Business Group on Health

Older adults make up roughly 14% of the U.S. population but account for about 50% of health care spending. And as the country has fewer births with each generation, the health care system is challenged to support a “rectangular population” versus the “pyramid population” for which it was designed. In this episode, Dr. John Rowe, geriatrician and Professor of Health Policy and Aging at Columbia University, explores how this population shift is transforming work, retirement and health care. He explains why core institutions must be re-engineered to better support older individuals and why longevity science has yet to deliver longer, healthier lives. Employers will gain insights for redesigning benefits across the employee life course, from paid parental leave and social connection to flexible retirement pathways, to build a more resilient, productive, age-inclusive workforce. Guest: John Rowe, Geriatrician and Julius B. Richmond Professor of Health Policy and Aging at Columbia University

Medical errors related to misdiagnoses contribute to an estimated $870 billion in waste in the U.S. each year. Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most powerful tool to change that. In this episode, Laura Adams, Senior Advisor at the National Academy of Medicine, shares how her experience with a near-fatal medication error changed the trajectory of her career and now her focus on AI-driven patient safety initiatives. Listen in as the author of the National Academy of Medicine’s Code of Conduct for AI shares how AI improves real-time detection and prevention and how employers can empower patients with greater access to AI tools to reduce the ripple effects of medical harm. Guest: Laura Adams, Senior Advisor, National Academy of Medicine

There is a focus driving your strategy, reason behind every change to your benefits program, and a story. It’s how you tell the story which determines how it lands, is accepted, and even embraced. In this episode, we sit down with Christina Farr, author, health-tech advisor, investor and editor in Chief and CEO of Second Opinion Media, to explore why the art of storytelling is a crucial skill for all companies to learn, and how it can be particularly helpful skill for health and well-being leaders to more effectively communicate – and drive impact. Employers will learn the importance of showing up with authenticity and empathy and how to use storytelling strategies to support big benefit changes and transformation in health care. Guest: Christina Farr, author of The Storyteller’s Advantage: How Powerful Narratives Make Businesses Thrive and editor in Chief and CEO of Second Opinion Media

Climate change has emerged as a contributing factor to an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirth in the United States. In this episode, Bruce Bekkar, MD, explains this connection and outlines emerging intervention opportunities. Employers will learn how these climate-related risks are both a business and inclusion concern and discover practical ways to educate, support and protect pregnant employees. Guest: Dr. Bruce Bekkar, OBGYN and Climate Activist

Heart disease is the number one killer of people in the United States, and the leading cause of death globally. It is also the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., something that less than 50% of women realize. In conjunction with American Heart Month, this episode features sudden cardiac arrest survivor Delya Sommerville and WomenHeart CEO Celina Gorre. Together, they share powerful personal stories, highlight the urgent need to improve women’s heart health, and offer a message of hope grounded in community, advocacy and prevention. Tune in for ways employers can better assess the impact of their health and well-being programs to understand if they are meeting women’s needs today and in the future. Guests: Delya Sommerville, WomenHeart Champion and Celina Gorre, Chief Executive Offer of WomenHeart

A staggering 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, and more are being diagnosed at a younger age. However, there is good news. In this episode, Joanne Pike, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, shares the groundbreaking results of the US POINTER Study which proved that structured lifestyle interventions can slow cognitive decline. The conversation shows that improved nutrition, increased physical activity, more social engagement and active health monitoring contribute to risk reduction. Employers should tune in to learn how these evidence-based improvements can be applied to workplace well-being and benefits programs, helping employees best maintain cognitive health and overall well-being as they age. Guest: Joanne Pike, DrPH, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association

Tamanna Singh, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinic Sports Cardiology Center and sports cardiologist who keeps athletes and active people healthy. She talks about practical heart care: movement snacks and short walks, plant-forward food as medicine, understanding family history and medical literacy, the effects of GLP-1s on activity and muscle, and why women’s heart health and safe return-to-play matter.

Upon receiving a cancer diagnosis, the first priority is to build a clinical treatment plan. But there is another equally important step in the path to recovery and well-being — supportive care. In this episode, Les Biller from the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation describes the services that encompass supportive cancer care and shares how they can improve quality of life for both patients and caregivers. Individuals who are provided with proactive support can better navigate their cancer journey and remain more productive at work, improving overall health and well-being for patients and reducing costs to the employer. Guest: Les Biller, Founding Director, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation

Men’s life expectancy in the U.S. is falling behind men in other developed countries. As a result, the burden of men’s health is felt across the community and economy, costing the U.S. $420 billion from just the top five causes of premature death—many of which are preventable. In this episode, authors of Movember’s “Real Face of Men’s Health” report, Peter Fisher and Derek Griffith, explore the reasons behind that staggering price tag and the “perception gap” that keeps men from seeking the help and support they need. Tune in as we unpack how the missed opportunities for prevention impact men, as well their families and caregivers. Guests: Dr. Peter Fisher | Research Fellow at Movember and co-author of Movember’s new report, “The Real Face of Men’s Health” Dr. Derek Griffith | Professor and co-author of Movember’s new report, “The Real Face of Men’s Health”

Lack of quality sleep does more than leave you tired. It reshapes the brain, strains the heart, disrupts metabolism, and even weakens the immune system. In this episode, we hear from Professor Russell Foster and Eti Ben Simon, PhD, two experts on the subject of sleep. Professor Foster explains circadian rhythms, how they are influenced, and how health is impacted by when we eat, exercise, and take medication. Dr. Ben Simon weighs in on how emotions and relationships are affected when we sleep well – and when we don’t. Tune in for this fascinating discussion, plus key takeaways for employers to help their workforce improve sleep, health outcomes and quality of life. Guests: Professor 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 Eti Ben Simon, PhD | Center for Human Sleep Science, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley