Public Health Out Loud
Public Health Out Loud is a podcast that delves into the broader public health concerns and issues facing everyday Rhode Islanders. From discussions about safeguarding against future pandemics to actionable plans for families to help keep their loved ones safe from preventable diseases, Public Health Out Loud is a no nonsense resource for listeners who want to stick to the facts. Host Dr. Philip Chan promises to deliver accurate, light-hearted, and informative public health updates that matter to you. This podcast is brought to you by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
- Update frequency
- every 10 days
- Average duration
- 25 minutes
- Episodes
- 159
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Forever Chemicals: What You Need to Know About PFAS
This week on Public Health Out Loud, co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan talk about the health effects of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of chemicals that have been use…
COVID-19 Vaccine for 5-11: "Another Piece of Armor"
Join Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan as they celebrate the authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. They’re joined by guest expert Dr. Sabina Holland, a pedi…
Flu Forecast: 2021
In New England, the flu season typically runs from October to May. Last winter, the number of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths was historically low. Community mitigation measures; like physica…
How to Prevent Lead Poisoning: “An Invisible Threat”
While anyone can get lead poisoned, lead is most dangerous to children younger than six years old and pregnant people. Even small amounts of lead in the blood during childhood can have life-long cons…
An Alphabet Soup of Viruses: RSV, Flu, and COVID-19
While influenza and respiratory viruses can spread year round, cases occur most frequently between fall and spring. This week, Dr. James McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan are talking about respiratory syn…
How the Federal Government Responded to COVID-19
Hear from a Rhode Island congressman about how the federal government is responding to COVID-19. The pandemic moved quickly and impacted every part of people’s lives. How did the State’s congressiona…
Healing Mother and Baby: Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Through Recovery
In Rhode Island, about 100 babies are born each year with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition in which a baby experiences symptoms of withdrawal due to the cessation of opioids or other s…
COVID-19 and the Importance of Emergency Preparedness
Being prepared for a public health emergency requires planning, training, and exercising. But how could anyone prepare for something like COVID-19? That’s the topic of our conversation this week on P…
Let’s Talk About Sex Part 2: How Conversations Between Partners Can Enhance Sexual Health and Happiness
Dr. Colby Zongol, a sexologist who specializes in sexual health and communication, is back for part 2 of our conversation on sexual health. This week, the topic switches from kids to adults.
Even wh…
Let’s Talk About Sex Part 1: Why Conversations With Kids Should Go Beyond the Birds and the Bees
Talking to the young people in our lives about sex can be awkward and uncomfortable. But it doesn’t need to be. This week on Public Health Out Loud, co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan are …
Should Adolescents Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? Yes.
As adolescents return to school and all the activities they love, it’s important to keep them safe from COVID-19 and variants of concern. Getting people age 12 and older vaccinated is one of the best…
Rhode Island’s Buprenorphine Hotline: A Pathway to Recovery
The waiting area of an emergency department (ED) might be an unpleasant experience for anyone with a medical condition. But waiting for care while experiencing symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be ev…
What COVID-19 Taught Us About Health Equity
How many people do you live with? What does your work environment look like? How close to your home is the nearest clinic? These questions may seem mundane. But the answers can provide insight into w…
Children's Health Part 1: Pediatrics in the Time of COVID-19
What better time to talk about children’s health than back to school season? For children, families, and educators across the country, COVID-19 will be remembered, in part, as the time of remote lear…
Children's Health Part 2: Back to School Special
Rhode Island is getting ready to return to 100% in-person learning this fall. How can families, schools, and pediatricians prepare?
In part two of this week’s discussion on children’s health, Dr. Ji…
A Conversation with Tom Coderre from SAMHSA
The overdose and addiction epidemic is a national and local public health crisis. Rhode Island saw a 25% increase in drug overdose deaths last year, with 384 lives lost. The increase in fatal overdos…
Dr. Rodriguez Part 2: Why RI's smallest town had such high COVID-19 case rates
In the second and final part of our episode with Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, the doctors talk about COVID-19 and why it spreads so quickly in densely populated communities.
“We immediately knew that the pand…
Dr. Rodriguez Part 1: Spotting “Fake Science” on Social Media
Co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan are back for season 2 of Public Health Out Loud!
In this two-part season opener, our co-hosts are joined by Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, a longtime physician, fo…
Season 2 coming July 30
New episodes of Public Health Out Loud will be back on July 30. Stay tuned for more guest experts and timely information on the public health topics that matter to you. Don't want to miss an episode?…
Reflections on COVID-19
It’s the season one finale, and our co-hosts are feeling nostalgic. Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan reflect on Rhode Island’s journey through COVID-19. They share personal stories about how they…