Health Wanted

In honor of World Tuberculosis Day, Health Wanted presents author John Green in conversation with host Laurel Bristow for his new book, “Everything is Tuberculosis.” Live from Glenn Memorial at Emory University on March 21, 2025, John and Laurel discuss the book, the persistence of tuberculosis, and what happens when people confuse him for his brother, Hank.

Have a question for Laurel in a future episode? 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.

Every year, tuberculosis claims over one million lives worldwide. The United States has long been a key contributor to global efforts in preventing, treating, and researching the disease. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Kenneth Castro, MD, discuss the ongoing challenges of tuberculosis and the impact that recent cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development budget are having on global tuberculosis efforts.

The Q&A addresses the question of transgender mice, the cause of death of Gene Hackman and his wife, and the current measles outbreak. Total Recall covers the recent recall of two FDA safety boards, and "What the Health" fills in for "Sick of the Week" to look at the most recent bird flu suggestion from the current US Secretary of Health and Human Services.

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.

Five years ago this week, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This fast-tracked information sharing, vaccine development and deployment, and activated the global scientific community as they worked to understand the virus and minimize its spread. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, co-lead investigator of the Yale COVID-19 Recovery Study, look back at the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss what we’ve learned, where we are, and what lies ahead.

Bristow then answers questions in the Q&A concerning ivermectin, parasites and allergies, clinical trials for children, Invisalign retainers and microplastics, and the impact of recent government policy on flu shot access 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 leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The exposome is an expansive concept that encompasses everything in the environment a person is exposed to throughout their lifetime. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Doug Walker, PhD, discuss the study of the exposome, environmental exposures, and their impact on human health.

In the Q&A, Bristow speaks on the safety of artificial turf, the measles outbreak, and a question about vaccines and neurodiversity sets the stage for 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.

Rural communities face many significant health challenges due to inaccessible health care, economic instability, and occupational hazards. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Hannah Cooper, ScD, discuss rural health disparities and the impact of the opioid use epidemic on rural communities.

In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on bird flu, using "beige" fat cells to destroy tumor cells, a new study on COVID vaccines, and Sick of the Week breaks down RFK Jr.'s reference to Dr. Gregory Poland's work on vaccine schedules.

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.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of conditions that disproportionately impact low-income countries and receive insufficient attention and resources from around the world. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Jessica Fairley, MD, explore some of the most common NTDs and how the U.S. benefits from contributing to their research and prevention.

In the Q&A, Bristow addresses questions about the CDC's "Disease Detectives" and the EIS, current measles outbreaks, supplements, aluminum in deodorant, and creatine sets up 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.

From past to present, public health has driven essential progress, leaving a positive impact on our health and our hearts. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Lisa Waddell, MD, talk about advancements in public health and the importance of addressing risk factors to improve heart health.

Bristow answers questions on a variety of topics in the Q&A, including the impact of medications on sexual arousal, menthol cigarettes, ZYNS, a blog linking vaccines and autism, and ashwagandha. Then, Sick of the Week breaks down the recent tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas City, KS.

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.

In December 2024, the Rollins School of Public Health and the opinion polling company, Gallup, partnered up to get a sense of which public health issues rank as the most important among Americans following the election. In this episode of Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Stephen Patrick, MD, discuss the survey’s results, their personal reactions, and the path ahead.

In the Q&A, Bristow gives an update on the implications of losing USAID before answering listener questions on never having COVID, staying safe on cruises, LMNT salt packets, and NAD+ / NMN supplements set up 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.

Historically, health and medical systems have mistreated and exploited Black communities, and the impact of these injustices continues to affect Black health today. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Matthew McCurdy discuss systemic racism, health disparities, and the important public health and medical contributions that Black scientists, doctors, and everyday people have made to public health.

In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on the country's WHO status, the federal health agency communications ban, bird flu risk in cats, the safety of shopping local, and Sick of the Week breaks down the Red Rye No. 3 ban.

Referenced this episode:

Medical Apartheid by Harriet A. Washington

Racism: Science and Tools for the Public Health Professional, by Dr. Chandra Ford

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 televisions and smartphones to laptops and tablets, screens surround us at all times of day. But what might this mean for our health? This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Daniele Fallin, PhD, explore the complex effects of screen time on mental health and brain function.

In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on soy products, foot detoxes, looking at the sun through airplane windows, Ozone therapy, and Omega-3s before discussing concierge healthcare 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 leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630!

For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.