Ask Laurel Anything (ALA), Part 2
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 Ma…
Ultra-Processed Foods
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 Am…
World AIDS Day
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, …
Ask Laurel Anything (ALA), Part 1
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 …
AI and Healthcare
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 h…
Diabetes
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 …
Smoking
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 t…
Misinformation
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 …
Halloween
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 vamp…
Aging
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 epidemi…