Advertise on podcast: Higher Education with Dr. B Fran

Are you ready for a brand-new episode of Higher Education with Dr. BFran, this one will be a little long but absolutely worth it.  Dr. BFran is joined by Dr. Tiffany Joseph, Associate Professor of Sociology and expert on health care in the U.S., to discuss the history, complexity, current cuts, and future of health care in the U.S. Significant portions of the population was able to gain access to health care after the Affordable Care Act and subsidies for the marketplace, but the One Big Beautiful Act has challenged it all. Imagine deciding between increasing gas prices and increasing premiums due to major cuts from the federal government. This episode begins with how the U.S healthcare system came to be after World War 2 and takes us all the way to what to expect in 2027.  Together we talked about whether the ACA did what is was supposed to do, how anti-immigrant sentiment expedited the dismantling of healthcare infrastructure, the inevitable disparities gap that will widen due to lack of coverage, and how states will suffer due to a lost in federal funding. We further the conversation about how money is being taken directly from social safety nets to put more ICE agents on the street.  We can no longer afford to stay quiet. What happens when the public health infrastructure is dismantled and health insurance is unavailable. Join the conversation because our health literally depends on it.  Book: Not All In: Race, Immigration, and Health Care Exclusion in the Age of Obamacare, also at Amazon Op-ed: We Are All Immigrants Now: One Big Beautiful Bill Act Decimates Healthcare Access for All but a Privileged Few For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok Instagram Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready for a brand-new episode of Higher Education with Dr. BFran? As pregnancy and birth have become central conversations for many governments globally, are we talking about reproductive justice? In this episode, Dr. B Fran shares her thoughts on reproductive injustice. Framing the conversation in the three tenets of the reproductive justice framework, this episode explores the policies that are driving adverse maternal and infant health outcomes, the inability to create targeted health interventions for Black women in the U.S, further restrictions to abortion access, and increased surveillance for pregnant people.  This is a conversation we cannot afford to not have. Is there room for reproductive autonomy? Should governments ask people to become pregnant without creating the conditions for them to thrive? Will the policies that seemingly have nothing to do with health, compromise the health of families? These are all questions that need answers.  Listen in for Dr. B Fran’s thoughts on the topic.  For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok Instagram Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready for a brand-new episode of Higher Education with Dr. BFran, where today’s conversation will tug on both your heart and mind.  Dr. BFran is joined by Koiwah Koi-Larbi, the executive director of Action on Pre-eclampsia Ghana and 4x Preeclampsia survivor, to discuss the development, diagnosis and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) across the world. HDPS is not just another pregnancy complication, it is among the leading causes of maternal mortality, increases risk for cesearean section, infant mortality, stroke, and cardiovascular disease later in life. The episode begins by grounding us in her survivorship story of experiencing an HDP from still birth to eclampsia.  Together we talked about how limited healthcare infrastructure, cost to families, women not being listened to or informed, social and cultural determinants, and the normalization of preeclampsia symptoms shape the outcomes we see globally. We further the conversation with insights from the first Global Preeclampsia Summit sponsored by the World Health Organization and the launch of the African Preeclampsia Network and their advocacy, clinical, and research efforts.  From pain to passion, this episode pushes listeners to learn the signs of HDPs, speak to pregnant people that they know and think about ways to advocate for change.  Join the conversation because it’s not just about what we learn its how we use it. Donate to Apec Ghana  For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok Instagram Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What did RiRi say? Lock in for a brand-new episode of Higher Education with Dr. BFran where today’s conversation turns bold ideas into necessary dialogue. Dr. BFran is joined by Drs. Mary Bassett and Jourdyn Lawrence for a powerful discussion on reparations for the Transatlantic Slave Trade and why public health must be part of the conversation. While reparations are often framed around wealth gaps and infrastructure, this episode explores another urgent question: What would reparations mean for Black health and survival? Together, they break down groundbreaking research showing how reparations payments could reduce premature mortality rates among Black Americans, unpack what a reparations package could actually look like, who would qualify, and who would be responsible for paying the debt owed. Through a transnational lens, they also examine what collective global action toward reparations could look like following the UN resolution declaring the Transatlantic Slave Trade one of the gravest crimes against humanity — and what it means that the United States was one of only three countries to vote against it. The conversation also explores how public health research is shaping the growing movement for reparative justice. From fiction to policy, from history to possibility, this episode pushes listeners to think deeper, question systems harder, and imagine a future grounded in racial health equity. Tap in, stay informed, and join the conversation because it’s not just about what we learn, it’s about what we’re willing to confront. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok Instagram Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you tuned in? Lock in to this new episode of Higher Education with Dr. BFran Dr. BFran sits down with Shahem McLaurin, licensed therapist, founder of an independent mental health agency, and public mental health educator for a powerful, eye-opening conversation about the realities of sexual violence and the systems that allow it to persist. Together, they unpack the mental and physical impacts of sexual violence, the power imbalances woven into our culture, and why community-based solutions are essential for healing and redistributing resources where they’re needed most. Through an intersectional lens, they dive into how race, gender, class, politics, and religion shape the way society understands and often misunderstands sexual violence. They also tackle the growing visibility of the manosphere alongside cuts to programs addressing child trafficking and sexual violence, making this discussion more timely and urgent than ever. From history and policy to power and reproductive justice, this episode challenges listeners to think deeper, ask harder questions, and imagine what real change could look like. Tap in, stay informed, and join the conversation because it isn’t just about what we learn, it’s about what we’re willing to confront. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok Instagram Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Higher Ed with Dr. B Fran, Dr. B Fran talks about the public health impacts of the growing surveillance and detention being done by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She breaks down how an increased surveillance state under ICE has increased anticipatory stress, interrupted health care visits, fractured community and family connection, and reduced access to prenatal and postpartum care. The conversation goes deeper to discuss the mental and physical health consequences of family separation, sexual abuse while in ICE custody, measles outbreaks in facilities, and the battle for funding while dismantling public health infrastructure. At a time when the president is endorsing changing the name from ICE to NICE and expanding funding for this harmful agency it is imperative that we have a conversation about how this can significant health harms. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that talks about where we are right now and where we might be headed. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok Instagram Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran, Dr. B Fran is joined by Zil Audi-Poquillon, a Kenyan health economist studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Join us for a timely conversation unpacking the new America First Global Health Strategy. Together, they break down how this deal came to be in the face of WHO and USAID funding cuts, what is at risk if countries do not agree to the terms, how this fits into America’s goals of security and prosperity, and the power of collective bargaining. But this conversation goes deeper. Through a global lens, they explore how these bi-lateral agreements could significantly impact overall economic development for many African countries and be replicated across Latin America and the Caribbean. Shifting health outcomes, data, innovation and technologies globally. Given the swift dismantling of public health infrastructure globally, deals like this prime a shift from public health to private health.  Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that connects health, policy, and power revealing what’s at stake in the ongoing fight for global health equity. America First Global Health Strategy Rubio Clip LSE Global Health For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok Instagram Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Higher Ed with Dr. B Fran, Dr. B Fran talks about the state of public health in the United States for National Public Health Week. She breaks down the changes that have been happening domestically in terms of environmental rollbacks, health insurance, TrumpRx, rollout of rural healthcare programs, and more. The US is currently experiencing a major defunding and dismantling that started back in the early days of the Trump administration and just when you think it cant get any worse it does. Public health used to be a public good that was funded and supported by federal tax dollars but we are seeing a greater push towards individual states having to exclusively take on the burden of public health while sumilatenouhsely seeing a rise in privatized corporations taking on health and turning in into a commodity that will soon be out of reach for many Americans.  Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that talks about where we are right now and where we might be headed.  For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 2 of Higher Ed with Dr. B Fran, Dr. B Fran is joined by Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens for a powerful and timely conversation unpacking Project 2026, also known as the Saving America by Saving the Family report. Together, they break down the report’s push around family structure, marriage, and reproductive policies aimed at increasing birth rates under the banner of “American values.” But this conversation goes deeper. Through an intersectional lens, they explore how race, gender, class, and political and religious ideologies shape policies like these and draw striking parallels to reproductive control during the era of enslavement. As similar frameworks gain traction in shaping legislation in the U.S. and beyond, understanding their origins and implications has never been more urgent. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that connects history, policy, and power revealing what’s at stake in the ongoing fight for reproductive justice. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Weʻre back for a whole new season, and we are not easing in quietly!”  In this powerful season opener of Higher Ed with Dr. B Fran, Dr. B Fran gets real about where she’s been and what it means to navigate both the personal and professional toll of watching public health infrastructure unravel, not just in the U.S., but across the globe. This episode sets the tone for a bold new season. Dr. B Fran breaks down how the field has shifted, what’s at stake, and why understanding all sides, including the opposition, is critical to figuring out how we got here. She also introduces a more global lens for upcoming episodes, connecting the dots between geopolitical changes and the future of health equity worldwide. She asks the question we can’t afford to ignore: Who are we making “America healthy again” for? If health equity is truly the goal, we have to think bigger. As global health systems face increasing strain, Dr. B Fran challenges us to consider what comes next: Will we be ready to rebuild something stronger and more just or will the future of health fall into the hands of private interests driven by profit over people? Honest, thought-provoking, and deeply necessary, this episode is your call to tune in, reflect, and get ready for a season that doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 3 of our deep dive into Project 2025, we’re turning our attention to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—and what’s at stake as powerful forces push to reshape it. Fresh off the confirmation of CMS’s 17th Administrator, we’re already seeing the outlines of a radical shift: one that proposes over $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP over the next decade. Framed as “fiscal responsibility,” these proposed changes are more than just budget adjustments—they're an ideological attack on the health care safety net that millions rely on. And it doesn’t stop there. The plan outlines sweeping restrictions on access to reproductive health care, slashes funding for Planned Parenthood, and seeks to eliminate support for gender-affirming care for trans people. In this episode, Dr. B Fran breaks down what these proposed reforms mean for public health. From defunding care to redefining who gets to be healthy, Project 2025 threatens to undo decades of progress in health equity and social justice. Let’s talk about the policies, the politics, and why this moment demands our full attention. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part 2 of our deep dive into Project 2025, we are turning our focus to two more health agencies: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Both have new directors, and both are making quiet but powerful moves that could shape public health in ways most folks aren’t even aware of. From cuts to health equity research that they categorize as "woke" to state level cuts causing delays in public health programs, these shifting priorities seem more political than scientific. On the surface, it’s all being branded as “reform and reduction of waste.” But when you dig a little deeper? It starts to look a lot like rolling back decades of work on health and environmental justice.  In this episode, Dr. B Fran breaks down the recommendations being proposed for these agencies under Project 2025—and how many of them run counter to core public health principles. From sidelining prevention to eliminating a focus on structural drivers of health, these proposed changes aren’t just policy tweaks—they could have real consequences for millions of people, especially those already facing steep marginaliza. Let’s talk about what’s at stake, and why it matters now more than ever. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dig into Chapter 14 of Project 2025, a sweeping conservative blueprint for reshaping the Department of Health and Human Services. From the CDC to the FDA, the document outlines a radical restructuring of federal health agencies—one that could fundamentally shift the nation’s public health priorities. Dr. B Fran unpacks the goals laid out in the plan, starting with proposed changes to the CDC, and explore the potential impact on health equity, science, and trust in public health systems. While much has already shifted since this recording, this episode serves as a living resource for public health professionals, medical practitioners, and advocates to understand what's at stake—and how we can collectively respond. This is more than policy—it's about the future of health justice globally.  For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that Black women in the U.S. are 3-4 times more likely to experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality? These complications not only affect pregnancy outcomes but also pose long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease later in life. As we observe Black Maternal Health Week, this episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran will shine a spotlight on the structural racism that drives these disparities for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Dr. B Fran will explore the intersection of structural racism and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S. diving deep into how systemic inequities—ranging from discrimination in healthcare settings to environmental pollutants in marginalized neighborhoods—disproportionately affect Black women and their health outcomes. We’ll discuss the history of how race has been biologized in medical research, how structural issues like food insecurity and poor access to healthcare impact coping mechanisms, and the devastating effects of noise pollution, particularly from police sirens, on maternal health. By understanding the interconnected nature of these factors, we examine how addressing structural racism is key to reducing health disparities and improving the well-being of Black pregnant people. This episode calls for systemic solutions to dismantle the harmful barriers that perpetuate these inequities. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can better support Black women through changes in policy, community infrastructure, and healthcare practices to combat the growing crisis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Homelessness isn’t just an issue of the present—it’s the result of decades of policy decisions that continue to shape who has access to stable housing and who doesn’t. In this episode of higher education with Dr. B Fran, we are joined by Dr. Margaret Sullivan to we break down the structural determinants of homelessness, from outdated policies still in use today to the communities most at risk, including LGBTQ+ youth and people with chronic illnesses. We explore how past housing policies, designed to reduce homelessness and increase homeownership, were steeped in racial discrimination—and how those same patterns are playing out again today. From redlining in the 1930s to today’s rising housing costs and displacement, the same structural barriers that led to mass homelessness during the Great Depression are resurfacing and health inequities in this population will surely follow. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis: Tik Tok  Instagram  Publications Produced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.