Contagious Conversations

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Curious about the people who are making the world healthier and safer for us all, and what set them on that path? Get inspired as the CDC Foundation interviews experts who share their unique perspectives on today’s toughest health challenges, such as antibiotic resistance, global disease outbreaks, health equality and more.

44. A Conversation with CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen
We're bringing you a special episode this month, as our president and CEO sits down for a conversation with Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, the new director of the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Administrator. Dr. Cohen has...
43. The Eye of the Storm
In 2022, a mysterious outbreak of a deadly drug-resistant bacteria began spreading across several U.S. states. A CDC investigation would eventually reveal an unusual culprit: common eye drops. In this episode, Dr. Danielle Rankin takes us behind the...
42. Serving Those Who Served
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for Americans overall. And sadly, our nation’s veterans face even higher rates of suicide. In this month's episode, we discuss the crisis of...
41. Prevention vs. Prescription: The Question About Opioids
Physicians face many challenges in treating people living with pain, especially in light of the U.S. opioid overdose epidemic. In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Chris Jones on how physicians are handling these challenges, and the steps CDC is...
40. Tomorrow's Public Health Professionals
As we emerge from the COVID public health emergency, it is a critical time to think about the future of public health. The next generation of public health workers will be charged with leading through the challenges that lie ahead. In this episode, we...
39. Improving Black Women's Health
April is National Minority Health Month, and this episode we're sitting down with Dr. Melody McCloud to discuss the health threats faced by minority women—Black women in particular—as well as the vital role of equity in public health. Dr. McCloud...
38. A Respiratory Triple Threat
You've probably heard a lot recently about the so-called "tridemic" or "tripledemic." This concurrent impact of COVID-19, influenza and RSV introduced major challenges to our public health system...but taught major lessons, too. David Snyder, director...
37. Nine Lessons for the Next Generation
What lessons can we learn from public health victories like the eradication of smallpox? How can we expand those lessons to the fight against non-infectious diseases, too? And how can each of us become a better ancestor to the generations to come?...
36. Creatively Combating Antimicrobial Resistance
How can creative messaging and the arts help people better understand issues around antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance? Our guests discuss the power of art to promote public health and protective behaviors, as well as the power of patient...
35. A Prescription of Nutrition
Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, is your special host for today’s episode, as we discuss nutrition, medicine and public health with Dr. Thea James and Dr. Elizabeth Petelin... starting with a mystery clinical case that at...
34. Young Leaders Take Action on Climate and Health
In our latest episode, we discuss the gaps that exist in today’s healthcare systems around climate change and health, and what young people in particular are doing to bridge those gaps. Our guests today are Hazel Rogers and Ben Rabin. Hazel is the...
33. What to Know About Monkeypox
This month, we're talking monkeypox: what is it, what CDC is doing to tackle the outbreak and what challenges face future disease responses. Our guest expert is Jennifer McQuiston, DVM, the deputy director of the Division of High Consequence Pathogens...
Special Edition: International Podcast Day 2022
In honor of International Podcast Day, we're releasing a bonus episode that takes a look back at some of our most memorable Contagious Conversations episodes from 2022! Whether you're new to our podcast and curious what we're all about, or a long-time...
32. Making Public Health Protection Our Business
This episode we discuss the critical role businesses play in keeping their employees and communities safe during a public health crisis. Plus, learn about the Health Action Alliance, a partnership that has helped nearly 4,000 employers do just that....
31. Making Scents of COVID
Learn about the COVID-19 Detection Dog program—a collaboration between the California Department of Public Health and Early Alert Canines—which is introducing a new, less invasive, and more fun method of testing to schools across the state....
30. Doers and Thinkers: Three Experts Weigh In
For our milestone 30th episode, we're bringing you 3 discussions in one! Host Claire Stinson introduces a collection of speakers from this year’s , an annual event that brings together innovative thinkers and doers to address the world's biggest...
29. Homelessness and Health: Locally, Regionally, Nationally
In this episode, we'll discuss the link between people experiencing homelessness and public health and what CDC is doing to address this issue. CDC's Dr. Emily Mosites details the unique health challenges for those living with homelessness and...
28. Turning Urgency to Action
How does climate change affect health? What are some successful approaches from public health's past that we can use to tackle this challenge today? And most importantly: how can we all work together to combat this growing crisis? In this episode of...
27. Relationships Matter
“We can’t do the work alone. That is why it is important to have partnerships in our communities.” Hear Dr. Mysheika Roberts discuss this idea and more, as she takes listeners through her own journey in community-centered public health. Plus:...
26. Policies and Laws for the Health of All
What exactly is public health law? Drawing from disciplines like epidemiology, public policy and evaluation, it's a field that we may not often think about in our day-to-day lives. But it has a profound impact on our lifetime trajectory. Sarah de...

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