For our tenth episode, we sit down with the CDC Foundation's own president and CEO, Dr. Judy Monroe. Dr. Monroe has also previously been deputy director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana State Health Commissioner, and president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

In this episode, Dr. Monroe shares shares stories from her recent trip to West Africa: meeting Ebola survivors and the many individuals who are making an impact on global health, the progress made since the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak, and the ongoing challenges and needs in the region.

For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations).

Key Takeaways:
[1:20 ] Dr. Monroe talks about her recent trip to West Africa.
[2:47 ] Stories from West Africa and the many individuals who are making an impact.
[4:58 ] Why listening to the community is critical.
[6:10 ] What is contact tracing?
[7:31 ] Ebola survivor story.
[9:24 ] Making connections in West Africa.
[13:02 ] Dr. Monroe’s visit to Nigeria.
[15:04 ] Infant and mother mortality in Nigeria.
[17:10 ] The current situation with the Ebola outbreak.
[18:15 ] What is Global Health Security?
[19:14 ] Public health infrastructure is needed to identify emerging diseases.
[20:05 ] Global Health Security agenda.
[21:22 ] Other priorities in Global Health Security.
[23:14 ] Working domestically vs. globally.
[25:48 ] Dr. Monroe’s background as a family physician.
[26:55 ] How the donations during the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic are making a difference.
[29:33 ] How vaccines make an impact in global health.
[32:45 ] Parents today don’t see the diseases that have been prevented because of vaccines.
[33:31 ] Longer and healthier lives thanks to vaccines.
[34:07 ] Dr. Monroe shares her excitement about the future of global health.
[35:08 ] The world needs creative minds.

Mentioned in This Episode:

CDC Foundation

The Global Health Security agenda

Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)

Answer this episode’s question: Have you ever taken a trip that really impacted your life? Email your answer to info@cdcfoundation.org and win some CDC Foundation Merchandise.