Navigating the Pandemic

In this two-episode series, we delve into the perspectives of young professionals in the field of public health, both graduates of the esteemed Columbia Mailman School of Public Health: Rachel Sadoff and Eli Binder. Sadoff's passion lies in global health policy, specifically focusing on international relations, One Health, tackling disparities among vulnerable populations, and envisioning the future of pandemic control. On the other hand, Eli brings expertise in epidemiology disease surveillance, burden monitoring, and ethical data collection. https://scholar.harvard.edu/rachelsadoff https://www.linkedin.com/in/elimbinder

In this episode I interview Dr. Matthew Lamb, an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Columbia University Medical Center focusing on infectious disease prevention, treatment, and scale-up. We discuss types of epidemiological research that shape how we have responded and adapted, how the pandemic has changed COVID-19 research, health disparities, and how we’re determing long-term effects of Covid through different types of epidemiological studies.  Matthew Lamb, PhD is an epidemiologist focusing on infectious disease prevention, treatment, and scale-up. His research focuses on identifying best practices in public health approaches to HIV prevention, service delivery, and treatment in resource-limited settings. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/people/our-faculty/mrl2013#:~:text=Matthew%20Lamb%2C%20PhD%20is%20an,resource%2Dlimited%20settings.Dr.

In this episode, Dr. April Moreno discusses COVID protections for individuals now that it is becoming more of a personal risk assessment to navigate the new normal. We discuss mental health and isolation, the immunocompromised community, and how the social determinants of health affect how communities protect themselves. Dr. Moreno holds a doctorate in health promotion sciences and information systems technology and is a seasoned public health professional and podcaster.  Dr. Moreno’s Recommendations for COVID personal protections:  Local drugs stores have KN95s available for free.  CDC Find Free Masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/free-masks.html Have air filters and keep your windows open for ventilation.  DIY box fan air filter: https://aghealth.ucdavis.edu/news/corsi-rosenthal-box-diy-box-fan-air-filter-covid-19-and-wildfire-smoke Wash your hands.  When you live with or near others, wear your mask indoors.  Other resources:  Public Health Podcast Network: https://www.publichealthpodcasters.com/ The Peoples Public Health Conference: https://www.thepeoplespublichealth.org/  Navigating the Pandemic was recently ranked #4 of the top 15 Pandemic Podcasts on the internet by Feedspot!: https://blog.feedspot.com/pandemic_podcasts/?feed_id=5385955#h5385955

What does it take to support health equity and access to care at the community level during a pandemic?    I was pleased to welcome Dr. Alexander Solerno of Solerno Medical Associates on the show to discuss how community initiatives can bridge gaps in accessing care during COVID. Dr. Salerno speaks about his initiatives, the Community Healthcare Outreach Program and Urban Healthcare Initiative Program in Newark, NJ, which deliver care at the community level.   Website: https://salernomedical.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalernoMedicalAssociates UHIP: https://uhipnj.org/  Suggested reading: Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health

A collective push for global vaccine equity will help us circumvent unnecessary suffering and deaths, protect economies, and mitigate against new virus variants.  I have the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Boghuma Titanji, a medical doctor and clinical researcher, for this episode on patterns of inequality in global disease response and coordinated action in the fight against COVID. We also cover discuss why it’s in the best interest of all countries to continue supporting equitable vaccine dissemination. Dr. Titanji recently coauthored an article in The Atlantic titled: The Pandemic Is Following a Very Predictable and Depressing Pattern, which I encourage listeners to check out along with the other resources listed below.  Other resources: Morgue data hint at COVID’s true toll in Africa, Nature Accelerating an Effective and Equitable COVID-19 Response and Pandemic-proofing the Future, Pandemic Action Network It is not too late to achieve global covid-19 vaccine equity, BMJ

This podcast was nominated for "Best Health Podcast" in the Quill Podcast Awards!! Thank you to everyone who supports the show!  Listen to Dr. Katherine Bliss, Senior Fellow & Director of Immunizations and Health Systems Resilience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. We discuss Latin American healthcare systems before, during and beyond the pandemic as well as recommendations to build back better and improve system resiliency in response to COVID. Further reading:  PAHO resources:  Read "Coordinated action needed to strengthen health systems in face of future challenges, PAHO Director tells high-level Atlantic Council meeting" Watch Health Systems Resilience: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic World Health Worker Week is April 4 - 8 Music Credits: The intro and closing music was specially produced for this podcast by Madison Swann.

Listen to Laurell Sims, co-founder of Urban Growers collective, discuss how COVID-19 food insecurity has impacted Black and Brown communities on the South and West Sides of Chicago, and how the Urban Growers Collective has tackled this issue with emergency food relief programming. We close the show by discussing how local food cultivation is effective for people and planet in improving food access and well-being. Check out the Urban Growers Collective website! Donate to the Urban Growers Collective here. Further reading: Forbes article “How Nonprofits And Local Farmers Can Lead The Fight Against Hunger Post-Pandemic” (USA focus) Brookings report “Beyond ‘food deserts’: America needs a new approach to mapping food insecurity” (USA focus) Read World Bank brief “Food Security and COVID-19” (Global focus) Music Credits: The intro and closing music was specially produced for this podcast by Madison Swann.

“This study shows there is a direct link between race or racism and food insecurity.” - Dr. Danielle Morales COVID-19 has exacerbated food injustice and food insecurity as disparities in access and supply have left many Americans hungry. Understanding this problem is key to pandemic preparedness. In this episode, household food insecurity is defined as the limited or uncertain ability to acquire adequate food for one or more household members. Read Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Household Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Nationally Representative Study (Danielle Xiaodan Morales, Stephanie Alexandra Morales, and Tyler Fox Beltran) Read Feeding America’s resources on Food Insecurity and COVID-19 Music Credits: The intro and closing music was specially produced for this podcast by Madison Swann.

In this episode, Dr. Mir Ali, a Health Economist at the US Department of Health & Human Services, discusses his research brief, Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19: The Role of Social Determinants of Health. Dr. Ali shares insights on how we can better measure structural drivers of health inequities and provides examples of current government programs that are actively taking on the challenge. Read Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19: The Role of Social Determinants of Health on the HHS website.  Other resources: HHS-HUD Partnership – Housing and Resources Service Center CMS - Roadmap for States to Address the Social Determinants of Health to Improve Outcomes CDC – Implemented several programs to address SDOH HRSA – Funding opportunities for providers to incorporate SDOH Mir M Ali Bio: Dr. Mir M. Ali is a Health Economist at the US Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). A specialist in behavioral health economics, Dr. Ali focuses his research on mental illness, substance abuse, and issues of behavioral health policies affecting children and adults. He has authored 100+ peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous government reports on behavioral healthcare systems and policies. More information on Dr.Ali's research is here. Music Credits: The intro and closing music was specially produced for this podcast by Madison Swann.

This podcast is a tool for you to stay informed about COVID-19 in our ever-changing world. This season’s theme is the social determinants of health, where I plan to delve into societal implications of COVID, from economic and working conditions, to housing, food access, and more. Episode Resources + suggested readings: Healthy People U.S. HHS on the Social Determinants of Health: https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health World Health Organization on the Social Determinants of Health: https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1 COVID-19 and the impact of social determinants of health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7234789/ Kaiser Family Foundation Tracking Social Determinants of Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/tracking-social-determinants-of-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ Music Credits: The intro and closing music was specially produced for this podcast by Madison Swann.