Burnout has become the silent epidemic within our healthcare system — draining energy, compassion, and billions of dollars every year. In this episode, Dr. Kee Chan unpacks the real cost of clinician burnout and reveals why prevention isn’t just good medicine — it’s good economics.
Drawing from her textbook Public and Population Health: Perspectives for Health Systems Management, she introduces the Social Return on Investment (SROI) model and shows how design thinking and systems thinking can reframe workforce well-being as a measurable strategy, not an afterthought.
Listeners will learn:
“When we design systems that care for caregivers, we don’t just heal burnout — we heal healthcare itself.”
Resources:
Public and Population Health: Perspectives for Health Systems Management (American College of Healthcare Executives)
Tags / Hashtags:
#PublicHealth #HealthcareLeadership #Burnout #WorkforceWellness #HealthcareInnovation #DesignThinking #SystemsThinking #ROI #SROI #Nursing #PhysicianBurnout #Wellness #HealthcareStrategy #KeeChanPhD #WhatIsPublicHealth
In this episode, Dr. Kee Chan explores how screens are shaping childhood today—and what parents, educators, and communities can do to foster balance and well-being.
We often hear about the harms of technology, but there are also real opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection. What does the science say about early screen use, attention, and social development? How can families find balance in an age of constant connectivity?
Key Points:
How childhood has changed in the digital era
What research says about screen time and child development
The mental, social, and physical impacts of excessive screen use
The benefits of technology for learning and creativity
Practical strategies to guide children toward healthy tech habits
Takeaway:
Raising healthy kids in a screen-filled world isn’t about eliminating technology—it’s about helping children use it with awareness, curiosity, and purpose.
We’re excited to share our latest What is Public Health? episode featuring Dr. Jim Kaput, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Vydiant Inc.
In this episode, we explore:
If you’re curious about the future of health tech, personalized medicine, or just love hearing from brilliant minds at the intersection of science and public impact—this one’s for you.
Learn more: www.vydiant.com
#Podcast #PublicHealth #DigitalHealth #PersonalizedMedicine #Nutrigenomics #SystemsThinking #AIinHealthcare #WhatIsPublicHealth
Welcome to Season 3 of the What is Public Health? podcast!
This season, we’re exploring the future of health — and what it means for both communities and individuals. From groundbreaking innovations in public and population health to the rise of personalized medicine, nutrition, and wellness, we’ll bring you conversations that connect science, practice, and everyday life.
What you can expect this season:
The latest issues shaping public health and health equity
Insights into personalized health, precision medicine, and nutrition
How data, design thinking, and systems approaches are transforming healthcare
Practical takeaways for personal wellness and community well-being
You’ll hear from researchers, innovators, and thought leaders who are reimagining health — bridging the gap between big-picture policy and personal everyday choices.
Whether you’re a public health professional, a student, or simply curious about how health touches every part of life, this season offers something for you.
Subscribe now and join us as we rethink what health means for all of us!
In this timely episode, the host of "What is Public Health" podcast, Dr. Kee Chan unpacks the recent changes to the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations—particularly the shift from a strong recommendation to a more neutral “may get vaccinated” stance for healthy children and pregnant women. But what’s raising eyebrows is that this shift was publicly announced first by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., before the CDC’s advisory panels weighed in.
We explore:
Key Takeaways:
Referenced News & Resources:
Subscribe, rate, and share! If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
From brain berries to mushroom powders, today’s smoothie comes packed with promises: sharper focus, better memory, and even protection against dementia. But are these claims backed by science—or just wellness marketing with a green glow?
In this episode, the host, Dr. Kee Chan breaks down the most talked-about “brain foods” like MCT oil, turmeric, lion’s mane, and collagen through the lens of nutritional neuroscience and public health.
You’ll learn:
What the latest research really says about these trendy ingredients
Why individual superfoods aren’t magic—but daily habits might be
How public health reframes brain health as a collective issue, not just a consumer choice
What smoothies reveal about equity, access, and health misinformation
Spoiler alert: That $14 smoothie might taste amazing—but it’s not your brain’s entire wellness plan.
Tune in if you’ve ever wondered:
Is this actually helping my brain—or just making my wallet lighter?
What’s hype and what’s evidence when it comes to cognitive health and nutrition?
How can we make brain health accessible, inclusive, and supported by systems—not just supplements?
Public Health Takeaway:
Smoothies are fine. But systems matter more. Brain health is about policy, prevention, and daily practices that work for everyone—not just those who can afford tasty magic .
In this episode, we explore the power of music as a tool for emotional healing and developmental support in childhood. I’m joined by two remarkable guests: Dr. Nicole St. Jean and Dr. Sarah Bartolome, who are co-leading of the Music for Childhood Well-Being Initiative (MCWI) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Together, they bring deep experience in education, public health, and the healing arts.
Dr. Nicole St. Jean is an educator, counselor, and advocate for trauma-informed practices in schools. Dr. Sarah Bartolome is a music educator and researcher whose work bridges music, identity, and child development. Together, they share the vision behind MCWI and how music can be integrated into the lives of children to support their mental health and emotional growth.
Key takeaways from this conversation:
Whether you’re an educator, health professional, or parent, this conversation offers powerful insights into how music can be used to support the whole child.
Resources:
Featured articles from Northwestern:
https://buffett.northwestern.edu/documents/buffett-brief-trauma-music-and-the-breath.pdf
https://music.northwestern.edu/news/2024/music-childhood-well-being
#MusicForWellbeing #ChildhoodMentalHealth #MCWI #PublicHealth #TraumaInformedCare #ArtsInHealth #WholeChildDevelopment
In this solo episode, the podcast host, Dr. Kee Chan shares the inspiration, framework, and real-world applications behind her new textbook, Public and Population Health: Perspectives for Health Systems Management, published by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
Drawing from years of teaching public health management at the University of Illinois Chicago alongside co-author Richard Sewell, Dr. Chan highlights why design thinking and systems thinking are essential to solving today’s “wicked” health problems. This episode is both a behind-the-scenes look at the book and a conversation about why leadership, empathy, and strategic thinking are critical for the next generation of public health professionals.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why design thinking belongs in public health classrooms and leadership circles.
- What makes this textbook different from traditional public health texts.
- How students and instructors can use the book to bridge theory and practice.
- Key topics and tools from Chapter 2: Design Thinking for Population Health.
- Why blending public health and population health perspectives is necessary in today’s systems.
Who this episode is for:
- Public health, healthcare administration, and nonprofit management students.
- Faculty seeking practical, case-based curriculum aligned with CEPH and CAHME competencies.
- Practitioners moving into leadership roles in health systems, community organizations, or policy.
- Anyone looking to integrate innovation, equity, and systems change into their work.
Resources Mentioned:
- Order the textbook: www.ache.org/learning-center/publications/books/2529I
- Request an exam copy or instructor materials: learnbooks@ache.org
- Learn more about Kee Chan: www.keechanphd.com
- Explore ACHE Learn digital platform: www.ache.org/learning-center
Share this episode with:A colleague teaching public health leadership, a student looking for real-world tools, or anyone rethinking how we design and manage health systems.
Connect with the host, Dr. Kee Chan, on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/keechan
#designthinking #systemthinking #publichealth #populationhealth
In this powerful episode of What is Public Health Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Hurd, a passionate advocate and entrepreneur who created the EmpowHer app after her own experience navigating the emotional challenges of postpartum life.
We explore how the app is addressing a long-overlooked public health crisis: the maternal mental health gap. From prenatal anxiety to postpartum depression, far too many mothers face these struggles in silence. Nicole shares her journey and how EmpowHer is building digital bridges to connection, self-care, and support.
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Why maternal mental health is a critical part of public health
- The inspiration behind the EmpowHer app
- How digital tools can support emotional well-being for new moms
- The power of peer connection and community during early motherhood
Learn more about EmpowHer: https://empowherio.com
#MaternalHealth #PublicHealth #DigitalHealth #PostpartumSupport #EmpowHer #MentalHealthAwareness #WhatIsPublicHealth #MomsMatter
What happens when a routine newborn screening turns into life-changing news?
In this episode of "What is Public Health" podcast , I talk with Dr. Jennifer Brown — scientist, mom, and author of When the Baby is Not Okay: Hope’s Genes. We dive into her personal story of navigating the emotional rollercoaster that followed her daughter’s unexpected screening results, and how it led her to write a book that’s part memoir, part call to action.
Jennifer shares what it was like to go from researcher to parent facing uncertainty, what she wishes more people knew about newborn screening, and how families can find strength, support, and hope during overwhelming times. We also talk about how newborn screening has changed over the years, what still needs improvement, and why protecting these public health programs really matters.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever faced an unexpected diagnosis, supported a loved one through a health journey, or wants to better understand how newborn screening can be a powerful tool for early care.
It’s a reminder that even in moments of uncertainty, there is strength, connection, and hope — and that through stories like Dr. Brown's journey, we can all learn how to better support families and protect the programs that help them thrive.
Guest:
Dr. Jennifer Brown, author of When the Baby is Not Okay
Learn more at jjbrownauthor.com
As federal funded programs, public institutions, and universities roll back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, we are losing critical support for equity-centered initiatives. Now, public health leaders are faced with the question: How do we continue the work of advancing health equity in a time when DEI itself is under attack?
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Janine Hill—a leadership coach and founder of Soar Strategies—about the evolving landscape of DEI in public health. From disappearing datasets to legislative crackdowns on DEI programs, Dr. Hill offers clarity, context, and practical guidance on how public health professionals can stay grounded in equity despite external pressures.
We explore:
- Why DEI is essential to public health—not just a buzzword
- How universities and public health programs can adapt to shifting legal constraints
- What to do when DEI-related data is censored or retracted
- The power (and risk) of community partnerships in the absence of institutional support
- Creative strategies for continuing DEI work—even if you can’t call it that
- How to foster safe, resilient spaces for equity-driven leadership
Whether you’re a student, researcher, policymaker, or health leader, this episode will leave you informed and inspired to keep moving equity forward.
Learn more about Dr. Janine Hill’s work at
https://soar-strategies.com/about/
#DEI #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #Leadership #HealthDisparities #SystemsChange #Podcast #InclusiveLeadership #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth
In this episode of "What is Public Health" podcast, I'm your host, Dr. Kee Chan. April is the Autism Awareness month, and joining me in this special episode is Michael Pereira, founder of The Autism Voyage.
Michael’s personal experience as a father navigating his son’s autism diagnosis led him to create The Autism Voyage—a platform offering compassionate, practical guidance for families feeling overwhelmed by the emotional, logistical, and financial realities of autism care.
This conversation highlights the essential role of financial resilience in supporting long-term success, stability, and peace of mind for families managing the complexities of autism.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: Why autism is described as a "spectrum," and how awareness has improved but major system gaps still exist.
The Emotional Impact of Diagnosis: What families often feel—and need—when first hearing the word "autism."
Financial Planning is Critical: Early financial organization can relieve long-term stress and open doors to better therapies, services, and educational support.
Personalized Approaches Work Best: Every family’s autism journey is unique; there’s no one-size-fits-all financial or care plan.
Common Financial Missteps: Myths families encounter about insurance, savings, government programs, and long-term care.
Tools and Strategies from The Autism Voyage: How Michael’s platform is helping families prepare for both expected and unexpected challenges.
Advocacy for Systemic Change: How public health systems, education, and insurance need to better support neurodiverse individuals and their caregivers.
About Our Guest:
Michael Pereira is a father, advocate, and founder of The Autism Voyage. Drawing on firsthand experience, Michael offers families a clear, empathetic guide for navigating life after an autism diagnosis. Through personalized coaching, practical resources, and financial planning strategies, The Autism Voyage empowers families to move from overwhelm to empowerment.
Website: www.TheAutismVoyage.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theautismvoyage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpereirafl/
On this episode on What is Public Health Podcast, during National Public Health Week, for this special series on "How we built healthier communities , on Day 7, I explore what’s ahead for our field — and what’s at risk if we fail to act.
From climate change to AI, from big data to precision medicine, public health is being shaped by forces that demand new tools, new partnerships, and new ways of thinking. But innovation alone isn’t enough. Without trust, infrastructure, and sustained investment, even the most promising technologies will fall short.
This episode also explores:
The widening gap between public health and healthcare — and why we must close it
Why design thinking and systems thinking are essential to navigating complexity
What we risk losing if we stop believing in — and funding — public health
And a preview of my new textbook: Public and Population Health: Perspectives for Health Systems Management (American College of Healthcare Executive (ACHE) 2024)
The future is uncertain, but the path forward is clear: we must lead with empathy, strategy, and evidence — and redesign our systems for the challenges ahead.
Listen here:
#NPHW2025 #PublicHealthPodcast #DesignThinking #SystemsThinking #FutureOfHealth #HealthcareLeadership #ACHE #PopulationHealth #ClimateHealth #AIinPublicHealth
When disaster strikes — whether it’s a wildfire, a pandemic, or a hurricane — public health systems are often the first line of defense and the last to leave.
In this episode of What is Public Health Podcast, during National Public Health Week, April 7-13, 2025, on Day 6, I examine how emergency preparedness has evolved in public health, from early bioterrorism response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and why being ready isn’t optional — it’s essential.
We cover:
How public health departments respond to emergencies behind the scenes
The role of FEMA and how it intersects with local health systems
Why underfunding preparedness leads to preventable loss
The impact of COVID-19, wildfires, and hurricanes as case studies
What happens when budgets are cut, positions are lost, and trust erodes
Preparedness isn’t just about stockpiles and drills — it’s about saving lives, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring a faster recovery when things go wrong.
Key Takeaways:
Emergency preparedness is one of public health’s most critical roles — but often the least visible until it's too late.
FEMA relies on strong public health infrastructure for effective coordination.
Funding cuts and staffing shortages undermine our ability to respond to disasters.
Investing in preparedness today prevents catastrophe tomorrow.
Resources:
CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP):
https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/readiness/phep.htm
Trust for America’s Health – Ready or Not Report:
https://www.tfah.org/report-details/ready-or-not-2024/
FEMA Disaster Preparedness:
https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers
In today’s What is Public Health Podcast episode, during National Public Health Week April 7-13, 2025, on Day 5, we explore how maternal health has shaped public health — and why it’s still a critical issue today.
We look at the history of maternal health programs, major breakthroughs in care and policy, and what’s at risk if we don’t protect funding for prenatal, postpartum, and mental health support.
Recent layoffs and budget threats to key maternal health programs remind us: progress isn’t permanent.
It’s something we have to fight for.
#MaternalHealth #PublicHealth #NPHW2025 #HealthEquity #PublicHealthpodcast #MCH
What we breathe affects every part of our health — from our lungs and hearts to our brains and unborn children. In this episode of "What is Public Health", in celebration of National Public Health Week, April 7-13, 2025, we have a special series called "How we built healthier communities ".
On Day 4, we explore the history and impact of clean air laws in the United States, from smog-filled cities and industrial disasters to today’s fight against air pollution and environmental injustice.
We dive into how public health advocacy led to the Clean Air Act, why pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter are so dangerous, and how clean air protections continue to save lives every single day.
We also talk about how air pollution worsens asthma and allergies, what COVID-19 taught us about airborne risks, and what’s at stake if we lose sight of environmental regulation.
Key Takeaways:
The Clean Air Act, passed in 1970 and amended in 1990, is one of the most effective public health laws in U.S. history.
Exposure to air pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and PM2.5 is linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke, and cognitive decline.
COVID-19 revealed how small airborne particles — including viruses and pollution — can spread in ways that make N95 masks especially effective.
Children, older adults, and communities of color are disproportionately affected by poor air quality.
Clean air is not just about comfort or visibility — it’s about long-term survival and health equity.
Resources and Links:
AirNow (check your local air quality index):
https://www.airnow.gov
EPA Clean Air Act Overview:
https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview
American Lung Association – State of the Air Report:
https://www.lung.org/research/sota
CDC – Asthma and Air Pollution:
https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/air_pollution.html
Union of Concerned Scientists – Environmental Justice and Air Quality:
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/environmental-justice-and-air-pollution
Clean water is one of the greatest public health achievements of all time — but it wasn’t always guaranteed. In this episode of What is Public Health, in this special series "How we built healthier communities", I explore how contaminated water once fueled deadly epidemics, how Dr. John Snow’s cholera investigation in 1854 laid the foundation for modern epidemiology, and how today’s policies continue to protect — or fail — our most vulnerable communities.
We dive into:
The history of waterborne disease, from cholera to typhoid and dysentery
Dr. John Snow’s revolutionary Broad Street pump investigation
The birth of epidemiology and public health mapping
The impact of the Safe Drinking Water Act and modern EPA water standards
A deep look at the Flint Water Crisis — what went wrong, and where we are now
How to check the safety of your local drinking water
Why equitable access to safe water is still a pressing public health issue
Key Takeaways:
Waterborne diseases were once leading causes of death — now largely preventable through sanitation and policy
John Snow’s work is considered the origin of epidemiology
Water safety is still not equal in the United States — Flint and other cities remind us how infrastructure, race, and justice intersect
You can check what’s in your water — and advocate for safe drinking water in your community
Check your water quality report:
Find your local Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
https://www.epa.gov/ccr
Test for lead in drinking water:
EPA Lead Testing and Safety Guide:
https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-exposures-lead#water
NSF Certified Water Filters Directory:
https://www.nsf.org
Learn more about Flint and water justice:
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) – Flint Water Response:
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/drinking-water/flint
Explore public health history:
CDC – Ten Great Public Health Achievements:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056796.htm
What if a single test, done just days after birth, could prevent a lifetime of illness or even save a life? That’s the power of newborn screening — a public health breakthrough that quietly protects millions of babies each year.
In this episode of What is Public Health, during National Public Health Week April 7-13, 2025, we have a special series "How we built a healthier communities". On Day 2, I take you inside the story of how newborn screening began, how it has evolved, and why early detection is one of the most cost-effective and life-changing interventions in healthcare.
We cover:
The incredible story of how Dr. Robert Guthrie launched the first screening test for PKU
Why newborn screening now detects over 60 conditions in many states
How I helped co-develop the first population-based screening test for SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency)
What happens if we don’t invest in early detection — and how you can support policies that save lives
A few drops of blood. A lifetime of difference.
It's National Public Health Week (NPHW) from April 7-13, 2025. We will host a special series everyday during NPHW - "How We Built a Healthier Communities ".
From smallpox to COVID-19, vaccines have changed the course of history — saving millions of lives, eradicating deadly diseases, and transforming global health.
In this kickoff episode of What is Public Health, I explore the history, science, and public health impact of vaccination, and reflect on what the world might look like if this breakthrough had never happened.
Listen in to learn:
How vaccines helped eliminate smallpox and nearly wipe out polio
Why vaccine trust and access remain urgent public health priorities
What each of us can do to protect our communities through immunization
Vaccines aren’t just a medical innovation — they’re one of the greatest success stories in public health.
In this fun and inspiring episode on "What is Public Health" podcast, we explore how yoga and mindfulness can help kids build focus, emotional resilience, and lifelong healthy habits.
Our guest is Teresa Anne Power, a former lawyer turned international kids’ yoga expert, bestselling author of The ABCs of Yoga for Kids book series and flashcards, and founder of International Kids Yoga Day (on April 4, 2025).
We talk about how she made the leap from law to leading a global movement, what inspired her to create yoga resources for children, and how simple practices like stretching and breathing can have a big impact on kids’ mental and physical health.
Topics we cover include:
The science behind yoga’s benefits for brain development and emotional regulation
How yoga supports kids’ mental health, sleep, focus, and stress relief
Why yoga works for toddlers through teens (yes, even wiggly ones!)
Easy ways parents, teachers, and caregivers can bring yoga into daily routines
The story behind International Kids Yoga Day and how to get involved in the year 2025.
Mark your calendars: International Kids Yoga Day is April 4, 2025!
Teresa offers free resources, yoga routines, and toolkits to help families and classrooms join the celebration.
Learn more and get involved at:
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who believes in supporting kids’ well-being, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, hopeful, and ready to roll out a mat.
#yoga #publichealth #kidsyoga #mindfulness #meditation #podcast