Emily Mendenhall

@emendenhall.bsky.social

900 followers 610 following 61 posts

Professor @Georgetown SFS, writing on medical anthropology, global health, chronic illness, mental health, health politics, syndemics

Author of Invisible Illness, https://www.ucpress.edu/books/invisible-illness/hardcover .. more

Videos

Emily Mendenhall is a medical anthropologist and Professor in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Her research considers syndemics, mental health, cultural idioms of distress, health politics and systems, migration and health, flourishing, and complex chronic conditions. She was awarded the George Foster Award for Practicing Medical Anthropology in 2017 from the Society for Medical Anthropology for her work on syndemics. In 2023, she received a Guggenheim Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation in recognition of her anthropological work on COVID-19. .. more

Public Health 31%

Psychology 25%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · 4d

As we embark on this week of giving thanks, let this article provide a space to remember how deeply our nourishment is linked to other living things.

us13.campaign-archive.com?u=3047152ffc...

Protecting people, Protecting Salmon

us13.campaign-archive.com

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 12d

Very disappointed none of you told me that Lewis Mumford made a 1963 film about car dependency, and it's available on YouTube.

"The motor car inflates our private ego, proclaims our social status, and provides us with the illusion of freedom and power."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIKZ...

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall, Smith

Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 14d

This is designed to tank public health & primary care by excluding public health professions, advanced nursing practice, physical & occupational therapy from loans that can cover the cost of education. This is going to make an existing workforce crisis worse.
aspph.org/department-o...

Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition

Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.

aspph.org

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

Shreeja @shreejashreeja.bsky.social · 16d

Very importantly,
@emendenhall.bsky.social's new book, 'Invisible Illness: A History, from Hysteria to Long COVID' is going to be out in January (2026) with California Press!!!
Link: www.ucpress.edu/books/invisi...
Super excited! Yayayy! :D

Invisible Illness by Emily Mendenhall - Hardcover

Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.

www.ucpress.edu

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

ghpoliticspodcast.bsky.social @ghpoliticspodcast.bsky.social · 28d

The latest #GlobalHealth #Politics #Podcast episode is out. Listen to @uwnews.uw.edu Prof James Pfeiffer on Debt, Austerity & Decolonization globalhealthpoliticspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2364394/epis... @americananthro.bsky.social @isanet.bsky.social @ethnography911.bsky.social @dadakim.bsky.social

Season 2, Episode 6: James Pfeiffer on Debt, Austerity, and Decolonization - The Global Health Politics Podcast

In this long-awaited episode, originally recorded in Fall 2022, Joseph Harris sits down with Dr. James Pfeiffer, Professor of Global Health and Anthropology at University of Washington. They talk abou...

globalhealthpoliticspodcast.buzzsprout.com

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Oct 20

We published our first newsletter this morning for Science Politics! Science Politics is a new publication that pairs academic rigor with journalistic storytelling to explore intersections of science and politics.

Sign up for the newsletter here: georgetown.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

Reposted by Rosemary A. Joyce, Melissa Johnson, Emily Mendenhall , and 3 more Rosemary A. Joyce, Melissa Johnson, Emily Mendenhall, Stacy D. VanDeveer, Nikolay Marinov, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò

amanda moore 🐢 @noturtlesoup17.bsky.social · Oct 12

The inflatables have made it to Broadview.

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Sep 14

Take a look at this bit about: How to talk with people you disagree with! I did not realize this was video podcast before we started rolling--a very summered look but a great conversation. #unmasked #talkingacrosspoliticaldivides

youtube.com/watch?v=MLnB...

youtube.com

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Sep 5

New piece on thinking about innovative solutions for addiction care in the USA, drawing from south-north learning. Fun DC-area collab in GMH! #globalmentalhealth #peercounselors

www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

The opioid epidemic is a persistent problem. These researchers think they have a solution.

Peers are one potential solution to help address the massive gaps in access to substance use and mental health care in the U.S.

www.usatoday.com

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

William Adler @williamadler78.bsky.social · Sep 4

Also, if you want to learn about the Department of War and its origins, you should read my book: www.pennpress.org/978081225348...

Engineering Expansion – Penn Press

Engineering Expansion examines the U.S. Army's role in U.S. economic development from the nation's founding to the eve of the Civil War. William D. Adler sta...

www.pennpress.org

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

ghpoliticspodcast.bsky.social @ghpoliticspodcast.bsky.social · Sep 2

Our latest episode explores the efforts of @joinchic.bsky.social to professionalize community health work globally. Check out the conversation at globalhealthpoliticspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2364394/epis... @pih.org @madhupai.bsky.social @dadakim.bsky.social @sorchabrophy.bsky.social #globalhealth

Season 2, Episode 4: The Community Health Impact Coalition's Campaign to Professionalize Community Health Work Globally - The Global Health Politics Podcast

Many health systems around the world rely on community health workers (CHWs) who play vital roles in health promotion, disease prevention, and primary care. While CHWs in some countries are not paid o...

globalhealthpoliticspodcast.buzzsprout.com

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

Think Global Health @thinkglobalhealth.org · Aug 19

From the Cough of Perinthus in ancient Greece to Long COVID in the modern world, societies have toiled under post-viral illnesses.

@emendenhall.bsky.social and Phil Fink describe the history of these conditions, which have struggled to breach mainstream policy.

From Long Flu to Long COVID: A Brief History of Postviral Illness | Think Global Health

Despite centuries of examples, long-term maladies after flu and other viruses remain absent from mainstream policy

www.thinkglobalhealth.org

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Aug 9

Love this review of Unmasked.

www.instagram.com/reel/DNI85dk...

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall, Julia Lynch

ghpoliticspodcast.bsky.social @ghpoliticspodcast.bsky.social · Aug 5

The #GlobalHealth #Politics #Podcast for inspiring & powerful conversations on issues that matter with scholars, activists & policymakers @dadakim.bsky.social @victorroy.bsky.social @jlynch13.bsky.social @emendenhall.bsky.social @ethnography911.bsky.social globalhealthpoliticspodcast.buzzsprout.com

The Global Health Politics Podcast

Hosted by Joseph Harris, the Global Health Politics podcast features intimate, one-of-a-kind conversations with leading scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and activists working on critical issues ...

globalhealthpoliticspodcast.buzzsprout.com

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Aug 5

We are so proud of our colleague Megan Lickley in the STIA Program at Georgetown University who was awarded a multimillion dollar grant to strengthen monitoring of potent greenhouse gases! Congrats Megan!

stia.georgetown.edu/2025/08/05/p...

Professor Megan Lickley Awarded $4M to Strengthen Global Monitoring of Potent Greenhouse Gases - STIA

Dr. Megan Lickley, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University’s Earth Commons Institute for Environment & Sustainability and the Science, Technology and International Affairs (STIA) Program, has bee...

stia.georgetown.edu

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Jul 29

I'm often blown away by the ingenuity and impact of our STIA alums. Our community is bright and bold! Check out this fantastic new film about deep sea mining. STIA scientific comms at its best!

www.scientificamerican.com/video/polyme...

Millions of Mysterious Deep-Sea Nodules Offer Clues to Life—And Riches to be Mined

When researchers discovered evidence of “dark oxygen” last year, the news spread around the world, but the biggest challenge to the science comes from its funders

www.scientificamerican.com

Reposted by Seema Jayachandran, Emily Mendenhall

Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · Apr 16

I’m about to board my flight to El Salvador, where I hope to meet with senior government officials to discuss the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

I also hope to see Kilmar and check on his condition — and remind him that we won’t stop fighting until he’s home.

Headed to El Salvador to meet with government officials and discuss return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

YouTube video by Senator Chris Van Hollen

youtube.com

Reposted by Clare Bambra, Emily Mendenhall

Julia Lynch @jlynch13.bsky.social · May 31

New podcast just dropped!

It was good fun to shoot the breeze with Joe Harris about my research on the political economy of public health for his Global Health podcast.

You can listen in at the link here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Season 2, Episode 1: Julia Lynch on Political Science and the Political Economy of Health - The Global Health Politics Podcast

In this episode of the Global Health Politics Podcast, Joseph Harris sits down with University of Pennsylvania political scientist Julia Lynch to discuss her work on politics, pandemics, public health...

urldefense.com

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

Tania J. Spencer @taniaspencer.bsky.social · Jul 22

"Time and again, society has failed to reckon with these conditions, relegating their sufferers to the fringes of medical understanding and societal concern":

@emendenhall.bsky.social
Via @rfh1955.bsky.social

www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/long...

From Long Flu to Long COVID: A Brief History of Postviral Illness | Think Global Health

Despite centuries of examples, long-term maladies after flu and other viruses remain absent from mainstream policy

www.thinkglobalhealth.org

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Jul 21

Take a look at my new piece on the history of post-viral syndromes and get a sneak peak into some of the topics in my new book!

www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/long...

From Long Flu to Long COVID: A Brief History of Postviral Illness | Think Global Health

Despite centuries of examples, long-term maladies after flu and other viruses remain absent from mainstream policy

www.thinkglobalhealth.org

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

Georgetown School of Foreign Service @georgetown-sfs.bsky.social · Jul 8

How are online communities changing the conversation around Long COVID? SFS Prof @emendenhall.bsky.social shares insights on Long COVID, vaccine politics and digital activism.

Read the full Q&A: bit.ly/4nCaEfr

Five questions about Long COVID and patient activism online - SFS - School of Foreign Service - Georgetown University

SFS Professor Emily Mendenhall answers questions about Long COVID, vaccine politics and how digital activism has helped Long COVID patients find resources and community.

bit.ly

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Jul 7

sfs.georgetown.edu/news-five-qu...

Five questions about Long COVID and patient activism online - SFS - School of Foreign Service - Georgetown University

SFS Professor Emily Mendenhall answers questions about Long COVID, vaccine politics and how digital activism has helped Long COVID patients find resources and community.

sfs.georgetown.edu

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier, Emily Mendenhall

Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · Jul 2

Hot off the presses in The Lancet: Building a resistance to US assaults on public health. With Alicia Ely Yamin and Emma Joanna Lengle. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Building a resistance to US assaults on public health

The administration of US President Donald Trump has launched a full-fledged assault on science and public health;1 its “flood the zone” strategy created chaos and initially overwhelmed potential oppos...

www.thelancet.com

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

Jussi T. Eronen @jussiteronen.bsky.social · Jul 1

Change in the air.

Anil Dash @anildash.com · Jul 1

This @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social video is absolutely INCREDIBLE. The numbers he cites, the strategy and results they produced — it’s the future. When have you heard *any* campaign talk about this, ever? (Video split in 2 to fit in Bluesky’s limits)

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

NPR @npr.org · Jul 1

This is the union's first major strike in nearly 40 years, when a 20-day work stoppage led to trash piling up on city streets. Leaders say the workers can't afford to live in the city they serve. (via ‪@whyy.org)

Philly’s largest city workers' union is on strike. Here’s what to know

AFSCME District Council 33 represents 9,000 employees ranging from sanitation workers to crossing guards. Trash pick-up, pools and 911 calls are among the services impacted.

n.pr

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Dec 13

Unmasked: COVID, Community, and the Case of Okoboji... what happened in the early pandemic in rural Iowa when COVID denialism was common and businesses put profits over people. Good primer for the next four years--lean into the grey areas. www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/978082650452...

Unmasked – Vanderbilt University Press

Unmasked is the story of what happened in Okoboji, a small Iowan tourist town, when a collective turn from the coronavirus to the economy occurred in the COV...

www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com

Emily Mendenhall @emendenhall.bsky.social · Jun 30

Loving this podcast with @kenworthy.bsky.social. Check it out, in the meanwhile!

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...

Ep 1: Welcome

Podcast Episode · In the Meanwhile · 06/13/2025 · 35m

podcasts.apple.com

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Jun 25

legend.

VIRAL MOMENT: NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Confronts Border Czar Tom Homan

YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News

youtu.be

Reposted by Emily Mendenhall, Jennifer A. Johnson

Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · Jun 23

I rarely post personal things. But I need to talk about my 4-year-old niece, Hope.

She has a rare disease. A drug called elamipretide has helped her survive.

But the FDA recently denied its approval.

Now, her health hangs in the balance.

Please share her story & urge the FDA to reconsider. 🧵

Add to Home Screen

Light up
your news

Add to Home Screen

Light upyour news

Sign in to Lightnews

Sign up to start reading

Connect Bluesky

Connect with Bluesky

Light up
your news