University of Iowa College of Public Health Podcast

Lauren welcomes Mary Charlton to the podcast to discuss the Iowa Cancer Registry's "99 Counties" project.

The "Cancer in Iowa 99 Counties" project aims to educate Iowans about the high cancer rates in the state, the types of cancer driving these rates, and risk factors that can be addressed through policy and community action

Iowa has the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the U.S., with the most common cancers being breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and melanoma

The project involves creating detailed reports on cancer trends and risk factors for each of Iowa's 99 counties, which are presented to local public health officials and community members to spur action

Key findings include geographic patterns in different cancer types (e.g. higher lung cancer in southern Iowa, higher melanoma in northern Iowa), highlighting the complex, multifactorial nature of cancer

The goal is to empower Iowans to advocate for evidence-based policies (e.g. tobacco tax increases) and community initiatives to reduce the cancer burden in the state.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-the-iowa-cancer-registry-and-the-99-counties-project/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

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This is part 2 with guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office. They provide practical tips on building authentic connections, asking the right questions, and mapping your next steps, even if you're not sure where you want to end up. They emphasize that networking is more than just formal events - it's about telling the people in your life what you're looking for and letting them help make connections. They also recommend preparing thoroughly for informational interviews, going beyond traditional job boards to find public health-specific opportunities, and being open to exploring different career paths through internships and job shadowing. The conversation covers a range of resources available to both undergraduate and graduate students, including the College of Public Health's career services website and professional associations' job boards.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-career-readiness-and-life-after-college-part-2/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

This two-part podcast episode discusses career readiness and preparation for a career in public health. The guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office, provide practical advice on getting started with the job search, including tips for crafting resumes and cover letters, avoiding common mistakes, and highlighting relevant experience even from classroom projects. They emphasize the importance of seeking help early and often, as the job search process takes more time than many students realize. The guests also address common misconceptions and concerns from students at different stages of their academic journeys, and provide guidance on how to stand out as an applicant, network, and discover the right career path in public health.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-career-readiness-and-life-after-college-part-1/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

This episode features an interview with Dr. Anjali Deshpande, a clinical associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the current president of the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA). Dr. Deshpande discusses her journey into public health, the role of IPHA in advocating for and strengthening public health practice in Iowa, and the challenges facing the public health field, particularly around funding. She provides advice for students looking to build careers in public health, emphasizing the importance of getting involved in organizations like IPHA to develop advocacy skills and make connections. Dr. Deshpande expresses hope for the future of public health in Iowa, highlighting the need to build bridges with policymakers and the public to make the work of public health more visible and impactful.

A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-advocating-for-public-health-with-anjali-deshpande/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth

This week, Lauren introduces some of our newest student podcasters, Raj, Caroline, and Max. They discuss their backgrounds, what excites them about public health, and their experiences so far in graduate school.

Key takeaways: The podcasters come from diverse backgrounds, including epidemiology, agricultural safety and health, and public health more broadly.

They are passionate about topics like infectious diseases, chronic disease prevention, and environmental/occupational health literacy.

They share advice for other graduate students, such as making connections with faculty, balancing work and personal life, and taking advantage of opportunities.

The podcasters are excited to bring fresh perspectives to the podcast and explore issues in public health that don't receive enough attention, like qualitative research and the connections between chronic diseases and future conditions like dementia.

A transcript of this podcast is available at https://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/news-items/plugged-in-to-public-health-get-to-know-our-newest-student-podcasters/

Have a question for our podcast crew or an idea for an episode? You can email them at [email protected]

You can also support Plugged in to Public Health by sharing this episode and others with your friends, colleagues, and social networks.

#publichealth