Health & Veritas

Howie and Harlan discuss two recent studies (one of them co-authored by Harlan) illustrating the health impacts of racism. Then they're joined by Randi Epstein, a physician and journalist whose most recent book is Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything.

Howie and Harlan are joined by Yale epidemiologist Nathan Grubaugh. They discuss the utility of rapid antigen tests and Grubaugh's work tracking the evolution of COVID-19 variants.

Howie and Harlan talk about the patients who test positive for COVID-19 after being admitted to the hospital for something else, and other health issues in the news, including the explosion in healthcare spending last year, a controversial Alzheimer's drug, and the consequences of underinsurance in the United States.

Howie and Harlan discuss the state of the omicron surge and what we know and don't know about the variant. Then they're joined by Yale scientist Anne Wyllie, whose new research casts doubt on the ability of rapid antigen tests to detect asymptomatic omicron infections.

Howie and Harlan are joined by Dr. Albert Ko, a Yale epidemiologist who has advised Connecticut governor Ned Lamont. They discuss the state of the pandemic, rebuilding global public health infrastructure, and what omicron tells us about future variants.

Howie and Harlan are joined by Yale economist Fiona Scott Morton, an expert on competition in healthcare and other industries. They discuss the forces driving up healthcare costs in the U.S. and the steps that Scott Morton and her colleagues have proposed to bring them under control.

Howie and Harlan are joined by Liza Fisher to talk about her experience navigating the medical system and advocating for patients while enduring 18 months of debilitating COVID symptoms. Fisher is a participant and co-author (with Harlan) for a new study examining internal tremors and vibrations among long COVID patients.

Howie and Harlan discuss what we know and don't know about the newly identified omicron variant. Then they're joined by Dr. Joseph Ross to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the FDA's process for approving new drugs.

Howie and Harlan talk with Dr. Rohan Khera, a Yale cardiologist whose research interests include the use of advanced data science tools to improve diagnosis and treatment. They discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning can supplement human expertise in summarizing current literature, interpreting electrocardiograms, and other areas.

In this engaging conversation, health economist Jason Abaluck from Yale shares insights from his extensive research on health behaviors and policies. He discusses a groundbreaking study revealing that mask usage reduced COVID-19 infections in community settings by about 10%, particularly benefiting the elderly. Abaluck elaborates on the importance of clear research presentation and critiques early mask studies. He also highlights how limiting health insurance options can lead to better decisions, showcasing the economic factors that drive public health initiatives.