Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue; it’s a vital topic for everyone, and understanding it can significantly enhance gender equality and social justice. Danielle Keiser, a leading menstrual health educator, shares her journey and insights into how cultural shifts have influenced her mission. We discuss the importance of educating men about menstrual cycles and how this knowledge can foster empathy and support in relationships. With the launch of a new app aimed at helping dads and...

How does vital signs monitoring address neonatal mortality in low-income countries? What challenges do medical device startups face, especially in regulated healthcare environments? In this interview, Sona Shah, CEO of Neopenda, walks us through her personal journey from studying chemical engineering at Georgia Tech to creating impactful healthcare solutions while navigating the complexities of medical device development. She shares her experiences teaching in Kenya, working in pharma, and...

Ayurveda, often dismissed as mere "woo woo," might just hold the key to understanding our health in a more holistic way. In this episode, Austin Vantastic shares his transformative journey from a high-pressure career in film to discovering the healing potential of ancient Indian medicine. Together, they explore how Ayurveda addresses chronic conditions that Western medicine often overlooks, highlighting the importance of balance among the body's three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Austin...

How can we advance global pediatric care to reach children in the most underserved regions? This episode tackles that pressing question while highlighting the vital role of partnerships in overcoming healthcare challenges. We dive into the transformative work of World Pediatrics, which is dedicated to ensuring that children in low-resource areas receive essential medical care. With insights from Andrea Ahonen, Mallory Trusty, and Kate Corbett, we explore significant changes within the...

Did you know that only 3% of children in low income countries have access to surgery, while 85% of children in high income countries like the US have access? This means that easily treatable conditions like appendicitis or long bone fractures could result in death or lifelong disability for children in low and middle income countries. On the bright side, there are organizations like World Pediatric Project that are working to provide access to specialty medical care for children in Latin...

What unique challenges do refugee and migrant youth face during resettlement, and how can educational systems best support their integration and mental health? Ilana Seff, a Research Assistant Professor at the Brown School at Washington University, and Jeremy Aldrich, Director of Teaching and Learning in Harrisonburg City Public Schools, delve into this crucial topic in this episode. Ilana highlights her work on mental health support for displaced women and adolescents in the U.S.,...

What is the vaginal microbiome, and why is it crucial for women's health? How does bacterial vaginosis (BV) and its treatments impact women's lives? Dr. Craig Cohen, a leading expert in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at UCSF, explains the importance of the vaginal microbiome and its role in women's health. Drawing from years of experience and extensive research, including his work in Kenya, Dr. Cohen discusses the challenges of treating BV, the necessity of innovative...

What if men could share the responsibility for contraception? How could this reshape relationships and economic landscapes globally? Could this reduce global poverty? Heather Vahdat, Executive Director at Male Contraceptive Initiative, talks passionately about the groundbreaking journey towards safe, reversible male contraceptive options. The discussion covers her intriguing career shift from zoology to public health, the pressing need for funding, and the transformative potential of male...

How do forest fires link to climate change? Why does climate pose a national security threat? How can businesses mitigate their carbon footprints? Mike Smith, co-founder and CEO of Aclymate, joined me to discuss his journey from a Navy career to founding a company focused on helping small-to-medium sized businesses achieve carbon neutrality. The conversation delves into the personal experiences that influenced Mike's transition, the importance of reforestation and carbon markets, the concept...

How does a pharmaceutical scientist end up spearheading an initiative to combat neglected global diseases? What drives a tenured professor to shift focus from profitable pharmaceutical ventures to humanitarian efforts? This interview with Dr. Kishor Wasan explores the unexpected journey from a traditional pharmaceutical scientist to the founder of the Neglected Global Diseases Initiative (NGDI) at the University of British Columbia. It covers his significant work on Amphotericin B, insights...

Should immigration be a political or humanitarian issue? How do policies hinder or help the lives of displaced individuals? What challenges do forcibly displaced people face? How can economic integration be measured? Why is getting a visa for highly educated individuals based on a lottery system? Dr. Mitra Naseh, an Assistant Professor and Co-Founder and Research Director of the Initiative on Social Work and Forced Migration at the Brown School, shares her personal journey from Iran to the...

After taking 6 months off (to get married and enjoy life), the Global Health Pursuit Podcast is back again for a brand new season! This season, we'll be exploring topics like refugees and forced migration, fatal heat and how it affects national security, and the controversial (or maybe not so controversial) topic of male contraception! It'll be a blast! Make sure you're subscribed and I can't wait for you to hear these amazing stories. ______ Support the Podcast: Click here to send in a...

I want your no-nonsense, genuine, feedback on this podcast! Schedule some time to chat with me by clicking this link: Hetal's Calendar OR email me at [email protected] to share your insights or schedule a time to grab coffee! Can't wait to chat!

The Global Health Pursuit is closing its first season. Make sure to subscribe to be the first to know when the second season launches. You won't want to miss it. Email me at [email protected] to get in touch in the meantime! :) __________________ Support the Podcast Click here to send in a one-time or monthly donation Thank you to our partners at CHIMUK: A sustainable and ethical handmade fashion brand transforming women's lives through knitting. Purchase one of a kind, high...

Today, I'm setting aside the usual guest interview format to share my own experiences and insights as a global health podcaster. I announce a brief hiatus for my upcoming wedding (yay!) and tease the exciting lineup for the next season of the podcast! Reflecting on my travels and work in the medical device industry, I discuss the inequities in healthcare access and my drive to explore global health solutions. Through interviews with over 40 individuals, I've learned that passion and...

A simple glass of water can change lives. Sean Kappauf is the inspirational figure behind the non-profit 'One ATTA Time', dedicated to tackling the global water crisis. Venturing from a place of personal apathy to launching a life-changing initiative, Sean takes us through his deeply personal journey that transformed his mission to care into actionable compassion. Sean shares how a heartwarming connection with a 3-year-old boy named Bryan in El Salvador set the stage for a remarkable...

March is National Nutrition Month. Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an annual nutrition education and information campaign is celebrated to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Since is it National Nutrition Month, I thought I'd rewind back to an eye-opening conversation all about food security and nutrition when it comes to populations in low-resource settings all around the world. __ Curious...

War. bombings. Terror. Is history repeating itself? We see it happening all around the world. And today's episode is about resilience in the face of war.  In this episode Dr. Amani Ballour, a Syrian pediatrician and activist discusses Her upbringing in a conservative Syrian communityHer path to becoming a doctor against societal expectationsand her intense experiences managing an underground hospital during the Syrian conflict. She details the challenges of treating victims of chemical...

The Western healthcare system is full of rack rage, moral injury, and ethical crises. How can we redefine how physicians deliver healthcare to stay true to morality? In this episode, Dr. Marc-David Munk, an emergency medicine physician, shares his transformative experiences working with the Flying Doctors of East Africa. In this episode, Dr. Munk discusses: The moral challenges he faced in the Western medical system.His pursuit of meaningful patient care. Reflections on the sacredness of...

Can engineering create sustainable change in the world? In this episode of the Global Health Pursuit podcast, we speak with Abe Wright, co-founder and CTO of Design Outreach. We discuss Abe's transition from an engineer at J&J to leading a nonprofit focused on global health. Abe shares the story of the Life Pump, a reliable and sustainable water pump designed to alleviate poverty. The episode covers: The technical challenges and successes in developing the Life PumpDesign Outreach's...

Can breaking the glass ceiling of education shatter the cycle of poverty?  Amidst the complex tapestry of global health and humanitarian efforts, this episode is a reflection of my conversation with Ajit George, Chief Operations Officer at Shanti Bhavan, and just my general thoughts and opinions about how poverty can be alleviated. Listen to the episode on Shanti Bhavan: Shanti Bhavan: Powering Young Minds While Breaking Generational Poverty w/ Ajit George __________________ Support the...

Imagine stepping into a world where education is the key that unlocks the shackles of generational poverty. Such is the reality for the students at Shanti Bhavan, where Ajit George, the Chief Operating Officer, has taken his father’s vision and helped turn it into a beacon of hope in rural India. Our conversation peels back the layers of this extraordinary school, revealing not just the academic rigor but the nurturing environment that propels its students toward unprecedented success....

What does it mean to be internally displaced? Internally displaced persons and citizens of last mile communities often have to travel miles to receive the healthcare they need. After a mothers long trek to a medical center in Cameroon, Elvis Ndansi untied a dead baby from the mothers back. A baby who had passed due to preventable and treatable condition - Malaria. Having grown up in a last mile community with his single mother, Elvis made it his mission to bring life-saving healthcare to...

How do you change behavior in people who have lived in a system where healthcare is built on the idea of being sick? In this episode, co-founder and executive director of Hands on Peru, Katie Baric, steps into the spotlight to share her story from growing up in North Carolina to bringing a positive public health change to Peruvian communities. We speak about her organization's shift in healthcare perspective, moving from a reactive to a proactive stance, the concept of participatory...