Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, affecting an estimated hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. In this episode of The Director’s Desk, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya speaks with Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Director of National Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General, about Lyme disease, tick-borne illness, chronic symptoms, prevention, and the urgent need for better diagnostics and treatments.

The conversation explores how Lyme disease spreads through infected ticks, why some patients experience persistent symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and neurological complications, and how NIH, HHS, FDA, CDC, and other partners are working to advance research and patient-centered solutions. The episode also discusses tick bite prevention, co-infections such as babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, and new approaches to understanding infection-associated chronic illnesses.

Dr. Haridopolos also shares insights on public health leadership, patient empowerment, children’s health, the Office of the Surgeon General, and national efforts to address chronic disease and improve health communication.

Listen to learn more about Lyme disease research, tick prevention, chronic Lyme symptoms, and how science is helping shape the future of diagnosis, treatment, and public health.

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Fluoride, oral health, dental infections, and the science behind cavity prevention take center stage in this episode of The Director’s Desk.

NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya sits down with Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, Acting Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), to discuss why dental health is essential to overall health — and what the latest NIH-supported research reveals about preventing tooth decay and serious oral infections.

Tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. When untreated, cavities and gum disease can progress beyond the mouth, leading to bloodstream infections and severe systemic complications. Dr. Webster-Cyriaque explains the science behind oral bacteria, infection risk, and why prevention, early treatment, and community water fluoridation continue to play a critical role in public health.

In this conversation, they explore:

• The health consequences of untreated cavities and oral infections
• The connection between oral health and systemic disease
• The evidence behind fluoride and cavity prevention
• NIH-supported dental and craniofacial research
• Health equity and reducing disparities in oral health care
• Dr. Webster-Cyriaque’s scientific career and leadership at NIDCR

This episode highlights a central message of biomedical research and public health: oral health is integral to overall health.

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In this episode of The Director’s Desk, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya hosts a roundtable with the primary authors of the new HHS peer-reviewed report, “Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices.”

This comprehensive federal review evaluates the scientific evidence behind current pediatric gender dysphoria treatments—including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical interventions—and concludes that these approaches carry significant and long-term risks for children and adolescents.

Featured Authors & Contributors:
• Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg – Physician-Epidemiologist
• Dr. Patrick Lappert – Surgeon
• Dr. Andre Van Mol – Family Physician
• Dr. Stephen B. Levine – Psychiatrist & Researcher
• Dr. Paul W. Hruz – Pediatric Endocrinologist
• Dr. Michael K. Laidlaw – Endocrinologist
• Dr. Miriam Grossman – Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
• Additional contributors to the HHS evidence review and peer-review process

Together, they discuss the report’s major findings, the strength and limitations of the existing evidence base, long-term clinical outcomes, and the implications for research, clinical practice, and public health policy.

To learn more or read the full HHS report, visit HHS.gov.

Unlock the science behind how taste, smell, and the brain shape our health. In this episode of The Director’s Desk, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya sits down with Dr. Paule Joseph—Lasker Clinical Research Scholar, Tenure-Track Investigator, and Chief of the Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism (SenSMet) at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Dr. Joseph shares her career journey and groundbreaking research on chemosensation, metabolism, and ingestive behavior. Her team studies how the brain interprets taste, smell, and chemesthetic signals—and how these pathways change in conditions like obesity, alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorders. She also discusses her clinical-translational work, innovative psychophysical methods, fMRI imaging, rodent models, and SenSMet’s research on COVID-19–related smell and taste loss.

If you’re interested in neuroscience, metabolic health, sensory science, translational research, or the future of precision health, this conversation is for you.

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Learn more about clinical trials or find one near you:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/

In this episode of The Director’s Desk, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya speaks with Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger, Acting Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). They discuss Dr. Taubenberger’s remarkable career path and the groundbreaking research NIAID is leading to prevent, diagnose, and treat infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases.From developing vaccines and life-saving treatments to advancing the science of immune system function, NIAID’s work is shaping the future of global health. This conversation offers an inside look at how cutting-edge research is helping to protect communities in the U.S. and around the world from some of the most pressing health threats of our time.

In this episode of The Director’s Desk, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya speaks with Dr. Geri Donenberg, NIH Associate Director for AIDS Research. Together, they discuss Dr. Donenberg’s inspiring career path and the latest technological breakthroughs that could revolutionize how we treat HIV infection.From decades of research to emerging therapies and health strategies, this conversation offers rare insights into the future of HIV prevention and treatment, directly from a leader shaping the NIH’s scientific mission.🔬 In this episode:Dr. Donenberg’s career journey in HIV researchEmerging HIV treatments and technologiesNIH’s role in HIV/AIDS strategyChallenges and opportunities in combating HIVThe future of public health innovation at NIH

In this episode of The Director’s Desk, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is joined by Dr. Nicole Kleinstreuer, Acting Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives at the NIH.They discuss the evolving role of animal testing in biomedical research, explore cutting-edge alternatives, and examine the ethical and scientific challenges that come with modernizing research practices.Get an inside look at how NIH leaders are shaping the future of biomedical innovation, research policy, and public health strategy.

In this episode of The Director's Desk, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sits down with Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the NIH. Together, they explore the science behind addiction, the ongoing opioid crisis, and the groundbreaking research shaping the future of drug abuse prevention and treatment.🔬 Topics Covered:-The biology of addiction-The opioid epidemic and its public health impact-NIH research on substance use disorders-Policy, stigma, and innovation in addiction science📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe/follow for more in-depth conversations on public health, biomedical research, and science policy.