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Society & Culture

You’re healthier than they say you are. Here’s why.

podcast March 9, 2026


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Are Americans actually becoming less healthy?

That’s an idea that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been repeating for a while now. While there are some nuggets of truth in that – on the whole, American life expectancy has gone up a lot in Kennedy’s lifetime. So why does a backward-looking narrative serve his agenda? And what would actually move the needle forward on improving Americans’ health?

Brittany is joined by NPR health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin to get into the nuances of what “healthy” means.

Want more about modern health? Check out these episodes:
The difference between losing weight & being “healthy”
Exercise is more important than ever
Sex is pleasurable. It should feel safe too.

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