Podcast: PHI’s Steve Downs Discusses Building H on “Public Health on Call”
Steve Downs, co-founder of PHI’s Building H, discusses how consumer products—like delivery services, smart applications—all have impacts on our health.
-
Focus Areas
Chronic Disease Prevention, Healthy Communities -
Expertise
Health Education & Promotion -
Programs
Building H
In this episode of the Public Health on Call podcast, Steve Downs, co-founder of PHI’s Building H, joins host Dr. Josh Sharfstein to discuss how consumer products—like delivery services, smart applications—all have impacts on our health. Steve also discussed the Building H Index, a unique tool which calculates a health score for these products and services and makes recommendations to companies about how to make their products healthier.
listen to the podcast
When I think about what we want people to do about this, I think about an idea and really getting an idea into the mainstream discussion, and that idea is that the products and services of everyday life are creating an environment that you have to overcome in order to be healthy. Instead of just saying, 'Well, we've got plenty of health care and we can treat that all with health care,' or instead of saying, 'Well, we have to figure out how to help people overcome the environment,' let's actually change it so that it doesn't become so much more unhealthy.Steve Downs, S.M., B.S.
Co-Founder, Building H, Public Health Institute
And I think that the issue there is that I think it's helpful for consumers to be aware of how these products work, and particularly when they're being manipulated by the products. So we're certainly not suggesting that people go out and start boycotting the companies that scored low, but I think pushing back against some of those manipulations.Steve Downs, S.M., B.S.
Co-Founder, Building H, Public Health Institute
Work With Us
You change the world. We do the rest. Explore fiscal sponsorship at PHI.
Support Us
Together, we can accelerate our response to public health’s most critical issues.
Find Employment
Begin your career at the Public Health Institute.
