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
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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.
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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
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The Simple Six (08:15):
- Control blood pressure (ideal = 120/80 mmHg)
- Control cholesterol (LDL under 70)
- Get enough sleep (7–9 hours/night)
- Physical activity (30 min brisk activity, 4+ days/week)
- Avoid toxins (tobacco, excessive alcohol, industrial toxins)
- Eat healthy (more fruits/vegetables/nuts; less sugar, processed meats, and saturated fat)
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“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)
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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).
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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
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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)
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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
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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.
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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).
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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
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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.
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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)
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Measles only spreads after rash shows up:
- Fiction. Highly contagious before rash; can infect dozens indirectly (40:27).
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Americans smoking less than ever before:
- Fact. Smoking rates at modern lows, especially among youth—but tobacco remains top preventable death cause (41:12).
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Hypertension—a risk factor for dementia:
- Fact. Big increase in dementia risk if uncontrolled; benefit if kept below 130 (42:15).
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Dancing helps prevent dementia:
- Fact. Any vigorous enjoyable activity, including dancing, works (42:27).
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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).
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Everyone should take some supplement:
- Fiction. Most unneeded; exception: selected nutrients for certain people, and creatine for strength training (43:57).
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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).
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High potassium foods? If you don’t like bananas:
- Pistachios, sweet potatoes, yogurt, avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms—“find fruit and vegetables you enjoy” (45:17).
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Cold plunges boost immunity:
- Fiction. No evidence for long-term health benefit (45:44).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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“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.
