Health Wanted

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&...

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 m...

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 ai...

Sexual health plays a critical role in overall well-being, and having open conversations about it is vital to decreasing stigma and increasing wellness. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Candice Hargons, PhD, discuss some of the most common sexually transmitted infections, effective prevention methods, and the importance of sexual education. Note that this episode contains...

Weight loss! It’s one of the most common resolutions to make, which means it’s also one of the most common resolutions to break. But a new class of drug is making a significant impact in a traditionally challenging journey. This week on Health Wanted , host Laurel Bristow and guest Meghana Anugu, MD, talk about GLP-1 agonists, their role in weight management, and their social implicati...

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 J...

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 br...

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...

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 agai...

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  healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicema...

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...

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 an...

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 a...

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-bor...

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...

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.  ...

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 psyc...

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. Bri...

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 trans...

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 u...

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...

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 plumbi...

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 CO...

While public support of childhood immunizations in the US has decreased over the past two decades, keeping up-to-date on routine vaccinations has become even more important. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Jodie Guest, PhD, discuss the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy, the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated, and how vaccines can be better distributed to populations...

The invention of plastics brought us durable solutions to daily problems. But now, microplastics are harnessing that durability to stick around in our bodies. On this week’s episode of Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Carmen Marsit, PhD, talk about how microplastics and forever chemicals get into the environment and our bodies, how they impact our health, and what we can do about it. B...