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.

Lifespans have increased significantly in the past century, and while plastic surgery and eye cream may slow the visible effects of aging, getting older is both an inevitable and natural stage of life. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow talks with Regina Shih, PhD, professor of epidemiology, about the current challenge in the U.S. to ensure quality care and support for aging adults.  

Bristow also answers questions on West Nile, air and water quality, and misinformation following natural disasters in the The Q&A, before discussing the recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda in 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.

As interest in the use of psychedelics as health therapeutics grows, research is uncovering their benefits, potential challenges, and cultural history in medicine. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow speaks with experts Ali John Zarrabi, MD; Roman Politsky, PhD; and Caroline Peacock, DMin, from Emory's Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality to explore the evolving landscape of psychedelic therapy.

In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on the availability of estrogen patches, MHT, the presence of toxic metals in feminine hygiene products, and the surge in childhood illnesses. The show ends with this week’s Sick of the Week, a close (too close?) look at Guinea worm.

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.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the availability of reproductive health care has become fragmented, with states implementing widely varying restrictions and protections. This week, on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest, Whitney Rice, DrPH, cover the current state of reproductive rights in the United States and  the impact on reproductive health and care.

Bristow also speaks on recent updates in public health news, including new data released regarding opioid-related overdoses and a rise in bird flu cases. She also answers listener questions on take-home flu vaccines and using zinc as a treatment for the common cold before breaking down homeopathy in 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.

Clinical trials play a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and developing life-saving therapies, but it has taken decades for medical testing and human research to become scientifically and ethically sound. On this week’s episode of Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Seema Lakdawala, PhD, cover the evolution of clinical trials and highlight their importance in studying flu transmission dynamics.

Bristow also answers listener questions on fluoride, DEET, fruit flies, and rapid at-home flu tests before scrubbing through the details of toxic mold in 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.

The opioid epidemic has affected the lives of millions of Americans, including pregnant people experiencing opioid use disorder and their newborns. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Stephen Patrick, MD, speak about the specific effects of the opioid epidemic on pregnant people and the importance of improving their access to life-saving treatment. 

In the Q&A, Bristow updates on the status of bird flu and answers questions on a new pill for postpartum depression, the rise early onset cancer cases, and silicone vs plastics. Sick of the Week takes a dive into the ongoing listeria outbreak: what is it, how did it happen, and what you need to know.

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.

Food fortification is a simple solution that has played a crucial role in addressing global nutrient deficiencies and preventing life-threatening diseases. On this week’s episode of Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Sharon Bustrak, technical advisor for the Food Fortification Initiative, speak about the health benefits of fortified foods and the next steps for addressing micronutrient deficiencies.

In the Q&A, Bristow also catches up on your latest Covid questions and the HPV vaccine before discussing decriminalization and its impact on substance use and overdose in 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.

With fall approaching, we can expect to see an increase in respiratory illnesses, beyond just COVID-19 and the flu. On this week’s episode of Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Benjamin Lopman, PhD, talk about what diseases to look out for this fall and the challenges of developing vaccines for certain types of illnesses.

Bristow also answers your questions about microplastics in plumbing, the health risks of wearing shoes in your home, and lice in schools. She finishes the episode with a special Sick of the Week detailing the current Mpox outbreak in Africa and why it's been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. 

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.

The creation of modern sewer systems solved critical sanitation issues in growing cities. Today, wastewater can even help researchers to detect and prevent disease outbreaks. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Marlene Wolfe, PhD discuss the evolution of sewers and the role of wastewater surveillance in public health. 

Bristow also answers your questions about timing your COVID and Flu vaccines, if alkaline water has any benefits, the proper way to brush your teeth, if Coca-Cola can prevent e. Coli, and of course - 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. Or, leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.