87 episodes

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?

Freakonomics, M.D‪.‬ Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

    • Science
    • 4.6 • 1.1K Ratings

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?

    The Economics of Everyday Things: Animal Urine

    The Economics of Everyday Things: Animal Urine

    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.)

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

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

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

    • 37 min
    78. Do Kids Cause Divorce?

    78. Do Kids Cause Divorce?

    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.

    • 18 min
    77. They Make Minimum Wage. They Could Save Your Life.

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

    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.

    • 18 min
    76. Is a Spoonful of Sunlight the Best Medicine?

    76. Is a Spoonful of Sunlight the Best Medicine?

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

    • 17 min
    75. What Is Sugar Really Doing to You?

    75. What Is Sugar Really Doing to You?

    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.

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
1.1K Ratings

1.1K Ratings

Pedalin'Squares ,

Outstanding

Please bring back this podcast. It adds so much value and need perspective to the healthcare industry.

Sonam S. ,

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 reasoning skills one day!

Jesshaller ,

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 dinner.

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