The Nation's Health Podcast

Fluoridation: Your secret hack for better health

Fluoride — one of public health’s most effective and equitable tools — is facing a growing wave of policy rollbacks, misinformation and public skepticism. Host Sophia Meador talks with Wade Rakes, MBA, CEO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, and pediatrician Susan Fisher-Owens, MD, MPH, to unpack what’s at stake for oral health, who could be most affected by potential bans and how to build trust in fluoride.

AI chatbots and teens: What’s concerning public health professionals

As loneliness and isolation grow among U.S. teens, some are turning to AI chatbots for companionship, sparking new concerns for public health professionals. Host Sophia Meador talks to experts about what the trend could mean for teen mental health.

Reducing uncertainty: Talking with parents about vaccines

As public confidence in vaccines ebb, clinicians and public health workers are increasingly addressing concerns and confusion with parents. In the latest episode of The Nation’s Health Podcast, host Sophia Meador speaks with Alexandra Cvijanovich, a pediatrician and official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. They discuss common parental concerns, strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy and what lies ahead as federal guidance challenges established vaccine science.

Public health isn’t giving up: What’s fueling hope for 2026

Despite setbacks in 2025, the public health workforce remains resilient in protecting the nation’s health. Host Sophia Meador speaks with Aryn Melton Backus of the National Public Health Coalition on how advocates are continuing the fight.

The hunger gap: Higher prices, less assistance means emptier plates for Americans

Millions more Americans are expected to be food insecure as new restrictions on nutrition programs collide with rising prices. What does that mean for our health — and for the families already struggling to get by? Host Sophia Meador digs into the stakes with leading policy and food insecurity experts.