioid Settlement Fund Spending | CMAP Nexus Series—Health Policy and Management – BSPH via YouTube
From Narcan to Gun Silencers, Opioid Settlement Cash Pays Law Enforcement Tabs—KFF Health News
Edgecombe County honored for its innovative approach to opioid crisis—Rocky Mount Telegram
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 - 18min
2082 - 1038 - Cannabis Use Disorder in Adolescents Linked to Other Psychiatric Conditions
About this episode:
New findings suggest that, compared to adults with similar habits, teens with patterns of problematic cannabis use are at an elevated risk for developing other mental disorders like schizophrenia and depression. In this episode: Johannes Thrul breaks down a study on this potential link and outlines what it may mean for the growing field of cannabis research.
Guest:
Johannes Thrul, PhD, MS, is an associate professor of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Association of Cannabis Use Disorder Versus Other Substance Use Disorders With Psychiatric Conditions: A Propensity-Matched Retrospective Cohort Analysis—American Journal of Psychiatry
Cannabis Use Disorder Among Young People Linked to Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
New Research Reveals Age Plays Key Role in Cannabis‑Related Psychiatric Risks—Men's Journal via Yahoo
The Risks of Psychotic Symptoms With Cannabis Use in Younger People—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 - 16min
2081 - 1037 - Chatbots, Mental Health, and Suicide
About this episode:
People are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for therapeutic purposes—but these platforms are built for engagement, not mental health care. In this episode: Laura Reiley, whose daughter took her own life after confiding in a chatbot, explains why this technology is ill-equipped to treat those struggling with their mental health and how a transparent regulatory system could establish responsible practices for AI companies.
Note: This episode includes discussions of suicidality and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is 24-hour assistance in the United States available by dialing 988.
Guest:
Laura Reiley is a journalist whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Baltimore Sun. She is currently a writer for the Cornell Chronicle.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
What My Daughter Told ChatGPT Before She Took Her Life—New York Times
The family of teenager who died by suicide alleges OpenAI's ChatGPT is to blame—NBC News
Summary of Artificial Intelligence 2025 Legislation—National Conference of State Legislatures
Register of Suicides—Centre for Suicide Research
Should AI Be Your Therapist?—Public Health On Call (July 2025)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 - 15min
2080 - 1036 - Geopolitics and Humanitarian Health in Iran, Cuba, and Ukraine
About this episode:
Humanitarian crises don't exist in a vacuum—they are shaped by geopolitical actions like blockades, sanctions, and armed conflicts between countries. In this episode: Stanford University scholar Ruth Gibson details how geopolitical decisions impact civilians on the ground and how this framing applies to current situations in Iran, Cuba, and Ukraine.
Guest:
Ruth Gibson, PhD, is a scholar at Stanford University where she holds appointments in at the Center for Innovation and Global Health and the Center for International Security and Cooperation.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
U.S. to Blockade Ships Entering or Exiting Iranian Ports—U.S. Central Command
Block Food and Medicine?—Geopolitics and Humanity Dispatch
Cuban doctors endure burnout, blackouts as once-vaunted healthcare declines—Reuters
Willing Accomplices: Gazprom & Rosneft's Role in the Transport and Indoctrination of Ukraine's Children—Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab
Caring for Children in War-Torn Ukraine—Public Health On Call (November 2025)
Starvation in Gaza—Public Health On Call (July 2025)
Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 - 16min
2079 - 1035 - The Epic Struggle for Public Health
About this episode:
Public health efforts have led to tremendous gains throughout history—and sparked backlash. That's the argument made by Michelle A. Williams in her new book "The Cure for Everything The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving." In this episode: why community interventions often go underappreciated, the economic benefits of a healthy society, and the tension between medicine and public health.
Guest:
Michelle A. Williams, ScD, is a professor of epidemiology and population health at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also the co-author of "The Cure for Everything: The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving."
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
The Cure for Everything: The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving—Penguin Random House
"On Going Backwards": A New HIV/AIDS Epidemic?—Public Health On Call (May 2025)
Recognizing W.E.B. Du Bois and His Seminal Work on Racism and Health—Public Health On Call (February 2022)
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 - 13min
2078 - 1034 - An Update on Measles and the U.S.'s Elimination Status
About this episode:
The U.S. is on track to surpass 2025's alarming number of measles cases in 2026. At the same time, the nation's measles elimination status remains under review as health entities use genome sequencing to better understand the state of transmission. In this episode: Infectious disease specialist William Moss explains what's at stake with the verification of the U.S.'s elimination status and why this resurgence of measles is so concerning for immunization writ large.
Guest:
Dr. William Moss, MPH, is an infectious disease specialist and the executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center 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 Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
US Scientists Sequence 1,000 Genomes From Measles, a Disease Long Eliminated With Vaccines—KFF Health News
The U.S. will likely lose its measles elimination status. Here's what that means—NPR
US builds case to retain measles elimination status as infections mount—Reuters
Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S.—International Vaccine Access Center
There's a Measles Alert in My Area. Now What?—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.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 - 17min
2077 - 1033 - Chemical Contaminants and Fungal Fixes in Wastewater and Agriculture
About this episode:
Biosolids created by the wastewater treatment process are useful fertilizers in agriculture, but they often contain chemical compounds from the pharmaceutical and personal care products we send down our drains. In this episode: Researcher Carsten Prasse details new findings that suggest that fungi could reduce our risk of exposure to these compounds in our drinking water and food.
Guest:
Carsten Prasse, PhD, MSc, is an associate professor of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he studies organic contaminants in the urban water cycle and their impact on environmental and human health.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
White-Rot Fungi Show Promise for Reducing Pharmaceutical Residues in Biosolids—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Magic Mushrooms? White-Rot Fungal Degradation of Psychoactive Pharmaceuticals in Biosolids—ACS Environmental Au
Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 - 14min
2076 - 1032 - A Judge Rules on Vaccines
About this episode:
A federal judge has halted changes from the Department of Health and Human Services to the childhood immunization schedule and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice. In this episode: the impact of this decision and what comes next.
Guest:
Sarah Despres, JD, is a lawyer with over 25 years of experience in public health policy and advocacy and is an expert on immunization policy. She served as counselor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021-2025.
Host:
Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Show links and related content:
Judge blocks US government from slimming down vaccine recommendations—Associated Press
Trust in federal government drops when it comes to childhood vaccines, poll suggests—CIDRAP
HHS Changes Its Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations: What's Different, What Remains, and What It Means for American Health—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Changes to the CDC's Vaccine Advisory Committee—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 via email or visit our website.
Follow us:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mon, 06 Apr 2026 - 17min
2075 - 1031 - What is Prediabetes?
About this episode:
Prediabetes—a diagnosis characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that can progress to Type 2 diabetes—is embroiled in debate about whether the condition is clinically "real," and, if so, what the threshold for diagnosis should be. In this episode: Epidemiologist and diabetes expert Elizabeth Selvin breaks down the controversy surrounding prediabetes and why she thinks the diagnosis offers an opportunity for intervention.
Guest:
Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH, is a professor of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she studies diagnosis and screening for diabetes and prediabetes.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Prediabetes and What It Means: The Epidemiological Evidence—Annual Review of Public Health
Prediabetes Explained: An Under-the-Radar and Common Condition That Doesn't Have to Lead to a Diabetes Diagnosis—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
In Praise of Prevention—Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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 via email or visit our website.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky
@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram
@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook
@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 - 15min

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