The Rise of Bad Medicine and Anti-Vaxxers: Combatting Trump’s Health Agenda

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Apr 3, 2025

Laurel Bristow, an infectious disease researcher and science communicator, teams up with Ghady Haidar, an associate professor specializing in infectious diseases, to tackle the urgent health issues facing the U.S. They discuss the alarming resurgence of measles and other infectious diseases due to misinformation and funding cuts. The duo emphasizes the critical importance of trust in medical authorities, the dangers of vaccine skepticism, and practical strategies to combat misinformation. Their expert insights urge listeners to advocate for truth and prioritize vaccination.

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ADVICE

Resist Tyranny

Don't comply with illegitimate demands from authority figures, question everything.
Force those in power to justify their actions and explain the rules clearly.

INSIGHT

Kennedy's Danger

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment as HHS Secretary is dangerous due to his rejection of scientific consensus.
His spread of medical misinformation, like promoting cod liver oil as a cure, harms public health.

ANECDOTE

Measles Resurgence

The impact of Kennedy's misinformation is evident in rising measles cases and a child's death.
This is the first measles death in the U.S. in 10 years, directly linked to anti-vaccine rhetoric.

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Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy's so-called assault on medical science is putting Americans at grave risk. Measles has resurfaced, HHS is losing tens of thousands of staff, and medical research at the National Institutes of Health is being cut. Stacey is joined by infectious disease researcher and science communicator Laurel Bristow, along with associate professor and infectious disease expert Ghady Haidar, to break down the immediate and long-term impacts of the Trump administration’s dismantling of health infrastructure and skepticism of critical vaccines. They also share how we can protect ourselves and our communities from medical misinformation and disinformation.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

Don't spread misinformation: Be mindful of what you share on social media. It’s tempting to post a meme or video mocking conspiracy theories, but don’t be a spreader. Share the truth. Find content that debunks misinformation without amplifying it. Be a viral truth-teller.
Use your resources: Vaccines are your best protection in this uncertain health climate. Free and low-cost vaccines are available, even without insurance. The HHS provides a list of state and local health departments to help you find them—visit hhs.gov/immunization. For example, if you're in Los Angeles, check publichealth.lacounty.gov for clinics offering free or low-cost vaccines for kids 18 and under.
Stay informed: For health advice, trust medical professionals. Get information from doctors and scientists, and read research-backed articles. Social media isn’t always reliable—so seek out experts with real credentials. To stay informed and up to date on the latest scientific news check out the WHO newsletter at who.int/news-room/newsletters and for the latest science reporting check out STAT news at statnews.com and Scientific America at https://www.scientificamerican.com.