In this episode of Philly Public Health Chats, we talk with Valerie Hughes and Ellen Matzer, two nurses on the front lines during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Valerie and Ellen discuss their backgrounds, their experiences during the early days of the epidemic, the societal challenges, and why they ultimately wrote the book ‘Nurses on the Inside.’

The episode highlights the personal and professional struggles they faced, the lack of support from the government during the Reagan administration, and the enduring impact of the epidemic. The discussion also touches on the importance of patient-centered care, the ongoing challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and initiatives such as World AIDS Day.

The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of getting tested and the advances in HIV treatment.

In this episode of Philly Public Health Chats, Dr. Najera discusses the implications of former President Donald Trump’s return to office on public health policy, primarily focusing on vaccination, with expert guest Brian Dean Abramson.

Abramson, a leading authority on vaccine law, elaborates on the president's potential influence and legal constraints relating to public health initiatives. They explore the intersections of federal and local powers, the impact of misinformation, and the possible future scenarios concerning vaccine distribution and public health measures.

The dialogue also touches on broader issues, such as federal versus state powers in healthcare, and offers insights into how the public can advocate for vaccination rights in an evolving political landscape.

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast and its episodes are those of the speakers, and they do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the speakers' institutional or professional affiliations.

In this episode of Philly Public Health Chats, we dive into the contentious topic of vaccines and autism with guest Kathleen Carmichael, a neuroscience PhD student at Brown University's NIH Graduate Partnerships Program.

Kathleen shares her insights into the origins and persistence of the vaccine-autism controversy, debunking myths and explaining the science behind vaccines.

We'll discuss the role of social media, cognitive biases, and influential figures in spreading misinformation, and explore how to better communicate scientific facts to the public. Join us as we unpack this critical public health issue and learn what we can do to build trust in vaccines.

• 00:00 Introduction to Philly Public Health Chats
• 00:07 Meet Kathleen Carmichael: Neuroscience PhD Student
• 00:32 Diving into the Vaccine-Autism Controversy
• 07:02 The Role of Media and Influencers
• 08:05 Scientific Evidence Debunking the Myths
• 10:11 Common Misconceptions and Their Impact
• 14:52 Effective Communication Strategies
• 17:41 Understanding Cognitive Bias and Dissonance
• 22:52 Conclusion and Future Directions