America Dissected

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abdul and Katelyn talk about a promising bipartisan bill that could disrupt Pharmacy Benefit Managers, a miracle drug that prevents HIV--at a serious cost, and new data that show that US obesity rates may have fallen for the first time in more than a decade. Then they talk about RFK Jr’s chances of being confirmed to lead HHS after news broke last week that his attorney asked the FDA to repeal approval of the polio vaccine back in 2022. Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Umair Shah, Washington State’s Secretary of Health, about the role of state health departments over the next four years. We will be back with more episodes in 2025. We wish you all a restful holiday season!  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 now to get your free Boston Review issue delivered to your door at CaseyGrants.org/State. Calm: Calm is offering an exclusive offer of 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at calm.com/DISSECT. Lumen: If you want to stay on track with your health this holiday season, head to http://lumen.me/AD for 15% off your purchase. Reclaimed: This podcast takes you back to the very beginning when the Navajo reservation was first created. And it reveals the history of oppression and exclusion that led the Navajo to this point — and why their future is still uncertain. You can listen to “Reclaimed” wherever you get podcasts.

Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest news, including the murder of UnitedHealth’s CEO and new raw milk testing guidelines. Then Abdul sits down with Dermatologist Dr. Farhaad Riyaz to break down fact from fiction on skincare, how online fads are shaping his patients, and what you really should be doing when it comes to your skin routine. 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 now to get your free Boston Review issue delivered to your door at CaseyGrants.org/State. Lumen: If you want to stay on track with your health this holiday season, head to http://lumen.me/AD for 15% off your purchase. Reclaimed: This podcast takes you back to the very beginning when the Navajo reservation was first created. And it reveals the history of oppression and exclusion that led the Navajo to this point — and why their future is still uncertain. You can listen to “Reclaimed” wherever you get podcasts.

Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest in appointments to the new administration. They also discuss the latest news about H5N1 (hint, it’s still bad), and new study’s findings about how the HPV vaccine decimated cervical cancer rates among young women. Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Bill Foege, the public health leader and former CDC director who led the effort to eradicate smallpox, to talk about his new book “Change is Possible: Reflections on the History of Global Health.” 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 now to get your free Boston Review issue delivered to your door at CaseyGrants.org/State. Quince: Gift luxury this holiday season, without the luxury price tag. Go to quince.com/AD to get free shipping and 365-day returns. Blueland: To take advantage of their best sale of the year for up to 30% off your entire order, go to blueland.com/america. Reclaimed: This podcast takes you back to the very beginning when the Navajo reservation was first created. And it reveals the history of oppression and exclusion that led the Navajo to this point — and why their future is still uncertain. You can listen to “Reclaimed” wherever you get podcasts. And don’t forget to visit the America Dissected store for the Holiday sale! We’ve got our logo mugs, t-shirts, and hoodies and our “Vaccines Work. Science Matters.” shirts on sale now! Go to store.americadissected.com, promo code “Holiday.”

Happy Thanksgiving friends! We are dark this week, but we are excited to share that America Dissected merch is back! We have t-shirts, hoodies and mugs at store.americadissected.com Use the promo code HOLIDAY for 15% off! We will see you here next Thursday with a brand new episode.

Abdul and Katelyn break down the week’s top headlines, including what Trump’s troubling cabinet picks say about his priorities, the latest H5N1 case in Canada, and some good news about vaccination rates this fall. And then later, Abdul talks to strength training coach and physician Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum about his approach to evidence-based strength training in a world full of fitness influencers. 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: Join the MCF Book Club at CaseyGrants.org/BookClub. Reclaimed: This podcast takes you back to the very beginning when the Navajo reservation was first created. And it reveals the history of oppression and exclusion that led the Navajo to this point — and why their future is still uncertain. You can listen to “Reclaimed” wherever you get podcasts. You can find Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum at www.barbellmedicine.com

Abdul introduces America Dissected’s new co-host: Dr. Katelyn Jetelina. He and Katelyn break down “Make America Healthy Again,” Project 2025, and what it will take to protect the institutions of public health and healthcare over the next 4 years. 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: Join the MCF Book Club at CaseyGrants.org/BookClub. Lumen: If you want to stay on track with your health this holiday season, head to http://lumen.me/AD for 15% off your purchase.

Abdul reflects on the meaning of a second Trump term.

It’s been a … stressful … couple of months. And if past elections are any indication, that anxiety may not go away any time soon. Though we all know that sleep is critical, few of us get enough of it, particularly during stressful moments. Abdul reflects on the quest for a good night’s sleep. Then he sits down with sleep expert Dr. Chris Winter to talk through the most important things all of us can do to get a good night. 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: Join the MCF Book Club at CaseyGrants.org/BookClub. To See Each Other: A podcast that complicates the narrative about small town Americans in our most misunderstood communities. You can listen to more episodes of To See Each Other at https://link.chtbl.com/toseeeachother?sid=americadissected.