

America Dissected
Incision Media LLC
Wellness isn’t just about mindfulness, exercise, or the right skin routine. Science, politics, media, culture, tech — everything around us — interact to shape our health. On America Dissected, Drs. Abdul El-Sayed and Katelyn Jetelina cuts into what really makes us sick — be it racism, corporate greed, or snake oil influencers — and what it'll take to heal it. From for-profit healthcare to ineffective sunscreens, America Dissected cuts deeper into the state of health in America. New episodes every Thursday. Want to know where to start? Here are some fan-favorite episodes to search: Cannabis Capitalism with David Jernigan; Weight Weight Don’t Tell me with Harriett Brown; Black Scientists Matter with Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.