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Measles is back, and New York has declared a health emergency while Pennsylvania has recorded more than a thousand cases and five deaths. Meanwhile, a researcher at a Russian plague laboratory has died of unexplained pneumonia, Florida is experiencing one of the largest dengue outbreaks in decades, and a new federal regulation may make prescription medications from Canada more expensive. But there is some encouraging news. A new obesity drug, petrelintide, targets a different hormone pathway and may offer another option for patients who struggle with GLP-1 side effects. This week on Dr. Simpson Unfiltered, we look at the science behind these headlines, what we know, what we don’t, and why it matters. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

More than a million people in Great Britain are vaping who never smoked a cigarette. In America, millions are vaping nicotine and cannabis, while nicotine pouches are becoming the latest way to get a nicotine fix. But are we reducing harm or simply finding new ways to become addicted? From lung injuries and transplants to THC gummies and nicotine pouches, Dr. Terry Simpson takes an unfiltered look at what the science tells us, what we still don’t know, and how to reduce risk without the usual hysteria. Because vaping may be safer than smoking, but safer doesn’t mean harmless. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

A suspicious death at a Russian anti-plague laboratory has raised questions about Yersinia pestis, pneumonic plague, quarantine, and whether this is the start of something bigger. We separate the biology from the headlines, then move through measles, Ebola, AI and physicians, new GLP-1 data, diet, hospital ownership, and the vaccines worth getting this fall. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

Measles cases in Pennsylvania have passed 900, the Ebola outbreak in Congo has crossed 8,000 cases, and yet some of this week’s biggest medical news is encouraging. Dr. Terry Simpson looks at falling cancer mortality, declining alcohol use, improving teen health, semaglutide and frailty, wildfire smoke, This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

Pennsylvania is approaching 500 measles cases and has already seen 87 hospitalizations, yet public officials are arguing over whether two measles-associated deaths should count. At the center is a Lancaster County family whose pregnant mother became seriously ill with measles and whose newborn son died after birth with measles infection in his lungs and a ruptured spleen. This is the same playbook we saw during COVID: minimize the disease, question the vaccine, then explain away the complications. Meanwhile, measles keeps spreading. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

A new mRNA flu vaccine is here — and social media is already misreading the data. Meanwhile, childhood vaccine exemptions are rising, measles is spreading, Fauci is back in the headlines, and politics keeps colliding with public health. Dr. Terry Simpson breaks down what the evidence actually shows, plus new studies on COVID, dementia, hepatitis immunity, sugary drinks, and cervical cancer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

Scientists used artificial intelligence to design genetic codes that produced functioning viruses never before found in nature. They infect bacteria, not humans—but the breakthrough raises an obvious question: could we someday design a virus that infects people? Dr. Terry Simpson explains what scientists accomplished, why we could not do this in 2019, and what it does—and does not—tell us about claims that COVID-19 was designed. Plus, measles costs millions, Cyclospora declines, the first mRNA flu vaccine arrives, and new studies examine testosterone, dementia, vitamin D, vegan diets, and tirzepatide. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

Anthony Fauci returns to Capitol Hill, measles reaches its highest level in more than 30 years, Cyclospora changes how Americans shop for produce, peptides continue to outpace the evidence, and a personalized cancer vaccine offers hope from the United Kingdom. This week, we separate headlines from science—and ask what the evidence actually tells us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

This week on The Unfiltered MD, Dr. Terry Simpson explains the rapidly growing Cyclospora outbreak, why "explosive diarrhea" has become the biggest infectious disease story of the week, how this microscopic parasite spreads through fresh produce, why yesterday's salad probably wasn't the culprit, and what actually works to prevent infection. He also reviews new research on coffee and liver health, the Mediterranean diet and dementia prevention, obesity treatment, GLP-1 medications, measles, vaccines, and the latest peptide controversy. Evidence-based medicine with a little Norwegian soccer and culinary humor mixed in. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

Senator Rand Paul says Anthony Fauci lied to Congress. Tulsi Gabbard says the United States funded dangerous gain-of-function laboratories around the world. As a former molecular virologist who performed one of the earliest gain-of-function experiments before becoming a surgeon, I read the grants, testimony, and supporting papers to answer one question: What do they actually say? In this episode of The Unfiltered MD, we explore gain-of-function research, NIH grant review, biosafety laboratories, Ebola preparedness, and why understanding the science matters more than the headlines. For more information go to my substack at drsimpson.com and subscribe there for details. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

Dr Terry Simpson breaks down the week’s most important medical research in under 10 minutes. This week: why COVID vaccines protect your heart, how a $30 blood pressure cuff could save your life, what 21 years of diabetes research tells us about lifestyle, the surprising link between GLP-1 drugs and physical activity, new data about statins, hormone therapy, and Alzheimer’s blood tests. New episodes every week. In depth coverage, link,s and commentary at drsimpson.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

Everyone seems to be selling hydration these days. Electrolyte packets, Himalayan salt, trace minerals, and powders that promise better energy, better performance, and better health. But do most people actually need them? In this episode of The Unfiltered MD, Dr. Terry Simpson looks at the evidence behind the hydration industry. We explore what the DASH-Sodium Trial taught us about salt and blood pressure, why sports scientists have been measuring sweat for decades, what Gatorade actually got right, and why glucose—not magnesium—is often the unsung hero of effective rehydration. Along the way we’ll separate physiology from marketing, explain when products like Pedialyte make sense, and discuss why many healthy people are spending money on a problem they don’t actually have. Your kidneys are smarter than most influencers. Let’s talk about it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

This week on Dr. Simpson: The Unfiltered MD, we explore the tale of two peptides. On one side are GLP-1 medications like Zepbound and Ozempic, which continue to show benefits far beyond weight loss, including promising findings in cancer risk, kidney disease, psoriasis, and arthritis. On the other side are the unproven peptides sold online and promoted by wellness influencers, gym bros, and even some physicians despite little evidence of safety or effectiveness. We also discuss why clinical trials matter, what Vioxx taught medicine about drug safety, declining alcohol consumption, measles, RSV vaccines, wildfire smoke, and why the same evidentiary standard should apply to every health claim. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

This week we talk about the Screw worm coming back to the US - and yes, it isn’t pretty. A viral update and what virus I am worried about in the world cup, as well as some good news about pancreatic cancer - finally. All this and nothing more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe

This week on Dr. Simpson Unfiltered, we lead with the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa and ask a larger question: why do we spend billions preparing for public health emergencies if we’re reluctant to use the systems we built? Dr. Simpson examines the U.S. response, the controversy over a proposed Ebola facility in Kenya, and why specialized biocontainment units at places like Emory and Nebraska exist for moments exactly like this. Also this week: an experimental gene-editing treatment that may permanently lower LDL cholesterol after a single infusion, new evidence suggesting long COVID may be far more common than official estimates, the FDA’s review of reports of child deaths following COVID vaccination, and research showing that better cardiovascular health is associated with lower risk of severe COVID infection. From outbreak preparedness to cutting-edge genetic medicine, Dr. Simpson separates evidence from headlines and explains what these stories mean for patients, physicians, and the future of public health. Data beats dogma. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.drsimpson.com/subscribe