How do we build trust in an era of misinformation, social media, and artificial intelligence? In this episode of Infectious IDeas, NFID CEO Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, talk with Heidi J. Larson, PhD, director of the Vaccine Confidence Project and professor of anthropology, risk, and decision science at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Drawing on decades of research and experience, Larson explains why vaccine hesitancy is often a relationship challenge rather than simply an information problem. She discusses the importance of active listening, the evolving role of digital platforms and AI, and the central role of trust-building in public health.

The conversation explores how healthcare professionals can foster meaningful dialogue, why communication deserves greater investment, and what gives Larson hope for the future.

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What happens when public health becomes politicized? In this episode, hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, are joined by former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson for a wide-ranging conversation on public health leadership, vaccine confidence, and crisis communication. Drawing on his experience in state and federal governments, including leadership roles during COVID-19 and the SARS outbreak, Hutchinson reflects on how emergency preparedness, public trust, and cultural differences shape public health policy and response.

The discussion explores the growing politicization of vaccines, the challenges of balancing federal guidance with state-level decision-making, and why regional public health collaborations have emerged in response to fractured national policy. Hutchinson also shares lessons learned from leading Arkansas through the pandemic, including the importance of transparent communication, daily public briefings, local medical partnerships, and education over mandates in a state skeptical of government intervention. The episode closes with a candid look at the nation’s current preparedness for future public health emergencies and why declining trust in institutions may be one of the greatest vulnerabilities moving forward.

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Is the US losing its edge in biomedical research—and what does that mean for the future of infectious diseases? In this episode, Jeanne Marrazzo, CEO of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and former leader at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, joins hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, for a timely, thought-provoking discussion on the future of public health and scientific research.

From the early days of HIV to today’s complex public health landscape, Marrazzo shares a candid look at the forces reshaping infectious diseases, including threats to scientific integrity, shifting research funding, vaccine confidence, and declining public trust. The conversation also explores what’s at stake for US leadership in biomedical research, the impact on global health, and why patient advocacy and strong scientific voices are critical now.

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How do journalists help the public make sense of complex health issues? In this episode, hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, talk with veteran health journalist Lena H. Sun of The Washington Post. Drawing on decades of reporting—including front-line coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic—Sun reflects on how the media landscape has changed in the age of social media, misinformation, and artificial intelligence. The conversation explores the challenges of communicating nuanced science in a polarized environment, what makes experts effective sources for journalists, and why clear, accessible explanations matter more than ever. Sun also shares memorable reporting experiences from global infectious disease investigations and offers her perspective on the future of vaccine confidence, public health trust, and the stories that may shape the next decade. A candid, timely conversation about truth, trust, and the future of public health.

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How does a career in the ER lead to shaping national public health leadership? In this episode, hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, talk with Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association. Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of medicine, policy, and community health, Benjamin explains why trust is built through relationships, transparency, and consistent action over time. The conversation explores misinformation and “alternative facts,” communicating prevention more effectively, strengthening community engagement, rebuilding public health systems, and preparing the next generation of the workforce. 

Show Notes

As APHA’s leader since 2002, Benjamin has championed prevention, health equity, and strong public health systems nationwide. A board-certified internist and respected voice in public health leadership, he previously served as Maryland’s health secretary and has held clinical, academic, and military medical roles. Benjamin has authored more than 200 publications and is widely recognized for his expertise in preparedness, policy, and population health—bringing decades of real-world insight to conversations about protecting communities.

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How do we rebuild trust in vaccines and public health—and why aren’t facts alone enough? In this episode, hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, talk with infectious disease expert William Schaffner, MD, about vaccine confidence, public trust, and the growing impact of misinformation. Drawing on decades of experience, Schaffner explains why effective science communication must reach hearts as well as minds to change behavior. The conversation explores vaccine hesitancy, social media’s role in shaping beliefs, the importance of listening to patients, and why public health education must start early. A thoughtful discussion for clinicians, public health professionals, and anyone concerned about the future of prevention.

Show notes

A longtime advocate for disease prevention, Schaffner is a trusted science communicator whose clarity, perspective, and calm guidance have helped shape public health conversations for decades. He is a professor of Preventive Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and he has worked extensively on the effective use of vaccines in adult populations. He previously served as NFID president, medical director, liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and host of the NFID podcast. In 2013, NFID honored him with the John P. Utz Leadership Award in recognition of his extraordinary service to NFID and the infectious disease community.

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In this episode, Jeremy Farrar, FRS, of the World Health Organization (WHO), joins new hosts Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH, and Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, for an insightful conversation on the power of science, the importance of community, and the urgent need for trust and collaboration in an increasingly polarized world. Drawing on decades of experience—from the early days of HIV/AIDS to pandemic preparedness, vaccine development, and global health leadership—Dr. Farrar shares personal lessons on failure, leadership under pressure, and why optimism, humility, and inclusion are essential to shaping the future of public health.

Show Notes

A physician-scientist, international health leader, and advocate, Dr. Farrar’s work has spanned HIV/AIDS, research on avian influenza, and leadership at Wellcome, where he helped guide the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He now serves as assistant director-general of health promotion and disease prevention and control at WHO, providing leadership on infectious and noncommunicable diseases, health promotion, food safety, and the health impacts of environmental change. In 2019, NFID honored him with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to global public health.

Transcript

Alvania:

Welcome to the NFID podcast, Infectious IDeas. This is Rebecca Alvania, NFID CEO, and with me is my co-host, NFID Medical Director, Dr. Bob Hopkins.

Hopkins:

Hey, happy to be here, Rebecca.

Alvania:

Our guest today is Dr. Jeremy Farrar. He serves as the World Health Organization's Assistant Director-General of health promotion and disease prevention and control. Many of you know him for his groundbreaking work on infectious diseases with pandemic potential. He's also held major leadership roles, including director of the Welcome Trust and co-founder of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the global effort to speed vaccine development and ensure access worldwide. In 2019, NFID honored him with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award. It recognized his impact on global public health and his commitment to making the world a more equitable place.

Jeremy, thank you so much for joining us.

Farrar:

Great pleasure.

Alvania:

All right, we're going to start at the beginning. You began your career working in HIV AIDS. How did those early experiences shape you as a scientist?

Farrar:

That would have been in the late 1980s and of course, that was the time that HIV was becoming known about. And I do remember—I was a medical student, and soon after graduating—just the impact this had. I was working in London at the time, and medical students and doctors had got used to the idea that many things were treatable, and then suddenly you had mostly young individuals coming in. And frankly, there was very little anybody could do. Obviously, we didn't know what the cause was, and that was devastating, actually.

But also on the positive side, as a result of great science and great public health, some solutions did start to come, and I pay huge tribute to the community who were then known to be living with HIV, because the role they played in pushing science and pushing public health was, I think, absolutely groundbreaking. And I'm not sure the establishment would have got there quite the way it did without that pressure from the community.

So, three lessons: one, is the devastating impact of something new, in this case, HIV. Secondly, the incredible power of science. And thirdly, the critical importance of communities being part of engaging and owning the solutions.

Alvania:

What led you to global public health after that experience?

Farrar:

Th

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In this episode, Vin Gupta, MD, MPA, a pulmonary and critical care physician and medical analyst with NBC News and MSNBC, joins hosts Marla Dalton, CAE, and William Schaffner, MD, for a compelling conversation about his path from the intensive care unit to the national stage, and why creating impact beyond the bedside has become his mission. From confronting misinformation to advancing early detection and bridging health, technology, and policy, Gupta shares candid insights on leadership, effective communication, and the future of public health.

A fond farewell to our current hosts—Marla Dalton and Bill Schaffner—in this final episode before new hosts join the podcast.

Show Notes

As managing director of healthcare innovation at Manatt, Gupta is a leading expert bridging the worlds of clinical care, technology, and effective communication. He previously served in several roles at Amazon and Google, is a Major in the US Air Force Reserve, and has earned degrees from Princeton, Columbia, Harvard, and the University of Cambridge. Gupta is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the National Board of Directors of the American Lung Association. He currently lives in Seattle, WA, with his wife, who is a practicing pediatrician, and their 2 young boys.

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