Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing our culture and the way we live our lives in so many ways. While we may not understand its full potential yet, we do know it can, and in many ways has already revolutionized many industries and fields of study.

In this episode, Dr. Atin Jindal, assistant professor of medicine and director of medical informatics at Brown University joins Dr. Philip Chan for a fascinating discussion on how AI technology is being used to improve health, what the future may look like in this area, potential challenges, and more.

It’s called “hygiene insecurity” and while you may not be aware of it, there is an overwhelming need for hygiene products in the state. An estimated 38% of Rhode Island families struggle to afford hygiene products, and 2 in 5 individuals struggle to purchase menstruation products. Amenity Aid, Rhode Island’s only hygiene bank, would like to eliminate this problem. In this episode, the organization’s Founder and Executive Director, Liz Duggan and Board Chair, James Rajotte talk about how they accomplish their mission.

Alcohol is the most used substance among adults in the United States despite being known to cause cancer, liver disease, cardiomyopathy, and more. Approximately 600 people die in Rhode Island every year from excessive alcohol use. In this episode, Linda Mahoney, associate director for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals and Emily Ledingham, senior alcohol epidemiologist at the Rhode Island Department of Health talk about what people need to know and where to find help when it's needed.

The holidays are upon us but respiratory viruses like COVID-19, Flu, and RSV don’t make great gifts. In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Bornschein, State Epidemiologist at the Rhode Island Department of Health, shares the best ways to keep viruses from spreading to our friends, to our loved ones, and in our communities.

For more information and data, visit health.ri.gov/respiratoryviruses.

While much of the national conversation about overdose focuses on younger populations, a new campaign spearheaded by our state health and behavioral health agencies aims to prevent drug overdose deaths among middle-aged and older Rhode Islanders. In this episode, Steven Boudreau, director of equity and engagement and the public information officer at the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging and Linda Mahoney, associate director for the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals join Dr. Chan to explain that "No Matter Why You Use," help and resources are available in Rhode Island.

It’s not easy for adults and adolescents to know where to find accurate and trusted sexual and reproductive health information. In this episode, Karin Wetherill, co-director of Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition joins us to talk about a new app that might just make the learning process a little easier. It’s called “RIght to Know” and it connects young people and caregivers with the facts about their sexual and reproductive health.

RIght To Know is available on the Google Play and Apple App Stores or by visiting righttoknowapp.com.

For free promotional materials, visit righttoknowapp.com/about

To request a presentation or community event, please contact karin.wetherill@rihsc.org

There’s been a lot of talk about Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, in the news – specifically the claim that there is a link between this over-the-counter pain reliever and Autism. In this episode, Dr. Yvette Yatchmink, formerly the clinical director of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, shares what we know from the data and what it means for pregnant people.

Animal-assisted therapy - what is it and how effective is it in a therapeutic setting? In this episode, Kerri Lynch, Director of Occupational Therapy at Butler Hospital and Susan Parker, President and Founder of Paws From the Heart Pet Therapy share what they know based on their years of experience working with these unique and highly-trained pets.