Advertise on podcast: Good Health, Better World

We all worry about how stress affects us, but did you know it can harm your health down at the molecular level? Stress can contribute to chronic disease, so learning how to manage stress—lighten your “allostatic load”—can dramatically improve your health. Dr. Crystal Clark offers advice on dealing with chronic stress, and how positive experiences like sharing joy, acts of gratitude, even laughter, can reduce your allostatic load. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep8

Today’s children grow up in a digital world, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn valuable lessons about the power of kindness, curiosity, and make believe. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood continues the tradition and legacy of Fred Rogers. In this episode, hear from Chris Loggins and Hedda Sharapan about how they and their colleagues at Fred Rogers Productions tell stories to help children understand their world and practice habits that support their health and wellness. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep7

The internet can be a wonderful resource for people searching for health information. But it can be difficult to avoid misinformation when you’re trying to make informed medical decisions. Join Dr. Ellen Beckjord as she and Dr. Brad Hesse discuss how to safely search for medical information online. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep6

When you think about sustainability, you might not consider health care’s effect on the environment. But about 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from delivering health care, and the UPMC Center for Sustainability was established to address these serious and sometimes hidden hazards. Listen as Holly Vogt and Dr. Noe Woods explain how the Center’s initiatives enhance sustainability across the organization. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep5

Diet plays a huge role in our well-being, but the food industry can make choosing natural foods instead of processed ones a challenge. To discuss how people can overcome the obstacles to enjoying a healthy diet, Dr. Ellen Beckjord spoke to Steve Downs from Building H, a nonprofit dedicated to making everyday life healthier by design. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep4

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing health care—from earlier diagnosis to personalized treatment. Dr. Shandong Wu explains how AI analyzes complex data to improve patient outcomes, while also addressing challenges around trust, transparency, and data quality. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep3

Community health is built through trust developed over time. In this episode, UPMC community leaders from Erie and Pittsburgh share the lessons they’ve learned building relationships in their communities. They discuss how they built trust to create partnerships that reflect the voices of those they serve. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep2

Dr. Tracey Conti joins us to discuss the complexity of the U.S. health care system and the importance of social support and preventive care. She explores the connections between providers, insurance, and community support, and how integrated systems like UPMC can make a big difference. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s5ep1

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 new age milestones throughout our lifetimes. Find show notes and additional information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep10

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 additional information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep8

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 This content was originally published on November 12, 2024.

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 information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep6

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 and additional information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep5

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 additional information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep4 This content was originally published on October 15, 2024.