Host Claire Stinson welcomes you to a special year-end episode of Contagious Conversations focused on highlights from the 2023 season! Listen to selections from the year’s episodes on topics as diverse as heath threats facing Black women; training the next generation of public health professionals; and the respiratory triple threat posed by COVID-19, influenza and RSV.

Highlights featured include the groundbreaking vaccination approach that led to the eradication of smallpox in 1980; how investigators zeroed in on the cause of an outbreak of a drug-resistant strain of pseudomonas aeruginosa found in contaminated eye drops; the health threats most common to women, and the particular challenges faced by Black women; a conversation with new CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen; and more.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[3:09] Dr. Laura Evans discusses the triple threat of COVID-19, influenza and RSV, and shares with the audience her thoughts on how to stay healthy and the importance of vaccines against respiratory threats.

[4:37] April was National Minority Health Month and for that occasion Dr. Judy Monroe spoke with Dr. Melody McCloud, an Atlanta-based obstetrician/gynecologist, who shared her insight into the most common health threats women face.

[6:22] CDC epidemiologist Dr. Danielle Rankin talks about her role investigating the cause of the outbreak of a drug resistant strain of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.

[7:21] CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen speaks with Dr. Judy Monroe about the experience she brings to her position and CDC’s priorities going forward.

[8:59] Drs. Ezekiel Emanuel and Jerome Adams discuss hypertension in America and the risks it poses to almost half of U.S. adults. In this episode, Dr. Adams highlights the ethnic inequities in diagnosing and controlling this silent killer.

Doctors have long known that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Yet today, nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, creating a silent public health threat.

Host Dr. Judy Monroe is joined by Dr. Jerome Adams and Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. Dr. Adams is a former U.S. Surgeon General of the United States and now serves as the executive director of Purdue University’s Health Equity Initiatives. Dr. Emanuel is vice provost for global initiatives and the Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, the doctors discuss the health risks posed by hypertension, reasons why it is so prevalent in the U.S. and the steps we can all take to stay healthy.

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:46] Why is hypertension so prevalent? 

[2:20] Dr. Emanuel discusses the lack of exercise as a contributing factor to high hypertension rates in the U.S. adult population.

[2:52] Dr. Emanuel addresses the issues of poor diet, processed food and high sodium intake as they relate to hypertension.

[3:13] Obesity is a major factor for hypertension.

[3:50] Alcohol consumption as a contributor to high rates of hypertension.

[4:23] Dr. Adams highlights the impact of poor hypertension control among those impacted. 

[7:14] What steps can Americans take to address the higher impact of hypertension among the Black community?

[8:53] Dr. Adams discusses systemic racism and its impact on hypertension control.

[9:30] Dr. Emanuel emphasizes what he calls ‘huge’ health inequities in hypertension.

[10:44] The lack of awareness regarding hypertension is part of the problem.

[12:50] During the pandemic, more people were lost each year to hypertension than to COVID-19.

[13:06] Dr. Adams explains the three goals of the Surgeon General’s call to action.
 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Surgeon General’s Call to Action

Each year, fall means heading back to school for the nation’s students. But as students, teachers and school staff return again this year, the social, academic and mental health impacts of the pandemic are still being felt.

In this episode, host Claire Stinson speaks with Heather Martel-Balfour about the mental health challenges faced by students and teachers in today's educational environment, and the approaches educational professionals used to cope with the strains of the workplace. Heather is a social worker and behavioral interventionist for a small rural school in southern Maine. She is starting her 15th year in public education, with her roles spanning from educational technician and paraprofessional to her current role as a licensed clinical social worker. 

For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.

Key Takeaways:

[1:04] Heather talks about her role at the school she works in.

[1:51] What does Heather love most about her job?

[2:37] Heather shares her perspective regarding the overall mood of teachers and students in the first weeks of school.

[3:15] Is there optimism or worry about being behind in the curriculum due to COVID-19?

[4:21] What are some of the major challenges that affect teacher and staff mental health?

[5:56] Heather affirms her work in education is harder now than ever before.

[6:50] What are some particular challenges for students in rural settings?

[9:13] What are the greatest challenges for teachers returning to school this year?

[11:22] How do these challenges impact the students' mental health?

[13:12] Heather discusses the resources she would like to see available for educational professionals.

[14:12] What steps can teachers take to reduce stress?

[17:26] What can students do to reduce stress?

[20:09] What are the biggest opportunities for overcoming mental health challenges for teachers?

Mentioned in This Episode:

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