Podcast Summary: Change Your Brain Every Day
Episode: CA Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos on Women's Health, EMDR & Postpartum Care
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Amen & Tana Amen
Guest: Dr. Diana E. Ramos, California Surgeon General
Air Date: September 24, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode centers on women's health, maternal mortality, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and the wide-ranging efforts California is making to address mental health and reproductive care. Dr. Diana Ramos, the first Latina Surgeon General of California, shares her expertise and experiences in shaping public health strategies, the importance of ACEs screening and intervention, innovative state programs and digital tools, the necessity of preconception planning, and practical guidance for supporting women’s—and children’s—health. The conversation explores both system-level innovation and deeply personal insights into trauma, healing, and generational change.
Key Discussion Points
1. Disparities in Maternal Mortality
Timestamps: 00:00–00:47, 33:34–37:20
- Stark Disparities: Maternal death rates in California are 3–4 times higher for Black mothers compared to White mothers. 60% of maternal deaths occur postpartum.
- “60% of the maternal deaths occur after the birth of the baby…are three to four times higher with black moms than with white moms in this day and age.” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 00:00)
- Risk Factors: Increasing maternal age at first pregnancy, chronic health conditions, and lack of access to care.
- Strong Start and Beyond Initiative: Aims to reduce maternal mortality by 50% by December 2026.
- “[Many asked] why are you doing this?…because we're losing one mom too many.” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 33:39)
2. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Women’s Health
Timestamps: 06:24–12:32, 15:57–19:26, 24:56–25:46
- ACEs Defined: Childhood exposure to abuse, neglect, domestic violence, household addiction or incarceration.
- Impact on Health: High ACEs scores increase risk for numerous adverse outcomes, including early mortality and reproductive health problems.
- “People who score 4 or more [on the ACEs questionnaire] have an increased risk of 7 of the top 10 leading causes of death, and people who have 6 or more die 20 years early. But you don't have to.” (Dr. Daniel Amen, 08:41)
- Two-for-One Effect: Addressing ACEs in mothers can benefit both them and their children (“ripple effect”).
- “If we can help a mom, then we can help not only her, but… the whole family.” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 08:07)
3. California’s Innovations: State-Level Interventions
Timestamps: 09:52–15:06, 21:45–24:56, 41:14–42:04
- ACEs Aware Training: Free, reimbursable training for providers; leads to routine screening and funding for intervention.
- Youth Behavioral Health Initiative: $4.7 billion invested in mental health, digital support for ages 0–26 (for parents and youth alike).
- App Development: Tools like Bright Life (for parents) and Soluna (for youth) offer personalized recommendations and safe communication.
- “All of these resources have been as a result of the realization that we need an upstream approach…” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 11:44)
- Data-Driven, Community-Centered: Apps and interventions designed with input from diverse communities to build trust.
- Cell Phone and Social Media Regulations: Limiting phone use during school hours and promoting in-school mental health supports.
4. Personal & Cultural Dimensions of Trauma and Healing
Timestamps: 15:57–19:26, 19:26–21:45, 43:02–44:22, 45:59–46:33
- Negativity Bias & Survival Instinct: High ACEs scores correlate with increased sensitivity to danger/negative cues.
- “The higher the ACE score, the faster you are at recognizing survival negativity, and you tend to be significantly more negative...” (Dr. Daniel Amen, 15:57)
- “If you grow up how I grew up, you don't want to let go of that survival instinct. So retraining your nervous system is tricky, and it takes time.” (Tana Amen, 16:50)
- Post-Traumatic Growth: Not all trauma leads to PTSD—some channel pain into purpose.
- “About 80% of people actually do okay…10% develop PTSD, but 10% also develop post traumatic growth…” (Dr. Daniel Amen, 19:31)
- Cultural Nuances: Both patient care and digital interventions must honor language and cultural context to be effective and build trust.
5. Preconception Medical Assessment (PRIMA)
Timestamps: 26:14–33:02, 44:52–45:44
- What is PRIMA: An eight-question, validated quiz for people considering pregnancy—modeled after popular magazine quizzes to spark proactive thinking in a positive, culturally relevant way.
- “Prima in Spanish means cousin… [it’s] a validated eight question quiz that was created to provide an opportunity for people to think about their health before they become pregnant.” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 26:24)
- Accessible to All: Available statewide, even to those not actively planning pregnancy to raise awareness.
- Preventiveness is Key: Many maternal and cardiac deaths are preventable—PRIMA helps highlight and mitigate risk factors early.
6. Mental Health: Epidemic Among Women and Youth
Timestamps: 37:38–41:14, 42:04–43:02
- Teen Girls Crisis: CDC statistics reveal persistent sadness, suicidal ideation, and attempts at alarming rates.
- “57% of teenage girls report being persistently sad, 32% have thought of killing themselves, 24% have planned to kill themselves, 13% have tried.” (Dr. Daniel Amen, 37:38)
- Social Media as Double-Edged Sword: Facilitates openness but also drives negative comparisons and anxiety.
- State Response: Limits to cell phone use, expanded school-based mental health, and on-campus provider access.
- “Now schools can treat and get reimbursed for the mental health care that they're providing to students through medical, through their private insurance.” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 41:33)
7. Trauma Interventions: The Role of EMDR
Timestamps: 42:04–43:33
- EMDR Explained: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, especially effective for trauma—including for first responders and survivors.
- “It's a wonderful treatment for trauma... after an average of eight sessions, it had calmed down.” (Dr. Daniel Amen, 42:09)
- Personal Endorsement: Tana shares how EMDR changed her life and parenting—“one of the most important things I've ever done as a mom, as a wife” (Tana Amen, 43:07)
8. Cardiovascular Disease: The “Sleeping Giant” for Women
Timestamps: 43:42–45:44
- Often Overlooked in Women: Symptoms are missed or dismissed as anxiety; heart disease is the leading killer of women as well.
- “Oftentimes people think of heart disease as a male medical issue. It really is equal…number one cause of death.” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 43:42)
- Systemic Bias: Medical complaints from women can be undertreated (“You're just anxious”). Emphasis on equitable, attentive care.
9. Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)
Timestamps: 47:05–55:01
- Mitigating ACEs: PCEs like family dinners, trusted adults, and group belonging can offset the risks posed by negative experiences.
- “The positive childhood experiences…the data has shown when you do having dinner together, have a trusted adult…that can mitigate the adverse childhood experiences.” (Dr. Diana Ramos, 47:05)
- Personal Stories: Dr. Ramos credits her aunt’s presence as a crucial PCE.
- Research Findings: Despite high ACEs, populations with high PCEs (e.g., Native American communities) do better than expected.
Notable Quotes & Key Moments
- On Role Modeling in Medicine:
“If you see it, you can be it. And that's been really an honor to be in this position as California Surgeon General.” — Dr. Diana Ramos, [05:36] - On the Value of Simple Education:
“I wish I would have known. Simple education. That's it. And this is that simple call to action. Just increase awareness.” — Dr. Diana Ramos & Tana Amen, [29:42] - On Trauma and Growth:
“When you experience trauma, about 80% of people actually do okay with it…10% develop PTSD, but 10% also develop post traumatic growth…” — Dr. Daniel Amen, [19:31] - On Preventing Maternal Deaths:
“We know we can prevent maternal deaths and why not start?” — Dr. Diana Ramos, [34:47] - On Taking Care of Yourself Before Pregnancy:
“Take care of yourself first so that then there's more and a better you to take care of others.” — Dr. Diana Ramos, [45:02]
Additional Resources & Where to Learn More
- California Office of Surgeon General Website: For PRIMA and more state initiatives ([55:29])
- ACEs Aware: acesaware.org
- Bright Life & Soluna Apps: Digital mental health resources mentioned.
- Amen Clinics: For information on brain health assessments and mental health care ([06:06, 33:06])
Conclusion
Dr. Diana Ramos brings actionable hope and innovation to the intersection of reproductive health, mental health, and generational healing. The episode bridges policy, personal story, and practical resources—underscoring that awareness, cultural sensitivity, systemic change, and simple family rituals all play a pivotal role in building healthier futures for women and children. The conversation challenges listeners to be proactive about their own, and their families’, physical and mental health—and to seek out the tools and community supports already emerging in places like California.