Science and Nature

Vitals

Vitals goes behind the headlines to get the definitive answers to the health questions everyone is asking.

How Canada is transforming assisted death safeguards

13m 35s

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.

Episodes

  • Is DNA the Key to Better Mental Health Care?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Is DNA the Key to Better Mental Health Care?

    S2 E3 - 11m 29s

    Could personalized genetic testing improve mental health treatment? 50% of people with depression don’t respond to their first medication, but mental health is now on the front line of widespread personalized medicine: DNA testing to identify the best and safest course of treatment. Alok Patel breaks down everything from how the emergent science works to some caveats you should know about.

  • Surviving Pregnancy as a Black Woman: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Surviving Pregnancy as a Black Woman

    S2 E2 - 11m 17s

    Among developed nations, the United States is one of the most dangerous places to give birth, and Black women face the highest risk. Nurse Yalonda Fowler explores the bias, fear and miscommunication that underlie the sobering maternal mortality statistics. The Vitals team also investigates possible solutions, such as the expansion of midwifery care across the US.

  • How Adult Autism Goes Undetected: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Adult Autism Goes Undetected

    S2 E1 - 12m 9s

    The Vitals team explores the growing community of “neurodivergents,” including many people who were only diagnosed as adults. Many people live a life of “masking” their disorder, leading to misdiagnoses, especially in many underrepresented communities. We hear from a specialist who assesses adults, and Kip Chow, about their experience as an autistic adult diagnosed late in life.

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