Blind Spots

When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health

By: Marty Makary MD

Narrated by: Marty Makary MD

Bloomsbury presents Blind Spots written and read by Dr Marty Makary

From Johns Hopkins medical expert Dr. Marty Makary, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Price We Pay—an eye-opening look at the medical groupthink that has led to public harm, and what you need to know about your health.

More Americans have peanut allergies today than at any point in history. Why? In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a strict recommendation that parents avoid giving their children peanut products until they’re three years old. Getting the science perfectly backward, triggering intolerance with lack of early exposure, the US now leads the world in peanut allergies—and this misinformation is still rearing its head today.

How could the experts have gotten it so wrong? Dr. Marty Makary asks, Could it be that many modern-day health crises have been caused by the hubris of the medical establishment? Experts said for decades that opioids were not addictive, igniting the opioid crisis. They refused menopausal women hormone replacement therapy, causing unnecessary suffering. They demonized natural fat in foods, driving Americans to processed carbohydrates as obesity rates soared. They told citizens that there are no downsides to antibiotics and prescribed them liberally, causing a drug-resistant bacteria crisis.

When modern medicine issues recommendations based on good scientific studies, it shines. Conversely, when modern medicine is interpreted through the harsh lens of opinion and edict, it can mold beliefs that harm patients and stunt research for decades. In Blind Spots, Dr. Makary explores the latest research on critical topics ranging from the microbiome to childbirth to nutrition and longevity and more, revealing the biggest blind spots of modern medicine and tackling the most urgent yet unsung issues in our $4.5 trillion health care ecosystem. The path to medical mishaps can be absurd, entertaining, and jaw-dropping—but the truth is essential to our health.

2025, Choice Outstanding Academic Title Awards, Winner

©2024 Marty Makary, MD (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Wow

GREAT BOOK! Everyone should read this book. I am surprised by what I learned. It also confirmed a lot of things.

Compelling and important read!

I loved this! I’m a doctoral level healthcare provider, and SO much of this rang true. This is such an important book because Dr M is so senior he’s in a position to call out blind adherence to dogma and cronyism (and name names!) This book has some upsetting chapters, esp if you’ve had a traumatic birth experience, but other times it is laugh out loud funny. I really liked that Dr M read it himself too!

Eye opening

The hidden truths many of us didn't know about are shocking. This book goes in depth into these issues. anyone that is health conscious needs to read this book. Do research, be informed and get advised consent.

siting of research

very informative with research siting to back up information and facts, everyone should listen to this book

Opened my eyes regarding "science"

Insightful expose of politic's manipulation of science...a fascinating peek behind the curtain to see the convoluted gymnastics behind some studies and their authors public influence. Great read