logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2023
53m 12s

Under the Skin with Linda Villarosa

Incision Media LLC
About this episode

People of color, and particularly Black folks, suffer higher rates of disease in America. That has less to do with anything about personal characteristics — like genetics or behaviors — and more to do with the way society treats people because of the color of their skin. In her new book “Under the Skin,” health journalist Linda Villarosa explores how racism gets under the skin. She sat down with Abdul to talk about that — and what we do about it.

Up next
Today
A Big Brutal Bill
Abdul and Katelyn catch up on a harrowing week in public health, after Republicans passed Trump’s mega bill. They discuss: New work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries Why rural hospitals risk closure due to the upcoming changes to Medicaid New renewal requirements f ... Show More
56m 34s
Jun 27
MAHA Comes for Vaccine
Abdul and Katelyn discuss a busy week in health news including: The most troubling aspects of this week's ACIP meeting, after RFK Jr's appointees convened to set vaccine policy for next fall. A flimsy deal among the nation's biggest health insurers, who mutually pinky-promised to ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 26
A quick note about this week's episode
Abdul shares a scheduling note, as we closely track this week's ACIP meeting. 
1m 5s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2022
'Under the Skin' shows how COVID exposed racial disparities in healthcare
Life expectancy in the U.S. has always been different for people of color. And since the pandemic, that gap has widened. In her new book, Under the Skin, journalist Linda Villarosa uncovers the hidden toll of racism in America and how racial disparities impact all aspects of heal ... Show More
7m 22s
Oct 2022
Linda Villarosa on the hidden toll of racism on health
When Linda Villarosa was the health editor of Essence Magazine, she says she had a one-track mind. A former college athlete, Linda grew up, like many of us, thinking about health on an individual level. But after reporting on environmental justice, the AIDS crisis, and black moth ... Show More
39m 55s
Oct 2022
Linda Villarosa on the hidden toll of racism on health
When Linda Villarosa was the health editor of Essence Magazine, she says she had a one-track mind. A former college athlete, Linda grew up, like many of us, thinking about health on an individual level. But after reporting on environmental justice, the AIDS crisis, and black moth ... Show More
39m 55s
Nov 2022
Notes from America: 'Blackness (Un)interrupted'
So many of our perceptions of race have to do with color. How does that change if you've lived in both Black and white skin? Our Executive Producer Veralyn Williams, explores this question in conversation with her sister, Lovis. Lovis has vitiligo, a skin disease that causes loss ... Show More
29m 45s
Jun 2022
Confronting colourism
“I was trapped in my own skin”: The illegal trade which preys on prejudice. How skin colour discrimination is still exploited with harmful black market products. Ellen’s skin bleaching nightmare had a devastating impact on her - both physically and mentally. And the prejudice whi ... Show More
31 m
Jun 2022
The impact of COVID-19, a million deaths in
A new book by Linda Villarosa looks at how racial bias in healthcare has costs for all Americans. Spoiler: Poverty counts — but not as much as you'd think. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy 
28m 38s
Aug 2020
American Caste with Isabel Wilkerson
Lately everyone has been talking about race, but Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson wants us to look at caste as well. We may associate that strict social hierarchy with India, but Wilkerson argues it has been present in the U.S. for over 400 years. She talks with Don about h ... Show More
21m 17s
Oct 2021
The first step towards more inclusive dermatology | Jenna C. Lester
Skin is one of the most powerful predictors of health, yet nearly half of all new dermatologists admit to feeling uncomfortable identifying health issues on darker skin tones -- resulting in poorer health outcomes for patients of color. In this crucial talk, TED Fellow and dermat ... Show More
5m 56s
Nov 2022
Beauty costs: A spotlight on skin lightening
Products that claim to lighten skin are often physically harmful, often containing toxic chemicals and dangerous ingredients. We look at why skin lightening products still exist, speak to people affected by their messaging, and find out why stopping sales is not as simple as it m ... Show More
17m 30s
Oct 2019
Undermining Black Homeownership with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
You’ve likely heard of redlining - the practice of systematizing discrimination based on where you live. You’ve probably even heard us talk about the ways its legacy continues to impact the upward mobility of communities of color. But do you know what happened next? In the wake o ... Show More
53m 42s