Second Opinion
An examination of medical ethics and the practitioners who define them. Sign up to receive the Second Opinion topics in newsletter form at kcrw.com/newsletters.
How Medieval Plague Still Shapes Your Health
Health & WellnessNearly 700 years ago the plague wiped out half of Europe. The genetic impacts are still present today.
Why Cutting Medicaid Hurts Everyone Who Works
Health & WellnessWhat the White House failed to tell us
The Reusable Revolution healthcare Needs Now
Health & WellnessThe U.S. healthcare system can protect patients, save money, and reduce environmental harm by replacing unnecessary single-use medical items with safe, reusable alternatives.
Cleared for Market but Not Proven to Work
Health & WellnessWe expect that FDA-approved drugs have been shown to be safe and effective. But, that isn’t always the case.
An Incubator: The Rights of a Brain-Dead Woman
Health & WellnessShould a state have the authority to override a woman’s wishes regarding her body—not for her benefit, but for someone else’s?
The Dying Art of Learning from the Dead
Health & WellnessIt’s often hard to let go of traditions, but it's time to rethink the role of anatomy dissections.
Toilets Prevent Disease—If You Can Find One
Health & WellnessUnhoused people lack safe bathroom access—an issue of public health, safety, and basic dignity we can no longer ignore.
The Persistent Dark Legacy of Eugenics
Health & WellnessFor more than a century, there has been a nefarious fascination with engineering society in ways that disadvantage the most vulnerable.