Public Health On Call

Opioid use disorder is a major contributor to maternal mortality in the US. The gold standard of care is medication like methadone, but for incarcerated pregnant people, treatment can be difficult to access and highly stigmatized. Johns Hopkins obgyn and reproductive health researcher Dr. Carolyn Sufrin and Bloomberg Fellow Camille Kramer talk with Lindsay Smith Rogers about their new study that shows not only just how difficult OUD medication is to access behind bars for anyone, let alone pregnant women in the prison system. https://arrwip.org/projects/management-of-pregnant-people-with-opioid-use-disorder-in-jail/

The manslaughter conviction of Jennifer Crumbley, whose son shot and killed four students at his school, is unprecedented. But will it be a watershed moment for gun violence in schools? Tim Carey, law and policy advisor at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, talks with Stephanie Desmon about the unique facts of this case, larger implications, and why Child Access Prevention laws are an important part of the conversation. Please note that since this podcast was recorded, a man in Michigan became the first person to be charged under the state's new firearms storage law. The law requires gun owners to store firearms unloaded and secured with a locking device or in a lockbox if a minor lives at or is likely to visit their property.

Dr. Murray Lumpkin discusses the global issue of substandard and fake drugs, the risks they pose, and the challenges faced by regulatory systems. The importance of collaborative efforts to secure the pharmaceutical supply chain and investing in quality over price for better patient outcomes are highlighted.

The Alabama Supreme Court issued an extraordinary ruling on February 16 that embryos that are the result of in vitro fertilization are "children." Public health law expert Joanne Rosen returns to the podcast to talk with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the case and its implications for IVF, how it connects to the larger context of post-Roe litigation, and what's at stake as anti-abortion sentiment crashes up against medical technology designed to facilitate pregnancies.

Discussing the threat of measles outbreaks, vaccine misinformation, and the importance of high vaccination rates. Exploring the balance between personal choice and public health concerns in combating the highly contagious virus.

A discussion on the impact of social media on adolescent mental health, highlighting the need for more evidence and involvement from social media companies. Recommendations for caregivers, Congress, and companies to balance the benefits and harms of social media use for teens.

Deadly hepatitis C is curable, but 2.5 million Americans remain infected without treatment. Dr. Francis Collins, longtime director of the National Institutes of Health, is now serving as a special advisor to Present Biden for an effort to eliminate hepatitis C in the US. He speaks with Stephanie Desmon about why hepatitis C has been so tricky to diagnose and treat and what it will take to launch a coordinated effort to cure every American living with the disease.

Healing City Baltimore was born out of a school shooting, aiming to improve mental health in the city. Councilman Zeke Cohen and Reverend Kim Lagree discuss the program, which won the Culture of Health prize and serves as a model for other cities. The initiative focuses on trauma-informed care, policy reform, and innovative response programs to support healing and well-being in Baltimore.

Alcohol use is the fourth leading cause of death in the US, but there are evidence-based approaches to preventing alcohol misuse and deaths and treating use disorders. Dr. Cara Poland, an addiction medicine specialist at Michigan State University, talks with Stephanie Desmon about excise taxes, evidence of the harms of alcohol, and her personal connection to the topic. They also discuss the differences between misuse and disorders and challenging false notions around alcohol's health protective effects.

Exploring the consequences of missed diagnoses leading to deaths and disabilities in the US. Addressing the complexities and challenges in medical diagnosis, focusing on prevention rather than early detection. Discussing the impact of diagnostic errors on emergency department overcrowding and delays. Emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic accuracy, access to expertise, and research funding. Advocating for increased awareness and concrete actions to combat this pressing healthcare challenge.