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Rating

4.6

from

1062 reviews

Description

Each week, physician, economist, and author of "Random Acts of Medicine" Dr. Bapu Jena will dig into a fascinating study at the intersection of economics and healthcare. He takes on questions like: Why do kids with summer birthdays get the flu more often? Can surviving a hurricane help you live longer? What do heart surgery and grocery-store pricing have in common?

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Freakonomics, M.D. podcast

The Economics of Everyday Things: Animal Urine

2023/07/21

In the newest show from the Freakonomics Radio Network, host Zachary Crockett explores the hidden side of the things around us. This week: One creature’s trash is another’s cash. (Or, how one man found profit in pee.)

Tom Brady, A.D.H.D., and a Really Bad Headache (Bonus)

2023/07/11

A sneak peek at Bapu's new book, "Random Acts of Medicine," available now from Doubleday, and an announcement about the show.

78. Do Kids Cause Divorce?

2023/03/31

Couples get divorced for all kinds of reasons. Is having kids one of them? Bapu talks about research that investigates what happens to parents who unexpectedly have twins. Plus, an announcement about the future of the show.

77. They Make Minimum Wage. They Could Save Your Life.

2023/03/24

Doctors and nurses get most of the attention — but a new study suggests we can improve health care by raising wages for a group of workers who are often overlooked.

76. Is a Spoonful of Sunlight the Best Medicine?

2023/03/17

In hospitals, a softer pillow or a nicer room might be more than just amenities — they could improve outcomes for patients.

75. What Is Sugar Really Doing to You?

2023/03/10

Americans eat a lot of sugar — and it’s hard to determine how it affects our health. Bapu explains how a new study uses data from the 1950s to help solve the mystery.

74. How Does Playing Football Affect Your Health?

2023/03/03

It’s not a new question, but it’s a tricky one to study. Bapu explains why, and talks about how an N.F.L. labor dispute helped him get some answers.

73. Who Pays for Multimillion-Dollar Miracle Cures?

2023/02/17

The most expensive drugs in the world are treatments for genetic diseases. And more of these cures are on the horizon. How will anyone be able to afford them?

72. What’s Stopping Us From Curing Rare Diseases?

2023/02/10

Breakthroughs in biotech that seem like science fiction are becoming reality. Why aren’t more patients benefiting from them?

71. What Do COVID-19 and Cancer Have in Common?

2023/02/03

mRNA vaccines helped bring the pandemic under control. Could they also train the immune system to fight cancer?

70. Why Are There Still So Few Female Surgeons?

2023/01/27

Success and failure are hard to measure in medicine. Bapu looks at how surgeons are judged after a bad outcome — and whether men and women are treated the same.

69. Home Sweet … Hospital?

2023/01/20

We take it for granted that, when people are acutely ill, they should be in the hospital. Is there a better way?

Podcast reviews

Read Freakonomics, M.D. podcast reviews

4.6 out of 5

1062 reviews

Sonam S. 2023/03/25

High quality content

I’m a second year med student and really love this show- especially the medical mystery cases. I aspire to reach this level of excellent clinical reas...

Jesshaller 2023/09/10

Pontificate or analyze

The questions are interesting- but I come to freakonomics for the data behind the pontification. Otherwise I could be listening to my great uncle at d...

mxxdprints 2023/05/30

Titles are pseudo click bait

The content is great. As soon as they start the podcast the titles change lol Example: “Do Kids Cause Divorce” is actually “Do Twins Cause Divorce”....

trying2Brational 2023/05/08

Not really helpful, just presents ‘what ifs’

Nice to discuss topics but not helpful regarding what to do, how to decipher the data. More chatty than beneficial. Dig deeper, explain clearer, offer...

They're killing us 2023/03/27

Lacking in Critical Thinking

If this review stays up and isn’t cut short, it will be a miracle. How can the information here be trusted when the good doctor buys into the CDC/FDA...

nycboyz 2023/03/26

Enjoyable and informative, but…

A research study/paper is often referenced as a basis/core of the conversation (i.e. , #75 What Is Sugar Really Doing to You?) but they don’t provide ...

thrashlovers 2023/03/25

Disappointed in Episode 75

Really disappointed in this episode. Yes, I think refined sugar is harmful. Yes, I was expecting this to be the discussion. The evidence discussed ...

FrankBlack00 2023/03/24

Gives you lots to think about

I never miss an episode of this show. Bapu always gives facts and stats about the issues that are covered. The best part is that I have yet to see any...

JBS(PA) 2023/03/15

Great

Interesting dialogues and great information.

ljkort 2023/02/16

Info I didn’t know I needed!

This podcast has opened my eyes to so many aspect of healthcare I’m curious about. The episodes are well researched, interesting and nice and brief. I...

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