S2E4: The Future of Public Health in the U.S. An Interview with Dr. Mike Osterholm

I first heard about Dr. Mike Osterholm in March 2020 while on spring break in the Phoenix, AZ area for spring training baseball. After attending a spring training game or two, my son-in-law informed me that baseball was canceled for the year. Initially, I thought he was joking, but he was not. The 2020 preseason and regular season baseball were canceled for all fans.  

That night, we drove approximately 45 minutes to meet some relatives from Tucson, AZ at a restaurant halfway between where we were staying and where they lived. On the way there, my son-in-law asked if I wanted to listen to Dr. Mike Osterholm from the University of Minnesota on the Joe Rogan podcast. I replied, “yes.”  All of us in the rental car listened intently and learned a lot!  

Dr. Osterholm became a trusted source of information for navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. He provided straightforward and accurate information – only calling “balls and strikes” as he says. He is truly, "Mr. Public Health." Listen as host, Tim Jordan, asks Dr. Osterholm the key question: “What is the future of public health in the U.S.?”   

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Resources for This Podcast: 

Webpage (2025). The University of Minnesota. https://twin-cities.umn.edu/

Webpage (2025). The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/

Webpage (2025).  The School of Public Health, University of Minnesota. https://www.sph.umn.edu/

The Osterholm Update Podcast (2025). Discussion and analysis on the latest infectious disease developments by Dr. Michael Osterholm and host Chris Dall. 180 Episodes as of today. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/osterholm-update

YouTube (2025). Public Health expert says, “there’s no way we won’t regret cuts” at Health and Human Services. Dr. Spencer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukKS1TKn5wA

Article (2025). Richert, C. Osterholm predicted the pandemic for years. Then the battle against COVID-19 became personal. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/10/michael-osterholms-battle-against-the-covid19-pandemic

YouTube (2022). Dr. Osterholm returns again to the Joe Rogan Podcast. Episode #1779. https://youtu.be/wyr3WHXMy5k?si=hsVjhh4JEa8Qsvjb

Article (2021). Nichols-Henning, A.  Q&A with Dr. Michal Osterholm. https://iloveinspired.com/dr-michael-osterholm

YouTube (2020). Dr. Osterholm on the Joe Rogan Podcast the very first time. Mentioned above. Episode #1439.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3URhJx0NSw

Amazon Books (2017). Osterholm, M. and Olshaker, M. Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs.  Also available at other book sellers.     https://www.amazon.com/Deadliest-Enemy-Against-Killer-Germs/dp/0316343692

YouTube (2006):  Dr. Osterholm on the Oprah show predicted many things that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://youtu.be/u6iZ2e11mkk

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Grass Roots Health is sponsored by the 1795 Group. www.1795group.com

Grass Roots Health is produced and hosted by Tim Jordan. 

Artwork created by Priyanka Banerjee.   

Audio editing, mixing, and mastering by Suma Recording, Painesville, Ohio  https://www.sumarecording.com/

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