Health & Veritas

Howard Forman and Harlan Krumholz, two Yale physician-professors, discuss the latest news and ideas in healthcare and seek out the truth amid the noise. Produced with the Yale School of Management and the Yale School of Public Health. New episodes are available every Thursday.

The Cost Curve, Flu, and Other News 11/20/2025

The Cost Curve, Flu, and Other News Howie and Harlan discuss the outlook for U.S. healthcare spending over the next five years, the state of seasonal and avian flu, and an expensive AI-based cardiac test. Show notes: Life expectancy and expenditures ACOs and cost savings World Prematurity Day AI concerns Bird flu Cardiology and AI Free speech and drug promotion Medicare premiums In the Yale School of Management’s , you’ll get a full MBA education in 22 months while applying new skills to your organization in real time. Yale's offers a rigorous public health education for working professionals, with the flexibility of evening online classes alongside three on-campus trainings. /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/39099595

Jerry Avorn: Countering the Drug Marketing Machine 11/13/2025

Jerry Avorn: Countering the Drug Marketing Machine Howie and Harlan are joined by Harvard internist Jerry Avorn to discuss his research on the pharmaceutical industry and his work promoting evidence-based prescribing. Harlan highlights new results from the American Heart Association meeting, including a one-time CRISPR-based therapy for high cholesterol; Howie reports on an outbreak of infant botulism. Show notes: Research from the American Heart Association Meeting Jerry Avorn Infant Botulism In the Yale School of Management’s , you’ll get a full MBA education in 22 months while applying new skills to your organization in real time. Yale's offers a rigorous public health education for working professionals, with the flexibility of evening online classes alongside three on-campus trainings. /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/39020780

Ali Rahimi: A Cardiologist in Your Pocket 11/06/2025

Ali Rahimi: A Cardiologist in Your Pocket Howie and Harlan are joined by cardiologist Ali Rahimi, the founder of ALYKA Health, which uses a personalized mobile app to help patients manage their heart health between doctor's visits. Harlan discusses new developments in GLP-1 obesity drugs, including untested microdose treatments; Howie reviews a landmark study investigating whether broad prostate cancer screening saves lives. Show notes: GLP-1 Drugs Ali Rahimi New Evidence on Prostate Cancer Screening and Breast Cancer Treatment In the Yale School of Management’s , you’ll get a full MBA education in 22 months while applying new skills to your organization in real time. Yale's offers a rigorous public health education for working professionals, with the flexibility of evening online classes alongside three on-campus trainings. /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38937150

Nate Wood: Cooking Lessons for Better Health 10/30/2025

Nate Wood: Cooking Lessons for Better Health Howie and Harlan are joined by Nate Wood, a Yale School of Medicine internist and trained chef, to discuss his work combining lifestyle guidance with hands-on training in making healthy, tasty food. Harlan shares new guidance on what counts as a healthy blood pressure; Howie provides an update on rising health insurance costs. Links: Blood Pressure Obesity Drugs Culinary Medicine Health Insurance Costs . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38842995

Akiko Iwasaki: What Have We Learned About Long COVID? 10/23/2025

Akiko Iwasaki: What Have We Learned About Long COVID? Howie and Harlan are joined by Yale School of Medicine immunologist Akiko Iwasaki, a leading authority on vaccines and long COVID. Harlan reflects on America’s crisis of trust in federal agencies; Howie provides some good news about bird flu. Links: Losing Trust Akiko Iwasaki Bird Flu . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38754725

Rajlakshmi Krishnamurthy: Coordinated Care, Better Care 10/16/2025

Rajlakshmi Krishnamurthy: Coordinated Care, Better Care Howie and Harlan are joined by Rajlakshmi Krishnamurthy, the Yale School of Medicine's associate dean for population health, to discuss her work building holistic systems for care at multiple institutions. Harlan discusses healthcare headlines including the launch of "TrumpRX"; Howie reports on a new study taking a novel approach to understanding the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine. Links: Healthcare Headlines Population Health The COVID-19 Vaccine . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38604835

Crowded Emergency Rooms and Other News 10/09/2025

Crowded Emergency Rooms and Other News Howie and Harlan discuss the roots of the crisis in emergency departments, the lack of oversight for hydration spas, new approaches in blood pressure treatment, an ingenious method to prevent malaria, and the CDC’s backward steps on vaccines. Links: Emergency Departments The Revolving Door Hydration Spas New Developments in Blood Pressure Treatment AI in Medicine: Doximity, OpenEvidence, and UpToDate Congenital syphilis MMR Vaccine Nobel Prizes and Science at Yale . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38525200

Vanessa Cooper: The Science of Headaches 10/02/2025

Vanessa Cooper: The Science of Headaches Howie and Harlan are joined by Vanessa Cooper, a Yale School of Medicine neurologist, to discuss the causes of migraines and promising new treatments for the disorder. Harlan discusses his approach as a journal editor to the use of AI in academic writing; Howie reports on the premium tax credits for insurance purchased through Affordable Care Act exchanges that are at stake in the government shutdown. Links: The Government Shutdown Headaches ACA Tax Credits and the Government Shutdown . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38440345

Kate Heilpern: Jumping into the Deep End 09/25/2025

Kate Heilpern: Jumping into the Deep End Howie and Harlan are joined by Kate Heilpern, president of Yale New Haven Hospital, to discuss the innovation and adaption needed to lead NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how Yale New Haven Health structures itself to provide quality care across five hospitals. Harlan reflects on the many biotech startups emerging from Yale; Howie responds to the Trump administration's assertion of a link between acetaminophen and autism. Links: Biotech at Yale and Beyond . Kate Heilpern Tylenol and Autism . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38354615

Barry Wu: The Questions to Ask the Elderly 09/18/2025

Barry Wu: The Questions to Ask the Elderly Howie and Harlan are joined by Yale School of Medicine geriatrician Barry Wu, who provides a framework for family caregivers and physicians to understand the needs of older adults. Harlan reports on Congress's shifting approach to funding research; Howie reflects on a survey showing that many college students believe that violence is an acceptable way to protest a campus speaker. Links: Congressional Directives on Funding Research Supporting Older Adults Violence and Speech ACA Subsidies . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38266075

Eric Topol: The Keys to Healthy Aging 09/11/2025

Eric Topol: The Keys to Healthy Aging Howie and Harlan are joined by physician, scientist, and author Eric Topol to discuss his new book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity; the potential of individualized polygenic risk scores; and the dangers of the protein craze. Links: . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/38179355

Science, Politics, and Personality 07/31/2025

Science, Politics, and Personality Howie and Harlan discuss Dr. Vinay Prasad’s departure from the FDA after a backlash against his decisions on Sarepta’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy. Also examined: AI in clinical settings, changes in NIH grantmaking, and the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Links: Sarepta and the FDA THC in pizza dough NIH funding Raw milk AI in healthcare update Medicare and Medicaid 60th anniversary UnitedHealth and Medicare Advantage . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/37620590

Katelyn Jetelina: A Visit from Your Local Epidemiologist 07/24/2025

Katelyn Jetelina: A Visit from Your Local Epidemiologist Howie and Harlan are joined by public health communicator Katelyn Jetelina for updates on COVID-19 and other issues, and to discuss how her emails to students and colleagues in the early days of the pandemic turned into a platform with global reach. Harlan looks at how AI is being used on both sides of the battle between providers and insurers over claims; Howie reports on a setback with a promising gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Links: Insurance Claims, AI, and Wearables Your Local Epidemiologist Treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/37533040

Seth Berkowitz: The Power Problem 07/17/2025

Seth Berkowitz: The Power Problem Howie and Harlan are joined by Seth Berkowitz, an internist and health equity expert, who argues that we know how to keep people healthier but are lacking the political will and commitment to do so. Harlan reports on a rapidly growing AI platform for doctors; Howie explains why the budget bill could reduce access to medical school. Links: OpenEvidence Seth Berkowitz The Budget and Medical Education . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/37440405

Azita Emami: Educating Nurse-Leaders 07/10/2025

Azita Emami: Educating Nurse-Leaders Howie and Harlan are joined by Azita Emami, dean of the Yale School of Nursing, to discuss the school’s approach to training nurses who can have a seat at the table of healthcare decision-making. Harlan reports on his new study showing the low levels of evidence required for medical devices in the FDA’s Breakthrough Devices Program; Howie provides some good news about infectious diseases including malaria and HIV. Links: Breakthrough devices? Azita Emami Infectious diseases . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/37359560

America’s Healthcare Paradox and Other News 07/03/2025

America’s Healthcare Paradox and Other News Howie and Harlan discuss the alarming healthcare cuts proposed in the budget bill currently moving through Congress, recent breakthroughs in HIV prevention and diabetes treatment, and the stark contrast between scientific progress and the deep structural flaws in the U.S. healthcare system. Links: The Budget Bill The Budget Bill and Universities The 340B Drug Program A Stem Cell Treatment for Diabetes Medicare Advantage and the VA A New HIV Drug Kennedy v. Braidwood The Big Picture for U.S. Healthcare Exercise and Cancer . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/37272305

Stephen Waxman: Easing the Horrors of Chronic Pain 06/26/2025

Stephen Waxman: Easing the Horrors of Chronic Pain Howie and Harlan are joined by Stephen Waxman, a leading neurology researcher, to discuss the promise of new methods developed by his lab to treat the ravages of pain. Harlan talks about the importance of ratings for Medicare Advantage plans; Howie assesses two sobering new reports on the solvency of Medicare. Links: Harlan’s Section Interview with Dr. Waxman Howie’s Section . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/37160080

The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and Other News 06/19/2025

The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ and Other News Howie and Harlan discuss health and healthcare issues making headlines, including public attitudes toward the Medicaid cuts in the budget bill making its way through Congress, a one-time gene therapy that could cure high cholesterol, “ambient” AI in the exam room, and the replacement of the the CDC’s entire vaccine advisory board. Links: Remembering Atul Butte The Budget Bill Vinay Prasad Medicaid Cuts Gene Therapy to Prevent Heart Disease Anti-Vaxxers at the CDC Ambient AI /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/37075790

Sarah DeSilvey: Creating Space for Healing 06/12/2025

Sarah DeSilvey: Creating Space for Healing Howie and Harlan are joined by Sarah DeSilvey to talk about her career as a rural nurse practitioner and her work to create a shared vocabulary for tracking social determinants of health. Harlan unpacks the research implications of the “big beautiful bill” in Congress, and reports on his new research about the link between state gun laws and deaths among children; Howie discusses the simple steps that can prevent syphilis from being passed from mothers to babies in utero. Links: Budget Cuts Guns and Kids Sarah DeSilvey Congenital Syphilis /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36971620

Dave Chokshi: Lessons from the Front Lines of the Pandemic 06/05/2025

Dave Chokshi: Lessons from the Front Lines of the Pandemic Howie and Harlan are joined by Dave Chokshi, who led New York City’s response to COVID-19 as health commissioner and serves as chair of the Common Health Coalition, which is working to prepare for future crises by strengthening partnerships between healthcare and public health. Harlan reports on a trip to China; Howie says it’s time for a global effort to expand rubella vaccination. Links: Harlan in China Dave Chokshi Rubella . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36863755

Live at the Yale Innovation Summit 2025 05/30/2025

Live at the Yale Innovation Summit 2025 In a special episode recorded at Connecticut’s largest entrepreneurship event, Howie and guest host Megan Ranney, the dean of the Yale School of Public Health, welcome four Yale innovators: entrepreneur and YSPH lecturer Kaakpema “KP” Yelpaala; Basmah Safdar, incoming director of Women’s Health Research at Yale; Kayla Wooley, a YSPH graduate and the founder of two nursing home staffing companies; and Yale College student Laurie Jimenez, founder of FulcrumCare, a value-based dental provider for Medicaid and Medicare patients. Links: The Yale Innovation Summit Kaakpema “KP” Yelpaala Basmah Safdar Kayla Wooley Laurie Jimenez . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36794640

Rebekah Gee: Improving Health, One Family at a Time 05/22/2025

Rebekah Gee: Improving Health, One Family at a Time Howie and Harlan are joined by Rebekah Gee, founder and CEO of Nest Health, which provides in-home care to kids on Medicaid and their families. Harlan reports on the first personalized CRISPR gene therapy for a rare genetic disease; Howie untangles the FDA’s restrictions on the COVID-19 booster and what it will mean for your ability to get a shot this fall. Links: A Breakthrough CRISPR Treatment Nest Health Rebekah Gee on LinkedIn on Nest Health A New COVID Booster Policy . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36669605

James Dodington: Protecting Kids from Gun Violence 05/15/2025

James Dodington: Protecting Kids from Gun Violence Howie and Harlan are joined by James Dodington, a Yale pediatric emergency medicine physician and an expert in community-based violence prevention. Harlan reports on the remarkable financial results and sometimes questionable science of Hims & Hers Health; Howie discusses UnitedHealthcare’s faltering stock price in the face of anger over aggressive care denial and a lawsuit from shareholders. Links: Oscar Health and Hims & Hers James Dodington UnitedHealthcare /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36578170

Thomas Gill: The Secrets to an Active Old Age 05/08/2025

Thomas Gill: The Secrets to an Active Old Age Howie and Harlan are joined by Thomas Gill, a Yale geriatrician whose research tracks the factors that contribute to disability in older adults—and those that support continued independence. And they discuss the contrarian tapped to evaluate vaccines at the FDA, allegations of kickbacks against insurers, and the potential end of a loophole that has allowed states to collect additional Medicaid funding. Links: Vinay Prasad at the FDA Insurance News Thomas Gill Medicaid Cuts . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36484430

Joel Bervell: The Healthcare Communicator 05/01/2025

Joel Bervell: The Healthcare Communicator Howie and Harlan are joined by Joel Bervell, a recent medical school graduate who uses social media platforms to combat misinformation and explain racial biases in healthcare. Harlan discusses his new Wall Street Journal commentary highlighting the link between viral infections and chronic diseases; Howie reports on powerful new evidence for the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine and warns of the dangers of a vaccine-skeptical presidential administration. Links: Viral Infection and Chronic Disease Joel Bervell Vaccines and the Federal Healthcare Agencies . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36389185

Afib, AI Agents, and Other News 04/24/2025

Afib, AI Agents, and Other News Howie reflects on his decades-long experience with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and the procedure that has changed his life. Howie and Harlan report on healthcare issues in the news, including the measles outbreak and a vision for a team of personal healthcare AI agents. And student research assistants Inès Gilles and Sophia Stumpf visit for a farewell interview. Links: Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation AI Agents Measles Food as Medicine Bird Flu Exercise and Brain Waste . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36294025

Deepak D’Souza: Perils of Cannabis and Promise of Psychedelics 04/17/2025

Deepak D’Souza: Perils of Cannabis and Promise of Psychedelics Deepak D'Souza, the Vikram Sodhi ’92 Professor of Psychiatry at Yale, explains risks from highly potent cannabinoids and research on treating mental health conditions with psychedelics. Harlan reports on efforts to understand the neuroscience around artificial sweeteners. Howie highlights insights from a physician pay survey. Links: Artificial Sweeteners Cannabis Dr. D’Souza Physician Pay . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36205480

Evan Sussman: Expanding Access to Fertility Drugs 04/10/2025

Evan Sussman: Expanding Access to Fertility Drugs Howie and Harlan welcome Evan Sussman, the CEO of Granata Bio, which aims to bring IVF and fertility drugs that have been proven in other markets to the United States. Harlan reports on Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which will test a technology to restore rudimentary sight to the blind; Howie tries to reconcile conflicting reports about the viability of the Medicare trust fund. Links: Neuralink Granata Bio The Medicare Trust Fund . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/36082640

Alexi Nazem: Building Healthcare Solutions 04/03/2025

Alexi Nazem: Building Healthcare Solutions Howie and Harlan are joined by Alexi Nazem, a Yale-trained internist who co-founded the healthcare staffing company Nomad Health and now leads healthcare investments at AlleyCorp. Harlan reports on new research from the American College of Cardiology meeting; Howie examines the consequences of vast staffing cuts in the federal healthcare infrastructure. Links: Research from the American College of Cardiology Meeting Alexi Nazem Turmoil at Federal Health Agencies . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/35989625

Ryan Schwarz: Thinking Differently about the Primary Care Crisis 03/27/2025

Ryan Schwarz: Thinking Differently about the Primary Care Crisis Howie and Harlan are joined by Ryan Schwarz, a Yale-trained MD-MBA who oversees accountable care for the Massachusetts Medicaid program, to discuss new models for addressing the severe shortage of primary care doctors in the U.S. Harlan looks at the fallout from the bankruptcy of 23andMe; Howie reports on Match Day at Yale and medical schools around the country. Links: New Leadership 23andMe Ryan Schwarz Match Day . /episode/index/show/healthveritas/id/35886590

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