RFK at HHS
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
Knee-capping the NIH
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
“America First,” Global Health Last
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
Who’s Afraid of a Scientist with a Microphone?
Abdul and Katelyn pose questions for RFK’s Senate Confirmation hearings. Then they discuss the fallout from Trump’s sledgehammer on our government agencies, including: A freeze on most federal grants and aid, here and abroad (now rescinded) A pause on health agency communication and travel Removing all DEI programs from the federal government, including diverse clinical trials Offering all federal employees 6-months of pay to resign from their jobs Then Abdul talks to epidemiologist and author Dr. Caitlin Rivers about her new book Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks. Caitlin tells us where we are in the current flu season, and how public health professionals can build back trust with Americans. You can find Caitlin Rivers’ newsletter Force of Infection here. 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! 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: Our Big Shot: This new podcast series explores one of the biggest achievements in human history: the worldwide effort of immunization. You can listen to “Our Big Shot” wherever you get podcasts.
30 Jan 1h 6min
The WHO, What, and Why of Trump’s first Health Executive Orders
In this supersized episode, Abdul and Katelyn break down Donald Trump’s first executive orders targeting public health and healthcare. Then they discuss the final actions of the Biden Administration, including the preemptive pardon for Dr. Anthony Fauci, a directive to identify bird flu cases in hospitals, and adding Ozempic to this year’s Medicare prescription drug negotiations. Abdul also shares hopeful thoughts about the ceasefire in Gaza. Then he interviews Cornell Law Professor and Marguerite Casey Foundation Freedom Scholar Sabeel Rahman about the legal protections that will help buffer our public health institutions. 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: Calm: Get 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library at calm.com/DISSECT. Our Big Shot: This new podcast series explores one of the biggest achievements in human history: the worldwide effort of immunization. You can listen to “Our Big Shot” wherever you get podcasts.
23 Jan 1h 36min
Imagining a Disease Free World, from the new podcast One Big Shot
Sharing an episode of the podcast Our Big Shot. It asks the question: What if we could build a disease free world? Well, we almost have. We are at a point in history where we have a Big Shot to make that happen. Dr Seema Yasmin, expert in disease control, brings you the stories of disease eradication, and the pioneers who can tell us how to finish the journey. These conversations will make you smarter, entertain and surprise you, and give you hope for the future of humanity.
18 Jan 30min
LA Fires. Bird Flu Updates. And Ultra-Processed Foods.
Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest public health headlines, including the devastating fires in Los Angeles, how urban fires impact human health, another case of avian influenza in a child, and a nationwide drop in the rate of childhood vaccinations. Then Abdul talks to physician and author Dr. Linda Eckert about her new book “Enough,” which chronicles the fight to end HPV through the development of the cervical cancer vaccine, and the barriers that prevent women (and men!) from receiving it. To help those impacted by the wildfires in Southern California, you can donate to: The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank The United Way of Greater Los Angeles The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund 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. Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/AD and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Our Big Shot: America Dissected is brought to you by “Our Big Shot,” a new podcast series exploring one of the biggest achievements in human history: the worldwide effort of immunization. Search for and subscribe to “Our Big Shot: Wiping Out Disease” on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.
16 Jan 1h 22min
Fluoride & IQ. An H5N1 death. Jimmy Carter. And our annual mailbag!
Abdul and Katelyn take your questions after catching up on some of the most pressing health headlines over the holidays–including a new fluoride study, the first H5N1 death, and the passing of public health hero Jimmy Carter. 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: Calm: Get 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library at calm.com/DISSECT. Our Big Shot: This new podcast series explores one of the biggest achievements in human history: the worldwide effort of immunization. You can listen to “Our Big Shot” wherever you get podcasts.
9 Jan 55min
