Higher Education with Dr. B Fran

In Part 3 of our deep dive into Project 2025, we’re turning our attention to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—and what’s at stake as powerful forces push to reshape it. Fresh off the confirmation of CMS’s 17th Administrator, we’re already seeing the outlines of a radical shift: one that proposes over $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP over the next decade.Framed as “fiscal responsibility,” these proposed changes are more than just budget adjustments—they're an ideological attack on the health care safety net that millions rely on. And it doesn’t stop there. The plan outlines sweeping restrictions on access to reproductive health care, slashes funding for Planned Parenthood, and seeks to eliminate support for gender-affirming care for trans people.In this episode, Dr. B Fran breaks down what these proposed reforms mean for public health. From defunding care to redefining who gets to be healthy, Project 2025 threatens to undo decades of progress in health equity and social justice. Let’s talk about the policies, the politics, and why this moment demands our full attention.For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram PublicationsProduced by Peoples Media

In this episode, we dig into Chapter 14 of Project 2025, a sweeping conservative blueprint for reshaping the Department of Health and Human Services. From the CDC to the FDA, the document outlines a radical restructuring of federal health agencies—one that could fundamentally shift the nation’s public health priorities. Dr. B Fran unpacks the goals laid out in the plan, starting with proposed changes to the CDC, and explore the potential impact on health equity, science, and trust in public health systems. While much has already shifted since this recording, this episode serves as a living resource for public health professionals, medical practitioners, and advocates to understand what's at stake—and how we can collectively respond. This is more than policy—it's about the future of health justice globally. For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram PublicationsProduced by Peoples Media

Did you know that Black women in the U.S. are 3-4 times more likely to experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality? These complications not only affect pregnancy outcomes but also pose long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease later in life. As we observe Black Maternal Health Week, this episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran will shine a spotlight on the structural racism that drives these disparities for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Dr. B Fran will explore the intersection of structural racism and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S. diving deep into how systemic inequities—ranging from discrimination in healthcare settings to environmental pollutants in marginalized neighborhoods—disproportionately affect Black women and their health outcomes. We’ll discuss the history of how race has been biologized in medical research, how structural issues like food insecurity and poor access to healthcare impact coping mechanisms, and the devastating effects of noise pollution, particularly from police sirens, on maternal health. By understanding the interconnected nature of these factors, we examine how addressing structural racism is key to reducing health disparities and improving the well-being of Black pregnant people. This episode calls for systemic solutions to dismantle the harmful barriers that perpetuate these inequities. Tune in for an insightful conversation about how we can better support Black women through changes in policy, community infrastructure, and healthcare practices to combat the growing crisis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram PublicationsProduced by Peoples Media

Homelessness isn’t just an issue of the present—it’s the result of decades of policy decisions that continue to shape who has access to stable housing and who doesn’t. In this episode of higher education with Dr. B Fran, we are joined by Dr. Margaret Sullivan to we break down the structural determinants of homelessness, from outdated policies still in use today to the communities most at risk, including LGBTQ+ youth and people with chronic illnesses. We explore how past housing policies, designed to reduce homelessness and increase homeownership, were steeped in racial discrimination—and how those same patterns are playing out again today. From redlining in the 1930s to today’s rising housing costs and displacement, the same structural barriers that led to mass homelessness during the Great Depression are resurfacing and health inequities in this population will surely follow.For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram PublicationsProduced by Peoples Media

Let’s keep it real—health equity is under attack. From climate funding getting slashed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs being gutted, to reproductive rights being rolled back, the current administration is making some dangerous moves. And guess who’s getting hit the hardest? Marginalized communities, low-income families, and, well… probably you or someone you love. In this episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran breaks down what health disparities actually are, why health equity should be a non-negotiable, and how political chaos in the U.S. is causing ripple effects worldwide. She will also dive into how global health equity efforts will be diminished by these funding cuts and research efforts.For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram Publications

In this powerful episode of Higher Education with Dr. B Fran, we delve into the escalating battle for reproductive rights in the United States and the complex intersection of politics, healthcare, and personal autonomy with Dr. Elizabeth Janiak. From the ongoing challenges women face in accessing safe abortion care to the alarming political changes under the current administration, we explore the implications of these policies and their impact on marginalized communities, especially Black and low-income women. We discuss critical topics like the halt on maternal health research, the historical significance of the Comstock Act, what happens when these services are limited and how abortion bans could increase maternal mortality. We also discuss the documentary AKA Jane Roe, where the woman behind the infamous Roe v. Wade case reveals the extent to which political movements, particularly the evangelical right, have influenced the fight over abortion rights. Through personal stories, expert insights, and a deep dive into the political landscape, this episode reveals the dangerous consequences of restricting reproductive healthcare access and the power of collective action to protect reproductive rights.For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram PublicationsProduced by Peoples Media

In part two of this deeply moving conversation, we turn our focus to the mental health toll of genocide, especially on children—the most vulnerable victims of conflict— even once it ends. Dr. B Fran and Dr. Sawsan Abdulrahim discuss the psychological scars that last long after the violence ends, exploring the immense impact of trauma, loss, and displacement on young minds. Children, often witnessing the brutality of genocide, carry the weight of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and a profound sense of loss. Without access to mental health care, their future is shaped by unresolved trauma that can affect their physical health, cognitive development, and emotional well-being for years to come. We also examine how public health professionals can stand in solidarity with these children and their families, emphasizing the need for international advocacy, resources, and psychosocial support. What role does public health play in fostering a system that prioritizes healing and recovery for young survivors? This episode is a call to action: children are not just the future—they are the present, and they need immediate, long-term support to recover from the psychological devastation of genocide. Join us for an urgent discussion on how the international community can address the mental health crisis facing children in conflict zones, ensuring that the invisible scars of trauma don’t define their futures.For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram PublicationsProduced by Peoples Media

In this powerful episode of Higher Education of Dr. B Fran, we explore the far-reaching public health consequences of genocide, viewed through the lens of the structural determinants of health framework. Our guest is Dr. Sawsan Abdulrahim, a professor at the American University of Beirut and the granddaughter of Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 Nakba. Dr. Abdulrahim brings a personal, academic, and historical perspective as she examines the ongoing health impacts of displacement on Palestinian communities—focusing on women and children who bear the brunt of both physical and psychological trauma.Through candid discussion, we explore how the legacy of the Nakba and contemporary instances of genocide continues to shape the health outcomes of Palestinian families today. From malnutrition and inadequate healthcare to trauma and chronic stress, the episode delves into how these health burdens transcend generations, affecting entire communities.As families continue to be displaced and migrate throughout the region, what are the long-term implications for public health? How do migration patterns, forced displacement, and violence intersect with issues of access to care, mental health, and community well-being? Join us as we unpack the intersection of genocide, displacement, and public health—and why the health of a people is intrinsically linked to the social and political structures that shape their world.For more from Dr. Brittney Francis:Tik Tok Instagram PublicationsProduced by Peoples Media