Good Health, Better World
Stronger communities begin with good health — for everyone. Some people are more likely to develop chronic health conditions, simply because of where they live, their economic status, their level of education, and even ready access to grocery stores. These factors — and underlying inequities — influence the decisions people can make which may lead to life-altering consequences regarding their health.
Experts recognize this set of factors with a name: social determinants of health. The World Health Organization defines social determinants as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and how these circumstances are shaped by the distribution of resources.
The Good Health, Better World podcast sponsored by UPMC Health Plan brings experts together to discuss some of healthcare’s most important (and often challenging) topics.
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Season 1, Episode 5: Access for One, Access for All
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 that impact the accessibility and quality of care for their patients.
We also hear from Sarah Rosso, executive director of the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation in Pittsburgh. The nonprofit organization offers services and supports, as well as training for organizations to improve their capacity to serve LGBTQ+ clients and staff.
Meet the Host
Ellen is a behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist who trained at the University of Vermont, where she worked with cancer survivors and their families. She currently serves as the associate vice president of population health and clinical affairs for UPMC Health Plan Her work is focused on the use of digital tools from the clinical side to promote health, wellness, and health behavior change.
She completed post-doctoral research at the National Cancer Institute in the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch within the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences. She spent nearly five years in academic medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Hillman Cancer Center.
A native of the Pittsburgh area, Ellen also is the co-author of “Porchtraits” in which she interviewed people on their front porch, amid the pandemic.
More Episodes
Season 1, Episode 4: How a Home Helps Your Health
Season 1, Episode 3: Better Jobs, Better Health
Season 1, Episode 2: Connecting Individuals to the Social Safety Net
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