Confused, curious or concerned about all the health-related advice making the rounds out there? A new virtual speaker series offered by the University of Alberta’s Department of Medicine and the Edmonton Public Library could be just the remedy.
The new Let’s Talk Health series, launching Sept. 9, connects people with U of A physicians who will share their expert knowledge through presentations on common, popular topics ranging from weight-loss medications like Ozempic to sun safety, workplace stress, gut health and more.
“There’s no shortage of health information out there, and the challenge is in knowing what to trust,” says Dr. Narmin Kassam, chair of the department in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.
“We want to give people an opportunity to hear directly from physicians who work in these areas and make that information understandable, useful and relevant to everyday life.”
Designed for a general audience including family members and caregivers, the Let’s Talk Health series provides people with reliable, evidence-informed information, provides context and helps them feel better equipped to make informed decisions and have conversations with their own health-care providers, she adds.
“Without a medical background, it can be difficult to distinguish between information that is supported by good evidence and something that may sound convincing but isn’t based on sound science,” Kassam notes. “And sometimes the issue isn’t that information is completely wrong — it may be oversimplified, missing important context or not applicable to everyone.”
The Let’s Talk Health lineup reflects the most common internal medicine topics people are wondering about or encountering in their own lives and families, she adds. The series launches with a session on GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Other topics cover vaccines; joint pain, arthritis and inflammation; gut health and nutrition; heart health; kidney health; work-related stress; hypertension and sun safety.
Nine evening online sessions are offered through to June of 2027. Each 30- to 45-minute session focuses on a different health topic, with time for discussion and questions after the presentations. Registration is required, and recordings will be made available for people who can’t attend the live sessions.
Delivering Let’s Talk Health in collaboration with the Edmonton Public Library “is an opportunity to meet people where they are,” Kassam adds, noting that it’s a natural partnership. “Libraries are trusted community spaces built around learning, curiosity and access to information.
“There is tremendous expertise within the Department of Medicine, and we don’t want that knowledge to stay within the walls of the university. This series is one way we can bring it directly into the community.”
The hope is that Let’s Talk Health helps people feel more informed and confident in navigating all the information out there, Kassam says.
“If someone comes away understanding a health issue more clearly, recognizing a misconception they may have encountered, knowing what questions to ask or simply feeling better equipped to evaluate the health information they see every day, then we’ve accomplished something worthwhile.”
