Welcome to Who the Health Cares?

America has 3,300 local health departments. They are the backbone of our public health system, yet they are agencies most of us never think about. Until there's a crisis.  Join Michael Sparer from Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health as he explores how the US built this fragmented public health system, why it's struggling, and what we need to do to fix it. From Constitutional debates to garbage collection in 1866 New York to today's vaccine controversies, this podcast reveals the invisible infrastructure your health depends on. Who the health cares? We all should. Listen to the trailer now, then subscribe so you don't miss the first episode dropping mid-November. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.