Public Health On Call

About this episode:
An outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship has triggered a global public health response to treat those infected and trace those exposed. In this episode: why this type of hantavirus is unique, what the symptoms and severity are, and why experts are assuring the public that the risk of pandemic-level transmission is low.
Guest:
Kari Moore Debbink, PhD, MEd, is a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
What Is Hantavirus, Which Is Linked to the Deaths of 3 People Aboard a Cruise Ship?—New York Times

In the News: Hantavirus@johnshopkinssph via Instagram

Can Spillover—How Viruses Move From Animals to Humans—Be Prevented?—Public Health On Call (November 2021)

Transcript information:
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Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

About this episode:
What would change if we thought of violence as an infectious disease? In this episode: a trailblazer in the movement for community-based solutions to violence, Dr. Gary Slutkin, explains how treating violence like an epidemic can point the way to solutions.
Guest:
Dr. Gary Slutkin is a physician and epidemiologist who founded the organization Cure Violence Global. He is also the author of the book "The End of Violence: Eliminating the World's Most Dangerous Epidemic."
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Estimating the Effects of Safe Streets Baltimore on Gun Violence—Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions

Interrupting Violence: How the CeaseFire Program Prevents Imminent Gun Violence through Conflict Mediation—Journal of Urban Health

The End of Violence: Eliminating the World's Most Dangerous Epidemic—Penguin Random House (book)

Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky

@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram

@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook

@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube

Here's our RSS feed

Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

About this episode:
Connecting community members with nutritious foods can also open the door to other resources for improving wellbeing, from nutrition education to legal services to housing support. In this episode: Devonne Franklin and Shikera Shelton of the Y in Central Maryland talk about the organization's Fresh Mart program and how providing a good meal opens the door to improving community health outcomes.
Guests:
Devonne Franklin is the executive director of community and associate wellbeing at the Y in Central Maryland.
Shikera Shelton is a member of the community health team at the Y in Central Maryland and manager of the Fresh Mart in Druid Hill.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
Y Fresh Mart: Reliable Access to Healthy Food—Y in Central Maryland

Get Involved—Y in Central Maryland

What is Prediabetes—Public Health On Call (April 2026)

Hidden Food Insecurity: The Adolescents Who Aren't Getting Enough to Eat—Public Health On Call (March 2024)

Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky

@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram

@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook

@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube

Here's our RSS feed

Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

About this episode:
Appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani earlier this year, Dr. Alister Martin is developing creative ways to make life healthier and more affordable for New Yorkers. In this episode: Dr. Martin shares how his office is meeting problems head on, finding innovative ways to connect with neighbors, and serving through a public health trust deficit.
Guest:
Dr. Alister F. Martin, MPP, is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He is also an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the founder of A Healthier Democracy.
Host:
Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.
Show links and related content:
I'm New York City's new health commissioner. Here's how I'll help deliver on Zohran Mamdani's affordability agenda.—MSN

VoteER: Helping Patients and Providers Vote Like Their Health Depends On It—Public Health On Call (September 2021)

Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky

@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram

@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook

@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube

Here's our RSS feed

Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

About this episode:
A new vaccine shows 70% efficacy in preventing Lyme disease, but limitations to the clinical trials put the fate of this intervention in limbo. In this episode: Anna Durbin, an expert in experimental vaccines, explains where this vaccine shows promise, where it falls short, and what could happen next for licensing and regulation.
Guest:
Dr. Anna Durbin is a professor of International Health and the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Immunization Research.
Host:
Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.
Show links and related content:
Pfizer and Valneva Announce Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate Demonstrates Strong Efficacy in Phase 3 VALOR Trial—Pfizer

Tickborne Diseases Are on the Rise—Here's What To Know—Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

F.D.A. Reverses Decision and Agrees to Review Moderna's Flu Vaccine—New York Times

It's Tick Season!—Public Health On Call (April 2025)

Transcript information:
Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel.
Contact us:
Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website.
Follow us:
@‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky

@‌PublicHealthPod on Instagram

@‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook

@‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube

Here's our RSS feed

Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.