Seeds of Doubt - The Politicization of Public Health with Matthew Jacob and Dr. Brian Castrucci

12/05/24 • 47 min

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Today's show focuses on disinformation and its connection to public health and policy.

With the recent news that President-elect Trump has tapped Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., known not only for his family ties but primarily for his strong opposition to vaccinations and commitment to debunked conspiracy theories, and controversial views on supplements and food preparation practices, to take the lead at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), we invited two seasoned public health experts to join us for a conversation to discuss the impact of disinformation and the spread of misinformation on public health and what that could mean for public health policy.

Michelle begins the show with Matthew Jacob, a communications consultant who advises dental health organizations, children's advocates, and health foundations. He has consulted with diverse stakeholders, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the California Department of Public Health, and the Michigan Public Health Institute. Matt is a subject matter expert on communication for the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors. He has authored nearly a dozen dental health policy and communication articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Matt has delivered presentations about health communication to numerous audiences, including the National Academy of Medicine and the World Congress on Public Health.

During this conversation, Matt Jacob and Michelle discuss the pressing challenges facing public health leaders as they navigate a rapidly changing landscape. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication, building trust through community engagement, and the need for public health professionals to adapt their messaging strategies to resonate with diverse audiences, particularly in rural areas. Jacob also highlights the significance of advocacy and collaboration in ensuring the sustainability of public health initiatives.

In part two of this episode. Michelle speaks with Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, President and Chief Executive Officer of the de Beaumont Foundation. He is an epidemiologist, public health practitioner, and fierce advocate for the public's health. Brian joined de Beaumont as its third employee in 2012 and assumed the role of president and chief executive officer in 2018.

Michelle and Dr. Castrucci discuss the intersection of public health and policy, and the impact on rural America. He emphasizes the importance of the Senate's role in vetting health nominees, the challenges rural health systems face, and the critical need for health equity. Dr. Castrucci also addresses the impact of medical misinformation on public health, public health as an economic indicator that affects community health and offers advice for rural public health officials on advocacy and community engagement.

Today's show focuses on disinformation and its connection to public health and policy.

Previous Episode

Impact on the Road OREGON - The Power of Rural and Investments in Health

The Rural Impact Podcast went on the road again! This time, we headed out west – the Pacific Northwest, to be exact, where we sought to amplify the Power of Rural and the importance of federal partnerships to address social drivers of health.

Welcome to our "Impact on the Road OREGON - The Power of Rural and Investments in Health" special National Rural Health Day episode.

During this special panel discussion recorded at the 41st Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference held in Bend, host Michelle Rathman moderates a conversation focused how the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD), are addressing the social drivers of health in rural Oregon and Region 10, and supporting policy-fueled investments in nutrition, housing, and access to essential healthcare services.

In addition to panelists, Priya Helweg, Acting Regional Director, and Executive Officer for the Region 10 Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Office of the Secretary, HHS, Chad Davis-Montgomery, Director, Supplemental Nutrition Division, Western Region, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, and Andrew Lofton, Regional Administrator, Region 10 HUD, this episode also features conversations with Erik Thorsen, CEO of Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria Oregon, named as the National Rural Health Association's Organization of the Year, Sarah Andersen, Director of Field Services at the Oregon Office of Rural Health, Jennifer Little, Director of Public Health for Klamath County, and Jerry Conklin, Chairman of the Board for South Morrow County Senior Matters.

For more information about the funding and technical assistance opportunities mentioned by panelists, look to our resource page.

To learn more about the stories of making a rural impact:

South Morrow County Senior Matters visit: South Morrow County Seniors Matter

To learn more about the BuildCMH project visit: https://www.columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh/

Learn more about National Rural Health Day Events at http://www.PowerofRural.org

To learn more about the HHS “Join the Health Workforce: A Career With Endless Possibilities” website visit: https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/workforce/index.html

To read the HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) Report “Health Care Workforce: Key Issues, Challenges, and the Path Forward” visit: https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/health-care-workforce-key-issues-challenges-path-forward

To learn more about the HRSA funding opportunity “The Graduate Psychology Education Program” visit: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355771

To learn more about the HRSA funding opportunity “The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Professionals” visit https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355772

To learn more about the HUD Rural Gateway Clearinghouse visit: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/rural-gateway

To learn more about the FNS Nutrition Programs visit: https://www.fns.usda.gov/programs

Next Episode

What's Your Impact Episode with Gretchen Schmidt, PhD, Charles Lloyd, Ed.D. & Mark S. Bonta

In this special What's Your Impact? Episode, Michelle begins with a review of the multi-episode series "Pathways and Policies to Ensure Rural Learners Succeed in Place and Why it's Essential for America's Future" and "The Impact of Postsecondary Education on Jobs and Rural Economic Vitality" made possible by Ascendium. Michelle shares the key takeaways from each episode, including the contributions of the 15 guests, and introduces the inspirational work of the Rural Guided Pathways Project.

First, Michelle interviews Dr. Gretchen Schmidt, Senior Fellow at the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII). Gretchen is a national leader in higher education transformation, focusing on issues of guided pathways and rural student success at NCII. Before joining NCII in 2020, Gretchen led the design and implementation of the American Association of Community Colleges' Pathways Project 1.0 and 2.0 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Through that work, she helped develop a national model for scaling guided pathways reform. Michelle and Gretchen discuss the Rural Guided Pathways Project, including the vital role of rural community colleges in enhancing access to education and economic opportunities. They explore the implementation of evidence-based reforms aimed at removing barriers for students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. The conversation highlights the importance of equity, leadership, and community collaboration in fostering a supportive educational environment that prepares students for successful careers.

In the second half of the episode, Michelle is joined by Dr. Chuck Lloyd, who serves as the Vice Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH). Dr. Lloyd most recently served as President of White Mountains Community College (WMCC) and maintained successive positions in CCSNH for over twenty years. Lloyd's time within CCSNH has included service in student life, enrollment management, academic administration and instruction, coaching, and leadership research.

Mark S. Bonta, Executive Director for Recover Jobs Foundation, joins Michelle and Dr. Lloyd. Mark has 30 years of manufacturing experience and was the Plant Director of Kamik Outdoor Footwear in Littleton, New Hampshire, for over 20 years. During that time, he served on the local Chamber of Commerce board, the local Public Health Network, the State of NH Advisory Council for the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative, and partnered with (WMCC) for the Rural Guided Pathways Project.

Chuck, Mark, and Michelle discuss the impact of The Rural Guided Pathways Project's effect on WMCC and their community. This conversation explores the demographics of students served, the importance of engaging local employers, and the impact of customized training programs. They emphasize the need for a shift in mindset regarding education and workforce development, scalability of successful models, and the personal journeys of individuals pursuing higher education. Advocacy for community colleges is highlighted as a crucial element for sustaining these initiatives, as well as the critical importance of building relationships with stakeholders.

This episode of The Rural Impact podcast is sponsored by Ascendium. Ascendium believes that learning after high school has the power to transform lives. Driven by this belief, their philanthropy focuses on systemic change to elevate opportunity for learners from low-income backgrounds. Ascendium has a special interest in elevating rural postsecondary education and workforce training. They fund research and resources that can be used to ensure more rural learners have pathways to good jobs that lead to upward mobility. Want to connect with Ascendium? Visit their website at ascendiumphilanthropy.org, sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on social media.

To learn more about The Rural Guided Pathways Project visit: https://ruralguidedpathways.org/

To learn more about the Rural Community College Leader Series visit: https://ncii-improve.com/rural-community-college-leader-series/