Radio Health Journal

Each week, Radio Health Journal breaks down important news in medicine, science and technology with the help of world-renowned experts. Our three weekly segments will help guide you to a happier, healthier life – with some fun facts to share at dinner parties. Can magic mushrooms cure your depression? Have we outrun natural selection?


Hosted by Elizabeth Westfield, Greg Johnson and Maayan Voss de Bettancourt and produced by Kristen Farrah and Amirah Zaveri. New shows posted each Sunday by 5 a.m. EST. Subscribe, listen, and rate. If you’re looking for older episodes, you can find our entire segment catalog on our website radiohealthjournal.org. Also, check out the latest on Facebook and Instagram @radiohealthjournal and on X @RadioHealthJrnl.

Health & Fitness
Science
Medicine
376
Dropping the Paywalls to Scientific Research
By 2026, all federally-funded scientific research articles will be publicly available thanks to a recent policy change by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Experts explain how this will affect the public, researchers, and the...
13 min
377
Is Covid-19 the New Flu?
Healthcare’s hope is that Covid-19 soon becomes a seasonal sickness that we deal with using yearly vaccines. And while the public seems eager to put the pandemic in the past, many people aren’t following up with the recommended booster shots. An...
10 min
378
Medical Notes: January 15, 2023
Are masks affecting how our brains function? Then, getting a tattoo may be good for your health. Then, can our genes predict the future? And finally…it’s time to take your Sunday morning crossword seriously. Learn More:
1 min
379
Medical Notes: January 08, 2023
We may soon be able to move things with our minds. Then, teenagers need sleep – but at what cost? And finally, Have we found the perfect solution to foggy glasses? Learn More:
1 min
380
Drunkorexia: A Popular Practice That Leads To M...
‘Drunkorexia’ is a habit that’s popular among young people where they refuse to eat before a night of drinking. Though many assume this will help keep their calorie consumption low, experts reveal why engaging in this practice can lead to weight...
13 min
381
'The Most Powerful Drugs Known to Man': A Guide...
Many patients believe all they need to know about anesthesia is that it takes their pain away, but Dr. James Cottrell says that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He believes everyone should be knowledgeable about these dangerous drugs in order to ask...
10 min
382
Medical Notes: January 01, 2023
What’s causing the surge in RSV cases? Then, green tea is great for energy, just not for your liver. And finally…can we trust large companies with the health of our planet? Learn More:
1 min
383
How Air Travel Becomes A Nightmare For People W...
The Air Carrier Access Act was passed more than 30 years ago to prohibit airlines from discriminating against people with disabilities. And though it was an essential step for equality, it hasn’t been enough. Josue Cordova explains the struggles of...
9 min
384
Aging With Your Home: Renovations To Make Your ...
As we age, certain aspects of our home, like stairs and loose rugs, can become major obstacles. And while renovations can seem intimidating and expensive, there are many simple changes that can make a huge difference. Extreme Makeover: Home...
14 min
385
Trying To Fix The Biased Lab Testing That’s Cos...
If left untreated, kidney disease can eventually lead to death -- which is why early testing is so important. However, the main test has historically had different threshold requirements based on race, which has led to lower diagnosing rates and...
13 min
386
The Doctor That Can Actually Feel His Patients’...
Mirror-touch synesthesia is a sensory processing disorder where a person can feel the sensations of another. As you can imagine, this condition can be an asset for certain people, like Dr. Joel Salinas. He’s a neurologist who can diagnose patients...
9 min
387
Medical Notes: December 25, 2022
Did you know taking certain drugs can reduce the effectiveness of other’s you’re on? Then, the pandemic had unsuspecting effects on children. Then, is our skin biopsy research outdated? And finally…anyone can learn to be creative. Though we tend...
1 min
388
Home For The Holidays: Why ER Visits Spike Arou...
The holidays are full of traveling, seeing our family, and visits to the emergency room. Whether you live in snowy Colorado or sunny LA, accidents increase during winter. Experts discuss this phenomenon and share tips on how to safely make it through...
14 min
389
Ending Overdose: Making The Antidote More Acces...
The National Safety Council reports that opioid overdoses have become the number one cause of death for people age 18 to 45. In an effort to save lives, Theo Krzywicki created the non-profit End Overdose. The organization informs and arms the public...
9 min
390
Medical Notes: Week of December 18, 2022
In the age of technology, we may finally have ‘smart eyes.' Then, a new way to track cancerous tumors. And finally…an expert reveals how you can stay healthy this holiday season. Learn More:
1 min
391
Why Getting Stuck In A Crowd Is More Dangerous ...
The recent tragedy in South Korea during Halloween seemed to have come out of nowhere. However, crowd dynamic experts say it was actually the perfect storm for catastrophe. Crowd surges occur when too many people are packed into one p1:50lace and...
9 min
392
Being Selfish Is Sometimes The Healthiest Option
We’re taught from a young age to always share and be kind, but Dr. Scott Kaufman thinks that’s not always the right thing to do. His new research looks at the idea of ‘healthy selfishness’ – taking care of yourself before focusing on helping...
13 min
393
Medical Notes: Week of December 11, 2022
A new test could better detect autism in children. Then, can air particles cause a heart attack? Then, A new, non-pharmaceutical approach to treating type two diabetes. And finally…can grocery shopping actually predict longevity?
1 min
394
Chronic Heartburn Isn’t Normal -- It Can Cause ...
Acid reflux may seem like just an annoying condition, but when it becomes extreme, developing into GERD, it can create permanent damage. In fact, ignoring your acid reflux can lead to esophageal cancer. Dr. Samir Patel details how to properly treat...
10 min
395
Medical Notes: Week of December 4, 2022
Scientists have found new information on the effects of pregnancy. Then, a key element in fighting cancer can be found in the forest. Then, a new paper in the journal, Endocrinology, is the first to show how men and women respond differently to...
2 min
396
How ‘Long Covid’ Has Brought Attention to a Neg...
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome has long been a condition surrounded by doubt in the medical community. How could someone be completely exhausted from doing a crossword puzzle? Dr. Lucinda Bateman, an ME/CFS expert, explains the...
13 min
397
Medical Notes: Week of November 27, 2022
Air pollution may be killing more people than previously thought. Then, Science is giving us one more reason to drink wine. Then, Can air particles cause a heart attack? And finally… One of the first studies to research how COVID-19 affects older...
1 min
398
“Love The Person, Hate Their Behavior” Supporti...
Addiction doesn’t just affect one person; it can tear entire families apart. But how can you convince a loved one to get help, and is there a way to support them without enabling the addiction? An expert discusses the steps families can take to...
10 min
399
Gut Feeling: The Trillions Of Bacteria In Charg...
Trillions of bacteria live in our gut, creating an intricate system called the ‘gut microbiome.’ Dr. Robynne Chutkan, a gastroenterologist, explains how this network is a crucial component to our immune system. She also offers step-by-step...
13 min
400
Has Healthcare Let Down The Men And Women Who S...
Suzanne Gordon’s new book “Our Veterans” explores the question: have we failed our service members? Though the VA Healthcare system is a great resource, too many veterans are unable to access it. Gordon exposes our society’s insufficient care...
13 min