Healthier Together: Larimer County's Public Health Podcast

What's up in public health this week?Social media’s impact on youth mental health has been in the news a lot lately with recent lawsuits against Meta, Google, and others. This week, we asked two guests to share how they see the impact of social media show up in their work with youth:Jonathan Judge, Director of Community Engagement & Campaigns at Rise Above Colorado, shares what Rise Above has learned about youth mental health and social media from their bi-annual, statewide youth survey and some new educational resources they've created to address this growing need.Dr. Sarah Taylor-Cavelier, clinical child and adolescent psychologist at the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado, talks about how social media shows up in clinical settings and shares guidance for families looking to find a healthy relationship with screens.

What's up in public health this week?In early March, Fort Collins City Council adopted five major priorities for its 2026-2028 term. One of those priorities was Vision Zero, a program working to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries in Fort Collins by 2032. This week, we sat down with the Mayor of Fort Collins, Emily Francis, and Deputy Director of Planning, Development, and Transportation Services for Fort Collins, Drew Brooks, to learn more about what the current data tells us, what steps the City of Fort Collins is taking to reach this goal, and what residents can do to support these efforts.Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?This week we're celebrating National Infant Immunization Week! Immunizations provide the best protection against many serious diseases for babies and young children when they need it most. Our Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program pairs first-time moms-to-be with specially trained nurses who walk alongside them through pregnancy and the postpartum period. Two of our NFP nurses join us to answer common questions about infant immunizations and discuss how they build relationships with new families and work together to lay the groundwork for a healthy future.Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?LCDHE recently adopted a new strategic plan for 2026 to 2028. This week, Strategic Planning, Health Equity, and Partnerships Program Manager, Talia Hirsch, walks us through the new strategic plan and how it informs the work we do at the health department.Do you have a question about public health in Larimer County? Or a topic you’d like us to discuss? Let us know! Email us at [email protected].

What's up in public health this week?National Public Health Week is celebrated annually during the first full week of April. Throughout the week we come together to celebrate the impact of public health in improving our day-to-day lives, safeguarding our families, and strengthening our communities. The week is also about honoring the public health workers who show up for us every day. So, for this week’s episode, we invited our staff to come share a bit about why they work in public health.Each year, the Board of Larimer County Commissioners presents the Brendan Unitt Community Service Award to a Larimer County employee who demonstrates a passion for serving their community. The 2025 award went to Ricardo Perez, Public Engagement Manager for the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management. Ricardo joins us to talk about the award and the work that he was recognized for.

What's up in public health this week?Transportation is often a significant barrier to accessing healthcare, community services, and social spaces. Jenna Robinson, Executive Director at SAINT Volunteer Transportation, joins us to talk about the work SAINT does and the important role it plays in supporting public health.

What's up in public health this week?Measles is spreading in Colorado with recent cases in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, and Weld counties. Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, gives us an update on the current situation and answers common questions about measles.The 2026 ACT Human Rights Film Festival begins April 9th. Beth Seymour, ACT's Managing Director, join us to talk about this year's festival and the impact of film.

What's up in public health this week?This week, we’re thrilled to bring you an extended interview with our Public Health Director, Tom Gonzales. This month marks six years since the national emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve invited Tom to share a bit about what that time looked like from inside the health department, the lessons learned, and the lasting impact the pandemic has had on our community and the work of public health.

What's up in public health this week?The Colorado Wastewater Surveillance Program has been instrumental in tracking measles cases throughout the state. LCDHE's Communicable Disease Program Manager, Matt Bauer, joins us to explain what wastewater surveillance is, how it works, and how it supports the work of public health.As spring approaches, we'll soon be seeing more baby animals in our community. Jessica Royer, Environmental Health Specialist, joins us to talk about animal-borne diseases and how best to protect ourselves and our local wildlife.

What's up in public health this week?Tuberculosis cases jumped more than 30% in Colorado in 2025. Dr. Paul Mayer, the health department's Medical Officer, joins us to discuss recent TB trends in Larimer County and answer common questions.This month, Colorado WIC introduced a new food list and shopping guide for WIC participants. Ashley Grier, Nutrition Manager at the health department, joins us to explain what's changed, how and why those changes were made, and where WIC participants can find tools and resources for utilizing their benefits.

What's up in public health this week?Partners from throughout the county came together this week for the second annual Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) event. In addition to an overview of recent CHIP activities, attendees learned about social prescribing and heard from a panel of local leaders employing social prescribing at their organizations. Jared Olson, Senior Population Epidemiologist, joins us this week to talk about social prescribing and how it can help advance our current CHIP's goals.Are you traveling this spring break? The International Travel Clinic here at the health department provides health information, immunizations, and medications to prevent illness during travel. Learn how to book your personalized travel consultation to get everything you need to stay healthy and safe while you're away.

In this special monthly edition, we go beyond the headlines to bring you in-depth conversations, practical guidance, and a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening every day at your local public health department.This episode features three segments:What's Public Health Got to Do With It?how public health shows up in unexpected placesBack in November, Larimer County voters passed Proposition 1B, creating a new sales tax to support early childhood care and education. Liz Means, Chief Strategy Officer at Northern Colorado Kids Thrive, joins us to talk about the passage and implementation of this new sales tax and how early childhood education relates to public health.Community Questionsanswers to common community questionsAt the health department, we often get questions from renters about how to deal with mold in their homes. Environmental Health Specialist, Noel Udell, joins us to answer these questions and provide guidance and resources for renters.Between Two Germsour feature interviewOn the heels of Valentine's Day, Meg Vertovec, Senior Nurse Practitioner in our sexual and reproductive health clinic, joins us to talk about Love Bugs - aka STIs - and how to take care of your sexual health. She answers common questions, addresses the anxiety people often feel when seeking out reproductive healthcare, and discusses the importance of reducing stigma and promoting reliable information.

What's up in public health this week?Recently, we've seen an uptick in cases of avian flu in Colorado with a large outbreak at a commercial facility in Weld County and a number of small outbreaks in backyard flocks throughout the state. Heather Reider, Avian Health Program Coordinator at CSU, joins us to talk about the current situation and answer common questions.With Valentine's Day right around the corner, we also invited Meg Vertovec, Senior Nurse Practitioner in our sexual and reproductive health clinic, to share some important reminders for maintaining your sexual and reproductive health.

What's up in public health this week?February is Heart Health Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Tobacco and nicotine use is responsible for 1 in 4 cases of heart disease. Destini Hall, our Senior Health Educator for Tobacco and Youth, and Nina Wickens-Bhowmik, one of our Population Epidemiologists, join us this week to share how nicotine prevention and cessation can lead to better heart health.The Colorado General Assembly recently began a new legislative session. Kimberly Baker, Larimer County's Health in All Policies Coordinator, joins us to share a bit about the bills she's watching this session and how they impact public health.

What's up in public health this week?The Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC recently announced changes to the recommended childhood immunization schedule. We asked our Medical Officer, Dr. Paul Mayer, to explain what these changes mean for parents and caregivers in Larimer County. Plus, two of our amazing public health nurses, Shannon Williamson and Julie Shanley, share a bit about our immunization clinic. Winter weather has arrived! Lauren Craft, our Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator, shares tips for staying safe during the winter.

We’re excited to share our first extended episode! In this special monthly edition, we go beyond the headlines to bring you in-depth conversations, practical guidance, and a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening every day at your local public health department.This episode features four segments:Outbreaks & Other Inconveniencespublic health tips and guidance for caretakersCommunicable Disease Epidemiologist, Abi Collingwood, breaks down one of the most common (and stressful) questions for parents and caregivers: Is my child too sick to go to school or daycare? Abi shares practical guidance on when to keep kids home, when it's ok for them to return to school, and how these decisions help protect the health of the whole community.What’s Public Health Got to Do With It?how public health shows up in unexpected placesJo Buckley, Community Health Improvement Plan Coordinator, joins us to talk about the importance of social connection and the role volunteering plays in community health. Learn how building connections and helping others can improve mental and physical health and strengthen communities in ways that are deeply tied to public health outcomes.Community Questionsanswers to common community questionsSenior Administrative Specialist, Alyssa Bermejo, walks through the process for new parents to obtain an official birth certificate for their child. She covers what to expect, common questions, and helpful tips to avoid scams and fraud.Between Two Germsour feature interviewHeidi Nafman Onda, co-founder of The White Ribbon Project, shares her journey of being diagnosed with stage three lung cancer, discovering that radon exposure in her home was the most likely cause, and navigating treatment. She shares how this experience led her to start The White Ribbon Project in order to build community for people with lung cancer, challenge stigma, and advocate for increased research, screening, and treatment.

What's up in public health this week?We are right in the middle of respiratory virus season and with flu activity spiking, we asked Communicable Disease Epidemiologist, Abi Collingwood, to share what the current data looks like in Larimer County and how we can keep ourselves and others healthy. Why is there a respiratory virus season? What can you do to avoid the flu? Why are respiratory viruses a public health concern? Listen for answers to these questions and more.January is also Radon Action Month. 50% of homes in Larimer County have harmful levels of radon. Environmental Health Planner, Lea Schneider, joined us to explain what radon is, how it impacts our health, and how you can test and mitigate your home.

Welcome to Healthier Together: Larimer County’s Public Health Podcast.Hosted by Tom and Joanna from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, Healthier Together is a new podcast all about local public health—what’s happening now, why it matters, and how it affects you and your loved ones.Starting January 15th, we’ll share short weekly episodes with timely updates on local public health news, plus monthly deep dives that take you behind the scenes of public health work in Larimer County. You’ll hear from our staff in the field, learn from community partners, and get clear, approachable answers to your public health questions.From air quality and disease prevention to emergency preparedness, this podcast is for everyone who calls Larimer County home.Follow Healthier Together wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes begin January 15th. In the meantime, stay well, stay connected, and remember, we really are healthier together.