Mayo Clinic Health Matters

Latest Episodes:

Yes, You Actually Do Need Vaccines, Part 2 Aug 18, 2025

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We're back for a second installment of the Vaccines episode, digging further into vaccines and dispelling misinformation about them.

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Gregory Poland returns to explain why women have better immune responses to viral vaccines than men, how "natural infection" is NOT safer than vaccines, and what the future of vaccines looks like.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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Yes, You Actually Do Need Vaccines Aug 05, 2025

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No one likes being poked with a needle, but it’s way better than getting seriously sick. It can be hard to stay up to date with all your vaccinations, though: There’s a new COVID vaccine every year, the new RSV vaccine in 2023, and... when was the last time you got a tetanus booster?

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Gregory Poland explains how vaccines are made, what a world without them would look like, and how getting a vaccine is safer than driving a car.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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Thriving with HIV: Everything You've Missed Since the '90s Jul 22, 2025

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More people are living with HIV than ever before. And no, it's not because transmission rates have spiked. It's because people who are HIV positive are living longer, healthier lives—a radical change from decades past.

On this episode of Health Matters, we're celebrating how far we've come with Dr. Maryam Mahmood, and learning more about HIV looks like today.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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Gland Central: Understanding the Thyroid Jul 08, 2025

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Roughly 20 million Americans already have some form of a thyroid issue. And it's estimated that over half of them... are completely unaware of it.

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Mabel Ryder breaks down the thyroid's important role in the body and how it affects all organs — and what happens when it's not functioning optimally.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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When Good Food Goes Bad: How to Protect Yourself from Food Poisoning Jun 24, 2025

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Most people know not to eat the potato salad that’s been sitting on the picnic table for 8 hours. But what about leftover takeout, raw cookie dough, or produce and meat recalls? Is your gurgling stomach a herald of doom? On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Christine Ragay-Cathers about what happens when food goes bad, common culprits, and how to keep your stomach safe.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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Vital Outdoor First-Aid Lessons Before the Big Hike: Medical Best Practices That Could Save Your Life Jun 10, 2025

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The sun on your face, the wind in your hair, the earth crunching under your boots… what’s not to love? Well, maybe blisters. Or spider bites. Or a sprained ankle. Actually, a lot of things can go wrong in nature. But with preparation, you can make good decisions and take in all the benefits fresh air has to offer. This episode, we’re joined by Dr. Neha Raukar to talk about outdoor first aid—what to do if something goes wrong, and how to prevent it from going wrong in the first place.

Purchase Dr. Raukar's book, Mayo Clinic First-Aid Guide for Outdoor Adventures, from Mayo Clinic Press today!

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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The Mental Health Conversation Your Primary Team Wishes You Would Have May 27, 2025

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You probably know that modern mental health care doesn’t mean lying down on a couch and looking at ink blots. But you might not realize that for many folks, mental health care starts in primary care. Your primary care physician could be your first—and maybe only—stop on your way to mental wellness.

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Jen Brull, a family physician and the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, about how to start that conversation with your primary care team, what they can and can’t treat, and even some things you might be too afraid to ask.

For more mental health resources from the AAFP, check out familydoctor.org. If you or a loved one is in crisis, you can also call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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BONUS EPISODE: Face in the Mirror May 20, 2025

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We're excited to share an audio preview of our new book, Face in the Mirror: A Surgeon, a Patient, and the Remarkable Story of the First Face Transplant at Mayo Clinic.

You can order your print copy of the book from Mayo Clinic Press, or keep listening to the audiobook on Audible, Libro.fm, Audiobooks.com, or wherever you get your audiobooks.

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A Surgeon, a Patient, and the Remarkable Story of the First Face Transplant at Mayo Clinic May 13, 2025

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The first face transplant was performed in 2005. Since then, only about 50 face transplants have been done in the entire world. It’s a complex surgery that requires all the expertise a surgeon can bring to the table. It can also be life-changing for patients.

On this episode of Health Matters, we’ve got two amazing guests: Dr. Samir Mardini, a facial plastic surgeon who performed Mayo Clinic’s first-ever face transplant, and Andy Sandness, the recipient of that transplant.

To learn more about Andy and Dr. Mardini's story, purchase your copy of Face in the Mirror from Mayo Clinic Press today.

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The Skincare Secrets Doctors DO Want You to Know: Reclaim Skin Health, Rejuvenation and Vibrance Apr 29, 2025

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In today's world, skincare is largely focused on aesthetics, but what about its impact on our physical well-being?

In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Saranya Wyles joins us to discuss the vital functions of our skin, tips for maintaining its health, and the latest advancements in skin healing and rejuvenation.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

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