Healthy Chicago Podcast

Men's Health Month + Black Men's Wellness Day

June is Men’s Health Month. On this episode, Sam Rene (CDPH Program Manager, syndemic infectious disease bureau) speaks with Dominique Wilson (African American Wellness Agency and National Center for Urban Solutions) and Walter Lindsey (CDPH Database Analyst) about Black men’s health, stigma and myth around men’s health, and how every man can prioritize their mental and physical wellness. Open to the public, Black Men’s Wellness Day is on Saturday, June 20 (7 a.m. – 12 p.m.) at the Bob Pickens Track & Field at 6233 S. Stony Island Ave. This free event brings together Black men, families, and community members for a morning focused on health, connection, and action. Participants can: • Get access to free heart health and other screenings • Connect with local providers and organizations • Take part in a 5K walk/run designed to get people moving together • Enjoy activities for kids, a senior pavilion, live entertainment, and local vendors For more information, and to register for free, click HERE [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-black-mens-wellness-day-chicago-tickets-1944149807409?aff=oddtdtcreator&msockid=14cacb0f42ce60d00859dd9043486134#location].

Joabe Barbosa on Running, Wellness, and Community

Joabe Barbosa is a graduate student at Roosevelt University studying clinical psychology, but that’s likely not how you know him. If you’ve watched local news or been on Instagram lately, you likely know Joabe as the Brazilian guy wearing the Chicago flag as a cape, who is trying to run every street in the city. He’s also the guy who ran a half marathon in an inflatable bee costume [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYTO39pM2W-/?hl=en], ran a long-distance race in rubber rainboots [https://www.instagram.com/p/DWufUmdAviA/?hl=en], and has the Guinness World Record for the fastest trip visiting every single Chicago CTA Subway Station [https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ8Blq-DNyb/?hl=en]. Our discussion covers why Joabe runs, what it has unlocked for him and those around him, how exercise affects his mental well-being, and the purpose that drives his journey. Follow Joabe’s journey on IG at @heyjoabe.

Joabe Barbosa y la increíble misión de correr en cada calle de Chicago

Joabe Barbosa, un estudiante de posgrado de la Universidad de Roosevelt, tiene una misión extraordinaria: correr por cada una de las calles en los 77 vecindarios de Chicago. Ha recorrido miles de millas, ha construido una comunidad que lo sigue en redes sociales y ha utilizado su plataforma para destacar a personas e historias que hacen que esta ciudad sea tan especial. En este episodio descubrimos cómo Joabe llegó a Chicago persiguiendo un sueño, pero encontró en la actividad física una poderosa forma de conexión y bienestar mental.

Unsafe Sleep Practices Linked to Infant Deaths

Many sleep-related infant deaths occur in ordinary, everyday circumstances: exhaustion, bedsharing, soft bedding, and safe sleep spaces that go unused in moments of fatigue. These situations can be life-threatening for a baby. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Gina Lowell, Director of Community Health for Pediatrics at Rush University Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Kyran Quinlan, Pediatric Medical Advisor at the Illinois Department of Public Health. Over the past five years, they’ve documented these deaths, explored the circumstances surrounding them, and investigated why they continue to happen. This conversation goes beyond the numbers: it’s about what they’ve witnessed firsthand, the challenges families face, and how communities can provide meaningful support during one of the most vulnerable times in a child’s life. Safe sleep education, home visiting programs, and community resources are available across Chicago and Cook County to support families and caregivers. For more information on infant safe sleep practices, visit chicago.gov/onechifam/safesleep [https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/onechifam/home/infant-care/baby-basics/infant-sleep-safety.html].

Conversaciones sobre Salud Mental con la Comisión de Juventud del Alcalde de Chicago

¿Sabías que hay un grupo de jóvenes de entre 14 y 19 años que ayudan a asesorar a líderes de la ciudad sobre los desafíos que existen hoy en día en la salud mental y que contribuyen a la creación de políticas que apoyan el bienestar de la juventud en nuestra ciudad? En este episodio, tuvimos una conversación sin filtros con integrantes del Grupo de Trabajo de Salud Pública de la Comisión de Juventud del alcalde de Chicago sobre la salud mental en los jóvenes. Exploramos los desafíos que enfrentan hoy en día, desde la presión escolar y el impacto de las redes sociales hasta la influencia de la cultura, la política y la religión, y por qué es fundamental escuchar sus voces para construir un mayor bienestar en nuestra comunidad.