Good Health, Better World

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 needs of members and the community in order to improve health outcomes.

Host Ellen Beckjord also talks with Erin Dalton, the soon-to-become director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. She currently serves as deputy director, overseeing research and evaluation, evidence-based planning to help inform programs. The agency offers programs and services meeting basic needs and supporting safe environments for the most vulnerable, such as children.

Good Health, Better World is an original podcast series focused on social determinants of health, presented by UPMC Health Plan.

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 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.

We also 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. 

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, Government Programs and Individual Advantage Products for UPMC Health Plan. John discusses housing partnerships through UPMC Health Plan aimed at helping individuals gain stable, permanent housing.

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 nonprofits. We hear from Pennsylvania Secretary of Human Services Teresa Miller, Dan LaVallee, director, UPMC Center for Social Impact, and Earl Buford, chief executive officer, Partner4Work, based in Pittsburgh.

Are you a nonprofit leader in Pennsylvania interested in partnering with UPMC?  For more information, contact socialimpact@upmc.edu.

How can people get the help they need, when they need it most?

In Episode 2, host Ellen Beckjord, PhD, MPH, helps us learn about ways to connect people to social services across Pennsylvania at a time when more people need support.

We hear from Julie L. DeSeyn, chief program and policy officer for the United Way of Western Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dan Swayze, vice president of Community Services for the UPMC Health Plan and the director of operations for UPMC Innovative Homecare Solutions.

Good Health, Better World is an informative and inspiring podcast focused on social determinants of health, sponsored by UPMC Health Plan.

Stronger communities begin with good health — for everyone. But how can we get there?

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 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. 

Behavioral scientist and host Ellen Beckjord explores this key issue in eight episodes with other experts.  

The views and opinions expressed by the participants of this podcast are not necessarily those of UPMC Health Plan, Inc. or its affiliates.