PBS News Hour - Full Show The 'Health Nerd' on what we get wrong about science
Dec 16, 2025
Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, an epidemiologist and the mind behind the 'Health Nerd' blog, tackles the myths and misunderstandings surrounding scientific research. He discusses the issue of bad data in studies, emphasizing how public misconceptions can lead to harmful beliefs, like sugar causing hyperactivity. Gideon also critiques the pressures leading to scientific fraud and stresses the importance of trusting experts while recognizing scientific complexity. His insights shed light on the controversy over ultra-processed foods and the evolution of autism diagnoses.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
What Epidemiologists Actually Do
- Epidemiology studies human disease and covers chronic conditions like diabetes and infectious threats like COVID.
- Gideon uses large datasets and trials to identify undiagnosed diabetes and test interventions.
From Facebook Rants To The Health Nerd
- Gideon started writing after criticizing bad media coverage about a contraceptive pill study.
- He found the absolute depression increase was about one in a thousand, far smaller than headlines claimed.
Bad Research And Misleading Headlines
- Many media misrepresentations stem from weak press releases or misread studies rather than pure malice.
- Some published research is unreliable or even fabricated, and that risk complicates public understanding.