It’s not exactly an episode – thus the A-40 label. It’s just me talking to you for a few minutes. We had some last minute cancellations – which of course can happen as the holidays as well as the end of the business and financial year approach. The historically long US government shut down also took its toll. On virtually everything.
So -- we will resume the usual episodes on the third Tuesday of January – the 20th to be precise - with Episode 40. Please check the podcast page on my website for guest and subject info; it will be there as soon as I know it – stephanishelton.com/conversations. And while you’re there you may want to review the notes on Episode 37 and then the podcast itself - the Emergency Update on Autism. You’ll get the actual scientific facts about autism – which Trump appointee and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is now trying irresponsibly to link to the one drug pregnant women can take to reduce dangerously high fevers – Tylenol. There’s an earlier and more detailed podcast on autism as well – Episode 34 – both with autism expert Amy Wetherby of Florida State University.
One of the subjects I hope to discuss during the coming year is what’s happened to the CDC and the FDA under RFK Jr. And the whole, once highly respected, scientifically factual, federal public health data base. And the government grant money which would normally be going to areas like cancer research and the virtually miracle-like mRNA base for everything from individualized cancer treatments to new vaccines for potential pandemics. Remember – smallpox was eradicated globally thanks to vaccines. And in the US the routine vaccination of children had virtually wiped out measles, polio and many other diseases. Now measles is coming back big time here. It’s a dangerous disease which can and is killing babies, children and even unvaccinated adults. And don’t forget Covid. It still makes a lot of people really sick and still kills a surprising number of them – and not just the very old and ill. Lots of people live their whole life in what we might call fragile health. Vulnerable to many diseases because their immune systems are suppressed by their diseases or by the drugs they take to control those diseases. I could go on a total rant about what RFK Jr. has done to the credibility of any US government report on any disease and what he and the unscientific people he’s appointed to key positions at the CDC and FDA are doing to the overall health and potential health outcomes of the American people. But I’ll leave that for the guests I hope to have in 2026 discussing this situation and where it’s taking us.
I don’t think a lot of people actually understand science. It’s not immutable, not unchangeable. It is called science precisely because as researchers and scientists keep testing what they know, they often learn something new which modifies specifics about a disease or a treatment or a procedure. And so what health professionals use as their guidelines often get rewritten by new discoveries. Which, i think, lots of us find confusing. And when you’re confused you tend to stop believing. In anything.
Of course none of us knows what 2026 will bring. Sadly it’s a pretty sure bet that many people on Obamacare health insurance now won’t be able to afford it after January first – unless there’s a small miracle in the few days left before Congress goes home for its holiday break. On the podcast – I hope to discuss that along with subjects like how venture capital contributes to drug, device and treatment breakthroughs. The extension of the 9-11 Fund for First Responders. And likely some personal stories which a lot of us can identify with. And in small, understandable chunks – i want to discuss more about how all health systems – hybrid like ours or totally government controlled like the rest of the world – will have to change in order to pay for expensive new treatments and the social care that virtually every health system seems to put on the back burner.
I want to thank all of you who have subscribed to this podcast and especially those who have stayed with me over these 3 years. Please tell your friends and colleagues about us. And if you have suggestions for episodes – please let me know. May 2026 bring you and yours health and happiness and the courage to follow your dreams.
YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/UlTpOZzAMfw
