In this episode of "A USAID Insider’s Perspective on the Future of Global Health" on the What Is Public Health Podcast, we will dive deep into the shocking dismantling of U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID)—a move that is reshaping the future of public health.

Joined by Dr. Gretchen De Silva, former Senior Policy Advisor at USAID, we unpack how this pivotal shift will impact public health, international development, and the very future of aid. From the agency’s massive contributions to health crises, to the political decisions behind its dismantling, listen in for a candid conversation that challenges how we think about the intersection of policy, global impact, and future solutions.

To learn more about USAID:

⁠https://www.usaidstopwork.com/

Connect with Dr. Gretchen De Silva on LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/gretchendesilva

Dr. Gretchen De Silva's Biography:

Gretchen De Silva was most recently a Senior Policy Advisor in the USAID Bureau for Global Health. In this role she managed formula@on and implementaion of development policies. She also coordinated all mulilateral engagements for the Bureau, such as with WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and others. In addition to her regular role, she was also serving as USAID’s Deputy Mpox Response Manager for the ongoing mpox clade 1 outbreak in central Africa. During her 6 years at USAID, Dr. De Silva managed a variety of USAID global health programming including activities in the areas of HIV, COVID-19, TB, global health security and more. Her time also included two years working for the USAID Mission in Mozambique to support laboratory health systems and leading on all the Mission’s COVID-19 vaccine programming. During her time as a AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellow she worked as a policy analyst in the Office of Foreign Assistance at the Department of State where she researched mid to long-term trends in foreign assistance and served on the Coronavirus Global Response Unit.

Before making her transition from academia to government thanks to AAAS, Dr. De Silva taught courses in biology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, George Washington School of Medicine, and Montgomery College. Her research included everything from an analysis of an HIV defaulter tracing program to investigating the molecular mechanisms of vaccinia virus cell entry. Dr. De Silva has a PhD from Johns Hopkins University in molecular biology and an MPH in infectious disease epidemiology from Columbia University.

Heart disease is still the #1 killer—but let’s be real, making heart-healthy choices isn’t as easy as doctors make it sound.

• Why is fast food cheaper than a salad?
• Who has time for the gym when life is already packed?
• And what’s actually new in heart health research?

In this episode, we break down the latest science on inflammation, the polypill, and cutting-edge treatments, plus real-life barriers to healthy habits. More importantly—we’re talking big-picture fixes: how public health can make heart-healthy living the default, not the struggle.

Ready for real solutions? Tune in now!

Public health is evolving faster than ever in 2025! In this episode, we break down the Top 10 Public Health Trendsshaping our world—from AI in healthcare to climate change’s impact, mental health innovations, and the future of pandemic preparedness. Join us as we explore real-world case studies, expert insights, and actionable solutions to stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of public health. Whether you're a health professional, policymaker, or just passionate about well-being, this episode is packed with must-know insights.

Listen now and be part of the future of health!