Read the newsletter here: Are we living in an age of outbreaks? This is the last holiday season newsletter podcast episode! If you listened to them, I hope you enjoyed them ! :) If you enjoyed this, I invite you to subscribe to the fortnightly newsletter here: https://globalhealthconversations.substack.com/ The next edition will be Sunday 4th January 2025. And if you enjoy the GHC podcast, please leave me a little 5 star rating wherever you listen. :) It means a lot. Finally, I have been running...
Jan 01, 2025•14 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Read the newsletter here: Sugar, Spice & this fortnight's IWD Podcast 💕 Topics in this newsletter's Fortnight in Resources :) 1. New therapeutics for psoriasis 2. AstraZeneca Investment in building capacity for Vaccine Manufacturing for Pandemic Preparedness in the UK 3. Pandemic Agreement updates and links 4. Mental Health effects of Climate Change Support the show...
Dec 31, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 29
This Newsletter: The real toll of weight-loss injections: Semaglutides, the economy & you __ Past newsletter - Skinny at all costs? Unravelling the weight loss sensation causing supply chain mayhem for Diabetes Type II patients. Click here to read: Alzheimer’s in the UK special essay with Loredana Thanks for listening. :) If you like the podcast, please leave me a 5 star rating wherever you listen. I really appreciate it! Support the show...
Dec 27, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Newsletter: Focus on Climate & Health + so much more (H5N1, MSF Access Campaign Controversy & New MPOX strain) - 7 July 2024 Merry Christmas :) Support the show
Dec 25, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Newsletter: The Interconnectedness of Everything & Two Autumn Tales: Something old & something new - 27 October 2024 Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - Personal Letter 05:34 - Pharma & Global Health Headlines 06:46 - Fortnight in Resources 07:05 - Summary: World Health Summit 2024 in Berlin 14:51 - 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference - COP16 17:47 - The Polycrisis in Health - Fortnight Special 26:16 - Behind the Scenes Thank you for listening :) Support the show...
Dec 16, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 26
In January of 2024, Loredana Marta of Vulvarina asked me to collaborate with her on a piece on Intersectional Feminism entitled: xxxiii: up in the mountains . And we happened to record it too. Having just returned from a lovely weekend together in Vienna, and as the year draws to an end, I thought this might be a fitting time to publish our narrated writing here, as an ode to 2024. Loredana and I did a previous podcast episode together on Women's Health that was particularly interesting and enli...
Dec 14, 2024•18 min
A Storytime: The story of Cholera in London in the 1800s and how John Snow’s famous experiments revolutionised epidemiology and public health as we know it in modern, western history has always been a favourite for me. I was reminded of this story strolling through Soho past the John Snow pub recently and past the famous Broad Street pump. This podcast episode is a public health bedtime story; one of science and pioneering innovation. It’s a story we know, but one that ignited something in me, a...
Oct 27, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 25
A walkthrough. The Pandemic Accord is a proposed global agreement aimed at strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Emerging in the aftermath of COVID-19, the accord aims to address gaps in international coordination, surveillance, and equitable access to medical countermeasures, globally. This episode takes a high level overview of the Pandemic Accord, it’s purpose and a walkthrough of some of its most pertinent Articles GHC Newsletter: PANDEMIC ACCORD - Negotiations stall...
Sep 29, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 24
This fortnight's Newsletter We need to talk about Mpox - July 21st 2024 Newsletter Timstamps: Overview: 00:00 What happened? 03:47 What does it mean? 05:55 What’s next? 11:09 _______________ tl;dr On August 14, 2024, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the second such declaration in two years. The Africa CDC had also declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security a day ...
Aug 18, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Subscribe here to the Global Health Conversations Newsletter Read the full Project 2025 document here: Mandate for Leadership the Conservative Promise In this fortnight's episode, we explore Project 2025's proposed policies, which could dramatically impact health, women’s health and safety. The plan includes lifetime caps on Medicaid, reducing coverage for millions, and increased out-of-pocket costs for Medicare recipients. It threatens reproductive rights and seeks to curtail the CDC's public h...
Jul 21, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In this BONUS episode, we delve into the true crime-style medical scandal of Real Water. The company’s negligence led to severe health issues, including acute liver dysfunction in consumers like Megan Fisher’s son, Tommy. Real Water’s aggressive marketing of its unproven E2 technology claimed extraordinary health benefits, but the FDA found a potentially toxic compound in the water, that caused acute hepatitis in some consumers. The ensuing lawsuits and investigations revealed a lack of quality ...
Jun 23, 2024•23 min
In this mini solo episode, we take a high level look at Philippines' health system. In under twelve minutes, we take an overview of the health system dynamic, payer mechanisms and the fiscal policies the nation has employed to boost health expenditure 6-fold! We delve into the multifaceted nature of the ongoing epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases. Additionally, we explore the impact of the 2024 World Health Assembly on climate-resilient health policies, and ...
Jun 23, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In this episode, we explore the economics of thinness and the phenomenal rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the weight loss market. Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, has become Europe's most profitable company, surpassing even the luxury giant LVMH. We delve into the social and economic capital associated with thinness, examining how societal attitudes toward body image drive the profitability of weight loss drugs. We also break down the science behind GL...
Jun 09, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In this week’s episode, we look at Colombia's recent move in issuing its first compulsory license. The country challenged ViiV Healthcare's monopoly on their patented drug, dolutegravir, an HIV therapeutic, in an attempt to open doors for affordable generic versions and thus improve accessibility & affordability. We explore the nuances of licensing mechanisms - voluntary agreements & compulsory licenses. We discuss their impact on public health and innovation, drawing parallels with past...
Apr 28, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 19
This is Part 2 of our 2 Part interview. Listen here for Part 1: - Listen here on Spotify - Listen here on Apple Podcasts - Listen here on Audible Today I interview Ema Prohić and we discuss proper teeth brushing, systemic issues in dental care and continue on the theme of the true cost of oral health. Drawing on her experience in different health systems, we discuss the financing of dental procedures, dentist fear and how to avoid the most common oral health pitfalls. We also discuss a public he...
Apr 14, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 18
On this episode I interview Ema Prohić and we discuss the true cost of oral health. Drawing on her experience in different health systems, we discuss the financing of dental procedures, dentist fear and how to avoid the most common oral health pitfalls. We also discuss a public health project that I lead back in 2020 with the Ministry of Health Qatar and PHCC wherein she focussed on integrating oral health into a primary care program. This is Part 1 of a super conversation this season. And you w...
Mar 31, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In this episode we discussed oral health as a public health issue. Discussing system challenges, incentivisation and disincentivasation, dental caries as the most common infectious disease, bacteria and the use of antibiotics. Ema is a doctor of dental medicine from Croatia, currently undertaking her specialization in orthodontics and facial orthopedics in Barcelona, Spain. She started her professional career as a dentist in the UK after completing her MSc in International Health Management at I...
Mar 17, 2024•3 min
In this episode, in recognition of International Women's Day, we talk about cervical cancer and discuss its significance as a symbol of global health disparities and gender inequality. Cervical cancer incidence is exacerbated by socio-economic factors and disproportionately affects women in poverty. We discuss the importance of HPV vaccination, regular screening, and innovative prevention strategies like diagnostic tools to enable self-sampling. And the incredible toll of the devastating disease...
Mar 17, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Check out the newsletter In this week’s solocast we discussed the cost of medical care. Particularly, I attempted to answer the question: Why do Americans pay (so much) more for healthcare? With my health economist hat on - I looked into transparency, drug prices and administrative costs. But are these only reasons that the US has the world’s third highest out of pocket health expenditure? And, moreover, how does this affect patients and patient outcomes? Resources: 1. Why are American Healthcar...
Feb 04, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 15
This is the official last episode of Season 1! The Global Health Conversations Newsletter continues throughout the holidays until we're back after the Christmas holidays. Click here to Sign up to the free Global Health Conversations fortnightly newsletter . It is packed with the latest news in global health with themes each fortnight. You will also be notified when the next exciting interview is up! Today's episode focussed on sustainability in the Pharma and biotech industries - redefining what...
Nov 26, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 14
***** If you or a friend or loved one has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, I strongly encourage you to 1. Click here to find a domestic violence hotline or helpline near you in your country please speak to someone who will understand your situation and help. 2. Delete your search history and stay safe. ***** Sign up to the Global Health Conversations fortnightly newsletter These are the ways in which women disproportionately die prematurely because of being women. Throughout t...
Nov 12, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 13
(Note: I was unfortunately unable to add the supplementary slides to the show notes. However, the image described in question 8 is in this week's Newsletter . Thanks for understanding and I hope you enjoyed the episode! If so, it really helps me if you leave me a kind, cheeky little five star rating ;) Thank you, Friend, for being part of the Conversation.) This week's episode delves into the fundamentals of global health. A beginners guide to the most basic concepts. The first part focussed on ...
Oct 15, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 12
Timestamps: Intro & Update: 01:36 Health Systems strengthening: 5:07 Local manufacturing: 19:19 Read the Newsletter here Summary: This week’s episode provides a high level summary of important pillars in health systems strengthening and provides background on the move to manufacture vaccines and biologics regionally in Africa and beyond. Listen to Part 1 here: Universal Health Coverage: No-one Left Behind & Financial Protection (Part 1) Resources: Tracking universal health coverage: 2023...
Oct 01, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 11
We discussed the role and impact of storytelling on women’s health and explored inequities that exist in this area. We also discussed health tech and the many persisting shortcomings that impact women’s health, treatment and lives. Loredana Marta pens a newsletter under the name Vulvarina about how sexism interferes with our lives in unseen ways, in areas ranging from medical care, to industrial design and social dynamics. Her storytelling is stats- and fact-based, letting her legal background s...
Sep 17, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Sign up to the Fortnightly Newsletter here In today’s episode our Conversation was centered around the role of Medical countermeasures (MCMs) in pandemic preparedness and we also touched on the concept of Disease X. Medical countermeasures refer to the measures and products aimed at addressing the medical needs arising from infectious disease outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored deficiencies and requirements in ensuring a swift, efficient, and equitable response to global infectious dise...
Sep 03, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This solocast episode dives into the dual burden of disease and its intersection with cancers in Africa. Across the African continent life expectancies are increasing. Advancements in primary care, strengthening of public health care systems and access to vital medical treatments have resulted in longer, healthier lives across the continent over the past few decades. Nonetheless, living longer makes one susceptible to acquiring an array of non-communicable diseases associated with longer life. T...
Aug 20, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Dr. Asika Miriam is the Hospital Manager at Zenith Medical and Kidney Center. Miriam is a medical doctor and a healthcare management consultant with 7+ years of experience in clinical service delivery, healthcare operations management, health policy, planning & financing, strategic planning, and performance improvement gleaned from career endeavors in Eastern Europe, England, and Africa. Miriam is an alumnus of the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, where she earned her MD (General...
Aug 06, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This episode is a little different. Today's episode is a story looking at the case of the TGN1412 CIinical Trial. A trial that went terribly wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed making this episode and have a number of ideas for similar ones. If you liked this bonus episode, please leave a 5 star rating so that I know you're interested to hear more in future. In March of 2006, a clinical trial for the drug TGN1412 gathered eight young and healthy men as volunteers. Within a mere 16 hours, all six were ur...
Aug 06, 2023•35 min
This episode is a must listen. In this episode of Global Health Conversations , I spoke to Maria Myrto Kasimati, MHCM, a scientific expert specialized in immunology and public health currently working for Havas Just:: as a Medical Writer. We talked about nudges, financial incentives, financial discincentives and using these health economics and policy approaches in addressing the causes affecting reduced life expectancy. It was an interesting talk - an unofficial Part 2 to Episode 3 structured a...
Jul 23, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Subscribe to the Global Health Conversations Newsletter to be updated on the latest interviews and episodes 🤩 : https://globalhealthconversations.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile Margareta Rybarikova is a current PhD candidate with a keen interest in the development of novel therapies for genetic disorders. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences from Brunel University London, where she focused on gene therapy, genomic medi...
Jul 09, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 5
