The Nation's Health Podcast

The Nation's Health Podcast

por The American Public Health Association

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Putting public health first in AI: What every practitioner should know

What does the growing use of artificial intelligence in public health mean for the future of the workforce? Host Sophia Meador speaks with Onicio Leal-Neto, PhD, MSc, on how AI is being used in public health, what it means for jobs and what students, educators and practitioners need to know about the technology. Books mentioned in this episode: Automating Inequality — Virginia Eubanks, PhD Weapons of Math Destruction — Cathy O'Neil, PhD Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines — Joy Buolamwini, PhD

What Americans REALLY think about vaccines, science and trust. Inside the polls with the Annenberg Public Policy Center

What do falling vaccination rates and growing vaccine exemptions mean for Americans’ trust in public health and science? Host Sophia Meador speaks with Kathleen Hall Jamieson, PhD, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, about what polling reveals about Americans’ views on vaccination, science and public health.

Health insurance and employment: A complicated relationship

The U.S. is an outlier among high-income countries when it comes to health insurance. Rather than relying on a public system, employer-sponsored insurance is the nation's largest source of health coverage. What does that mean for workers, employers and public health? Host Sophia Meador talks with KFF's Matt Rae, MPH, MPA, about the costs, tradeoffs and history behind employer-sponsored insurance.

The search for a surgeon general: Who deserves to be the nation’s top doctor?

The nation's top doctor has been absent for more than 18 months as the Trump administration has advanced surgeon general nominees with limited public health and medical experience. Host Sophia Meador speaks with former Acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak, MD, MPH, and former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, about what they expect from the nation's next chief health officer.

The next outbreak is coming. America may be less prepared than you think

Recent outbreaks are raising concerns about the nation’s preparedness for the next pandemic. Host Sophia Meador speaks with Jay Butler, MD, and Colin Carlson, PhD, about what the next pandemic could look like — and why the nation is not prepared to respond.

Fluoridation: Your secret hack for better health

Fluoride — one of public health’s most effective and equitable tools — is facing a growing wave of policy rollbacks, misinformation and public skepticism. Host Sophia Meador talks with Wade Rakes, MBA, CEO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, and pediatrician Susan Fisher-Owens, MD, MPH, to unpack what’s at stake for oral health, who could be most affected by potential bans and how to build trust in fluoride.

AI chatbots and teens: What’s concerning public health professionals

As loneliness and isolation grow among U.S. teens, some are turning to AI chatbots for companionship, sparking new concerns for public health professionals. Host Sophia Meador talks to experts about what the trend could mean for teen mental health.

Reducing uncertainty: Talking with parents about vaccines

As public confidence in vaccines ebb, clinicians and public health workers are increasingly addressing concerns and confusion with parents. In the latest episode of The Nation’s Health Podcast, host Sophia Meador speaks with Alexandra Cvijanovich, a pediatrician and official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. They discuss common parental concerns, strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy and what lies ahead as federal guidance challenges established vaccine science.

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Public health isn’t giving up: What’s fueling hope for 2026

Despite setbacks in 2025, the public health workforce remains resilient in protecting the nation’s health. Host Sophia Meador speaks with Aryn Melton Backus of the National Public Health Coalition on how advocates are continuing the fight.

The hunger gap: Higher prices, less assistance means emptier plates for Americans

Millions more Americans are expected to be food insecure as new restrictions on nutrition programs collide with rising prices. What does that mean for our health — and for the families already struggling to get by? Host Sophia Meador digs into the stakes with leading policy and food insecurity experts.

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