Articles

Many people who could benefit from health advances are left behind, and it’s clear that scientific innovation alone is not enough to fill the gap. So what needs to be done? An inspiring panel at Aspen Ideas: Health tackled this question and explored emerging solutions that prioritize access and affordability. Presented by Abbott.

The "Great Resignation" has impacted nursing and created a healthcare crisis for us all. What can be done to drive real change and create a supportive work environment where nurses can grow and thrive? Presented by Johnson & Johnson.

From the "War on Cancer" to the "Cancer Moonshot", extraordinary progress continues to be made in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Research is driving life-extending gene therapies, immunotherapies, and other targeted therapeutics forward. Otis Brawley of Johns Hopkins University explains the latest developments at the cutting-edge of cancer care.

In the wake of transformative biopharmaceutical innovation and breakthroughs, Americans need a health care system that ensures these life-saving breakthroughs reach all patients. Courtney Christian reflects on three tangible, collaborative ways to improve health equity. Presented by PhRMA.

A silent epidemic of chronic illnesses, including autoimmune disease, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, and long COVID, afflicts tens of millions of Americans. Best-selling author Meghan O’Rourke discusses her own experience with this elusive category of diseases, often misunderstood and frequently marginalized within our medical system.

Achieving vaccine equity requires authentically communicating with and listening to all communities. As healthcare leaders, we must go where the community is to hear their stories, comprehend their challenges and better understand how to overcome their hurdles. Presented by Novavax.

Psychologist Marisa Franco explains the biggest misconceptions that are hurting our friendships, how relationships shape our personalities and sense of self, and why friendships don't just happen organically

For people with post-traumatic stress disorder, therapy assisted by the drug MDMA may provide lasting relief, with a new way of seeing their trauma and themselves. Rachel Yehuda explains the pioneering study of this promising therapy. Presented by Mount Sinai Health System.

Gen-Z for Change's Aidan Kohn-Murphy on youth-led movements, his advice for young activists, and why it's impossible to lose hope.

Monkeypox has now been declared a public health emergency in the US and a global emergency by the World Health Organization. What do we know about this virus and the current outbreak? During Aspen Ideas: Health 2022, Helen Branswell of STAT gave an explainer about monkeypox, highlighting five interesting things to know about the world's latest infectious disease concern.

On a weekly basis, 32 million Americans spend 2 hours at one of 30,000 laundromats across the country. What if that time and space could be used to meet people where they are with essential health services? Learn how Fabric Health is breaking down barriers to care and building community trust at laundromats across Philadelphia.

Jessica Cruel, Editor-in-Chief of Allure, discusses why certain beauty buzzwords are banned from the magazine, reflects on the evolution of the industry, and shares her vision for how we can further democratize beauty.

After two devastating years fighting the pandemic, how do we rebuild and support stronger health care and public health workforces? Dave Chokshi, who helped lead New York City's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, shares his thoughts with Aspen Ideas: Health.

Childbirth complications are unacceptably high among women of color—and the disparities have been widening. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we cannot solve system-wide problems in a vacuum—particularly when lives are at stake. We all need an all-in approach to create a better, more equitable system of health for all mothers. Presented by Blue Cross Blue S...

Soon, we may be able to visualize any biological process in the human body, at any scale, in real time. Here’s what it will take to get there. Presented by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Our changing climate represents one of the greatest challenges to health for the 21st century. Though all of humankind is at risk, communities with weak health and public health infrastructure are the least equipped to cope with the impacts. We must take urgent steps now to develop effective, long-term, and sustainable climate health action. Presented by CDC Foundation.

With no end in sight to gridlock in Congress, federal courts will continue to have the final word on major health policies. Katie Keith of Georgetown University Law Center helps us understand how litigation is shaping health care and public health in the United States– from access to preventative services to climate regulations.

Watch select daily livestreams and join the virtual #AspenIdeasHealth conversation from June 22-25!

Neurologist Anjan Chatterjee explains why humans evolved to enjoy beauty, how sociocultural contexts shape our aesthetic preferences, and the "beauty is good" stereotype.

Secretary Albright served on the Aspen Institute Board of Trustees from 2002 until her passing in March 2022.