Fluoridation

This episode discusses modern conspiracy theories in healthcare, focusing on the fluoridation controversy as a prime example of persistent public health misinformation. The episode explains how distrust of institutions and profit-driven actors contribute to the spread of these narratives, often exploiting scientific ambiguity and social media algorithms. Specifically, the episode analyzes RFK Jr.'s claims linking fluoride in drinking water to lowered IQ in children, referencing a 2012 meta-analysis and a National Toxicology Program report. However, the sources emphasize that scientific consensus maintains the safety and efficacy of community water fluoridation at recommended levels, and that the studies cited by RFK Jr. typically involve much higher fluoride concentrations than those found in U.S. water systems.