Meet Our Team: Jack Mellom

Over the next several weeks, we will be publishing a series of Q&As introducing our readers to the people behind the work here at Public Health Post: our student fellows and editorial team! First up is Jack Mellom, our multimedia fellow. Jack works to translate PHP’s written articles into entertaining and informative content for wider audiences across social media. He is also the incoming host of our monthly podcast, PHPod.

Learn more about Jack, his public health interests, and where he finds inspiration for his work below.

What public health issue are you most passionate about, and why?

I am passionate about public health promotion and informing the masses about public health problems, while simultaneously providing resources on how to solve them. I have found public health has a marketing problem—too many people see public health as just “preventing bad” rather than also “doing good.” To get people fired up about public health, the latter attitude is necessary. I have found inspiration in using nuanced ways to promote public health and redefine its narrative.

What drew you to Public Health Post, and what are you hoping to contribute or learn?

I saw PHP as a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on what I am already passionate about in public health and dive deeper into that work. Also, the multimedia fellowship position seemed like an amazing chance to grow professionally and personally.

What’s a public health myth or misconception you’d love to bust?

Public health tends to be pretty cynical. Yes, public health covers some very sensitive topics; conversations of death, disease, and pain are synonymous with public health. However, public health is all about solving the problems that cause these events in the first place, and that should never be viewed as cynical. It is hopeful.

How do you know when a story is worth telling?

If you care enough to give a story all your effort, it is always worth telling.

Who or what inspires your writing?

I am inspired by every piece of media that I come across: whether it’s the opening scene of The Social Network making me consider attending BU, or the Talking Heads’ second album inspiring my Instagram bio. I want to be able to leave the same impact on others through the content I create, however big or small.

If you weren’t in public health, what job would you want to try for a day?

A weatherman—who wouldn’t want to talk about meteorology every day and make loads of dad jokes? (Also, it is a profession very accepting of mistakes.)

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl

Last book you read and loved?

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Dream vacation spot?

Japan