A Moment in Health with Dr. Ashish Jha

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha explains how 99% of new hepatitis B infections can be prevented with a universal newborn vaccine and critiques the recent ACIP decision to step away from that recommendation. He reviews a new New England Journal of Medicine study showing that one dose of the HPV vaccine is non-inferior to the traditional two-dose schedule, reducing barriers to protection. Dr. Jha is joined by Cate Ryan, Brown Class of 2021 and current Harvard public health student, who reflects on how reporting on science during the pandemic shaped her path in public health and how issues like housing stability continue to drive her work today.Dr. Jha discusses:Universal Hepatitis В Vaccination at Birth — CIDRAPNoninferiority of One HPV Vaccine Dose to Two Doses — New England Journal of MedicineAbout the GuestCate Ryan is an MPH candidate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, focusing on the intersection of health and housing. She graduated from Brown in 2021 with a cell and molecular biology major and was the former senior science and research editor for the Brown Daily Herald, as well as the producer of the COVID Pod with Dr. Ashish Jha.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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights that 70% of U.S. parents oppose removing public school immunization requirements, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll—even as Florida becomes the first state to end immunization requirements for public schools. He reviews a large French registry study published in JAMA Network Open finding no link between first-trimester COVID-19 vaccination and major congenital anomalies among more than 500,000 infants, reinforcing the safety of vaccination during pregnancy. Dr. Olivier Wouters, Assistant Professor at the Brown University School of Public Health, joins to unpack whether Americans truly gain faster access to new drugs—confirming that while the majority of medicines launch first in the U.S., complex barriers mean equitable access often comes much later than in other countries.Dr. Jha discusses:First-Trimester mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination and Risk of Major Congenital Anomalies — JAMA Network OpenAbout the GuestDr. Olivier J. Wouters is an Associate Professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health and a visiting faculty member at Harvard Medical School  He was previously an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy at the London School of Economics. His research focuses on pharmaceutical economics and policy, particularly issues related to drug pricing and access to medicines in high- and middle-income countries.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha spotlights a sobering data point: 40,000 estimated hepatitis A cases in Gaza since the start of the war in October 2023. He reviews a JAMA Network Open study on chronic disease care in war-torn Tigray, Ethiopia, which found a dramatic decrease in the number of patients with conditions like diabetes who had access to treatment. Dr. Michael VanRooyen, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and founding director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, joins to outline what it takes to rebuild Gaza’s health system—beginning with stability and governance, clearing unsafe areas, sustaining emergency care, and gradually restoring long-term health infrastructure and workforce capacity.Dr. Jha discusses:War and Health Care Services Utilization for Chronic Diseases in Rural and Semiurban Areas of Tigray, Ethiopia — JAMA Network OpenAbout the GuestDr. Michael VanRooyen is the founding director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), an interfaculty initiative at Harvard University dedicated to advancing evidence and professional development in humanitarian assistance. He has led complex humanitarian operations with numerous relief organizations in more than thirty countries affected by conflict and disaster, including Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan–Darfur, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, and Ukraine. Dr. VanRooyen is the Chair of Emergency Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as well as the Enterprise Chief of Emergency Medicine for the Mass General Brigham health system.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights that 51% of U.S. adults—about 125 million people—are overweight or obese with one or more chronic conditions. He reviews a new study examining the lifetime health effects and cost-effectiveness of GLP-1 drugs tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Ozempic). Dr. Andy Ryan, Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, joins to discuss how to meaningfully reduce U.S. healthcare spending, emphasizing the need for a national strategy that aligns coverage and pricing with value and ensures that Americans get the greatest health benefit for the dollars spent.Dr. Jha discusses:Lifetime Health Effects and Cost-Effectiveness of Tirzepatide and Semaglutide in US Adults — JAMA Health ForumAbout the GuestDr. Andrew Ryan is a professor in the Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at Brown University and Director of the Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research. His research focuses on understanding and evaluating the effects of health care payment reform.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights that private equity firms have invested an estimated $1 trillion into U.S. healthcare acquisitions over the past decade. He then reviews a new Annals of Internal Medicine study showing that private equity hospital buyouts are linked to staffing cuts in ICUs and emergency departments, with a 13% rise in mortality among Medicare patients. Dr. Yashaswini Singh joins to outline policy strategies to curb harmful effects of private equity in healthcare — calling for stronger transparency, updated guardrails for patients and workers and targeted antitrust enforcement.Dr. Jha discusses:Hospital Staffing and Patient Outcomes After Private Equity Acquisition — Annals of Internal MedicineAbout the GuestDr. Yashaswini Singh is a health care economist and Assistant Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at Brown University. Her areas of interest and expertise include health care consolidation and corporatization, including by private equity firms, and the downstream effects on health care spending, access, quality, and the clinical workforce.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights that about two-thirds of pregnant women report taking Tylenol during pregnancy, reviewing a large 2024 JAMA study from Sweden which found no meaningful association between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability. Dr. Elizabeth Langen, professor of obstetrics at the University of Michigan, joins to share a practical framework for advising patients in pregnancy: weighing the risks of uncontrolled disease against the potential risks of medication and emphasizing the need for stronger, prospective research before considering changes to clinical guidance.Dr. Jha discusses:Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability — JAMAAbout the GuestDr. Elizabeth Langen is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan. She is the Obstetrics Director of the Cardio-Obstetrics Program and Director for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Michigan. Dr. Langen specializes in cardiovascular disease in women, cardio-obstetrics, maternal congenital heart conditions and pregnancy, premature onset of labor, premature rupture of membranes, cervical shortening, and high risk pregnancies.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights a sobering figure: 91,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year are tied to air pollution from burning oil and gas—roughly 3% of all annual deaths. He then revisits a 2019 study that followed seniors with diabetes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, finding a 40% spike in mortality in the month after the storms and lingering risk for years due to disrupted care. New York Times health policy correspondent Margot Sanger-Katz joins to reflect on what feels different about covering health policy under the second Trump administration: an unprecedented volume and pace of policy shifts, the challenge of helping readers navigate overwhelming change and the role of journalism as both analyst and explainer.Dr. Jha discusses:The health burden and racial-ethnic disparities of air pollution from the major oil and gas lifecycle stages in the United States — Science AdvancesLong-term Effects of Disasters on Seniors With Diabetes: Evidence From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita — Diabetes CareAbout the GuestMargot Sanger-Katz is a Domestic Correspondent for the New York Times who writes for The Upshot on how government influences the American health care system. Her reporting focuses on health care policy and public health, as well as the federal budget and efforts to change it.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights a major shift in U.S. food safety: federal surveillance of foodborne pathogens is being scaled back from eight to just two, raising concerns about missed threats from oysters, raw milk, and other emerging risks. He then examines a new BMJ study on the No Surprises Act, which finds patients’ out-of-pocket costs dropped by an average of $567 per year after the law took effect. Finally, Dr. Jha is joined by Melissa Ponce, a first-year MPH student at Brown University, who reflects on her path into public health, her commitment to health equity and what inspires her to pursue change through policy and practice.Dr. Jha discusses:The CDC quietly scaled back a surveillance program for foodborne illnesses — NBC NewsPatient healthcare spending after the No Surprises Act: quasi-experimental difference-in-differences study — BMJAbout the GuestMelissa Ponce is a first-year Master's of Public Health student at the Brown University School of Public Health. A first-generation college student, she graduated with a B.A. in Public Health with Honors from Brown University. She is passionate about translating research into practice to improve health outcomes for underserved populations. During her undergraduate studies, she worked extensively on research projects focused on Latinx behavioral health disparities.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha spotlights a striking new number: a 15% expected median increase in ACA health insurance premiums by 2026, with even steeper out-of-pocket costs if enhanced federal subsidies expire. He then reviews a study on California’s transition to zero-emission vehicles, showing real-world health benefits of electric cars. Dr. Shankar Sundaram, Director of the Bioresiliency Incubator at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, joins to explore the convergence of AI and biology, supercharged by advances in computing, as well as the associated benefits and risks.Dr. Jha discusses:Individual market insurers requesting largest premium increases in more than 5 years — Peterson-KFF Health System TrackerCalifornia's early transition to electric vehicles: Observed health and air quality co-benefits — Science of the Total EnvironmentAbout the GuestDr. Shankar Sundaram currently serves as the Director of the Bioresiliency Incubator at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and was formerly the senior director of global health security and biodefense at the White House. In his current capacity, he leads the laboratory’s bioengineering strategy and technology development activities that address critical challenges in health and biosecurity. He also serves on the LLNL leadership team that oversees lab programs in biosciences and bioengineering.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights increasing denial rates by health insurers for drug prescriptions, a sharp rise driven in part by expensive GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss. He then unpacks a JAMA study tracking U.S. healthcare spending by condition and county, with wide geographic spending variations driven as much by prices as by disease burden. Distinguished Senior Fellow Nikki Romanik joins to discuss the concept of a BioRadar system — city-level pilots integrating environmental, clinical, and behavioral data to establish biological baselines and detect unknown threats early. Dr. Jha discusses:Health Insurers Are Denying More Drug Claims, Data Shows — New York TimesTracking US Health Care Spending by Health Condition and County — JAMAAbout the GuestDr. Nikki Romanik is a Distinguished Senior Fellow in Global Health Security at the Brown University School of Public Health. She previously served as the former Special Assistant to the President, Deputy Director and Chief of Staff for the Inaugural Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy at the White House. With over 15 years of experience at the forefront of national and international public health initiatives, Dr. Romanik has been dedicated to mitigating biological threats, strengthening pandemic preparedness, responding to outbreaks and pandemics, and ensuring global resilience in the face of public health crises. Prior to her service at the White House, she held senior leadership positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, and the World Health Organization.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha spotlights a major shift in Medicare Advantage: UnitedHealth Group plans to drop 600,000 enrollees amid financial pressures, raising questions about the program’s size, costs, and overpayments. He then examines a new JAMA study on the VA Mission Act and its effects on access and quality of care for veterans. Dr. Richard Besser, pediatrician and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, who served as CDC Director during the H1N1 pandemic, joins to reflect on the once-bipartisan spirit of public health and the challenges of rebuilding trust after COVID-19’s politicization.Dr. Jha discusses:UnitedHealthcare to exit certain Medicare Advantage markets as costs balloon, impacting 600K enrollees — Fierce HealthcareImpact of the MISSION Act on Quality and Outcomes of Major Cardiovascular Procedures Among Veterans — JAMAAbout the GuestDr. Richard Besser is president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a position he assumed in April 2017 following a long career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and at ABC News. A pediatrician by training, Dr. Besser leads the largest private foundation in the country devoted solely to improving the nation’s health. Before joining the Foundation, Dr. Besser served for eight years as chief health and medical editor for ABC News, and as a leader at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he worked for 13 years. He served as acting director of the CDC during the initial response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha shares a striking data point: 46% of Americans believe a recent federal health bill will hurt them and their families. He then spotlights a new New England Journal of Medicine study showing that ivermectin reduced malaria infections by 26% in Kenyan children, underscoring its value for parasitic diseases. Chair of Health Services, Policy and Practice Dr. Ateev Mehrotra joins to discuss why telemedicine has fallen short of expectations and how changes to incentives and regulations could help it deliver on its promise of improved access and lower costs.Dr. Jha discusses:KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Views on Recent Tax and Budget Legislation — Kaiser Family FoundationIvermectin to Control Malaria — A Cluster-Randomized Trial — New England Journal of MedicineAbout the GuestDr. Ateev Mehrotra is the chair of the Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. His clinical work has been both as a primary care physician and as an adult and pediatric hospitalist. Much of Dr. Mehrotra's research is focused on delivery innovations such as retail clinics, e-visits, and telemedicine, including their impact on quality, costs, and access to health care.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha shares a striking data point: 6.8 million veterans receive care each year through the VA Health System. He highlights a systematic review comparing the quality of care in VA versus non-VA settings, finding that VA care is generally as good or better compared to non-VA care. Senior Adviser to the Brown Pandemic Center Beth Cameron joins to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic and rapidly advancing technologies like AI and synthetic biology have elevated the urgency of biosecurity. She warns that despite the increasing risks of large-scale biological events—whether natural, accidental, or deliberate—the U.S. still lacks a cohesive, long-term strategy to address these threats.Dr. Jha discusses:Veterans Health Administration (VA) vs. Non-VA Healthcare Quality: A Systematic Review — Journal of General Internal MedicineAbout the GuestDr. Beth Cameron is a Senior Adviser to the Brown Pandemic Center and Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. A national and global leader in health security, biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, biodefense, and combating bioterrorism, Dr. Cameron has worked at the highest levels over decades within and outside of government to facilitate change. She spent two tours as a Special Assistant to the President on the White House National Security Council staff, twice helping establish and lead the Directorate on Global Health Security and Biodefense, a role in which she served under three Presidents.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha unpacks the projection that the United States will spend $64.9 trillion on healthcare between 2025 and 2033. He highlights a major Danish study showing no link between aluminum in childhood vaccines and chronic diseases. Professor Erin Fuse Brown joins to explore whether the corporatization of healthcare—through private equity and profit-driven consolidation—can truly reduce costs without sacrificing care quality.Dr. Jha discusses:National Health Expenditure Projections, 2024–33: Despite Insurance Coverage Declines, Health To Grow As Share Of GDP — Health AffairsAluminum-Adsorbed Vaccines and Chronic Diseases in Childhood: A Nationwide Cohort Study — Annals of Internal MedicineAbout the GuestErin Fuse Brown is a Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. Her areas of research and expertise include health law and policy, health care finance, health care consolidation and prices, the Affordable Care Act, single-payer and public option health reforms, ERISA preemption of state health laws, consumer financial protections for patients against surprise medical bills and medical debt. She also serves as a consultant to the National Academy for State Health Policy to provide legal and policy resources and draft model laws for its Center for Health System Costs, funded by Arnold Ventures.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha explains the significance behind the largest U.S. measles outbreak in 25 years, with 1,288 confirmed cases as of last week. He then highlights a major new study tracking two decades of U.S. childhood health trends and rising deaths due to firearms, substance use and suicide. Senior Adviser to the Pandemic Center and former South African Member of Parliament Wilmot James joins to share his perspective on America’s retreat from global health leadership, the erosion of soft power and the risks of being seen as an unreliable partner.Dr. Jha discusses:Measles: restoring confidence in vaccine information — BMJTrends in US Children’s Mortality, Chronic Conditions, Obesity, Functional Status, and Symptoms — JAMAAbout the GuestDr. Wilmot James, an internationally recognized thought leader in biosecurity, global health, and pandemic preparedness, is a Senior Advisor to the Pandemic Center and a Professor of the Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice. Dr. James has served as Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Health in South Africa, and most recently held positions at Columbia University as Senior Research Scholar at the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy and as Chair of the Center for Pandemic Research.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights the steep administrative costs of Medicaid work requirements and breaks down a new study estimating that U.S. foreign aid programs via USAID have saved 90 million lives in the past two decades, with an additional 14 million lives at stake by 2030 if funding cuts persist.Professor of the Practice Stefanie Friedhoff joins to answer a timely question: How did we arrive at this moment of rampant public health misinformation? She explains how trust, online relationships, and unmet informational needs shape what people believe—and why traditional fact-based communication can fall short.Dr. Jha discusses:Recent Experience Shows National Medicaid Work Requirements Would Create Enormous Administrative Inefficiencies — Health AffairsEvaluating the impact of two decades of USAID interventions and projecting the effects of defunding on mortality up to 2030: a retrospective impact evaluation and forecasting analysis — The LancetAbout the GuestStefanie Friedhoff is co-founder of the Information Futures Lab (IFL) and Professor of the Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. She is a leading media, communications and global health strategist, and an expert at knowledge translation, information creation, and verification. From July 2022 to May 2023, Friedhoff served as a senior policy advisor on the White House Covid-19 Response Team, focusing on population information needs, health equity, community engagement, and medical countermeasure uptake. At Brown, Friedhoff studies information ecosystems and the relationships between information needs, information inequities, and health outcomes.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha illustrates the economic benefits of health insurance coverage and a new study linking adjuvanted vaccines for shingles and RSV to a lower risk of dementia. Senior Adviser to the Pandemic Center and former Gavi CEO Dr. Seth Berkley joins to discuss the consequences of the recent U.S. withdrawal of funding for Gavi, noting the cost-effectiveness of vaccines and the loss of vaccinations for 75 million children.Dr. Jha discusses:Health insurance as a productive factor — Labour EconomicsLower risk of dementia with AS01-adjuvanted vaccination against shingles and respiratory syncytial virus infections — npj VaccinesAbout the GuestDr. Seth Berkley is a Senior Advisor to the Brown University Pandemic Center and a serial entrepreneur and pioneer in global public health for more than 35 years. From 2011 to 2023, he served as CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. During his tenure at Gavi, Berkley led a team that worked toward broadening global immunization access, resulting in more than half of the world’s children being vaccinated annually.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

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha discusses the effects of potential new rural hospital closures and a new study on an oral weight loss drug in patents with diabetes. Director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute Michael Cannon joins to examine whether expanding Medicaid actually improves health outcomes in the population — and why he believes the evidence is more uncertain than many might assume.Dr. Jha discusses:Rural Hospitals at Risk of Closing — Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment ReformOrforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, in Early Type 2 Diabetes — New England Journal of MedicineAbout the GuestMichael F. Cannon is the director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute in Washington, DC. His scholarship spans areas including public health, health insurance, international health systems, administrative law and political philosophy. Cannon was previously a domestic policy analyst for the US Senate Republican Policy Committee.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha analyzes new data on measles vaccination rates in U.S. counties and a new study evaluating the impact of air pollution on fetal brain development. Professor of the Practice and former Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees joins to discuss the role states should play in ensuring access to vaccines, noting the erosion of public trust in vaccination and warning against the politicization of public health measures.Dr. Jha discusses:Trends in County-Level MMR Vaccination Coverage in Children in the United States — JAMAAir pollution and fetal brain morphological development: a prospective cohort study — The Lancet Planetary HealthAbout the GuestDr. Scott Rivkees is a Professor of Practice, Acting Associate Dean of Education, and Vice Chair of Health Service, Policy, and Practice in the School of Public Health. Dr. Rivkees is a pediatric endocrinologist and physician-scientist who served as Florida’s State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health from June 2019 to September 2021. As State Surgeon General, Dr. Rivkees also served as State Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha breaks down new data showing how many Miami-Dade County residents get their health insurance through Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act and what proposed federal cuts could mean for them. He also discusses a new study on claim denials from Medicare Advantage patients. Behavioral scientist Dr. Sweta Chakraborty joins to explore how we can better communicate risk in public health—from pandemics to raw milk—and why who delivers a message can be just as important as the message itself.Dr. Jha discusses:Medicare Advantage Denies 17 Percent Of Initial Claims; Most Denials Are Reversed, But Provider Payouts Dip 7 Percent — Health AffairsAbout the GuestDr. Sweta Chakraborty is a behavioral scientist and expert on global risks ranging from climate change to COVID-19. She is a trusted authority on proactive preparedness to mitigate against the impacts of climate change and an advocate for clear, credible, evidence-based communication. She is also the CEO of We Don’t Have Time US and host of the Scientista podcast, which showcases the women and allies driving change across business, politics, and culture.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha explores the global reach and safety of COVID-19 vaccines and reviews a new study on the consequences of removing fluoride from U.S. public water systems. He then answers a pressing question on why the U.S. should continue developing an mRNA bird flu vaccine, warning that abandoning such efforts may leave us dangerously unprepared for a future pandemic.Dr. Jha discusses:Projected Outcomes of Removing Fluoride From US Public Water Systems — JAMA Health ForumAbout the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha discusses the rapid growth of private equity ownership in U.S. hospitals and highlights a study on the promise of gene editing to treat a rare genetic disease. 2025 School of Public Health Commencement speaker and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation Piyush Tewari joins to underscore the need for multi-stakeholder coalitions, data-driven solutions and community engagement to reduce road fatalities.Dr. Jha discusses:Patient-Specific In Vivo Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Genetic Disease — New England Journal of MedicineAbout the GuestPiyush Tewari is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF), a nonprofit organization committed to saving lives on roads in India and beyond. SLF is best known for getting India a Good Samaritan Law and for developing an award-winning model for reducing fatalities on Indian highways.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha discusses the role Medicaid plays in treating adults with opioid use disorder and a new study comparing GLP-1 drugs tirzepatide and semaglutide. Graduating student commencement speakers Aliza Kopans and Akashleena Mallick join to reflect on entering a career in public health, exploring the mix of excitement, responsibility and hope they feel at this pivotal moment.Dr. Jha discusses:Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity — NEJMAbout the GuestsAliza Kopans is a graduating Brown University senior from Arlington, Massachusetts. She will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health and a certificate in intercultural competency focused on Spanish. Kopans will speak directly to members of the Class of 2025 as one of two senior orators at the University Ceremony on Sunday, May 25.Akashleena Mallick is a trained physician-researcher from Kolkata, India, who completed her postdoctoral training at Mass General Hospital. She will receive her Master of Public Health as part of Brown’s Accelerated MPH for Clinicians program. She has been selected by the Graduate Student Council to address the Class of 2025 at the Master’s Ceremony on Saturday, May 24.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha discusses the worst flu season for kids in 15 years and highlights a new study showing how Medicaid has saved lives. Professor of Epidemiology and director of the Pandemic Center Jennifer Nuzzo joins to explore how we can rebuild trust in health by putting the public back in public health — through listening and community engagement.Dr. Jha discusses:Saved by Medicaid: New Evidence on Health Insurance and Mortality from the Universe of Low-Income Adults — NBERAbout the GuestDr. Jennifer Nuzzo is director of the Pandemic Center and professor of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. She is a nationally and globally recognized leader on global health security, public health preparedness and response, and health systems resilience.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha emphasizes the impact that Medicaid has on American children and discusses a new study detailing trends in maternal mortality. Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice Irene Papanicolas joins to explore the factors behind increased life expectancy in Europeans compared to Americans and the relationship between wealth and health.Dr. Jha discusses:Trends in Maternal, Fetal, and Infant Mortality in the US, 2000-2023 — JAMA PediatricsAbout the GuestDr. Irene Papanicolas is director of the Center for Health System Sustainability and professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights the importance of community health centers in serving 1 in 10 Americans and a new study modeling the impact of declining vaccination rates on measles and other preventable diseases. 2025 Barnes Lecturer and Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International Monica Medina joins to explore how connecting environmental action to human health can strengthen both movements and inspire broader public engagement.Dr. Jha discusses:Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the US — JAMAAbout the GuestMonica Medina is an Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International and most recently served as the first woman President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. From 2021-2023, she was the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and the first U.S. Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources at the U.S. State Department. About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In this episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights the impact of the Affordable Care Act's preventive services provision and a 2020 study linking proximity to major roadways to higher asthma rates in children. Academic Dean and Professor of Epidemiology Francesca Beaudoin joins to assess national progress in fighting the opioid pandemic and discuss policy recommendations to support those suffering with addiction.Dr. Jha discusses:Use of No-Cost Preventive Services Jeopardized by Kennedy v Braidwood — JAMA Health ForumProximity to Major Roadways and Asthma Symptoms in the School Inner-City Asthma Study — Journal of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyAbout the GuestDr. Francesca L. Beaudoin is the academic dean of Brown's School of Public Health and a Professor of Epidemiology and Emergency Medicine. She is a board-certified practicing emergency physician and clinical epidemiologist with expertise in opioid use disorders and adverse post-traumatic health outcomes, particularly pain and substance use.About the HostDr. Ashish K. Jha is the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In the inaugural episode of A Moment in Health, Dr. Ashish Jha highlights two compelling public health studies: one showing that wealthy Americans have no survival advantage over poor Europeans, and another suggesting a link between shingles vaccination and reduced dementia risk. Distinguished Senior Fellow Stephanie Psaki joins to discuss how recent cuts to the U.S. health infrastructure threaten national security by weakening preparedness for biological threats.Dr. Jha discusses:Association between Wealth and Mortality in the United States and Europe — New England Journal of MedicineA natural experiment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia — NatureDropping U.S. Biodefenses: Why Cuts to Federal Health Agencies Make Americans Less Safe — Just SecurityAbout 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.