Pandemic public health lessons, Youth CTE risk

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An infection control protocol poster sits on a nursing station desk
An infection control protocol poster sits on a nursing station desk at the Palm Garden of Tampa Health and Rehabilitation Center Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Chris O’Meara/AP Photo

We talk to the author of a new book outlining the public health lessons we should learn from the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, a researcher joins us to discuss the risk of brain injuries for youth playing sports.

Featured in this Show

  • What public health leaders should learn from the COVID-19 pandemic

    Our guest argues public health leaders during the pandemic were drawn into political quicksand and got away from some important core ideals, including embracing free speech and open debate. We talk with him about what issues he sees need addressing, and how the public health system could improve going forward.

  • CTE can be fatal—how early does it actually start?

    Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a fatal degenerative brain disease found in people who experience repeated head trauma. As research on the disease has developed, it’s become a major concern for professional-level contact sport athletes. But a recent study from Boston University suggests that even athletes at the youth level could be at risk of CTE. We talk to an expert on head injuries in youth sports about the significance of the study and how we can prevent CTE in young athletes.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Tyler Ditter Technical Director
  • Tim Peterson Producer
  • Beatrice Lawrence Producer
  • Sandro Galea Guest
  • Julie Stamm Guest

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