Public Health Review Morning Edition 1074: From Wastewater to Radiological Readiness: Detecting and Responding to Public Health Threats
How can public health detect invisible threats before they become crises? In this episode, we explore two powerful approaches shaping the future of preparedness: wastewater surveillance and radiological emergency response. First, Allison Wheeler, Manager, Wastewater Surveillance Unit Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shares how her team detected measles in wastewater before clinical cases appeared, helping local partners identify an outbreak early and act quickly. She explains how wastewater surveillance is evolving beyond COVID-19 to monitor emerging and re-emerging diseases, track antimicrobial resistance, and strengthen early warning systems across communities. Then, Dr. Ziad Kazzi, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University and President of the American College of Medical Toxicology breaks down what a radiological incident really looks like, from accidental exposures to nuclear incidents, and why these events may be more manageable than many people assume. He discusses how mass gatherings, like global sporting events, prepare for rare but high-impact scenarios, the importance of detection and decontamination, and how health systems and emergency responders work together to protect both patients and communities.