Complicating The Narrative

By Salma Abdalla

Listen to a podcast, please open Podcast Republic app. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Image by Salma Abdalla

Category: Science

Open in Apple Podcasts


Open RSS feed


Open Website


Rate for this podcast

Subscribers: 2
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 22

Description

In this podcast, hosted by Dr. Salma Abdalla—Assistant Professor and Director of the Healthier Futures Lab at Washington University in St. Louis—we provide rigorous, evidence-based analysis of complex population health challenges. In a time of social, economic, and political upheaval—marked by eroding public trust, polarized narratives, and growing uncertainty—this podcast aims to challenge oversimplified narratives about the forces that shape the health of populations. Salma engages guests from across disciplines in rigorous, evidence-based conversations that challenge conventional wisdom. The conversations sometimes pose uncomfortable questions, seek nuanced perspectives, and question not just what we think, but how we arrive at our conclusions in public health. We explore the inherent complexities, real-world tradeoffs, and unintended consequences of public health interventions. Our goal is to empower listeners with nuanced understanding, helping them navigate these multifaceted issues in an informed and balanced way. The podcast is supported by the Washington University School of Public Health — https://schoolofpublichealth.washu.edu — and the Frick Initiative. Host: Dr. Salma Abdalla Editors: Catalina Melendez Contreras and Zachary Linhares Music: Eden Avery / Melting Glass from Epidemic Sound https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/2fqOXWpHab/ Contact us at: s.abdalla@wustl.edu

Episode Date
The past, present and future of global health with Gbenga Ogedegbe and Benjamin Mason Meier
May 05, 2026
Purple Public Health episode—Trust and population health with Erin O’Malley
Apr 17, 2026
Missing Americans: preventable mortality in the US with Dr. Andrew Stokes
Apr 14, 2026
Purple Public Health episode—Beyond blame: understanding public health errors with Dr. Itai Bavli
Mar 20, 2026
Higher spending, shorter lifespan with Dr. Jose Francisco Figueroa
Mar 17, 2026
Re-release: Curiosity and careful thinking about research can help change the world with Dr. Maria Glymour
Mar 03, 2026
Aging safely and independently at home with Dr. Susy Stark
Feb 17, 2026
How much evidence is enough? Australia's digital protections with Dr. Kathryn Backholer
Feb 03, 2026
Introducing Purple Public Health Project with Dean Sandro Galea
Jan 20, 2026
The field formerly known as global health with Dr. Seye Abimbola
Jan 06, 2026
A One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance with Dr. Sabiha Essack
Dec 23, 2025
Prosecuting gender-based crimes through a public health lens with Kim Thuy Seelinger
Dec 09, 2025
When 'shelter in place' means nothing: Rethinking global health with Sabina Faiz Rashid
Nov 25, 2025
Health as a human right with Benjamin Mason Meier
Nov 11, 2025
What our digital lives reveal about health with Yulin Hswen
Oct 28, 2025
Imagine doing better with Paul J Fleming
Oct 14, 2025
Algorithms, attention, and trust: Rethinking health communication with Matthew Kreuter
Sep 30, 2025
Uncertainty in epidemiology with Dr. Matthew A. Fox
Sep 16, 2025
Curiosity and careful thinking about research can help change the world with Dr. Maria Glymour
Sep 02, 2025
Health diplomacy in an evolving global health landscape with Dr. Anders Nördstrom
Aug 19, 2025
Manufacturing Doubt: the commercial determinants of health with Dr. Nason Maani
Aug 05, 2025
Rethinking Public Health with Dean Sandro Galea
Jul 21, 2025