C2: Critical Conversations that Lie at the Heart of Health Justice

Menstrual equity is not a new concept to public health. But, besides cost and availability, have you ever considered safety as another dimension to period health? Alexandra Scranton from Women’s Voices of the Earth joins us to talk about the role of chemical exposures in menstrual products, their regulation/marketing, and the stigma that underlies the whole system. 

Alexandra Scranton (she/her) is the Director of Science and Research at Women’s Voices for the Earth. Alex authors WVE’s scientific reports and provides scientific review for the organization’s programs. Prior to working at WVE, she worked in the epidemiology and statistics unit at the American Lung Association headquarters in New York. She currently sits on the Research Advisory Committee for the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative and on the Institutional Biosafety Committee for Rocky Mountain Laboratories (a National Institutes of Health facility). She has a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana and a B.A. from Amherst College. Alex lives and works from Cheyenne, WY, with her husband and two beautiful daughters.

For more information about Women’s Voices for the Earth and their work, check out these links: 

Money is a taboo subject in general, but it’s even more off-limits for women. How does the gendering of personal finance affect women’s financial and physical health? And, what roles do stigma and shame play in achieving financial wellness? Ariana Contreras from Women’s Money Matters joins us to answer these questions, as well as talk about her organization’s approach to a women centered and empowered solution. 

Ariana Contreras is the Senior Community Engagement Manager at Women’s Money Matters. Women’s Money Matters is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to building financial wellness, confidence, and security for women and girls living on low-incomes.

Ariana blends her experience in non-profit communication and programming with her background in education to  bring a vibrant energy to Women’s Money Matters. Growing up in a small, resource-limited town in rural Arizona, where opportunities for women, mothers, and people of color were scarce, she found her passion for empowering change through Women’s Money Matters. With an International Affairs degree from Northern Arizona University, Ariana is driven to create a more equitable future. Outside of work, you'll find her sweating it out in exercise classes, exploring new culinary delights, hanging out with her tuxedo cat, Cherie, or soaking up the great outdoors of New England. 

For more information about Women’s Money Matters, check out these links: 

What do you get when you mix MCH students & early professionals, passion for advocacy and awareness, and an online platform to bring it all together? The answer looks something like the Maternal and Child Health National Network. MCHNN Leadership Board members Taylor, Tamya, and Alizah talk with us to explain what the MCHNN is, where it's going, and what it hopes to do for those interested in and affected by MCH topics. 

Taylor Parduhn is a second year graduate student at BostonUniversity  School of Public Health where she is concentrating in Community Assessment, Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation (CAPDIE) andMaternal and Child Health. Taylor is the director of the Maternal and Child Health National Network and is an intern at the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Tamya Ticconi is a second year MPH student at Florida International University. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Currently, Tamya is the Advocacy Coordinator for the Maternal and Child Health National Network. She also works in the Tampa Bay Area at a Behavioral Health facility where she provides services relating to pregnancy and substance use. Prior to her current position, Tamya established herself as an active member in her community in the reproductive justice and advocacy space. 

Alizah Tariq is a recent MPH graduate from the University at Albany where she concentrated in Epidemiology and pursued a certificate in Maternal & Child Health. She currently is a New York State Public Health Fellow working in the asthma control team at the state health department. Alizah is passionate about health equity and leveraging digital data for overall health and well-being. She loves public health because it has the power to create meaningful, large-scale change by addressing the root causes of health disparities and improving the well-being of entire communities. 

For more information about the MCHNN check out these links:

So much of our lives revolve around work. And in the U.S., so do our benefits. Drs. Pamela Joshi and Alison Earle join us to talk about how workplace policies affect women and their families. We explore work as a social determinant of health, the impact of caregiving on women, and international differences in paid leave policies. 

Dr. Pamela Joshi is a senior scientist and the associate director of the Institute for Child, Youth and Family Policy at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Joshi's research investigates how early care and education, paid family and medical leave, and anti-poverty policies advance children’s equitable access to opportunities and influence family and child health and economic outcomes. She is an expert in equity research methods and has published several policy equity assessments including, most recently, Hispanic and immigrant working families' access to paid family and medical leave programs. She has served on several expert panels including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Closing the Opportunity Gap for Young Children Consensus Study and currently serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Development Research Advisory Council. Dr. Joshi received her Ph.D. in Social Welfare Policy from Brandeis University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Alison Earle is a senior research analyst in work-family policy at the WORLD Policy Analysis Center at the School of Public Health at UCLA, where she leads research projects on how labor and social policies affect the health and economic security of working families in the U.S. and worldwide. Previously, Dr. Earle served as the co-director of the Project on Global Working Families at the Harvard School of Public Health where she managed a research team developing the first truly global database of national labor policies in 193 countries. She conducted some of the first national studies on disparities in access to paid leave and schedule flexibility in the United States, and the first globally comparative analysis of paid sick leave policies. Earle has over 60 publications and has provided expert testimony at Massachusetts congressional hearings on proposed paid family and medical leave and paid sick days legislation. Dr. Earle received a master’s in public policy from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, and a doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard University.

For more information about the policies discussed on the show, check out these resources:

Maternal and Child Health is powered by academic and community perspectives. But what about the behind-the-desk outlook? On this special episode, we hear from four Boston University School of Public Health students and current MCH fellows through the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health as they share their stories, takeaways, and hopes for MCH’s future.

Fiona Schicho is entering her final year of the dual degree MSW/MPH program, concentrating in macro social work, health policy and law, and maternal child health.  Prior to graduate school, she worked as a clinical research recruiter, served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in research and evaluation, volunteered with a hospice agency, and trained as a birth doula. Fiona believes in the power of public health to create more equitable systems to have and raise children.

Sarah Rowan is a part-time MPH candidate specializing in Community Assessment, Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation (CAPDIE). She works full time as the Community Relations Specialist for Graduate Medical Sciences at BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, where she oversees communications and manages the GMS Community Catalyst Center (C3). Sarah also co-founded the BUSPH Reproductive Justice Student Alliance (RJSA) in Spring 2024. She loves public health for the opportunity to contribute to sustainable advances in the health and wellbeing of communities.

Jill DeMaria is a rising 2nd Year MPH Student concentrating in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Prior to BUSPH, she served as an AmeriCorps member in the New York City metropolitan area. Besides being a fellow, Jill works full-time as a site coordinator for home healthcare and is currently interning as an infectious disease research assistant with Civilence. Jill loves public health as it is ever-evolving, and she can explore and make an impact in society with her interests in reproductive health, global health, and infectious diseases.

Sargam Choudhury is a student in the 4+1 BA/MPH program at Boston University, concentrating in Healthcare Management. Prior to BUSPH, she was a pre-med undergraduate studying Neuroscience and Medical Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, she worked as a Clinical Research Assistant for the Dekel Lab at MGH, assisting in maternal and child health research studies. Sargam loves public health because of its interdisciplinary approach to health, as well as the dynamic nature of the field. 

For more information on each fellow’s sites and projects, check out these resources:

Fiona: Our Bodies Ourselves Today and the Bay State Birth Coalition 

We often hear that kids today “are always on their phones”—but aren’t adults also spending increased amounts of time online? Dr. Monica Wang joins us to talk about how technology has changed lives across all generations and how it can be used to change our health (for better and for worse). We specifically explore digital redlining and health misinformation as two facets of technology that have an impact on youth health. 

Dr. Monica Wang is Associate Professor at the Boston University School of Public Health and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is a globally recognized and award-winning researcher, educator, and thought leader on health equity, racial justice, and community-based research targeting chronic diseases. Dr. Wang has generated over $6 million in federal and foundation funding for her program of research and published over 70 peer-reviewed manuscripts and policy documents. Her prior leadership roles included serving as Chair of the Narrative Office at the BU Center for Antiracist Research and Chair of the Civic and Public Engagement Committee at the Society of Behavioral Medicine. 

Dr. Wang has received numerous national, regional, and institutional awards for her research, teaching, and service, including the 2023 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health from the National Minority Quality Forum and the 2022 Society of Behavioral Medicine’s Leading the Narrative Award for her op ed on COVID-19 vaccine equity. She served as a consultant to one of the largest social media companies in the world on COVID-19 health misinformation management. Her work and insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, The Boston Globe, and CBS. She obtained her doctoral and master's degrees from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. 

For more information about digital redlining check out these resources:

Sex education, colloquially referred to as “sex ed,” carries a variety of meanings depending on when and where you grew up in the United States. Why is there so much variance in what is taught and how does this affect young folks, especially those belonging to the LGBTQIA community? Dr. Sophie Godley joins us to answer these questions and more as we try to make sense of the good, the bad, and the politics of sex ed. 

Dr. Sophie Godley is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health. She also serves as the Associate Director of the Kilachand Honors College at Boston University. Her areas of expertise include implementing science-based prevention programs and incorporating popular media into public health education. Dr. Godley has served as the director of the Office of Adolescent Health and Youth Development at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Deputy Director of the AIDS Action Committee in Massachusetts.

For more information about sex education check out these resources: 

In the second episode of this 2-part series, we continue our conversation with Dr. Lisa Erlanger. Join us as we explore the foundations of weight-inclusive primary care and “peel back the onion” that is diet culture. We also discuss how research and everyday discourse about weight can be misleading and what we can do to fix these misconceptions.

Dr. Lisa Erlanger is a board-certified family physician and Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Washington. She is a leader in the growing movement for weight-inclusive primary care and speaks nationally about anti-fat bias, weight-inclusive primary care, and eating disorders. 

You walk into a doctor’s office for an appointment, and what is the first thing you are asked to do? Step on a scale. For some, this experience or number fails to generate a heightened response. However, most of us have complicated and deeply personal relationships with our body and weight. Have you ever stopped to question why all doctor’s visits start this way? Or, have you ever wondered why you have been made to feel so preoccupied with your body and size in the first place?

Dr. Lisa Erlanger joins us to help explore these questions and more in the Season 3 premiere. Dr. Lisa Erlanger is a board-certified family physician and Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Washington. She is a leader in the growing movement for weight-inclusive primary care and speaks nationally about anti-fat bias, weight-inclusive primary care, and eating disorders. Join us as we dive into weight stigma’s definition, history, and impact on marginalized populations in this first part of a 2-episode series. 

There exists an alluring public perception of substance misuse among young adults in high school and college. Drugs and alcohol are strategically marketed to adolescents, and this has profound public health consequences. Various examples from television, film, and social media highlight a glamorous and glorified portrayal of substance abuse. We welcome Dr. Noel Vest, PhD to the podcast to discuss the implications of substance use disorders on the development and well-being of adolescents. Dr. Vest is an assistant professor at the Boston University School of Public Health. As a formerly incarcerated scholar, Dr. Vest advocates for social justice issues and public policy concerning substance use disorder recovery and prison reentry. Join us as we discuss what puts adolescents at a heightened risk of developing a substance use disorder, what the current state of research is, and Dr. Vest’s personal and professional motivations for doing work in this field. 

Resources used in the production of this podcast:

Over the last two decades, there have been profound advancements in what we know about the implications of ancestral trauma on the health and wellbeing of future generations. The question we investigate today: how is intergenerational trauma relevant to public health? We welcome Dr. Alicia Mendez to help answer this question. Dr. Mendez is a research assistant professor at Boston University’s school of social work. She studies child welfare and intergenerational trauma with a focus on mother-offspring relationships. Join us as we discuss what intergenerational trauma is, the current state of research in this field, and her own stories and motivations as to what encouraged her to perform her own research on this topic. 

*Various sensitive topics that may be triggering for some listeners will be discussed in this production, so listener discretion is advised.* The topic of this month’s episode is sexual violence. Women in the United States suffer from sexual violence at alarming rates. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of women have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. We welcome Dr. Emily Rothman and Gina Scaramella MSW to the podcast to explore this public health concern. Join us as we discuss an important and sensitive issue that impacts the health of individuals, mothers, families, and communities.

This episode is the second part of our Season 2 Doula Series. Doula care has been proven to improve the health outcomes of birthing individuals, yet access to this service remains limited. We welcome Cara Safon, a fourth-year PhD candidate at BUSPH, to discuss the mechanisms behind the benefits of doula care and ways to improve accessibility to this type of care. Tune in as we continue our Doula Care Series which was inspired by the recent partnership between doula agency Birthing Gently and Massachusetts General Brigham as part of its United Against Racism Project.

Visit these websites for more information about doula care and to reference the information addressed in this episode:

Doula care has been proven to improve the health outcomes of birthing individuals, yet access to these services remains limited. Birthing Gently recently partnered with Massachusetts General Brigham as part of its United Against Racism Project. The goal of the program is to match Birth Doulas with low-income and at-risk patients. We welcome Katia Powell-Laurent, PhD to our podcast to discuss the forged partnership, the role of birth doulas on a collaborative care team, and general strategies for addressing maternal mortality.

The phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy has escalated significantly over the last decade. Skepticism surrounding immunization, however, is not a new reality in the United States. In Episode 4 of our second season, we welcome Professor Matthew Motta, PhD to the podcast as we trace vaccine hesitancy back to our nation's founding. We discuss the various triggers that have fueled anti-vaccination sentiments with a focus on parental and maternal immunization. Tune in to hear more about politics and motivated reasoning, federal versus state immunization legislation, the controversy surrounding the Gardasil vaccine, and more.

Gun violence poses profound threats to the health of children, women, mothers, and communities across the United States. In 2020 firearms became the leading cause of death among children ages 19 and below. Additionally, women in the United States who are pregnant or have recently given birth are more likely to die from murder than from obstetric causes. 68% of these homicides involved firearms. Michael Ulrich, professor at Boston University School of Law and School of Public Health, shares his academic expertise with us as we explore the scope and reality of gun violence in America. 

Visit these sources for more information about the statistics listed in the episode description and to learn more about the implications of gun violence: 

Individuals experiencing homelessness face worsened health outcomes in addition to social ostracization, lack of safety, and limited access to resources. Dr. Aura Obando, pediatrician and Family Team Medical Director at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, joins us to speak about her expertise and experience in caring for homeless families and youth. Tune in to our conversation as we explore a variety of topics related to homelessness prevention, substance use disorders, reproductive health care, and fostering the health of family units. 

Today’s conversation is with Jessie Colbert, the Executive Director of MASS PPD Fund. I talk with Jessie about the intersection of mental and maternal health and we dig deep into topics like Postpartum Depression and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).

Find out more about the organization mentioned during this podcast here:

Merline Sylvain-Williams is a birth doula and owner and founder of Nurturing Babyhood N’ Beyond. She joins us to talk about the importance of doula care and its impact for birthing people and beyond.

Find out more about the organization mentioned during this podcast here:

Dr. Amelia Wesselink is a Research Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH). She joins us to talk about the connection between climate change and reproductive health.

Find out more about the organization mentioned during this podcast here:

Nicole Huberfeld the Edward R. Utley Professor of Health Law, Ethics & Human Rights at BU School of Public Health and Professor of Law at BU School of Law joins us to talk about the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overrule Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992).

Find out more about the organization mentioned during this podcast here:

Food security continues to be a challenge for many households as the pandemic continues and inflation rates rise. Vivien Morris, Chairperson and Founder of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition and Founder and Board Member of Boston Organization of Nutritionists and Dietitians of Color (BOND), joins us to talk about her work in the community focused lens on tackling food insecurity. 

Find out more about the organization mentioned during this podcast here:

Catalina López-Ospina, the Vice President of Engagement at Project Bread joins us to talk about her work to increase food security for all, the current status of food insecurity in the U.S. and Massachusetts, and about causes and possible solutions.

Find out more about the organization mentioned during this podcast here:

Marisa Pizii, the Deputy Director of Programs and Policy at Collective Power for Reproductive Justice and Co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts, joins us to dig deeper into this critical moment on the attacks on abortion and reproductive rights and what it means to be an activist working in this space.

Find out more about the organizations mentioned during this podcast here: