Rethinking Drinking

In 1960, a pregnant mother walked into Providence Lying-In Hospital for a routine checkup and sat down in a marked chair. That simple act enrolled her — and her child — in a groundbreaking research project known as the New England Family Study.Decades later, the data collected from those marked chairs continues to transform how we understand brain development, spinal cord health,and human lifespan. In this episode, host Megan Hall speaks with principal investigator Dr. Steve Buka, Professor of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. Together, they trace the origins of this ambitious study, explore its modern-day impact and examine how public health research subtly shapes our everyday lives.Show Notes & Credits:Learn More: Visit nefsstudy.com to explore the New England Family Study.Production: Produced by Nat Hardy and recorded at the Upward and Onward studio at CIC Providence.Music & Audio: Sound effects recorded by Andrzej Maciejewski (CC-BY-NC); music recorded at the Jazz Club de Dunkerque by Jean-François Carvo.

From air raid alarms to high school crushes, Ukrainian adolescents are balancing everyday adolescence with the trauma of war. Professor Shufang Sun is working to address their vast unmet psychological needs with a tech-based approach that delivers crucial support to teenagers navigating life amid conflict.

New research shows that no level of alcohol consumption is risk-free, with mortality risks jumping sharply after just seven drinks per week. Professor Christopher Kahler breaks down the health hazards of moderate drinking and shares realistic strategies for reducing risk.

With the U.S. experiencing its worst measles outbreak in 25 years, the threat of preventable infectious disease is back at our doorstep. In this rerun episode of Humans in Public Health, host Megan Hall speaks with Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University. Nuzzo dives into the factors driving the resurgence of measles, the dangerous spread of health misinformation and why simply "repackaging facts" isn't enough to rebuild public trust. Tune in to explore how we must rethink public health communication, biosecurity and community protection in an age of rising outbreaks

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Meredith Niles to explore how climate-friendly agriculture—from methane-reducing rice irrigation to no-till farming—is actually a quiet powerhouse for public health. While traditional environmental messaging has hit a wall, shifting the narrative to human health benefits (like keeping heavy metals out of baby food and clearing our air) might be the key to finally getting farmers, consumers and policymakers on board. It’s time to take off the carbon goggles and look at the health potential of sustainable farming.

More than 6.5 million people are expected to attend the World Cup this summer at stadiums across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. One of the largest sporting events in world history, the tournament is presenting unique infectious disease challenges for public health officials. To help, spatial epidemiologist Professor Will Goedel has developed an interactive map to track the movements of World Cup teams and their fans. He explains how his live-updated tracking map is helping health departments, and how it might be able to prevent a disease outbreak before one starts.

In this special commencement-season episode of Humans in Public Health, host Megan Hall welcomes Campbell Loi and Graham Huntington, two freshly minted graduates of Brown University’s intensive 5-year combined undergraduate/MPH program.As they transition from the classroom to professional practice in 2026, they reflect on the academic experiences and practical training that have shaped their careers — including Graham's background as an EMT— and that have shaped their commitment to global health.

Meat is on the top, grains are at the bottom, scientists are concerned. Nutrition expert Jennifer Sacheck deconstructs the controversial new food pyramid, what it means for your health—and your wallet. She breaks down the new dietary guidelines, how much protein Americans actually need and how the beef lobby may be reshaping everything from SNAP benefits to cafeteria trays.

When you check the weather on your phone, you're getting a "best guess" based on the nearest airport—but your actual neighborhood could be much hotter. And in high-risk communities, this invisible temperature spike or major air quality issue transforms a daily forecast into a serious medical emergency. In this special episode in honor of Brown’s first-ever Climate Week, environmental epidemiologist Allan Just explains how his team uses NASA satellite data to measure hyper-local temperatures and air pollution. Discover why these precise measurements are vital for public health, especially for those on common medications that can unexpectedly increase vulnerability to extreme heat.

What does it take to lead a top-tier School of Public Health? For Dr. Francesca Beaudoin, the journey started in the chaos of the ER. In this episode of Humans in Public Health, we sit down with Interim Dean Beaudoin to trace an incredible trajectory. She has experienced Brown from every possible angle: first as a medical resident, then a doctoral student, then as member of the faculty, a department chair and administrative leader. Now she steps into the role of Interim Dean, prepared to propel the school forward with momentum. Host Megan Hall sits down with Dr. Beaudoin to discuss how 20 years in academia and on the medical frontlines—from treating acute trauma to staffing mobile opioid recovery units—prepared her to lead during a time of transition.