Public Health On Call
Evidence and experts to help you understand today's public health news—and what it means for tomorrow. The podcast features insights from Johns Hopkins experts on topics like infectious diseases, health policy, and global health challenges.
Episodes
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
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 healt
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
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
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 Jo
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 C
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 opportun
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. Gues
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 a
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
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
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 Off
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 p
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 att
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 t
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 th
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
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 t
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 Interna
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 publ
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, Virg
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
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 eli
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,
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 r
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 Thr
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 es
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
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
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 eliminatio
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 fo
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 immunizati
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 d
1030 - An Endgame for the Tobacco Industry?
About this episode: Despite sizable decreases in tobacco use in high-income countries, 7 million people around the world die every year from tobacco-related causes. In this episode: an approach that seeks not to manage the $880 billion tobacco industry but to end it. Guest: Eline Goethals is a communications specialist and a fellow at the School of Moral Ambition. Host: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is dis
1029 - What We Know About CTE
About this episode: A neurodegenerative disease that can only be diagnosed after death, CTE has made headlines for its prevalence in professional football players. But where does it stand as a public health issue? In this episode: Jesse Mez of the Boston University CTE Center gives an overview of what we know and don't yet know about CTE, as well as tips for parents of children who play contact sp
1028 - Vaccine Policy in the States
About this episode: As policy has shifted at the federal level, state legislatures are considering a broad range of vaccine-related bills. In this episode: Jennifer Herricks and Northe Saunders of American Families for Vaccines talk about the landscape of vaccine policy, from "medical freedom" bills to those seeking shore up vaccine access. Guests: Jennifer Herricks, PhD, is the founder of Louisia
1027 - The EPA's Approval of Two New Pesticides
About this episode: In late 2025, the EPA approved two pesticides for agricultural use that opponents argue contain PFAS—"forever chemicals" that pose hazards to human health. In this episode: the debate around what constitutes PFAS and the EPA's role in regulating these harmful chemicals. Guest: Rachel Frazin covers energy and environmental policy for The Hill and is the co-author of the book "Po
1026 - A Mental Health Crisis for Adults with IDDs
About this episode: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than those without IDDs. Barriers like cost, a lack of trained providers, and societal biases keep many from accessing the care they need. In this episode: what's fueling this crisis hidden in plain sight and what needs to change in order to fix it. Guests: Kayte Barton is
1025 - Advancing the Elimination of Schistosomiasis
About this episode: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease transmitted to human hosts via freshwater snails. It can cause serious and debilitating chronic conditions, but the Pan American Health Organization is leading a charge to end transmission in the Americas. In this episode: PAHO Parasitologist Ronaldo Scholte details how locations like Puerto Rico are successfully working to eliminate schis
1024 - "Healing in a Changing America"—Starting with Florida
About this episode: From working in immigrant health care under the Reagan administration to tackling today's measles outbreak in Florida, George Rust has decades of experience caring for the disadvantaged. In this episode: Dr. Rust discusses the state of public health in Florida, the need to return to a community-focused model, and his new book "Healing in a Changing America: Doctoring in a Natio
1023 - How Social Media is Changing the Way We Talk About Health
About this episode: Once a useful tool for sharing critical information during the pandemic, social media has evolved into an oversaturated and underregulated marketplace for health disinformation. In this episode: Infectious disease epidemiologist and science communicator Jessica Malaty Rivera analyzes the online landscape and advises listeners on how to approach alarmist and misleading health co
1022 - Preventing Teen Car Crashes and Deaths
About this episode: Getting your license as a teenager is an exciting time but it's also a dangerous one. In this episode: Johns Hopkins researcher Johnathon Ehsani discusses why teens are more vulnerable to serious crashes, how driving tests and licensing laws can improve safety, and how parents can best support their new drivers. Please send this podcast to a new driver or their parents—today. G
1021 - Antibiotic Overuse in Dentistry
About this episode: Dentists prescribe about 10% of all antibiotics in the U.S., but research shows that a large share may be unnecessary. In this episode: the grave public health risks of inappropriate antibiotic use, how this can be curbed, and the questions you should ask next time you're in the dentist's chair. Guest: Liz Szabo, MA, is an investigative health reporter with CIDRAP News. Host: D
1020 - TrumpRx and High Drug Prices
About this episode: The Trump administration's online prescription drug platform promises the world's lowest prices on medications. In this episode: Dr. Mariana Social explains how the site's discounts work, who they benefit, and whether they're truly the most affordable prices. Guest: Dr. Mariana Socal, PhD, MPP, MSc, studies the pharmaceutical market and is an associate professor in Health Polic
1019 - Medical Aid in Dying
About this episode: Often referred to as "physician-assisted suicide," medical aid in dying poses complex ethical, medical, and policy questions. In this episode: why some individuals with a terminal illness choose MAiD, the eligibility requirements in U.S. states, and the tension between individual health choices and public policy. Guests: Jeffrey Kahn, PhD, MPH, is the Robert Henry Levi and Ryda
1018 - Health and Wealth With Baby Bonds
About this episode: Baby bonds programs, which create state-managed trust funds for low-income children, are associated with positive physical and mental health outcomes for recipients and their families. New research shows that a majority of Americans support these early wealth-building tools. In this episode: Professor Catherine Ettman talks about the growing excitement behind baby bonds and the
1017 - Getting More Health Out of Health Care—By Paying for It
About this episode: Private insurers and the government typically reimburse providers based on metrics of appointments and procedures. An innovative approach to health care finance asks doctors and clinicians to measure success differently: by tangible health outcomes. In this episode: Dr. Darshak Sanghavi details the early promise of this approach and how it's empowering communities to focus on b
1016 - An Unlikely but Promising Collaboration in Ohio
About this episode: Despite swirling controversy around public health policies, some experts and advocates are finding ways to work together. In this episode: what an unlikely collaboration between a grassroots MAHA organizer and a Yale epidemiologist can teach us about finding common ground for the betterment of people's health. Guests: Brinda Adhikari is an award-winning executive producer, show
1015 - Unexplained Pauses in CDC Data
About this episode: The CDC has long collected and publicly reported data on infectious diseases, vaccination rates, overdose deaths, and other health topics. But in 2025, many of these datasets inexplicably went dark. In this episode: the importance of real-time data in implementing public health solutions and the potential consequences of these lapses in reporting. Guests: Janet Freilich, JD, is
1014 - How the FDA Regulates Mifepristone, "the Abortion Pill"
About this episode: A recent analysis of FDA documents has found that the agency has historically regulated mifepristone—a medication commonly used to terminate pregnancy—based on available scientific evidence and without ideological bias. In this episode: Caleb Alexander, an author of the study, discusses these findings and their implications for a possible new review of the medication by FDA. Gu
1013 - A College Course for Digital Detoxing
About this episode: A class at Loyola University Maryland has pushed students to think critically about their technology use in an age of constant scrolling. In this episode: class instructor Shreya Hessler and student Emma Hester reflect on the value of getting offline and how to spend less time on our devices. Guests: Dr. Shreya Hessler, PsyD, is a psychologist and the director of the MINDset Ce
1012 - A "Giant Geyser of Poop" Along the Potomac River
About this episode: A pipe collapse outside of D.C. has spilled nearly 300 million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River. Recent frigid temperatures and long-term infrastructure challenges are making cleanup a formidable job. In this episode: Natalie Exum of the Johns Hopkins University Water Institute talks about the spill, its health impacts, and whether it could have been prevented. Guests:
1011 - Policies for Play: School Recess and Public Health
About this episode: Daily recess has been shown to improve mental health and academic outcomes for children while also providing an opportunity for physical activity and social development. But few states have formal policies that protect dedicated recess time. In this episode: Researchers Rachel Deitch and Erin Hager discuss the public health benefits of recess and their toolkit for advancing sta
1010 - Centering Pleasure in Sexual Health
About this episode: Sexual education often focuses on the potential risks of unplanned pregnancies and STIs. But an approach to sexual health that includes frank discussions of what feels good could yield better health outcomes. In this episode: Sexual health expert Joshua O'Neal talks about the value of starting sexual health conversations with enjoyment and comfort. Note: This episode was produc
1009 - What's Happening at SAMHSA?
About this episode: Last month's abrupt cancellation and reinstatement of $2 billion in grants is just the most recent ordeal in SAMHSA's long year of funding cuts and administrative upheaval. In this episode: Dr. Yngvild Olsen, formerly the director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA, chronicles the challenges facing the agency and their possible implications for efforts to red
1008 - The Outlook on Direct-to-Consumer Health Care
About this episode: Products and services like genetic testing, prescriptions for weight loss drugs, and health monitoring wearables are revolutionizing health and wellness in the U.S. But are these new gadgets and offerings easing the challenges facing the health care system or are they exacerbating them? In this episode: Dr. Josh Sharfstein speaks with health care entrepreneur Ashwini Nagappan a
1007 - Public Health and Gambling Part 2: Problem Gambling
About this episode: Between scratch tickets, casinos, and the recent explosion of sports betting apps, opportunities to gamble abound. So too do opportunities for the development of a gambling disorder—a medical condition as serious as substance use disorders. In this episode: Will Hinman and Christopher Welsh from the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling explain how to recognize gamb
1006 - Public Health and Gambling Part 1: How Gambling Became So Ubiquitous, and the Potential for Problems
About this episode: Sports betting has exploded in popularity, offering bettors the opportunity to gamble on everything from coin tosses to touchdowns. But experts are becoming increasingly concerned about the public health implications. In this episode: Researchers Matthew Eisenberg and Mark Meiselbach discuss the rise of online sports gambling, its potential dangers, and how policy guardrails co
1005 - Vaccines 101: The Past, Present, and Future of the Federal Vaccine Schedule
About this episode: For decades, the recommended immunization schedule has guided physicians through the proper administration of vaccines and empowered individuals to protect themselves against preventable diseases. But recent changes to the schedule and the overhaul of the CDC committee leading vaccine recommendations throws public and personal health into uncharted territory. In this episode: V
1004 - The State of Obesity in the U.S.
About this episode: Following decades of surging adult obesity rates, numbers have leveled out since 2022. But with GLP-1s dominating culture, nutrition guidelines shifting, and funding for chronic diseases vanishing, the state of obesity is set to undergo even more change. In this episode: J. Nadine Gracia returns to Public Health On Call to talk about the latest State of Obesity report from Trus
1003 - The U.S.'s Insurance-Based Health Care System
About this episode: The U.S. takes a unique approach to health care by tying coverage to employment. This has led to high rates of uninsured Americans, the creation of the Affordable Care Act, and ongoing fights about health care spending culminating in a government shutdown late last year. In this episode: Jonathan Cohn details the health care debate happening in Washington right now, the nuances
1002 - On Public Health and Human Rights in Minneapolis
About this episode: Today: a human rights perspective on immigration enforcement and public protest in Minneapolis. Professor Joe Amon is the director of the Center for Public Health and Human Rights at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has also studied human rights issues in more than 40 countries. He talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about his perspective on some of the most d
1001 - Vaccines 101: How FDA Regulates Vaccines
About this episode: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for reviewing the safety and effectiveness of vaccines—a job that requires deep scientific understanding as well as thoughtful regulatory judgment. In this episode: Dr. Jesse Goodman, a former top vaccine regulator and chief scientist at the FDA, explains how the agency came to lead the world in vaccine oversight—and shares h
1000 - Celebrating 1,000 Episodes of Public Health On Call
About this episode: It started as a time-limited series of interviews with public health experts at the start of a global pandemic. Over nearly six years, Public Health On Call expanded to a wide range of topics, including humanitarian health, aging, and vaccines, becoming a home for nuanced public health discussions and analysis. In this episode: Hosts Stephanie Desmon, Josh Sharfstein, and Linds
999 - Head Lice and Bed Bugs
About this episode: Nothing can make your skin crawl quite like the mention of lice or bed bugs, especially if you're the parent of young children. The good news: though these blood-sucking pests are a nuisance, they pose limited risk to human health. In this episode: Parasitologist Conor McMeniman explains why infestations start, who's susceptible, and how to get these pests out of your hair—lite
998 - Marion Nestle on the New Dietary Guidelines
About this episode: Renowned nutritionist Marion Nestle likes the federal recommendation to reduce ultra-processed foods and its emphasis on healthy school meals. But there are other things she finds muddled, contradictory, and incomplete about the nation's new dietary guidelines. In this episode: Nestle talks protein, whole grains, and expanding access to healthy foods. Guests: Marion Nestle, PhD
997 - The New Drug Igniting a Withdrawal Crisis
About this episode: Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative similar to xylazine, is appearing more frequently in drug supplies in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania—and the withdrawal symptoms are debilitating. In this episode: Addiction medicine specialist Jordan Nahas-Vigon details the risks facing people who use drugs and why it's so difficult to quit. Guests: Dr. Jordan Nahas-Vigon is a primary
996 - Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Guidelines
About this episode: Citing updated research on the health risks of drinking alcohol, Canada changed consumption guidelines in 2023, making global headlines for its steep drop in what's viewed as "low risk" drinking. In this episode: One of the architects of those guidelines explains how these recommendations were developed, their efficacy as a public health intervention, and what to make of the U.
995 - A Record-Breaking Flu Season
About this episode: Flu is surging in states across the country, breaking a 25-year record for flu-related doctor visits. In this episode: the new strain of influenza A that's driving cases, why getting a flu shot can still protect you, and how antivirals can help if you do get sick. Guest: Andrew Pekosz, PhD, is a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with appointments
994 - What "The Pitt" Reflects About Real-Life Hospitals
About this episode: Emmy-award winning drama "The Pitt" returns for a second, thrilling season that follows 15 hours in an emergency department for doctors, nurses, residents, and administrators. In this episode: Dr. Emily Boss discusses what the show gets right about real-life hospitals, from the medicine to the stress to the systemic barriers that can make delivering quality health care dif
993 - What to Know About Whooping Cough
About this episode: Pertussis—more commonly known as "whooping cough—is on the rise, with more than 25,000 cases and a number of child deaths recorded in the U.S. in 2025. In this episode: Dr. Erica Prochaska talks about the symptoms of pertussis, how it spreads, when to seek out medical care, how to prevent infection, and the role of vaccines. Guests: Dr. Erica Prochaska, MHS, is a pediatric infe
992 - HHS Changes Its Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations—Part 2, Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
About this episode: Citing a memorandum from President Trump, health officials in the Trump Administration are ending routine recommendations for vaccinating against meningitis, hepatitis A and B, and rotavirus. Vaccine expert Ruth Karron explains why each of these vaccines is critical for safeguarding health, reducing hospitalizations, and preventing deaths. She and Dr. Josh Sharfstein recorded t
991 - HHS Changes Its Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations—Part 1, The Announcement
About this episode: HHS leadership started 2026 with an unexpected announcement changing federal childhood vaccine recommendations. In this episode: Dr. Josh Sharfstein joins Lindsay Smith Rogers to talk about the announcement's immediate impact, the rationale behind it, and how it will reshape vaccination in the U.S. Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not rep
990 - Is There a Fertility Crisis?
About this episode: The U.S. marked its lowest birth rate on record in 2024 with American women having—on average—1.6 children. Does this mean that the country has a fertility crisis? In this episode: Associate professor of Population, Family and Reproductive Health Linnea Zimmerman discusses how to measure fertility, assess trends in birth rates in the U.S. and worldwide, and think about the inte
989 - A Sharp Rise in Pickleball Injuries
About this episode: The only thing increasing faster than the number of new pickleball players is the number of pickleball injuries. Between 2017 and 2022, sports medicine experts saw a seven-fold increase in injuries. In this episode: orthopedic surgeon Eric Bowman tells Stephanie Desmon—Public Health On Call's resident pickleball devotee—what's driving these injuries, who's most at risk, and how
988 - An End to Animal Testing?
About this episode: For decades, cosmetics and medicine developers have relied on animal testing to assure product safety for humans. Today, more ethical and accurate alternatives to animal testing are poised to improve this process. In this episode: scientist and lawyer Paul Locke on the new technologies replacing lab animals and how regulators can lead the gradual and necessary transition to the
987 - The Disturbing War Strategy of Attacking Health Care
About this episode: Attacking health care facilities and providers is becoming a standard strategy of war in places like Colombia, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Gaza, and it is increasingly being perpetrated by state actors. In this episode: Health and human rights lawyer Leonard Rubenstein discusses these disturbing trends, why there's so little accountability for attacks on health care, and what it woul
986 - "Information Sick"
About this episode: The decline in journalism and the explosion of social media have converged to form an information crisis, with millions exposed to misleading and false information relevant to their health. In this episode: Joanne Kenen, Lymari Morales, and Josh Sharfstein—authors of a new book exploring this issue—talk about the diagnosis of "information sick," as well as its causes, symptoms,
985 - How to Investigate a Cancer Cluster
About this episode: In 1979, the town of Woburn, MA, raised the alarm as unusual numbers of children fell ill with leukemia. An investigation determined that this cancer cluster was likely caused by contaminated drinking water from two of the town's wells. In this episode: Suzanne Condon, who served as the associate commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Health at the time, and Megan Lats
984 - Sneak Attacks: How Viruses Can Hide In Our Bodies and Cause Problems Years Later
About this episode: After recovering from an illness like the flu or mononucleosis, most of us will return to our normal lives without complications. But for some, viruses can linger in the body—sometimes for years—and reemerge, wreaking new havoc on the immune system and even triggering chronic diseases. In this episode: Virologist Maggie Bartlett explains how viruses—many of which are vaccine-pr
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