Public Health On Call

An alarming rise in sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonnorhea, and syphilis in the US calls for new prevention and treatment tactics. Dr. Matthew Hamill, a Johns Hopkins clinical researcher specializing in HIV and STIs, talks with Stephanie Desmon about DoxyPEP, or the use of antibiotic doxycycline after sexual contact. They discuss its effectiveness and availability, use in the context of antibiotic resistance, and why DoxyPEP isn't a silver bullet in the prevention of STIs.

Our individual health is shaped by the environments we live in. So what does that mean for the more than 280 million people worldwide who have moved across country borders from the place of their birth? Johns Hopkins Health Policy and Management assistant professor Catherine Ettman, who recently edited the book Migration and Health, talks with Stephanie Desmon about the many factors that impact the health of migrants, including whether they've moved by choice or to escape conflict or natural disaster.

As Maryland's Public Defender, Natasha Dartigue's office sees 90% of criminal cases in the state. In addition to the mission of representing individuals with criminal charges, there are new efforts underway to keep young people from getting into trouble in the first place. She speaks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the office's new outreach and collaborations to close critical gaps for families and help young people thrive.

Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams talks about his new book, "Crisis and Chaos, Lessons From the Front Lines in the War Against COVID-19" with Dr. Josh Sharfstein. On the topic list: his compelling personal story, the "emotionally jarring" experience of leading during a highly politicized pandemic, and his efforts to advocate for health as a bipartisan priority.

Dr. Brandon del Pozo and Dr. Josh Sharfstein discuss a study on the impact of overdose prevention sites on crime rates. The findings indicate that these sites do not lead to an increase in crime and actually result in a decrease in drug possession arrests. The podcast explores the relationship between these sites and drug possession charges, as well as the implications of the findings on public support for overdose prevention sites.

In the wake of last month's Lewiston shootings in Maine, the state's "yellow flag" law has come under scrutiny. Josh Horwitz of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions talks with Stephanie Desmon about red flag laws, or Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and why Maine's hybrid approach is so ineffective. They also discuss the constitutionality of red flag laws and a number of other effective policies that can help prevent all kinds of gun violence.

RSV—respiratory syncytial virus—is a common infection that causes cold-like symptoms but can become very severe in young children and is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies under 1. Dr. Ruth Karron, director of the Johns Hopkins Vaccine Initiative, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about two new products, a vaccine for pregnant people and an antibody treatment for babies, that could substantially lower the rates of severe infections among children. However, the rollout has been slow and people may still have a hard time getting them for their children as RSV season kicks into gear.

The holiday season can be intense for anyone, but especially those who are living with grief—whether it's recent or decades old. Eleanor Haley, who has a master's in counseling psychology, and Litsa Williams, a clinical social worker, are co-founders of What's Your Grief, an online community for grieving people and grief support professionals. They talk with Lindsay Smith Rogers about ways to approach celebrations or rituals, the importance of communication with loved ones, and the need to make room for flexibility, honesty, and maybe even a little joy. Learn more: https://whatsyourgrief.com/

Many lawsuits against employers for requiring COVID-19 vaccines remain in U.S. courts. Dawn Solowey, a partner in the labor and employment practice of Seyfarth Shaw, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about these court cases, the rise in public discourse around religious and medical exemptions, and implications for other workplace issues like diversity training and protections for LGBTQ individuals.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs was established to develop and research creative ways to boost the use of modern family planning around the world. Today, as the center marks its 35th birthday, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein speaks to CCP's new executive director Debora Freitas Lopez about the program's continued mission to inspire and enable people around the world to make healthy choices about everything from contraception to COVID-19 to climate action.