In the latest episode of Yale Global Health Insights, Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Albert Ko,the Raj and Indra Nooyi Professor of Public Health and Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine. They discuss how his upbringing led directly to his transformative work addressing public health challenges. Dr. Ko has worked extensively in Brazil’s urban informal settlements or “favelas” where rapid urbanization and social inequities fuel the spread of infectious diseases like zika and dengue. The conversation highlights the power of community-driven solutions and the importance of rigorous mentorship in tackling global health crises.