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Who the Health Cares? with Prof Michael Sparer

Who the Health Cares? with Prof Michael Sparer

Public Health Finds a New Beat

Apr 7, 2026 · 31m

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About this episode

Getting public health messaging right isn’t easy. With trust in institutions on the decline and misinformation on the rise, even life-saving information often fails to reach the people who need it most. So what kinds of messages actually get through? In this episode, Michael sits down with Dr. Jide Williams, a neurologist and Vice Dean of Community Health at Columbia University. After watching stroke patients arrive too late for effective treatment, Jide partnered with hip hop artist Doug E. Fresh to create a music-driven approach to stroke education. That effort grew into Hip Hop Public Health, a broader model that uses music and storytelling to teach kids about everything from healthy…