<![CDATA[Humans in Public Health]]>ee35f7ba-d0f8-5df6-a7c2-60220595cb95Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:01:20 +0000Captivate.fmBrown University School of Public Healthhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/354300f4-5c77-4cc2-a52c-40ffb3d53d79/hNeCt8x8dJX-Iv8L4yRqIDDT.jpgHumans in Public HealthBrown University School of Public HealthBrown University School of Public HealthHow should we prepare for the next pandemic? How is noise pollution affecting my neighborhood? And how can we prevent opioid overdose from a public parking lot? From epidemiology to behavioral science, Megan Hall covers it all as she interviews public health researchers about their work and what brought them to the field of public health in this award-winning podcast.https://humans-in-public-health.captivate.fmfalseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/humans-in-public-health/nopodcastProvidence, RIMore Than a ForecastMore Than a ForecastWhen you check the weather on your phone, you're getting a "best guess" based on the nearest airport—but your actual neighborhood could be much hotter. And in high-risk communities, this invisible temperature spike or major air quality issue transforms a daily forecast into a serious medical emergency.

In this special episode in honor of Brown’s first-ever Climate Week, environmental epidemiologist Allan Just explains how his team uses NASA satellite data to measure hyper-local temperatures and air pollution. Discover why these precise measurements are vital for public health, especially for those on common medications that can unexpectedly increase vulnerability to extreme heat.

]]>When you check the weather on your phone, you're getting a "best guess" based on the nearest airport—but your actual neighborhood could be much hotter. And in high-risk communities, this invisible temperature spike or major air quality issue transforms a daily forecast into a serious medical emergency.

In this special episode in honor of Brown’s first-ever Climate Week, environmental epidemiologist Allan Just explains how his team uses NASA satellite data to measure hyper-local temperatures and air pollution. Discover why these precise measurements are vital for public health, especially for those on common medications that can unexpectedly increase vulnerability to extreme heat.

]]>b1c23cd4-ec69-4dd8-a04c-f954689922dcThu, 05 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -050016:04falsefull4949Student, Scholar, Dean: Francesca Beaudoin on 20 Years at BrownStudent, Scholar, Dean: Francesca Beaudoin on 20 Years at BrownWhat does it take to lead a top-tier School of Public Health? For Dr. Francesca Beaudoin, the journey started in the chaos of the ER.

In this episode of Humans in Public Health, we sit down with Interim Dean Beaudoin to trace an incredible trajectory. She has experienced Brown from every possible angle: first as a medical resident, then a doctoral student, then as member of the faculty, a department chair and administrative leader.

Now she steps into the role of Interim Dean, prepared to propel the school forward with momentum. Host Megan Hall sits down with Dr. Beaudoin to discuss how 20 years in academia and on the medical frontlines—from treating acute trauma to staffing mobile opioid recovery units—prepared her to lead during a time of transition.

]]>What does it take to lead a top-tier School of Public Health? For Dr. Francesca Beaudoin, the journey started in the chaos of the ER.

In this episode of Humans in Public Health, we sit down with Interim Dean Beaudoin to trace an incredible trajectory. She has experienced Brown from every possible angle: first as a medical resident, then a doctoral student, then as member of the faculty, a department chair and administrative leader.

Now she steps into the role of Interim Dean, prepared to propel the school forward with momentum. Host Megan Hall sits down with Dr. Beaudoin to discuss how 20 years in academia and on the medical frontlines—from treating acute trauma to staffing mobile opioid recovery units—prepared her to lead during a time of transition.

]]>b079455e-7970-40fd-a484-ab39f8db4368Tue, 17 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -050017:34falsefull4848Navigating the Post-Dobbs LandscapeNavigating the Post-Dobbs LandscapeIn this episode, host Megan Hall sits down with the co-directors of Brown University’s new AIM Lab, emergency physician Dara Kass and legal expert Liz Tobin-Tyler, to discuss the chaotic intersection of medicine and law three years after the Dobbs decision. As state abortion bans create a "chilling effect" that leaves clinicians paralyzed by legal fear, the AIM Lab is stepping in to provide a practical roadmap for emergency care and maternal health. Kass and Tobin-Tyler share how they are moving past the political noise to solve the public health crises on the ground, offering a harm reduction approach that protects both doctors and patients while training a new generation of advocates to value the lives of pregnant people in every state.

]]>In this episode, host Megan Hall sits down with the co-directors of Brown University’s new AIM Lab, emergency physician Dara Kass and legal expert Liz Tobin-Tyler, to discuss the chaotic intersection of medicine and law three years after the Dobbs decision. As state abortion bans create a "chilling effect" that leaves clinicians paralyzed by legal fear, the AIM Lab is stepping in to provide a practical roadmap for emergency care and maternal health. Kass and Tobin-Tyler share how they are moving past the political noise to solve the public health crises on the ground, offering a harm reduction approach that protects both doctors and patients while training a new generation of advocates to value the lives of pregnant people in every state.

]]>c81c774a-a745-46f1-bbcf-1d2186a21f1aTue, 13 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -050016:33falsefull4747The AI Therapist Will See You NowThe AI Therapist Will See You NowA quarter of young adults are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for mental health advice, highlighting a massive shift in how people seek support. Dr. Ateev Mehrotra discusses his research and the urgent need to balance AI's capacity for providing accessible, cost-effective care with its potential to unwittingly cause harm.

]]>A quarter of young adults are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for mental health advice, highlighting a massive shift in how people seek support. Dr. Ateev Mehrotra discusses his research and the urgent need to balance AI's capacity for providing accessible, cost-effective care with its potential to unwittingly cause harm.

]]>aebb6b97-0dd7-435a-a3cd-c417a6e369ffTue, 09 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -050017:49falsefull4646Messy Data, Real AnswersMessy Data, Real AnswersIn a world teeming with health data—from smart watch accelerometry to millions of hospital system electronic records—how do researchers find out which medical treatments truly work? Biostatistician Rebecca Hubbard discusses the messiness of real-world data, the limits of randomized control trials and how both of these powerful—but imperfect—methods are essential for building trustworthy evidence in public health.

]]>In a world teeming with health data—from smart watch accelerometry to millions of hospital system electronic records—how do researchers find out which medical treatments truly work? Biostatistician Rebecca Hubbard discusses the messiness of real-world data, the limits of randomized control trials and how both of these powerful—but imperfect—methods are essential for building trustworthy evidence in public health.

]]>4a2033ca-863a-4d92-8cd2-75607dc6dfb4Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -050018:42falsefull4545The Return of a Preventable Disease: Measles, misinformation and the crisis at the CDCThe Return of a Preventable Disease: Measles, misinformation and the crisis at the CDCMeasles has been declared eliminated in the U.S. for 25 years, but a surge in cases is threatening that status. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, joined Humans in Public Health to break down the outbreak, the chaotic federal response and how her team's tracker is stepping in to provide reliable, life-saving data.

]]>Measles has been declared eliminated in the U.S. for 25 years, but a surge in cases is threatening that status. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, joined Humans in Public Health to break down the outbreak, the chaotic federal response and how her team's tracker is stepping in to provide reliable, life-saving data.

]]>662f3e07-7688-40ea-9d5b-461afbedbffbTue, 14 Oct 2025 02:00:00 -050017:03falsefull4444The Power to TransportThe Power to TransportWe all understand the power a song can have to recall vivid memories, seemingly sending us back in time. Professor Ellen McCreedy is a musician whose gerontology research harnesses music’s power to recall memories. She’s testing an intervention that brings personalized music playlists to nursing homes in order to help ease dementia symptoms for patients, without using medication. Driven to give dementia sufferers—and their caregivers—moments of having themselves back again, McCreedy joined Humans in Public Health to discuss her work, its challenges and the grandmother who originally inspired her.

]]>We all understand the power a song can have to recall vivid memories, seemingly sending us back in time. Professor Ellen McCreedy is a musician whose gerontology research harnesses music’s power to recall memories. She’s testing an intervention that brings personalized music playlists to nursing homes in order to help ease dementia symptoms for patients, without using medication. Driven to give dementia sufferers—and their caregivers—moments of having themselves back again, McCreedy joined Humans in Public Health to discuss her work, its challenges and the grandmother who originally inspired her.

]]>2eadc358-5392-46b5-9246-a3d4594ebcd5Tue, 09 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -050014:35falsefull4343A Revolutionary Approach to Health Care PricingA Revolutionary Approach to Health Care PricingSince the 1980s, the U.S. has experimented with various forms of managed health care. But none of them has managed to control costs or improve health outcomes, argues Senior Fellow Hayden Rooke-Ley. In this episode of Humans in Public Health, he explains a radical new idea from CAHPR researchers for delivering lower health care costs that is actually quite old-fashioned: a return to fee-for-service.

Read the JAMA article here.

]]>Since the 1980s, the U.S. has experimented with various forms of managed health care. But none of them has managed to control costs or improve health outcomes, argues Senior Fellow Hayden Rooke-Ley. In this episode of Humans in Public Health, he explains a radical new idea from CAHPR researchers for delivering lower health care costs that is actually quite old-fashioned: a return to fee-for-service.

Read the JAMA article here.

]]>465eea62-842c-4b33-9aa0-0eb0463d3b23Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -050014:30falsefull4242LIVE RECORDING: How Do Urban Landscapes Shape Our Health?LIVE RECORDING: How Do Urban Landscapes Shape Our Health?A special live Commencement & Reunion Weekend episode of Humans in Public Health brings experts from epidemiology together with the director of Urban Studies at Brown for a discussion on cities: How they collect public health problems and the ways they might help us to address those same issues.

]]>A special live Commencement & Reunion Weekend episode of Humans in Public Health brings experts from epidemiology together with the director of Urban Studies at Brown for a discussion on cities: How they collect public health problems and the ways they might help us to address those same issues.

]]>975058d1-48b8-467a-955b-3e6765b4552bTue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -050037:04falsefull4141Rhode Island's Response to the Overdose CrisisRhode Island's Response to the Overdose CrisisThis episode of Humans in Public Health features Professor Alex Macmadu, an epidemiologist who has spent her career studying the opioid and overdose crisis. She shares insights on Rhode Island’s bold step in opening the first state-approved overdose prevention center in the U.S. and what her research reveals about community attitudes toward harm reduction. Listen in to learn how evidence, advocacy and compassion are shaping the future of public health responses to drug use.

]]>This episode of Humans in Public Health features Professor Alex Macmadu, an epidemiologist who has spent her career studying the opioid and overdose crisis. She shares insights on Rhode Island’s bold step in opening the first state-approved overdose prevention center in the U.S. and what her research reveals about community attitudes toward harm reduction. Listen in to learn how evidence, advocacy and compassion are shaping the future of public health responses to drug use.

]]>a7735388-5af9-4869-a0d0-a322772c962cTue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 -050011:55falsefull4040Who Employs Your Doctor?Who Employs Your Doctor?What happens when private equity firms buy hospitals and doctor’s offices? In this episode of Humans in Public Health, host Megan Hall sits down with health care economist Yashaswini Singh to unpack how private equity is reshaping the American health care system—often behind the scenes. From rising costs to shifting priorities in patient care, Singh explains why the recent collapse of Steward Health Care is just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’ve heard the term “private equity” or not, this conversation will change the way you think about your next doctor’s visit.

]]>What happens when private equity firms buy hospitals and doctor’s offices? In this episode of Humans in Public Health, host Megan Hall sits down with health care economist Yashaswini Singh to unpack how private equity is reshaping the American health care system—often behind the scenes. From rising costs to shifting priorities in patient care, Singh explains why the recent collapse of Steward Health Care is just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’ve heard the term “private equity” or not, this conversation will change the way you think about your next doctor’s visit.

]]>edae03d9-aa04-4e9f-9445-993e1befa95bThu, 10 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -050015:42falsefull3939The Moment Everything Changed: Voices from the Start of the PandemicThe Moment Everything Changed: Voices from the Start of the PandemicMarch 2020—life as we knew it changed overnight. In this special episode of Humans in Public Health, we take you back to the early days of the pandemic, when uncertainty loomed, fear spread and the world held its breath. Through personal stories and firsthand accounts from public health experts, we revisit the emotions, decisions and pivotal moments that shaped those first weeks. How did people react? And what have we learned since? Tune in for a compelling look at the moment everything changed.

Sound Effects in this episode from Freesound.org, courtesy of the following users: 

Isaacburkevideo, Shaunhillyard, Wjoojoo, Charlie72203, Univ_lyon3, Richwise, Hardance, Kyles, Takimeko, nixeno, Humanoide9000, pblzr, Felixblume, Voxhumanamusicurators.

]]>March 2020—life as we knew it changed overnight. In this special episode of Humans in Public Health, we take you back to the early days of the pandemic, when uncertainty loomed, fear spread and the world held its breath. Through personal stories and firsthand accounts from public health experts, we revisit the emotions, decisions and pivotal moments that shaped those first weeks. How did people react? And what have we learned since? Tune in for a compelling look at the moment everything changed.

Sound Effects in this episode from Freesound.org, courtesy of the following users: 

Isaacburkevideo, Shaunhillyard, Wjoojoo, Charlie72203, Univ_lyon3, Richwise, Hardance, Kyles, Takimeko, nixeno, Humanoide9000, pblzr, Felixblume, Voxhumanamusicurators.

]]>16601c2f-e84c-4de1-866d-0a3eaadf2254Tue, 11 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -050030:00falsefull3838Forever Chemicals: Hidden Dangers in Everyday BeautyForever Chemicals: Hidden Dangers in Everyday BeautyThey’re not just in your nail polish. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals are everywhere—in our homes, clothing, the personal care products we use, and in our bodies. Postdoctoral researcher Amber Hall explains the dangers PFAS pose, especially to developing humans, and helps us learn how to avoid them. The burden of protecting our children’s health from toxic chemicals, she argues in the latest episode of Humans in Public Health, shouldn’t be borne by individuals. Regulation, Hall says, is needed to push through product-level change and protect the public’s health.

Sound Effects in this episode from Freesound.org, courtesy of: 


Mentioned in this episode:

Tell someone you know!

And one last thing! If you enjoyed today’s episode, text a friend and let them know about the show.

]]>They’re not just in your nail polish. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals are everywhere—in our homes, clothing, the personal care products we use, and in our bodies. Postdoctoral researcher Amber Hall explains the dangers PFAS pose, especially to developing humans, and helps us learn how to avoid them. The burden of protecting our children’s health from toxic chemicals, she argues in the latest episode of Humans in Public Health, shouldn’t be borne by individuals. Regulation, Hall says, is needed to push through product-level change and protect the public’s health.

Sound Effects in this episode from Freesound.org, courtesy of: 


Mentioned in this episode:

Tell someone you know!

And one last thing! If you enjoyed today’s episode, text a friend and let them know about the show.

]]>c9baa90b-e9af-4fb3-80e2-6e6ad9ce8a10Tue, 11 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -050013:36falsefull3737How Research Shapes Health Policy on Capitol HillHow Research Shapes Health Policy on Capitol HillHost Megan Hall sits down with Jared Perkins, director of health policy strategy at Brown University's Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research. They discuss how academic research makes its way from dense journals to policymakers on Capitol Hill, bridging the gap between science and legislation. Jared offers insights into the challenges of health policy under a shifting political landscape and explains how researchers can play a vital role in shaping decisions that impact healthcare nationwide.

]]>Host Megan Hall sits down with Jared Perkins, director of health policy strategy at Brown University's Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research. They discuss how academic research makes its way from dense journals to policymakers on Capitol Hill, bridging the gap between science and legislation. Jared offers insights into the challenges of health policy under a shifting political landscape and explains how researchers can play a vital role in shaping decisions that impact healthcare nationwide.

]]>74a42742-b322-4355-b972-b68ec1a68fa2Tue, 14 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -050012:58falsefull3636Harnessing AI for Smarter Health Policy ResearchHarnessing AI for Smarter Health Policy ResearchProfessor Alyssa Bilinski set out to answer a seemingly simple question: how often are pregnant people included in medical trials? Finding the answer, however, was anything but simple. With 90,000 records to analyze, she turned to AI for help—but ensuring the accuracy of the results required a creative approach. Discover how Bilinski tested and refined AI algorithms to deliver reliable insights and advance health policy research.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tell someone you know!

And one last thing! If you enjoyed today’s episode, text a friend and let them know about the show.

]]>Professor Alyssa Bilinski set out to answer a seemingly simple question: how often are pregnant people included in medical trials? Finding the answer, however, was anything but simple. With 90,000 records to analyze, she turned to AI for help—but ensuring the accuracy of the results required a creative approach. Discover how Bilinski tested and refined AI algorithms to deliver reliable insights and advance health policy research.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tell someone you know!

And one last thing! If you enjoyed today’s episode, text a friend and let them know about the show.

]]>3804a3ab-d6f7-40df-a0ea-82f6cfd19384Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -050013:24falsefull3535How Rwanda's Health System Stopped Marburg in Its TracksHow Rwanda's Health System Stopped Marburg in Its TracksThe East African country of Rwanda is currently in the midst of a Marburg virus disease outbreak, but the picture is far from bleak. Global health expert Dr. Craig Spencer, who survived Ebola in 2014, joined us to discuss the current situation in Rwanda, how the country has managed its “unprecedented” response, and what more developed nations can learn about global health security from their success.

]]>The East African country of Rwanda is currently in the midst of a Marburg virus disease outbreak, but the picture is far from bleak. Global health expert Dr. Craig Spencer, who survived Ebola in 2014, joined us to discuss the current situation in Rwanda, how the country has managed its “unprecedented” response, and what more developed nations can learn about global health security from their success.

]]>9782eb6c-ed52-4152-a319-f5c96ce60ca4Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -050014:22falsefull3434Counting Coal’s CasualtiesCounting Coal’s CasualtiesPicture a coal power plant: a building with tall smoke stacks with big plumes of gasses coming out of them. By now, we know that those gasses aren’t great for our health or the environment. But how bad are they? That’s where Professor Cory Zigler comes in. He worked with a team of researchers to figure out where those gasses go and who they affect. Their approach was so specific, the team could point to a single power plant and say how many people it killed.

Explore the Research

Science: Mortality risk from United States coal electricity generation

Interactive Map

]]>Picture a coal power plant: a building with tall smoke stacks with big plumes of gasses coming out of them. By now, we know that those gasses aren’t great for our health or the environment. But how bad are they? That’s where Professor Cory Zigler comes in. He worked with a team of researchers to figure out where those gasses go and who they affect. Their approach was so specific, the team could point to a single power plant and say how many people it killed.

Explore the Research

Science: Mortality risk from United States coal electricity generation

Interactive Map

]]>7ec5bb96-4728-4777-b10b-2702f5a26dd0Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:30:00 -050012:19falsefull3333Guns, Ammo and Lead ExposureGuns, Ammo and Lead ExposureThe dangers of firearms are well understood, but their ammunition is the source of a little-known health threat: toxic lead. Brown doctoral student Christian Hoover studies the connection between guns and elevated blood lead levels in America’s children and adults. Host Megan Hall speaks with him about the results of the first national study of this problem, and his advice for gun owners on the healthiest way to minimize lead exposure.

]]>The dangers of firearms are well understood, but their ammunition is the source of a little-known health threat: toxic lead. Brown doctoral student Christian Hoover studies the connection between guns and elevated blood lead levels in America’s children and adults. Host Megan Hall speaks with him about the results of the first national study of this problem, and his advice for gun owners on the healthiest way to minimize lead exposure.

]]>dc9349ca-6801-4ecc-8faa-0bf3eab19fa2Tue, 10 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -050012:48falsefull3232Unwinding Anxiety (Rerun)Unwinding Anxiety (Rerun)In this summer replay of a previous episode, host Megan Hall speaks with Dr. Jud Brewer, associate professor of psychiatry at the Brown Medical School about anxiety. In uncertain times, how do we address fear and worry that grips us? How do we help our kids do the same?

]]>In this summer replay of a previous episode, host Megan Hall speaks with Dr. Jud Brewer, associate professor of psychiatry at the Brown Medical School about anxiety. In uncertain times, how do we address fear and worry that grips us? How do we help our kids do the same?

]]>dc3640bf-7ddb-48c7-aecc-8831c8c742c6Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:00:00 -050016:29falsefull3131A psychedelic pathway toward PTSD recoveryA psychedelic pathway toward PTSD recoveryPost traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common conditions facing U.S. Veterans, and there is currently no effective cure—what’s more, many Veterans use alcohol in an effort to alleviate their trauma, making their medical treatment even more complex. For these high risk patients, two professors at Brown are thinking outside the box: Could a treatment involving psychedelic drugs potentially save Veteran lives?

In this episode, Megan speaks to Professors Christy Capone and Carolina Haass-Koffler, part of a team at Brown running the first study of a promising new treatment that combines therapy with MDMA (aka the party drug molly, or ecstasy) for Veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The researchers explain the science guiding their study, why they believe this treatment could be a game-changer and the upcoming FDA decision regarding MDMA’s role in medicine.

]]>Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common conditions facing U.S. Veterans, and there is currently no effective cure—what’s more, many Veterans use alcohol in an effort to alleviate their trauma, making their medical treatment even more complex. For these high risk patients, two professors at Brown are thinking outside the box: Could a treatment involving psychedelic drugs potentially save Veteran lives?

In this episode, Megan speaks to Professors Christy Capone and Carolina Haass-Koffler, part of a team at Brown running the first study of a promising new treatment that combines therapy with MDMA (aka the party drug molly, or ecstasy) for Veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The researchers explain the science guiding their study, why they believe this treatment could be a game-changer and the upcoming FDA decision regarding MDMA’s role in medicine.

]]>32128068-fcd5-4851-a3ca-979b64b3dbb4Thu, 11 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -050014:22falsefull3030