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Byrd Pinkerton

Host and Senior Correspondent, Unexplainable Podcast

    Latest articles by Byrd Pinkerton

    Future Perfect
    How to save a stranger’s lifeHow to save a stranger’s life
    Podcast
    Future Perfect

    Here’s why I donated my kidney.

    By Dylan Matthews and Byrd Pinkerton
    Culture
    The best books the Vox staff read in 2017The best books the Vox staff read in 2017
    Culture

    Fiction and nonfiction recommendations to get you through the end of the year.

    By Genevieve Koski, Alex Abad-Santos and 6 more
    Politics
    The US maternal death rate is unacceptably high. It doesn’t have to be.The US maternal death rate is unacceptably high. It doesn’t have to be.
    Podcast
    Politics

    California doctors came together and brought the state maternal death rate way down.

    By Byrd Pinkerton, Jillian Weinberger and 3 more
    Politics
    Is this the best way to care for patients with severe mental illness?Is this the best way to care for patients with severe mental illness?
    Podcast
    Politics

    Does court-ordered treatment for mental illness work?

    By Byrd Pinkerton, Jillian Weinberger and 2 more
    Politics
    Robot uteruses and the quest to end unintended pregnancyRobot uteruses and the quest to end unintended pregnancy
    Podcast
    Politics

    A robotic pelvis, a federal policy, and a huge shift in birth control access.

    By Byrd Pinkerton, Jillian Weinberger and 2 more
    Politics
    Opioids often aren’t a great way to treat chronic pain. So … what is?Opioids often aren’t a great way to treat chronic pain. So … what is?
    Podcast
    Politics

    A pain patient weaning herself off opioids, a pain patient who can’t imagine his life without them, and the future of pain treatment.

    By Byrd Pinkerton, Jillian Weinberger and 2 more
    Politics
    How well-intentioned doctors helped create the opioid epidemicHow well-intentioned doctors helped create the opioid epidemic
    Podcast
    Politics

    “I have caused harm.”

    By Byrd Pinkerton, Jillian Weinberger and 2 more
    Technology
    It’s 2017. Why does medicine still run on fax machines?It’s 2017. Why does medicine still run on fax machines?
    Podcast
    Technology

    How a plan to kill the fax machine with policy went awry.

    By Byrd Pinkerton, Jillian Weinberger and 2 more
    Politics
    How a change in hospital policy saved thousands of livesHow a change in hospital policy saved thousands of lives
    Podcast
    Politics

    A preventable infection, a little girl’s death, and a revolution in Baltimore.

    By Byrd Pinkerton, Jillian Weinberger and 2 more
    Politics
    A Band-Aid, a $629 ER bill, and a hard truth about American health careA Band-Aid, a $629 ER bill, and a hard truth about American health care
    Podcast
    Politics

    Why are American health care prices so incredibly high?

    By Byrd Pinkerton and Sarah Kliff