What a life-changing cystic fibrosis drug teaches us about translating science into health
You’ve probably never heard of Trikafta — unless you or someone you love lives with cystic fibrosis. The drug has fundamentally changed cystic fibrosis care, extending life expectancy by decades. But the drug costs $326,000 a year — and requires people to be on it for life. Abdul reflects on the central challenge at promoting life-saving innovations that the people who need them can afford. Then he interviews Dr. Michael Boyle, President and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation about the science behind Trikafta and the work to make it universally affordable. 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool. Rhone: Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use AD to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com/AD.
27 Aug 202451min
Just Air
Environmental injustice leaves too many Americans, mainly Black and brown, breathing air that has been poisoned by smokestacks too close to their homes and schools. Abdul reflects on the process that drives it. Then he sits down with Darren Riley, CEO of JustAir, a company working to build air monitoring networks across hard hit communities, about how to leverage tech for environmental justice. 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool. Liquid I.V.: Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V.® Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V.® when you go to liquidiv.com and use code DISSECT at checkout. Henson Shaving: Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter AD at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) Article: Check out their spring and summer home collection at article.com/AD. Make sure to use promo code AD at checkout to save $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more.
20 Aug 202450min
Public Health Across the Divide
Public health is universal–or at least it should be. But since the pandemic, it’s been politicized in ways that threaten critical work in conservative communities. Abdul reflects on how the way we talk about public health may be contributing to that. Then he sits down with Dr. Dwayne Proctor, President and CEO of the Missouri Foundation for Health to learn about the pioneering work they sponsor in Missouri, and what we can learn from their experiences. 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool. Henson Shaving: Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter AD at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) Blueland: Reinvent cleaning essentials to be better for you and the planet, with the same powerful clean you’re used to. Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to Blueland.com/america.
13 Aug 202455min
This made-up medical diagnosis has been used to justify police violence for decades
The concept of “excited delirium” has been used to justify extreme force from law enforcement and to cover up police violence. Coined by a medical examiner in Florida in the ‘80s, it has its roots in eugenics. Abdul reflects on the way that pseudoscience has too often been used by the medical establishment to justify racist maltreatment. Then he interviews Prof. Aisha Beliso-De Jésus, an anthropologist and author of a new book about the history and consequences of “Excited Delirium.” 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool. Article: Check out their spring and summer home collection at article.com/AD. Make sure to use promo code AD at checkout to save $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Liquid I.V.: Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V.® Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V.® when you go to liquidiv.com and use code DISSECT at checkout.
6 Aug 202447min
Fat Joe thinks you should know how much your healthcare costs
Hospitals can charge you however much they want for healthcare — without telling you. Rapper turned healthcare advocate Fat Joe thinks they need to lean back. Abdul reflects on the fight for price transparency in healthcare, then sits down with the entertainer to learn more about his fight for healthcare transparency. 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool. Blueland: Reinvent cleaning essentials to be better for you and the planet, with the same powerful clean you’re used to. Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to Blueland.com/america.
30 Jul 202436min
How Big Was the Hammer SCOTUS Just Took to Government as We Know It?
The Supreme Court is an unelected body–there was a time when the justices understood that. Not this court. In their most recent set of rulings, they took a hammer to the fundamentals of American government. Abdul unpacks the most important ruling. Then he sits down with Leah Litman, Constitutional Law professor and host of Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny to understand the implications for public health and healthcare. 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation invites you to sign up for their new Summer School program at caseygrants.org/summerschool. Liquid I.V. Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V.® Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V.® when you go to liquidiv.com and use code DISSECT at checkout. Article. Check out their spring and summer home collection at article.com/AD. Make sure to use promo code AD at checkout to save $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Lumen. If you want to take the next step in improving your health, visit go.lumen.me/AD for 15% off your purchase.
23 Jul 202453min
Scientists Argue that this Genetic Test’s Results are “no better than a coin flip.” The FDA approved it anyway.
Recently, the FDA approved a genetic test for opioid use disorder despite clear opposition from scientists and the FDA advisory panel that had reviewed the evidence. The case demonstrates the space where Pharma’s incentive may drive innovation that may not help–or worse, cause harm. Abdul reflects on how genetic essentialism and the wrong incentives can reinforce each other. Than he speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Joniak-Grant, a sociologist and patient advocate who voted against the genetic test. 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation invites you to sign up for their new Summer School program at caseygrants.org/summerschool. Henson Shaving invites you to find the razor that will last you a lifetime. Go to https://hensonshaving.com and enter AD at checkout to get 100 free blades with your purchase. (Note: you must add both the 100-blade pack and the razor for the discount to apply.) Blueland invites you to celebrate Plastic Free July with up to 25% off your Blueland order. Go to Blueland.com/america now for your special limited time offer.
16 Jul 202452min
Public health 🤝 Healthcare
To the untrained eye, public health and healthcare are–if not the same thing–then two sides of the same coin. But to those of us who work in public health, healthcare is too often a giant vacuum of health dollars focused more on the bottom line than public wellbeing. Abdul reflects on the tradeoffs between health and healthcare. Then he sits down with Dr. Dave Chokshi, the former New York City Health Commissioner and current Chair of the Common Health Coalition, which is attempting to bridge the divide. 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: Marguerite Casey Foundation who invites you to sign up for their new Summer School program at caseygrants.org/summerschool. Article who invites you to check out their spring and summer home collection at article.com/AD. Make sure to use promo code AD at checkout to save $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Lumen who invites you to unlock your metabolism. Visit go.lumen.me/AD for 15% off your purchase.
9 Jul 202453min
