In this episode, host Courtney Allison discusses the latest studies on the health risks associated with alcohol use with Dr. Robert Brown, chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine. They discuss how alcohol affects various organs, including your liver, heart, and brain, as well as its link to several cancers. Dr. Brown discusses the cultural perception of alcohol, the current guidelines around safe drinking limits, and how binge drinking harms the body. 

This week our host, Courtney Allison, talks to rehabilitation medicine specialist, Dr. Asad Siddiqi about what is happening in our bodies when we cold plunge, the health benefits hopping into frigid water and some potential risks to keep in mind. 

It’s been an eventful year for Health Matters and we’ve learned a lot about health. Listen in as Faith and Courtney talk through some of their favorite moments from the past year and share clips from the interviews with meaningful takeaways that have helped them create healthier habits.

This week, our host, Faith Salie, talks to Dr. Nicholas Crimarco, a psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia, about practical strategies for managing tough conversations. Dr. Crimarco shares tips on setting positive tones, expressing goals clearly, validating others' feelings, and using active listening skills to maintain meaningful relationships, especially during the holidays.

We revisit our conversation with clinical dietitian Gabrielle Gambino about ways to combat inflammation through food. Gabrielle explains how fermented foods and fiber provide the basis for a heart-healthy diet, what inflammation really means, and how superfoods and nutrient dense foods give our bodies what we need to fuel a healthy lifestyle.

This week our host, Faith Salie, talks to Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian’s Ambulatory Care Network and Columbia, about ways parents and caregivers can talk to their children about puberty and the changes that come with this stage in life. Dr. Bracho-Sanchez also discusses why puberty may be happening earlier and earlier in children.

This week our host Faith Salie is joined by Dr. David Majure, Medical Director of the Heart Transplant Service with NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, to discuss the use of drugs like Ozempic and WeGovy as a treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in certain adults. They explore the complex connections among weight, cardiovascular health, and inflammation, and how Dr. Majure uses these drugs in his work with patients.

Faith Salie talks with Dr. Anne Marie Albano, clinical site co-director of the Center for Youth Mental Health at NewYork-Presbyterian and a child psychologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia. Dr. Albano describes how caregivers can foster confidence and independence in children and how to keep communication lines open when kids are processing big transitions and challenging issues. 

In this special live episode of Health Matters for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Courtney Allison sits down with Kiley Durham, a mom, artist, and multi-cancer survivor. They discuss Kiley’s cancer journey, and invite two doctors from Kiley’s care team to join their conversation and reflect on her treatment. Dr. Tessa Cigler, a medical oncologist, and Dr. John Ng, a radiation oncologist, celebrate Kiley’s resilience and how she beat the odds. They also talked about their approach to cancer care, which doesn’t just treat the disease, but surrounds each patient with everything it takes to fight it. 

This week, Faith talks with Dr. Morgan Busko, a sports medicine doctor with NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia and five-time ironman finisher. They discuss the vast health benefits of running, the best way to avoid injuries, and what to focus on to become a more efficient runner.