Loading summary
Transcript22 lines
- [00:02]
A
Hey there, it's Sanjay. We're gonna be back with paging Dr. Gupta in January, and I wish you happy holidays until then. But today we have something special for you. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this year's top health stories. You know, 2025 was a veritable battleground when it comes to public health. And it faced challenge after challenge. Mass layoffs.
- [00:26]
B
Scientists united will never be defeated.
- [00:30]
A
There was even an armed attack at the cdc. And as misinformation started to gain momentum once forgotten viruses took hold on U.S. soil. But I will say this, as always with science and medicine, progress persists. And with that, I'll be right back with our top 10 health stories of 2025.
- [00:56]
B
This episode is brought to you by. Diet Coke. You know that moment when you just need to hit pause and refresh? An ice cold Diet Coke isn't just a break. It's your chance to catch your breath and savor a moment that's all about you. Always refreshing, still the same great taste. Diet Coke make time for you. Time. Welcome to Walgreens. What can I help you with today?
- [01:17]
A
Hi, I need a last minute gift for a secret Santa. Something thoughtful, impressive, not a fruitcake.
- [01:22]
B
We've got Ferrero chocolates, artisan coffees, even a spa kit. Any vibe you're going for, whatever says, wow.
- [01:29]
A
This guy's great at giving gifts.
- [01:31]
B
How about this premium skincare gift set? Just needs a bow. Will look like you planned it weeks ago.
- [01:37]
A
Well, happy holidays, gifts, holiday decor, and more. The holiday road is long. We're with you all the way, Walgreens. Here are the top 10 hell stories of 2025. Number 10. It is impossible to ignore the impact of MAHA. It's been the rallying cry of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The real overhaul is improving the health of the entire nation to make America healthy again. The main driver of the movement, reducing chronic disease. And a lot of efforts to that end, like condemning ultra processed foods and taking action on artificial food dyes, those have been largely applauded by public health experts. But other targets of the Maha movement, those have them worried. We currently have our current vaccine schedule based upon a lot of people who know a heck of a lot looking at things not to make mandates but to make recommendations. Number nine, it makes no sense to have fluoride in our water. This year, we saw some states take steps to ban fluoride in their water supply. Dentists and other public health experts worry that its removal will increase cavities, especially for people without access to regular dental care. But supporters of these bans point to studies that found children exposed to higher fluoride levels have lower IQs and more neurobehavioral issues. But as with so many things this year, there is important nuance. Those studies looked at levels much higher, almost double than the levels found in the majority of public water systems. In fact, another study found that fluoride at the recommended levels in drinking water did not negatively affect cognitive ability. Number eight. 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. In November, the FDA announced that it was taking steps to remove what is known as a black box warning for many hormone treatments for women with menopause symptoms. Now, while this change is expected to give women more options for treatments, I do want to stress that it needs to still start with a conversation with your doctor. Number seven. President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Today publicly linking the rise in the number of cases of autism to the use of acetaminophen or Tylenol by women during pregnancy. Today, the FDA will issue a physician's notice about the risk of acetaminophen during pregnancy and begin the process to initiate a safety label change. Don't take Tylenol. Don't take it. Now, the FDA was much more nuanced in its warning, saying that pregnant women should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary duration and only when treatment is required. However, there is decades of evidence that Tylenol or acetaminophen is among the safest options for pregnant women dealing with fever or pain and that it does not cause autism.
- [04:39]
B
I understand the risks of a fever in pregnancy, which is risk of miscarriage, risk of birth defects. And I said, no way am I taking that risk.
- [04:49]
A
Number six, it may shorten your life, but you're gonna do something for humanity. This year, we follow the courageous journey of Tim Andrews, the fourth living patient in the United States, to get a genetically modified pig kidney transplant. It's a process known as xenotransplantation. And the little pig is right there so I can pat it. Tim lived with a pig kidney for a record 271 days. And while he did have to have it removed, his case helps move this field farther into the future, especially as larger scale human clinical trials are just on the horizon. When do you think this might be available? For the average person, I think less than five years.
- [05:36]
C
With Venmo, stash a taco in one hand and ordering a ride in the other means you're stacking cash back. Nice get up to 5% cash back with Venmo Stash on your favorite brands when you pay with your Venmo debit card. From takeout to ride shares, entertainment and more. Pick a bundle with your go tos and start earning cash back at those brands. Earn more cash when you do more with Stash. Venmo stash terms and exclusions are supply max $100 cash back per month. See terms at Venmo Me Stash terms.
- [06:08]
B
Ford Bluecruise Hands Free highway driving takes the work out of being behind the wheel, allowing you to relax and reconnect while also staying in control. Enjoy the drive in Bluecruise enabled vehicles like the F150 Explorer and Mustang Mach E. Available feature on equipped vehicles. Terms apply. Does not replace Safe driving. See Ford.com BlueCruise for more details.
- [06:37]
A
Number five we just learned that Robert Kennedy Jr. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, will announce huge layoffs today. Some 10,000 jobs across the agency. And this comes on top of some 10,000 employees who left the department voluntarily. Thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in research funding stripped. It's almost unimaginable to predict the long term impacts of the Trump administration's cuts to public health. This is going to make it more challenging to bring the best new treatments for children with cancer. And the cuts extended beyond America's shores. Withdrawing from the World Health Organization, sir Global programs like GAVI and USAID are also had funding pulled by the administration. Please just give us medication number four.
- [07:27]
B
In Milwaukee, one kid was found to have really elevated blood lead levels and that sparked this whole public health investigation.
- [07:33]
A
And that investigation led them to Milwaukee's public schools and several other children who had elevated blood lead levels. For the first time, they were able to link lead poisoning in children to the city's aging schools. The problem we found when traveling there is that most of the school buildings were built before 1978. That's before lead paint was banned. And to further complicate the city's efforts to handle this crisis, those cuts I was just talking about that left the city without federal support. Investigation into the potential chronic exposures of students at the districts is a part that we were really looking to the CDC to help us with. And unfortunately, HHS had laid off that entire team for childhood blood exposure. These are the best and brightest minds in these areas around lead poisoning and now they're gone. Number three, the FDA just did something that could be a game changer for people living with Pain. For the first time in more than 25 years, the agency approved a new class of pain medication. It's called Suzetragine. It's not an opioid. It works by preventing pain signaling nerves around the body from firing in the first place. So that message of pain never makes it to the brain. And even cooler, this medication was actually discovered after researchers learned about a family of fireworkers in Pakistan that lacked a gene allowing those pain signals to be sent those people, they could walk on hot coals without flinching. Number two, a new FDA approved blood test could help diagnose Alzheimer's by detecting certain biomarkers of the disease. It will still need to be used alongside other diagnostic tools like neurological exams and brain imaging. But preventive neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson says that he thinks blood tests will be a great new option for screening. 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 or dementia in 10, 20, 30 or 40 years. And that means patients, including myself, who went through a battery of tests with Isaacson can get a baseline for their risk. And they can also track their progress while applying certain lifestyle interventions. Your numbers went from EH to now working faster and better than your age. You're actually 16, six years younger than your age. And here's number one. Have you ever seen measles before? No.
- [10:06]
B
And I'm an infectious disease physician. I've never diagnosed a case.
- [10:10]
A
That's incredible.
- [10:10]
B
It's because, you know, measles was declared eliminated from the United States back in the year 2000 because of the effectiveness of that vaccine.
- [10:20]
A
A measles outbreak that started in Texas earlier this year. It signaled a worrying trend as cases continue to grow across the country, putting the U.S. s elimination status in jeopardy. But this is also symbolic of the larger fight over vaccines, especially as the RFK appointed members of the highly influential vaccine Advisory Committee to the cdc, has pledged to re examine the entire vaccine schedule, even for shots that have long established safety records. The ACIP is full of people who are anti vaccine activists and science denialists. So you know that the decisions that that they're going to be making are not science based. As always, we will continue our reporting. You have our word on that. We're going to bring you everything you need to know when it comes to your health in 2026. Stay healthy until then and talk to you next year.
- [11:16]
B
Discover Mercer Lab's Museum of Art and Technology in New York City, where creativity meets innovation. This holiday season, immerse yourself in a world of interactive exhibits, digital masterpieces and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're with family, friends, or exploring solo, Mercer Labs invites you to see art and technology in a whole new light. Get your tickets now@mercerlabs.com and redefine your museum experience.
- [11:46]
A
Bring in the New Year with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. Welcome to Times Square. We have a great show planned. Ton Thought you would have been fired by now. Eff it up, everybody. New Year's Eve live coverage starts at 8 on CNN. And watch on the CNN.