The Health Department recently launched a podcast called Local Public Health: Conversations Exploring Public Health on the North Shore in Massachusetts and Beyond. Hosted by Public Health Director Jeffrey Vaughan, Public Health Nurse and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Neia Illingworth, and Olivia Wilson, a Master of Public Health candidate at Boston University, the podcast aims to inform the public about the role and importance of public health, especially on a local level.
“Public health agencies at all levels of government don’t do a very good job at self-promotion. So locally, we are trying to find ways to help highlight the vast work we do for our residents,” Vaughan said.
The podcast idea emerged when Illingworth became the preceptor for Wilson, a graduate student intern. Vaughan explained that the two worked on various public health initiatives together, which inspired the project.
“We’re very excited to offer residents information and education about public health and the many areas it impacts,” Illingworth said.
Both Vaughan and Illingworth are enthusiastic about using this new platform to reach the community, adding another layer to their outreach efforts.
“The episodes are designed to be short and sweet—about 15 minutes long—so they’re easily digestible. Hopefully, we can communicate the information in a way that many people can understand,” Illingworth said.
The team is now preparing a series on the opioid crisis, a topic they feel is vital to discuss. They are actively looking for people to join the conversation and share their experiences.
“We’re really looking for residents, community members, and professionals who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic,” Illingworth said, noting that they aim to create a safe space for sharing stories, whether they’re about the crisis’s negative impacts or experiences of hope and recovery.
“We’re trying to bring the discussion forward,” Vaughan added. “There’s a big stigma, and people don’t want to come out and speak about it.”
Vaughan hopes that, by having individuals share their stories on the podcast, others may feel encouraged to come forward as well.
“When you put something out there with people who volunteer to tell their story, it’s powerful,” Vaughan said. “Our goal is to encourage people to say, ‘Okay, I need help, and now I have an idea of where to find it.’”
The team plans to cover a range of public health topics, from public health communication and local health initiatives in Massachusetts to health across the lifespan, mental health, environmental health, and preparedness and response during epidemics.
They also encourage the public to participate in future episodes.
“If anyone is interested, they can email us at the Health Department or fill out an online form. We’ll reach out to schedule them for upcoming episodes,” Illingworth said. “We just want to get the word out and schedule more episodes and speakers.”
Vaughan and Illingworth look forward to using the podcast to share information and engage with the community, both locally and beyond.