Business Group on Health

One in five deaths in the U.S. is the result of heart disease, yet most of us aren’t doing enough to prevent it. Regular physical activity is proven to slash risk, but more than half of US adults fall short of recommended guidelines. With weight-loss medications on the rise, could exercise take an even bigger back seat?

In this episode, Dr. Tamanna Singh, clinical and sports cardiologist, explains how “movement snacks,” plant?forward nutrition, and a better understanding of family history and medical literacy can work together to reduce cardiovascular risk by up to 80%. The episod...

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 em...

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 mis...

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...

Each year, more than 20 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer—an already high number that is expected to increase to 35 million by 2050.

In this episode, Anu Agrawal of the American Cancer Society discusses the soaring incidence of cancer globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries and shares how cultural factors, stigma, and financial burdens can complicate the treatment journey. Tune-in to hear why education and navigation are crucial to global cancer care, along with ideas on how employers can support employees during treatment.

Guest: Anu Agrawal | Vice President, Global Cancer Support at American Cancer So...

An estimated 70 million people worldwide will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Many individuals experiencing these disorders can remain vulnerable throughout their lives, making permanent recovery feel elusive. In this episode, author and professor Mallary Tenore Tarpley discusses eating disorder diagnoses and recovery, especially among middle-aged adults. She reframes recovery to emphasize progress over perfection, explores long-term health effects and shares her own experience navigating the “middle place.” The conversation also highlights the role social media can play, demographic disparities, diet culture and the importance of promoting health and well-being in the workplace.

Guest: Mallary Teno...

The way we tell our own story, our narrative identity, influences our mental health and well-being, almost as much as the story itself.

In this episode, Jonathan Adler, a scholar, professor, playwright and expert on storytelling, lifts the curtain on how our experiences and the resulting stories we tell offer purpose and inspire unity in our lives. Tune in to discover why crafting and sharing meaningful narratives can support individual growth, and when embraced by organizations, can strengthen teams and uplift well-being company wide.

Guest: Jonathan Adler, Professor of Psychology, Olin College of Engineering

Men’s health is facing a silent crisis, due in part to cultural barriers that prevent men from seeking the mental health care they need. The result is a widening life expectancy gap as the number of suicides and drug overdoses grows.

In this episode, Richard Reeves shares why conversations about men’s health and social connection are critical to reducing these deaths of despair. Offering inclusive approaches to health care and well-being is essential to improving both personal and workforce well-being.

Guest: Richard Reeves, President, American Institute for Boys and Men

As cannabis use in the United States surges, the science behind it struggles to keep pace. In this episode, Dr. Ziva Cooper, Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, breaks down the spike in usage for both medicinal and recreational purposes, how products and consumption methods continue to evolve and the health conditions for which cannabis is FDA-approved.
Tune in to learn more about the urgency for evidence-based guidance on the therapeutic effects, dosing and safety requirements for clinicians, employers and consumers alike.

Guest: Ziva Cooper, Director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and...

A relentless drive for innovation, a diligent work ethic and a uniquely American focus on individualism have shaped domestic food culture — one that prioritizes convenience, customization and “snackification” over tradition and shared meals.

In this episode, Sophie Egan, author and leader at the intersection of food, health and climate, explores how these distinctly American values established a food culture rife with marketing and misinformation that creates challenges for maintaining healthy habits. Tune in for actionable insights on how employers can leverage their influence to build healthier, more sustainable food environments for today’s workforce.

Guest: Sophie E...

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 Di...

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...

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...

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...

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 Al...

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...

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 prov...

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 st...

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...

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 guidan...

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 ri...

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 th...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 we...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Than...

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...

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 c...

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 curr...

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 lead...

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 proj...

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...

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 hi...

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 circad...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 he...

Substance use disorders affect more than 46 million people aged 12 and older in the United States (SAMHSA), but numerous barriers prevent recovery, including stigma related to substance use, as well as the cost of treatment. In a world where hundreds of thousands of people are losing their lives to drug overdoses, the time for action is now – but what role do employers play? On this episode of the Business Group on Health Podcast, we’re joined by Derrick Feldmann, Managing Director of the Ad Council Research Institute. Feldmann speaks about the Ad Council’s recent Substance Use Disorder Study. The study...

With recent innovation and policy movement related to the pharmaceutical supply chain, are we on the verge of demonstrable change that will promote greater transparency and affordability for prescription drugs? On this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast, we speak with Dr. Karen Van Nuys, Executive Director of the Value of Life Sciences Innovation program at the USC Schaeffer Center, about this very question. In our conversation, Dr. Van Nuys highlights her research on pharmaceutical distribution, learnings from the insulin market and how employers can prepare to respond to the potential policy changes ahead. We also address...

Nutritional psychiatry is an emerging field that explores the connection between nutrition science and mental and emotional well-being. Dr. Uma Naidoo, our guest on this week’s podcast episode, is a trailblazer in the field and who calls food “one of the most potent mental health medicines available.” We speak with Dr. Naidoo about how nutrients in everyday foods can benefit and hinder our mental health, the connection between gut health and the brain, and the potential of nutrition as a supportive tool for conditions like depression, anxiety, and more.

Guest: Uma Naidoo, MD, Director of Nutritional & Lifest...

Menopause impacts 50% of the world’s population yet it’s often misunderstood, undertreated and shrouded in stigma. Ignoring the symptoms can negatively impact the health and quality of life of those experiencing menopause, as well as the health of businesses due to increased absenteeism, loss of productivity and even turnover. Recent studies and advocacy have sparked employer’s interest in supporting employees going through menopause, something we explore on this episode of the Business Group on Health podcast with Dr. Stephanie Faubion. Dr. Faubion shares research findings from the Mayo Clinic study, Impact of Menopause Symptoms on Women in the Wo...