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America Dissected

On America Dissected, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Dr. Katelyn Jetelina explore what’s really making us sick and what we’ll need to take on — be it racism, corporate capitalism, or snake oil salesmen — to keep all of us healthy. New podcast episodes every Thursday. Subscribe wherever you listen.

LISTEN: What a life-changing cystic fibrosis drug teaches us about translating science into health

LISTEN: 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

LISTEN: Just Air

LISTEN: 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

LISTEN: Public Health Across the Divide

LISTEN: 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

LISTEN: This made-up medical diagnosis has been used to justify police violence for decades

LISTEN: 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

LISTEN: Fat Joe thinks you should know how much your healthcare costs

LISTEN: 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.

LISTEN: How Big Was the Hammer SCOTUS Just Took to Government as We Know It?

LISTEN: 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

LISTEN: Scientists Argue that this Genetic Test’s Results are “no better than a coin flip.” The FDA approved it anyway.

LISTEN: Scientists Argue that this Genetic Test’s Results are “no better than a coin flip.” The FDA approved it anyway.

Episode Description: 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

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