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On the Evidence

On the Evidence

Written by: MATHEMATICA
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 A podcast from Mathematica that examines what we know about today’s most urgent challenges and how we can make progress in addressing them. Reimagining the way the world gathers and uses data, Mathematica uncovers the evidence that offers our partners the confidence and clarity they need to find out what can be done, how to make it happen, and where to go next.All rights reserved Science
Episodes
  • 138 | Addressing Rising Healthcare Costs in States

    138 | Addressing Rising Healthcare Costs in States
    Aug 28 2025
    Rising healthcare costs in the U.S. threaten people’s access to treatment and services while reducing their ability to afford other necessities. Over the last decade, state policymakers across the political spectrum have responded to this urgent problem by passing legislation, setting up new government offices, and adding regulations to control healthcare spending. One critical element of states’ maturing strategies for addressing healthcare costs is high quality, timely, and accessible data. In the latest episode of Mathematica’s On the Evidence podcast, Jim Lloyd of the New Jersey Department of Health, Rachel Block of the Milbank Memorial Fund, and Julie Sonier of Mathematica discuss why rising healthcare costs present a complex and urgent issue, how states are responding, and the role of data in supporting solutions that address healthcare cost growth. “We have this healthcare system with much higher costs than other countries around the world, but we also have less access,” Lloyd explains. “There's an opportunity to be able to identify those costs that are contributing to quality, identify those costs that aren't, and then increase access and increase quality, potentially without increasing costs.” A blog summarizing the episode, with quotes from the guests and additional resources for further learning are available at https://mathematica.org/blogs/turning-data-into-solutions-for-reducing-healthcare-cost-growth-in-states
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    54 mins
  • 137 | Increasing the Resilience of African Smallholder Farmers

    137 | Increasing the Resilience of African Smallholder Farmers
    Jun 25 2025
    On the latest episode of Mathematica’s On the Evidence podcast, Dr. Agnes Kalibata reflects on her career as a scientist and as the former president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an African-led organization that seeks to create an environment where Africa can sustainably feed itself. It does so by focusing on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers achieve increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. Kalibata’s 10-year term as AGRA president ended earlier this year. She spoke with Mathematica President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Decker last December. Mathematica supports AGRA’s implementation of its 2023–2027 monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy. On the episode, Kalibata and Decker discuss locally led development and the role of data in helping to understand how a program, such as AGRA’s Seed Systems, can be more effective. Find a full transcript of the conversation here: https://mathematica.org/blogs/increasing-the-resilience-of-african-smallholder-farmers Learn more about Mathematica’s work supporting AGRA as AGRA implements its 2023–2027 monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy: https://mathematica.org/news/measuring-agras-impact-transforming-agricultural-systems-and-improving-climate-resilience
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    37 mins
  • 136 | How a Fintech Company Helps Workers in Africa Access Credit and Savings with Smartphones

    136 | How a Fintech Company Helps Workers in Africa Access Credit and Savings with Smartphones
    Feb 26 2025
    On the latest episode of Mathematica’s On the Evidence podcast, M-KOPA Chief Executive Officer Jesse Moore talks about increasing access to financial and digital services for unbanked workers in Africa by leasing out smartphones. He and Paul Decker, the president and chief executive officer of Mathematica, discuss the needs of everyday earners in Africa who work regular but informal jobs that make it difficult to build credit and open a bank account. They also discuss the role of data in informing an organization’s business strategy as well as assessing its social impact on customers. Find a blog summarizing highlights from the conversation, plus the full transcript here: mathematica.org/blogs/how-a-fintech-company-helps-workers-in-africa-access-credit-and-savings-with-smartphones
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    45 mins
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