Episodes

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

    Scientists Argue that this Genetic Test’s Results are “no better than a coin flip.” The FDA approved it anyway.
    Jul 16 2024
    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.
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    52 mins
  • Public health 🤝 Healthcare

    Public health 🤝 Healthcare
    Jul 9 2024
    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.
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    53 mins
  • Our Institutions Have Long Covid with David Wallace-Wells

    Our Institutions Have Long Covid with David Wallace-Wells
    Jul 2 2024
    The pandemic didn’t change everything–it just made everything weird. From declining trust in institutions to the growing power of Big Tech on our lives, we are struggling to deal with the world as it’s become. Abdul reflects on the long tail of the pandemic. Then he sits down with New York TImes columnist David Wallace-Wells to talk about post-pandemic “medical libertarianism,” social media and teen mental health, and the impact of the pandemic on the foundations of our lives. 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.
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    1 hr
  • When Racism goes “Systemic”

    When Racism goes “Systemic”
    Jun 18 2024
    Racism is among this country’s most persistent original sins. Not only does it pattern access to everything from education to housing to jobs — but infant mortality, cancer, and life expectancy. Abdul reflects on the stickiness of racism. Then he interviews author and journalist Dr. Layal Liverpool, author of the new book “Systemic,” about how racism gets under the skin, how that differs across countries, and what we can do about it. Pick up your copy of “Systemic” here. 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. 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.)
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    54 mins
  • Our Mental Health System is Broken

    Our Mental Health System is Broken
    Jun 11 2024
    We talk a lot more about mental health than we used to — and that’s served to destigmatize it and promote opportunities to improve it. But that conversation has yet to improve mental healthcare for those who need it most. Abdul reflects on why we still have so much further to go. Then he sits down with Dr. Alice Feller, a psychiatrist and author of American Madness about how politicians disassembled the US mental healthcare system and what we need to do to rebuild it. 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 Lumen if you want to take the next step in improving your health, go to https://lumen.me/AD to get 15% off your Lumen.
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    48 mins
  • Bernie Sanders on a 32-hour workweek, the Long COVID moonshot, and Ozempic

    Bernie Sanders on a 32-hour workweek, the Long COVID moonshot, and Ozempic
    Jun 4 2024
    Too many politicians are too beholden to the healthcare industry to propose any meaningful change. That’s not true of the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders. Since 2016, his ideas have animated some of the most important changes in healthcare policy. Abdul reflects on the need for big ideas–and why we don’t get them that often. Then he interviews Senator Bernie Sanders on the 32-hour workweek, his Long COVID moonshot, and the price of GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic. 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 book club at caseygrants.org/bookclub 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.
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    35 mins
  • Trauma can lead to…Growth?

    Trauma can lead to…Growth?
    May 28 2024
    Trauma is all around us–and the word has come to dominate so much of our conversation about mental health. The common perception of trauma is that it lingers, devastating mental health over time. But what if the more common consequence of trauma was growth? Abdul reflects on the way we think about trauma. Then he interviews Prof. Richard Tedeschi, the psychologist who coined the term “post-traumatic growth” about the phenomenon, why it happens, and how we unlock it. 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 book club at caseygrants.org/bookclub
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    55 mins
  • America’s NoFundMe Healthcare System

    America’s NoFundMe Healthcare System
    May 21 2024
    Millions of Americans go without healthcare every year. Many of them turn to crowdfunding to support their needs. Abdul reflects on what that says about how we think about one another. Then he interviews Prof. Nora Kenworthy, author of the new book “Crowded Out: The True Costs of Crowdfunding Healthcare” about who wins, who loses, and how we build a healthcare system where Americans don’t need to crowdfund. 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 book club at caseygrants.org/bookclub 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.
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    50 mins