The expand Podcast:
Season 7: COVID-19

Season 7 of The Expand Podcast examines the impact of COVID-19 and respiratory infections in Métis, Inuit, and First Nations communities.

Designed for healthcare professionals and informed listeners, the season highlights trust, culturally safe care, and collaboration to strengthen prevention, treatment access, and community-led initiatives.

Available in your favorite platform:

Inside Season 7

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is rare, often misunderstood, and too often misdiagnosed. For many patients, unexplained breathlessness is dismissed as anxiety or stress, delaying accurate diagnosis by years. PAH is sometimes called an “invisible illness,” yet its impact is life changing and life threatening.

This podcast series brings together patients, advocates, and leading experts to explore why PAH is overlooked, what it means for those living with the condition, and how new treatments are reshaping the future. Across three episodes, you will hear personal stories of resilience, medical insights, and a powerful call for earlier recognition and better care.

Episode 1 | Understanding Healthcare Gaps for Indigenous Communities Facing Respiratory Disease (with Amy Lamb and Mike Boivin)

In this opening episode, pharmacists Mike Boivin and Amy Lamb introduce the series and explore the broader context of respiratory infectious diseases in Indigenous communities across Canada. The conversation highlights the ongoing impact of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza, and discusses the systemic and structural factors that influence health outcomes.

The episode examines barriers such as healthcare access, jurisdictional complexity, and policy gaps, while also recognizing the resilience and leadership within Indigenous communities. It sets the foundation for the series by emphasizing the importance of strengths-based approaches and community-centred healthcare solutions.

You’ll learn about:

The ongoing impact of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza in Indigenous communities
Structural barriers to healthcare access, including geography, funding, and policy gaps
How jurisdictional overlaps can affect healthcare coordination and service delivery
The role pharmacists and healthcare providers can play in addressing health inequities

Episode 2 – How Historical Trauma and Health Inequities Shape Respiratory Outcomes in Indigenous Communities

In this episode, Mike Boivin and Amy Lamb examine why respiratory infections such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV can have different impacts in Indigenous communities. The discussion highlights how chronic conditions, historical factors, and social determinants of health intersect to influence disease risk and outcomes.

The conversation also explores practical strategies for improving healthcare delivery in remote settings, including the importance of trust, relationship-building, and community engagement. By understanding the structural and cultural contexts that shape health experiences, healthcare professionals can better support equitable respiratory care.

You’ll learn about:

How comorbidities such as diabetes, COPD, and cardiovascular disease can increase respiratory infection severity
The role of historical trauma and social determinants in shaping health disparities
Barriers to healthcare access, including jurisdictional gaps and transportation challenges
How community partnerships and trust-based care can improve respiratory health outcomes

Episode 3 – Building Vaccine Trust in Indigenous Communities: Strategies for Respiratory Disease Prevention

This episode focuses on vaccines as a key strategy to reduce the burden of respiratory infections such as COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and pneumococcal disease.

Mike Boivin and Amy Lamb discuss the realities of vaccine delivery in remote communities, including logistical challenges and the importance of culturally respectful engagement. The conversation highlights how trust, partnership, and community leadership are essential for effective vaccination initiatives.

You will learn about:

Why vaccines play a central role in preventing severe respiratory infections
Which vaccines are commonly recommended for high-risk populations
Challenges related to vaccine distribution in remote communities
Why culturally safe and trauma-informed approaches matter in vaccination discussions
How community engagement and local partnerships support vaccine uptake
Practical strategies for healthcare professionals working in community settings

Episode 4 – Rapid Antiviral Access: Overcoming Time-Critical Barriers

This episode examines how early diagnosis and rapid treatment can improve outcomes in respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and influenza.

Mike Boivin and Amy Lamb discuss barriers to testing and treatment in remote settings, the importance of culturally responsive communication, and how community-led pathways can support earlier intervention. The episode introduces the “Life Pathway” model, a practical framework for improving access to care.

You will learn about:

Why early testing and treatment are critical for respiratory infections
The importance of initiating antivirals within the early symptom window
Barriers to testing and medication access in remote communities
How community leadership can help improve health pathways
Practical strategies to identify high-risk individuals early
Why culturally responsive messaging improves health engagement

RESPIPLUS™ received support from Pfizer to develop an informative podcast series specifically tailored to COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.

Collaborating Organizations

This podcast series was developed with the valuable collaboration of organizations committed to improving patient care :

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About The eXpand Podcast

The eXpand Podcast was created by Respiplus, a non-profit organization.

We develop educational programs to help those with chronic lung conditions to better understand and manage their disease.

Our programs are evidence-based and have been demonstrated to improve people’s lives in multiple clinical trials, resulting in better quality of life, reduced hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

Other Seasons of the eXpand Podcast

Unlock science-backed insights and practical knowledge from our previous seasons, each offering a unique perspective into crucial aspects of healthcare: