Do we know how to handle death as we do life? Most of us don’t think about the former; we’re so wrapped up in our busy lives that it doesn’t really enter our thoughts that often. We’re focused on getting the kids to school; meeting the next deadline at work; getting the family together for…
Last year, nearly seven million Americans signed up for health care coverage from public and private companies through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This has been a key first step in getting these people on the path to better health. They need it, and it’s a privilege for us and others to make this a…
What’s more impactful on your health – eating a salad for lunch because you need your fruits and vegetables or spending time with the people who make you happy? We all know what it takes to be healthy on the physical side – eat right, get plenty of sleep and exercise daily. But what about…
“You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem.” This overused, one-dimensional rallying cry has been thrown around for years. But it’s not that simple. We often find in life that in order to solve a problem, we cannot look at an issue in terms of black or white and ignore the…
“How can the health care industry use innovative technologies to make a positive impact in health?” This question – in one variation or another – is one I’m asked quite a bit when I meet with employers, customers, clinicians or government officials. Technology is seen as an innovative and disruptive force that can transform the…
During the last few months, I sat in on a few focus groups with some of our members. I love doing focus groups because you get a raw, unfiltered understanding of the customer. Focus groups are one of the many ways I hear directly from customers, in addition to call center calls and visits, ethnographic…
Two unrelated but insight-producing experiences came together for me during a recent spring break vacation with my family in Florida. First was my daily visit to my favorite eatery, the SUGARCANE raw bar grill. The waiters have come to know my preferences, including my favorite table, drink and time of arrival. During spring break, they…
Wearable technologies like Google Glass are generating lots of buzz about their impact on many industries, including health care. The innovative and highly publicized approach from Google has cast a much-needed light on the potential applications of Glass and other forms of wearable technologies. There are many unique ways Glass could be applied to health…
Why is health care so complex and what can be done to make it simpler? This is an important question and I’m asked it quite a bit. When I’m asked, I think back to a mountain bike accident I had one early Sunday morning last year that did some pretty good damage to my shoulder.…
Recently, I spoke at the Clinton Foundation’s Health Matters Conference about how we can improve the health of Americans and revamp our health care system. I felt it was important to discuss issues that aren’t always seen as health-related, so I spoke about a recent interaction I had with one of Humana’s Medicare Advantage members.…
