This past week, I started working with The Measure of Everyday Life as an intern. That has meant I have had a chance to listen to lots of the show’s past episodes, including the recent exploration of opioid use, abuse, and remedies. In this episode (and many others), I observed an intersection of different fields of study, something that was interesting to consider as I get ready to continue my studies at Tulane University this fall. Maybe instead of just picking one major direction for my studies I should try to connect various areas of study.
One of the guests on that episode, Nicole Schramm-Sapyta, has an educational background in pharmacology, yet, in relation to the opioid epidemic, she has begun to focus more on the public health aspect of the problem. The opioid epidemic requires medical doctors, public health researchers, and pharmacologist scientists to work together to find a solution. Not only do we need researchers, but we also need educators to help teach people to understand the epidemic. We have to involve local communities, as Wilkes County, North Carolina, did in responding to the crisis. Listening to this episode, I got to see how much intersection is necessary between different experts to help solve problems. The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis, but it won’t get solved without the involvement of experts in the medical field and educators who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. The intersection of different fields has become a more and more common practice as people begin to realize how much overlap there can be in one issue. As I continue in my internship and throughout my career, I plan to keep in mind how important involving people of different fields is and make sure that I approach problems with an open mind and with a team of people with unique backgrounds.
– Adele Namboodri
Photo: Adele working with WNCU staff
The Measure of Everyday Life 