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Health Wanted

WABE
Public Health
Mental Health
Cancer
Vaccines
Covid-19
Tuberculosis
Opioid Crisis
Substance Use Disorders
Climate Change
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Infectious Disease
Extreme Heat
HIV
Zombies
Air Pollution
CDC
Clinical Trials
Gun Violence
Healthcare
United States

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes118Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Health Wanted

Latest Episodes

When you’re expecting, you might hear all about the ways your body will change, the size of your baby compared to various fruits, the weird cravings people had, or even the old wives' tales to induce labor. But there’s one topic that’s often hushed u... more

I’m of the opinion that a trip to the pharmacy should be fun. A time to check out the press on nail selection, use the over zealous automated cuff to check your blood pressure, buy discounted halloween candy. NOT a time to go bankrupt while using the... more

This episode includes an update from Dr. Nowinski sharing new research about the prevalence of CTE published after the episode first went live in February.

Let’s be honest, Americans love to watch a contact sport. We cheer at hockey fights, make hi... more

Bleeding gums, disability stigma, Polly Lobster, the volleyball scene from Top Gun. What do they all have in common? An inextricable link to the foundation of public health. This week on Health Wanted, we’re setting sail on a course to educate you ab... more

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Recent Guests

Courtney Yarbough
Professor, Emory University Department of Health Policy and Management
Emory University
Episode: Prescription Drug Costs
Chris Nowinski
CEO of the Concussion and CT Foundation; behavioral neuroscientist; former pro athlete
Concussion and CT Foundation
Episode: From The Archive: CTE (with update)
Kevin Brown
Archivist at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington; curator of the Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum; author on medicine and health at sea
St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington; Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum; author on health at sea
Episode: Sea Ailments
Dr. Pieter Cohen
General internist; part of the Supplement Research Program at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School; Cambridge Health Alliance
Episode: “Gas Station Drugs” One Year Later
Dr. Toby Goldsmith
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine; Director of PEACE for Moms
PEACE for Moms
Episode: Postpartum Psychosis
Eric Horvitz
Microsoft Chief Scientific Officer, AI researcher with an MD
Microsoft
Episode: AI Bioweapons
Daniele Fallin
Professor of Epidemiology, Dean of the Rollins School of Public Health
The Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University
Episode: From the Archive: Autism
Greg Marcus
Cardiologist and professor of medicine at UCSF
University of California, San Francisco
Episode: Caffeine
Yonah Freemark
Researcher at the Urban Institute
Urban Institute
Episode: Autonomous Vehicles

Host

Laurel Bristow
Host of Health Wanted; infectious disease researcher and epidemiologist

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 261 ratings
  • Quite the best

    This is a terrific show. The episode on fiber was actually quite remarkable and, if you haven’t, please listen to it. Seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    xanadu again and coleridge
    United States25 days ago
  • Correct but condescending

    There’s a phase a think about a lot in life, “do you want to be right, or do you want to win?”

    Public health is an area where winning should be more important than being condescendingly correct. If you want people to learn and change a behavior, then you have to meet them where they are at. This can be very difficult! But it’s the only way we convince those on the fence to join us. The couple of time I’ve listened to this podcast, it’s just been so full of superiority and patronizing that I can... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    CAJenn01!
    United States2 months ago
  • Nutritious AND Delicious!

    I’m hooked! Laurel is so talented, making any topic interesting with her amazing sense of humor. The zombie episode was fascinating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Esa307
    United Statesa year ago
  • You do want this

    Laurel Bristow is one of the coolest nerds I know. Her casual yet authoritative style is fun to listen to. I enjoy the humor. I always learned something. great show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Knitpam
    United States2 years ago
  • Fun podcast

    It’s perfect for people that like learning about men medicine in best parts is, where do you have to talk about the gross stuff that’s my favorite part

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B.b.b.b.v
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience notes the show balances depth with approachable delivery.
Listeners praise accessible science explanations paired with humor and clarity.
Guests are described as high-caliber experts who illuminate complex topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#178
United States/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Prescription Drug Costs
Q: Does reform like removing PBM rebates from price negotiations help consumers, or could it backfire?
Reforms can improve transparency and potentially lower costs, but they must be carefully crafted to avoid reducing access or quality of care; attention to how savings are passed to consumers is crucial.
Prescription Drug Costs
Q: What should patients do to avoid surprise costs when filling prescriptions with insurance?
Use price comparison tools, consider cash-pay options when appropriate, and be mindful that cash prices or discount programs may not count toward deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums, so insurance can still be the better long-term choice for most people.
Sea Ailments
Q: Could you clarify acronyms or organizations involved in food labeling discussions, and whether there are resources to follow up on these topics?
The host clarifies a confusion about a country (Chile) rather than an organization; the response emphasizes understanding policy changes, and mentions that episodes include links to article write-ups with summaries and sources, suggesting ongoing availability of resources via podcast description.
Sea Ailments
Q: How hard is it to get off psychiatric medications, and what does the typical approach look like in practice?
The process varies by condition, but generally involves a patient-centered plan with input from both patient and clinician, considering non-pharmacological options, potential withdrawal effects, and the need for careful tapering under supervision; decisions are personalized and made collaboratively.
“Gas Station Drugs” One Year Later
Q: How should consumers approach shopping for supplements in non-traditional outlets like gas stations?
The guest recommends seeking third-party certifications (e.g., NSF, USP) and avoiding reliance on labeled ingredients alone; shopping at reputable mainstream retailers reduces risk, but verification remains essential.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Wanted

What is Health Wanted about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Public health topics, data-driven science, and policy intersections dominate recent episodes. Listeners get clear explanations of complex health issues—from inflammation, vector-borne disease, and contraception to climate-related health impacts and global science funding—paired with expert interviews and practical takeaways. The show leans into evidence-based analysis, debunking misinformation while highlighting real-world health trade-offs, advocacy, and safety guidelines. A consistently accessible host synthesizes research, policy, and public health practice with engaging interviews from leading researchers, clinicians, and practitioners, making it valuable for professionals and curious general listeners alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Health Wanted?

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How many listeners does Health Wanted get?

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What are the audience demographics for Health Wanted?

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How many subscribers and views does Health Wanted have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Health Wanted has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Health Wanted?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Health Wanted:

1. Gastropod
2. Hidden Brain
3. 99% Invisible
4. Radiolab
5. Throughline

How many episodes of Health Wanted are there?

Health Wanted launched 2 years ago and published 118 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Health Wanted?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Health Wanted?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Health Wanted from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Health Wanted?

Recent guests on Health Wanted include:

1. Courtney Yarbough
2. Chris Nowinski
3. Kevin Brown
4. Dr. Pieter Cohen
5. Dr. Toby Goldsmith
6. Eric Horvitz
7. Daniele Fallin
8. Greg Marcus

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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