Best Upstream Public Health Podcasts (2025)

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The human impact of today's politics on the oldest public hospital in America - with Eric Wei 41:17

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5d ago41:17

41:17

What if the hospitals serving society’s most vulnerable were actually delivering some of the most essential care in the country? In this episode, Dr. Eric Wei explores the vital role of public hospitals in serving vulnerable populations and dispelling the myth that they provide second-tier care. He discusses system improvements through Lean strateg…

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The connection between meaning and purpose to reduce staff burnout - with Steve Swensen 40:13

12d ago40:13

40:13

Burnout among health care professionals isn't just a staffing issue; it’s a crisis rooted in systems, culture, and misaligned values. In this episode, Dr. Steve Swensen explores the growing crisis of burnout and moral injury among health care workers, highlighting its roots in emotional exhaustion, misaligned values, and lack of agency, and how it …

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Episode 14: Forever chemicals, lobbying and transparency with Vicky Cann from Corporate Europe Observatory 50:51

15d ago50:51

50:51

Hello everyone and welcome back to Money Power Health. This week, we are discussing so called “forever chemicals” or PFAS, a group of more than 10,000 man-made chemicals used in a wide range of industrial applications and consumer products. Of core interest to public health, they are resistant to degradation, meaning they persist in the environment…

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Health Care AI at Speed – Recorded at IHI Leadership Alliance Spring Meeting 2025 with Brett Moran, Charles Binkley & Lucas Zier 37:56

19d ago37:56

37:56

AI in health care is advancing rapidly, with promising uses in imaging and admin tasks, but its diagnostic and patient-facing roles demand careful, human-centered oversight to ensure safety and equity. In this episode, experts Brett Moran, Charles Binkley, and Lucas Zier discuss the evolving role of AI in health care, from established tools like im…

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Upstream and downstream determinants of health and the water we drink - with Cydian Kauffman 29:13

26d ago29:13

29:13

Consumers must understand the crucial difference between legally permissible contaminant levels and true health-based goals for drinking water. In this episode, Cydian Kauffman, CEO of Pure Water Northwest, shares how his experience in property management led him to focus on water quality. He explains the EPA’s standards /MCL versus MCLG) and why m…

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Join the patient revolution - with Victor M. Montori 43:26

1M ago43:26

43:26

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The current health care system often prioriti…

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Imagine a public health system built on mutual aid, participation, and dignity with Eric Reinhart 46:19

1M ago46:19

46:19

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights What if the path to better health and stronge…

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Has healthcare fully realized the potential of AI? with Eric Horvitz 51:50

2M ago51:50

51:50

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights What happens when the power of large language…

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Democratizing Expertise with Sanjeev Arora 50:24

2M ago50:24

50:24

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Democratizing knowledge is critical to bridgi…

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Keeping Patients over Profits with Dhruv Khullar 42:07

2M ago42:07

42:07

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The erosion of government-funded science infr…

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Demystifying Dental Health with Melissa Burroughs 38:26

2M ago38:26

38:26

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The separation of oral and physical health ha…

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Catholic Health Care with Patricia Gabow 46:55

2M ago46:55

46:55

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights What happens when one of America’s largest he…

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Movement Building and Large Scale Change with Joe McCannon 43:53

3M ago43:53

43:53

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights How do we scale proven solutions in health ca…

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Rational Public Policy with Mike Chernew 44:15

3M ago44:15

44:15

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Curious about how we can fix the inefficienci…

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The Evolution of Palliative Care with Christine Cassel 38:56

3M ago38:56

38:56

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Palliative care aims to treat symptoms and im…

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Think Tanks and Their Role in Health Care Policy with Andrea Ducas 40:18

3M ago40:18

40:18

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights The U.S. health care system is complex, costl…

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Episode 13: Industry-funded school education programmes with May van Schalkwyk 1:16:00

4M ago1:16:00

1:16:00

Hi everyone and welcome back to Money Power Health. We often tend to think of our health as the product of our own energies, something we alone are accountable for. But in reality, our health is to a large degree shaped by the conditions we find ourselves in, the quality of our air, the wealth of our parents, the food we have access to, our opportu…

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Anyone Can Choose Leadership with Dennis Wagner and John Scanlon 44:11

4M ago44:11

44:11

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Anyone can choose leadership, and it requires…

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Episode 12: Commercially driven norms around drinking with Emeka Dumbili 52:50

4M ago52:50

52:50

The alcohol industry is a significant commercial determinant of health, shaping global consumption patterns through aggressive marketing, lobbying against regulation, and expanding into new markets, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. With its substantial influence on policymaking and public perceptions, the industry has contributed t…

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The Economics and Ills of U.S. Health Care and Health Insurance with Zack Cooper 48:01

4M ago48:01

48:01

The structure of the U.S. health care system, particularly employer-sponsored insurance, is significantly impacting the economic well-being of most Americans. In this episode, Zack Cooper, Associate Professor of Public Health and Economics for Yale University, examines the drivers of rising health care costs and their impact on individuals and the …

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Continuous Learning for Better Care with Daniel Hyman and Peter Margolis 46:44

4M ago46:44

46:44

Learning health networks offer a powerful, cost-effective approach to improving health care outcomes by fostering collaboration. In this episode, Dr. Peter Margolis, Co-Director Emeritus of the James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and Dr. Daniel Hyman, Principal and Founder of Frontline Quality S…

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Approaching Systems Change with Dan Heath 48:44

4M ago48:44

48:44

The key to improving broken systems lies in identifying leverage points and strategically restacking existing resources. In this episode, Dan Heath, a New York Times bestselling author, discusses how to apply behavioral and systems thinking principles to health care. He emphasizes that health care, despite its challenges, can improve by focusing on…

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Episode 11: GPs at the Deep End with David Blane 45:53

5M ago45:53

45:53

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Money, Power, Health with me, Nason Maani. This week we are speaking to Dr David Blane, a GP in Pollokshaws and Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, and the academic coordinator of the Deep End GP network. As you know, in this podcast we have spoken about the ways in which the wider physical and…

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The Past, Present, and Future of Health Plan Innovation with Liz Fowler 45:10

5M ago45:10

45:10

How well is the U.S. health care system working, and what is being done to address its biggest challenges? In this episode, Dr. Liz Fowler, former Deputy Administrator and Director of the Innovation Center at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, discusses the progress and challenges of U.S. healthcare reform, emphasizing the impact of the …

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Turn off the lights with Jeff Thompson at the IHI Forum 33:46

5M ago33:46

33:46

Health care institutions can significantly reduce their environmental impact while also saving money and improving community health. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Thompson, former CEO of Gundersen Health System and advisor, discusses his pioneering work at Gundersen Health System in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He explains that by focusing on was…

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There is no quality without equity with Thea James and Bisola Ojikutu 53:42

5M ago53:42

53:42

How can we tackle deep-rooted health inequities and ensure sustainable change in our communities? In this episode, Dr. Thea James, Vice President of Mission and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Boston Medical Center, and Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and the Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, talk about…

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Building an Age Friendly Movement with Terry Fulmer and Faith Mitchell 43:24

5M ago43:24

43:24

Despite decades of progress in geriatric care, too many older adults still struggle to receive the reliable, evidence-based care they deserve. In this episode, Dr. Terry Fulmer, President of the John A. Hartford Foundation, and Faith Mitchell, an Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute, discuss the development of age-friendly health systems and the…

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Is medical education stuck in the past? with Abraham Nussbaum 43:52

6M ago43:52

43:52

Is medical education stuck in the past, or can innovative approaches reshape the future of health care? In this episode, Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, Chief Education Officer at Denver Health, discusses the evolution and challenges of medical education, emphasizing the limitations of the traditional "textbook of the body" approach rooted in the Flexner Rep…

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The importance of the "hand-off" in health care with Christopher Landrigan 43:15

6M ago43:15

43:15

Did you know that sleep-deprived doctors are more likely to make critical errors or that poor communication during patient handoffs can jeopardize care? In this episode, Dr. Christopher Landrigan, Chief of General Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital and co-founder of the I-PASS Patient Safety Institute, emphasizes the importance of systemic ch…

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Workforce planning, workforce wellbeing, and workforce retention with Navina Evans 39:43

6M ago39:43

39:43

How can healthcare systems worldwide overcome workforce challenges while adapting to shifting demographics, advancing technologies, and evolving patient expectations? In this episode, Dr. Navina Evans, the Chief Workforce, Training, and Education Officer at the new NHS England, discusses the challenges and evolution of workforce planning in the Nat…

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Cutting through the misinformation with Celine Gounder 41:29

7M ago41:29

41:29

In a world where misinformation often outpaces facts, clear public health communication and preparedness are more crucial than ever. In this episode, Dr. Celine Gounder, Senior Fellow & Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News, shares her journey from clinician to a media figure focused on public health, highlighting her roles during th…

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When people of the system own the system with April Kyle and Doug Eby 51:40

7M ago51:40

51:40

Imagine a health care system where patients are not just recipients but co-owners, shaping the services they receive based on the needs of their community. In this episode, Doug Eby and April Kyle discuss Southcentral Foundation's community-driven health care model, which prioritizes customer ownership, flexible management, and service integration …

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Health system ownership with Hayden Rooke-Ley 48:07

7M ago48:07

48:07

Is the rapid growth of Medicare Advantage a solution for health care efficiency, or is it a costly gamble that benefits insurers more than patients? In this episode, Hayden Rooke-Ley discusses the rapid expansion of Medicare Advantage, a privatized form of Medicare, and the growing influence of private insurance companies in the U.S. health care sy…

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Politics, mobilization, and political force with Marshall Ganz 47:22

7M ago47:22

47:22

What happens when we reduce people to mere data points in a world driven by economic values? In this episode, Marshall Ganz, the Rita T. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing, and Civil Society at the Harvard Kennedy School, discusses how health care and other systems risk dehumanization by reducing people to data points, driven by econo…

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What is social capital and what value does it have in health care? with Tom Lee 48:24

8M ago48:24

48:24

Could health care thrive if leaders treated trust and teamwork as carefully as they manage finances? In this episode, Thomas H. Lee, Chief Medical Officer for Press Ganey Associates, Inc., talks about the critical role of social capital in fostering trust, teamwork, and effective patient care within health care organizations. Thomas argues that lea…

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Ethical conundrums aplenty with Vardit Ravitsky 41:55

8M ago41:55

41:55

When health care meets ethics, our choices reveal as much about our values as they do about our scientific advances. In this episode, Vardit Ravitsky, President and CEO of the Hastings Center, highlights the role of bioethics in navigating complex health care choices, especially those made prominent by the pandemic. She describes bioethics as inter…

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How technology giants like Google are impacting healthcare with Michael Howell 43:41

8M ago43:41

43:41

AI is rapidly transforming health care, offering technology companies new possibilities for improving patient outcomes and revolutionizing care delivery. In this episode, Dr. Michael Howell, Chief Clinical Officer at Google, explores how technology giants like Google are impacting health care, sharing insights on AI advancements and their potential…

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Expanding the role of health systems beyond traditional hospital care with Michael Dowling 44:36

8M ago44:36

44:36

Transforming health systems requires addressing social determinants of health and expanding beyond traditional hospital care. In this episode, Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, talks about how he is redefining health system leadership by addressing broader health determinants and expanding services beyond traditional hospital …

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Can trust in health care journalism be rebuilt? with David Rousseau 44:23

9M ago44:23

44:23

In a time when trust in health care leadership and media is faltering, how can transparent, local, and solution-driven journalism bridge the gap and rebuild confidence in the stories that shape our health and lives? In this episode, David Rousseau, Publisher and Executive Director of Journalism and Information Technology at KFF Health News, talks a…

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Using information, insights (and humans) to improve outcomes with Eric Poon 39:45

9M ago39:45

39:45

AI implementation in health care, especially for predicting conditions like sepsis, needs collaboration between data scientists and clinicians to ensure accurate and valuable results. In this episode, Dr. Eric Poon, professor of medicine and the Chief Health Information Officer at the Duke University Health System, discusses the significant impact …

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Building will and change with agency with Pedja Stojicic 45:57

9M ago45:57

45:57

Community organizing empowers patients, clinicians, and providers to advocate for necessary reforms. In this episode, Dr. Pedja Stojicic, Executive Director of People Power Health, discusses the urgent need for change in healthcare and the challenges faced by established organizations. He highlights the role of agency in health, arguing people expe…

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The importance of access to information and data as a patient and caregiver with Susannah Fox 47:14

9M ago47:14

47:14

Early online patient communities were pioneers in sharing personal health data to support others with similar conditions. In this episode, Susannah Fox, anthropologist and author of Rebel Health, dives into the evolving landscape of health care, where the traditional power dynamics between patients and providers are shifting. Susannah explores the …

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The transformative shift from health care in hospitals to home-based care 53:58

9M ago53:58

53:58

Studies indicate that treating patients at home can result in lower mortality rates compared to traditional hospital care. In this episode, Dr. Bruce Leff, a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, discusses the transformative shift of healthcare from hospitals to home-based care. He underscores the importance of trust…

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Maintaining medical care amidst bombs with Dr. Olesya Vynnyk and Dr. Miguel Cendoroglo Neto 48:57

10M ago48:57

48:57

The Ukrainian medical community has shifted from emotional reactions to systematic approaches in response to the war. In this episode, Dr. Olesya Vynnyk, coordinating medical initiatives for the World Congress of Ukraine, and Dr. Miguel Cendoroglo Neto, the CMO for Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital, focus on the challenges Ukraine's health care syste…

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Art, activism, and health care with Michelle Browder 54:39

10M ago54:39

54:39

Michelle Browder began using art at 13 to channel her energy and fight against racism, leading to her lifelong journey in activism. In this episode, Michelle Browder, an American artist and activist known for her work in reimagining the future of gynecology and obstetrics in the US, explores the connection between art, activism, and medicine. Miche…

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Rerun: What Happened to Patient Safety with Sue Sheridan 49:40

10M ago49:40

49:40

How accountable are we when it comes to injuries caused by medical errors? Since this archive episode aired, patient safety remains a serious issue, with thousands of Americans dying from errors in their care. Although interest in improving patient safety has sadly waned, many are working to revive it and increase attention to the problem. In this …

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Rerun - Penalized for Being Sick: The Uniquely American Crisis of Medical Debt with Berneta L. Haynes 41:36

10M ago41:36

41:36

Since this archive episode aired early in our podcast, organizations have paid off billions of dollars in medical debt, and many hospitals have stopped suing patients for small claims. However, the problem of medical debt is far from over and now is the best moment to do something about medical debt. In this interview, Berneta Haynes, Staff Attorne…

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We need a health care system that supports healthy aging with Maria Carney and Charles Kenney 47:15

11M ago47:15

47:15

The aging population is rapidly growing, posing significant challenges for global health care systems. In this episode, Dr. Maria Carney, Chief and Medical Director at Northwell Health, and Charles Kenney, Senior Vice President at Northwell Health, talk about the need for a health care system that supports healthy aging. Dr. Carney and Charles disc…

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Patient empowerment and community engagement for better health outcomes 42:45

11M ago42:45

42:45

Patients and their families feel more empowered and regain normalcy by participating in their own care. In this episode, Dr. Kavita Bhavan, Chief Innovation Officer at Parkland Health and an infectious disease specialist, shares how empowering patients to self-administer IV antibiotics at home has improved health care access and equity. She highlig…

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The future of medical education with Holly Humphrey 47:59

11M ago47:59

47:59

Disparities in patient care based on race and insurance status lead to frustration, fueling a growing movement to unionize and push for fair treatment. In this episode, Dr. Holly Humphrey, President of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, explores the pressing issues facing the American health care system and the foundation's pivotal role in transformin…