Global Health Matters

The Inside Track is a new series from Global Health Matters offering context, clarity and foresight that you won’t find in traditional news shows. Each episode brings host Garry Aslanyan together with two recurring voices: Catherine Kyobutungi, who brings insight from the frontlines of health research and policy in Africa, and Ricardo Baptista Leite, a physician and global thinker on health, politics and AI. Together, they unpack the headlines with candid conversations grounded in lived experience. If you work in global health and want a better understanding of what’s happening, why it matters and what to watch out for, this series is for you. What do the pope, the Force and a dose of hope have in common? In this episode of The Inside Track, we discuss planetary health—the idea that human health is inseparable from the health of the planet. The discussion underscores how factors like climate, food and living conditions drive most health outcomes, far beyond clinical care. Host Garry Aslanyan and recurring expert-pundits Catherine Kyobutungi and Ricardo Baptista Leite call for a shift from reactive health systems to prevention, and for rethinking “development” to prioritise sustainability alongside human wellbeing. Clipping: “Global health governance in transition” — a brief discussion on reimagining global health through new partnerships and stronger local ownership. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions

Global Health Matters is the monthly podcast from TDR, if you like our content then please subscribe. We embrace the fact that public health and global health are intertwined and through our podcast we hope to engage with broader topics bringing together experts from across the globe providing a platform for wider engagement. For this episode we bring you a topic that rarely reaches the top of the global health agenda, that is the subject of the health of refugees and migrants. This podcast episode lays out the key issues for the listener and through our guests it builds an awareness to ensure this topic gets better attention in the future. Global Health Matters host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests: Eugen Ghita Reem Mussa During this podcast we hear the health experiences of Eugen Ghita, who was a migrant and he is now working as a human rights monitor on behalf of the Roma community in Europe. Eugen identified that there is a lack of information dedicated to the refugees and many language barriers. Reem Mussa from MSF is able to give us context in relation to the policies of the different types of refugees and migrants. Many countries do allow for access to health care regardless of the legal status of people, but not all, some may only provide for emergency healthcare. MSF promotes the importance of a separation between border control/ immigration schemes and healthcare access as some migrants without right to remain may fear authorities or deportation and so not access healthcare for that reason. Kindly note that this podcast discusses mental health for refugees and migrants, TDR would like to refer you to WHO guidance for those seeking further support. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters. Hi there, it's Garry. Let me let you on a bit of a secret. We're offering something new at the Global Health Matters and it's called the Insight Track. And Insight track is about context, clarity, and foresight from people who actually know the terrain. So in each episode, I'm joined by two brilliant recurrent voices. Voices you heard here on Global Health matters, Catherine Kyobutungi who brings the evidence and real-world insight from the front lines of health resear

TBA Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters. Hi there, it's Garry. Let me let you on a bit of a secret. We're offering something new at the Global Health Matters and it's called the Insight Track. And Insight track is about context, clarity, and foresight from people who actually know the terrain. So in each episode, I'm joined by two brilliant recurrent voices. Voices you heard here on Global Health matters, Catherine Kyobutungi who brings the evidence and real-world insight from the front lines of health resear

In our first episode of The Inside Track, we examine the fragile state of information integrity in global health. Host Garry Aslanyan and recurring expert-pundits Catherine Kyobutungi and Ricardo Baptista Leite unpack how misinformation spreads, why trust erodes and what responsibility health leaders carry in this environment. We explore how perception, belief and narrative shape public understanding — especially in the wake of COVID-19. We also react to a recent Guardian article linking climate change to chikungunya in Europe, questioning why warnings so often fail to translate into sustained action. We close with some gratitude — spotlighting promising innovations and leadership, and reaffirming our commitment to clear, courageous conversations in global health. The views expressed are those of the host and guests in their individual capacities and do not necessarily reflect those of their respective organizations. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.

“Trailblazers with Garry" is a series from Global Health Matters, where host Garry Aslanyan sits down with trailblazers — thinkers, leaders and influencers shaping the future of global health — for short face-to-face conversations, available in both audio and video formats. It’s a chance to get to know the people behind the work and hear their perspectives on the current global health landscape. For this Trailblazer episode, Garry met up with Ntobeko Ntusi in Cape Town, South Africa. Ntobeko has been president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council since 2024 after serving as Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town. He is deeply passionate about seeing South Africa and the African continent more broadly emerge as a leader in research and innovation. In this conversation, they explore the mentors who have shaped his journey, his vision for the role of science in strengthening African health systems, and how global health can recalibrate power symmetries to advance greater equity. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2026 Global Health Matters. Hi there, it's Garry. Let me let you on a bit of a secret. We're offering something new at the Global Health Matters and it's called the Insight Track. And Insight track is about context, clarity, and foresight from people who actually know the terrain. So in each episode, I'm joined by two brilliant recurrent voices. Voices you heard here on Global Health matters, Catherine Kyobutungi who brings the evidence and real-world insight from the front lines of health resear

Across the global health landscape, governments are facing mounting debt, development assistance is under pressure and the gap between ambition and available resources continues to widen. So how do we mobilize resources differently? What does innovative finance look like? And which approaches are truly scalable, equitable and fit for today's realities? To explore these questions, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with two leaders who have spent decades working at the intersection of health, finance and global cooperation. Christoph Benn is Director for Global Health Diplomacy at Joep Lange Institute. He's a physician who has played a central role in shaping innovative financing mechanisms in global health. And joining him is Patrik Silborn, Senior Advisor at UNICEF Afghanistan, who specializes in development financing in fragile and crisis-affected settings and has led large-scale efforts to mobilize resources beyond traditional aid. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2026 Global Health Matters. Hi there, it's Garry. Let me let you on a bit of a secret. We're offering something new at the Global Health Matters and it's called the Insight Track. And Insight track is about context, clarity, and foresight from people who actually know the terrain. So in each episode, I'm joined by two brilliant recurrent voices. Voices you heard here on Global Health matters, Catherine Kyobutungi who brings the evidence and real-world insight from the front lines of health resear

"Trailblazers with Garry" is a series from Global Health Matters, where host Garry Aslanyan sits down with trailblazers — thinkers, leaders and influencers shaping the future of global health — for short face-to-face conversations, available in both audio and video formats. It’s a chance to get to know the people behind the work and hear their perspectives on the current global health landscape. For this episode, Garry sat down with Axel Pries during the World Health Summit in Berlin in October 2025. Axel is the President of the World Health Summit, based in Germany. He is a medical doctor by training and a professor of physiology, with a long career spanning research, academia and leadership. Together, they explore how the World Health Summit is working to transcend silos in global health, the shared values needed in a changing world and why good communication is essential in shaping the global health narrative of the future. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.

Brain health influences whether people can live productive and meaningful lives and whether the economies of countries can thrive. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan is joined by two pioneers who advocate not only for brain health, but also for brain capital and the brain economy. George Vredenburg is the founding chairman of the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, a global public-private initiative focusing on linking and scaling Alzheimer's and brain health research and delivery systems worldwide. Joining him is Rajinder Dhamija, distinguished neurologist, Professor of neurology and Director at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences in New Delhi. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

“Trailblazers with Garry" is a series from Global Health Matters, where host Garry Aslanyan sits down with trailblazers — thinkers, leaders, and influencers shaping the future of global health — for short face-to-face conversations, available in both audio and video formats. It’s a chance to get to know the people behind the work and hear their perspectives on the current global health landscape. For this episode, Garry visited Professor John Gyapong at the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) in Accra, Ghana. Since taking up the role of Secretary General of ARUA in 2024, John has been passionately leading efforts to strengthen Pan-African research collaborations. Early in his career, and at a time when global attention was fixed on malaria, John chose instead to focus on neglected tropical diseases. Today, as a leader and educator, he remains deeply committed to Africans developing solutions for Africa and nurturing the next generation of research scientists. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2026 Global Health Matters.

Dialogues is a series from the Global Health Matters podcast where we bring you interviews featuring fresh perspectives on global health issues. The goal of each Dialogues episode is to break through the echo chambers that exist in global health through in-depth, thoughtful conversations. In this episode of Dialogues, we take a deeper look at stigma and how often unconsciously we as global health professionals may be perpetuating it. Host Garry Aslanyan is joined by Alex Brewis, Regents and Presidents Professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at Arizona State University, where she previously founded and directed the Centre for Global Health. As an anthropologist, Alex brings both rich field experience and deep academic insight, helping us reflect on the intentional and unintentional impacts of our global health efforts. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

Global Health Matters is the monthly podcast from TDR, please subscribe. GHMs brings you topical subjects and insightful discussions with health experts from across the globe, including a focus on low-to middle-income countries. Are you a professional looking to progress further or perhaps a global health student at the early stage of your career? There are so many routes to get into a career in global health, so this podcast episode discussion is with two career professionals sharing their knowledge of how they chose their path and giving clear guidance on ways to get the support needed to increase opportunities to make a difference in the ever pressing global health challenges. Global Health Matters host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests: Stephanie Topp:Renzo GuintoStephanie Topp looks at how global health can support the next generation of thinkers and leaders, and suggests that networked capacity building and an emerging voices model is a critical example. Renzo Guinto wants to listen to different voices and challenge power structures to address the inequities that global health is trying to address. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

In partnership with the World Health Summit for an episode recorded live at this year’s meeting in Berlin, host Garry Aslanyan sat down with Monica Bharel, Clinical Lead of Public Sector at Google, and Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the Africa Leaders Malaria Alliance. Global health knowledge sharing is rapidly evolving due to advances in technologies, increased data availability, stronger community engagement and the rise of voices beyond traditional institutions. Joy and Monica shared insights into building a more inclusive global health knowledge ecosystem—one that ensures communities everywhere can benefit from credible information, contribute their perspectives and take informed action. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

"Trailblazers with Garry" is a new series from Global Health Matters, where host Dr Garry Aslanyan sits down with trailblazers — thinkers, leaders, and influencers shaping the future of global health — for short face-to-face conversations, available in both audio and video formats. It’s a chance to get to know the people behind the work and hear their perspectives on the current global health landscape. In this Trailblazers episode, host Garry Aslanyan sits down with Lena Nanushyan, First Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia to speak about her work to strengthen tobacco control, a commitment that earned her a World No Tobacco Day Award from WHO in 2025. She also discusses Armenia's efforts to reduce high out-of-pocket health payments and how the country is moving closer toward universal health coverage. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

This episode launches Season 5 of Global Health Matters, which will explore the future of global health. In a time of turbulence, transition and transformation, we need diverse voices to help shape what comes next. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with two thought leaders: Paola Abril Campos Rivera, Research Professor of health policy at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, and Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Center in Kenya. Together, they explore how global health is being reshaped amid shifting geopolitics, declining aid and the rapid rise of new technologies. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

From climate change and conflict to economic instability, today’s converging global crises are reshaping the landscape of child health. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with two leading voices in global health: Landry Tsague, Director of the Center for Primary Health Care at Africa CDC, and Debra Jackson, Takeda Chair in Global Child Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. They share insights on what should be done to strengthen health systems, empower communities and create conditions where children not only survive, but thrive amid the turbulence of the metacrisis. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

"Trailblazers with Garry" is a new series from Global Health Matters, where host Dr Garry Aslanyan sits down with trailblazers — thinkers, leaders, and influencers shaping the future of global health — for short face-to-face conversations, available in both audio and video formats. It’s a chance to get to know the people behind the work and hear their perspectives on the current global health landscape. In this Trailblazers episode, Garry sits down with Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown, Dean of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, to talk about the future of public health education, learning health systems and the core competencies tomorrow’s leaders will need to make an impact on public health. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

In 2021, the World Health Organization made a historic recommendation: to widely use the first ever malaria vaccine, RTS,S. This recommendation was based on evidence generated from a pilot vaccine implementation programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019. This is an excellent example of how evidence based on implementation research tells us whether health interventions, such as vaccines, will be effective in real life, after clinical trials show its efficacy and safety. In this episode, Margaret Gyapong of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana shares her first-hand experiences and learnings from the malaria vaccine pilot. Lee Hampton of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, also tells us how implementation research has played a key role in the success of health programmes for diseases such as yellow fever, typhoid and more. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests: Margaret Gyapong: Director, Institute for Health Research at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana Lee Hampton: Vaccine preventable disease surveillance and vaccine safety focal point at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Switzerland Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

What are the colonial legacies in global health? And what impact have they had on how some health and health research programmes are run in Africa? In this episode, we speak to two visionary women leaders who tell us what’s wrong in global health and give concrete steps toward more equitable and inclusive partnerships. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests: Catherine KyobutungiAgnes BinagwahoDisclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBlueskyDisclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

Substance use is a global public health challenge, affecting Northern and Southern countries alike. Yet strategies for managing it have varied widely. In this episode, host Garry Aslanyan speaks with Kwame McKenzie, a practicing psychiatrist and CEO of the Wellesley Institute. He's also Director of Health Equity at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada. Together they unpack how language shapes policy, explore the impact of the pandemic on substance use and discuss lessons from different national approaches to addressing this complex issue. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.

This episode features three renowned communicators of science who work to inform, educate and inspire the public about health issues. Microbiologist Natalia Pasternak has become one of the leading communicators of science in Brazil and internationally. As founder of Instituto Questão de Ciência, she offers advice on how others can set up science communication institutes in their countries. Imogen Foulkes reflects upon how scientists can better communicate their research to the public, given her experience as a journalist with the BBC News and SWI swissinfo.ch based in Geneva. And Sonia Lowman of International Medical Corps highlights the power of film to connect audiences to global health issues and create a vision for the way forward. Host Garry Aslanyan speaks with the following guests: Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. Related episode documents, transcripts and other information can be found on our website. Subscribe to the Global Health Matters podcast newsletter. Follow us for updates: XLinkedInInstagramBluesky Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Global Health Matters podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of TDR or the World Health Organization. The CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO creative commons licence allows users to freely copy, reproduce, reprint, distribute, translate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided TDR is acknowledged as the source and adapted material is issued under the same licensing terms using the following suggested citation: Global Health Matters. Geneva: TDR; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. All content © 2025 Global Health Matters.