Population Healthy

Commemorating a milestone: The 70th anniversary of the polio vaccine announcement

Welcome to a special live episode of Population Healthy, recorded in front of an enthusiastic audience at the University of Michigan. We mark a historic moment—70 years since the game-changing announcement of the polio vaccine's success on April 12, 1955, right here in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at Rackham Auditorium, led by the groundbreaking work of Thomas Francis, Jr., and Jonas Salk. We invited two renowned experts: Professor Matt Boulton, and Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, to explore the development and impact of the Salk polio vaccine and its ongoing relevance. Join us as we reflect on that pivotal day and the global joy and relief that followed, as polio's devastating effects could finally be curtailed.

Breaking barriers: Gender, health, and justice for all

In this episode of Population Healthy, researchers Dr. Sari Reisner and Dr. Daphne Watkins and prosecutor Eli Savit engage in a dynamic discussion on gender and health equity, recorded at the University of Michigan. In a panel discussion moderated by Justin Colacino, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Michigan Public Health, they explore strategies for advancing gender equity amidst a rapidly evolving political landscape, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and community-driven approaches. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by transgender and non-binary communities, systemic inequities in mental health, and legislative policies impacting health outcomes. Listeners will gain valuable insights and practical strategies for advocacy and action from experts in epidemiology, social work, and law. Whether you're a public health professional, a student, or an individual interested in social justice, this episode offers essential perspectives on creating more inclusive and equitable practices.

Health equity, leadership, and action: Insights from Dr. Rachel Levine

In this episode of Population Healthy, we bring you an engaging conversation with Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, USPHS (Ret.), former Assistant Secretary for Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Recorded at a recent live event as part of The Exchange: Critical Conversations with Michigan Public Health, Dr. Levine joins Dean F. DuBois Bowman in a conversation about gender and health equity and shares her experience and vision for achieving health equity. She offers an inspiring call to action for public health professionals and advocates, emphasizes the importance of stepping out of comfort zones, and highlights the need for collaboration across political and social divides. The discussion also touches on her leadership journey, strategies for navigating partisanship in public health, and the challenges and opportunities in providing healthcare for transgender individuals. Listen in for a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary health issues and the pathways to health equity.

Housing, health, and hope: A conversation on impactful collaboration

In this episode, University of Michigan urban planning and public health experts  Margaret Dewar and Roshanak Mehdipanah delve into the complex challenges of housing access and stability. They examine factors contributing to housing inequity, discuss the nationwide housing crisis affecting cities like Detroit, and shed light on innovative approaches to achieving housing equity. The research team shares insights from their interdisciplinary partnership, highlighting the benefits of collaboration between urban planning and public health expertise to address housing issues that affect health.

Public health in action: Five years after COVID-19

Five years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Michigan School of Public Health looks back at how our world has changed and the lessons learned from this unprecedented global health crisis. On this episode of the Population Healthy podcast, we hear from Michigan Public Health faculty reflecting on their experiences and research during the pandemic, including Mary Janevic, who developed resilience programs for older adults, and Nancy Fleischer, who leads the Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study. Their stories illustrate both the pandemic's long-lasting impacts and the innovative public health responses that continue to support communities today.