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.
1501
Social Anxiety in Children
Social anxiety disorder is more than just shyness. It can be crippling and keep people completely inside the house. An expert whose daughter was afflicted discusses social anxiety warning signs in children and how the disorder can be treated. Learn...
7 min
1502
Digitizing Medicine
Digital technology has revolutionized many industries, but medicine has lagged behind. One of the nation's most influential doctors discusses what the consequences are and what it will take to bring health care technology to its full potential.
13 min
1503
Photographic Memory
Some people who remember things extremely well may claim they have a "photographic memory," but some experts say such a thing doesn't really exist. Experts discuss how memory works. Learn more at:
9 min
1504
HIV From the Beginning
When AIDS first became widespread in the 1980's, it was a death sentence. A doctor who has spent her career on the front lines of HIV recounts the desperation of the early days and the transition of HIV into a treatable chronic disease.
9 min
1505
Cheaper Breast Cancer Gene Testing
Testing for breast cancer genes BRCA-1 and 2 has been inaccessible to many women due to extremely high cost. Now a new 249 dollar breast cancer gene test is available. Experts discuss whether this changes who should be tested.
13 min
1506
The Science of Smell
The sense of smell evokes powerful memories and makes food taste good, but it also has important functions in interpersonal relations and personal safety. Experts discuss the science behind it.
9 min
1507
Drowning: It Doesn’t Looks Like You Think
Seven hundred children under age 15 drown in the US each year, most within sight of a parent or other adult. One major reason is because drowning doesn't look like most people picture it, and so are unaware the child is in trouble.
8 min
1508
The Health Effects of Loneliness
Studies are now showing that loneliness and social isolation not only affect our mental health but also have profound effects on our physical health, and increase the risk of death substantially. Learn more at:
13 min
1509
Dietary Gene Therapy
Many diseases have a genetic trigger, but a noted researcher concludes that alteration of the diet can override that programming. He discusses how disease doesn't have to be preordained.
8 min
1510
Weight, Culture and Science
The cultural bias against obesity is often justified on health grounds. But recent studies show that people classified in the "overweight" BMI category actually have less mortality than normal weight people.
13 min
1511
Baseball Pitchers: Injuries Waiting to Happen
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports explains the science of pitching injuries.
11 min
1512
Lung cancer, no smoking
Lung cancer is the world's #1 cancer killer, but its association with smoking has created a stigma that often stuns patients who never smoked and results in much less research money for lung cancer than for other less lethal diseases.
13 min
1513
Preparing for Disaster
Many people will have to deal with a natural disaster at some point in their lives. Two civil defense experts discuss how to be ready before it comes. Learn more at:
7 min
1514
Distracted Teen Drivers
Graduated driver's license programs have improved teen driving records, but a new study finds they are often distracted before crashes. Experts discuss distracted driving and ways to get teens to pay attention on the road. Learn more at:
14 min
1515
Training Doctors How To Communicate
Doctors too often use language that's indecipherable to normal people. Efforts are underway at medical schools to teach doctors to speak in plain language. An expert at one such school and a participant in these classes discuss.
10 min
1516
Heart Attacks in Young Women (2015)
Surveys show young women are often unaware of their risk of a heart attack and are much less likely to go to the ER when a heart attack occurs. Experts discuss reasons and possible remedies.
12 min
1517
Neuroplasticity
Since the dawn of medicine, doctors have believed that, once injured, the brain could not heal. Now they've learned that the brain can heal, and are beginning to tap ways to make it heal better and faster.
7 min
1518
Too Many Vitamins?
Vitamins are essential to our health, and we can get most through our diets. Standards for dietary minimums help prevent deficiency diseases, but little is known about whether it's possible to consume too many vitamins.
12 min
1519
The Nature of Addiction
Many people have misconceptions about what addiction is and is not. A noted British journalist explains how these myths fuel the war on drugs, and alternatives that might curb addiction and drug trafficking.
8 min
1520
Food Trends
A longtime food market researcher discusses why we choose the foods we eat.
10 min
1521
Food Addiction
Experts explain the brain chemistry of food addiction, how it is virtually identical to the chemistry of drug addiction and alcoholism, and what it means for the nation's fight against obesity.
14 min
1522
Moderate Exercise (2015)
Studies are showing that people who train hard and long at running have death rates similar to couch potatoes. Experts discuss how much exercise is enough and how to make the most of light exercise.
9 min
1523
Women and Work
The US once led the world in proportion of women in the workplace, but that number has declined the last 15 years. Experts explain the factors that are leading women to quit their jobs and stay home.
13 min
1524
Learning from Traditional Societies
An expert discusses his study of traditional native societies, which shows how human genetics have not adapted to change.
8 min
1525
Workplace Bullies
At some point in their careers, 35 percent of workers will be bullied badly enough to affect their health. Experts discuss the reasons for workplace bullying and how to prevent it.
13 min