In this powerful episode of What is Public Health?, we dive into the critical importance of colorectal cancer screening.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and this topic is personal—my father’s early diagnosis and successful treatment underscore the life-saving power of early detection.

- We explore the different types of screenings, their pros and cons, and why regular checkups can prevent cancer or catch it early when it’s most treatable.

- You'll also hear about the latest advancements in screening and treatment options, along with practical tips for reducing your risk.

- Don’t wait for symptoms—get screened, stay strong, and live long.

Resources and Support Groups:

Colorectal Cancer Alliance: https://colorectalcancer.org

Fight Colorectal Cancer: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org

CancerCare: https://www.cancercare.org

American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org

Is public health still a smart career choice? With layoffs, funding cuts, and public service jobs under pressure, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But here’s the truth: Public health isn’t dying—it’s evolving.

In this episode of What is Public Health, host Dr. Kee Chan—a public health professor and advisor with 20+ years of experience—dives into the future of public health careers and why staying in the field still matters.

Public health is resilient, and so are the people who work in it. While we may be seeing temporary setbacks, the need for skilled professionals in public health isn’t going away—it’s evolving. And that means this is the perfect time to sharpen your skills, explore new areas of expertise, and position yourself for the future of public health work.

In today’s episode, we’ll discuss:

1. The current job landscape in public health—what’s changing and why.
2. The skill sets and expertise that will be in high demand moving forward.
3. How to upskill, pivot, and stay competitive in the field.
4. Why public service and public health careers still matter, now more than ever.

So whether you’re a seasoned public health professional, a student just entering the field, or someone considering a career shift, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in and talk about where public health jobs are headed and how you can stay ahead of the curve.

Did you know that 1 in 10 people worldwide live with a rare disease?

Many of these conditions go undiagnosed for years, leaving families searching for answers. But thanks to newborn screening, early detection is saving lives before symptoms even appear.

In this special episode on Rare Disease Awareness Day (which occurs on the last day of February every year) and the Power of Newborn Screening , I take you on a journey through the history, impact, and future of newborn screening. We dive deep into the game-changing research that led to lifesaving tests—like the TREC screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)—a breakthrough that I studied during my PhD.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. The history and purpose of Rare Disease Awareness Day

2. How newborn screening became a public health success story

3. The science behind TREC testing for SCID and why it’s a game-changer

4. How early detection is transforming treatments for rare diseases

5. The future of newborn screening with genomics & precision medicine

Every baby deserves a healthy start —and newborn screening is helping make that a reality. This episode is a must-listen for parents, healthcare professionals, public health advocates, and anyone passionate about rare disease awareness.

Tune in now and discover how public health innovations are saving lives, one newborn test at a time!

Spread the word!

Check out these advocacy organization and their resources to learn more about rare diseases:

- National Organization for Rare Disorders https://rarediseases.org

- Global Genes https://globalgenes.org

- Genetic Alliance https://geneticalliance.org

To learn about Kee Chan's PhD thesis research leading to the population-based newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID):

Kee Chan and Jennifer M. Puck. Development of Population-based Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , Feb 2005, 115: 391-8.

Kee Chan, Joie Davis, Sung-Yun Pai, Francisco Bonilla, Jennifer M Puck, and Michael Apkon, A Markov Model to Analyze Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 2011 Nov;104(3):383-9.

Share this episode to raise awareness and help drive change.

#RareDiseaseDay #NewbornScreening #SCID #PublicHealth #Podcast #SMA #GeneTherapy

Reimagining Research Funding: Navigating the 15% Indirect Cost Cut in NIH Funding with Dr. Giovanni Filardo

Public health research is facing a major funding shift—but what does the 15% indirect cost cut mean for researchers, and how can we adapt?

In this episode, with Dr. Giovanni Filardo, a leading epidemiologist, health services researcher, and NIH/AHRQ-funded Principal Investigator, we will explore grant funding strategies, NIH and AHRQ grant survival tactics, and the power of collaboration in securing research funding.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Funding Shift: What does this 15% indirect cut mean for researchers, especially those early in their careers?

2. Survival Strategies: What strategies should researchers adopt to navigate this new funding landscape?

3. Collaborative Approaches: How important is collaboration now more than ever in sustaining funding and scaling impact?

4. The Bigger Picture: How do we reimagine funding models in public health research to ensure sustainability and innovation.

Whether you’re a public health professional, researcher, academic, grant writer, or funding strategist, this episode provides essential insights on navigating budget cuts, securing competitive grants, and sustaining impactful research.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to stay ahead in the world of public health research, epidemiology, and healthcare funding!

#PublicHealth #ResearchFunding #NIHGrants #AHRQFunding #GrantWriting #AcademicResearch #Epidemiology #HealthcareResearch #FundingStrategy #Grants #ResearchInnovation #ScienceFunding #HealthPolicy #PublicHealthPodcast #FundingOpportunities

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!

The world has changed. Have we?

Five years ago, when this podcast started, a global pandemic forced us to ask hard questions about public health. It was in the headlines. It was in our homes. It changed the way we lived, worked, and cared for one another. A pandemic reshaped our lives, and public health became front-page news. Then… silence.

But public health never stops. And now, neither do we.

Now, it’s 2025—and we’re in a whole new era.

I’m Dr. Kee Chan, a public health professor, researcher, and advocate, and I’m here to make sense of it all.

AI is transforming medicine.

Climate disasters are disrupting communities.

A mental health crisis is hitting young people harder than ever.

New policies are shaping access to care—and your health could be at risk.

This isn’t just another health podcast.

Each episode, I bring you real talk, expert insights, and practical ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community. This is What is Public Health?—the show that breaks down the science, the policies, and the population health challenges that impact YOU every day.

This podcast is different because we don’t just talk about problems—we talk about solutions.

Join me, Dr. Kee Chan, as we decode the science, unpack the policies, and empower you to be part of the solution. Because public health isn’t just a profession—it’s a collective force that shapes our lives. And together, we rise.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode.

Let’s get to work.

Subscribe and share now!

New episodes drop on Tuesday - making it your morning routine!

To connect with me, visit my website at https://keechanphd.com