America Dissected

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in the world of public health including: RFK Jr’s problematic new strategy on avian influenza A new report showing heavy metals in some US baby formulas Trump’s attack on higher education Trump’s new pick to lead the CDC A shadow CDC website, created by the non-profit founded by RFK Jr. Katelyn and Abdul’s reaction to that episode of The Daily (iykyk) How the DOGE cuts are hitting the VA. Then Abdul interviews urologist Dr. Maria Uloko about her groundbreaking work in sexual health, and the deep gender disparities that she’s working to erase.  Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: Find new, research-tested messaging to communicate about public health, plus useful tips for the real-world situations you face, at debeaumont.org.

27 Mar 49min

Abdul and Katelyn round up all the latest health news, including: The growing measles outbreak out of Texas RFK Jr’s false claim that the measles vaccine causes death The withdrawal of Dave Weldon’s nomination at CDC, and who could take his place Dr. Oz’s confirmation hearings, and what could be next for Medicare and Medicaid The Covid-era healthcare programs that were extended by the government funding bill West Virginia’s move to ban food additives, including red dye The latest round of DOGE cuts A new COVID variant in South Africa Then Abdul interviews author Charles Duhigg about his new book Supercommunicators, about the ways physicians and public health workers can have more productive conversations with patients. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: Find new, research-tested messaging to communicate about public health, plus useful tips for the real-world situations you face, at debeaumont.org. Boll & Branch: Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at bollandbranch.com/AD.

20 Mar 1h 5min

Abdul and Katelyn talk about the current measles outbreak, the danger of relitigating the MMR vaccine again, and the latest round of DOGE cuts to public health. They also peek into the confirmation hearings for Trump’s picks to lead NIH and the FDA, where Senators pressed hard against vaccine skepticism. Then Abdul talks to Adrienne Ammerman, founder of the public health communications platform Arclet. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: For 25 years, the de Beaumont Foundation has worked to create practical solutions that improve the health of communities across the country. To learn more, visit debeaumont.org.  Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/AD and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!

13 Mar 1h 7min

This week Abdul is joined by physician and writer Dr. Dhruv Khullar, who is subbing in for Dr. Katelyn Jetelina this week.  Abdul and Dhruv discuss a rash of alarming news out of HHS, including its uneven measles response, more cancelled meetings, a policy change to end public comment, and the re-evaluation of a key bird flu vaccine contract. They also break down the Republican budget plan and explain why its proposed cuts would likely gut Medicaid. Then Abdul sits down with Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, about the impact of ICE raids on the immigrant community. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out! This episode was brought to you by: Quince: Get free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/AD

6 Mar 1h 11min

Abdul and Katelyn discuss some worrisome changes at HHS, including RFK’s decision to postpone a key immunization committee’s scheduled meeting and the Trump Administration’s short-sighted strategy to combat bird flu. Then Abdul talks to Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf about the impacts of the federal workforce purge. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts and “Make America Scientific Again” ballcaps! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at bollandbranch.com/AD.

27 Feb 1h 9min

Abdul and Katelyn talk about RFK Jr.’s first actions at HHS, including his first meeting with employees, where he promised to investigate the pediatric vaccine schedule and the use of mental health meds. Then they break down the nature vs modernity debate, and why the good old days weren’t all good. They also track the most recent firings in the federal workforce purge. Then Abdul interviews physician, professor and writer Dr. Dhruv Khullar about his recent piece in the New Yorker about ultra processed foods. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts!

20 Feb 1h 12min

Abdul and Katelyn explain how Trump’s cuts to NIH will hobble U.S. research labs and their surrounding economies. They also speculate on RFK Jr’s first moves at HHS, and a new bird flu mutation. Then Abdul sits down with Drs. Joseph Wright and Helen Burstin to learn more about their efforts to root race-based clinical algorithms out of healthcare. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Make America Scientific Again” ballcaps! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/AD and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Boll & Branch: Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at bollandbranch.com/AD.

13 Feb 1h 26min

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the RFK confirmation hearings, the gutting of USAID, and the erasure of CDC data. Then Abdul sits down with the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills, about the public health process the NFL used to reduce concussions. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our brand new “Science Won’t Be Silenced” long-sleeved t-shirts and “Make America Scientific Again” ballcaps! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out:  Calm: Get 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library at calm.com/DISSECT. Quince: Indulge in affordable luxury. Go to Quince.com/ad for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

6 Feb 1h 16min