America Dissected

Incision Media LLC
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Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 5min

Sugar Daddies and Budget Baddies

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health including: Congress’ vote to reinstate $400 million in funding for global AIDS treatment Trump’s budget proposal to cut 40% of the NIH budget The health differences in Coca Cola sweetened with sugar vs high fructose corn syrup Why heart attack is no longer the leading cause of death in the US A comprehensive review of GI cancer research that show sharp rise in cases among young people Then Abdul talks to Dr. Elaine Batchlor from Martin Luther King Jr Community Healthcare about how the impending Medicaid cuts will strain hospitals that serve low-income patients. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: NPR Life Kit: Listen now to the Life Kit podcast from NPR. Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
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Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 16min

Stall Tactics and Scare Tactics

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health news, including: Why the cancellation of a key federal health meeting could spell trouble for the future of preventative care in America The Trump Administration's latest move to intimidate doctors Medicare’s plan to use AI to help make decisions on prior authorizations Moderna’s new Covid vaccine, and why it’s only authorized for kids at high risk Then Abdul talks to fitness influencer Dr. Mike Israetel about his approach to explaining evidence-based science on bodybuilding, and how to build trust with an audience prone to fringe theories. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by:Ground News: Go to groundnews.com/AD today to get forty percent off the Ground News Vantage plan and get access to all of their news analysis features.
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Jul 10, 2025 • 57min

A Big Brutal Bill

Abdul and Katelyn catch up on a harrowing week in public health, after Republicans passed Trump’s mega bill. They discuss: New work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries Why rural hospitals risk closure due to the upcoming changes to Medicaid New renewal requirements for people who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces A new high in measles cases, which now jeopardize our “elimination status” distinction A recent court ruling that halts RFK Jr’s plans to restructure HHS Then Abdul talks to Dr. Andres Lopez from the Coalition of Communities of Color about their organization's innovative work in community data collection. This interview was produced in collaboration with our sponsor deBeaumont Foundation. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Boll & Branch: Get 20% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com /AD. 
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Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 4min

MAHA Comes for Vaccine

Abdul and Katelyn discuss a busy week in health news including: The most troubling aspects of this week's ACIP meeting, after RFK Jr's appointees convened to set vaccine policy for next fall. A flimsy deal among the nation's biggest health insurers, who mutually pinky-promised to improve their prior authorization processes. RFK Jr's announcement that the US will no longer fund GAVI, the global organization that vaccinates poor children around the world. A new court order that demands the Trump Administration reinstate hundreds of NIH grants. Then Abdul sits down with author and legal expert Leah Litman to discuss the biggest SCOTUS rulings of the year, and what it means for the future of public health. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: Boll & Branch: Feel the difference an extraordinary night’s sleep can make. Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at bollandbranch.com/ad
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Jun 26, 2025 • 1min

A quick note about this week's episode

Abdul shares a scheduling note, as we closely track this week's ACIP meeting.
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10 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 10min

RFK Jr Euthanizes ACIP

James Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, advocates for mental health and equality, sharing insights on the urgent need for supportive resources for LGBTQ youth. He discusses the Trump Administration's impact on LGBTQ rights, specifically the threat to the 988 suicide lifeline. The conversation also touches on the painful consequences of immigration policies on community health and individual well-being. Black emphasizes the importance of advocacy and community resilience in combating the mental health crisis faced by marginalized youth.
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Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 15min

Boos, Boosters and BooBoos

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in science and health including: Senator Joni Ernst’s “we’re all going to die” townhall moment The CDC and FDA’s conflicting guidance on Covid boosters The errors in RFK Jr's MAHA report More devastating funding cuts to medical research, including a future HIV vaccine Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Carmen Rojas, the President and CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation to talk about the role of philanthropy over the next four years, and why MCF has dramatically increased their funding to non-profits to meet this moment.  Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: For 25 years, the de Beaumont Foundation has worked to create practical solutions that improve the health of communities across the country. To learn more, visit debeaumont.org.
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May 22, 2025 • 1h 5min

US COVID Vaccine Policy by Vibes

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest in public health including: The FDA’s new rules on Covid boosters RFK’s claim that Americans shouldn’t take his advice Florida’s decision to remove fluoride from the drinking water New proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP A genetic breakthrough that saved the life of a 9 month old baby Then Abdul talks to prescription drug policy expert Dr. Aaron Kesselheim about Trump’s feeble attempt to address drug prices, and what could actually be done to bring them down. NOTE: We are dark next week for the Memorial Day holiday. We will be back with a new episode on June 5. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: For 25 years, the de Beaumont Foundation has worked to create practical solutions that improve the health of communities across the country. To learn more, visit debeaumont.org. 
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May 15, 2025 • 1h 22min

Democrats Confront RFK Jr.

Katelyn and Abdul break down the latest news in public health and policy, including: RFK’s appearance at the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health Committee The House budget proposal to cut Medicaid Donald Trump’s Executive Order to bring down drug prices Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General Then Abdul interviews former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler about his new book Diet, Drugs and Dopamine. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: For 25 years, the de Beaumont Foundation has worked to create practical solutions that improve the health of communities across the country. To learn more, visit debeaumont.org.  Lumen: Go to lumen.me/AD to get 15% off your Lumen. Our Big Shot: Search for and subscribe to “Our Big Shot: Wiping Out Disease” on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.
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May 8, 2025 • 1h 18min

The Problem with “Do Your Own Research”

Abdul and Katelyn break down the latest in public health, including: RFK’s Jr’s push to test all future vaccines against placebos Why the phrase “Do Your Own Research” often leads to mis and disinformation New threats to MRNA vaccine research A huge NIH investment toward a future universal flu vaccine Why some leading medical journals received accusatory letters from a Trump surrogate A new poll that shows Americans agree on the most pressing public health needs, but disagree on the solutions Then Abdul sits down with Astra Taylor and Lindsey Muniak from The Debt Collective to talk about their work fighting medical debt while building solidarity among debtors. Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts! This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: de Beaumont Foundation: For 25 years, the de Beaumont Foundation has worked to create practical solutions that improve the health of communities across the country. To learn more, visit debeaumont.org.  Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Our Big Shot: Search for and subscribe to “Our Big Shot: Wiping Out Disease” on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

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