Public Health Group Chat

In this episode, Mattie walks us through Ebola as it returns to the headlines for the first time in years. She covers what the virus is, its history dating back to the 1976 outbreak near the Ebola River, how it spreads, and the treatments and vaccines in development. Then she gets into the current Bundibugyo outbreak in the DRC's Ituri province (now spilled into Uganda and declared a public health emergency), and why the response is not ideal, thanks to the dismantling of USAID, the US withdrawal from the WHO, and CDC cuts. She also unpacks the Trump administration's plan to build an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya, a country that has never recorded a case.This episode's good news revolves around 1) a judge overturning the cancellation of $82.1 million in clean energy grants, and 2) major health insurers committing to cover all vaccines at no cost through 2027. Also, stick around to hear Ariel discuss Ladies First on Netflix and how she connects it to public health.Recalls: Find all recent recalls at: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts6/13/2026: Nara Organics, Whole Milk Powdered Infant Formula, Botulism Risk.6/12/26: Azuma Foods, Seasoned Octopus with Wasabi, may contain undeclared fish.06/12/26: Beekeeper's Naturals, Saline Nasal Spray, may contain Aspergillus spp.06/11/26: TNVitamins (VITA-MINS) and Doctor's Pride, possible Salmonella contamination06/09/26: Clover Hill Dairy, Soft Ricotta/Requeson Cheese, potentially contaminated with Listeria06/08/26: BD, ChloraPrep Clear, possible fungal contamination 06/08/26: Freeze Dried Chicken Recipe Cat & Dog Food, may contain low levels of thiamine (vitamin B1)06/05/26: Requeson 1lb Clamshell packages, possible listeria contamination06/05/26: Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes AND Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Baby Wipes, may be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia and Burholderia gladioli06/05/26: Pearl Milling Company, Mezcla Para Panqueques Y Waffles, Debido a la presencia no declarada de leche y soya06/04/26: No brand, Dried Herring Fish, may harbor botulinum 06/04/26: Gas-X Extra Strength (softgels 120 & 72ct), potential chemical contamination06/03/26: TNVita Ultra Potent Complete Green Superfood Capsules and Doctor's Pride, Salmonella06/01/26: Motor City Pizza Cheese Bread Single, SalmonellaSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

In this episode, Ariel walks us through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She traces its history from the Food Stamp Program of 1939 to its most recent changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (spoiler alert: changes made due to OBBBA aren’t good). In addition to reviewing major changes to SNAP through the years, she discusses what SNAP is and the eligibility criteria, why food assistance is important, the hypocrisy of the MAHA movement’s actions (they’re not making meaningful impacts to public health in the USA), and what is happening now in the SNAP landscape.Today’s good news revolves around 1) decreased gun sales in CO, and 2) increased inclusivity in birdwatching. Also, stick around to hear Mattie discuss Summer House and how she connects it to public health.Recalls:05/23/2026 Angel Specialty Products, Royal Gold, Boba Time, Fanale, Denda specialty beverages - contamination of Salmonella 05/23/2026 Boner Bears chocolate - contains sildenafil05/22/2026 Raaw Energy dog food - possible Listeria contamination 05/18/2026 Kroger Cheese and Garlic Croutons - potential for Salmonella contamination05/18/2026 Malazi Tahina - contamination of Salmonella05/18/2026 Best Supplements Best Prices dietary supplement for sexual enhancement - undeclared Sildenafil, Tadalafil, and Flibanserin05/15/2026 Straus Family Creamery various ice cream - presence of metal fragments05/15/2026 Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning - Potential Foodborne Illness - SalmonellaSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

If the MV Hondius Hantavirus outbreak hit the US tomorrow, would we be ready? In Part II of our Hantavirus/Andes virus coverage, Mattie and Olivia sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Soda, MD, infectious disease physician and former CDC insider who spent nearly a decade at the agency before resigning on principle in September 2025. Drawing on her years working from within, Dr. Soda explains why the systems that are supposed to protect us from outbreaks like this one are in a more precarious state than most people realize. She breaks down the mass exodus of career staff, the erosion of trust coming from within the agency itself, and why, if something like COVID hit tomorrow, we would be in serious trouble. Also, Mattie connects the Met Gala to public health (yes, really), and Olivia runs through a packed recalls roundup. See the most recent FDA recalls here. If you haven't listened to Part I yet, go back and do that first...and consider getting a therapist.Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Soda, MD. Infectious Disease Physician & Public Health Advocate, former CDC EIS Officer and staff member (2016–2025). Currently based in Italy and volunteering with the National Public Health Coalition and Fired, but Fighting.Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

In this episode (Part I of II), Olivia breaks down Hantavirus: what it is, how it spreads, and why the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has the world paying attention. She walks through the science of the Andes Virus (the only known Hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission), the full outbreak timeline as of May 13th, 2026, and what key dates to watch in the coming weeks. Spoiler: this is probably not our next pandemic...but it is a warning sign we can't ignore.Also, Ariel starts us off by sharing her public health good news: FDA Commissioner Marty McCary is out, and we break down why almost nobody is sad about it, but why we're still a little nervous about what comes next.---In part two (coming soon!), Mattie & Olivia sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Soda, an infectious disease physician and former CDC employee, to discuss how mass federal layoffs and political appointees have dismantled U.S. public health infrastructure — and what that means for our ability to respond when the next serious outbreak hits.Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

In today’s episode, Ariel walks us through the public health impacts of war. We start by providing a very brief history of human conflict. Next, we talk about technological advances during WWI, WWII, and the Cold War that have made modern warfare extremely deadly. We then discuss the on-going Iran War, and finish out the discussion on why war is terrible for public health. Spoiler alert: it affects more than just service members.Mattie also discusses global wins in renewable energy, more analysis of Survivor as it relates to public health, and a whole long list of recalls.Recalls:4/14/26 Good Brain Tonic 16 oz & 32 oz - potential botulism4/13/26 Morovan Gel Nail Polish Remover (15ml) - Prohibited Methylene Chloride and Chloroform4/10/26 Vital Nutrient Aller-C Dietary Supplement - Undeclared egg, hazelnut and soy4/08/26 Revitaderm, Tridergel Antiseptic wound care gel bottles and tubes - Lysinibacillus fusiformis, an environmental organism4/07/26 DTF Sexual Chocolate - Undeclared Sildenafil and Tadalafil4/03/26 Karns FoodsMini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups - May contain undeclared peanut allergen4/03/26 Wawa Iced Tea Lemon, Iced Tea Diet Lemon, Diet Lemonade and Fruit Punch - Potential or Undeclared Allergen – Undeclared Milk4/02/26 RAW FARM Raw milk cheddar cheese, shredded and block - Potential E. coli4/01/26 Kian Pee Wan Dietary supplement capsules marketed for treatment for gaining weight and stimulating appetite - Device & Drug Safety/Unapproved Drug4/01/26 Christopher Ranch, Garland Peeled Garlic - Potential Clostridium BotulinumSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

In this episode, Olivia breaks down measles. She explains what it is, how the US reached measles elimination status in 2000, why it is making a comeback, and whether or not we will keep our measles elimination status. A combination of decreased immunizations during the covid-19 pandemic and the anti-vaxx rhetoric coming from our highest ranking federal officials (and spreading on social media) have contributed to a perfect storm that has allowed measles to find its footing and spread through vulnerable populations like wildfire.Also, Mattie shares a few tidbits of public health good news and analyzes Survivor with a public health lens. You don’t want to miss this episode.Recalls:Vital Nutrient Aller-C Dietary Supplement - Undeclared egg, hazelnut and soy DTF Sexual Chocolate - Undeclared Sildenafil and Tadalafil Karns Foods Mini Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cups  - May contain undeclared peanut allergenRAW FARM Raw milk cheddar cheese, shredded and block  - Potential E. coliChristopher Ranch, Garland Peeled Garlic -  Clostridium BotulinumEinstein Bros Bagels Honey Cream Cheese - Undeclared almonds Falcon Trading Company Black Beans Organic , Chili Bean Blend Organic, Sunset Soup Mix Organic - contains pesticide residue Gold Lion, ilum Chocolate - contains sildenafil and tadalafilSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

Abortion is healthcare...and in this episode, Ariel walks us through the full history of abortion in the US, from pre-colonial practices to Roe v. Wade to where things stand today across all 50 states. She covers why the debate is really a philosophical and moral one rather than a biological one, the very real dangers of restricting access, the US's shameful maternal mortality rate, and why forcing people to carry unwanted pregnancies has consequences that go far beyond the pregnancy itself. Also on the episode: a federal judge hands RFK Jr. a well-deserved L on vaccines, Olivia breaks down the manosphere and the Netflix documentary Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere — what it is, who profits from it, and why it's really a men's mental health story in disguise. Plus, an unusually high number of product recalls involving undeclared Viagra. You'll understand when you get there.Recalls (see FDA.gov for more details):03/15/2026 - Costco Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze. Salmonella.03/14/2026 - Boner Bears, Red Bull and Blue Bull, Honey Dietary Supplement. Undeclared Sildenafil and Tadalafil (TADA!).03/13/2026 - Omni Pod, Alternative Controller Enabled Insulin Infusion Pump. May have a small tear & leak.03/12/2026 - Favorina, Chocolate Ladybugs - German-Style Nougat Candy. Undeclared hazelnut allergen. 03/11/2026 - Primal Herbs, Dietary Supplement. Contains Sildenafil. 03/04/2026 - Miss Vickie's Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips. Undeclared Milk Allergen. 02/27/2026 - RHINO CHOCO VIP 10X, Chocolate. Undeclared Tadalafil.Minor correction: Ariel doesn’t do math in public, and when she does she thinks 1849 was 75 years ago, it was in fact 175 years ago. Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

SPECIAL RELEASE EPISODE: We are publishing this episode early to ensure timely release. Qualifications for the US Surgeon General are outlined in the US Code  (TITLE 42 / CHAPTER 6A / SUBCHAPTER I / Part A / Section 205). Casey Means, current nominee for US Surgeon General (as of March 2026), does not meet these qualifications. In this episode, Mattie leads us through the history of the US Surgeon General, the importance of this position, the necessary credentials to hold this position, and why Casey Means is not qualified for this role. Plus, listen to Casey Means as she tries to defend herself against Senate questioning...it went as well as you can assume.Recalls (see FDA.gov for more details):02/27/2026 - Savannah Bee Company, BBQ Sauce. Undeclared allergens, including wheat & soy. 02/27/2026 - RHINO CHOCO VIP 10x, Chocolate. Undeclared Tadalafil02/26/2026 - Quest, Cat Food Chicken Recipe Frozen. May contain low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1)02/25/2026 - Boner Bears, Chocolate Syrup. Undeclared Sildenafil02/25/2026 - Great Value, Cottage Cheese. Not fully pasteurized02/24/2026 - Elite Treats, Chicken Dog Treats. Salmonella02/20/2026 - Made Fresh Salad, Various Cream Cheeses & Tofu Spreads. ListeriaSend us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

The US government has been issuing nutrition guidance for over 100 years — so what's the deal with the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines? In this episode, Ariel breaks down the history of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, what's actually in the new 10-page document, and why it looks so different from previous editions. She and Mattie dig into the industry ties behind the people who wrote it, why ditching a health equity framework is a major red flag, and what it would actually take to improve nutrition at the population level. Spoiler: it's not beef tallow. Also on the agenda: Flavor Flav championing women's sports, F1 season kicks off, and a product recall segment that somehow ends with Viagra in chocolate syrup.RECALLS02/27/2026 - Savannah Bee Company, BBQ Sauce.Undeclared allergens, including wheat & soy. 02/27/2026 - RHINO CHOCO VIP 10x, Chocolate. Undeclared Tadalafil02/26/2026 - Quest, Cat Food Chicken Recipe Frozen. May contain low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1)02/25/2026 - Boner Bears, Chocolate Syrup. Undeclared Sildenafil02/25/2026 - Great Value, Cottage Cheese. Not fully pasteurized02/24/2026 - Elite Treats, Chicken Dog Treats. Salmonella02/20/2026 - Made Fresh Salad, Various Cream Cheeses & Tofu Spreads. Listeria02/17/2026 - Advanced Alkaloids, Dietary Supplements. Contains 7-OH02/17/2026 - Quest, Cat Food Chicken Recipe Freeze Dried Nuggets, 10oz bag. Low levels of b1.Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

If you want to learn about Nipah virus, you’re in the right place. In this episode, Olivia walks us through what Nipah virus is, how it is transmitted, the recent outbreak in India, and how to prevent it. While it may not be front and center of the health news in the US, it is important to pay attention and understand that viruses in one part of the world can make their way to other parts of the world.RECALLSAmbrosia Brands, LLC Rosabella Moringa Capsules (salmonella) - sold onlineTippy Toes Apple Pear Banana Fruit Puree (patulin) - all US states except Alaska; Guam; Puerto RicoWellsley Farms Farm-Raised Atlantic Salmon (listeria monocytogenes) - BJ’s Wholesale Club stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia Why Not Natural Organic Moringa Green Superfood (salmonella) - sold onlineNavitas Organics Chia Seeds (salmonella) - locations unclear, but sold by Whole FoodsGerber Arrowroot Biscuits (potential presence of plastic) - location unclear Genova (Tri-Union Seafoods) - Yellowfin Tuna - (Clostridium botulinum) Meijer – Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and WisconsinGiant Foods – Maryland and VirginiaSafeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions – CaliforniaSuperfoods Inc - Live It Up: Super Greens Original and Wild Berry Flavored pouches and packs (Salmonella) Minor clarification: mRNA vaccine development began in the 1990s, Olivia’s statement about mRNA vaccine development in 2001 is related to the utilization of mRNA vaccine technology for coronaviruses specifically.  Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

In the past year, the CDC really took a beating from the Trump administration. In this episode, we discuss a timeline of some of the most important events, including:Reductions in Force (RIFs)Shooting at the CDC on 8/8/25Loss of senior leadershipBudget changes and reorganizationThe longest government shutdown in US historyImplications for public healthAnd more!THINGS YOU SHOULD WATCH:The Pitt (HBO)Episodes of Parks and Rec you should watch that have town-hall scenes:Sister City, S2E5Sweetums, S2E15Time capsule, S3E3Bailout, S5/E16 RECALLS:Navitas Organice Chia Seeds (Salmonella) - locations unclear, but sold by Whole Foods (more info)Geber Arrowroot Biscuits (potential presence of plastic) - location unclear (more info)Genova (Tri-Union Seafoods) - Yellowfin Tuna - (Clostridium botulinum) (more info)Meijer – Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and WisconsinGiant Foods – Maryland and VirginiaSafeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions – CaliforniaSuperfoods Inc - Live It Up: Super Greens Original and Wild Berry Flavored pouches and packs (Salmonella) (more info)Sold nationwide including US, Puerto Rico, Guam and Virgin Islands45 illnesses and 12 hospitalizationsDiva Fam Inc - Sea Moss Gel (Superfood product) - Botulism. Distributed online nationwide. (more info)Primavera Nuevo tamales, various flavors (more info) - listeria contaminationKlong Kone Shrimp Paste, sold exclusively at Golden Land in Des Moines, Iowa and Terri Lee Oriental Groceries in Maywood, New Jersey (more info) - lead contaminationSpring & Mulberry Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar - Salmonella (more info)Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

For more than 60 years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) quietly did the kind of public health work that actually saves lives. Founded in 1961, USAID supported global programs that reduced maternal and child mortality, prevented infectious diseases, and improved access to clean water and basic care. All of this cost Americans $24 per person per year. Then, in 2025, it was dismantled almost overnight. Under the Trump administration, foreign aid was frozen under claims of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” unleashing chaos instead: stranded food aid, sudden medication shortages, and a flood of misinformation about what USAID even did. By July 2025, the agency was officially shut down and folded into the State Department.Public health experts now estimate hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths,  with more expected as the ripple effects grow. The most frustrating part is that most Americans will never see these consequences firsthand—which makes it easier not to care.In this episode, we break down what USAID was, why it mattered, and why letting prevention die quietly might be the most dangerous policy choice of all.RECALLS:Genova (Tri-Union Seafoods) - Yellowfin Tuna - (Clostridium botulinum) (more info)Meijer – IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WIGiant Foods – MD, VASafeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions – CASuperfoods Inc - Live It Up: Super Greens Original and Wild Berry Flavored pouches and packs (Salmonella) (more info)Sold nationwide including US, Puerto Rico, Guam and Virgin IslandsDiva Fam Inc - Sea Moss Gel (Superfood product) - Botulism. Distributed online nationwide. (more info)Primavera Nuevo tamales, various flavors (more info) - listeria Klong Kone Shrimp Paste, sold exclusively at Golden Land in Des Moines, IA and Terri Lee Oriental Groceries in Maywood, NJ (more info) - lead contaminationSpring & Mulberry Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar - Salmonella (more info)Grated Pecorino Romano (Under multiple brands including Boars Head) - listeria (impacting 20 states and commonly bought brands) (check this list)ByHeart Infant Formula due to potential botulism contamination (more info)Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.

 A public health podcast more reliable than your federal government. Get to know your cohosts! If you are just tuning in, please know that our audio improves tenfold after this episode. We had some fine-tuning to do during this episode, please bear with us.In this episode, Ariel, Olivia & Mattie introduce themselves and discuss:The end of the Affordable Care Act subsidiesThe change in the US vaccine scheduleHeated RivalryFood RecallsEpisode 01 Recall Information This Week (1/11-1/18):Diva Fam Inc - Sea Moss Gel (Superfood product), Distributed online nationwide - Botulism (more info).Primavera Nuevo tamales, various flavors (more info) - Listeria.Klong Kone Shrimp Paste, sold exclusively at Golden Land in Des Moines, Iowa, and Terri Lee Oriental Groceries in Maywood, New Jersey - Lead contamination (more info)  Spring & Mulberry Mint Leaf Date Sweetened Chocolate Bar - Salmonella (more info).Multiple brand names, like hundreds of products. Rat droppings - Salmonella risk (more info).Grated Pecorino Romano (Under multiple brands including Boars Head) - Listeria (check this list)Country Vet Biscuits & Heartland Harvest Dog Biscuits [for dogs] - Salmonella (more info)Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef - EColi (more info)Frozen raw shrimp sold under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brand names - Possible cesium-137 contamination (more info)Lucky Foods cinnamon powder - Potential lead contamination (more info)Send us Fan MailSupport the showWant to support PHGC? Subscribe for special episodes or donate as a supporter. Want some PHGC merch? We now have a store on TeePublic! Check it out here.Give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this episode with a friend!---The views expressed on this episode are our own.We are available by email at [email protected] and on Instagram and TikTok at @publichealthgroupchat.Theme music generated in Soundful.