Public Health Out Loud
Public Health Out Loud is a podcast that delves into the broader public health concerns and issues facing everyday Rhode Islanders. From discussions about safeguarding against future pandemics to actionable plans for families to help keep their loved ones safe from preventable diseases, Public Health Out Loud is a no nonsense resource for listeners who want to stick to the facts. Host Dr. Philip Chan promises to deliver accurate, light-hearted, and informative public health updates that matter to you. This podcast is brought to you by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Public Health Out Loud
Outbreaks, Epidemics, and Pandemics... Oh My!
This week’s guest expert has been managing outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics throughout her career. Meet Dr. Utpala Bandy, the Medical Director for the Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Diseases, and Emergency Medical Services at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Dr. Bandy gives a tour of her healthcare experiences from around the globe, including her education and the onset of her career in India, and the front-line training she received throughout the United Kingdom and America.
At RIDOH, Dr. Bandy has played a critical part in managing outbreaks and epidemics throughout the state’s recent history. Co-hosts Dr. Jim McDonald and Dr. Philip Chan ask her about a rabies outbreak that threatened Rhode Island’s domestic animals and wildlife in the 90s, a salmonella outbreak in 2010 that changed the food industry’s equipment standards nationwide, and, what many call the outbreak most comparable to COVID-19, the H1N1 virus.
Dr. Bandy has also been an invaluable "healthcare hero behind the scenes" at RIDOH during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. How does the COVID-19 response compare to previous outbreak responses? How long could we be living with COVID-19 as an endemic disease? Download this week’s episode to learn more.