How do parents and educators distinguish scientific fact from viral fiction? Heidi Russell speaks with Kirstin R.W. Matthews, fellow in science and technology policy, about the challenges of navigating an era of information overload and the importance of scientific literacy for families.

This conversation was recorded on April 20, 2026.

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Science and Technology Policy

Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.

You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

When families send children to school, physical safety is the baseline expectation. Heidi Russell speaks with Zoabe Hafeez, a hospital pediatrician and Baker Institute nonresident fellow, to unpack how school safety policies translate to clinical realities and everyday life for students.

This conversation was recorded on March 23, 2026.

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Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.

You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

As debates over childhood nutrition, physical activity, and school health policy intensify nationwide, new federal initiatives are reshaping conversations about children’s well-being in schools. In this episode of “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, Heidi Russell speaks with Christopher Kulesza about how the “Make America Healthy Again” movement approaches child health concerns, including revised dietary guidance, school meal proposals, and student wellness in schools.

This conversation was recorded on Feb. 5, 2026.

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Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.

You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

A movement called “Make America Healthy Again” is gaining attention, but what does it mean for children’s health, and who gets to decide? As rising rates of chronic illness and new debates challenge long-held assumptions about what keeps children healthy, this episode examines what this moment means for families trying to make sense of it all.

Host Heidi Russell, director of the Center for Health Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute, sits down with Elena M. Marks, senior fellow in health policy, to unpack the promises, questions, and real-world challenges behind the MAHA movement.

This conversation was recorded on Jan. 20, 2026.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The MAHA Report
• Baker Institute Center for Health Policy

Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.

You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Vaccines are among the most effective tools for protecting children from preventable diseases, yet misinformation and policy gaps are shaping the conversation across the United States.

Heidi Russell, director of the Center for Health Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute, speaks with Peter Hotez, codirector of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, and Rekha Lakshmanan, executive director of public policy at The Immunization Partnership, to examine the science behind childhood vaccines, the impact of misinformation on families, and policy approaches to improving immunization rates.

This conversation was recorded on Jan. 16, 2025.

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Featured guests:

• Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.
• Rekha Lakshmanan, M.P.H.

Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.

You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.