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 [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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/give

See 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 [email protected] 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/give

See 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See 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 [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See 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 [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See 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 [email protected] 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/healthwanted

See 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 [email protected] 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/healthwanted

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.