Business Group on Health: Recent Episodes
Business Group on Health
Business Group on Health is a community of members, a team of experts, an ally for large employers, a health and benefits authority, and a tenacious voice in health care policy, to name just a few of our roles. Our employer members are engaged and leading the charge - driving innovation in employer sponsored health care and seeking new viewpoints as they develop best-in-class programs for employees and their families.
As a leading voice in health care policy, the Business Group has an impact on a global scale and provides respected commentary on larger industry trends. The Business Group on Health Podcast, hosted by Ellen Kelsay and LuAnn Heinen, showcases this thought leadership by featuring conversations with guests who bring insights and perspectives about the trends shaping modern health care issues relevant to large employers.
Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, many patients quickly ask about their ability to continue working through treatment. Work can be vital for the healing process as it offers both a sense of control and connection, and perhaps more importantly, continued alignment with one’s purpose and identity.
In this episode, Gina Jacobson, Program Director, Publicis Groupe, shares her personal story with cancer and how her experience helped inspire the Working with Cancer pledge. Offering guidance and best practices to support employees impacted by cancer, the pledge helps employers design recovery-forward workplaces.
Guest: Gina Jacobson, Program Director, Publicis Groupe
Can music really change our brains and boost our well-being? Archaeological evidence shows humans have made music for over 50,000 years, and today, science is revealing just how deeply sound shapes our emotions and mental health. In this episode, neurobiologist Dr. Daniel Bowling highlights the therapeutic potential of music and sound for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and ADHD.
Guest: Dr. Daniel Bowling, Neurobiologist, Stanford Medicine
Health and well-being can be improved by medicine, but can purpose and personal connection achieve similar effects? With the advent of social prescribing, a model of care delivery in which a health care professional formally prescribes non-clinical community activities, including artistic and active endeavors, medical professionals are testing a new way to improve employee well-being.
In this episode, journalist Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure, explores social prescribing and shares how it can improve health outcomes for patients with depression, anxiety, diabetes, stress, and more.
Guest: Julia Hotz, Journalist and author of The Connection Cure
Individuals with disabilities make up 16% of the world’s population. They face a stark health disparity as their life expectancy is 14 years shorter than those without disabilities. In this episode, Hannah Kuper, epidemiologist and Co-Founder of the Missing Billion Initiative, explores the intersection of disabilities and health, highlighting ways to close the health care gap.
Tune in to learn how social determinants of health impact disability-inclusive health care, ways to improve access including innovative uses of AI and how multinational employers can consider this population when designing health and well-being strategies.
Guest: Hannah Kuper, Co-founder of the Missing Billion Initiative, founder and co-director of the International Centre for Evidence in Disability at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
In a 2025 Advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, alcohol use is highlighted as the leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States contributing to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year. In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we revisit two insightful conversations about the complex issue of alcohol use.
Listen in as John Kelly from Harvard Medical School and Rachel Sayko Adams of Boston University School of Public Health discuss the cultural and psychological drivers of alcohol consumption, the rise in binge drinking among women, the “sober curious” movement and more. Learn about the optimal pathways to recovery and how employers can help support healthier choices.
Guests:
John Kelly, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital and
Rachel Sayko Adams, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Boston University School of Public Health
Historical biases in medicine have left a lasting imprint on women’s health. In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Elizabeth Comen, oncologist and medical historian, reveals how the systemic devaluation of women’s health—ranging from misdiagnoses to delays in treatment—continues to impact the quality and efficiency of care that women receive.
Dr. Comen’s insights extend to show how these disparities impact the workforce. By more clearly identifying and understanding women’s unique health needs, organizations can better design health benefits and well-being strategies for greater impact and support.
Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Comen, author of All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women’s Bodies and Why It Matters
The impact of cognitive impairment and dementia in the workplace is on the rise. Due in part to an aging workforce – 62% of older Americans are still employed full-time – the importance of understanding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is increasingly critical to HR leaders.
Tune in as we sit down with Joanne Pike, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, to discuss the experiences of employees impacted by Alzheimer’s, both those living with this disease and those who are caregivers. She also shares how employers can better support these individuals through workplace culture and benefits. Listen now.
Guest: Joanne Pike, DrPH, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association
Over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, many of whom are active participants in the global workforce. For employers, this is more than a statistic—it’s a call to action.?In this episode, Dr. Dan Reidenberg, Managing Director of the National Council for Suicide Prevention, reveals why employers must take action on suicide prevention. He also shares the significant financial and operational toll that untreated mental health issues bring to the workplace — $50 billion in annual costs and 68 million lost workdays — and how employers can foster a compassionate culture to reduce the stigma, help individuals better recognize warning signs, and provide access to effective care.?
Guest: Dr. Dan Reidenberg, Managing Director of the National Council for Suicide Prevention
A full 35% of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts—regions that lack birthing facilities or obstetric clinicians, according to recent March of Dimes report, Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US. Alarmingly, this may worsen as maternity units close nationwide and provider shortages persist, a trend that will further exacerbate poorer pre-pregnancy health, inadequate prenatal care, and higher preterm birth rates.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Amanda Williams, Interim Chief Medical Officer at March of Dimes, explores the rise of maternity care deserts, the impact of doulas and midwives on maternal mortality and the strategies for improving patient access to care. Dr. Williams identifies ways that employers and others can help to improve maternity care by providing access to digital solutions and community resources, advocating for reimbursement reforms, and supporting value-based care models.
Guest: Dr. Amanda Williams, Interim Chief Medical Officer at March of Dimes
In aggregate, employers are the largest payers of health care in the U.S. and subsidize other health insurance markets, yet they are often sidelined from the crucial conversations around health care policy and delivery matters. With another spending surge on the horizon, it is more important than ever for employers to lean into redefining care access and delivery.
In our latest podcast episode, we talk about this and more with Paul Keckley, health care policy analyst and managing editor of The Keckley Report. We explore his article “Are employers ready to move from the back bench in U.S. health care?” and discuss the transformative actions that will drive meaningful change – a stronger voice and increased activism in delivery, the integration of social services and strategic engagement.
Business Group on Health consistently offers insights on the critical role employers play in shaping the health care industry. Learn more about our perspective here.
Guest: Paul H. Keckley, Managing Editor of The Keckley Report
For individuals that struggle with mental health, the intensity of the challenges often evolve over their lifetime due to triggers or phases of life.
In this podcast we speak with Dr. Karen Swartz,?psychiatrist and?professor from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, about the continuum of mental health and common triggers, including those less often addressed, like regret and loss. Dr. Swartz also shares insight into the youth mental health crisis, the “dangerous levels” of stress that 41% of parents are experiencing, and more.??
Tune in to learn how Dr. Swartz’s experience and guidance can help employers more deeply understand the mental health challenges their employees and families are experiencing and better provide meaningful support.
Guest: Dr. Karen Swartz, Director of Clinical and Educational Programs at the Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Founder and Director of the Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP)
Imagine having the foresight to prepare your organization for a flu outbreak days before it hits, just as you would for an impending storm. The Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) at the CDC is pioneering this exact capability.
In our latest podcast, we talk with Dr. Dylan George, Director of the CFA, who shares the parallels between disease forecasting and weather predictions and why the former could help employers to better safeguard their workforce in the future. Listen in to learn how the CFA’s advanced modeling tools can help to anticipate and mitigate health risks, and for real-world examples that illustrate how data-driven decisions can enhance employee safety and maintain productivity.
Guest: Dylan George, Ph.D., Director for the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Business Group on Health’s 2025 Employer Health Care Strategy survey reveals 89% of large employers intend to implement programs or strategies to support LGBTQ+ employees in their health and well-being initiatives. This focus is crucial, given the significant disparities faced by LGBTQ+ adults.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Mitchell Lunn, a Stanford University physician and professor as well as the director of The PRIDE Study, a research initiative that assesses the health of over 29,000 sexual and gender minority adults in the U.S., shares the disparities in health and health care facing the LGBTQ+ community. This episode covers the implications for employers and how inclusive employee surveys can foster a more supportive work environment.
Guest: Mitchell Lunn, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) and of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University School of Medicine, Co-director of The PRIDE Study
Thank you to the episode sponsor, Aon.
Once rare in younger adults, colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting adults under 50, with the biggest increase in those aged 20-29. With many searching for answers, this growing health concern brings to light the unique challenges and comprehensive care needs of younger cancer patients.
In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, Co-Director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Mendelsohn explores lifestyle factors, genetic predispositions, and the ongoing research to uncover the potential reasons for this global trend. The discussion also emphasizes the critical role of early detection, coordinated care, and what employers need to know about prevention and treatment.
Guest: Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, Co-Director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Thank you to the episode sponsor, Aon.
Have you ever texted with a colleague from a different generation, only to receive an icy reply? Or perhaps an overzealous reply rife with emojis? With five generations represented in the modern-day workforce, this probably sounds familiar.
Texting etiquette is just one, albeit very visible, example of the different expectations, experiences and needs of the intergenerational workforce. In this Business Group on Health podcast we speak with Dr. Megan Gerhardt, Professor of Management and Leadership at the Farmer School of Business at Miami University and the author of Gentelligence: A Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce. In our discussion, Dr. Gerhardt shares ways to build trust amongst employees of all ages and create a culture and health and well-being benefits portfolio that acknowledges and supports the needs of employees at all life stages.
Guest: Dr. Megan Gerhardt | Professor of Management and Leadership at the Farmer School of Business at Miami University |Author of Gentelligence: A Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce
Thank you to the episode sponsor Color Health.
Every year, the American Cancer Society publishes Cancer Facts & Figures, an annual report that shares where we are in the collective fight against cancer. Led by Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer at the American Cancer Society, the 2024 report reveals the good news, like the reduction in overall cancer mortality; alongside some bad news, that a record two million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year.
In this Business Group on Health podcast, Dr. Dahut explains these key findings and more, including why cancer outcomes are improving, more effective approaches to screening, how artificial intelligence can help diagnose cancer sooner, and why these insights are so important for employers and employees alike.
Guest: William L. Dahut, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, American Cancer Society
Thank you to the episode sponsor Color Health.
Workplace well-being can only be achieved when the entire team – from leadership to specialists and everyone in between – works collaboratively with trust and commitment towards shared goals.
In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Tim Cunningham, Interim Executive Director of Clowns Without Borders and former Co-Chief Well-being Officer at Emory Healthcare. Tim’s professional experience took him from clown to nurse to health care executive, and in this podcast he shares how his unique background informed his current focus on workplace well-being. Tim shares how leaders, including Chief Well-being Officers, can drive the cultural changes that impact employee well-being and professional fulfillment, ultimately improving outcomes.
Guest: Tim Cunningham | DrPH, Interim Executive Director, Clowns Without Borders USA
Following 50 years of steady decline, cardiovascular mortality rates began to plateau in the past decade. Alarmingly, this plateau recently became an uptick, which many believe is due in part to cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome – a disease that 90% of adults meet criteria for but many may not have heard of.
In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we talk with Dr. Chiadi Ndumele, board-certified cardiologist and lead author of the Presidential Advisory Report on Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health. Dr. Ndumele educates us on CKM syndrome, the overlap of obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and the cardiovascular system, as well as the need for increased awareness. He also shares ways to identify and treat genetic, social and environmental risk factors, and why education and understanding this condition is critical for patients of all ages.
More Information:
Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association – https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001184
PREVENT Online Calculator:
https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator
Guest: Dr. Chiadi Ndumele, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Cardiologist, Johns Hopkins University
A February 2024 research review in JAMA Psychiatry identified perinatal mental health and substance use disorders, namely suicide and opioid overdoses, as the cause of nearly one in four maternal deaths.
Reproductive psychiatrist, Dr. Emily Dossett, and executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Joy Burkhard, join this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast to broaden our understanding of this stunning, yet largely unrecognized, relationship. We also learn about other maternal mental health challenges, the impact social determinants of health have on perinatal mental health, and how employers can help support mothers and their families.
More Information:
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Reports and Fact Sheets:
https://www.2020mom.org/reports
JAMA Psychiatry Research Review:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2814936
Health Affairs Article on Perinatal Mental Health:
https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01455
Guests: Dr. Emily Dossett | Reproductive Psychiatrist; Founder & Director, Reproductive Mental Health Program at the LA General Medical Center
Joy Burkhard | Executive Director, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
It has been estimated that anywhere between 24 to 50 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, are affected by autoimmune diseases, with onset often occurring during their prime working years.
Tune in to this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast to hear from Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz, a double-board certified rheumatologist and patient advocate. Dr. Ortiz shares the biggest challenges facing those with autoimmune diseases, research on why these conditions more often affect women, and how employers can support patients through health and well-being benefit programs.
Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz | Rheumatologist l Founder, Connected Rheumatology
In response to the increased prevalence of pediatric obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics published new comprehensive Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity in 2023. In addition to urging pediatricians to more quickly offer treatment, the guideline identifies the secondary medical complications associated with obesity that children are experiencing, including hypertension, fatty liver disease, diabetes and arthritis.
In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, Dr. Ilene Fennoy, a pediatric endocrinologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York-Presbyterian, explains the guidance, offers recommended treatment options and shares strategies for communicating care needs to parents, teens and young children.
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Abett.
More Information: CDC Recognized Family Healthy Weight Programs:
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/strategies/family-healthy-weight-programs.html
Guest: Ilene Fennoy, MD | Pediatric Endocrinologist l Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York-Presbyterian
As those who have experienced loss know, grieving for a family member or close friend doesn’t end when it’s time to go back to work.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, many employers are building grief-informed strategies to better support their workforce during the grieving process. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, Meghan Riordan Jarvis, a clinical psychotherapist and advocate for addressing grief, shares how employers can acknowledge and respond to grief at work with intention, and expands our definition of grief to include unresolved loss in the workplace.
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Abett.
Guest: Meghan Riordan Jarvis | Clinical Psychotherapist and Author of The End of the Hour
Ten years of census data indicate continued population growth in rural communities in America. When paired with the estimate that 30% of all rural hospitals are at risk of closing, the outlook for health care becomes particularly concerning.
In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, Alan Morgan sheds light on this and other challenges facing rural communities including workforce shortages and equity concerns, as well as the innovations that began in rural health that have improved access and care delivery, particularly for those patients in the home.
Guest: Alan Morgan | CEO, National Rural Health Association
Recent survey data found that after years of declining rates, well-being incentives are on the rise for employers, with 73% offering either incentives or disincentives in 2023. This may be fueled by growth in Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs).
On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we welcome Uri Gneezy, an expert in behavioral economics, to discuss his research on designing thoughtful incentives that can help individuals and organizations make lasting changes.
Guest: Uri Gneezy, PhD | Behavioral Economist, the University of California, San Diego, and author of Mixed Signals
In response to growing concerns around hospital safety and the impact on patient experience, The Leapfrog Group was founded to establish core safety standards and grading mechanisms for hospitals and empower employers to make data-informed purchasing decisions.
On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, Leah Binder joins us to discuss the work The Leapfrog Group is doing to promote transparency around hospital quality and safety and drive a culture of improvement. Leah shares how this data can be used by hospitals to improve their processes, and by employers and consumers alike to make informed choices.
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor ComPsych.
Guest: Leah Binder | President and CEO, The Leapfrog Group
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a growing avenue for addressing mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, and more progress is expected in the coming years. On today’s episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Penn, a leader in the study and practice of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Penn discusses the latest developments in the rapidly evolving world of psychopharmacology, including a new drug application submitted to the Food and Drug Administration in late 2023, designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Penn describes the patient experience during psychedelic-assisted therapy, the integral role of nurses in current and future care models, and projections for future treatment innovation.
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor ComPsych.
Guest: Andrew Penn | Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco
Fertility difficulties affect 1 in 6 couples globally. What comes as a surprise to many is that nearly half of these cases are related to male factors. However, due to several barriers including social attitudes and misconceptions, many men do not seek reproductive health care or even know there may be an issue. In recent years, we’ve seen increased awareness of topics related to women’s reproductive health, begging the question: will we see a similar boom for men’s reproductive health?
On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Dr. Joseph Alukal, a leading clinician and researcher. Dr. Alukal sets the stage for how we can open the dialogue about men’s health through better understanding when and where to seek reproductive care.
Guest: Joseph Alukal, MD | Associate Professor of Urology at Columbia University Medical Center and Director of Men’s Health at Columbia New York Presbyterian
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Progyny.
Despite the continued buzz about GLP-1s, obesity treatment does not end at the pharmacy counter. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Scott Kahan, a practicing obesity medicine specialist who leads the National Center for Weight and Wellness, a multidisciplinary obesity treatment center in Washington, DC, to discuss evidence-based care.
Dr. Kahan speaks about the current state of obesity treatment, the progress made in the nearly two decades that he’s been practicing and the impact of societal dialogue surrounding GLP-1s. By 2030, 50% of United States adults are projected to have obesity — listen to this episode to learn how the treatment landscape may need to transform to accommodate the growing need.
Guest: Scott Kahan, MD, Director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Progyny.
Despite Long COVID impacting more than 10% of patients who recover from COVID-19, much is still unknown about the condition. As a result, treatment and the search for a cure continues to puzzle physicians.
On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Dr. Galiatsatos, a critical care physician serving on the Johns Hopkins Post-Acute COVID-19 Team, about his experience treating Long COVID patients, the current status of research and how employers can best support employees at risk of developing Long COVID.
Guest: Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
For patients diagnosed with rare diseases like hemophilia and muscular dystrophy, treatment has historically been difficult and the prognoses terminal. But the advent of new cell and gene therapies are providing hope, as they fight the root cause of disease and provide patients with life-altering, and in some cases, life-saving treatments.
Listen to this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast to hear from Sarah Emond, ICER’s President-Elect, about the complexities of cell and gene therapies including how they differ from traditional treatments, challenges like access and manufacturing, and promising payment mechanisms to finance these high-cost therapies.
Guest: Sarah Emond, President-Elect, Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER)
We often think of circadian rhythms only in the context of sleep, but research shows that they relate to – and influence – so much more when it comes to our health and well-being. In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Professor Russell Foster about what circadian rhythms are, the factors that influence these rhythms, and how the timing of activities like eating, exercising, and even taking medication can impact health outcomes for the better… or worse.
Listen to this wide-ranging conversation to hear about how individuals and employers can apply research on circadian rhythms to improve health and quality of life.
Guest: Russell Foster, Professor of Circadian Neuroscience, University of Oxford and author of Life Time: The New Science of the Body Clock, and How It Can Revolutionize Your Sleep and Health
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Day Two.
The pharmaceutical supply chain has long been ripe for disruption and who better to lead the way than Mark Cuban, a “shark” who has never shied away from a challenge. Mark launched the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company in 2022 with the audacious goal to bring trust back to health care with wholly transparent pricing available to all stakeholders of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
In this episode of our podcast, we sit down with Mark to discuss his vision to “end ridiculous drug prices” and improve every aspect of the pharmacy experience. And while still a young company, the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company has already evolved to address more of the pressing health care challenges facing employers and consumers alike. Tune in to hear what he plans to tackle next to continue to improve health and well-being for all.
Guest: Mark Cuban, Co-founder, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company
Migraines are a leading cause of disability and presenteeism in workplaces worldwide, a fact that’s underrecognized. Symptoms of the disease can be hard to spot, claims data on migraine are elusive and stigma lingers. Moreover, patients often have limited access to care – in the U.S. there are 39 million migraine sufferers but only 560 headache specialists.
On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak to one of those 560 headache specialists, Dr. Olivia Begasse De Dhaem. We discuss how migraines peak during the most productive years of life, and the impact migraines have on the workplace. She shares the results of a study she co-authored about a successful headache education program, which she helped implement at a large employer in Japan, and offers insights for other large employers for impact
Guest: Olivia Begasse De Dhaem, MD, neurologist and headache specialist, Hartford HealthCare Headache Center and author of Headache: What Do I Do Now?
Resources:
- Fujitsu Study: Migraine in the workplace
- Find a Migraine Specialist: American Migraine Foundation
- The Atlantic: It’s the Best Time in History to Have a Migraine — So why doesn’t it feel that way?
- Harvard Business Review: Migraines Are a Serious Problem. Employers Can Help.
Although health misinformation gained global attention during the pandemic, it was prevalent in society well before COVID-19. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Sara Gorman, author of Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us, about her research on why we’re subject to believing health misinformation. She shares insights about the psychology of our beliefs, health misinformation’s devastating consequences and ideas on how we can overcome it in the future.
Guest: Sara Gorman, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Critica and author of Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us
A recent study found that women in their 30s show higher levels of binge drinking and alcohol use disorder than women of the same age in previous years. The study also identifies delayed parenthood as a potential cause for this worrisome trend. In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with the Boston University professor who spearheaded this study, Dr. Rachel Sayko Adams. Listen to the episode to learn about how societal shifts, including targeted marketing and the normalization of “wine-mom culture” have driven drinking trends. Looking forward, we also discuss the emerging ‘sober curious’ movement and how employers can support employees interested in reducing or avoiding alcohol intake.
Guest: Rachel Sayko Adams, PhD, MPH, Research Associate Professor, Boston University School of Public Health.
According to Business Group on Health’s 2024 Large Employer Health Care Strategy Survey released in August 2023, employers identified mental health as the top area of prolonged impact on workforce health and well-being resulting from the pandemic. Indeed, one in six working age adults live with a mental health condition. In this critical moment, employers are looking to support the mental health needs of their workforce and address the negative impacts and costs of the crisis. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Dr. Aiysha Malik from the World Health Organization about their 2022 mental health at work guidelines, and how employers around the world can apply these guidelines to their benefits, well-being and workplace strategies.
Guest: Aiysha Malik, D.Phil., D.Clin.Psych., Mental Health Specialist, World Health Organization
Substance use disorders affect more than 46 million people aged 12 and older in the United States (SAMHSA), but numerous...[…]
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Menopause impacts 50% of the world’s population yet it’s often misunderstood, undertreated and shrouded in stigma. Ignoring the symptoms can...[…]
Studies indicate that placebos can have a meaningful effect on numerous health conditions, emphasizing the significant role that our mindset plays in our health and well-being. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kari Leibowitz to dive deep into the fascinating research demonstrating the power of mindset. During our conversation, we go beyond the placebo and “nocebo” effect to explore the evidence-based connections between mindset and health and well-being. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on how to transform their own health by shifting their mindsets, how physicians can deliver improved results through an empathy-focused bedside manner, and even how we can enjoy winter by shifting our perspective.
Guest: Kari Leibowitz, PhD, author of How to Winter: Harnessing Your Mindset to Embrace All Seasons of Life
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Big Health.
In 2013, a landmark report was released by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine showing that despite much higher spending on health care, the United States ranked lower than the peer country average on most major health domains, including life expectancy. What happened in the 10 years since this seminal work? Unfortunately, the situation has only worsened. On this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we get an update from Dr. Steven Woolf, physician, epidemiologist, and professor who chaired the committee that produced “U.S. Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health” a decade ago. He tells us what’s happening to life expectancy here in the U.S., delves into root causes behind some of the statistics, and explores how companies, communities and policymakers can make an impact.
Guest: Steven Woolf, MD, Director Emeritus, Center on Society and Health and Professor of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Big Health.
If health literacy is a social determinant of health, why isn’t it prioritized more broadly by those in the health care system? Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick, an expert in delivering culturally appropriate and relatable health information, is on a mission to change that by elevating people’s understanding and use of compelling communication. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we discuss why Dr. Fitzpatrick has called health literacy the “stepchild” of social determinants, but also why it’s key to cracking the code on health care engagement. She describes the importance of both the message and messenger, as well as practical tips on how employers and their partners can deliver trustworthy health information that resonates with diverse audiences.
Guest: Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, Founder and CEO, Grapevine Health
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Cariloop
What if instead of going to the hospital when we became sick, the hospital came to us? That’s the topic of today’s Business Group on Health podcast conversation with Dr. David Levine, whose work and research concentrates on advanced home-based care for acutely ill people. Dubbed “home hospital,” this care model gained momentum during the pandemic as COVID-19 admissions surged, while others feared infection and avoided hospitals. We discuss the home hospital movement – how and why acute care is being provided to some patients in their own homes; what we know about the impact on patient experience, clinical outcomes and cost of care; and why interest in is growing in the US.
Guest: David Levine, MD, MPH, MA, Attending Physician and Clinical Director of Research and Development for Mass General Brigham Healthcare at Home
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Cariloop
Research suggests that a majority of employees in the U.S. and around the world are lonely, which increases the risk of negative health and workplace outcomes. Having friends and social connections at work, though, can improve happiness, productivity, creativity and turnover. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Shasta Nelson, author of The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time, about how to recognize loneliness and foster strong relationships that benefit employees and employers alike. We also talk about leadership and friendship, how to navigate cliques in the workplace and what employers can do to create more opportunities for connection.
Guest: Shasta Nelson, Author, The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Surest
While many employers are familiar with birth doulas, lesser known are death doulas – those who support people as they near the end of life. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we delve deeper into death doulas and the role they play with Alua Arthur, founder of Going with Grace, an organization that seeks to help the dying answer, “What must I do to be at peace with myself so that I may live presently and die gracefully?” We also discuss the movement to transform death from the unmentionable to something we talk about and contemplate openly and thoughtfully, why some employers are taking note of death doulas and what they might need to consider when providing this type of support for their workforce.
Guest: Alua Arthur, Founder, Going with Grace
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Surest
More people die in the United States during childbirth each year than in any other developed nation. For Black birthing parents, mortality rates are significantly higher than they are for white birthing parents. Providing birth doulas as a supportive part of a birthing team can help mitigate these statistics by leading to greater empowerment and better labor outcomes. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak to Tracie Collins, CEO and Founder of the National Black Doulas Association, and Nancy Jester, Senior Manager of Physical and Emotional Well-Being at Walmart, about how birth doulas impact outcomes, barriers to utilizing them, and why they’re especially crucial for Black birthing people. We’ll also hear more about Walmart’s doula benefit, discuss how it became a priority for their organization, and share advice for other employers.
Guests: Tracie Collins, CEO and Founder, National Black Doulas Association
Nancy Jester, Senior Manager of Physical and Emotional Well-Being, Walmart Inc.
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Vivante Health
It’s well-understood that young people’s mental health is suffering; it’s the subject of news headlines, dinner conversations, and benefit strategy sessions as employers explore how to support families. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we dig deeper into why children today are experiencing such acute challenges with psychiatrist Laura Erickson-Schroth, Chief Medical Officer of the Jed Foundation. We discuss what’s contributing to anxiety, depression and suicidality among youth, helpful and unhelpful ways adults can respond, resources available in a crisis and ways employers can help.
Guest: Laura Erickson-Schroth, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, The Jed Foundation
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Vivante Health
At least one in ten people will be diagnosed with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Despite how common they are, most of us have misconceptions about who suffers from an eating disorder and what they look like. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, Rebecca Eyre, Chief Executive Officer of Project HEAL, corrects those myths, and provides facts about the increasing prevalence of eating disorders and their effects. We also discuss issues of equity in diagnosis and treatment and how employers can create a workplace that is eating disorder informed.
Guest: Rebecca Eyre, Chief Executive Officer, Project HEAL
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Accolade
Many people with cancer are diagnosed during the prime working years of their life. Among other uncertainties, they often question how they’ll balance their work with treatment and recovery, and what will happen if they disclose their diagnosis. On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we talk with Rebecca Nellis, executive director of Cancer and Careers, a nonprofit that empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in the workplace. Rebecca shares how managers can best react when employees disclose, how the workplace may play an important role for employees who want to work through treatment, and how to support those who are returning to work after leave. We also examine the macro trends that impact her work on behalf of people with cancer.
Guest: Rebecca Nellis, Executive Director, Cancer and Careers
Thank you to today’s episode sponsor Accolade
The United Nations has an ambitious goal for the world: to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. While medical advances...[…]
“By listening carefully to what they are saying, we can appreciate the lessons they have to teach us: be real,...[…]
Globally, one in seven people live with some form of disability, making disabled people the world’s largest minority group. It’s...[…]
More than ever, LGBTQ+ equality is on the minds of employers and this episode of the Business Group on Health...[…]
Alcohol use is harmful to health in many ways, including some that go unrecognized. One third of U.S. adults experience...[…]
The latest data show that suicide is the twelfth leading cause of death in the U.S. and among those with the highest rates are younger, working age adults (ages 25-34). While there are a multitude of factors that contribute to suicidal behavior, there are also several evidence-based things that employers – and society at large […]
What if we focused on the conditions for creating health rather than treating disease? This simple change in perspective is the foundation of functional medicine: promoting health by focusing on the body as “one whole ecosystem” rather than different parts that must be addressed separately. On today’s episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, […]
More than 80% of working Americans say financial insecurity is a major problem, reflecting the fact that many in the U.S. live paycheck to paycheck, lack emergency savings, and experience financial anxiety. Businesses are taking note, realizing that what they pay employees isn’t always enough to achieve financial security. On today’s episode of the Business […]
In medicine death is seen as a failure, and we do everything we can to avoid failure. This supports the societal stigma associated with talking about death and dying, as we no longer see death as a part of life. But one of the unexpected outcomes of the pandemic is that it’s made the conversation […]
Studies on climate change show wide and serious effects on our mental and physical health. In this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast’s two-part series on climate change, we speak with Dr. Susan Clayton, a conservation psychologist and professor at the College of Wooster, about the relationship between warming weather and our mood […]
What do mitigating pain, overcoming phobias, changing harmful behaviors and calming anxiety have in common? They’re all addressed through virtual reality. In this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we speak with Dr. Walter Greenleaf, a behavioral neuroscientist who is recognized internationally as one of the founders of the field of therapeutic virtual […]
Over the last few years there’s been increasing public interest in “gut health” – research tells us that a healthy gut microbiome can not only help us lose or maintain weight, but also influences so much more, including our mood, our immune response, and a myriad of health conditions. On this episode of the Business […]
When we talk about sleep and health, our conversations usually focus on the physical impact of sleep loss. Far less discussed, but just as important, are the social and emotional changes taking place when we don’t get the sleep we need. That’s the focus of today’s episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, in […]
A recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics provided unwelcome news – during the first year of the pandemic the number of deaths among pregnant women and new mothers rose 14%, with Black women most affected. Why does the United States have some of the worst rates for maternal and infant health as […]
Although the U.S. is in a more positive phase of the pandemic than two years ago, many are wondering how long it might last (especially in light of surges abroad) and how we should best prepare for the future. In this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we do a pandemic check-in with […]
The United States is experiencing an addiction crisis with historical levels of drug overdose deaths, prompting increased urgency to treat addiction with both evidence and empathy. During this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we speak with Dr. Carl Erik Fisher, an addiction psychiatrist who came to this area of specialty after facing […]
While once deemed to have no medical value, there’s currently a race underway to study and gain FDA approval for the use of psychedelics as a mental health treatment. In this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we speak with Olivia Goldhill, investigative reporter at STAT, about this race and why psychedelic therapy […]
Climate change touches everything important to us, according to Dr. Renee Salas, and that includes our health and well-being. And perhaps there’s no clearer example of how we’re all bound together by the effects of climate change than the 2021 Dixie Fire that caused unhealthy air quality well beyond California’s state lines. In this episode […]
In-person care, telehealth, and apps, oh my! With so many care delivery choices available to patients, when does it make sense to engage virtually and when is it best to leave the screen behind? In our conversation with Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, hospitalist and associate professor in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical […]
For people recovering from COVID-19, the journey back to health and well-being can be a long and winding road. Some suffer from crippling fatigue; others experience brain fog; and still others can’t seem to catch their breath. How do we treat the lingering symptoms known as long COVID and what is the outlook for patients […]
Over 20 years ago the Institute of Medicine included “equitable” as one of six domains of quality, but when we talk about equity and quality today, we don’t often discuss them in tandem. To reach health improvement goals, that must change. In this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we speak with Dr. […]
Parenting is a deeply personal journey with profound professional implications. And never has it been more important for employers to acknowledge and adopt strategies to help employees and their families navigate pregnancy, the baby years, and beyond. In this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we speak with Emily Oster, PhD, an economist […]
In Nashville, TN, there is a collaborative movement underway to improve the health of the city that involves the largest employers, health care systems, non-profits and community leaders. Key to this movement called NashvilleHealth, are the use of data, the input of diverse expertise and the alignment of resources. On this episode of the Business […]
How can workplaces create equality, inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ+ employees? That’s the topic of this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, in which we speak with Beck Bailey, Managing Director of Inclusion & Diversity at Accenture. A nationally recognized expert on transgender inclusion policy, Beck says that he’s working with his team […]
The day the WHO declared a global pandemic. The roll-out of the first vaccines. The rise of the Delta variant. The announcement of vaccine mandates. For all these moments and everything in between, Apoorva Mandavilli has been tirelessly reporting on the pandemic. Her meticulously researched journalism has kept us informed about the most pressing issues […]
While most of us would agree that the U.S. health care system isn’t efficient, the path forward to decreasing costs while maintaining quality often seems overwhelming. So where do we begin? And how can we create a “constituency for efficiency” to drive meaningful improvement? On this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we […]
For decades, the Ad Council has brought together the advertising industry to serve the social good through public service engagement; today, they’re providing critical information to Americans across the country about the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on building vaccine confidence among the unvaccinated. In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, […]
In July 2020, we spoke with Professor Mauro Guillén, author of 2030: How Today’s Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything, on the global factors influencing the next decade and the role of COVID-19 as an accelerant of this new reality. A year later, we check in with Dr. Guillen about the […]
The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. has downgraded the coronavirus pandemic from an existential threat to a manageable challenge, according to Andy Slavitt, former Senior Advisor for COVID Response in the Biden Administration. But despite the great strides we’ve made as a country, there’s still more work to be done. In this episode […]
Entities across the U.S. are pulling out all the stops to urge people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, from entries into multi-million-dollar lotteries, to free college tuition, to giveaways galore. On this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we speak with behavioral economist, Dr. Kevin Volpp, on key design choices and tradeoffs among […]
Purpose-driven companies aren’t just important, they’re also a growing trend, says Bill Novelli, author of Good Business: The Talk, Fight, Win Way to Change the World. And in order to compete for talent and succeed in the world today, businesses must connect with employee and consumer values and interests. But how do companies know what […]
Already a best employer for women, diversity and disability inclusion, Lincoln Financial Group has doubled down on its commitment to racial equity and engagement over the past year. Using a combination of employee feedback, Board and leadership-driven action items, and external partnerships, the Fortune 200 company is actively shaping and shifting its culture to deliver […]
According to Dr. Joe Allen, even though we spend 90% of our lives indoors, we often overlook the role that buildings play in our health and well-being. But for employers thinking about bringing employees back to the office this summer or fall, the impact of indoor spaces can no longer be ignored. In this episode […]
It’s no secret that the pandemic has been detrimental to our mental health. The American Psychological Association’s report, Stress in America 2021: Pandemic Stress One Year On, quantifies the toll it’s taken, illuminating the profound effect of prolonged stress on parents, essential workers, communities of color and people of different generations. In conversation with Dr. […]
For more than a year we’ve upended our daily lives and altered our behavior to avoid contracting the coronavirus. Post-vaccination, why are we uncertain and even anxious about taking off masks around other vaccinated people, sending our kids back to school, and returning to the office? For many of us, the transition back to life […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the future of health care, but according to Dr. Ziad Obermeyer, it can also harm as much as it can help. That’s because bias and errors are built into the very algorithms we use to predict health care needs, “reproduce[ing] all of those ugly things that we […]
For years, experts have been sounding the alarm that burnout is endangering the health and well-being of employees across the globe. Then the pandemic happened, and according to burnout expert Jennifer Moss, the stress of the last year “has been like putting a match to a workforce in drought.” In our latest podcast, we speak […]
The data on worldwide obesity are stunning: obesity has tripled in the last 50 years and overweight and obesity kill more people than underweight. How can we come together as a global community to halt this devastating disease? According to Dr. Olivia Barata Cavalcanti, we can start by encouraging “people to have less judgment and […]
Is returning to the workplace on the horizon? With COVID-19 cases falling and vaccination numbers rising, heading back to the office suddenly seems plausible. But how and when this can happen depends on a number of factors, including the effectiveness of vaccines at reducing virus transmission. In this episode of the Business Group on Health […]
The COVID-19 vaccines offer promise for a brighter future but “we’re not out of the woods yet,” says Dr. Bob Wachter, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at UCSF. In a race against emerging variants, efficient vaccine distribution is crucial…but can we get there? In this episode of the Business Group on Health […]
Since March 2020, American workers have saved about 89 million work days from not commuting as frequently or at all, says Dr. Ashley Whillans. And yet many of us still struggle with too much to do and too little time to do it. In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak […]
Racism and other systemic inequities lead to poor health outcomes for racial minority groups, says the president of the American Medical Association in our latest podcast. Dr. Susan Bailey, in conversation with Business Group on Health CEO Ellen Kelsay, explores how the AMA has worked to confront racism, an insidious threat to public health.
Weight bias is a pervasive problem in our society, showing up in our homes, physician offices and even the workplace. But weight bias isn’t just a social injustice, it’s also a public health issue due to its far-ranging effects on those who experience and internalize it. In this episode of the Business Group on Health […]
One of the many tragedies of the COVID-19 pandemic is its impact on those struggling with substance use disorders. Overdose deaths in the U.S. are estimated to reach an all-time high in 2020, likely driven by stress, isolation and decreased access to needed treatment and services. But amidst this devastating crisis there is hope, as […]
Even before COVID-19, the U.S. was facing a caregiving crisis. And now, well over half of Americans are worrying about, taking care of, or looking out for a friend, neighbor or family member due to pandemic. But as these unpaid caregivers pour their love and energy into this role, many are suffering as a result. […]
For far too long, investments in digital health solutions for women have been underfunded. According to Rock Health, just 3% of the US digital health deals since 2011 have focused on women’s health and well-being. But that’s all changing. Increased interest and investment in Femtech – digital health solutions for women – is opening the […]
Black women in the U.S. are two to three times more likely to die during or following childbirth than white women. And although Black women are about as likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer as their white counterparts, they’re almost 40% more likely to die from it. Why is this the case in 2020? […]
What do telehealth, social determinants of health and preventive care have in common? For better or for worse, all have been thrust into the national spotlight due to the coronavirus pandemic. And they share this attention for good reason, as each has the potential to enable better health. In this episode of the Business Group […]
If about 60% of our health status can be attributed to medical care and lifestyle behaviors, what explains the other 40%? Social determinants of health have made national headlines, but what exactly are they and why do they matter? In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Brian Castrucci about […]
How are companies designing their health and well-being strategies to meet the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic? What role do health and well-being have as part of overall workforce strategy? Is virtual health here to stay? Business Group on Health’s Large Employers’ Health Care Strategy and Plan Design Survey answers these questions and more, […]
How do the day-to-day emotions that we feel and express at work shape a company’s culture? Research shows that emotions have a profound impact on an organization and feelings like joy, pride, compassion and even love can positively impact business metrics. In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Dr. […]
The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the deep cracks in our health care system. At the same time, the crisis has presented us with the opportunity and imperative to improve health care delivery in the U.S. But what actions can we take to pave a better road forward? In this episode of the Business Group […]
Is it possible for companies to prioritize both profit and social value? Although the traditional view dictates that businesses must trade one for the other, Professor Alex Edmans argues just the opposite: the best way to generate profits is to generate value for society. In this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we […]
What if you could predict the future? Now more than ever, many of us wish we could, especially when it comes to the economy, our work lives, the role of technology and demographic trends. Without a crystal ball, our best chance at getting a glimpse of the future is understanding the global changes that will […]
If we’re at war with COVID-19 at a personal and societal level, what’s our best defense? Without a vaccine or herd immunity, how can we improve our odds that the virus leaves us unscathed? The answer may lie in how we nurture our minds and bodies. In this episode of the Business Group on Health […]
What is it like to take over a health care organization in the midst of a pandemic? In this inaugural episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we sit down with Ellen Kelsay, the new President and CEO of Business Group on Health, to discuss what it’s like to lead during the biggest health […]
In the first season of the Business Group on Health podcast, we’ll speak with experts and innovators who bring insight and perspective to the most relevant health and well-being issues facing employers today. Topics we’ll explore include immune resilience, how companies can simultaneously deliver purpose and profit, and other trends reshaping work and health.