Welcome to A Shot In The Arm Podcast, where we take a deep dive into the heart of global health. Since our launch in 2019, we've released over 150 episodes that illuminate the intersection of innovation and equity in healthcare. Join me, your host Ben Plumley—a global infectious disease strategist and passionate HIV advocate, along with our expert team of co-hosts, as we engage in compelling, character-driven conversations with a diverse array of guests from around the world. Together, we explore the intricate connections between everyday lives and biomedical research, tackling pressing issues like pandemic preparedness, climate disruption, and the impact of conflict. Tune in as we uncover the stories and insights that shape our collective health narrative, making complex topics both entertaining and accessible. Let's embark on this journey to improve lives, one episode at a time!
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Welcome to A Shot In The Arm Podcast, where we take a deep dive into the heart of global health. Since our launch in 2019, we've released over 150 episodes that illuminate the intersection of innovation and equity in healthcare. Join me, your host Ben Plumley—a global infectious disease strategist and passionate HIV advocate, along with our expert team of co-hosts, as we engage in compelling, character-driven conversations with a diverse array of guests from around the world. Together, we explore the intricate connections between everyday lives and biomedical research, tackling pressing issues like pandemic preparedness, climate disruption, and the impact of conflict. Tune in as we uncover the stories and insights that shape our collective health narrative, making complex topics both entertaining and accessible. Let's embark on this journey to improve lives, one episode at a time!
Global Health Diplomats - The Fight to Keep Global Health Alive
A Shot in the Arm Podcast
49 minutes
4 months ago
Global Health Diplomats - The Fight to Keep Global Health Alive
Hosted by
Ben Plumley & Professor Ambassador Eric Goosby
Episode Summary
In this episode of Global Health Diplomats, Ben Plumley and Eric Goosby take a hard look at the state of global health in the wake of major funding shifts and policy changes. With U.S. global health programs facing an uncertain future, can they be salvaged, or are we witnessing the dismantling of decades of progress?
Ben and Eric discuss:
✔️ The impact of U.S. policy changes on PEPFAR, USAID, and global health funding
✔️ The realities of restarting health programs amid political roadblocks
✔️ How countries are shifting towards self-sufficiency in health systems
✔️ Lessons learned from HIV programs pivoting to COVID-19 responses
✔️ The role of European and global players—can they fill the funding gap?
✔️ The future of long-acting HIV treatments and barriers to adoption
✔️ The ethics of global health governance—are programs being abandoned?
✔️ The human cost of these decisions on communities and health professionals
This episode is a must-listen for anyone engaged in global health, policy advocacy, and public health strategy.
Timestamps for Key Moments
00:00 - Welcome & opening remarks: Ben and Eric set the stage for a critical conversation
00:38 - Is global health dead? A frank discussion on where things stand
02:31 - U.S. policy shifts & the fallout for global health programs
07:12 - Can shuttered programs be restarted? The logistical and ethical challenges
13:52 - Global health self-sufficiency: Are countries ready to take control?
17:23 - Can Europe or others step up? The feasibility of alternative funding sources
22:19 - What national programs must prioritize to survive funding cuts
26:29 - Procurement & supply chain challenges—what's at risk?
27:52 - Surveillance & monitoring—a critical piece of the puzzle
29:34 - Long-acting HIV treatments—revolutionary but at risk
32:37 - The politics of health funding—will programs be forced to regress?
36:32 - Clinical guidelines vs. financial and political realities—who decides?
37:55 - Key populations at risk: Why marginalized communities may suffer the most
40:02 - Beyond government funding: Can faith-based organizations & business leaders help?
41:06 - The personal toll on health professionals: How this crisis is affecting those in the field
44:32 - Global solidarity under threat: How shifting geopolitics impact health
47:16 - What happens next? Ben and Eric’s final reflections on the way forward
Join the Conversation
How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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A Shot in the Arm Podcast
Welcome to A Shot In The Arm Podcast, where we take a deep dive into the heart of global health. Since our launch in 2019, we've released over 150 episodes that illuminate the intersection of innovation and equity in healthcare. Join me, your host Ben Plumley—a global infectious disease strategist and passionate HIV advocate, along with our expert team of co-hosts, as we engage in compelling, character-driven conversations with a diverse array of guests from around the world. Together, we explore the intricate connections between everyday lives and biomedical research, tackling pressing issues like pandemic preparedness, climate disruption, and the impact of conflict. Tune in as we uncover the stories and insights that shape our collective health narrative, making complex topics both entertaining and accessible. Let's embark on this journey to improve lives, one episode at a time!
