Vitals

Dozens of countries allow patients to seek a doctor’s help in ending their lives. Canada has been a leader in the movement, but is now set to loosen safeguards that are meant to protect people with mental illness. It’s controversial - we’ll hear from both sides, and look at how medically-assisted death has evolved since the days of Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill, is newly FDA approved — making birth control more accessible than ever. But birth control pill use has declined, and a wave of women on TikTok have been using #PillTok to talk about the uncomfortable side effects of the pill and other forms of hormonal contraception.

Along with Alok, Maiya May from Weathered brings some long-term perspective on fires, climate change and the shifting patterns of where we live.

Cannabis is used by Americans across the country for health and recreation, with science backing up many health claims. But there's pushback to the legalization trend as experts say there’s increasing evidence of potential harms, for some. VITALS host Sheena Williams debunks five surprising health-related myths about cannabis use with the help of cannabis specialist Dr. Peter Grinspoon.

Climate change, anyone? It's the hottest summer ever and the long-term forecast calls for more of the same. It's pushing our bodies to the limit, but you do you really know how our body responds to heat, and how and when it gets to be too much? Grab a cool drink and check out this episode of Vitals.

In this episode, Alok (or Sheena) answer the biggest questions about Long COVID, including who is most at risk, whether the condition is linked to the severity of the original COVID infection and whether exercise makes symptoms worse. We’ll also hear a personal story from someone who is (or did) suffer through the condition.

What is ADHD, really? This episode will break down the difference between ADHD and five things for which it is often confused with. We’ll also explain why ADHD is so hard to diagnose in the first place."

The Vitals team is here with the answers about how vector-borne diseases spread, and what some researchers are doing to better understand why cases are on the rise. Don’t worry, we will also have a little health lesson on what to do if you get bit by a tick and where to turn if you get infected.

Vitals host Sheena explores the potential solutions to reducing gun violence in her hometown of Philadelphia, and interviews two of the city’s public health experts, Dr. Jessica Beard and Dr. Sara Jacoby, about public health research and interventions that are making a big impact.

For most adults, having sex is a natural part of a healthy life, but when it comes to talking about STDs, that’s easier said than done. Sheena is joined by Wendy McDonald, MD, (@dreverywoman), certified sex educator @Laureen HD and Alison Marshall, FNP-C to share practical advice on how to talk with partners, what to expect from your doctor and how to navigate this tricky landscape.

The drug ketamine is getting increasing attention as a means of treating depression, but also greater scrutiny for its potential downsides. In this episode, we'll explore the known benefits and risks, and break down the world of treatment options and assess the level of safety.

Climate anxiety, or fear and distress caused by the effects of climate change, is an emerging psychological condition that has gained prominence in the last two decades. Our host will tackle the big question: what can someone do to realistically treat climate anxiety. Along the way, the team will interview a specialist in the field of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.