As part of the celebration of this year’s National Public Health Week, I was invited to participate in a day of events sponsored by the College of Health and Human Services at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte (UNCC). We began the day with Charlotte Talks – a local radio talk show – discussing the role of prevention and access to health care in reducing health disparities. I was joined by Dr. Crystal Piper (UNCC) and Mr. Brad Wilson, CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina for the interview with Mike Collins, host of Charlotte Talks. For an hour, we engaged in a rich dialogue and debate about issues ranging from personal responsibility for health, poverty and other determinants of health, to the benefits, challenges, and costs associated with insuring access to health care for all. We were kindred spirits and like minds sharing the microphone –understanding what can be accomplished when public health and medicine join forces to reduce health disparities.  However, the questions and rebuttals from Mr. Collins and his listening audience reminded me again that we must continue to host these conversations in communities, come with examples that people can relate to now, and not shy away from the hard questions that begin with Why? and How?