Chasing Life – “Sanjay’s Top 10 Health Stories of 2025”

Host: Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN)
Date: December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special year-end edition, Dr. Sanjay Gupta reflects on the top 10 health stories of 2025—a year described as a "veritable battleground" for public health in America. From breakthroughs in medicine and neuroscience to controversies around vaccines, chronic disease, and federal health policy, Dr. Gupta breaks down the biggest headlines and their real-world impacts, hoping to bring listeners the lessons and inspiration needed to Chase Life in the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. MAHA Movement – “Make America Healthy Again”

• [01:36] Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Health and Human Services Secretary, pushes MAHA, focusing on reducing chronic disease and overhauling national health.
• Applauded for targeting ultra-processed foods and artificial food dyes but raises criticism for challenging established vaccine schedules.
• Quote:
  “The real overhaul is improving the health of the entire nation—to make America healthy again.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (01:41)

2. Fluoride in Water: Bans and Backlash

• [02:09] Several states move to ban fluoride in public water, worrying public health officials about rising dental problems in vulnerable populations.
• Supporters cite studies linking excessive fluoride to lower IQ, but these levels are significantly higher than US standards.
• Quote:
  “There is important nuance…another study found that fluoride at the recommended levels in drinking water did not negatively affect cognitive ability.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (02:52)

3. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & Women's Health

• [03:13] FDA considers removing “black box” warning from HRT for menopause.
• Expected to expand treatment options, but Gupta stresses essential doctor-patient conversations remain.
• Quote:
  “There may be no other medication in the modern era that can improve the health outcomes of women on a population level than hormone replacement therapy.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (03:13)

4. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Autism: Controversy & Caution

• [03:40] President Trump and Secretary Kennedy publicly link acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism—FDA issues a more nuanced warning.
• FDA recommends using the lowest effective dose, but underscores no evidence Tylenol causes autism.
• Discussion of the actual risks of fever during pregnancy, emphasizing the decades of data supporting Tylenol’s safety.
• Quote:
  “There is decades of evidence that Tylenol…does not cause autism.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (04:37)

5. Xenotransplantation: The Pig Kidney Transplant

• [04:49] The story of Tim Andrews, who lived a record 271 days with a genetically modified pig kidney.
• Signals major progress in xenotransplantation—with large-scale clinical trials coming soon.
• Quote:
  “It may shorten your life, but you’re gonna do something for humanity.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (04:49)
  “For the average person, I think less than five years.” — Transplant expert (05:34)

6. Massive Layoffs at HHS and Impact on Public Health Infrastructure

• [06:37] 10,000+ layoffs at HHS under the Trump administration; another 10,000 left voluntarily.
• Billions cut from research, withdrawal from WHO and global programs.
• Deep concern about long-term effects, especially for pediatric cancer research and global health support.
• Quote:
  “Thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in research funding stripped. It’s almost unimaginable to predict the long-term impacts…” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (06:37)

7. Lead Poisoning Crisis in Milwaukee Schools

• [07:26] Discovery of elevated lead levels in Milwaukee public schoolchildren traces back to old school buildings (pre-1978 construction).
• CDC team for handling childhood lead exposure had been disbanded due to layoffs—leaving cities without needed federal support.
• Quote:
  “Investigation…is a part that we were really looking to the CDC to help us with. And…HHS had laid off that entire team for childhood blood exposure.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (07:48)

8. Approval of a New Non-Opioid Pain Medication: Suzetragine

• [08:07] For the first time in over 25 years, FDA approves a new class of pain drug (Suzetragine), working by blocking pain signaling before it reaches the brain.
• Inspired by genetic research on pain-free families in Pakistan.
• Quote:
  “…discovered after researchers learned about a family…in Pakistan that lacked a gene allowing pain signals to be sent—those people, they could walk on hot coals without flinching.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (08:32)

9. Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Risk

• [08:54] FDA approves a blood test for Alzheimer’s biomarkers, to supplement neurological exams and brain imaging.
• Allows for earlier intervention, tracking progress, and measuring lifestyle changes.
• Preventive neurologist Dr. Isaacson says it may predict risk decades in advance.
• Quote:
  “I believe this is a screening test that may predict if a person is going to be more likely to be on the road to Alzheimer’s…in 10, 20, 30, or 40 years.” — Dr. Richard Isaacson (09:12)
  “You’re actually…six years younger than your age!” — Dr. Isaacson (09:40)

10. Measles Resurgence and Vaccine Backlash

• [10:05] Major measles outbreak in Texas threatens U.S. elimination status for the disease.
• Symbolizes broader vaccine hesitancy issue—a CDC vaccine committee now includes prominent anti-vaccine activists.
• Concerns over re-examining established vaccine schedules despite long, proven safety records.
• Quote:
  “It’s because…measles was declared eliminated from the United States back in the year 2000 because of the effectiveness of that vaccine.” — Infectious disease physician (10:10)
  “The ACIP is full of people who are anti-vaccine activists and science denialists…You know the decisions they’re going to be making are not science-based.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (10:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You know, 2025 was a veritable battleground when it comes to public health.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (00:22)
• “Progress persists.” — Dr. Sanjay Gupta (00:32)
• On HHS layoffs: “This is going to make it more challenging to bring the best new treatments for children with cancer.” (06:57)
• On the new Alzheimer’s test: “Your numbers went from EH to now working faster and better than your age.” — Dr. Isaacson (09:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:22–01:36 – Reflections on the year and introduction to the Top 10
• 01:36–02:08 – #10: MAHA/Chronic Disease Policy Shakeups
• 02:09–03:12 – #9: Fluoride Battles in Water Policy
• 03:13–03:39 – #8: HRT and Women's Health Advances
• 03:40–04:49 – #7: Tylenol Use in Pregnancy and Autism Fears
• 04:49–05:35 – #6: Xenotransplantation—Pig Kidney Milestone
• 06:37–07:26 – #5: HHS Layoffs and Fallout
• 07:26–08:06 – #4: Lead Poisoning in Milwaukee Schools
• 08:07–08:53 – #3: Non-Opioid Pain Med Suzetragine Approved
• 08:54–10:04 – #2: Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Prediction
• 10:05–11:15 – #1: Measles Outbreak and Vaccine Policy Crisis

Tone & Final Thoughts

Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s delivery balances urgency with optimism, emphasizing both the challenges and silver linings of 2025’s health landscape. He spotlights science-driven advances and public health victories while giving candid warnings about political interference, misinformation, and the erosion of crucial health infrastructure. As always, the call is to stay engaged, informed, and proactive—continuing to “chase life” in the new year.