Watch: Virtual Q&A with top Idaho doctors on public health threats, recorded earlier

Watch this recorded Q&A with Idaho’s Medical Director of Public Health Dr. Christine Hahn and former St. Luke’s CEO and author Dr. David Pate as they answer questions on where Idaho is in the fight against the coronavirus, what the state is doing on the monkeypox front and where the next public health threat could come from.

Learn more about COVID-19 in Idaho and our nation on our COVID content page.

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Public health continues to be a challenge in Idaho and the nation. Coronavirus still is infecting people, and even though it may seem like it’s business as usual, medical experts still advise caution.

And now, outbreaks of monkeypox are making headlines as that viral infection hits emergency levels around the country. Though there are only a few cases in Idaho, concern about the painful infection is high.

And as we enter the cooler fall months, and kids head back to school heralding cold and flu season, could we have a real twin-demic situation?

Our panel:

  • Dr. Christine Hahn is Idaho’s state epidemiologist and the Division of Public Health’s medical director. She is board certified in infectious disease and is Idaho’s liaison to the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Since February 2020, she has been focusing almost solely on our state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the recent monkeypox outbreak.

  • Dr. David Pate led Idaho’s largest medical system, St. Luke’s, for a decade and retired in 2020. He is a member of the Governor’s Coronavirus Working Group and recently co-authored a book, “Preparing for the Next Pandemic: Lessons, Stories and Recommendations” (Johns Hopkins University Press).

Dr. Christine Hahn is Idaho’s state epidemiologist and the Division of Public Health’s medical director. She is board certified in infectious disease and works in the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho’s tuberculosis clinic twice monthly. She also serves on CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and since late February 2020, has been focusing almost solely on responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr. Christine Hahn, Idaho epidemiologist, Public Health Medical Director.

Dr. David Pate.
Dr. David Pate.

Dr. David Pate, retired CEO of St. Luke’s Health Care System, author.

Idaho Statesman Business Reporter and Public Health Reporter Angela Palermo
Idaho Statesman Business Reporter and Public Health Reporter Angela Palermo

Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman public health reporter.

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