Disability has always existed, but ensuring equal rights for people with disabilities has not. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and filmmaker/disability rights advocate James Lebrecht talk about his documentary, "Crip Camp," review the history of the disability rights movement and the importance of continuing to advocate for equality. And Laurel answers your questions about C-sections and colon cancer, uncured vs. cured hot dogs, and the FDA's recent moves to phase out animal test...
Jul 25, 2025•51 min
Gambling is no longer limited to Vegas casinos—today, it is as easy as a few taps on a mobile device. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Rachel Volberg, PhD, discuss the rise in problem gambling and why it is a public health issue. In the Q&A, Bristow has an update on the number of measles cases in the U.S., if there is a link between brain damage and COVID-19, and whether or not a tech millionaire’s quest to live forever is realistic. For a full rundown on all the inf...
Jul 18, 2025•51 min
Symbolically and scientifically, snakes have long played a significant role in medicine. This week on Health Wanted , host Laurel Bristow and guest Steve Mackessy, PhD, dig into the history of snakes in health care and recent breakthroughs in venom research. And, Bristow addresses listener questions covering fire extinguisher disposal, meningitis risk in youths, and thimerosal in the Q&A. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the Show Notes. Have...
Jul 11, 2025•51 min
The ALA is back once again! The Health Wanted team takes a dive into the listener mailbag for a Special Summer Edition of Ask Laurel Anything. Included are questions on summer faves, Sew Sew, and - of course - the lightning round. 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 voicemail at 404-888-3630 . For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted . To support Health Wanted and other public me...
Jul 04, 2025•16 min
It’s time for summer fun! But before you head to your Fourth of July barbecue, make sure you know how to keep yourself safe and healthy. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest George McKeehan go over helpful safety tips for Fourth of July activities like swimming, spending time outside, and enjoying firework displays. And in the Q&A Bristow tackles listener questions about PFAS in dental floss, the dangers of alcohol, and if the full moon encourages parasitic activity. Plu...
Jun 27, 2025•51 min
The U.S. has the highest population of incarcerated people in the world, but quality health care is severely limited in correctional facilities. This week on Health Wanted , host Laurel Bristow and guests Mark Spencer, MD, and Wanda Bertram discuss the current state of health services for incarcerated people in the U.S., the decline in care due to cost-cutting measures, and how improving these services could benefit public health. Bristow then covers an array of topics in the Q&A, including ...
Jun 20, 2025•52 min
This week on Health Wanted , host Laurel Bristow celebrates her birthday by sharing her origin story, from a wide eyed youth to a voice of public health. Learn about Laurel‘s background and the moments that led to her interest, and then commitment, to research and science. Special guest Pamela, Laurel‘s mother, talks about early signs that her daughter would go on to become the science communicator she is today. The Q&A kicks off with "What The Health?!" to look at the Secretary of the HHS's...
Jun 13, 2025•51 min
Homelessness has been rising in the U.S., and when people end up on the street, their health is at risk. This week on Health Wanted , host Laurel Bristow and guest Kelly Doran, MD, MHS, talk about housing as health care and the policies that can help lift people out of poverty. In the Q&A, Bristow addresses timely questions on prescription drug costs, Covid vaccine availability, and Hydroxyapatite before a look at the drop in overdose-related deaths for the Sick of the Week. For a full rundo...
Jun 06, 2025•51 min
As Summer glides in, the temptation to grab and enjoy a refreshing beverage is ever-present. But what's the science behind the claimed "benefits" of energy drinks and other wellness elixirs? This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Dr. Amelia Lake discuss the research around the beverages designed to make us think they'll make us feel better. In the Q&A, Bristow covers topics including the safety of swimming in Rock Creek, animal testing requirements, and FDA regulations for...
May 30, 2025•51 min
This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Otis Brawley, MD discuss the current state of cancer in the country, giving insight to current trends in diagnosis and recovery rates, as well as examining disparities in access to screening and treatment. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on the availability of the Covid vaccine under new proposed policies, the benefits of sourdough bread, vinyl flooring, phthalates, and more good HPV vaccine news is the Sick of the Week. For a f...
May 23, 2025•51 min
The return of summer brings fresh air, time outside, and a rising chance of running into ticks. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Brandon Jutras, PhD, explore the science behind Lyme disease and the latest research on its prevention and treatment. Bristow then addresses a series of topics in the In the Q&A including: placebo controlled trials for vaccines, babies and seasonal allergies, the recent synthetic food dye ban in the US, and chemtrails. Laurel then speaks to...
May 16, 2025•51 min
As summer approaches, the threat of extreme weather begins to rise. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Craig McLean discuss climate, severe weather, and how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) works to keep the public informed and prepared for what’s ahead. In the Q&A, Bristow shares research and insights on topics ranging from waterparks and splash pads, to Band-Aids for motion sickness, to placebo usage in vaccine trials. Then, Beta Blockers se...
May 09, 2025•51 min
Gun violence is a major public health crisis in the U.S. and the number one cause of death for children aged 1-19. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Nandita Somayaji explore how gun violence affects health and why research and prevention efforts are more critical than ever. Bristow then answers questions in the Q&A on a range of topics: CJD in the Pacific Northwest, veganism, measles and immune amnesia, the combination Covid-Flu vaccine, food inspections, and some adv...
May 02, 2025•51 min
The ALA is back once again! The Health Wanted team once again dives into the listener mailbag to Ask Laurel Anything, including important topics like cookies, favorite 80s movies, the risk assessment of riding a motorcycle, and a visit to Pet Corner. We hope you enjoy. 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 voicemail at 404-888-3630 . For more, visit wabe.org/healthwanted . To su...
Apr 25, 2025•13 min
Many Americans have diets deficient in fresh produce, whole foods, and important nutrients, and it isn’t all due to personal choices. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Megan Winkler, PhD, discuss the cost, access, and availability of healthy food in the United States. In the Q&A, Bristow fields listener questions on COVID vaccine side effects, licking uncooked brownie batter, the TB outbreak in Kansas, COVID vaccine timing during pregnancy, slushies, all before taking...
Apr 18, 2025•51 min
The Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) is a uniformed governmental service that protects public health in the U.S. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow marks the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week by highlighting the Corps’ vital role in protecting the nation's health. In the Q&A, Bristow answers questions on a range of topics: a followup to the Trans Day of Visibility show, going vegan, the combined Covid-flu vaccine, and probiotics before a...
Apr 11, 2025•51 min
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people communicate, learn, and interact. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Daniele Fallin, PhD, talk about ASD and what could be behind its rising prevalence across the world. Bristow then covers a range of topics in the Q&A: genetic testing and insurance, vaccines before cruises, and trusted resources for menopause information before addressing two recurring co-stars: bird flu and measle...
Apr 04, 2025•51 min
Access to gender-affirming health care is a critical and evolving issue that encompasses both medical and societal challenges. This week on Health Wanted, host Laurel Bristow and guest Chase Strangio, JD, discuss health care for transgender people and how current legislation makes it harder to access. 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 healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630...
Mar 28, 2025•51 min
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 healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit wabe...
Mar 24, 2025•44 min
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, ...
Mar 21, 2025•51 min
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 lie...
Mar 14, 2025•51 min
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 a...
Mar 07, 2025•51 min
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...
Feb 28, 2025•51 min
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, ...
Feb 21, 2025•51 min
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 ash...
Feb 14, 2025•51 min
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 neve...
Feb 07, 2025•51 min
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 fed...
Jan 31, 2025•51 min
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 We...
Jan 24, 2025•51 min
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 mature or sensitive material. The Q&A features Bristow answering questions on Hepatitis B, food ...
Jan 17, 2025•51 min
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 implications. In the Q&A, Bristow gives updates on two Health Wanted recurring characters: Fluoride and Bird Flu. For...
Jan 10, 2025•51 min
