Episodes

  • Rethinking health care: Preventive health and social needs

    Rethinking health care: Preventive health and social needs
    Sep 2 2025
    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
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    23 mins
  • How biology and lifestyle affect our brains and bodies as we age

    How biology and lifestyle affect our brains and bodies as we age
    Oct 1 2024
    In this episode, Dr. Aditi Gurkar and Dr. Howard Aizenstein join us to discuss the biological indicators of aging, and the changes that can take place in cognitive function as we age. Listen to learn more about factors related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, along with practical steps each of us can take to support our cognitive health. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s4ep2
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    29 mins
  • The power of community: Case studies from Erie and Pittsburgh

    The power of community: Case studies from Erie and Pittsburgh
    Sep 16 2025
    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
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    27 mins
  • Staying healthy through midlife and beyond

    Staying healthy through midlife and beyond
    Oct 17 2023
    Midlife can be exhilarating…and challenging! Key milestones during this time such as menopause bring on physical and emotional changes that affect women’s sense of self and identity. In this episode, we hear from Stacey Shankle, CRNP, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology at the Midlife Health Center at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, about navigating changes in midlife and beyond. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s3ep5 This content was originally published on October 17, 2023.
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    29 mins
  • Connecting Individuals to the Social Safety Net

    Connecting Individuals to the Social Safety Net
    Dec 15 2020
    How can people get the help they need, when they need it most? In Episode 2, we learn more about ways to connect people to social services across Pennsylvania. We hear from Dr. Dan Swayze, vice president of Community Services for the UPMC Health Plan and the director of operations for UPMC Innovative Homecare Solutions, and from Julie L. DeSeyn, chief program and policy officer for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s1ep2 The views and opinions expressed by the participants of this podcast are not necessarily those of UPMC Health Plan, Inc. or its affiliates. This content was originally published on December 15, 2020.
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    39 mins
  • The challenges of polypharmacy

    The challenges of polypharmacy
    Oct 22 2024
    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
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    21 mins
  • Improving Health as a Community

    Improving Health as a Community
    Dec 8 2020
    In Episode 1, we hear from Father Paul Abernathy, who discusses the impact groundbreaking nonprofit, the Neighborhood Resilience Project, is having in Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood. We also hear from Ray Prushnok, associate vice president of program development and executive director of the UPMC Center for Social Impact. Find show notes and more information at upmchp.us/ghbw-s1ep1 The views and opinions expressed by the participants of this podcast are not necessarily those of UPMC Health Plan, Inc. or its affiliates. This content was originally published on December 8, 2020.
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    44 mins
  • The joys of aging

    The joys of aging
    Dec 3 2024
    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
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    28 mins