Causes or Cures
Causes or Cures is a health podcast hosted by Dr. Eeks. It is an independent, grassroots podcast rooted in curiosity and passion that tries to break down tough, trending health topics into digestible bits. Dr. Eeks works in the field of public health and health communications as a consultant & contractor. She is passionate about how science is communicated and has a penchant for using a blue-collar sense of humor as a health communications tool. On this podcast, she features experts in their field (doctors, scientific researchers, public health experts, public figures and folks with compelling personal stories) with the goal of discussing hot topics in health and scientific research in a down-to-earth kinda way. (Sometimes they will discuss stranger stuff too, mainly because life is short and it's fun to do.) DISCLAIMER: Some topics are more controversial than others, so keep in mind that this is information only and not any kind of health advice. Eeks doesn't endorse any of her guests' views, and despite a strict health routine, nor does she endorse any products, supplements, oils, magic socks or potions. Causes or Cures is not a "news site." It's about having conversations, and Dr. Eeks is confident that she can have a respectful conversation with anyone, even people who think far differently than she does.(At least that's been her experience at hole-in-the-wall bars.) Some people are experts, some people are interesting or intriguing to talk to, and some people are both. The point is to not take anything here as Gospel. Sometimes Dr. Eeks' dog Barnaby makes his opinion known, but the good news is that he's a smart dog. Most importantly, she hopes this podcast encourages folks to stay curious, empathic, hopeful, compassionate, honest, open-minded and engaged. Freedom of discussion is a beautiful thing, delightfully messy, and one that many take for granted. *The views on this podcast do not reflect the views of anyone she contracts with or consults for. **You can contact Dr. Eeks through her blog, bloomingwellness.com. (Keep in mind that there are some blogs on there that are advertisement only. She does not review them, they are usually awful, but they help fund Barnaby's treat habit.) Finally, THANK YOU for listening, subscribing, sharing and supporting the show through the Support the Show Link! It helps keep the podcast independent and up and running. :)
Causes or Cures
The Effectiveness of Face Masks with Dr. Benjamin Cowling
What is the evidence for wearing a face mask? Can it significantly slow the spread, or no? Who should wear a face mask and when should a face mask be worn? What's the most effective face mask? Should we keep them handy for a second (or third) viral wave? These questions and more are answered in this podcast.
In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks has a conversation with Dr. Benjamin Cowling, who recently published a study on the effectiveness of face masks in Nature Medicine. But more than that, he's been researching the pandemic since its initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, and authored several of the first papers, like this one in the New England Journal of Medicine, on the characteristics of the virus as well as its transmission dynamics.
Dr. Benjamin Cowling is the Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Public Health at Hong Kong University. He earned his PhD in medical statistics at the University of Warwick and did his postdoc fellowship at the Imperial College in London. In addition to leading the Epidemiology department, he is a co-director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control.
His primary area of research is infectious disease epidemiology, including modes of respiratory virus transmission, influenza vaccination effectiveness and immunity to infections on the individual and population level. He works closely with China CDC and the NIGMS-funded Harvard Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics. Dr. Cowling's has over 426 publications, is a fellow of the Royal Statistical Society and a Fellow of the UK Faculty of Public Health. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, and an Associate Editor of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.com
To read or listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.
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