Advancing Health

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 was Congress’ fix to the confusing statutes that regulated the cyber threat information that could pass between the private sector and the federal government. Eight years later, many people still don’t know the law exists or what a valuable tool it can be. In this episode, guest Leonard Bailey, head of Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section’s Cybersecurity Unit with the Department of Justice, explores the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act and its benefits.

One of the biggest challenges communities faced during the COVID-19 pandemic wasn't just the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccines, but convincing people to take them. In this conversation, hear how MUSC Health in Charleston, South Carolina and the Charleston School district set the example by collaborating with community stakeholders in the school system and beyond to spread confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines.

The LGBTQIA+ community often faces barriers to equitable health care. In this conversation, guest David W. Rosenthal, D.O. of Northwell Health discusses bias, the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ patients, education and training for health care workers, and the paths to creating competent and outstanding health care for all people.

There are many creative ways that hospitals and care providers support their communities beyond offering great medical care. In 2017 UMass Memorial Health chose to reimagine itself as an “anchor” hospital, taking on much more responsibility for the welfare of the communities it serves. Hear how in this conversation between John Haupert, president and CEO of Grady Health System and the 2023 Chair of AHA’s Board, and Doug Brown, president of UMass Memorial Community Hospitals and chief administrative officer for UMass Memorial Health

For Black women who are hospital and health system CEOs, it's been difficult to find and connect with others like themselves. In 2022, the AHA launched the Black Women CEO Roundtable to create a support system and facilitate meaningful connections. In this conversation, roundtable member Asha Rodriguez, vice president, facility executive with Atrium Health Cabarrus, reflects on how the roundtable’s support, encouragement and honest dialogue have helped her bond with her fellow CEOs.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a big problem in health systems across the country. HAIs can be defeated, and Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City recently experienced great success in getting to the magic number of zero with three different HAIs. Today's guest, Dr. Waleed Javaid, MSBI epidemiologist and director of Infection Prevention and Control, shares tried and true strategies he and his team have implemented that can be adapted by other health care organizations.

Men can have a significant influence in supporting women during their pregnancy, and can be essential allies in creating better outcomes for mother and child. Guests Dr. Amina Alio of University of Rochester Medical Center, and Jonathan Webb, CEO of the Association of Women's Health Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses, explore the role of fathers in maternal and child health, and how addressing fathers’ needs can improve the overall well-being of a family.

The creation of the Rural Emergency Hospital designation on January 1, 2023 was intended to offer struggling rural hospitals a new financial lifeline. Converting to REH has its benefits, but also its challenges. Anson General Hospital CEO Ted Matthews and chief nursing officer Anna Doan speak about how this new designation has worked out so far, and what the local patient population thinks about the move.

Today marks the start of Community Health Improvement Week, a time to highlight hospitals and community organizations working together to enhance health. In this episode, the AHA’s Nancy Myers and Chris DeRienzo discuss where community health and equity goals are headed, and what are the driving forces behind the movement to align them.

Serving a small rural community in upper Michigan, Mackinac Straits Health System was once in dire financial straits, operating on only a few days of cash reserves. Karen Cheeseman, Mackinac Straits president and CEO, explains how the health system turned things around thanks to strategic planning and critical investments from community partners.

Communicating information is critical during emergencies and disasters. Phelps Health shares proven strategies for successful risk communication in times of crisis, which can be adopted by other health care organizations.

There is growing awareness in the health care field that becoming a better steward of the environment is something well within the capabilities of most health caregivers. In fact, it benefits the overall mission in ways we often don’t think about. One environmental officer whose health care organization has been paying close attention to environmental sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint since the 1990s frames it this way: “It’s part of our work, not additional work.”

A survey of 1,000 caregivers in April of 2022 found that 92 percent had directly experienced or witnessed workplace violence. The problem has been growing exponentially for years, and prompted the AHA to create #HAVhope Day, a national day of awareness to highlight how America’s hospitals and health systems combat violence in their workplaces and communities. Hear some of the ways health care leaders are tackling the problem of workplace aggression and the potential solutions.

America’s health care workers are the backbone of hospitals and health systems to provide strong patient care. Hear recommendations for the bold and innovative approaches that are needed to support current staff, and recruit the health care workers of tomorrow. This podcast is sponsored by Relias.

The shortage of behavioral health care professionals is a serious public health issue, particularly in rural areas. In rural Iowa, some care providers have found successful new pathways to recruit, train and retain behavioral health specialists.

For health care workers, finding the right words to support a colleague struggling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide can be challenging. According to Luci New, assistant professor of Nurse Anesthesia at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the best thing you can say to a struggling colleague is simple: “I care about you.”

Hospitals and health systems are playing an increasingly important role in providing behavioral health care, whether in their own facilities or by helping patients connect with community resources. It’s a positive trend. But the need for behavioral health services is great, and the gap between needs and resources remains wide.

When a community health needs assessment was conducted in Hardeman County, Tennessee, it confirmed that not only was obesity a serious health threat for adults and children, but accessing food at all was a problem for many county residents. Fortunately, their local hospitals decided to address food insecurity in the county and take action.

Across America, many girls lack access to menstrual products, facing a public health crisis known as “period poverty.” Without these products, girls can miss school, be humiliated and experience health problems. One health system is addressing the problem in its community and looking to help.

America’s hospitals and health systems are facing a tidal wave of financial challenges, with finances stretched to their breaking point by three years of pandemic and now post-pandemic strain. In this episode, we discuss the AHA’s recently released 2023 Costs of Caring Report, which documents the skyrocketing growth in expenses, especially the cost of labor.