Child Health Advocacy + Policy

About Child Health Advocacy + Policy

Clear, expert-informed conversations on child health and the policies that shape children’s lives, hosted by Heidi Russell, director of the Baker Institute Center for Health Policy.

Publisher

Baker Institute for Public Policy

Category

health & fitness · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Apr 2026

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   18: Asthma, Housing Quality and Children's Health

   Heidi Russell speaks with Elizabeth Matsui about how substandard rental housing, indoor allergen exposures, and structural inequities contribute to pediatric asthma disparities in Texas and across the country. The conversation examines policy solutions ranging from housing mobility programs to Medicaid-reimbursed home remediation. This conversation was recorded on Oct. 2, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Mentioned in this episode: Dell Medical School Center for Health and Environment: Education and Research Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Rental Housing and Childhood Asthma Disparities Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   17: Forecasting Federal Health Policy Priorities for the Upcoming Year

   Heidi Russell speaks with Ambassador David M. Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy. The conversation examines how federal legislative priorities are established and explores potential policy directions that could shape child health, social safety net programs, and federal funding structures in the year ahead. Satterfield draws on his extensive public policy background to offer insights on legislative decision-making processes, the intersection of federal and state policy, and strategies for understanding national agendas before upcoming legislative sessions. This conversation was recorded on Aug. 31, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

3. 

   24 Sept 2026

   16: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Overcoming Barriers in Oncology Research

   Marking Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Heidi Russell speaks with Lia Gore, professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado. The conversation explores how pediatric oncologists manage complex care and examines the policy frameworks shaping federal research funding, clinical trial access, and incentives for pediatric drug development. Gore also addresses the regulatory hurdles in bringing novel therapeutics to young patients and considers policy strategies to support long-term survivorship. This conversation was recorded on Sept. 10, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

4. 

   17 Sept 2026

   15: Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Improving Outcomes for Pediatric Patients

   In observance of Sickle Cell Awareness Month, Heidi Russell speaks with Titilope Fasipe, associate professor of pediatrics and codirector of the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center and Baylor College of Medicine. The conversation explores the role of pediatric hematologists in managing inherited blood disorders and examines policy frameworks governing newborn screening, Medicaid coverage, and access to emerging therapies. Fasipe also discusses systemic barriers and the critical transition from pediatric to adult healthcare settings. This conversation was recorded on Aug. 31, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Mentioned in this episode: Fight4Hematology Action Hub DSHS: Sick Cell Task Force TED: “How This Disease Changes the Shape of Your Cells” Penn LDI Cost of Therapies Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

5. 

   10 Sept 2026

   14: Child Immigration Health and Policy: Addressing Barriers to Equity

   Heidi Russell speaks with Luz Maria Garcini, director of the Center for Community Health at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, associate professor of psychological sciences, and Rice faculty scholar at the Baker Institute for Public Policy. The conversation examines how immigration policy, legal uncertainty, and structural barriers affect the physical and mental health of immigrant children and youth in mixed-status families. Garcini discusses the biobehavioral impacts of chronic stress, community-engaged research approaches, and policy strategies to expand healthcare access and resilience among young populations. This conversation was recorded on Aug. 19, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

6. 

   3 Sept 2026

   13: Youth Civic Engagement in Healthcare Advocacy and Public Policy

   How can educators and community leaders help young people understand the difference between advocacy and public policy? In this episode, host Heidi Russell speaks with Shamier Bouie, founder and president of Community First Institute located in Houston, about practical strategies for introducing students to civic engagement and municipal decision-making. Bouie shares insights on how to explain legislative processes, empower student voices, and connect youth-led advocacy to tangible child health outcomes. This conversation was recorded on Aug. 11, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy“podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

7. 

   27 Aug 2026

   12: Pediatrician Workforce Dynamics and Access to Child Healthcare in Texas

   Amid a nationwide shortage of primary care doctors, nearly 60% of Texas counties do not have a single practicing pediatrician, even as pediatricians disproportionately practice in major metropolitan centers, such as Houston, Dallas, and Austin. In the Season 2 premiere of "Child Health Advocacy + Policy," host Heidi Russell, director of the Center for Health Policy, examines the systemic factors shaping the pediatric workforce in Texas. Drawing from her latest issue brief, Russell outlines how medical training timelines, primary care reimbursement structures, Medicaid exposure, and student loan repayments contribute to physician shortages. She also explores the demographic dynamics of Texas’ pediatrician workforce where women represent over 70% of practitioners, unpacking how practice location decisions intersect with regional healthcare infrastructure, pay equity, and access to maternal health services. This conversation was recorded on Aug. 10, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Mentioned in this episode: Heidi Russell, “Distribution and Demographics of the Pediatrician Workforce in Texas,” Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, August 27, 2026. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

8. 

   29 Jun 2026

   11: How Artificial Intelligence Affects Childhood Development

   Is artificial intelligence reshaping how children think? Heidi Russell speaks with Moshe Y. Vardi about the developmental implications of synthetic interaction and how new Texas laws, including the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA), are attempting to govern the frontier of artificial intelligence for the next generation. This conversation was recorded on May 28, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

9. 

   17 Jun 2026

   10: What FEMA’s New Flood Maps Mean for Houston Schools

   FEMA’s new draft maps show a 43% expansion of the 100-year floodplain in Harris County. How will this affect the nearly 90 HISD schools now located in higher-risk zones? Edward M. Emmett and Bill King join Heidi Russell to explore the policy implications for Houston’s schools and the approaches under consideration to improve long-term resilience. This conversation was recorded on May 27, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

10. 

    17 Jun 2026

    9: How Texas Hemp Regulations Affect Youth Safety

    Texas poison center calls are at a 10-year high due to hemp-derived THC products. Heidi Russell speaks with drug policy expert Katharine Harris about the “hemp frontier” and the legislative approaches being considered to address youth exposure to psychoactive substances and deceptive packaging. This conversation was recorded on May 11, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

11. 

    11 Jun 2026

    8: How WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP Support Children’s Health

    Heidi Russell speaks with Charles W. Mathias about the link between pediatric nutrition and healthcare financing. The conversation explores how better alignment between Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC could improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs for the state of Texas. This conversation was recorded on May 4, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Mentioned in this episode: “Aligning Food Health Policy in Texas” Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

12. 

    8 Jun 2026

    7: The Thriving Texas Families Program and State Support for Maternal Health

    Texas has invested $200 million in the Thriving Texas Families program, but what has that investment delivered? Heidi Russell speaks with Elena M. Marks and Anna Chatillon about their evaluation of the program’s transition from the Alternatives to Abortion model and how its funding structure prioritizes non-medical services over clinical care. This conversation was recorded on April 23, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

13. 

    8 Jun 2026

    6: How Public Policy Can Nurture Childhood Resilience

    Are we waiting too long to address children’s mental health? Heidi Russell speaks with Quianta Moore, executive director of the Hackett Center for Mental Health, about the policy shifts needed to prioritize prevention and early childhood development over crisis response. This conversation was recorded on April 21, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

14. 

    28 May 2026

    5: How Science Misinformation Affects Parenting and Child Health

    How do parents and educators distinguish scientific fact from viral fiction? Heidi Russell speaks with Kirstin R.W. Matthews, fellow in science and technology policy, about the challenges of navigating an era of information overload and the importance of scientific literacy for families. This conversation was recorded on April 20, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Mentioned in this episode: Science and Technology Policy Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

15. 

    21 May 2026

    4: How School Safety Policies Affect Student Well-Being

    When families send children to school, physical safety is the baseline expectation. Heidi Russell speaks with Zoabe Hafeez, a hospital pediatrician and Baker Institute nonresident fellow, to unpack how school safety policies translate to clinical realities and everyday life for students. This conversation was recorded on March 23, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

16. 

    12 May 2026

    3: How New Federal Health Policies Could Affect Schools

    As debates over childhood nutrition, physical activity, and school health policy intensify nationwide, new federal initiatives are reshaping conversations about children’s well-being in schools. In this episode of “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, Heidi Russell speaks with Christopher Kulesza about how the “Make America Healthy Again” movement approaches child health concerns, including revised dietary guidance, school meal proposals, and student wellness in schools. This conversation was recorded on Feb. 5, 2026. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

17. 

    16 Apr 2026

    2: What “Make America Healthy Again” Means for Kids and Families

    A movement called “Make America Healthy Again” is gaining attention, but what does it mean for children’s health, and who gets to decide? As rising rates of chronic illness and new debates challenge long-held assumptions about what keeps children healthy, this episode examines what this moment means for families trying to make sense of it all. Host Heidi Russell, director of the Center for Health Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute, sits down with Elena M. Marks, senior fellow in health policy, to unpack the promises, questions, and real-world challenges behind the MAHA movement. This conversation was recorded on Jan. 20, 2026. Mentioned in this episode: The MAHA Report Baker Institute Center for Health Policy Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

18. 

    9 Apr 2026

    1: Childhood Immunizations at Risk: What Families and Policymakers Need to Know

    Vaccines are among the most effective tools for protecting children from preventable diseases, yet misinformation and policy gaps are shaping the conversation across the United States. Heidi Russell, director of the Center for Health Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute, speaks with Peter Hotez, codirector of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, and Rekha Lakshmanan, executive director of public policy at The Immunization Partnership, to examine the science behind childhood vaccines, the impact of misinformation on families, and policy approaches to improving immunization rates. This conversation was recorded on Jan. 16, 2025. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Featured guests: Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D. Rekha Lakshmanan, M.P.H. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Child Health Advocacy + Policy

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.