Public Health Out Loud

September is suicide prevention month. It’s a time to raise awareness, dispel stigma, and take action around this urgent mental health issue. In this episode, the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's  Area Director, Kerrie Constant and Board Chair, Keely Taylor talk about how we can best look out for each other and take steps to prevent suicide in our communities.  

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After losing his son to cancer five years ago, Dr. George Beauregard, a twenty-year internal medicine physician and life-long resident of Massachusetts, used his grief to spread an important message. In this episode he joins Dr. Philip Chan to talk about his new book, “Reservations for Nine: A Doctor's Family Confronts Cancer,” as well as important advice on prevention and symptoms that should not be ignored. 

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August is National Breastfeeding Month – a time to celebrate and bring awareness to breastfeeding. In this episode, Mary Catherine or “MC” Curran, a WIC lactation consultant and nutritionist at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and RIDOH’s own Dr. Olutosin Ojugbele, a pediatrician at Hasbro Children's Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at Brown University’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine  talk about why breastmilk is th...

It's National Health Center Week - a time to recognize and celebrate the role of health centers in our communities. These nonprofit clinics provide affordable, high-quality care to more than 200,000 Rhode Islanders. At a time when primary care is at a critical shortage in Rhode Island, the community health center model may be just what the doctor ordered. In this episode, Dr. Elena Kwetkowski, chief medical officer at Comprehe...

There has been a lot of talk about cannabis in the news lately and some people question whether cannabis is the answer to a wide variety of health conditions, including pregnancy-related morning sickness, anxiety, and sleep disorders. But what should you know about cannabis products if you are planning a family? 

In this episode, Dr. Mara Coyle, a neonatologist at Women & Infants Hospital and professor of pediatrics at the Warre...

Every community has its own story. These stories are shaped by it’s residents, as well as policies and systems that influence community well-being. Comparing data by neighborhood or zip code, can not only help tell that story, but can also help shape policies that better serve those communities. In this episode, RIDOH's Michelle Wilson, chief of the Health Equity Institute and JoAnna House, a manger on the COVID Data Team join...

While there are studies that show cannabis may be useful in alleviating pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with certain medical conditions, some doctors and researchers are seeing a rise in unexpected and serious health problems linked to its use – including cannabis use disorder, cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, and even psychosis. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Wightman, an emergency physician who has been at the forefront of...

Children often face a wide range of struggles like social challenges, difficulties at school, substance use, and so much more. As any parent or caregiver knows, helping a child can be overwhelming at times. Where can one turn for help?  In this episode, Ashley Gingerella O’Shea, director of strategic communications at Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services joins Dr. Philip Chan to discuss a new and much-needed...

Sexual violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men nationally - and it can happen anywhere, usually by someone you know. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, RIDOH’s Dr. Staci Fischer, medical director and chief administrative officer for the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline and Angela Kemp,  prevention coordinator for RIDOH's Violence and Injury Prevention Program join Dr. Philip Chan to talk abo...

Alexandra Dowding and her family nearly died from a silent killer - carbon monoxide. The odorless, invisible gas made them very sick and forced them out of their West Warwick home. In this episode, Dowding joins Dr. Philip Chan, along with Jason Rhodes, RIDOH's Chief of the Center for Emergency Medical Services to talk about what you need to know and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoni...

Imagine if there was a way to help create supportive, stigma-free environments for people living with substance use and mental health conditions, especially in the workplace. The Rhode Island Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative aims to do just that. Jeffrey Wolfsberg, program director for the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program at the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, & Hospitals (...

In this episode, Jonathan Lucero McKinney, a physician assistant at Care New England Medical Group’s Internal Medicine Center in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and co-host of the Outloud YouTube channel, joins Dr. Philip Chan to discuss the Rhode Island Department of Health's PrEP Champions Network.  The network helps connect people with PrEP - a medication that can help prevent the spread of HIV. Download and listen to find out how ...

It's a new year and many people are setting resolutions for better health. If you are looking to make time for weight loss, healthier eating, physical activity, and even prevention and management of chronic diseases like Diabetes – then you won't want to miss this episode. Download and listen as Erica Hanson, the Rhode Island Department of Health's Community Health Network manager and Ana Almeida-DoRosário, community...