Listen-in as Alexis Clark hosts a discussion with 5 current Master of Health Administration students at the University of Iowa about their summer internship experiences in widely different positions around the country. What did they learn? How did their work in the classroom prepare them for these real-world experiences? What did they learn and how will they apply this new knowledge?

A transcript of this podcast is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-mha-students-discuss-their-summer-internship-experiences/

Have an idea for a show? Questions or comments for our hosts? Send email to cph-gradambassador@uiowa.edu

What I Did Last Summer: 5 MHA students discuss their internship experiences

Anya and Logan chat with Francisco Olalde from the University of Iowa's Office of Statewide Clinical Education Programs (OSCEP). He talks about his work with visiting consultant clinics in the state of Iowa, especially in rural communities. He also covers his experience working on both MBA and Executive MHA degrees...at the same time.

Learn more about OSCEP at https://medicine.uiowa.edu/oscep/

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-clinical-education-outreach-programs-in-rural-communities/

Have an idea for a show? Questions or comments for our hosts? Send email to cph-gradambassador@uiowa.edu

The importance of clinical education outreach programs in rural communities with Francisco Olalde

This is the first of a 3-part series on vector-borne diseases (transmitted by insects). Today's episode features a interview with Dr. Ryan Smith, entomologist at Iowa State University. He talks with Radha and Anya about about mosquito surveillance and mosquito-borne diseases.

Look for upcoming episodes on tick and flea-borne diseases.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-vector-borne-diseases-episode-1-mosquito-surveillance-and-mosquito-borne-diseases-with-dr-ryan-smith/

Have an question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email Anya at anya-morozov@uiowa.edu

Vector-Borne Diseases Ep. 1: mosquito surveillance and mosquito-borne diseases with Dr. Ryan Smith

Adriana welcomes Dr. Oluwafemi Adeagbo from the University of Iowa's Department of Community and Behavioral Health for a wide-ranging discussion about HIV stigma, social determinants of health, medical ethics, health disparities, and more.

A transcription of tis episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-talking-social-determinants-stigma-and-health-disparities-with-dr-oluwafemi-adeagbo/

Have an question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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Talking social determinants, stigma, and health disparities with Dr. Oluwafemi Adeagbo

Rasika welcomes second-year Master of Health Administration students AnnaVay and Jashanjot to discuss their summer internship experiences and the valuable opportunities they provide for learning, networking, and professional growth.

A transcription of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-mha-students-reflect-on-their-summer-internship-experiences/.

Have an question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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The Value of Internships: MHA students reflect on their summer internship experiences

Garrett has a great chat with Walter Linares from the Iowa City Bike Library as they discuss the public health benefits of biking and community-wide access to cycling resources.

Learn more about the bike library at https://www.icbikelibrary.org/

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-the-iowa-city-bike-library-and-public-health-benefits-of-biking-resources/

Have an question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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Pedal Power: the Iowa City Bike Library and public health benefits of access to biking resources

Amy welcomes Ti Hsu, a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Iowa to discuss stereotypes and stigma surrounding the mental health of Asian Americans and creating culturally responsive therapy services among different populations.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-asian-americans-mental-health-and-culturally-responsive-care/

Have an question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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Stereotypes and Stigma: Asian Americans, mental health, and culturally responsive care

Michelle Miller from the UI's PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) Clinic joins Rasika for a great conversation about HIV prevention.

Learn more about the PrEP Clinic at: https://uihc.org/services/prep-clinic

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-hiv-prevention-and-the-university-of-iowas-prep-clinic/

Have an question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support "From the Front Row" by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

HIV Prevention and the University of Iowa's PrEP Clinic

Lauren welcomes Dr. Mark Berg and Kaylin Campbell from the University of Iowa's Public Policy Center to talk about intimate partner violence (IPV) from sociological, psychological, and public health perspectives and how views and policies about IPV have been changing.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-intimate-partner-violence-evolving-understanding-and-changing-policy/

Have an question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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Intimate Partner Violence: evolving understanding and changing policy

Part 1 of 2...Lauren welcomes guest Dr. Josiah Rich for a discussion on addiction treatment and public health, particularly in relation to the HIV epidemic and injection drug use in Rhode Island. He highlights the impact of a law outlawing the possession of a single syringe, which led to a decrease in HIV transmission. He also mentions the routine testing program in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, which identified a significant number of HIV cases. Dr. Rich explains the current state of opioid use in the United States and the restrictions on prescribing methadone for opioid use disorder. He emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to address the opioid epidemic and the importance of getting people into recovery.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-addiction-treatment-and-public-health/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support "From the Front Row" by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

Addiction Treatment and Public Health Part 1: a discussion with Dr. Josiah Rich

Part 2 of 2: Lauren and Josiah Rich continue their conversation about the current state of medical education and the opioid epidemic and touch on the history of the crisis, the challenges faced in addressing addiction treatment, and the need for improvements in medical school curriculums. Dr. Rich also highlights the dangers of contaminated illegal drugs, the importance of providing treatment for opioid use disorder, and the need to reduce stigma surrounding addiction.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/from-the-front-row-addiction-treatment-and-public-health-part-2/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support "From the Front Row" by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

Addiction Treatment and Public Health Part 2: a discussion with Dr. Josiah Rich

Lauren interviews Daniela Moga about her professional journey from medical training in her home country of Romania to pursuing degrees in public health and epidemiology at the University of Iowa to her current career in pharmacoepidemiology at the University of Kentucky.

A transcript of this episode is available at  https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-a-professional-journey-with-dr-daniela-moga/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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How Did I Get Here? A professional journey with Dr. Daniela Moga

Lauren's guest this week is Dr. Tamara Marcus.

Dr. Marcus is a climate scientist and activist co-founding Empowered Solutions Collective, a sustainability consulting group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her journey began in undergraduate studies, where she pivoted from pre-med to climate research, working in diverse ecosystems around the world.

As an activist, Dr. Marcus is committed to creating accessible, equitable sustainability projects that address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. Her work with Empowered Solutions Collective focuses on providing tailored solutions and community-informed initiatives, from resilience hubs to food access projects.

Dr. Marcus emphasizes the importance of self-care and staying encouraged in this challenging work, stressing that solutions require collective, relationship-building efforts rather than just data or infrastructure alone. She advocates for more activist approaches in local government to drive urgent climate action.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-climate-change-and-impacts-on-vulnerable-populations/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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Climate Change and the Impacts on Vulnerable Populations

In this episode, Lauren welcomes a very special guest; Dr. Jim Yong Kim, partner, vice chairman, and Global Infrastructure Partners (a part of BlackRock) emerging markets chairman as well as former President of the World Bank Group and director of the World Health Organization’s HIV/AIDS department.

Dr. Kim's background growing up in Iowa with Korean immigrant parents shaped his practical and moral approach to tackling complex global challenges.

His dual MD-PhD training in medicine and anthropology allowed him to bridge the social sciences and practical applications, leading him to co-found the groundbreaking organization Partners in Health.

At Partners in Health, Dr. Kim emphasized the importance of accompaniment and community health workers in providing equitable, effective care for the world's poorest populations.

After serving as President of Dartmouth College, Dr. Kim was nominated by President Obama to lead the World Bank, where he applied his on-the-ground experience and commitment to moral leadership.

Dr. Kim emphasizes the value of lifelong learning, humility, and learning from others as key aspects of effective leadership.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-reflections-on-40-years-in-global-health-with-dr-jim-yong-kim/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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Reflections on 40 Years in Global Health with Dr. Jim Yong Kim

Lauren welcomes 3 very special guests for this episode exploring leadership and building successful teams: Fran McCaffrey, the head coach of the University of Iowa men's basketball team; Dr. Matt Howard, Chief of Neurosurgery at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics; and Jon Darsee, Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Iowa and president of the Research Park Corporation.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:
Leadership can be both innate and learned through experience and mentorship. Effective leaders often display humility, empathy, and the ability to build trust within their teams.

Humility is an important trait for leaders to cultivate, as it allows them to learn from mistakes and support their team members. Successful leaders often serve as role models by openly acknowledging their own shortcomings.

In both sports and medicine, the ability to foster a strong team culture and recognize the value of all team members, including support staff, is crucial for building resilient and high-performing organizations.

For students and young professionals, the advice is to prioritize finding the right mentors and teams over short-term financial incentives, as the opportunities for growth and learning will be more valuable in the long run.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://tinyurl.com/bdcrypua

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #education #leadership #teambuilding

Leadership and Team Building with Fran McCaffrey, Matt Howard, and Jon Darsee

Lauren welcomes her guest, Dr. Steven Levy, to talk about the role of fluoride in public health and oral health and the controversy about a recent study making an association between fluoride exposure and children's IQ. 

They also touch on:
The history and rationale behind water fluoridation as a key public health intervention to prevent tooth decay, including how it provides benefits across socioeconomic groups and is a cost-saving measure.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between fluoride exposure and children's IQ, and the concerns raised in Dr. Levy's editorial about the scientific validity and interpretation of those findings.

How the debate around this meta-analysis has been amplified in the media and by opponents of water fluoridation, and the importance of carefully evaluating research evidence from multiple qualified sources.

Current fluoride guidelines and standards, and advice for parents and individuals concerned about fluoride exposure, including the safety of community water fluoridation at recommended levels.

The continuing importance of fluoride as the foundational preventive measure in dentistry, and the limited evidence so far on potential alternatives like hydroxyapatite toothpastes.

A transcript of this episode is available at  https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/podcast-the-role-of-fluoride-in-public-health-and-oral-health-with-dr-steven-levy/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #education #oralhealth #fluoride

The Role of Fluoride in Public Health and Oral Health: with guest Dr. Steven Levy

This episode features an interview with Dr. Anjali Deshpande, a clinical associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the current president of the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA). Dr. Deshpande discusses her journey into public health, the role of IPHA in advocating for and strengthening public health practice in Iowa, and the challenges facing the public health field, particularly around funding. She provides advice for students looking to build careers in public health, emphasizing the importance of getting involved in organizations like IPHA to develop advocacy skills and make connections. Dr. Deshpande expresses hope for the future of public health in Iowa, highlighting the need to build bridges with policymakers and the public to make the work of public health more visible and impactful.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-advocating-for-public-health-with-anjali-deshpande/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth

Building Bridges: advocating for public health with Anjali Deshpande

This two-part podcast episode discusses career readiness and preparation for a career in public health. The guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office, provide practical advice on getting started with the job search, including tips for crafting resumes and cover letters, avoiding common mistakes, and highlighting relevant experience even from classroom projects. They emphasize the importance of seeking help early and often, as the job search process takes more time than many students realize. The guests also address common misconceptions and concerns from students at different stages of their academic journeys, and provide guidance on how to stand out as an applicant, network, and discover the right career path in public health.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-career-readiness-and-life-after-college-part-1/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

Career Readiness and Preparing for Life after College - Part 1

This is part 2 with guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office. They provide practical tips on building authentic connections, asking the right questions, and mapping your next steps, even if you're not sure where you want to end up. They emphasize that networking is more than just formal events - it's about telling the people in your life what you're looking for and letting them help make connections. They also recommend preparing thoroughly for informational interviews, going beyond traditional job boards to find public health-specific opportunities, and being open to exploring different career paths through internships and job shadowing. The conversation covers a range of resources available to both undergraduate and graduate students, including the College of Public Health's career services website and professional associations' job boards.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-career-readiness-and-life-after-college-part-2/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

Career Readiness and Preparing for Life after College - Part 2

Lauren welcomes Mary Charlton to the podcast to discuss the Iowa Cancer Registry's "99 Counties" project.

The "Cancer in Iowa 99 Counties" project aims to educate Iowans about the high cancer rates in the state, the types of cancer driving these rates, and risk factors that can be addressed through policy and community action

Iowa has the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the U.S., with the most common cancers being breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and melanoma

The project involves creating detailed reports on cancer trends and risk factors for each of Iowa's 99 counties, which are presented to local public health officials and community members to spur action

Key findings include geographic patterns in different cancer types (e.g. higher lung cancer in southern Iowa, higher melanoma in northern Iowa), highlighting the complex, multifactorial nature of cancer

The goal is to empower Iowans to advocate for evidence-based policies (e.g. tobacco tax increases) and community initiatives to reduce the cancer burden in the state.

A transcript of this episode is available at  https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-the-iowa-cancer-registry-and-the-99-counties-project/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #cancer #canceriniowa

The Iowa Cancer Registry and the "99 Counties" project

This week, Lauren welcomes UI College of Public Health alumnus and recipient of the college's 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award, Dr. Vijay Golla. They discuss his journey into public health that began with his medical training in India, where he became interested in preventive medicine and social medicine. This led him to pursue a Ph.D. in industrial hygiene at the University of Iowa, where he focused his dissertation on assessing pesticide levels and related doses among farm families in Iowa.

After graduating, Dr. Golla returned to Western Kentucky University, where he obtained a training grant to support undergraduate and graduate students in environmental health sciences. In his current role as Vice Provost for Research and Health Sciences at Texas A&M, Dr. Golla has been able to significantly increase research funding and expand the university's health science initiatives, which he sees as a critical part of public health's future focus on disease prevention.

Dr. Golla emphasizes the importance of field experience, networking, and staying research-active for current public health students and young professionals. He is excited about public health's growing influence and its potential to play a pivotal role in providing personalized preventive healthcare recommendations, much like a vehicle's diagnostic system.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-a-conversation-with-dr-vijay-golla/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth

Diagnostics and Data: How Dr. Vijay Golla is Redefining Public Health Strategy

This episode features an interview with Dr. Shadi Saleh, the founding director of the Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut. Dr. Saleh discusses the institute's work to shift the global health paradigm from a North-led, implementer-driven model to one where institutions in the Global South are originators of context-driven solutions. Key highlights include:

•	The institute's work to create a cloud-based electronic health record system for refugee populations, allowing them to access their medical histories as they move between countries.
•	Initiatives to integrate "conflict medicine" into the training and education of healthcare professionals, preparing them to practice in disrupted and resource-limited settings.
•	The institute's role as a regional hub for research and innovation in the use of AI for global health applications, focusing on community health and sexual/reproductive health.
•	The institute's commitment to diversifying its funding sources to maintain independence and sustainability.
•	Dr. Saleh's optimism about the next generation of global health leaders, who are driven to be equal partners in finding solutions rather than merely implementers of ideas from the Global North.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-changing-the-global-health-paradigm/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #global health

Changing the Global Health Paradigm

Dr. Nichole Nidey joins Lauren to talk about the Empower Project; a collaborative effort that aims to improve research and clinical care related to substance use during pregnancy. It includes researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals with lived experience of drug use during pregnancy. The project has grown from an initial group of 6 mothers in 2019 to over 20 mothers from 8 states.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-changing-stigma-to-support-with-the-empower-project/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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Changing Stigma to Support: Dr. Nichole Nidey and the Empower Project

This week's episode inludes a terrific discussion about the Breast Cancer Prevention Program (BCPP) at the National University of Singapore, a multifaceted research initiative aimed at improving breast cancer screening, care, and prevention in Southeast Asia. 

Led by Dr. Mikael Hartman and Jenny, the program collaborates with medical anthropologist Dr. Cynthia Chou to integrate cultural and community perspectives into its work.

The BCPP emphasizes a holistic approach to the breast cancer journey, from screening and early detection to treatment, prognosis, and survivorship. Key priorities include developing culturally responsive screening strategies, leveraging genetics and genomics to personalize risk assessment, and conducting community outreach to address barriers to healthcare access and utilization. The program's international collaborations allow it to study the unique genetic and sociocultural factors shaping breast cancer patterns in Asian populations.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-culturally-responsive-breast-cancer-screening-treatment-and-care/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #breastcancer #prevention #cancer #culturallyresponsivecare

Culturally Responsive Breast Cancer Prevention, Screening, Treatment, and Care

Lauren welcomes Gulrukh Mehboob for a discussion about the impacts of relaxed staff training and licensing requirements on nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gul is a Fulbright PhD scholar at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, studying health workforce policy, particularly in long-term care settings.

•	Between March 2020 and September 2021, 19 states reduced CNA training and licensing requirements in an effort to address staffing shortages in nursing homes.
•	Gulrukh's study found that these policy changes did not improve CNA staffing levels in nursing homes, even though some scholars had argued that strict training and licensing requirements were a barrier to entering the field.
•	Gulrukh suggests that improving wages, benefits, and working conditions for CNAs may be more effective than reducing training and licensing requirements for addressing staffing shortages in nursing homes.
•	Her future research will explore the impact of other workforce policies, such as incentive-based programs and wage increases, on staffing and quality of care in nursing homes.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-the-impacts-of-relaxed-staff-training-and-licensing-requirements-on-nursing-homes/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #ruralhealth #nursinghomes #covid19 #pandemic

Examining the impacts of relaxed staff training and licensing requirements on nursing homes

Lauren welcomes her guest Megan Mindy, a recent public health graduate from the University of Iowa. Megan shares her journey blending her passions for disability advocacy, inclusive recreation, and entrepreneurship. Her experiences include an internship at the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, participation in the LEND program, and a study abroad trip to Cape Town exploring disability culture. Megan has also launched her own adaptive sports startup, Common Ground, to increase access and opportunities for athletes with disabilities. Her story highlights the power of combining personal passion, community engagement, and public health education to create real-world impact.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-talking-disability-advocacy-inclusive-recreation-and-entrepreneurship-with-megan-mindy/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #disabiltyadvocacy #inclusiverecreation

Talking disability advocacy, inclusive recreation, and entrepreneurship with Megan Mindy

Lauren welcomes UI College of Public Health alumna Madison Snitker Harrelson, who is currently serving as a health educator and emergency preparedness coordinator for Dodge County Public Health in Minnesota. In this role, she combines strategic planning with community engagement to prepare the county for emergencies ranging from extreme weather to infectious disease outbreaks. Snitker Harrelson highlights how her MPH coursework in areas like community-based research, program implementation, and behavioral change theory have been invaluable in her day-to-day work, which involves tasks like grant management, leading public awareness campaigns, and collaborating with community partners. She advises public health students and young professionals to seek out diverse experiences and networking opportunities, particularly in the area of grant writing and management, to prepare for the multifaceted nature of local public health practice.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-cph-alumna-madison-snitker-harrelson-on-local-public-health-and-emergency-readiness/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #emergencypreparedness #healtheducation #public health degree

From Iowa to Impact: Madison Snitker Harrelson on local public health and emergency readiness

This episode discusses physical activity and its role in preventing chronic disease, featuring an interview with Dr. Lucas Carr, an associate professor of Health and Human Physiology at the University of Iowa and leading researcher in lifestyle interventions and health behavior change. Key points include:

Dr. Carr's research focuses on the behavior science behind habit formation and helping people find enjoyable, sustainable ways to be physically active as a means of prevention.

His team has implemented a system to treat physical activity as a "vital sign" in healthcare settings, screening patients and connecting inactive individuals with free health coaching resources.

Data from over 60,000 patients shows those who are physically active (150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous activity) have significantly lower risks of 19 different chronic health conditions.

Practical advice is to find physical activities you genuinely enjoy, as you're more likely to stick to something you find pleasant and rewarding.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

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#publichealth #exercise #activity #health

Prescribing Movement: Dr. Lucas Carr on exercise as medicine for chronic disease prevention

In this two-part interview, Dr. Peter Thorne, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair and Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health and a leading expert in toxicology, provides an in-depth overview of how the federal government regulates chemicals in food, water, and air. Key points:
•	The EPA and FDA are science-based organizations that interpret laws passed by Congress and apply the best available science to make regulatory decisions aimed at protecting human health and the environment.
•	The EPA's Science Advisory Board provides independent, non-partisan oversight to ensure the agency's decisions are grounded in scientific evidence.
•	Chemical regulations are dynamic, with compounds like Red Dye No. 3 and inorganic arsenic being re-evaluated as new scientific data emerges.
•	The precautionary principle guides regulators to err on the side of safety when the evidence suggests a chemical may pose health risks, even in the absence of definitive human studies.
•	Replacing problematic chemicals with safer alternatives can facilitate regulatory action, though the availability of substitutes should not be the primary driver of these decisions.
•	Persistent organic pollutants like PCBs and PFAS pose complex public health challenges due to their ubiquity and long-lasting environmental presence, underscoring the need for continued research and policy responses.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-regulating-risk-dr-peter-thorne-on-epa-fda-science-part-1/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth #environmentalhealth #toxicology #climatechange

Regulating Risk: Dr. Peter Thorne on EPA & FDA Science (Part 1)

What happens when science and policy collide — and how can we prepare for the environmental health challenges ahead?

In part two of our series with Dr. Peter Thorne, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair and Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health, we dig into persistent pollutants, climate change, and the future of science-informed policymaking.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:
•	The risks of PCBs, PFAS, and other “forever chemicals”
•	How communities weigh costs and health risks in decisions like school renovations
•	The challenges of science advisory boards in an era of political polarization
•	Climate-related disasters — from wildfires to hurricanes — and their health consequences
•	Why better science communication and stronger policy action are urgently needed

This conversation shows how today’s public health challenges extend beyond the lab, into policy decisions that will shape the lives of future generations.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-regulating-risk-dr-peter-thorne-on-epa-fda-science-part-2/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at CPH-GradAmbassador@uiowa.edu

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth #environmentalhealth #toxicology #climatechange

Regulating Risk: Dr. Peter Thorne on EPA & FDA Science (Part 2)

The University of Iowa College of Public Health is a top-ranked school of public health, meeting the public health challenges of the 21st century through education, research, outreach, and community engagement.

University of Iowa College of Public Health

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