Stigma Episodes
March 26, 2026
1094: Long COVID Isn’t Over: Inside Washington State’s Push to Track, Treat, and Destigmatize a Hidden Crisis
On today's episode, Heather Drummond from the Washington State Department of Health discusses the realities and urgent gaps in Long COVID care.
Guest: Heather Drummond, MPH
394
Sept. 12, 2025
989: HIV and STI Efforts in States
Dr. Sameer Vohra, ASTHO member and director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, discusses the op-ed he co-authored in the Chicago Tribune on the progress his state has made in treating HIV; Brandon Kufalk, STI unit supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, explains...
Guests: Sameer Vohra MD JD MA FAAP , Brandon Kufalk
378
Aug. 20, 2025
973: Never A Bother Campaign, Expanding Academic Partnerships
Darcy Pickens, program coordinator for the office of suicide prevention at the California Department of Public Health, explains how the state’s “Never a Bother” youth suicide prevention campaign collaborated with youth to develop a campaign tailored to their needs; Courtney Dezendorf, director for the office of practice and learning at the Texas Department of State Health Services...
477
March 24, 2025
869: ASTHO Awarded on World TB Day, Island Priorities
Amelia Poulin, assistant director of emerging infectious disease at ASTHO, gives an update on public health’s battle against tuberculosis on World TB Day; Moses Pretrick, assistant secretary for health for the Federated States of Micronesia, tells...
Guests: Moses Pretrick , Amelia Poulin, MPH, PMP, CPH
254
April 17, 2024
645: Food Messaging Investigated, Task Force Tackles Syphilis
Sasha Chavkin, senior reporter for The Examination, tells us about his investigation into whether the food industry is misusing anti-diet messages; Dr. Timothy Harrison, principal deputy director in the office of infectious disease and HIV AIDS Policy...
Guests: Sasha Chavkin MS MIA , Timothy Harrison PhD MA
222
Feb. 29, 2024
611: Harm Reduction Strategies, A Recruiter Calls Mike Fraser
Dr. Kaitlan Baston, ASTHO Member and acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, discusses a new law in New Jersey that decriminalizes many harm reduction supplies; Andra Samoa, a Department of Health consultant and liaison, wants...
220
Feb. 27, 2024
609: Tool Helps Assess Outdated HIV Laws and Policies, Fraser on Time as ASTHO CEO
Iyanrick John, vice president of External Affairs at ChangeLab Solutions, tells us about his organization partnering with the CDC to create a legal and policy assessment tool; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, will be leaving the organization after more than...
212
Feb. 14, 2024
601: Use Policy to Achieve Health Equity, Stigma Hurts Long COVID Patients
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, ASTHO Member and Health Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health, reflects on the importance of using policy to achieve racial equity; Dr. Priti Patel, CDC...
Guests: Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD , Priti Patel MD MPH
203
Feb. 1, 2024
592: Teamwork Helps Contain Measles Outbreak, How to Reduce Stigma Related to Opioid Therapy
Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, Philadelphia Health Commissioner, discusses a measles outbreak that was detected in the city in early December; Grace DeLeon, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Overdose Preparedness and Response, tells us about an ASTHO report to help...
Guests: Grace DeLeon , Cheryl Bettigole MD MPH
197
Jan. 24, 2024
586: Schools Get Naloxone, Communities Help Design Block Grant Projects
Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Chief Science Officer for the Washington State Department of Health, says providing doses of naloxone to many schools in the state will save lives; Molly Cotant, Deputy Director, and Laura de la Rambelje, MA, Director, both of the Division of Local Health Services and at...