This spring, Let’s Talk returns with three episodes focusing on the importance of vaccinations and end-of-life care and planning.

The 11th season will be streamed from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Indiana University East’s Facebook page at iue.edu/facebook and will air on WCTV Channel 20. Kara Bellew, director of Career Services at IU East, will host the series.

The series is produced by Rosalie Aldrich, John and Corinne Graf Professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies at IU East.

“I am very proud to work with community partners such as Reid Health, WCTV, and Wayne County Emergency Communications,” Aldrich said. “We also have members of the IU East School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences on the planning committee. We work together to bring in experts to discuss topics important to the local community.”

Aldrich notes that the Let’s Talk series has covered many important topics over its 11-year run.

“Topics have included opioid addiction, cancer prevention/treatment/survivorship, maternal and infant health, disaster planning, among others,” Aldrich said.

The first episode, “COVID-19 and the importance of vaccinations,” airs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8. Speakers include Matt Bailey, pharmacist at Reid Health, and Karen Clark, dean of the IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing since 2019. Over that time, the United States alone has had 50.8 million reported cases, and over 805,000 deaths caused by the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone five and older receive the vaccination, with a preference for an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).

Currently, only 61.4% of people who live in the United States are fully vaccinated. During this episode, experts will discuss the vaccines—including safety, effectiveness, myths and facts and address frequently asked questions.

The second episode airs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, and discusses “HPV and the importance of vaccinations for girls and boys.”

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of related viruses. HPV infections are very common. According to the National cancer Institute, in the United States there is an estimated 24 million active cases and 5.5 million new cases each year. HPV can cause various cancers and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S.

Speakers Cindy Evans, clinical assistant professor for the IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Carolyn Judd, lecturer for IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences, will discuss how to prevent HPV, who should get HPV vaccinations, and the effectiveness of the vaccinations.

The season will wrap up with episode three at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8. Jessica Curd, visiting lecturer with the IU East School of Social Work, is the guest speaker for “End of Life Discussions and Decisions.”

According to the AARP, “How we want to die is the most important and costly conversation Americans aren’t having.” During this episode, panelists will discuss what to consider before having the end-of-life conversation with loved ones, what things to consider, and how to get the conversation started.

Viewers are encouraged to submit questions on the Let’s Talk Facebook page, http://facebook.com/iueletstalk, or to call in with their questions prior to or during the broadcast at (765) 973-8587.

Upcoming Schedule for Let’s Talk
Topic: COVID-19 and the importance of vaccinations
7 p.m., Tuesday, February 8
Speakers:

• Matt Bailey, Pharm.D., pharmacist at Reid Health
• Karen Clark, Ed.D., R.N., dean of the IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences, director for the Center for Health Promotion, IU East

Topic: HPV and the importance of vaccinations for girls and boys
7 p.m., Tuesday, February 22
Speakers:

• Cindy Evans, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., W.H.N.P.-B.C., clinical assistant professor for the IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences
• Carolyn Judd, M.S., lecturer for IU East School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Topic: End of Life Discussions and Decisions
7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8
Speaker:

• Jessica Curd, L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W., A.C.H.P.-S.W., A.P.H.S.W.-C., visiting lecturer for the IU East School of Social Work and Ph.D. candidate at the IU School of Social Work