What Should We Learn from an Anti-Vaccine Conference?
In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights a striking new statistic: 40% of fully subsidized ACA enrollees had no insurance claims last year — a number far higher than the 15–20% typically seen in employer-based plans. He then reviews a major New England Journal of Medicine trial showing that a modified mRNA influenza vaccine reduced lab-confirmed flu infections by 35% compared to traditional flu shots, producing stronger immune responses with slightly more short-term reactogenicity. Associate Professor of the Practice Dr. Craig Spencer, emergency physician and public health leader, joins to discuss his experience attending the Children's Health Defense conference in Austin — unpacking the movement’s growing cohesion, the small but vocal anti-vaccine contingent, and why many attendees feel unheard by the health system.Dr. Jha discusses:Efficacy, Immunogenicity, and Safety of Modified mRNA Influenza Vaccine — New England Journal of MedicineI’m a physician who went to the anti-vaccine movement’s biggest gathering. More of my colleagues should too — STATAbout the GuestDr. Craig Spencer is an emergency medicine physician and an Associate Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at Brown University School of Public Health. As a physician he focuses on frontline preparedness, both in the U.S. and globally, especially on the impact of COVID-19 on health systems. This includes the real world impact of pandemic preparedness – or lack of preparedness – for clinicians and patients, particularly from a humanitarian perspective.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.Music by Katherine Beggs, additional music by Lulu West and Maya Polsky
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14:53
Why Should We Care About Indoor Air Quality?
In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights a striking data point: 13.1% of U.S. adolescents and young adults report using AI tools for mental health advice, with 93% saying the guidance was helpful. He reviews a 2022 study from Italy’s Marche region showing that improving ventilation in more than 10,000 classrooms reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission by nearly 80%, underscoring the enormous impact of better indoor air quality on respiratory infections. Georgia Lagoudas, Senior Fellow at the Pandemic Center, joins to explain why indoor air quality standards in the U.S. are outdated, the benefits improving indoor air quality can have and the progress we have made.Dr. Jha discusses:Use of Generative AI for Mental Health Advice Among US Adolescents and Young Adults — JAMA Network OpenIncreasing ventilation reduces SARS-CoV-2 airborne transmission in schools: A retrospective cohort study in Italy's Marche region — Frontiers in Public HealthThe Effect of Air Purifiers in Schools — Resources for the FutureAbout the GuestDr. Georgia Lagoudas is a Senior Fellow at the Brown University School of Public Health’s Pandemic Center. She recently served as Senior Advisor for Biotechnology and Bioeconomy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. During her time at the White House, she coordinated a variety of initiatives, including drafting and implementation of an Executive Order on Advancing the American Bioeconomy, as well as launching a White House Initiative to improve indoor air quality.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.Music by Katherine Beggs, additional music by Lulu West and Maya Polsky
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12:18
Why Is Declining Fertility a Problem?
In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights a 24% decline in telehealth visits for Medicare beneficiaries following the October 1 government shutdown, driven by the sudden expiration of Medicare’s authority to pay for telehealth. He reviews a new JAMA randomized controlled trial on caffeinated coffee and atrial fibrillation. Dr. Stephanie Psaki, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Brown School of Public Health, joins to explain why declining fertility rates around the world matter and why supporting people’s family planning choices should be a core public health and policy priority.Dr. Jha discusses:Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities at Risk with Government Shutdown — Center for Advancing Health Policy Through ResearchCaffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation — JAMAThe Real Way to Boost Birth Rates — TIMEAbout the GuestDr. Stephanie Psaki is a distinguished senior fellow at the Brown University School of Public Health and served as Special Assistant to the President and U.S. Coordinator for Global Health Security at the National Security Council.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.Music by Katherine Beggs, additional music by Lulu West and Maya Polsky
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Where Should Americans Turn for Reliable Health Information?
In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights a troubling new data point: premature mortality among Americans ages 18 to 64 rose by 27.2% between 2012 and 2022, driven largely by opioid overdoses, early cardiovascular disease, violence, and the early COVID-19 years. He reviews a new Nature study showing that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines may boost the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, finding that patients who received an mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting treatment were twice as likely to be alive three years later, likely due to broad immune activation. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, former director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory, joins to discuss where Americans can turn for reliable, evidence-based public health information at a time when federal guidance has become less consistent. Dr. Jha discusses:Racial Disparities in Premature Mortality and Unrealized Medicare Benefits Across US States — JAMA Health ForumSARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint blockade — NatureAbout the GuestDr. Demetre Daskalakis served as the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) from 2023 to 2025. He also previously served as the director of the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention and Deputy Coordinator for the National Mpox Response at the White House.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.Music by Katherine Beggs, additional music by Lulu West and Maya Polsky
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11:35
What Will It Take to End the Opioid Epidemic?
In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights that 66% of U.S. physicians now report using AI in their clinical practice, reflecting the technology’s rapid adoption across billing, documentation, and patient care. He reviews a new JAMA Network Open study showing that people with type 2 diabetes and opioid use disorder who took semaglutide (Ozempic) had roughly half the risk of opioid overdose compared to those on other diabetes medications, adding to growing evidence that GLP-1 drugs may help reduce addictive behaviors. Dr. Brendan Saloner, Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health, joins to outline three key policy priorities for curbing opioid overdose deaths.Dr. Jha discusses:Semaglutide and Opioid Overdose Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Opioid Use Disorder — JAMA Network OpenAbout the GuestDr. Brendan Saloner is the Donald G. Millar Professor of Alcohol and Addiction Studies in the Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at Brown University. One strand of his research focuses on access and quality of care for people with mental health and substance use disorders. A second strand of his research focuses specifically on health care for people in the criminal legal system. At Johns Hopkins University before joining Brown, he co-led the evaluation team for the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative, a $120 million investment in overdose reduction focused on seven states.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.Music by Katherine Beggs, additional music by Lulu West and Maya Polsky
Emerging research, data that shapes everyday health choices and insights into the systems meant to keep us well — all in under 20 minutes. Join Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, as he and guests unpack the key issues influencing your health right now, guiding you through this moment in personal and public health.
USA