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What is Global Health?

by What is Global Health?

Science

Health--a central factor of every human life across the world. Yet, much of the discussionaround important health issues remains limited to specialized professionals. To break downthese boundaries, the “What is Global Health” podcast creates meaningful and shareableinterviews between influential global health professionals and students. We cover relevant,current issues in public health, including health policy, environmental health, and epidemiology.Ran entirely by student interviewers, our podcast also offers a creative, fresh approach tointersectional topics, such as mental health or patient narratives, under the umbrella theme ofpublic health.The podcast works to spread accessibility of public & global health beyond the academic and professional world. Through conversational dialogue, we hope to increase public awareness of public & global health issues as well as inspire new interest in the field. The “What is Global Health” podcast is produced by the Journal of Global Hea

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Episodes

  1. The Road to Environmental Epidemiology with Dr. Ana Navas-Acien

    In this episode of What is Global Health? Bowei Li from our Online Division interviews Dr. Ana Navas-Acien, chair of Environmental Health Sciences at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Centered around Dr. Navas-Acien’s path from a medical student to pursuing environmental epidemiology,...

  2. Meaning Medicine: Science Communication In and Outside the Doctor’s Office

    A big part of feeling healthy, or on the way to feeling healthy, is simply understanding a condition and feeling supported throughout the care process. In this interview with Dr. Juan Manuel Schvartzman, physician scientist at the Columbia Medical Center, we chat about the intricacies and...

  3. Tuberculosis and the Training of Treatment: A Dive into the Flip Side of Global Health | Professor Bill Bower

    Professor Bill Bower Image credit: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/profile/bill-bower-mph In this episode of “What is Global Health,” Kyle Tong speaks with Professor Bill Bower about the training of lay health workers, the current Tuberculosis landscape, and Bower’s extensive experiences in...

  4. Careers in Research: How to be In the Know as an Undergraduate | Professor Rachel Austin

    Professor Rachel Austin Image Credit: https://barnard.edu/profiles/rachel-narehood-austin In this episode of “What is Global Health,” Eliana Weinsaft (BC’27) spoke with Professor Rachel Austin from Barnard College’s Chemistry Department about her research journey, and what students should keep in...

  5. Infant Breastfeeding, Nutrition and Growth in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (Part 2) | Dr. Valerie Flaherman

    This episode is a continuation of the last episode. Lucia Arico-Muendel speaks with Dr. Valerie Flaherman more about her research on infants in low- to middle-income countries, focusing on ethical considerations, COVID complications, results and next steps. Dr. Flaherman is a pediatrician and...

  6. Infant Breastfeeding, Nutrition and Growth in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (Part 1) | Dr. Valerie Flaherman

    In this episode of WiGH, Lucia Arico-Muendel speaks with Dr. Valerie Flaherman about her research on how breastfeeding and formula-feeding regimens affect infant growth during the first month of life, mainly in low-income countries such as Guinea Bissau and Uganda. Dr. Flaherman is a pediatrician...

  7. Data Science in Public Health | Dr. Mary Beth Terry

    In this episode of “What is Global Health,” Monica Manmadkar spoke with Dr. Mary Beth Terry from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health on the malaria epidemic. Dr. Terry gives insight into how data science is being used increasingly in public health analyses and research. Dr.…

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  8. Volcanology and How Communities are Affected by Volcanic Activity | Dr. Bradley Pitcher

    In this episode of “What is Global Health,” Bowei Li (CC’26) spoke with Dr. Bradley Pitcher from Columbia University on the risks associated with volcanoes. Dr. Pitcher explains the health consequences that volcanoes induce and the tradeoffs that communities make in living near them. He also…

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  9. The Malaria Epidemic and the New WHO-Recommended Malaria Vaccine | Dr. Patrick Kachur

    In this episode of “What is Global Health,” Madeleine Hum (CC’24) spoke with Dr. Patrick Kachur from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health on the malaria epidemic. Dr. Kachur gives insight into traditional prevention and treatment solutions used to combat malaria and explains the...

  10. Menstrual Health and Hygiene as a Public Health Issue | Dr. Marni Sommer

    In this episode of “What is Global Health,” Phalaen Chang (CC ’23) spoke with Dr. Marni Sommer on the importance of menstrual health and education and discussed some solutions moving forward. Dr. Marni Sommer: Dr. Marni Sommer has worked in global health and development on issues ranging from...

  11. Mass Incarceration and Public Health | Dr. Robert Fullilove

    In this episode of What is Global Health?, Rachel Chang and Miriam Cepeda speak with Dr. Robert Fullilove on America's mass incarceration. Dr. Fullilove explains how putting generations of black people behind bars is not only a persisting legacy of

  12. How COVID-19 Is Affecting Medical Education In The United States

    In this episode, originally featured in The Lonely Campus, Columbia University’s The Journal of Global Health podcaster Areej Qadeer interviews current medical students at the Yale School of Medicine and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to explore how medical education and training...

  13. Novel Residency Training—The New Global Health Initiative with Dr. Stanberry

    Dr. Stanberry is the Reuben S. Carpentier Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Pediatrician-in-Chief of New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. Our interview is focused on the establishment of a...

  14. Podcasting Pollution: Religious & Cultural Perspectives of the Ganges

    Who: Interviews with Dr. Rachel McDermott (Barnard College); Dr. Thomas Yarnall (Columbia University); Dr. Upmanu Lall (Columbia Water Center); and Anthony Acciavatti (Columbia GSAPP) Why: Produced and published for WiGH? Challenges of Sustainable

  15. What We Have Known About and Will Learn From COVID-19 | Dr. Stephen Morse

    In this episode of WiGH?, JGH Online co-Chair Renee Ren speaks with Dr. Stephen Morse on how viral infections originate and spread, how preventative policies control epidemics, vaccines, and the 2019 coronavirus epidemic. Dr. Morse is the Professor of Ep

  16. The Religion of Science: Conquering the Unknowable | Dr. Robert Pollack

    In this episode of WiGH?, molecular biology pioneer Robert Pollack, Ph.D talks about how scientists may surprisingly benefit from the study of religion. “The most bizarre religion in my experience is the religion of science."

  17. Tuned In To the Brain: The Neuroscience of Music and Music Therapy | Dr. Concetta Tomaino

    In this episode of WiGH?, Cynthia Li speaks with Dr. Concetta Tomaino on the role of music in brain development as well as the future of music therapy. This podcast also features a musical performance from Dr. Tomaino’s therapy patients. “I started singi

  18. Kony 2012, Social Media, and Agency | Maya Cohen BC’10 and Nicole Dussault CC’14

    In this episode of WiGH?, Kevin Xu and Connie Chen speak with Maya Cohen and Nicole Dussault on Kony 2012, Social Media, and Agency. “Do social media campaigns give young people a false sense of accomplishment? And what does agency really me

  19. Because You’re a Student | Maya Cohen BC’10 and Nicole Dussault CC’14

    What is special about a social movement driven by students? In this episode of WiGH?, Kevin Xu and Connie Chen speak with Maya Cohen and Nicole Dussault, who comment on how GlobeMed has empowered young people to put their visions of the world into action.

About this show

Health--a central factor of every human life across the world. Yet, much of the discussionaround important health issues remains limited to specialized professionals. To break downthese boundaries, the “What is Global Health” podcast creates meaningful and shareableinterviews between influential global health professionals and students. We cover relevant,current issues in public health, including health policy, environmental health, and epidemiology.Ran entirely by student interviewers, our podcast also offers a creative, fresh approach tointersectional topics, such as mental health or patient narratives, under the umbrella theme ofpublic health.The podcast works to spread accessibility of public & global health beyond the academic and professional world. Through conversational dialogue, we hope to increase public awareness of public & global health issues as well as inspire new interest in the field. The “What is Global Health” podcast is produced by the Journal of Global Hea

Hosted by

What is Global Health?

Produced by Columbia University Libraries

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does What is Global Health? have?

What is Global Health? has 19 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on November 15, 2025.

What is What is Global Health? about?

Health--a central factor of every human life across the world. Yet, much of the discussionaround important health issues remains limited to specialized professionals. To break downthese boundaries, the “What is Global Health” podcast creates meaningful and shareableinterviews between influential...

How often does What is Global Health? release new episodes?

What is Global Health? publishes irregularly, based on its 19 episodes since March 2012.

Who hosts What is Global Health??

What is Global Health? is created and hosted by What is Global Health?.
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