Community Health: Bridging Borders with Marco Verdeja

 Summary:
In this episode, Dr. Marco Verdeja, a physician turned public health advocate, shares his journey from working in rural Mexican communities to his current role in Utah with Intermountain Health. He discusses how witnessing preventable health issues, such as malnutrition and limited healthcare access, motivated him to shift focus toward community health. Now, he addresses health disparities in underserved populations, focusing on social determinants like housing, education, and financial stability.

Marco highlights initiatives led by Intermountain Health, including partnerships that bring preventive care directly to families, especially within the Hispanic community. Through programs like screenings facilitated by students and increased access to affordable housing, Intermountain Health aims to alleviate chronic and mental health issues affecting these populations. Marco also discusses his work on mental health and opioid use reduction, underscoring the importance of community-wide solutions and eliminating stigma.

Encouraging listeners, Marco shares his optimism for public health’s future, emphasizing the value of upstream, preventive approaches. For those interested in public health careers, he stresses that the field is full of potential, as healthcare increasingly recognizes prevention as essential to long-term health and well-being. 

Recorded, Edited & Produced by Christy Gonzalez, Harper Xinyu Zhang, Kailey Hopkins, and Tanya Gale