Many aspects of society and culture can lead us to negative feelings about aging—but there’s a lot to celebrate. In this episode, we connect with Lisa Sharfstein, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, to discuss many of the wonderful aspects of getting older, and the opportunities that arise as we reach …

In this episode, we learn about the "Aging our Way, PA" plan for healthy aging in Pennsylvania, and discuss how organizations like UPMC Health Plan are putting policy into practice when it comes to supporting the health and independence of members as they age. Find show notes and additional information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep9…

Discover the ways wellness is connected to bone and joint health in this episode of “Good Health, Better World.” Experts discuss strategies for preventing bone and joint problems, important action steps for recovery when an injury or surgery does occur, and new programs for supporting people in their overall health as they age. Find show notes and …

In this episode, we discover the meaning of whole-person wellness, and how to prioritize wellness at every age and stage of life. Plus, we discover some of the more unexpected habits for happiness and health. Find show notes and additional information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep7

Join us in this episode as we explore the topic of end-of-life care—the differences between palliative care and hospice care, the work of death doulas in supporting people at end of life, ways to offer support through grief, and some of the challenges and opportunities that exist in caring for our aging population. Find show notes and additional in…

This episode of “Good Health, Better World” is all about polypharmacy, or more than one medication at the same time. Tune in to understand some of the considerations for chronic medications as we age, and hear about how insurance plans and pharmacies work together to help members and patients manage their medications as prescribed.  Find show notes…

Tune in to this episode of “Good Health, Better World” to learn more about the origins of Medicare, the types of benefits and services available through Medicare Advantage plans, and what is on the horizon for these plans in 2025. Hear perspectives from UPMC Health Plan and the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP). Find show notes and addition…

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Pamela Toto and Dr. Beth Fields to explore the experience of both caregivers and those who are aging in place. We discuss what it means to age in place, the impact on aging adults and their caregivers, and new resources and technology that can offer support. Find show notes and additional information at upmchp.u…

In this episode, Dr. Aditi Gurkar and Dr. Howard Aizenstein join us to discuss the biological indicators of aging, and the changes that can take place in cognitive function as we age. Listen to learn more about factors related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, along with practical steps each of us can take to support our cognitive health. Find s…

Season 4 of “Good Health, Better World” will focus on a topic that’s important to all of us: healthy aging. Hear from UPMC Health Plan CEO Diane Holder in the first episode of the season to understand aging from a population health perspective, and how we can all navigate change as we age. Visit upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep1 for show notes and additional in…

A woman’s health and her choices about it are linked to where she’s grown up, her access to resources, and even where she works. Often, that might mean limiting choices for some women and built-in assumptions on the part of providers. How can we create more robust standards for sexual and reproductive equity that benefit all women in the United Sta…

Breast cancer accounts for about one in three diagnoses of cancer for women each year in the United States, yet vast disparities exist: Black women have a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer before 40—and at every age, Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than other groups. In this episode, we break down how screenings an…

In this episode, we're joined by Carrie Whitcher, chief quality officer and vice president of quality performance at UPMC Health Plan; and Dr. Bob Edwards, chair of ob-gyn at the University of Pittsburgh, and the chief medical officer of UPMC’s Community and Ambulatory Services Division, to discuss preventive care for women. This content was origin…

A woman's risk of being diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions, such as heart disease, can be influenced by her lifestyle and family history. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Crystal Clark, chief medical officer for Community HealthChoices and senior advisor for the Center for Social Impact at UPMC Health Plan; and cardiologist Dr. Amber…

Midlife can be exhilarating…and challenging! Key milestones during this time such as menopause bring on physical and emotional changes that affect women’s sense of self and identity. In this episode, we hear from Stacey Shankle, CRNP, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology at the Midlife Health Center at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, about navi…

How can moms care for themselves and their children? In this episode, we hear from Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, a pediatrician and chief medical officer in Quality and Pediatrics at UPMC Health Plan, and Muffy Mendoza, author, speaker, and founder of Brown Mamas, about motherhood and parenting through every stage of life. This content was originally p…

Some individuals and their babies are at a higher risk for complications during or after pregnancy — but what works to help them? In this episode, we’ll talk with Stacy Freeman-Pistella, a senior health manager in UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital’s Pregnancy and Women’s Recovery Center; and Tica Nickson, director of prevention of BirthRoot Community Doul…

Pregnancy can be a transformational time of hope and change. But many people are especially vulnerable during pregnancy, with factors that put them and their babies at greater risk for health complications than others. In this episode, we focus on solutions that can improve a person’s pregnancy, birthing experience, and recovery with two guests: Dr…

Women often take on roles to care for others first and may not attend enough to their own health and well-being. In this episode, we discuss the many ways that sex and gender affect a person's health with Dr. Sarah Tilstra, section chief of women’s health and internist at the General Internal Medicine Clinic at Montefiore Hospital at UPMC and the e…

What’s the new frontier in behavioral health? That great frontier might not always mean being in a doctor’s office. Learn more about how telehealth, new therapies, and whole person care — where you live and play — affect well-being. Hear from Dr. Matthew Hurford and Dr. Geoffrey Neimark of Community Care Behavioral Health, a not-for-profit behavior…

As we age, mental and physical changes can leave some people feeling left behind — perhaps even more isolated as a result of the pandemic, and other life changes. It doesn’t have to be that way. Listen in for a discussion about special considerations affecting the mental health of older adults, and how to recognize signs of depression. In this epis…

Integrated care helps bring together care for the body and mind. In this episode, our guests discuss this body-mind approach and how doctors are implementing this model. How could it benefit you or a loved one? Hear insights from Dr. Alin Severance, medical director of Behavioral Health Services at UPMC Health Plan and University of Pittsburgh prof…

Healthy, happy employees mean a better workplace. What can employers do? Guests James Kinville and Nancy Mckee of UPMC Health Plan’s LifeSolutions discuss why behavioral health care should be an important area of focus for employers and how an employee assistance program can support resilience and a culture of wellness. The views and opinions expre…

In this episode, we hear from behavioral health experts who discuss different types of addictions, the impact, and how to get support on a path to recovery. Hear insights from Dr. Michael Lynch, associate professor of Emergency Medicine, Toxicology, Pediatrics, and Addiction Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Antoine Douaihy, who spec…

The pandemic disrupted childhood routines in ways that experts are still seeking to understand. In this episode, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh pediatrician Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan and psychiatrist Dr. Abigail Schlesinger talk about common behavioral health issues children and teens can have and what adults can do to support the health and…

In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Blair, a psychologist at Western Psychiatric Hospital, and Dr. Lyndra Bills, senior medical director at Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, discuss the ways that trauma and anxiety have affected people as our lives shifted as a result of the pandemic. How can trauma-informed care and trauma-informed systems …

In this season’s inaugural episode, our guests discuss what behavioral health means and share resources to help us get back on track as we move forward from COVID-19. We hear from Diane Holder, president and CEO of UPMC Health Plan, and Dr. James Schuster, chief medical officer of the UPMC Insurance Services Division. Listen in! The views and opini…

Employers large and small in Pennsylvania may be wrestling with questions as COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift and more people are eligible for the vaccine. In this episode, hear from Dr. Joon Lee, senior vice president, UPMC, and president, UPMC Physician Services, UPMC Health Services Division. Dr. Lee, formerly chief medical officer of UPMC He…

So many factors influence the choices a person makes regarding their health. Addressing these social factors often seems insurmountable. But many organizations are beginning to make inroads. This includes health insurers, like UPMC Health Plan, who are exploring approaches that help support the “whole person” — which in theory can lead to overall b…

Researchers, insurers, and health care experts continue to try to tackle improving maternal health care — and by extension, the health of children. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, senior medical director, pediatrics at UPMC Health Plan, where she manages children’s services in the Children's Health Insurance Program, among o…

How can researchers partner with community and government organizations to gain visibility into the social needs of our communities? In Episode 6, we hear from Joan Eichner, director, operations and evaluation, UPMC Center for Social Impact in Pittsburgh. Her work supports the development of comprehensive strategies across UPMC that address social …

How can we create more inclusive care for the LGBTQ+ community, and what role can a health insurer play? In this episode, we hear from Shireen Haq, a program director in UPMC Health Plan's National Network Development & Strategic Expansion team. She works with providers that care for underserved populations to develop strategies and initiatives tha…

Those without stable housing are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions compared to those who have the security of a home, research shows. In Episode 4, we hear from Everett McElveen, chief executive officer of Community Human Services in Pittsburgh, which helps people secure housing. We also hear from John Lovelace, president, Govern…

What does a job have to do with your physical health? Plenty, as it turns out. In this episode, we hear about how innovative partnerships across the commonwealth are training people and helping them to gain employment. For example, UPMC Health Plan's Pathways to Work program helps its members gain training and jobs, through partnerships with area n…

How can people get the help they need, when they need it most? In Episode 2, we learn more about ways to connect people to social services across Pennsylvania. We hear from Dr. Dan Swayze, vice president of Community Services for the UPMC Health Plan and the director of operations for UPMC Innovative Homecare Solutions, and from Julie L. DeSeyn, ch…

In Episode 1, we hear from Father Paul Abernathy, who discusses the impact groundbreaking nonprofit, the Neighborhood Resilience Project, is having in Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood. We also hear from Ray Prushnok, associate vice president of program development and executive director of the UPMC Center for Social Impact. The views and opi…