Freakonomics, M.D.
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Each week, physician, economist, and author of "Random Acts of Medicine" Dr. Bapu Jena will dig into a fascinating study at the intersection of economics and healthcare. He takes on questions like: Why do kids with summer birthdays get the flu more often? Can surviving a hurricane help you live longer? What do heart surgery and grocery-store pricing have in common?
Episodes
Mentioned books
15 snips
Feb 18, 2022 • 32min
25. Would You Rather See a Computer or a Doctor?
Well, which is better at predicting your risk of having a heart attack? Bapu Jena explores the promise — and perils — of artificial intelligence in medicine.
Feb 11, 2022 • 34min
24. How Can You Choose the Best Doctor?
We often select doctors based on their reputations or on misconceptions about what really matters. But research shows that doctors’ experience and where they trained can significantly impact patient care.
Feb 4, 2022 • 36min
23. Is the Placebo Effect for Real?
In Latin, the word “placebo” means “I shall please.” In the medical world, placebos mean something … well, a little different. Bapu Jena walks us through the thorny world of placebo research and the implications the placebo effect can have for patients.
Jan 28, 2022 • 33min
22. What If TV Isn't Bad for Us?
We now have more access to TV, movies, and streaming entertainment than anytime in history. So what do we actually know about what all that screen time does to us? We look back at some compelling studies that show, actually, it may change us for the better.
15 snips
Jan 21, 2022 • 29min
21. Should We Pay People to Be Healthier?
Each year, millions of people get sick or die from diseases caused by their own unhealthy behavior. Getting people to change their bad habits – to quit smoking, eat better, or exercise – can be extremely hard. But what if we paid them?
Jan 14, 2022 • 33min
20. Do Our Politics Need a Doctor?
Bill Frist was a transplant surgeon before serving in the Senate, where he drove controversial legislation on embryonic stem cells and end-of-life care. Did he change politics? Or did politics change him?
Jan 7, 2022 • 29min
19. Do Your Doctor’s Political Views Affect Your Care?
Since doctors are human, they bring their own beliefs and preferences into the examination room. But they’ve also taken an oath to act in the best interest of all patients. What happens when politics and medicine collide?
Dec 31, 2021 • 28min
18. When Is a Natural Disaster Good for Your Health?
A clever study tracking the survivors of Hurricane Katrina came to a bold conclusion: when it comes to your health, place is destiny. So how can the benefits of healthier places be spread to everyone?
Dec 24, 2021 • 24min
17. How Does Retirement Affect Your Brain?
Aging carries a risk of losing our memory, focus, and ability to take care of ourselves and others. Does leaving the workforce worsen that risk? We investigate the research. And…Bapu asks: is it time for dad to retire?
Dec 17, 2021 • 26min
16. An Exit Interview with N.I.H. Director Dr. Francis Collins
The National Institutes of Health is the backbone of health research in the U.S., and Collins has been in charge for more than a decade. Now that he’s stepping down, he ponders the arc of his history-making career, from his leadership of the Human Genome Project to the fight against Covid-19 (not to mention the absolute happiest moment of his life).
