# Why Public Health Still Matters More Than Ever with  Dr. Tom Frieden

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/turn-on-the-lights-podcast-6307880/why-public-health-still-matters-more-than-ever-with-dr-tom-frieden
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/turn-on-the-lights-podcast-6307880/why-public-health-still-matters-more-than-ever-with-dr-tom-frieden.md
Podcast: [Turn on the Lights Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/turn-on-the-lights-podcast-6307880)
Published: 2026-04-24T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NSSMO4456640728.mp3?updated=1776790943
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NSSMO4456640728.mp3?updated=1776790943
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Duration seconds: 2672

## Resource

Why does public health so often get neglected until a crisis makes its value impossible to ignore? In this episode, Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, former CDC Director, and former New York City Health Commissioner, reflects on a career spent trying to close the gap between what we know saves lives and what we actually do. He shares how his father’s example shaped his commitment to evidence-based medicine and public service, and he explains the framework behind his new book, The Formula for Better Health, see, believe, create. The conversation explores major public health wins, such as reducing smoking in New York City, the challenges of leading the CDC, the damage to public health infrastructure today, and why prevention, primary care, and global health remain essential to a safer, healthier future. Tune in to hear why better public health depends not only on science, but also on courage, communication, and the will to act. Resources: Connect with Dr. Tom Frieden on LinkedIn. Follow Resolve to Save Lives on LinkedIn and visit the website here. Learn more about The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives--Including Your Own here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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