Health Wanted
WABE
Health Wanted brings you each week’s need-to-know public health headlines and breaks down the science behind trending topics. Host Laurel Bristow, MSc, draws on her experience as an infectious disease researcher and epidemiologist to cover everything from Ozempic to the ozone, interviewing experts and answering your questions, all in pursuit of better health.
A collaboration between WABE and the Emory Rollins School of Public Health.
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This public health show is intended solely for general information purposes, and is not intended to provide medical advice, to be used in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or other conditions. The information in the show should not be relied upon in a manner that would either delay medical treatment or result in unnecessary medical treatment. Always consult a physician or health care provider with your health or treatment concerns.
A collaboration between WABE and the Emory Rollins School of Public Health.
---
This public health show is intended solely for general information purposes, and is not intended to provide medical advice, to be used in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or other conditions. The information in the show should not be relied upon in a manner that would either delay medical treatment or result in unnecessary medical treatment. Always consult a physician or health care provider with your health or treatment concerns.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 27, 2026 • 52min
Wellness Scams
From magical amulets to metal funnels that cost $270, there are wellness scams all around for those who have eyes to see them. This week on Health Wanted, we’re preparing for April Fools’ Day by reviewing some health and wellness products, practices, and claims so ridiculous they make you say, “this is a joke, right?” Plus, a little good news. Why is protein in everything? Are David protein bars trying to Regina George us all? And the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 20, 2026 • 52min
Fiber
Everyone on the internet claims to have the secret solution to all your health needs, but has the answer been hiding in meemaw’s Metamucil this whole time? This week on Health Wanted: Fiber! How does it do so many wonderful things for health? Plus: How to feel (more) confident in your medical influencers on social media? What risks do hair dye pose? How much attention should you pay to California’s Prop 65 warnings? For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 13, 2026 • 52min
Menopause Hormone Therapy
OOooh you ever get all hot and sweaty? You get that itch? You know you’re just gonna be up all night? Because you’re going through menopause. This week on Health Wanted we’re talking about the comeback queen known as menopause hormone therapy, and where the science stands on alleged miracle cure. Plus: What’s with all the aspartame hate? Are oral vitamin K drops just as good as the shot? Are toner printers filling you with microplastics? And the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 6, 2026 • 52min
Immigration Enforcement and Public Health
2025 saw the start of a particular focus on detentions and deportations. This week on the show, we’re taking a look at the way increased immigration enforcement activity impacts public health. Plus: What’s going on with blood screening tests for cancer? How scientific are personality tests? How dangerous is raw chicken? And the Sick of the Week. For a full rundown on all the information shared in today's episode, take a look at the show notes. Have a question for Laurel? Send it to healthwanted@wabe.org or leave a voicemail at 404-888-3630! For more, visit healthwanted.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 52min
CTE
Dr. Chris Nowinski, former college football player and WWE performer turned behavioral neuroscientist and CEO of the Concussion and CTE Foundation. Conversation covers how repeated smaller head impacts — not just big hits — drive CTE. They explore how CTE develops, brain bank research, youth sports risks, limitations of helmets, diagnosis challenges in living people, and prevention campaigns.
13 snips
Feb 20, 2026 • 52min
RFK Jr.: One Year in Office
Dr. Deb Howery, former CDC chief medical officer with 11 years overseeing infectious and chronic disease programs, explains why she resigned and what cuts at CDC mean. She walks through contested policy shifts on vaccines, fluoride, and maternal and gender-care guidance. Short segments also cover nutrition in medical training, environmental health priorities, and rebuilding trust in public health.
14 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 52min
Sugar
Kimber Stanhope, a UC Davis researcher who runs controlled human studies on dietary sugar, talks about how sugars are studied and compared. She explains differences between liquid and solid sugars, why HFCS and sucrose behave similarly, trial design challenges, and practical ways to cut population sugar exposure. Highlights include surprising details about sodas, fruit juice, and non-sugar sweeteners.
12 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 52min
Dairy
Christopher Gardner, a Stanford nutrition scientist and diet-research expert, joins to unpack dairy’s rise and role in U.S. diets. He and Laurel trace milk marketing, policy influences, debates over whole versus low-fat milk, and how guidelines are made. They also touch on lactose intolerance, industry ties to fast food, and why dietary context and health equity matter.
19 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 52min
Sterilization
Natalie Lira, associate professor and co-director of the Sterilization and Social Justice Lab, studies sterilization abuse and eugenics history. She discusses the century-long legacy of forced and coerced sterilizations. The conversation covers how laws meant to protect can restrict access, modern coercion in carceral settings, and policy tensions between autonomy and safeguards.
13 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 53min
DIY Health Care
Dr. Stephen Lin, a family physician and Stanford faculty who leads the HEART team researching AI in primary care, discusses AI's role in clinical workflows. He describes using AI to cut clinician admin work and the need for physician oversight. He warns about patient-facing chatbots, legal and privacy gaps, and urges transparency, consent, and cautious optimism about AI in routine care.
