Science, anti-science and public health: Debunking Myths with Peter Hotez, MD, part 1 episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 25, 2026 · 17 MIN

Science, anti-science and public health: Debunking Myths with Peter Hotez, MD, part 1

from 20-Minute Health Talk · host Northwell Health

In this episode of 20-Minute Health Talk, host Chethan Sathya, MD, speaks with Peter Hotez, MD, pediatrician, scientist and global health advocate. Dr. Hotez shares the story behind his public advocacy: The "planned part" of his career — developing life-saving vaccines for the world's poor — and the "unplanned part" that began when his daughter, Rachel, was diagnosed with autism. Dr. Hotez explains how this experience thrust him into the center of the vaccine debate, which led to him becoming a target of the anti-vaccine movement. He and Dr. Sathya offer a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of communicating evolving science to the general public. This is Part 1 of this series. Listen to Part 2 About Northwell Health Northwell is New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, with 28 hospitals, 890 outpatient facilities and more than 16,600 affiliated physicians. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get the latest news and insights from our experts in the Northwell Newsroom: Press releases Insights Podcasts Publications Interested in a career at Northwell Health? Visit our career site and explore our many opportunities. Watch more episodes of 20-Minute Health Talk on YouTube.  For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. 

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 25, 2026

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In this episode of 20-Minute Health Talk, host Chethan Sathya, MD, speaks with Peter Hotez, MD, pediatrician, scientist and global health advocate. Dr. Hotez shares the story behind his vaccine advocacy and how to address medical myths.

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Science, anti-science and public health: Debunking Myths with Peter Hotez, MD, part 1

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