Public Health On Call

Feb 21 2025 100 ep. 18 mins 2.6k
Public Health On Call Podcast artwork

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

  News  Health & Fitness
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855 - Can The CDC Communicate More Transparently With The Public?

Feb 21 2025 18 mins  
About this episode: During the pandemic, CDC recommendations about masking and other issues were the source of controversy. Some have asked whether the agency can better communicate the basis of its recommendations — and even seek public input along the way—to increase public understanding and acceptance. In today’s episode, Johns Hopkins cardiologist Dr. Joseph Marine and Dr

854 - The Worst Flu Season In A Decade

Feb 20 2025 19 mins  
About this episode: There’s a lot of flu out there right now, but just how bad is it and by what measures is it “bad”? In today’s episode: How this year’s flu season stacks up against years past, some factors that could be driving such high rates and severe disease, and how bird flu is further complicating things. Also: It’s not too late to get a flu shot! Guests: Dr. E

853 - The Hazy World of Cannabis Policy

Feb 19 2025 21 mins  
About this episode: Although cannabis is legal in nearly half of all U.S. states, policy is complicated. There's federal law, which prohibits the sale of THC-containing cannabis but not hemp. There's state law, which is an even more complex patchwork. In this episode: A new report looks at how this hazy landscape is impacting public health policy and equity. Guests: Dr. Yasmin Hurd

852 - The FDA’s Proposed Food Labeling Changes

Feb 17 2025 16 mins  
About this episode: The FDA is responsible for labeling on food packaging, such as the ubiquitous black and white nutrition label. But consumers could soon see new labels on foods offering more information about nutrition in key areas like sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. In today’s episode: the FDA’s proposed changes for food labeling and new standards for using the term “h

851 - Policing With a Public Health Lens in South Dakota

Feb 14 2025 18 mins  
About this episode: Traditional police work has struggled to meet the needs of cities like Rapid City, South Dakota. Often, police are called to address situations that are related to mental health crises, homelessness, and substance use. In this episode: Rapid City’s Chief of Police, Don Hedrick talks about what it means to police with public health in mind, the success of partn

850 - The History of Birthright Citizenship in the U.S.

Feb 12 2025 15 mins  
About this episode: In 1868, the 14th Amendment established birthright citizenship in the United States. In this episode: a look at the court cases, historical events, and people that shaped one of the Constitution’s human rights provisions. Guest: Martha Jones is a writer, historian and legal scholar, and a professor of history at the SNF Agora Institute. Host: Dr. Josh Sharfst

849 - Marion Nestle and Food Politics

Feb 10 2025 16 mins  
About this episode: Research has linked America’s food system with a host of health problems including obesity and heart disease. Advocate Marion Nestle, a food lover and food advocate, wants to change that. In this episode: how she got interested in the food system, the link between food marketing and diet, her excitement around GLP-1 drugs, and what she’ll be watching if RFK

848 - Vaccines 101: The Vaccines For Children Program

Feb 07 2025 16 mins  
About this episode: Today, in another episode in a series of podcasts exploring vaccine basics from the molecular level to global policy and everything in between: The Vaccines For Children Program is a CDC program that provides recommended vaccines without charge to about half of the nation’s children. In this episode: the program’s origins in a terrifying measles outbreak, ho

847 - Vaccines 101: The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

Feb 06 2025 23 mins  
About this episode: Today, in another episode in a series of podcasts exploring vaccine basics from the molecular level to global policy and everything in between: how compensation for most vaccine-related injuries works in the U.S. Serious vaccine injuries are rare, but when they do happen, people can bring their claims to a special court. In today’s episode, Judge Gary Golkiewi

846 - Vaccines 101: Vaccine Safety Science

Feb 05 2025 16 mins  
About this episode: Today, in the next episode in a series of podcasts exploring vaccine basics: the science of vaccine safety. In this episode, a look at what’s unique about vaccine safety compared to the safety of other medical products, and how experts tell the difference between an adverse effect that is "causal" and one that is "coincidental." Guest: Dan Salmon is the direct