Episode 3: The Power of Policy

Exploring the intersection of Public Health and Life Expectancy with Dr. Celine Gounder.

Episode 3: Exploring the Power of Policy with Dr. Celine Gounder

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In this my third and final episode of The Longevity Divide, I speak with Dr. Celine Gounder. Dr. Gounder is an internist, infectious disease specialist, and epidemiologist. She is a CBS News Medical Contributor, a Senior Fellow KFF, and Editor-at-Large for Public Health at KFF Health News. Dr. Gounder is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine.

My conversation with Dr. Celine Gounder brought together many of the themes explored in previous episodes while introducing new insights into how public health policies shape life expectancy. Dr. Gounder, a leading infectious disease specialist and public health advocate, shared powerful examples of how evidence-based policies can save lives.

Our discussion examined the effectiveness of gun violence prevention laws, the role of public health infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the broader implications of political ideology on health outcomes.

Questions asked:

1. In your podcast series, you examine gun violence. Do you see any notable progress with any states reducing gun fatalities with stricter gun control?

2. Given your background in infectious diseases and public health, how do you think the gaps in life expectancy between states might be influenced by differences in public health infrastructure? What accounts for the differences in public health infrastructure by state? Funding or support?

3. Vaccination campaigns, including those for COVID-19, have played a significant role in reducing mortality. How might state-level approaches to vaccination access and education influence life expectancy disparities beyond the pandemic, for diseases such as influenza or preventable childhood illnesses? How worried should we be about the Trump administration undermining vaccines?

4. You’ve emphasized the importance of combating misinformation. How do you think public trust in science and medicine, which often correlates with political ideology, impacts public health outcomes and contributes to life expectancy gaps between states?

5. Your career has focused on global health, in addition to U.S. public health. Are there international public health strategies or policies that states in the U.S. could adapt to address disparities in life expectancy, particularly in areas like maternal health or chronic disease prevention?

6. In your opinion, how should the federal government intervene to address health disparities across states, especially in areas where state-level policies have widened the gap in life expectancy?

Key takeaways:

• Gun Violence Prevention: Stricter gun laws, such as permit-to-purchase requirements, reduce firearm-related deaths. Case studies from Missouri and Connecticut vividly illustrated how policy changes directly impact mortality rates.

• Public Health Disparities: States with stronger economies and better-funded public health systems faired better during the pandemic. However, gaps in public health funding remain a big issue.

• Trust and Combating Misinformation: Dr. Gounder emphasized the importance of trust in science and medicine to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.

• Education and Political Action: Dr. Gounder stressed the value of self education and political action to insure strong public health outcomes.

  
  

Reflecting on this episode, you will see how the series has evolved. From identifying the systemic causes of health disparities with Dr. Ansell to understanding the role of trust with Dr. Dieleman, and now to actionable policy interventions with Dr. Gounder, this series has showcased the many layers of the longevity divide. Each conversation builds on the last, reinforcing the urgent need for evidence-based policies, trust in public institutions, and a commitment to equity.

The Longevity Divide has been a journey of learning for me. I hope these episodes inspire you to think critically about how political decisions shape the health and longevity of our communities and to vote for positive change.