A Moment in Health with Dr. Ashish Jha

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Latest Episodes:

How Do We Make Roads Safer? May 27, 2025

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha discusses the rapid growth of private equity ownership in U.S. hospitals and highlights a study on the promise of gene editing to treat a rare genetic disease. 2025 School of Public Health Commencement speaker and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation Piyush Tewari joins to underscore the need for multi-stakeholder coalitions, data-driven solutions and community engagement to reduce road fatalities.

Dr. Jha discusses:

Patient-Specific In Vivo Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Genetic Disease — New England Journal of Medicine

About the Guest

Piyush Tewari is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF), a nonprofit organization committed to saving lives on roads in India and beyond. SLF is best known for getting India a Good Samaritan Law and for developing an award-winning model for reducing fatalities on Indian highways.

About the Host

Dr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

How Are You Feeling About Entering a Career in Public Health? May 20, 2025

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha discusses the role Medicaid plays in treating adults with opioid use disorder and a new study comparing GLP-1 drugs tirzepatideand semaglutide. Graduating student commencement speakers Aliza Kopans and Akashleena Mallick join to reflect on entering a career in public health, exploring the mix of excitement, responsibility and hope they feel at this pivotal moment.

Dr. Jha discusses:

Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity— NEJM

About the Guests

Aliza Kopans is a graduating Brown University senior from Arlington, Massachusetts. She will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health and a certificate in intercultural competency focused on Spanish. Kopans will speak directly to members of the Class of 2025 as one of two senior orators at the University Ceremony on Sunday, May 25.

Akashleena Mallick is a trained physician-researcher from Kolkata, India, who completed her postdoctoral training at Mass General Hospital. She will receive her Master of Public Health as part of Brown’s Accelerated MPH for Clinicians program. She has been selected by the Graduate Student Council to address the Class of 2025 at the Master’s Ceremony on Saturday, May 24.

About the Host

Dr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

How Can We Rebuild Trust in Public Health? May 13, 2025

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha discusses the worst flu season for kids in 15 years and highlights a new study showing how Medicaid has saved lives. Professor of Epidemiology and director of the Pandemic Center Jennifer Nuzzo joins to explore how we can rebuild trust in health by putting the public back in public health — through listening and community engagement.

Dr. Jha discusses:

Saved by Medicaid: New Evidence on Health Insurance and Mortality from the Universe of Low-Income Adults — NBER

About the Guest

Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo is director of the Pandemic Center and professor of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. She is a nationally and globally recognized leader on global health security, public health preparedness and response, and health systems resilience.

About the Host

Dr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

Why Do Europeans Live Longer than Americans? May 06, 2025

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha emphasizes the impact that Medicaid has on American children and discusses a new study detailing trends in maternal mortality. Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice Irene Papanicolas joins to explore the factors behind increased life expectancy in Europeans compared to Americans and the relationship between wealth and health.

Dr. Jha discusses:

Trends in Maternal, Fetal, and Infant Mortality in the US, 2000-2023 — JAMA Pediatrics

About the Guest

Dr. Irene Papanicolas is director of the Center for Health System Sustainability and professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health.

About the Host

Dr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

Can We Bridge Public Health and Environmental Action? Apr 29, 2025

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights the importance of community health centers in serving 1 in 10 Americans and a new study modeling the impact of declining vaccination rates on measles and other preventable diseases. 2025 Barnes Lecturer and Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International Monica Medina joins to explore how connecting environmental action to human health can strengthen both movements and inspire broader public engagement.

Dr. Jha discusses:

Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the US — JAMA

About the Guest

Monica Medina is an Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International and most recently served as the first woman President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. From 2021-2023, she was the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and the first U.S. Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources at the U.S. State Department.

About the Host

Dr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

Are We Making Progress Against the Opioid Epidemic? Apr 22, 2025

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights the impact of the Affordable Care Act's preventive services provision and a 2020 study linking proximity to major roadways to higher asthma rates in children. Academic Dean and Professor of Epidemiology Francesca Beaudoin joins to assess national progress in fighting the opioid pandemic and discuss policy recommendations to support those suffering with addiction.

Dr. Jha discusses:

Use of No-Cost Preventive Services Jeopardized by Kennedy v Braidwood — JAMA Health Forum
Proximity to Major Roadways and Asthma Symptoms in the School Inner-City Asthma Study — Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

About the Guest

Dr. Francesca L. Beaudoin is the academic dean of Brown's School of Public Health and a Professor of Epidemiology and Emergency Medicine. She is a board-certified practicing emergency physician and clinical epidemiologist with expertise in opioid use disorders and adverse post-traumatic health outcomes, particularly pain and substance use.

About the Host

Dr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

Is the U.S. Ready for the Next Biothreat? Apr 15, 2025

In the inaugural episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights two compelling public health studies: one showing that wealthy Americans have no survival advantage over poor Europeans, and another suggesting a link between shingles vaccination and reduced dementia risk. Distinguished Senior Fellow Stephanie Psaki joins to discuss how recent cuts to the U.S. health infrastructure threaten national security by weakening preparedness for biological threats.

Dr. Jha discusses:

Association between Wealth and Mortality in the United States and Europe — New England Journal of Medicine
A natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia — Nature
Dropping U.S. Biodefenses: Why Cuts to Federal Health Agencies Make Americans Less Safe — Just Security

About the Guest

Dr. Stephanie Psaki is a distinguished senior fellow at the Brown University School of Public Health and served as Special Assistant to the President and U.S. Coordinator for Global Health Security at the National Security Council.