Public Health On Call

Latest Episodes:

261 - The Pandemic "Baby Bust": The Disruption of COVID-19 Feb 24, 2021

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While some predicted that lockdowns in the US might lead to a baby boom, the reality is that COVID-19 seems to be impacting demographics more like a disaster or a recession than a snowstorm. Sociologist Dr. Philip Cohen talks with Stephanie Desmon about the pandemic's effects on babies, marriages, and divorces, some unique methods of predicting trends, and the likely demographic effects of a situation that's "exacerbating every kind of inequality we see."

KEYWORDS: health equity; community mental health; birthrate

260 - The Intersection Between the Crisis of Democracy and the COVID Pandemic Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stress test for democracy, exposing fault lines that already existed. So, where do we go from here? Dr. Hahrie Han, inaugural director of the SNF Agora Institute and Hopkins political science professor, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about what it means for democracy to be in crisis, the parallels of this moment to a century ago, why the pandemic became politically polarizing in some countries but not others, and what we can learn from history and evangelical megachurches to help us address these challenges going forward.

KEYWORDS: policy; pandemic response

259 - The Politics of COVID-19: How Worldview Influences Willingness to Follow Public Health Guidance Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

A person's worldview is a fundamental, gut-level set of instincts that has played a larger role in influencing political attitudes and affiliations in the last two decades. It can also influence thinking on the COVID-19 pandemic and on protective actions like mask wearing and social distancing. Marc Hetherington and Jonathan Weiler, UNC professors and authors of the book "Prius or Pickup? How the Answers to Four Simple Questions Explain America's Great Divide," talk with guest host Colleen Barry about the concept of worldview and why it matters for understanding the politics of COVID-19.

KEYWORDS: policy; political science

258 - COVID-19 Research Update: Schools Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Josh Sharfstein talks with Hopkins researchers who break down three research papers with implications for the national discussion over COVID and schools. Dr. Nikolas Wada talks about a paper related to how the coronavirus is transmitted in schools in the United Kingdom; Dr. Sheree Schwartz talks about a paper examining children's role in the household transmission of COVID-19; and PhD student Greg Rosen talks about a study of what happened with national COVID cases in Israel when schools reopened with few precautions last spring. All three researchers are part of the novel coronavirus research consortium, with many summaries of new studies available at http://ncrc.jhsph.edu.

KEYWORDS: child health; student life; pandemic response

257 - A COVID-19 Long-hauler Shares His Story Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Jim Golen, a nurse in Minnesota, became sick with COVID in March of 2020. Nearly one year later, he still suffers from severe shortness of breath and brain fog and may have permanent lung damage. Golen talks with Stephanie Desmon about how he got COVID, the doctors who misdiagnosed him with anxiety and depression, and how long-haul COVID has completely changed life for him and his wife. Golen also speaks about support groups for long-haulers that have been helpful for him and one message he hopes everyone hears: Wearing a mask is an act of empathy and kindness. Read more about Jim Golen's story in Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine: https://magazine.jhsph.edu/2020/covid-long-haul

Have you tested positive for COVID-19 or experienced COVID-19 symptoms? Our Johns Hopkins led study wants to learn more about COVID-19 symptoms in the short and long term. Tell us about your experience with COVID-19 by filling out a short, online questionnaire. Learn more by clicking here https://covid-long.com/.

KEYWORDS: long-term symptoms; post-viral syndrome

256 - A Good Time to Be Born: A Conversation with Dr. Perri Klass Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

150 years ago, it was common—even expected—that children would die, and tragedy struck families from the poor to the rich and powerful. Dr. Perri Klass, a pediatrician and author of A Good Time to Be Born, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the incredible scientific, public health, and social movements that made child mortality so rare in the United States. They also discuss why disparities persist and how today's parents, despite being "the luckiest in history," are not any less anxious about the safety and well-being of their children.

KEYWORDS: child health; social determinants of health

255 - Why Workers in Nursing Homes and Care Facilities are Declining COVID-19 Vaccines: Tradeoff's Dan Gorenstein Talks to Staff and Experts About the Problem and Possible Solutions Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

On a special episode, Tradeoffs host Dan Gorenstein talks with Tracey, a staff member at a long term care facility, about her experience with having COVID-19, her hesitancy to get vaccinated, and how her workplace has used "learning circles" to address questions and concerns. Gorenstein also talks with Dr. Jasmine Travers, an NYU nursing professor about the pros and cons of mandates and incentives, and how long-standing mistreatment of frontline workers in these facilities have contributed to distrust and feeling unvalued and invisible. Listen to the original episode here: https://tradeoffs.org/2021/01/14/we-need-you/

KEYWORDS: vaccine hesitancy; policy; geriatric health

254 - Sleep Issues and COVID-19 Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

COVID-19 is tied to sleep issues like insomnia but is this a result of stress and anxiety or is there a biological issue caused by the virus? Dr. Rachel Salas, a neurologist and sleep specialist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep and Wellness talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about sleep anxiety and the neurological drivers behind insomnia in patients regardless of whether or not they've had COVID. They also talk about the sleep issues plaguing health care workers, changes in circadian rhythms for people working from home, treatment plans for sleep issues, and why seeking help for insomnia may be easier than ever.

KEYWORDS: sleep hygiene; orthosomnia

253 - Schools Week Finale: Is It Safe to Reopen US Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

While schools may not be inherently safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be made safer. Dr. Caitlin Rivers of the Center for Health Security talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about what schools can do to consider reopening safely including the data to consider, and risk-reduction methods like masks, distancing, testing, and more. They also discuss how variants of SARS-CoV-2 could factor into these developments.

KEYWORDS: child health; student life; pandemic response

252 - A Principal Gets Ready to Reopen During the COVID-19 Pandemic Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Matthew Hornbeck, principal of Hampstead Hill Academy—a K-8 public school in Baltimore City—talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the challenges of virtual learning, the excitement and fears of teachers and staff, and plans to reopen for in-person learning in the coming weeks. They also talk about how the vaccine might make a difference in giving confidence to reopen, and how some teachers are centering the wellbeing of students and their families in their decision to get vaccinated.

KEYWORDS: child health; student life; pandemic response

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