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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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.