America Dissected

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Another Day, Another RFK Headline Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn unpack the latest headlines on RFK Jr and HHS, followed by some optimistic news on the spread of measles and Covid. Then Abdul talks to public health educator Dorian Johnson about the wild world of TikTok and Instagram - and how health professionals can harness it to build more trust and goodwill with the public.

This episode was made in collaboration with our sponsor deBeaumont Foundation. You can follow Dorian Johnson on social media @thephuncle on TikTok and Instagram.

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!

Sugar Daddies and Budget Baddies Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health including:

Congress’ vote to reinstate $400 million in funding for global AIDS treatment
Trump’s budget proposal to cut 40% of the NIH budget
The health differences in Coca Cola sweetened with sugar vs high fructose corn syrup
Why heart attack is no longer the leading cause of death in the US
A comprehensive review of GI cancer research that show sharp rise in cases among young people

Then Abdul talks to Dr. Elaine Batchlor from Martin Luther King Jr Community Healthcare about how the impending Medicaid cuts will strain hospitals that serve low-income 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:

NPR Life Kit: Listen now to the Life Kit podcast from NPR.

Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Stall Tactics and Scare Tactics Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health news, including:

Why the cancellation of a key federal health meeting could spell trouble for the future of preventative care in America
The Trump Administration's latest move to intimidate doctors
Medicare’s plan to use AI to help make decisions on prior authorizations
Moderna’s new Covid vaccine, and why it’s only authorized for kids at high risk

Then Abdul talks to fitness influencer Dr. Mike Israetel about his approach to explaining evidence-based science on bodybuilding, and how to build trust with an audience prone to fringe theories.

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:
Ground News: Go to groundnews.com/AD today to get forty percent off the Ground News Vantage plan and get access to all of their news analysis features.

A Big Brutal Bill Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn catch up on a harrowing week in public health, after Republicans passed Trump’s mega bill. They discuss:

New work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries
Why rural hospitals risk closure due to the upcoming changes to Medicaid
New renewal requirements for people who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces
A new high in measles cases, which now jeopardize our “elimination status” distinction
A recent court ruling that halts RFK Jr’s plans to restructure HHS

Then Abdul talks to Dr. Andres Lopez from the Coalition of Communities of Color about their organization's innovative work in community data collection.

This interview was produced in collaboration with our sponsor deBeaumont Foundation.

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: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Boll & Branch: Get 20% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com /AD.

MAHA Comes for Vaccine Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn discuss a busy week in health news including:

The most troubling aspects of this week's ACIP meeting, after RFK Jr's appointees convened to set vaccine policy for next fall.

A flimsy deal among the nation's biggest health insurers, who mutually pinky-promised to improve their prior authorization processes.

RFK Jr's announcement that the US will no longer fund GAVI, the global organization that vaccinates poor children around the world.

A new court order that demands the Trump Administration reinstate hundreds of NIH grants.

Then Abdul sits down with author and legal expert Leah Litman to discuss the biggest SCOTUS rulings of the year, and what it means for the future of public health.

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:

Boll & Branch: Feel the difference an extraordinary night’s sleep can make. Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at bollandbranch.com/ad

A quick note about this week's episode Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Abdul shares a scheduling note, as we closely track this week's ACIP meeting.

RFK Jr Euthanizes ACIP Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn discuss a rocky week in public health including:

RFK Jr gutting ACIP to replace every member with his own appointees.
The LA protests, and how immigration raids hurt community health
Good trouble at NIH, as staff band together and demand director Jay Bhattacharya defend their research

Then Abdul talks to Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, about the Trump Administration's effort to weaponize the government against LBGTQ+ Americans, including cutting the 988 suicide Lifeline.

We are off next week for the Juneteenth holiday. We will be back with another episode on June 26.

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.

Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Boos, Boosters and BooBoos Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in science and health including:

Senator Joni Ernst’s “we’re all going to die” townhall moment
The CDC and FDA’s conflicting guidance on Covid boosters
The errors in RFK Jr's MAHA report
More devastating funding cuts to medical research, including a future HIV vaccine

Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Carmen Rojas, the President and CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation to talk about the role of philanthropy over the next four years, and why MCF has dramatically increased their funding to non-profits to meet this moment.

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:

US COVID Vaccine Policy by Vibes May 22, 2025

Show notes

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health including:

The FDA’s new rules on Covid boosters
RFK’s claim that Americans shouldn’t take his advice
Florida’s decision to remove fluoride from the drinking water
New proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
A genetic breakthrough that saved the life of a 9 month old baby

Then Abdul talks to prescription drug policy expert Dr. Aaron Kesselheim about Trump’s feeble attempt to address drug prices, and what could actually be done to bring them down.

NOTE: We are dark next week for the Memorial Day holiday. We will be back with a new episode on June 5.

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:

Democrats Confront RFK Jr. May 15, 2025

Show notes

Katelyn and Abdul break down the latest news in public health and policy, including:

RFK’s appearance at the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health Committee
The House budget proposal to cut Medicaid
Donald Trump’s Executive Order to bring down drug prices
Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General

Then Abdul interviews former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler about his new book Diet, Drugs and Dopamine.

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:

Lumen: Go to lumen.me/AD to get 15% off your Lumen.

Our Big Shot: Search for and subscribe to “Our Big Shot: Wiping Out Disease” on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

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