Podcast Summary
Exploring Public Health with Experts: A Deep Dive with Dr. Sherry Cohen: Dr. Sherry Cohen discusses her work in finding a cure for hepatitis b and improving the lives of those affected, highlighting the importance of addressing the emotional and mental tolls of stigma in public health.
This bonus episode of "This Podcast Will Kill You" marks the beginning of a mini series where host Erin Welsh explores the vast field of public health with the help of experts. The episode focuses on doctor Sherry Cohen, senior vice president of the hepatitis b Foundation, who discusses her work in finding a cure for the virus and improving the lives of those affected, as well as the stigma and discrimination faced by those living with hepatitis b. The conversation provides insights into the diverse opportunities available in public health and the importance of addressing the emotional and mental tolls of stigma in addition to physical health challenges. This episode is a deeper dive into public health and a great introduction to the bonus series.
Stigma and discrimination fuel hepatitis B persistence: Misunderstandings, fear of judgment, and discrimination prevent open discussion, testing, and treatment for hepatitis B, impacting 300 million people globally.
Stigma and discrimination significantly contribute to the persistence of the hepatitis B virus by discouraging testing, treatment, and open discussion. Hepatitis B, which impacts 300 million people globally, is often misunderstood and kept hidden due to fear of judgment and discrimination. Misconceptions, such as the belief that it's genetic or that only certain families are affected, further perpetuate stigma. Stigma and discrimination are distinct issues; stigma refers to negative self-perception or external judgment, while discrimination involves unequal treatment. Understanding these differences is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by those living with hepatitis B and ultimately working towards its elimination.
Overcoming stigma through storytelling: Stigma surrounding Hepatitis B can negatively impact people's lives, but storytelling is a powerful tool to combat it and raise awareness. Despite progress, discrimination and lack of legal protections persist, and advocacy is necessary to ensure equal opportunities for those affected.
Stigma surrounding Hepatitis B can significantly impact people's emotional, social, and professional lives. Fear of transmitting the virus or facing discrimination can lead to self-isolation and missed opportunities. Storytelling is a powerful tool to combat stigma and change perceptions, and the Hepatitis B Foundation's storytelling events and videos have reached millions of viewers. However, discrimination against people with Hepatitis B is still prevalent in many parts of the world, and lack of legal protections can make it even more challenging for them to access basic necessities like employment and healthcare. The Foundation's storytellers bravely share their experiences to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes. In summary, while progress has been made in the US, there is still work to be done to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with Hepatitis B and ensure they have equal opportunities and protections.
Disparities in Hepatitis B Distribution and Challenges in Eradication: Hepatitis B is a prevalent but unequally distributed disease, hindered by historical factors, vaccine access, stigma, and lack of a cure. The disease's link to liver cancer and high mortality rate warrant increased attention and research efforts.
Despite hepatitis B being a globally prevalent disease, its distribution is not equal around the world. Historical factors and current challenges like vaccine access contribute to these disparities. The perception and stigma surrounding hepatitis B also vary globally. While we have the capacity to stop every single hepatitis B infection in the world through infant vaccination, the disease is often overlooked due to the communities it affects and the lack of a cure. The absence of a strong advocacy voice and the fact that we don't have a cure are major factors hindering progress. Hepatitis B is linked to liver cancer, and one in four people with the disease will die if left untreated. A cure for hepatitis B could potentially lead to increased prioritization and funding for research. The challenge in finding a cure lies in the fact that the hepatitis B virus integrates its DNA into the host genome, making it difficult to eliminate once integrated.
Understanding and combating stigma against hepatitis B: Collecting data, reducing stigma, grassroots advocacy, and community engagement are essential in addressing discrimination against people with hepatitis B. The Hep B Foundation continues to research for a cure and improve quality of life.
Combating stigma and discrimination against people living with hepatitis B requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes both qualitative and quantitative data collection to understand the impact, as well as implementing programs to reduce stigma and discrimination. The power of grassroots advocacy and community engagement is also crucial in raising awareness and demanding access to testing and treatment. The Hep B Foundation's mission extends beyond this, with a focus on finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life of those affected. Their research arm plays a significant role in this mission.
Ensuring a Cure for Hepatitis B Reaches Those in Need: The Hepatitis B Foundation focuses on both researching a cure and addressing barriers to testing, care, and treatment for those affected.
While there are ongoing efforts to find a cure for hepatitis B, the bigger challenge lies in ensuring that the cure reaches those who need it most. With about 50 scientists working on a cure at the Hepatitis B Foundation's biotechnology center, the organization also focuses on preparing the world for the eventual availability of a cure by addressing barriers to testing, care, and treatment. Dr. Cohen, who runs the organization, shared that her job involves administration, research, grant writing, and currently, COVID-19 safety protocols. She enjoys the research aspect the most and values collaboration with her team. While people may not immediately associate budgeting with her role in the hepatitis B field, it's a crucial aspect of her job as they secure funding for their programs and projects.
Discovering Passion in Public Health: Explore public health for diverse career paths, starting from undergrad. Passion for community work can lead to various public health degree options.
Public health is a vast and multifaceted field that goes beyond just epidemiology. It encompasses various aspects such as grant writing, advocacy work, fundraising, event planning, and communication campaigns. The speaker's journey into public health began in her undergrad years, where she was initially set on a medical career path. However, after taking a public health class, she discovered her passion for community work and switched her focus. She encourages young people to explore public health as an option and assures them that they don't have to give up their love for science to pursue it. Public health offers various degree options, including Master of Science, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Public Health, and PhD, catering to diverse career paths.
Gaining Practical Experience Before Doctoral Degree: Exploring public health through practical experience before committing to a doctorate allows flexibility and exposure to various areas. Mentors play a crucial role in guiding decisions. Nonprofit work offers unique advantages like community impact and collaborative environment, but challenges include limited resources and demanding work.
Gaining practical experience before committing to a doctoral degree in public health can be valuable. The speaker shared how her experience with a Miles per Hour program gave her flexibility and allowed her to explore different areas of public health before deciding on a doctorate. She also emphasized the importance of mentors in guiding her decisions. Regarding nonprofit work in public health, it offers unique advantages and challenges compared to academic, government, or industry careers. On the positive side, nonprofits often focus on specific health issues and populations, providing opportunities to make a significant impact on communities. Additionally, nonprofits can offer a collaborative and mission-driven work environment. However, nonprofits may have limited resources and funding, which can impact the scope and sustainability of projects. Furthermore, nonprofit salaries may not be as high as in other sectors, and the work can be demanding and fast-paced. Ultimately, the choice between these career paths depends on individual interests, goals, and values.
Flexibility and Challenges in Public Health Nonprofits: Nonprofits in public health sector offer agility, but face funding challenges and stakeholder balance. Networking and learning from professionals can lead to valuable insights and opportunities.
Nonprofits in the public health sector have the flexibility to quickly respond to new initiatives and partnerships due to their smaller size and neutral status. However, they face constant funding challenges and must balance the needs of various stakeholders, including boards, funders, and constituents. My advice for those interested in this field is to reach out to professionals and build relationships for valuable insights and opportunities. A public health hero I admire is Dr. Sue Wong, who courageously advocates for Hepatitis B treatment and awareness. This year, we're working on implementing universal adult Hepatitis B vaccine guidelines in the US.
New ACIP recommendation for Hepatitis B vaccination for adults aged 18-59: ACIP now recommends Hepatitis B vaccination for all adults between 18 and 59 years old, which could protect a large number of people. Implementation of this policy is crucial in the next year.
Currently, only 25% of adults in the US are protected against Hepatitis B, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is now recommending that all adults between the ages of 18 and 59 get vaccinated. This new policy has the potential to protect a large number of people, and the next year will be crucial for implementing it. Dr. Cohen expressed excitement about the opportunity to make this happen and the positive impact it will have. For more information about Hepatitis B and the foundation, visit hepb.org. On our website, you can also find transcripts, recipes, links to merchandise, and much more. A big thank you to Dr. Cohen for sharing his insights, and to Bloodmobile for providing the music for our episodes. Stay tuned for more informative episodes, and don't forget to wash your hands!
