

Radio Health Journal | The Latest in Health, Science & Public Policy
Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson, Maayan Voss de Bettancourt | AURN
Each week, Radio Health Journal breaks down important news in medicine, science and technology with the help of world-renowned experts. Our three weekly segments will help guide you to a happier, healthier life – with some fun facts to share at dinner parties. Can magic mushrooms cure your depression? Have we outrun natural selection? Hosted by Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson and Maayan Voss de Bettancourt and produced by Kristen Farrah and Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe, listen, and rate. If you’re looking for older episodes, you can find our entire segment catalog on our website radiohealthjournal.org. Also, check out the latest on Facebook and Instagram @radiohealthjournal and on X @RadioHealthJrnl.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 31, 2025 • 12min
Radical Women: The History Of Breast Cancer In America
It’s no secret that October is the month of breast cancer awareness, but it wasn’t always this way. There was a time when speaking of cancer was taboo and women having any choice of how they were treated was even more strange. Author Judith Pearson discusses the three women who transformed the breast cancer movement into what we see today.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/radical-women-the-history-of-breast-cancer-in-america Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 31, 2025 • 11min
Short Kids Are Being Given Growth Hormones – Is It Safe?
Many parents begin to worry if their child is much shorter than classmates, and some go as far as to give growth hormone to their kids. However, it doesn’t make the significant difference that these families hope. Our experts explain when growth hormone is appropriate, and how the real solution to shorter kids feeling inferior is society’s mindset.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/short-kids-are-being-given-growth-hormones-is-it-safe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 27, 2025 • 3min
Medical Notes: Why Kids Should Be Bilingual, Stopping The Spread Of Malaria, And Are Generic Drugs Dangerous?
Not all generic drugs are created equal. How much of a benefit do you get from learning a second language? A new product to help stop the spread of malaria. Your next hospital visit may look a bit greener.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-why-kids-should-be-bilingual-stopping-the-spread-of-malaria-and-are-generic-drugs-dangerous Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 25, 2025 • 26min
Facing Dementia: Early Detection And Advancements In Treatment | The Best Way To Protect Athletes From Overuse Injuries
Segment 1: Facing Dementia: Early Detection And Advancements In Treatment
Dementia can be a scary diagnosis. And though it’s an umbrella term for many conditions, identifying the specific cause is crucial for effective treatment. While most cases aren’t curable, our expert explains how advances like new blood tests, medications, and lifestyle changes can make a noticeable difference.
Segment 2: The Best Way To Protect Athletes From Overuse Injuries
Many young athletes are focusing on a single sport year-round, but new research shows this can lead to longer recovery times, higher re-injury rates, and more serious injuries. Our expert explains how this impacts the athletes’ careers later in life and recommends a protocol that will reduce overuse injuries.
Medical Notes: Why Kids Should Be Bilingual, Stopping The Spread Of Malaria, And Are Generic Drugs Dangerous?
Not all generic drugs are created equal. How much of a benefit do you get from learning a second language? A new product to help stop the spread of malaria. Your next hospital visit may look a bit greener.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 24, 2025 • 14min
Facing Dementia: Early Detection And Advancements In Treatment
Dementia can be a scary diagnosis. And though it’s an umbrella term for many conditions, identifying the specific cause is crucial for effective treatment. While most cases aren’t curable, our expert explains how advances like new blood tests, medications, and lifestyle changes can make a noticeable difference.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/facing-dementia-early-detection-and-advancements-in-treatment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 24, 2025 • 9min
The Best Way To Protect Athletes From Overuse Injuries
Many young athletes are focusing on a single sport year-round, but new research shows this can lead to longer recovery times, higher re-injury rates, and more serious injuries. Our expert explains how this impacts the athletes’ careers later in life and recommends a protocol that will reduce overuse injuries.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-best-way-to-protect-athletes-from-overuse-injuries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 20, 2025 • 3min
Medical Notes: The Best Alcohol For Minimal Hangovers, The Impact Of Color Additives, And Is One Brand Of Water Healthier Than The Rest?
Is your gut making you sick? Should you be drinking one type of water over all the others? Does vibrant food make us eat more? If you’re sick of hangovers, we may have a solution.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-the-best-alcohol-for-minimal-hangovers-the-impact-of-color-additives-and-is-one-brand-of-water-healthier-than-the-rest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 18, 2025 • 26min
Hormone Imbalances May Be Causing Your Mental And Physical Issues | Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers To Blame For Your Massive Health Bills?
Segment 1: Hormone Imbalances May Be Causing Your Mental And Physical Issues
Hormones regulate nearly every function in the body, yet their role in women's health is often overlooked in conventional medicine. Misdiagnosis of hormone imbalances can lead to physical and emotional suffering. Dr. Julie Taylor explains the proper tests and education that can help women find the root cause of many different symptoms, empowering them to better understand and manage their health.
Segment 2: Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers To Blame For Your Massive Health Bills?
Last week we discussed how PBMs operate within healthcare, including negotiating drug prices and operating clinical programs. And though PBMs are under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and the FTC, experts argue that reform – not removal – is key to creating a more transparent and efficient system.
Medical Notes: The Best Alcohol For Minimal Hangovers, The Impact Of Color Additives, And Is One Brand Of Water Healthier Than The Rest?
Is your gut making you sick? Should you be drinking one type of water over all the others? Does vibrant food make us eat more? If you’re sick of hangovers, we may have a solution.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 17, 2025 • 9min
Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers To Blame For Your Massive Health Bills?
Last week we discussed how PBMs operate within healthcare, including negotiating drug prices and operating clinical programs. And though PBMs are under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and the FTC, experts argue that reform – not removal – is key to creating a more transparent and efficient system.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/are-pharmacy-benefit-managers-to-blame-for-your-massive-health-bills Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 17, 2025 • 13min
Hormone Imbalances May Be Causing Your Mental And Physical Issues
Hormones regulate nearly every function in the body, yet their role in women's health is often overlooked in conventional medicine. Misdiagnosis of hormone imbalances can lead to physical and emotional suffering. Dr. Julie Taylor explains the proper tests and education that can help women find the root cause of many different symptoms, empowering them to better understand and manage their health.
Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/hormone-imbalances-may-be-causing-your-mental-and-physical-issues Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices