Today, I was joined in The Doctor’s Lounge on Substack Live by the Dean of the Yale School of Public Health, and one heck of a great friend to me, the brilliant and always insightful Dr. Megan Ranney.
Closed captions (㏄) and a transcript option (📄) can be found beneath the video playback control bar above.
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Highlights from The Doctor’s Lounge with guest Dr. Megan Ranney.
Aided by ChatGPT.
The State of Public Health and Missed Opportunities (1:16)
Dr. Ranney describes a chaotic public health moment.
Discussion on whether “our side” of public health missed its chance to reform during better political conditions.
Failure to Sell Research and Science to the Public (5:18)
Dr. Faust argues that public health leaders failed to build broad public support for (i.e. didn’t “sell the public” on) science and foreign aid.
Dr. Ranney agrees; notes decline in trust and poor science education.
Where Public Health is Mobilizing (9:20)
Dr. Ranney highlights action in universities, health systems, and community organizations.
Examples include the American Public Health Association, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Doctors for America, and the Association of American Universities.
Public Health Messaging that Works (13:35)
Dr. Ranney's lessons: listen without judgment, use clear language, respect audiences, build partnerships.
Importance of explaining scientific uncertainty and failure.
Responding to Attacks on DEI and Academic Freedom in Medical and Science Higher Education (19:02)
Discussion of federal attacks on DEI and the defense of academic freedom.
Dr. Ranney explains peer review’s role and rebuts false narratives.
Science and Politics: Separate but Intertwined (22:00)
Scientists provide information; politicians make decisions.
Critique of blanket blame on public health during the pandemic.
Signs of Hope: NIH and Public Health Students (23:46)
New and qualified NIH interim directors, grant funding picking up.
Optimism from student-driven public health projects (e.g., measles reporting).
Life Expectancy Problems—and Solutions (25:18)
US life expectancy hurt by opioid overdoses and firearm deaths.
Some early progress, but major work still needed.
Final Thoughts: Building Coalitions and Talking Across Divides (28:54)
Success depends on multifactorial approaches and broad coalitions.
Both Dr. Faust and Dr. Ranney stress engagement across political and social lines.
What are your thoughts and reactions? Join the conversation in the Comments section!
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