The Princeton Pulse Podcast

On this episode of the Princeton Pulse Podcast, we dig into the ongoing debate about banning menthol cigarettes in the United States. We’ve known for decades that menthol cigarettes are more addictive and ultimately more harmful than tobacco-flavored cigarettes. Yet they’re still around, attracting young smokers, increasing health disparities, and causing preventable deaths. That is why the FDA has proposed policy to prohibit their sale. Research clearly suggests that a federal ban could save up to 650,000 lives over the course of 40 years, and that one third of them would be Black Americans. Despite those findings, however, the policy is stalled under the influence of a presidential election year and lobbying by Big Tobacco.Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health, delves into the historical context and the costs of delayed policy intervention with two guests: Keith Wailoo, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton and author of the book "Pushing Cool: Big Tobacco, Racial Marketing, and the Untold Story of the Menthol Cigarette"; and Carol McGruder, founding member and co-chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC).-----Learn more about the AATCLC’s advocacy for the menthol cigarette ban at www.SavingBlackLives.org. Visit www.keithwailoo.com to learn more about Keith Wailoo’s research, his latest book ("Pushing Cool: Big Tobacco, Racial Marketing, and the Untold Story of the Menthol Cigarette"), and other publications. The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

The Global Fight Against Antimicrobial ResistanceThis episode of the Princeton Pulse Podcast takes on one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity: antimicrobial resistance, often called AMR. According to the World Health Organization, this concerning phenomenon directly or indirectly claims more than six million lives each year. That means that antimicrobial-resistant infections are more deadly than AIDS or malaria. Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, is joined by two guests: Ramanan Laxminarayan, an environmental economist, epidemiologist, and lecturer at Princeton, as well as the founder and president of One Health Trust, a public health research organization; and Dr. Martin Blaser, a physician, microbiologist, and professor at Rutgers University, where he directs the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. Recognizing the intrinsic connection between human, animal, and environmental health, the panel addresses how AMR affects food security, the economy, health equity, and our ability to fight future pandemics. They also talk about the United Nations’ upcoming “High Level Meeting,” which will gather world leaders this September to create a coordinated action plan.---Visit the One Health Trust website to learn more about the latest research, developments, and news on antimicrobial resistance.This paper explains the need for global solutions to antibiotic resistance.Dr. Blaser authored a book on the topic, “Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antiobiotics is Fueling our Modern Plagues,” 10 years ago, which was recently adapted into a movie, “The Invisible Extinction.” The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode of the Princeton Pulse Podcast takes on medical debt, a pervasive and uniquely American problem. Forty one percent of U.S. adults, or about 100 million people, are struggling to pay their medical or dental bills, which has delayed or prevented care, worsened health outcomes, and incurred financial hardship.Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, delves into the latest research, the underlying drivers of medical debt, and its compelling consequences with two guests: Noam Levey, a senior correspondent for KFF Health News, who has reported on this topic extensively, and Eva Stahl, Vice President of Public Policy at RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities by abolishing medical debt. The panel spotlights the personal, often heartbreaking stories of those grappling with health care debt, the inequitable impact on low-income populations and communities of color, and what we can do to alleviate this growing burden -- including federal and state policy responses. ---Read an op-ed by Princeton University’s Heather Howard and Madison Linton '24 on the merits of an innovative pilot program, in partnership with RIP Medical Debt, to cancel an estimated $1 billion worth of medical debt for New Jersey residents.Visit the KFF Health News website to see Noam Levey’s extensive reporting on medical debt.Visit the RIP Medical Debt website to learn how the nonprofit organization is abolishing debt and impacting lives.Read a report, prepared by RIP Medical Debt, that highlights the results of a national survey on the impact of medical debt.The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode of the Princeton Pulse Podcast takes us to the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic and other public health crises with Dr. Jerome Adams, former Surgeon General of the United States.Serving as the “nation’s doctor” during the height of the pandemic, and as a member of the President’s Coronavirus Task Force, Dr. Adams was an integral part of the U.S. response to Covid-19. A public health expert and key spokesperson for the administration, he was uniquely responsible for not only understanding the science related to Covid-19, but for also relaying accurate, trusted information to American families as the virus rapidly evolved and spread around the world -- and misinformation spread just as rapidly as researchers tried to keep pace.Now out of public office, Dr. Adams is Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives and Distinguished Professor of Practice at Purdue University. He also authored a new book called “Crisis and Chaos: Lessons From the Front Lines of the War Against Covid-19.”Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services,  welcomes Dr. Adams to the show to talk about his successes and missteps as Surgeon General. They discuss the importance of depoliticizing public health, improving science and health literacy, preventing misinformation, and preparing for the next public health crisis. They also delve into his experiences as Indiana’s Health Commissioner, including the state’s response to the opioid crisis.Read a related Op-Ed authored by Heather Howard and Brontë Nevins, MPA ’24, Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs:“Learning From Past Disasters to Help Covid Long Haulers”Read about related research conducted by SPIA faculty members:SPIA Faculty Study Pandemic’s Impact on Asian American Health, Long Covid | Princeton School of Public and International AffairsThe Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode examines clinician burnout, a public health issue propelled into the spotlight by the Covid-19 pandemic. Up to 54 percent of nurses, physicians, and other clinicians experience prolonged, occupational stress. They suffer exhaustion, low job satisfaction, lack of achievement, and other consequences that not only compromise their personal wellbeing, but also the care they provide to their patients. Host Heather Howard explores the drivers of clinician burnout along with the rising costs with Dr. Bryant Adibe, Sugarman Practitioner in Residence at Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs, and Dr. Wayne Jonas, a practicing family physician and president of the Healing Works Foundation.Their conversation addresses widespread dissatisfaction among health care workers, absenteeism, staffing shortages, and other repercussions that threaten access to safe, quality health care in the United States and beyond. They discuss strategies for reducing clinician burnout through a systems approach that leverages actionable data, as well as a recent summit that united scholars, health care providers, and policymakers in the collaborative pursuit of clinical wellbeing.---Learn more about the “Systems Summit on Clinical Wellbeing,” co-sponsored by the American Medical Association (AMA), Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), Healing Works Foundation, and Princeton University’s Center for Health and Wellbeing and the Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science & Public Policy. Read related articles authored by Dr. Bryant Adibe:Clinician Wellness is an Operations IssueClinician Wellbeing: Challenges and Opportunities Learn more about the Healing Works Foundation.The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode tackles gun violence in America, a serious and escalating public health crisis. According to the CDC, firearms kill nearly 50,000 Americans each year and are now the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens. The facts are startling, but not entirely surprising, when you consider that Americans own more guns per capita than any other country in the world. Unfortunately, gun violence is often viewed as a political issue as opposed to a public health threat, which has prevented meaningful progress in fighting this epidemic. But that is beginning to change as policymakers, health care providers, and other stakeholders reframe the conversation and come together in the interest of safer, healthier communities. Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, examines challenges and potential policy solutions with two staunch advocates for depoliticizing gun safety and uniting for the common good: Senator William H. Frist, M.D., a practicing physician and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, whose ongoing work proposes a shift in culture and targeted, bipartisan legislation; and Chethan Sathya, M.D., a pediatric trauma surgeon and director of the Northwell Health Center for Gun Violence Prevention . The panel recommends a public health approach focused on firearm safety and injury prevention, emphasizing the value of scientific data and the implementation of evidence-informed interventions, such as safe storage, background checks, and “red flag” laws. The show presents a hopeful path forward that fosters cooperative discussion and actions aimed at protecting our children and communities.---Read two recent articles on gun safety authored/co-authored by Senator Frist: “The Massive New Public Health Threat To Kids: What Policies Would You Consider To Address Gun Safety?” Forbes, 5/3/23 “Gun Violence is the No. 1 Killer of Children; Here Are Common-Sense Steps to Address It.” The Tennessean, 4/17/23Read more about the Northwell Health Center for Gun Violence Prevention, led by Dr. Sathya.Learn about the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, a coalition of gun violence researchers and practitioners that seeks to inform policymakers and the public with evidence-based policy recommendations. ---The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode highlights a potential win in the fight against cervical cancer – one that comes from a place that you might not expect. Rwanda, a low-income country, could become the first country in the world to eradicate the disease. Armed with a remarkably ambitious vaccination program for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, along with a screen-and-treat program to ensure earlier intervention, this small African country is doing a better job than most wealthy countries. How is this possible, and what can we learn from their efforts?Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, dives into these questions and more with Professor Cristina Stefan, director of the Institute of Global Health Equity Research in Rwanda, and Princeton Lecturer Alyssa Sharkey, whose research interests include global health equity and immunization. They discuss why cervical cancer places a heavier burden on women in low- and middle-income countries, the importance of HPV vaccination and expedient intervention, equity considerations, policy solutions and challenges, and lessons learned.Read two related papers by Cristina Stefan: The World Health Organization targets for cervical cancer control by 2030: a baseline assessment in six African countries—part I; and Targeting elimination of cervical cancer by 2030: a baseline assessment in six African countries—part II.Read this research paper by Alyssa Sharkey: Broadening the perspective on gender equity in immunization: The unique contributions of human papillomavirus vaccination. The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode spotlights health insurance in the U.S. – and why an estimated 15 million Medicaid enrollees are at risk of losing their health insurance coverage and access to care.  In 2020, Congress enacted legislation that gave states extra Medicaid funds to help address the raging pandemic, but they attached a condition that prevented states from disenrolling individuals during the public health emergency. On March 31, 2023, the requirement expired and states began to return to normal eligibility and enrollment operations. Referred to as “the Medicaid unwinding,” this represents the biggest health insurance coverage event since the Affordable Care Act. Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, discusses the unprecedented transition with Kate McEvoy, Executive Director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors, and Dr. Kemi Alli, a pediatrician and Chief Executive Officer of Henry J. Austin Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Trenton, New Jersey. They talk about strategies for maximizing continuity of coverage for consumers -- along with who is most likely to slip through the cracks, the role of state health officials and health care providers, and the potential impact on public health.Read how Princeton University’s State Health & Value Strategies (SHVS) program, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is helping states navigate the transition by visiting the SHVS website.Visit the Henry J. Austin Health Center website to learn more about its efforts to help patients “stay covered.”Read Kate McEvoy’s discussion of Medicaid stability with Health Affairs here.The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode takes on vaccine hesitancy and climate change. What do these seemingly diverse problems have in common? More than you might think. Although they are distinct challenges, both imperil global health, are perpetuated by social behaviors, and, according to a recent study, could be solved with a similar playbook.Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, confronts these problems and potential solutions with Princeton Professor Simon Levin, who has conducted research on the topic, and Nicholas Silitch, former chief risk officer for Prudential Financial, who speaks to the role of corporations in addressing these issues. They discuss a path forward that highlights collective action based on the common good, and a plan driven by resources, effective policy, and strategies for influencing health attitudes. Read Simon Levin's published research paper: Vaccination-hesitancy and global warming: distinct social challenges with similar behavioral solutionsThe Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode is about measuring “The Good Life.” Gross domestic product, or GDP, has been the longstanding indicator for evaluating a country’s performance and prosperity. But there is a growing movement to look beyond GDP, which only accounts for goods and services. Economists and other stakeholders argue the need for a better metric – one that considers health, access to education, happiness, and other dimensions of human welfare to provide a more complete picture.Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, discusses the issue with two guests: Professor Ori Heffetz, a Princeton alum and visiting research scholar from Cornell and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and Yanchun Zhang, chief statistician at the United Nations Development Programme and proponent of the Human Development Index, an alternative approach to assessing human welfare and rating a country’s wellbeing.Their conversation addresses the shortcomings of GDP (as a metric for national wellbeing), how to construct a more accurate and useful index, and the vital role of data-based policymaking.Learn more about Ori Heffetz's work:Interview: Spotlight on Ori HeffetzArticle: Measuring the Essence of the Good LifeLearn more about The Human Development Index.The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

This episode of The Princeton Pulse explores the effectiveness of levies on sugar-sweetened beverages, comparing experiences from South Africa and Philadelphia. Sometimes called soda or sugar taxes, they are used as a policy tool to address rising rates of obesity and other non-communicable diseases, and the related social and economic costs.Studies show that drinking too much sugar contributes to obesity and increases risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. With that evidence in mind, more than 45 countries have implemented sugary beverage taxes on a national or subnational level. The taxes are designed to reduce demand for the beverages, promoting healthier choices and ultimately better health. At the same time, the levies can generate revenue to support other aspects of community health and wellbeing.  Do these taxes actually make people healthier? Can a regressive tax be progressive in its design and impact?  Host Heather Howard, a Princeton University professor and former NJ Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, addresses these issues with Dr. Karen Hofman, a pediatrician and research professor at the University of Witwatersrand, who helped South Africa become the first Sub-Saharan African country to implement this kind of tax; and Dwayne Wharton, a health equity advocate behind Philadelphia’s beverage tax.They explore lessons learned from public health interventions in multiple jurisdictions, including policy design questions, equity considerations, and the role of research in policy development.Learn more about Dr. Hofman’s work:Evidence That a Tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages Reduces the Obesity Rate: A Meta-AnalysisDaily Maverick: Karen Hofman, the Professor Leading the Fight for Healthy Eating ChoicesRead an article by Dwayne Wharton:The Philadelphia Inquirer: Opinion | Tax on Sugary Beverages is a Good Thing-------The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.

The inaugural episode of The Princeton Pulse Podcast addresses maternal and infant health disparities, a serious and often overlooked public health crisis. The facts are startling. In the United States, Black mothers are three to four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women, and Black babies are twice as likely as white babies to die before their first birthdays. Those statistics have captured the attention of both researchers and policymakers, especially in New Jersey, where the gaps are even more stark. What is causing such dire outcomes? How can we close the racial divide?In this episode, New Jersey's First Lady Tammy Murphy discusses how the Garden State is tackling the issue head-on through policy and Nurture New Jersey, a collaborative endeavor aimed at making New Jersey the safest, most equitable place in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. She is joined by Princeton Professor Elizabeth Armstrong, who explores how racism drives maternal and infant health disparities and leads to adverse outcomes. ---------------------------------------The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.