662 Health News Update Podcast

The Food and Drug Administration is charged with ensuring the safety of our medications, but over the past several months it has endured mounting criticism. We discuss the criticism, morale at the agency, and what needs to be done with Dr. Janet Woodcock, Chief Medical Officer of the FDA. We hear a lot about the Mediterranean diet, but what exactly is it? Dr. Christopher Gardner, Director of Nutrition Studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, explains. New research indicates that you don’t have to be Greek (or Italian, French, or Algerian) to benefit from a Mediterranean diet. Hand washing is crucial for preventing the spread of infection, particularly in winter when colds and flu are rampant. But how important is it to use warm water for washing up? We hear from an expert, Dr. Allison Aiello of The University of Michigan. Guests: Janet Woodcock, MD, Chief Medical Officer and head of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at FDA, Rockville, MD. Christopher Gardner, PhD, Director of Nutrition Studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. Allison Aiello, PhD, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, The University of Michigan School of Public Health. Click here to listen to our podcast.