Humans in Public Health

Behavioral economics is a field that combines psychology and economics. It acknowledges that humans are not rational decision makers and may need “nudges” to incentivize improvements in their health behaviors. Professor Omar Galárraga uses tools from behavioral economics to nudge those at highest risk of HIV infection toward healthier behaviors, like safer sex and the use of antiviral medication PrEP. Hear about his successful work in Mexico and his advocacy for national programs aimed at stopping the spread of HIV.

Host Megan Hall sits down with emergency physician and epidemiologist Dr. Craig Spencer to discuss his work in Africa treating Ebola in 2014, and how it prepared him to serve on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City in 2020. They delve into Spencer’s life-threatening case of Ebola, and how it shifted his perspective on pandemic preparedness and response.

Host Megan Hall discusses race and genetics with Lorin Crawford, assistant professor of Biostatistics at the Brown School of Public Health.

Humans in Public Health is a special podcast series for National Public Health Week. Hosted by Megan Hall and brought to you by Brown University’s School of Public Health.

You can read a transcript of this episode here:[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sk6SgJCKc4z978x0Kv-C1CvO95XJo157XNUNkhKZv54/edit?usp=sharing]

New professor of the practice of health services, policy and practice, Claire Wardle, is not a health professional. She is, however, considered one of the leading experts on misinformation. Co-founder of First Draft, a non-profit dedicated to supporting organizations fighting misinformation, Wardle talks to Megan Hall MPH'15, about her plans for collaborative work at Brown that aims not only to understand mis- and disinformation, but to create tools for more effective public health communication.

Erica Walker, new assistant professor of epidemiology, studies noise pollution and its effects on health. The founder of the Community Noise Lab says that sound, which has been shown to impact cardiovascular health, is a proxy for power. Walker’s particular interest is in helping communities with less power address their noise issues to improve population health and well being.