Health Wanted

The exposome is an expansive concept that encompasses everything in the environment a person is exposed to throughout their lifetime. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Doug Walker, PhD, discuss the study of the exposome, environmental exposures, and their impact on human health. In the Q&A, Bristol speaks on the safety of artificial turf, the measles outbreak, and a question about vaccines and neurodiversity sets the stage for Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rural communities face many significant health challenges due to inaccessible health care, economic instability, and occupational hazards. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Hannah Cooper, ScD, discuss rural health disparities and the impact of the opioid use epidemic on rural communities. In the Q&A, Bristol answers questions on bird flu, using "beige" fat cells to destroy tumor cells, a new study on COVID vaccines, and Sick of the Week breaks down RFK Jr.'s reference to Dr. Gregory Poland's work on vaccine schedules. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of conditions that disproportionately impact low-income countries and receive insufficient attention and resources from around the world. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Jessica Fairley, MD, explore some of the most common NTDs and how the U.S. benefits from contributing to their research and prevention. In the Q&A, Bristol addresses questions about the CDC's "Disease Detectives" and the EIS, current measles outbreaks, supplements, aluminum in deodorant, and creatine sets up the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From past to present, public health has driven essential progress, leaving a positive impact on our health and our hearts. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Lisa Waddell, MD, talk about advancements in public health and the importance of addressing risk factors to improve heart health. Bristol answers questions on a variety of topics in the Q&A, including the impact of medications on sexual arousal, menthol cigarettes, ZYNS, a blog linking vaccines and autism, and ashwagandha. Then, Sick of the Week breaks down the recent tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas City, KS. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 2024, the Rollins School of Public Health and the opinion polling company, Gallup, partnered up to get a sense of which public health issues rank as the most important among Americans following the election. In this episode of Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Stephen Patrick, MD, discuss the survey’s results, their personal reactions, and the path ahead. In the Q&A, Bristow gives an update on the implications of losing USAID before answering listener questions on never having COVID, staying safe on cruises, LMNT salt packets, and NAD+ / NMN supplements set up the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historically, health and medical systems have mistreated and exploited Black communities, and the impact of these injustices continues to affect Black health today. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Matthew McCurdy discuss systemic racism, health disparities, and the important public health and medical contributions that Black scientists, doctors, and everyday people have made to public health. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on the country's WHO status, the federal health agency communications ban, bird flu risk in cats, the safety of shopping local, and Sick of the Week breaks down the Red Rye No. 3 ban. Referenced this episode: Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington Racism: Science and Tools for the Public Health Professional, by Dr. Chandra Ford For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From televisions and smartphones to laptops and tablets, screens surround us at all times of day. But what might this mean for our health? This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Daniele Fallin, PhD, explore the complex effects of screen time on mental health and brain function. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on soy products, foot detoxes, looking at the sun through airplane windows, Ozone therapy, and Omega-3s before discussing concierge healthcare in Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sexual health plays a critical role in overall well-being, and having open conversations about it is vital to decreasing stigma and increasing wellness. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Candice Hargons, PhD, discuss some of the most common sexually transmitted infections, effective prevention methods, and the importance of sexual education. Note that this episode contains mature or sensitive material. The Q&A features Bristow answering questions on Hepatitis B, food recalls, the Surgeon General's warning on alcohol, a black plastic utensils update, and seed oils tee up the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weight loss! It’s one of the most common resolutions to make, which means it’s also one of the most common resolutions to break. But a new class of drug is making a significant impact in a traditionally challenging journey. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Meghana Anugu, MD, talk about GLP-1 agonists, their role in weight management, and their social implications. In the Q&A, Bristow gives updates on two Health Wanted recurring characters: Fluoride and Bird Flu. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Juice cleanses. Vitamin supplements. Ice baths. The multi-billion-dollar wellness industry in the United States pushes out products and trends that claim to improve health, but many lack the necessary evidence to back up those claims. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow is joined by Atlanta comedian, writer, and actor Hannah Aselesen to break down current wellness trends. Then, guest Johnathan Stea, PhD, joins to break down the science (or lack thereof) behind wellness industry interventions. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ALA is back! We had so many listener questions, the Health Wanted team once again dives into the listener mailbag to Ask Laurel Anything, from her recommendations on science comms and sewing to her thoughts on Atlanta and music in 2024. Laurel’s referenced science resources: Stat News Amy Maxmen Anna Merlan Bad Science by Ben Goldacre Carl T. Bergstrom We'll be back in the new year to break down more science, in the pursuit of better health. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630. For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted. To support Health Wanted and other public media programing this Giving Season, visit wabe.org/give  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diets high in ultra-processed foods have been linked to increased risk of developing certain health conditions, but scientists are uncertain about the exact cause. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Kevin Hall, PhD, explore the prominent role of ultra-processed foods of in American diets and next steps for uncovering what about them might be contributing to poor health. Then, Bristow answers questions on Glucola and gestational diabetes testing, nasal sprays, the HHS and vaccines, the latest in bird flu, and the recent outbreak in Congo before Sick of the Week: background reading. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted. To support Health Wanted and other public media programing amplifying Atlanta this Giving Tuesday, visit wabe.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the start of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s, an estimated 88 million people have been infected with HIV, and 42 million people have died due to complications from AIDS worldwide. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Carlos Del Rio, MD, cover the global impact of HIV/AIDS, the progress made in treatment and prevention options, and the next steps to continue the fight against the disease. In the Q&A, Bristow discusses sunglasses and UV protection, nicotine content in vegetables, and (of course) fluoride, which sets up Sick of the Week: Health Equity. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted. To support Health Wanted and other public media programing amplifying Atlanta this Giving Tuesday, visit wabe.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus Q&A, the Health Wanted team jumps into the listener mailbag to Ask Laurel Anything, from getting to know Laurel to axolotl updates to holiday favorites. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question or comment! We'll be back next week to break down more science, in the pursuit of better health. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630. For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted. To support Health Wanted and other public media programing this Giving Tuesday, visit wabe.org/give  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds great potential to improve and expedite a variety of processes in health care. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Sayash Kapoor explore AI's capabilities, current limitations, and highlight the next steps in using its power to reach better health outcomes. In the Q&A, Bristow breaks down the roles of the HHS and CMS, gives an update on the latest food contamination story in a new segment (Total Recall), and answers listener questions on hookah, fluoride in Europe, vitamin patches, and mouth taping. This week's Sick of the Week salutes scientific research via a recent stem cell transplant story. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects over 10% of the world’s population and is the eighth leading cause of death worldwide. This week on Health Wanted, in honor of World Diabetes Day, host Laurel Bristow and Mohammed Ali, MD, professor of global health, discuss the factors driving the global rise in diabetes cases and the latest advancements in diabetes research. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on exercise recommendations and the safety of black plastic kitchen utensils before giving updates on bird flu, including recent detection in Los Angeles wastewater and the diagnosis of bird flu in a teenager in Canada. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From anti-smoking campaigns to advertisements for fruit-flavored vapes, marketing has played a huge role in how Americans interact with smoking products for over a century. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Johannes Thrul, PhD, associate professor of public health, explore the evolution of smoking and the latest research into helping people quit. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions about flesh-eating bacteria, a possible link between COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes, and winter respiratory illness season. She then reflects on the importance of context in public health during the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health misinformation is a growing public health crisis, shaping behaviors, fueling skepticism, and undermining trust in science. Today on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Jessica Malaty Rivera discuss common origins of misinformation and ways to combat its spread. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions about State Based Exchanges for healthcare, GLP-1 capsules, and current food-borne outbreaks, setting up the Sick of the Week: federal regulations . For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or @healthwantedshow on IG. You can also leave a comment on YouTube. Or, leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630 - the possibilities are endless! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halloween is here, listen if you dare! Turns out some of the most popular horror myths are based in public health reality. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow is joined by two special guests: comedians Mark Kendall and David Perdue. The three talk through some of the science behind vampires, zombies, mummies, and other things that go bump in the night. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions about one of her favorite treats, candy, before coming to its defense in the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or @healthwantedshow on IG. You can also leave a comment on YouTube. Or, leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630 - the possibilities are endless! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lifespans have increased significantly in the past century, and while plastic surgery and eye cream may slow the visible effects of aging, getting older is both an inevitable and natural stage of life. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow talks with Regina Shih, PhD, professor of epidemiology, about the current challenge in the U.S. to ensure quality care and support for aging adults.   Bristow also answers questions on West Nile, air and water quality, and misinformation following natural disasters in the The Q&A, before discussing the recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda in Sick of the Week.  For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or @healthwantedshow on IG. You can also leave a comment on YouTube. Or, leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630 - the possibilities are endless! For more, visit wabe.org/healthwantedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.