In honor of Black History Month, The Health Advocates welcome Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Dr. Benjamin shares his journey from emergency medicine to public health leadership, offering insights on health equity, community-based advocacy, and the ongoing challenges in public health. He discusses critical topics such as health care access and the importance of listening to communities to drive meaningful change.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about advancing public health for all.

Among the highlights in this episode:

02:08: Dr. Benjamin shares how his initial interest in molecular genetic research shifted toward emergency medicine and public health leadership

03:49: Dr. Benjamin discusses key challenges he has faced, from the HIV/AIDS epidemic to natural disasters and bioterrorism events

05:52: Dr. Benjamin highlights APHA’s focus on health insurance access, food insecurity, climate change, gun violence, reproductive rights, and vaccine advocacy

06:37: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, brings up the challenge of proving public health successes, noting that prevention often goes unnoticed

07:21: Dr. Benjamin explains how public health efforts prevent crises, using measles and vaccine hesitancy as examples

08:39: Zoe asks about the role of partnerships in public health, and Dr. Benjamin emphasizes collaboration as a key strategy

09:50: Dr. Benjamin shares personal experiences and the importance of diverse voices in decision-making

13:02: Zoe asks how public health programs should be evaluated, and Dr. Benjamin explains the importance of listening to communities before implementing solutions

14:45: Dr. Benjamin provides an example of how addressing social determinants of health, like safe neighborhoods, can make healthier choices more accessible

15:27: Dr. Benjamin shares his key takeaway: public health professionals must listen more than they talk

15:49 – Zoe and Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, reflect on Dr. Benjamin’s insights, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in public health

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

In honor of Black History Month, The Health Advocates welcome Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Dr. Benjamin shares his journey from emergency medicine to public health leadership, offering insights on health equity, community-based advocacy, and the ongoing challenges in public health. He discusses critical topics such as health care access and the importance of listening to communities to drive meaningful change.
Tune in for an insightful conversation about advancing public health for all.
Among the highlights in this episode:
02:08: Dr. Benjamin shares how his initial interest in molecular genetic research shifted toward emergency medicine and public health leadership
03:49: Dr. Benjamin discusses key challenges he has faced, from the HIV/AIDS epidemic to natural disasters and bioterrorism events
05:52: Dr. Benjamin highlights APHA&rsquo;s focus on health insurance access, food insecurity, climate change, gun violence, reproductive rights, and vaccine advocacy
06:37: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, brings up the challenge of proving public health successes, noting that prevention often goes unnoticed
07:21: Dr. Benjamin explains how public health efforts prevent crises, using measles and vaccine hesitancy as examples
08:39: Zoe asks about the role of partnerships in public health, and Dr. Benjamin emphasizes collaboration as a key strategy
09:50: Dr. Benjamin shares personal experiences and the importance of diverse voices in decision-making
13:02: Zoe asks how public health programs should be evaluated, and Dr. Benjamin explains the importance of listening to communities before implementing solutions
14:45: Dr. Benjamin provides an example of how addressing social determinants of health, like safe neighborhoods, can make healthier choices more accessible
15:27: Dr. Benjamin shares his key takeaway: public health professionals must listen more than they talk
15:49 &ndash; Zoe and Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, reflect on Dr. Benjamin&rsquo;s insights, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in public health
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: <a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a>
Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: <a href="mailto:zrothblatt@ghlf.org">zrothblatt@ghlf.org</a>
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a>
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

The Health Advocates

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.