Business Group on Health

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

Uri Gneezy, a behavioral economist from UC San Diego, dives into the art of crafting effective incentive programs. He shares insights on how poorly designed incentives can backfire, drawing on personal anecdotes and case studies. Gneezy discusses the psychology behind incentive framing, revealing how loss aversion impacts motivation. He also highlights a study linking physical activity to improved academic performance, underscoring the benefits of integrating well-being into incentive strategies for sustainable behavior change.

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

Discover the surprising truth about male fertility issues, where nearly half of fertility challenges stem from male factors. Delve into the alarming decline in sperm counts and the societal stigmas that prevent men from seeking help. Hear about the emotional struggles young men face in preserving their fertility during cancer treatment and the critical link between male mental health and reproductive wellness. Explore groundbreaking advancements in fertility medicine, including stem cell innovations, and the pressing health disparities impacting men's life expectancy.

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

In this conversation, Sarah Emond, the President-Elect of ICER, dives into the transformative landscape of cell and gene therapies. She discusses how these innovations tackle the root causes of diseases like hemophilia and muscular dystrophy, offering hope for previously terminal conditions. Emond highlights challenges in manufacturing and accessibility, and advocates for innovative financing models, such as outcomes-based contracts, to make these life-altering treatments more accessible. The future looks bright, but equitable access remains crucial.

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