Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Reviewing the month: Microplastics in the brain, flu surge and Florida’s physician shortage

Stacey Bennett
/
WJCT
Dr. Joseph Drazkowski, from left, Dr. Jennifer Cowart and Dr. Sarah Bodin make up this month's panel of medical experts.

A neurologist, internist and anesthesiologist come together to add their expertise to February's biggest health care headlines.

"What's Health Got to Do with It?" is a talk program from WJCT in Jacksonville that examines the intersection of health care and daily life.

On this episode, a panel of medical experts discusses the biggest health headlines of the previous month:

  • Dr. Joseph Drazkowski, neurologist at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Arizona.
  • Dr. Jennifer Cowart, internist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.
  • Dr. Sarah Bodin, anesthesiologist and obesity medicine internist in Jacksonville.

The topics they'll review:

  • The FDA recently approved the first nonopioid pain medication since 1998.
  • Flu cases have surged this season, resulting in the deaths of almost 60 children in the U.S.
  • A new study revealed that microplastic levels were about 50% higher in 2024 brain samples compared to those from 2016.
  • Florida's doctor shortage is projected to increase in the next decade, with one study projecting the state become short of 18,000 physicians.
  • Some studies show GLP-1 weight-loss drugs that contain semaglutide may be effective in treating alcohol use disorder. 
  • Compounded versions of those weight-loss drugs made their way into Super Bowl ads, but are they safe for consumers?

The host is Dr. Joe Servin, a Jacksonville neurologist.

Click on the Listen button above to hear the program.

Click here  for previous episodes of "What's Health Got to Do With It?"

Copyright 2025 WJCT News

Stacey Bennett