What Public Health Gets Wrong (and How to Get It Right) | Former CDC Director

Public trust in health care in the United States is at an all-time low , yet the epidemic of chronic disease is worse than ever. How do we fix this? Dr. Mark Hyman sits down with Dr. Tom Frieden, the former Director of the CDC and NYC Health Commissioner, to discuss what public health gets wrong, how to get it right, and the proven formula to end the chronic disease epidemic in America with health promotion.

Dr. Frieden, who now runs Resolve to Save Lives , shares insights from his new book, "The Formula for Better Health". He introduces his "See–Believe–Create" framework—a powerful method for connecting public policy with personal action to make prevention the easy choice.

In this conversation, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Frieden unpack:
Rebuilding trust in public health after COVID

What the food industry learned from Big Tobacco’s playbook

How Big Food uses addiction science (like the "bliss point") to hook you on ultra-processed food

Why sodium (salt) is a bigger killer than sugar and how to fix your sodium-potassium ratio

The "magic wand" policies that work: soda taxes, smoke-free laws, and front-of-pack "black stop sign" warning labels

The future of medicine: Fixing the broken primary care system and why AI will be a "game changer"

Invisible threats: The truth about lead poisoning, PFAS (forever chemicals), and other environmental toxins

Mandates vs. Public Health: What did we learn from masks, lockdowns, and vaccine mandates?

This conversation is a masterclass in "structural violence" and how we can fight back against the systems that drive disease. We already know what works. The challenge is putting it into action. This conversation is about how each of us can help create that change, one small step at a time.

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(0:00) Introduction to public health challenges and lack of primary care access
(1:05) Subscribe and support message
(1:22) Dr. Tom Friedman's public health accomplishments and book discussion
(2:32) Soda taxes, structural violence, and chronic disease
(6:04) Regaining public trust in public health post-COVID
(8:08) Public health mandates and communication during COVID-19
(15:22) Vitamin D, public health recommendations, and technical rigor
(18:04) Ultra-processed food and the chronic disease epidemic
(19:57) Strategies for addressing chronic disease and better health formula
(21:58) Tobacco industry tactics and public health strategies
(27:39) Litigation's role in combating unhealthy industry practices
(30:13) Food addiction, obesity, and global health crisis
(33:36) Public policies to reduce sodium intake and promote high-potassium foods
(39:36) Challenges and industry opposition to public health policies
(48:26) Sponsor: The Hyman Hive membership community
(49:34) The prevention paradox and health behavior economics
(54:08) Advocacy and policy actions for chronic disease prevention
(1:03:55) Comprehensive care for diabetes and environmental toxins
(1:09:53) Lead poisoning, industrial pollution, and health impacts
(1:14:48) Industry influence on public health policy and global challenges
(1:18:06) Belief in change and government role in health research
(1:23:08) Importance of primary health care and nutrients like vitamin B12
(1:28:21) Shortage of primary care physicians and the potential of AI in healthcare
(1:30:42) Financial model changes and the role of telemedicine
(1:33:14) Summary of transforming health in America and personal politics impact
(1:35:07) Litigation as a tool for health progress and closing remarks