TED Health

Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, dives into what it truly means to live with ADHD, highlighting its impact on emotion and cognition. She discusses how it often presents differently in women and recognizes the role of societal stigma in diagnosis rates. Dr. Hamdani also emphasizes the importance of viewing ADHD strengths, like creativity and hyperfocus, as assets. With her lived experiences, she advocates for personalized care, community support, and practical strategies, including her Focus Genie app, to help individuals harness their attention.

Mark Cuban, a renowned entrepreneur and healthcare disruptor, teams up with Dr. Fumiko Chino, a passionate radiation oncologist and advocate reshaping cancer care. They dive into the emotional toll of medical debt, sharing personal stories that highlight the urgent need for cost transparency. Mark explains how his Cost Plus Drugs initiative is dramatically reducing medication prices while tackling industry complexities, including the role of pharmacy benefit managers. Together, they embody the intersection of empathy and innovation in healthcare.

Dion Dawson, founder of Dion's Chicago Dream, discusses his innovative approach to tackling food insecurity in Chicago. He shares how he replaced outdated pantry models with a data-driven system that delivers fresh produce to thousands of households, promoting dignity and health. Dion emphasizes the importance of economic empowerment through paid staff and quality food over charity handouts. Additionally, healthcare expert Shoshana highlights the impact of social determinants on health outcomes and calls for structural changes to improve community well-being.

Rusha Modi, the creator of a compelling TEDx lesson, dives into the groundbreaking discovery that H. pylori causes stomach ulcers. She debunks common myths about ulcers, explaining that they aren’t caused by stress or spicy food. The discussion highlights Dr. Barry Marshall’s daring self-experiment to show the connection between the bacterium and gastritis. Modi also sheds light on how our stomach protects itself and how antibiotics revolutionized ulcer treatments. This eye-opening exploration makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about ulcers!

Dive into the chaos of caring for aging parents with a blend of humor and honesty. Journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis shares her personal experiences navigating the challenges of dementia and the daily grind. Engage with heartfelt stories from celebrities and experts who offer practical advice, illuminating the emotional complexity of loss. Expect laughs amidst the chaos as they tackle the messy realities of this life stage. Join in on this relatable conversation that feels like a supportive group chat with friends.

Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of the Institute for Advanced Breast Reconstruction, joins chemist Simona Francese, known for her TEDx talk on fingerprint analysis. They discuss Francese's innovative research revealing that fingerprints may contain biomarkers for breast cancer, offering a non-invasive alternative to mammograms. Dr. Srinivasa emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and addresses the emotional journey of reconstruction, advocating for patients' choices and the crucial role of support in recovery.

Sleep physiologist Jen Walsh, who leads groundbreaking research on cannabis and sleep, discusses her world-first study into medicinal cannabinoids for insomnia. She shares the complexities surrounding cannabis as a sleep aid, noting its historical use and recent legal advancements that facilitate research. Jen reveals that participants in her study experienced increased sleep time and reduced wakefulness using cannabinoids. However, she emphasizes the need for caution, individual variability, and more research before regular use can be recommended.

Pat Wood, former chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission, shares how Texas transformed from an oil giant to a wind energy leader. He recounts how innovative energy policies and bipartisan support propelled renewable sources. Wood discusses the significant public backing for wind energy, the creation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard, and a massive $7 billion investment in transmission infrastructure that unlocked vast wind capacity. His pragmatic approach sheds light on how market dynamics, not just climate goals, drove this clean energy revolution.

Dr. Robert C. Green, a pioneering medical geneticist, discusses the revolutionary BabySeq Project, the first to sequence the DNA of healthy infants. He reveals that 4% to 12% of newborns carry actionable mutations, which can lead to early interventions. Green shares heartwarming family stories demonstrating the impact of early diagnosis and emphasizes the importance of making genomic testing accessible to all parents. He also tackles privacy concerns and advocates for ongoing genomic reanalysis, envisioning a future where genetics and AI transform preventive healthcare.

Fei Luo, a chemical engineer and the founder of Liven, explores the untold truths of collagen sources. She discusses her innovative approach to brewing animal-free collagen using genetically modified yeast, a game-changer for both food and cosmetics. Luo also explains how traditional collagen extraction is ethically questionable and details the exciting potential of her techniques for creating sustainable, tasty alternatives. Imagine a future filled with luxurious collagen-rich snacks and slaughter-free options that everyone can enjoy!