Did the treatment really work?
We often have to decide if a treatment we are taking is working and whether or not to continue it.
Oct 26, 2024•5 min
Second Opinion
An examination of medical ethics and the practitioners who define them. Sign up to receive the Second Opinion topics in newsletter form at kcrw.com/newsletters .
Episodes
Food Insecurity
How can a country so rich in resources and farm production have people who still go to bed hungry?
Oct 20, 2024•5 min
Task Shifting
A model of eye care to increase access without compromising on quality
Oct 13, 2024•5 min
Should a mosquito-born illness seen in Los Angeles be of concern?
Climate change and increased moisture have altered the habitat for mosquitos.
Oct 06, 2024•5 min
The marketing of depression
Finding an effective treatment can be tricky, but it need not be a pill.
Sep 29, 2024•5 min
The role of genetics in depression
At present, the role of genetics testing in the diagnosis or treatment of depression is not ready for prime time.
Sep 22, 2024•5 min
Protecting Dairy Farms
Dairy farmers play a vital role in ensuring the safety of our milk. But, they all need to make public health their top priority.
Sep 15, 2024•5 min
Endless gun violence
We are not helpless, and the situation is not hopeless. We can’t wipe out mental illness, but we can enact reasonable gun control to protect the public.
Sep 08, 2024•5 min
The one disease that has near-universal coverage
For those Americans with end-stage kidney disease, insurance coverage is never an issue. Why can’t we provide this universal coverage for others with expensive chronic conditions?
Sep 01, 2024•5 min
Failing to protect volunteers in research studies
Research is required to be evaluated to protect research subjects. But, in many cases, this is not happening.
Aug 25, 2024•5 min
Early Hospital Discharge
Hospitals strive for early discharge, but it may not be in the patient’s best interest.
Aug 18, 2024•5 min
Is the new test for Alzheimer’s disease worth getting?
For those with worrisome symptoms the test might be useful, but it has problems when used to screen people for disease who have no symptoms
Aug 11, 2024•5 min
What elephant seals can tell us about our health.
We still have a lot to understand about bird flu (H5N1), but elephant seals have given us new reasons to worry.
Aug 04, 2024•5 min
Waiting for test results to come back
The wait can be long, and our thoughts often turn to the worst-case scenario
Jul 28, 2024•5 min
Unproven Claims for Dietary Supplements
We are regularly bombarded with advertisements promoting unproven and non-approved dietary supplements. Congress has chosen to look the other way.
Jul 21, 2024•5 min
Spirituality – A Missed Opportunity to Improve Health
Medical and Spiritual Professionals are like two ships passing in the night
Jul 14, 2024•5 min
Remembering Childhood Trauma
Memory is complicated and many factors impact the retention of distant memories
Jul 06, 2024•4 min
Contingency management to end addiction
While paying those addicted to drugs to stop using has its skeptics, studies suggest it has real potential
Jun 16, 2024•5 min
Pharmaceutical gifts to healthcare providers
Gifts are unethical and drive up healthcare costs
Jun 09, 2024•5 min
Delving into the depths of Dental Care
Much of what we know about routine dental care is not based on sound science
Jun 02, 2024•5 min
Changes coming with artificial intelligence
Medicine has seen many changes over the past 30 years, but AI will be a disruptive game changer.
May 26, 2024•6 min
Medical Tourism
There are many reasons to go abroad for healthcare, but attention is needed to carefully weigh the risks and benefits.
May 19, 2024•5 min
The impact of antimicrobial resistance on human health
The World Health Organization considers antimicrobial resistance one of the top 10 threats to global health alongside climate change and pandemics.
May 12, 2024•5 min
Improving the environment to improve health
The EPA has just passed some air pollution rules that could improve our American’s health.
May 05, 2024•4 min
Confirmation Bias
Research findings are not etched in stone.
Apr 28, 2024•5 min
Brain Drain
America's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world.
Apr 21, 2024•5 min
Those who receive the poorest healthcare in America
The medical needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often ignored, and their care suffers.
Apr 14, 2024•5 min
The importance of bird flu
We may still have some lingering pandemic fatigue but the new bird flu has the potential for significant harm if we are not careful.
Apr 07, 2024•5 min
Giving and Receiving Bad News
Would you prefer to receive bad medical news in person or over the phone?
Mar 31, 2024•5 min
The recurrence of measles in a time of misinformation
Measles, a highly contagious disease, is making a comeback in the US and we are not as prepared as we have been in the recent past.
Mar 24, 2024•5 min
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