HEALTH

VIDEO (22 MIN)

Modernizing Medicare and Medicaid

With more than 140 million Americans receiving health care coverage through Medicare and Medicaid, the programs have long been a focus of US policy debates. And these discussions have only been amplified during the COVID-19 era, as elderly and low-income populations have been significantly impacted by the virus. Moving forward, what will Medicare and Medicaid look like? Will policies rolled out during the pandemic, such as greater flexibility around telehealth services and more streamlined reporting from nursing homes, be expanded upon? Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, discusses the future with Alan Weil, editor in chief of Health Affairs. How can CMS, the nation’s largest health services purchaser, lead the way in transforming our health care system into one that delivers optimal care and value through innovation? Watch.

ASPEN IDEAS TO GO

PODCAST (43 MIN)

Heart Disease Isn’t an Adults-Only Condition

Recent research shows that cardiovascular damage is detectable as early as age 15. The good news is that teaching even very young children about good nutrition, exercise, and ways to deal with stress may help combat heart disease, the leading cause of death around the world. Valentin Fuster is physician in chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital. His acclaimed cardiovascular health research spans the globe and has touched tens of thousands of lives. Danielle Belardo is the director of cardiology and co-director of research and education at the Institute of Plant-Based Medicine. These two heart experts discuss recent discoveries and research in improving cardiovascular outcomes — as well as strategies for heart health — throughout all phases of life. Listen.

COVID-19

VIDEO (30 MIN)

How Might COVID-19 Unite Countries?

Anthony Fauci gives us his clearest explanation yet of the nature of the threat posed by COVID-19, placing the challenge we face in its epidemiological context. He and former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, the recently appointed co-chair of the WHO panel reviewing the handling of the global pandemic, discuss how our attitude to controlling the spread of the disease is crucial to an eventual return to normal life and the equitable distribution of a vaccine. Hosted by New Zealand journalist and lawyer Linda Clark, this in-depth analysis is presented by Aspen Institute New Zealand and the Aspen Institute’s Health, Medicine and Society Program. (Their conversation was recorded Sept. 28, prior to the outbreak at the White House.) Yesterday, New Zealand declared a second victory over the coronavirus. Watch.

Self-Love in Hard Times: Three Pieces of Advice for Young People

Forbes, October 2, 2020

By Dan Porterfield, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute

...to Jennifer Doudna for winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry! Watch her conversation about gene editing with Walter Isaacson at the 2017 Aspen Ideas Festival.

"The XX Brain"

October 15

Alzheimer’s disease affects twice as many women as men. But women-specific brain health research and recommendations for women lag behind. Lisa Mosconi, director of the Women’s Brain Initiative at Weill Cornell Medicine, studies the female brain and empowers women with information to maximize their cognitive health. She discusses her latest research and actionable steps for optimizing brain power with Natalie Morales, West Coast anchor of NBC's “The Today Show.” Register.

Aspen Ideas: Show Up

October 20-21

Democracy takes work — but it’s empowering and joyful work that you can do as a part of your everyday life. Speakers including NFL player Christian Conley, WNBA star Candace Parker, youth leaders, and others will shine a light on civic engagement. Join the free, two-night digital event with live interactive sessions. New voices. Fresh ideas. Democracy for the next generation. October 20-21, 7 p.m. ET. Register.