That Can't Be True with Chelsea Clinton

Episode: Hypertension, Potassium, and Anti-Cancer Vaccines with Dr. Tom Frieden

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Chelsea Clinton
Guest: Dr. Tom Frieden (former CDC Director, President/CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, author)

Episode Overview

Chelsea Clinton welcomes renowned public health expert Dr. Tom Frieden for a fact-driven discussion centered on his new book, The Formula for Better: How to Save Millions of Lives, Including Your Own. The episode focuses on practical steps for better health—especially hypertension—as well as top-of-mind public health topics like vaccine misinformation, healthy eating, and the promise and peril of technology in healthcare.

Key segments include Dr. Frieden’s “six things everyone should do for a longer life,” deep dives into blood pressure management, the evolving landscape of vaccine skepticism, and science-backed myth-busting in a rapid-fire Fact or Fiction round.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Search for Trustworthy Health Information

• The Challenge of Reliable Health Sources:

  • The most common audience question for Dr. Frieden is “Where can I go for reliable health information?”
  • “Don't believe anything from anyone who's trying to sell you anything.” — Dr. Tom Frieden (03:55)
  • Suggests medical organizations as reliable sources for specific questions (e.g., AAP for vaccines).
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) is both a source of dangerous misinformation and a powerful tool when trained and used properly.

• AI in Healthcare:

  • Dr. Frieden recounts using a specialized medical AI to diagnose a rare side effect mid-flight.
  • “Medical science is so complicated that it's virtually impossible for anyone to have a complete and comprehensive understanding. That doesn't mean we're going to defer things to AI, but it means it's a tool and like any tool, it can be used well or it can be used poorly.” — Dr. Tom Frieden (07:33)

The Formula for Better Health: Six Actions that Matter

• The Simple Six (08:15):

  1. Control blood pressure (ideal = 120/80 mmHg)
  2. Control cholesterol (LDL under 70)
  3. Get enough sleep (7–9 hours/night)
  4. Physical activity (30 min brisk activity, 4+ days/week)
  5. Avoid toxins (tobacco, excessive alcohol, industrial toxins)
  6. Eat healthy (more fruits/vegetables/nuts; less sugar, processed meats, and saturated fat)

• “It’s what your mother told you. Go out and play, get enough sleep, eat your vegetables. These aren’t really complicated. And they’re right.” — Dr. Tom Frieden (10:54)

• Nutrition Nuances:

  • Highlights potassium-rich foods (e.g., sweet potatoes), and the importance of balancing potassium and sodium.
  • “Who knew that something that tastes like a dessert could be so healthy? It’s high in potassium, it’s high in all sorts of vitamins.” — Dr. Tom Frieden, on sweet potatoes (10:27)

Hypertension: The Overlooked Killer

• Blood Pressure: The #1 Priority (16:43):

  • Clinton: “If you paid attention to one thing... that could have the highest ROI... it's blood pressure.”
  • Dr. Frieden: “Absolutely, absolutely.”

• Widespread Misconceptions

  • “We need to see that most American adults have unhealthy blood pressure. We need to believe that it's not a normal part of the aging process and it is not.” — Dr. Tom Frieden (16:48)
  • Most people and even some providers think rising blood pressure with age is “normal”; it's not inevitable.

• Potassium vs. Sodium

  • Refers to pre-industrial populations with high potassium/low sodium diets who do not experience age-related blood pressure rise (17:32).
  • Suggests potassium-enriched salt (with doctor check if kidney disease).
  • For every 20-point increase above 115 mmHg systolic, risk of stroke/heart attack doubles (18:32).

• Adherence and Medication Access

  • Copays—even as low as $5/month—are a major barrier to medication adherence for asymptomatic conditions like hypertension.
  • The best health systems ensure essential medications are free and accessible.

Diet Fads and Drug Skepticism in Public Health

• Saturated Fat & Carnivore Trends:

  • Some evidence more saturated fat creates satiety, but high consumption exceeds recommended limits (21:19).
  • “Having more saturated fat may allow you to consume fewer calories... But there’s a real disconnect between what Mr. Kennedy says and what the guidelines say.” — Dr. Tom Frieden (21:23)

• Medicine Skepticism:

  • While acknowledging over-medication (especially for symptomatic conditions), Frieden stresses the danger of rejecting medicines that prevent symptomless killer diseases.
  • Example: He personally eats well, exercises, but still needs hypertension and cholesterol meds due to genetics and aging.

Vaccine Misinformation and Infectious Disease Threats

• Measles Resurgence & Vaccine Skepticism (29:01):

  • Concern over systematic weakening of US vaccine infrastructure and public confidence.
  • “We’ve seen a weaponization of science...basically retreat from a concept that there is a shared reality.” — Dr. Tom Frieden (29:01)
  • Downplaying illnesses like measles is dangerous: even if most cases are “mild”, the disease kills and disables in large outbreaks.

• Long-Term Effects of Infection:

  • Measles: wipes immune memory, stunts growth, raises risk of severe infections (31:51).
  • COVID: Long COVID risk is decreasing but persists for some; vaccination helps reduce it.
  • Chickenpox vaccine likely reduces dementia risk—reason to stay up-to-date on adult boosters (33:01).

• Praising Anti-Cancer Vaccines:

  • HPV and hepatitis B vaccination can prevent cancers; Australia is on track to eliminate cervical cancer due to HPV vaccination (34:54).

Technology, Telehealth, and the Human Touch

• Promise and Limits of Telemedicine

  • Tech can increase access but can’t substitute for robust, affordable, primary care providers (38:17).
  • Warning: Utilizing robots and tech is sometimes a workaround for underinvestment in primary care and public health workforce.

• Provider Compensation Gaps

  • “A primary care doctor after 20 years...will make less than half as much money as a surgeon who graduated yesterday.” — Dr. Tom Frieden (39:32)

Rapid-Fire: Fact or Fiction (40:27–46:16)

1. Measles only spreads after rash shows up:

   • Fiction. Highly contagious before rash; can infect dozens indirectly (40:27).

2. Americans smoking less than ever before:

   • Fact. Smoking rates at modern lows, especially among youth—but tobacco remains top preventable death cause (41:12).

3. Hypertension—a risk factor for dementia:

   • Fact. Big increase in dementia risk if uncontrolled; benefit if kept below 130 (42:15).

4. Dancing helps prevent dementia:

   • Fact. Any vigorous enjoyable activity, including dancing, works (42:27).

5. People today get sick more often than pre-COVID:

   • Fiction/toss-up. Big headlines obscure overall improvement; some setbacks in global health due to funding cuts (42:50).

6. Everyone should take some supplement:

   • Fiction. Most unneeded; exception: selected nutrients for certain people, and creatine for strength training (43:57).

7. Americans don’t eat enough potassium:

   • Fact. Most consume half or less of what’s needed for optimal health. More potassium helps increase sodium excretion (44:29; 44:37).

8. High potassium foods? If you don’t like bananas:

   • Pistachios, sweet potatoes, yogurt, avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms—“find fruit and vegetables you enjoy” (45:17).

9. Cold plunges boost immunity:

   • Fiction. No evidence for long-term health benefit (45:44).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Good science doesn't give you certainty. It gives you humility because you understand how much you don't know.”
  — Dr. Tom Frieden (05:17)

• “Facts are stubborn things. Facts are on our side and facts are powerful. And even if they're ignored, twisted or suppressed, they're still facts.”
  — Dr. Tom Frieden (47:20)

• “People want to live a long, healthier life. And by seeing the invisible, believing that we can make what seems inevitable actually much better and working together to create a healthier future, we can have a more connected society, longer lives, lower healthcare costs, and feel better for longer.”
  — Dr. Tom Frieden (47:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Reliable Health Information & AI: 03:11–08:03
• Six Steps for Better Health: 08:15–11:16
• Diet, Potassium, & Sweet Potatoes: 10:27; 44:29
• TrumpRx Program & Prescription Drug Access: 12:27–15:51
• Hypertension: Discussion & Importance: 16:43–20:03
• Diet Fads, Medication Skepticism: 21:05–24:35
• Vaccine Hesitancy, Measles Outbreaks: 29:01–34:54
• Tech & Telemedicine: 38:17–39:49
• Fact or Fiction Round: 40:27–46:16
• Optimism for Public Health: 46:22–47:34

Final Thoughts

Dr. Frieden’s message is clear: the fundamentals of good health are simple but often undervalued. Focusing on controlling blood pressure can save more lives than trendy supplements or fads. He offers hope that even in a polarized, misinformation-rich era, facts—and practical, evidence-based actions—can help build longer, healthier lives for all.