America Dissected

To close out this season of the pod, Abdul and Katelyn record from the American Public Health Association’s annual convention. They discuss the current public health landscape, as the government shutdown threatens SNAP and WIC funding. Then, they are joined by Dr. Peter Marks, the former director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. They discuss the future of public health, and the road ahead.

America Dissected is taking an indefinite pause. We thank you for six amazing years. 

Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Work. Science Matters.” t-shirts!

This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by:

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In our penultimate episode, Abdul and Katelyn discuss the week’s public health news, which includes:

Why Democrats are demanding Republicans extend healthcare subsidies

How the shutdown has impacted funding to public health programs

The new childhood vaccination schedule

The CDC’s official approval of the Covid booster

Then they look back on the last 6 years, and play some of Abdul’s favorite moments from American Dissected.

Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Work. Science Matters.” t-shirts!

This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by:

Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

APHA: Listeners of this podcast get a 10% discount for the 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo using code: Dissected25.

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the latest news in public health, which includes:

Trump’s $100,000 H1-B visa fee, which is could significantly hurt staffing in rural hospitals

A new 100% tariff on certain imported brand-name drugs

RFK Jr’s announcement that the FDA is re-evaluating the abortion medication mifepristone

A new scientific breakthrough that’s giving hope to people with Huntington’s Disease

Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Aziz Rahman, an American physician who recently completed a medical mission in Gaza. Dr. Rahman offers a gripping account of the devastation in Gaza, and the heroic efforts of doctors serving there.

Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Work. Science Matters.” t-shirts!

This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by:

Boll & Branch: For a limited time get 20% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/AD.

Quince: Go to Quince.com/AD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

APHA: Listeners of this podcast get a 10% discount for the 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo using code: Dissected25.

Abdul begins the show with a major announcement about America Dissected. Then, he and Katelyn discuss:


RFK Jr’s Autism report, which points to an unproven link between autism and acetaminophen


Last week’s ACIP meeting, where RFK Jr’s new appointees approved new recommendations on the Covid booster and MMRV vaccines


The end of the Covid summer wave, and how it compared to last year

Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who recently resigned in protest from the FDA. They discuss the chaos at the agency and the future of public health under RFK Jr.

Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Matter. Science Works.” t-shirts!

This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by:

OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code DISSECTED at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code DISSECTED at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/dissected

APHA: Listeners of this podcast get a 10% discount for the 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo using code: Dissected25.

Abdul and Katelyn discuss the week in public health, which includes:

Former CDC Director Susan Monarez’s Senate testimony, where she revealed a series of bombshell revelations about the chaos in the department

This week's ACIP meeting, and how it might affect access to the Hepatitis B vaccine

The good news that private insurers will be covering the cost of vaccines as normal

The Trump Administration’s move to clamp down on pharmaceutical ads

Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Annette Campbell-Anderson, Deputy Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, to discuss why more schools across the country are implementing cell phone bans.

Check out our shop at store.americadissected.com for our new America Dissected merch – including logo shirts, hoodies and mugs. And don’t miss our “Vaccines Work. Science Matters.” t-shirts!

This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by:

Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code DISSECTED at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/dissected

NPR Life Kit: Listen now to the Life Kit podcast from NPR.

ExpressVPN: Secure your online data today by visiting ExpressVPN.com/Dissected to find out how you can get up to four extra months FREE.