Rolin Forward

The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel ACIP delayed a vote on changing when newborns get the hepatitis B shot, a move that could reshape how infants are protected from a virus once common in children. In this episode, Drs. Stephanie and Alicia Rolin explain what’s behind the proposal, why timing matters, and what parents need to know before leaving the hospital. This episode is for informational purpose...

Halloween is the perfect time to talk about fear & why kids need it. Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin unpack the neuroscience of fear and anxiety, how children learn to self-soothe, and what exposure, empathy, and candy can teach growing brains about courage. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The views expressed are those of the hosts and do...

.California will ban ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2035, while the USDA’s new national standards cut added sugar and sodium starting 2025. Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin explain what’s changing on the lunch tray and why it matters for kids’ health. Note: This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily rep...

When the government shuts down, parenting doesn’t. Stephanie and Alicia walk through how the federal shutdown touches kids’ care — vaccines, prescriptions, WIC, Head Start, even research. The systems that keep families healthy are still standing, but stretched thin. What to expect this week, and how to prepare. This episode is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal...

.This fall, families are running into a vaccine patchwork: the FDA pulled key COVID authorizations in August, the American Academy of Pediatrics is still recommending shots for little ones, and states are making their own rules. Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin untangle the mess including why pharmacies are turning some kids away, how state alliances are filling the gaps, and what parents can do ri...

.Phones are everywhere in kids’ lives: classrooms, bedrooms, buses. This week on Rolin Forward , Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin unpack the evidence on phones, social media, and teen health. Because in 2025, the debate isn’t just about distraction, it’s about mental health, community, and safety in a world where every crisis goes viral. Note: This is not intended to be medical advice, and the cont...

Scary headlines claim Tylenol in pregnancy may be linked to autism - but what does the science actually say? In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin cut through the noise. We explain the anticipated report from HHS, what the strongest studies show, and why professional groups like ACOG still recommend acetaminophen as the safest option for pain and fever in pregnancy. Note: This is genera...

Backpacks packed, alarms set, and … chaos everywhere? It’s back to school season, and with it come the challenges of shifting sleep schedules, first-day jitters, parent stress, and the pressure to do it all. In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down what this transition means. From sleep deprivation to forgotten pajama days, we share strategies (and some laughter) to make the ret...

Oklahoma tried to launch the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school. And the Supreme Court jumped into action and delivered ... a split decision!? How? This episode is the latest in our SCOTUS Summer series, where we tackle Supreme Court cases, and deliver a song that explains it all. NOTE: This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of...

This week on Rolin Forward , Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools , a 2025 Supreme Court case with major implications for students with disabilities. At the heart of the case: whether students face a higher burden of proof when suing schools for discrimination under the ADA and Section 504. We explain what the Court ruled, why this decision matters for civil righ...

****Episode Evidence versus Ideology. This is Kennedy v. Braidwood, the 2025 Supreme Court Case challenging the authority of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. We break down the case, explain what the Court ruled, and what powers now rest with the HHS Secretary. ***Series: This episode is part of our SCOTUS Summer, where we unpack the recent Supreme Court cases reshaping health in America. *...

This week as part of SCOTUS Summer, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin unpack FDA v. Wages and White Lion , a unanimous 2025 Supreme Court decision affirming the FDA’s authority to regulate flavored e-cigarettes. At first glance, this case might seem like it’s just about mango vapes, but it’s really about science, safety, and how far public health agencies can go to protect youth from addiction. And...

This week as part of SCOTUS Summer , Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin unpack Mahmoud v. Taylor , a landmark 2025 Supreme Court decision on parental rights in public schools. The case centers on how much control parents have over what their children are taught, and how much discretion school systems retain to support diverse student needs. We break down what the Court decided, why it’s generating de...

In this kickoff to SCOTUS Summer , Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin introduce their summer series exploring the intersection of medicine, education, and the law, and how the Supreme Court’s 2025 decisions are reshaping children’s lives. Each week this summer, we’ll choose one major case from 2025 and break it down: what the Court decided, why it matters, and what it means for kids and families acro...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act sounds grand, but what’s behind the flashy name? In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin break down the sweeping healthcare changes hidden inside the bill. From Medicaid block grants and work requirements, to cuts in protections for gender-affirming care and undocumented immigrants, and major rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act, this bill could reshape mill...

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met June 25–26 for the first time since HHS Secretary RFK Jr orchestrated a complete overhaul of its membership. In this episode of Rolin Forward , we break down the key takeaways of this meeting and what it means for public trust in science. This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the...

HHS Secretary RFK Jr. abruptly fired the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the group that sets vaccine recommendations in the U.S. He has selected new members, several of whom are known for vaccine skepticism or have limited immunization expertise. This significant change in the advisory panel represents a major shift in U.S. vaccine policymaking. In this episode, we anal...

Will doctors get arrested for saving a patient’s life? In this episode, the Drs. Rolin examine the current administration’s decision to roll back federal guidelines that previously protected abortion access under EMTALA during pregnancy-related emergencies. With those protections revoked, hospitals and providers face growing uncertainties, especially in states with abortion bans. Tune in as the Dr...

In this episode, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin provide an in-depth analysis of the Make Our Children Healthy Again (MAHA) report, released on May 22, 2025. The report, commissioned by the Trump administration and led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aims to address the rising rates of chronic diseases among American children. Listen to unpack the report and note some...

We’re on vacation, but couldn’t resist a quick detour into some statements made by RFK Jr! In this fun-sized episode, we’re bringing you a public health news quiz—just the facts, with a few hot takes along the way. No prep required, just press play! This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official...

In 1998, a now-infamous paper by Andrew Wakefield claimed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Though the study was quickly debunked and later retracted, the damage had already been done. In this episode, we unpack how one fraudulent claim helped spark a modern anti-vaccine movement, leading to a resurgence of preventable diseases and a deepening distrust in public health. This is not intend...

This week, President Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means to be Surgeon General. In this episode, we talk about what this job entails and what changes we might expect if Dr. Means is confirmed. This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

On April 16, RFK Jr held his first press conference as secretary of health and human services. Listen as Drs Rolin break down RFK Jr’s claim and talk about what he got right and what he got wrong. This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of their employers or funders.

Fluoride has been making headlines this week, sparking questions and confusion for many families. Join Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin as they unpack the latest news, break down the science, and separate fact from fiction on what fluoride is, why it's in our water, and what it really means for your family's teeth. This is not intended to be medical advice, and the content is solely the responsibil...

Measles is spreading, with over 600 cases in the US in 2025. This week, Drs. Alicia and Stephanie Rolin go into more details about measles including what's the status of the outbreak and more about steps you can take to protect you and your family. If you haven't listened to Episode 13, 'Measles 101' - we recommend you start there then jump into this one! This is not intended to be medical advice,...