146 episodes

Free Associations is about using a critical eye when reading journal articles or news coverage about research breakthroughs. With a sense of humor and a healthy dose of skepticism Boston University School of Public Health faculty Matt Fox, Jessica Leibler, and guests talk us through popular health studies and hyperbolic news headlines while teaching us how to ask the right questions. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Free Associations Population Health Exchange

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 125 Ratings

Free Associations is about using a critical eye when reading journal articles or news coverage about research breakthroughs. With a sense of humor and a healthy dose of skepticism Boston University School of Public Health faculty Matt Fox, Jessica Leibler, and guests talk us through popular health studies and hyperbolic news headlines while teaching us how to ask the right questions. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    Tweets and changes in racial sentiments

    Tweets and changes in racial sentiments

    Matt, Jess, and guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study using tweets to see if there have been changes in racial sentiment over time, they debate whether in-person or remote work is better for paradigm shifts, and Allegra tells us how birds are smarter than people who don’t want birds nesting on their roofs. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    • 54 min
    Human mobility and economic segregation

    Human mobility and economic segregation

    Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study using cell phone data to see if living in cities gives us better economic integration, they explore whether AI will be developing our hypotheses in the future, and Matt naps with penguins. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    • 58 min
    Workplace interventions for cardiometabolic health

    Workplace interventions for cardiometabolic health

    Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine a study testing the effect of a workplace intervention for cardiometabolic health, they discuss mental health as a human right, and Amruta tells us about the power of Taylor Swift. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    • 56 min
    A blood-based screening for cancer?

    A blood-based screening for cancer?

    Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla discuss a study testing the efficacy of a blood-based cancer screening tool, they debate the role of the workplace in mental health, and Salma sees if she can pronounce the word “bubbles” while sounding angry. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    • 54 min
    Do taxes and warning labels affect meat purchases?

    Do taxes and warning labels affect meat purchases?

    Matt, Jess, and first-time guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study of the effect of taxes and warning labels on purchases of red meat, they lament the impact of disinformation campaigns, and Matt tells us how AI is going to take our grant writing jobs. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    • 56 min
    Neighborhood environment and childhood physical fitness

    Neighborhood environment and childhood physical fitness

    Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study on child opportunity in the built environment and physical fitness, they debate whether to get rid of discussion sections, and Jon invites us to consider the Golden Bachelor. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
125 Ratings

125 Ratings

mummy63920$622 ,

Amusing, informational and just delightful

I discovered this podcast while I was completing my masters in public health and have continued to listen it as they never fail to discuss interesting and topical studies and you are guaranteed a few laughs and chuckles along the way. Great work everyone, keep ‘em coming. I highly recommend this podcast.

A. L. Ruiz ,

Favorite Podcast !

I love this podcast, I’m really glad I came across it. I am a BSPH student and I love that this is a source of information that keeps me engaged and I get to hear different opinions on public health topics. The topics/episodes stimulate me intellectually & the host keep it interesting and funny. The only constructive feedback/comment I have is I would love to get through an episode without Jess being interrupted, let’s let her get through her opinion the same way as the guys please.

Bill Jesdale ,

The best epi podcast

As an epi professor myself, I’m in love with Free Associations - the perfect blend of engaging stories, gnurred humor, and clearly explained insights into the practice of epi research.
I’ve been filling my hour-long commute with these podcasts, and weekends, too.
Feeling blessed by the deep backlog to draw from!

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