America Dissected

You’ve probably heard all about Project 2025, the conservative plan to remake America … for 1950. Abdul reflects on the power of the federal government when it comes to health. Then he sits down with Sulma Arias and Aija Nemer-Aanerud with People’s Action Institute to dig into what Project 2025 would mean for health in America.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:Marguerite Casey Foundation: Join the MCF Book Club at CaseyGrants.org/BookClub.Blueland: Reinvent cleaning essentials to be better for you and the planet, with the same powerful clean you’re used to. Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to Blueland.com/america.To See Each Other: A podcast that complicates the narrative about small town Americans in our most misunderstood communities. You can listen to more episodes of To See Each Other at https://link.chtbl.com/toseeeachother?sid=americadissected.

Dr. Elise Desperito, Breast Imaging Director at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shares her expertise on breast density and its crucial impact on cancer screening. She discusses the new FDA rule requiring breast density disclosure, which empowers women to understand their health better. The conversation dives into the relationship between breast density and cancer risk, the importance of early detection, and the nuances of various screening options. Listeners gain insights into the emerging challenges in mammography and the need for personalized healthcare strategies.

Sharing an episode of To See Each Other, a show that complicates the narrative about small town Americans in our most misunderstood, and often abandoned, communities. This season, host George Goehl travels to Lincoln County, Wisconsin to follow a small town battle for the last remaining public nursing home in the community. A conservative county board is hell bent on selling off this 5-star facility, but senior citizens are not having it, showing up to county board meetings, marching in the Labor Day Parade, and fighting with their very last breath. George goes deep into questions of aging in America, public vs. private long-term care, and the nuts and bolts of good old-fashioned organizing. This show will make you want to keep up the fight and think differently about aging.You can listen to more episodes of To See Each Other at https://link.chtbl.com/toseeeachother?sid=americadissected

Mara Einstein, a marketing expert and professor, delves into the powerful branding of breast cancer awareness. She discusses the commercialization of health causes, particularly the pink ribbon's paradox, and challenges the effectiveness of awareness campaigns versus real health priorities. Einstein critiques the disparity in funding for diseases and the authenticity of corporate social responsibility. The conversation also touches on the complexities of charitable initiatives and how corporate motives often overshadow genuine health advocacy.

Over the past several years, cities, counties, and states have elected to relieve their residents’ medical debt. That’s cascaded into a national movement to relieve it — which has been picked up by the likes of Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign. Abdul reflects on the particular pain of medical debt. Then he interviews Allison Sesso, President and CEO of Undue Medical Debt, the nation’s leading non-profit for medical debt relief. 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:Marguerite Casey Foundation: Join the MCF Book Club at CaseyGrants.org/BookClub.Rhone: Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use AD to save 20% at  https://www.rhone.com/AD.   Blueland: Reinvent cleaning essentials to be better for you and the planet, with the same powerful clean you’re used to. Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to Blueland.com/america.

Bob Martin, a Senior Policy Advisor at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and co-editor of a vital book on industrial farm animal production, joins the discussion on the perils of factory farming. They dive into how financialization worsens environmental degradation and public health issues. Bob reveals the harsh realities faced by animals and workers, highlights antibiotic resistance, and examines the impact of large corporations on agriculture policies. The conversation urges consumers to push for regulatory reforms toward sustainable farming practices.

Is a hospital the best place for childbirth? That question is driving a revolution in birthing, focused on creating outpatient birth centers. This National Birth Center Week, Abdul reflects on the birth experience — and who it leaves behind. Then he sits down with the co-founder and CEO of the birth center Birth Detroit Leseliey Welch to talk about why birth centers are a key public health intervention against racial inequities in maternal and infant mortality — and her fight to expand them.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:Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool.Liquid I.V.: Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V.® Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V.® when you go to liquidiv.com and use code DISSECT at checkout.Lumen: If you want to take the next step in improving your health, visit go.lumen.me/AD for 15% off your purchase.Rhone: Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use AD to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com/AD.   

In a thought-provoking discussion, Prof. Wendy Kline, an author and historian, delves into the troubling history of pelvic exams and their evolution in healthcare. She highlights the discomfort many feel regarding these procedures and examines the ethical implications linked to consent. Kline discusses innovative self-collection tools that could revolutionize pelvic health care, stressing the importance of a patient-centered approach. The conversation also touches on systemic disparities in medical practices and the need for improved communication in women's health.

It’s back-to-school season — and that means back-to-school vaccines. Abdul reflects on the roles that ritual and trust play in shaping vaccination. Then he sits down with Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician, to discuss the conversations she has with hesitant families and the future of family medicine.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:Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up for their new Summer School program at CaseyGrants.org/SummerSchool.

Dr. Michael Boyle, President and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, discusses the groundbreaking drug Trikafta, which has transformed cystic fibrosis treatment and extended life expectancy. He highlights the ethical dilemmas of its staggering $326,000 price tag and the ongoing fight for universal affordability. The conversation delves into the historical evolution of cystic fibrosis care, the challenges of access, and the exciting future of genetic therapies like CRISPR. Boyle also touches on the importance of advocacy in ensuring equitable healthcare for all.