https://simplecast.com Building Better Health Health care is complicated — and it’s changing fast. Building Better Health is a new podcast from UnitedHealth Group exploring what’s working in health care today and what helps people live longer, healthier lives. Each episode features conversations with researchers, clinicians, and innovators on topics like preventive care, chronic conditions, mental health, affordability, Medicare and employer coverage, value‑based care, and the role of technology and data in improving outcomes. Join us as we explore how we can make health care work better for everyone. 2026 UnitedHealth Group, Inc. All rights reserved. en Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:38:20 +0000 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:38:30 +0000 https://building-better-health.simplecast.com Building Better Health https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/49590d6f-f59d-41b6-87a4-4cadeb9eb357/2947f319-3e67-434e-8b1f-d1b921691bab/3000x3000/bbhpodcastcover3000x3000.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://building-better-health.simplecast.com episodic Health care is complicated — and it’s changing fast. Building Better Health is a new podcast from UnitedHealth Group exploring what’s working in health care today and what helps people live longer, healthier lives. Each episode features conversations with researchers, clinicians, and innovators on topics like preventive care, chronic conditions, mental health, affordability, Medicare and employer coverage, value‑based care, and the role of technology and data in improving outcomes. Join us as we explore how we can make health care work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group false https://feeds.simplecast.com/8B_Uu5LT public policy, population health, healthcare leadership, health system strategy, holistic health, health, mental health, healthy living, physical health, longevity, movement, wellness, well-being, sustainable health, resilience, medicare and medicaid, health economics, healthcare policy, healthcare regulation, health equity, healthcare business, healthcare reform, value-based care UnitedHealth Group uhg.podcast@uhg.com 4130213b-d17e-47b8-914f-f1516451ee9d How Will AI Revolutionize Your Healthcare? | Building Better Health Episode 6 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:38:20 +0000 uhg.podcast@uhg.com (UnitedHealth Group) https://building-better-health.simplecast.com/episodes/how-will-ai-revolutionize-your-healthcare-building-better-health-episode-6-GD_2a6FK How Will AI Revolutionize Your Healthcare? | Building Better Health Episode 6 UnitedHealth Group 00:32:55 Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and every industry is wrestling with the implications of this new technology. Healthcare is no exception, but the stakes are arguably higher. How do we make sure we get it right when we're moving at warp speed? In Episode 6 of Building Better Health, host Terence Samuel sits down with Madhu Pawar, executive in residence at Optum, and Dr. Robert Wachter, chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco to explore how AI is changing healthcare. From helping clinicians spend less time on paperwork to improving care and the overall experience for members and providers, they discuss where AI adds value and why human judgment still matters. Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and every industry is wrestling with the implications of this new technology. Healthcare is no exception, but the stakes are arguably higher. How do we make sure we get it right when we're moving at warp speed? In Episode 6 of Building Better Health, host Terence Samuel sits down with Madhu Pawar, executive in residence at Optum, and Dr. Robert Wachter, chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco to explore how AI is changing healthcare. From helping clinicians spend less time on paperwork to improving care and the overall experience for members and providers, they discuss where AI adds value and why human judgment still matters. healthcare providers, healthcare automation, ucsf, healthcare system innovation, robert wachter, patient experience, medical technology, health outcomes, healthcare industry trends, smarter healthcare systems, digital health, artificial intelligence healthcare, trust quotient, preventive care, responsible ai, healthcare data, clinical decision support, patient care, generative ai, health technology, healthcare consumers, clinical workflow, data sharing in healthcare, healthcare operations, patient trust, copilot said: ai in healthcare, healthcare innovation, ai adoption, ai and medicine, healthcare leadership, healthcare transformation, reducing administrative burden, value-based care, digital transformation in healthcare, medical ai, technology in healthcare, provider experience, clinician productivity, healthcare podcast, physician workflow, healthcare ai, building better health podcast, trust in ai, ai tools, healthcare modernization, optum, care delivery, madhu pawar, healthcare ethics, healthcare future false full 6 1 d4306151-b1cd-485c-9e31-2ef7e880701b What’s Behind the Longevity Gap? | Building Better Health Episode 5 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:39:12 +0000 uhg.podcast@uhg.com (UnitedHealth Group) https://building-better-health.simplecast.com/episodes/whats-behind-the-longevity-gap-building-better-health-episode-5-GhSBaNuF What’s Behind the Longevity Gap? | Building Better Health Episode 5 UnitedHealth Group 00:27:58 For all the talk about biohacking and wellness trends, we rarely address the real root causes driving longevity. In America today, how long you live isn't just about your personal choices — the biggest factors are your bank account and your zip code. In Episode 5 of Building Better Health, host Terence Samuel sits down with Dr. Eugene Hsu, Chief Medical Officer for Optum Home and Community Care Delivery, and Dan Buettner, National Geographic explorer and founder of Blue Zones. Together, they discuss actionable strategies to help people live longer, healthier lives, from changing city infrastructure to combating the loneliness epidemic. About Building Better Health: Healthcare is complicated — and it’s changing fast. Building Better Health explores what’s working in healthcare today and what helps people live longer, healthier lives. Each episode features conversations with researchers, clinicians, and innovators on topics like preventive care, chronic conditions, mental health, affordability, Medicare and employer coverage, value‑based care, and the role of technology and data in improving outcomes. Join us as we explore how we can make healthcare work better for everyone. For all the talk about biohacking and wellness trends, we rarely address the real root causes driving longevity. In America today, how long you live isn't just about your personal choices — the biggest factors are your bank account and your zip code. In Episode 5 of Building Better Health, host Terence Samuel sits down with Dr. Eugene Hsu, Chief Medical Officer for Optum Home and Community Care Delivery, and Dan Buettner, National Geographic explorer and founder of Blue Zones. Together, they discuss actionable strategies to help people live longer, healthier lives, from changing city infrastructure to combating the loneliness epidemic. About Building Better Health: Healthcare is complicated — and it’s changing fast. Building Better Health explores what’s working in healthcare today and what helps people live longer, healthier lives. Each episode features conversations with researchers, clinicians, and innovators on topics like preventive care, chronic conditions, mental health, affordability, Medicare and employer coverage, value‑based care, and the role of technology and data in improving outcomes. Join us as we explore how we can make healthcare work better for everyone. false full 5 1 be34fc9f-e3b2-46d3-b72e-68b6bb043410 What’s Behind the Menopause Moment? Wed, 8 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000 uhg.podcast@uhg.com (UnitedHealth Group) https://building-better-health.simplecast.com/episodes/whats-behind-the-menopause-moment-NQe8oEAd What’s Behind the Menopause Moment? UnitedHealth Group 00:35:44 Every woman will experience menopause yet the healthcare system has long been unprepared to support them. Today, an estimated 75 million women in the U.S. are navigating perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause, but too many still struggle to access evidence-based care. Decades of outdated research, gaps in physician training and persistent misconceptions left generations of women without the treatment they needed. In Episode 4 of Building Better Health, host Terence Samuel is joined by Dr. Lisa Saul, Chief Medical Officer for Women’s Health at UnitedHealth Group, and Dr. Barbara Levy, Chief Medical Officer at Visana Health. Together, they discuss how flawed science reshaped menopause care, why the healthcare system has been slow to prioritize women’s midlife health, and what it will take to ensure every woman has access to evidence-based, personalized care. Every woman will experience menopause yet the healthcare system has long been unprepared to support them. Today, an estimated 75 million women in the U.S. are navigating perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause, but too many still struggle to access evidence-based care. Decades of outdated research, gaps in physician training and persistent misconceptions left generations of women without the treatment they needed. In Episode 4 of Building Better Health, host Terence Samuel is joined by Dr. Lisa Saul, Chief Medical Officer for Women’s Health at UnitedHealth Group, and Dr. Barbara Levy, Chief Medical Officer at Visana Health. Together, they discuss how flawed science reshaped menopause care, why the healthcare system has been slow to prioritize women’s midlife health, and what it will take to ensure every woman has access to evidence-based, personalized care. evidence-based care, health equity, perimenopause, building better health, women's healthcare, personalized healthcare, healthcare innovation, hormone therapy, healthcare reform, healthcare access, women's health, midlife health, patient-centered care, menopause care, menopause false full 4 1 b9373d66-78b4-4f28-a1a2-9e68155b3e2c How Do We Address the Rise of Chronic Diseases? | Building Better Health Episode 3 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:46:02 +0000 uhg.podcast@uhg.com (UnitedHealth Group) https://building-better-health.simplecast.com/episodes/building-better-health-3-MwbKUGjC How Do We Address the Rise of Chronic Diseases? | Building Better Health Episode 3 UnitedHealth Group 00:33:12 Chronic disease among young Americans is at record levels. The U.S. healthcare system has historically operated as a reactive "sick care" model, from heavily favoring high-cost crisis interventions to undervaluing the proactive care that prevents illness in the first place. In Episode 3 of Building Better Health, Host Terence Samuel is joined by guests Dr. Wyatt Decker, Chief Physician for Value-Based Care and Innovation at UnitedHealth Group, and Dr. Toyin Ajayi, Co-founder and CEO of Cityblock Health. Together, they discuss actionable solutions, from shifting to proactive care models to leveraging community health networks and reaching vulnerable populations early. Timestamps: 0:00-1:06: Introduction 1:07-5:51: Discussing Fixing the Healthcare System 5:52-7:30: Working in Rural Health 7:31-9:36: The Rise of Chronic Diseases 9:37-11:45: How Preventative Care and Chronic Disease Connect 11:46-14:39: Why Chronic Disease Remains a Problem in Our Healthcare System 14:40- 17:32: How Do We Address Healthcare Delivery 17:33-21:02: Is the Healthcare System Moving Fast Enough? 21:03- 26:12: How We Can We Work to Change the Systems Level Issues? 26:13- 28:36: Sharing Optimism in the Healthcare System 28:37-32:53: Addressing Chronic Disease in Young People 32:54-33:12: Conclusion Chronic disease among young Americans is at record levels. The U.S. healthcare system has historically operated as a reactive "sick care" model, from heavily favoring high-cost crisis interventions to undervaluing the proactive care that prevents illness in the first place. In Episode 3 of Building Better Health, Host Terence Samuel is joined by guests Dr. Wyatt Decker, Chief Physician for Value-Based Care and Innovation at UnitedHealth Group, and Dr. Toyin Ajayi, Co-founder and CEO of Cityblock Health. Together, they discuss actionable solutions, from shifting to proactive care models to leveraging community health networks and reaching vulnerable populations early. Timestamps: 0:00-1:06: Introduction 1:07-5:51: Discussing Fixing the Healthcare System 5:52-7:30: Working in Rural Health 7:31-9:36: The Rise of Chronic Diseases 9:37-11:45: How Preventative Care and Chronic Disease Connect 11:46-14:39: Why Chronic Disease Remains a Problem in Our Healthcare System 14:40- 17:32: How Do We Address Healthcare Delivery 17:33-21:02: Is the Healthcare System Moving Fast Enough? 21:03- 26:12: How We Can We Work to Change the Systems Level Issues? 26:13- 28:36: Sharing Optimism in the Healthcare System 28:37-32:53: Addressing Chronic Disease in Young People 32:54-33:12: Conclusion improving health outcomes, healthcare system reform, social determinants of health, health equity, building better health, preventive care, care models, early intervention, public health, vulnerable populations, healthcare innovation, value based care, community health, chronic disease, health policy, population health, terence samuel, wyatt decker md, cityblock health, healthcare podcast, toyin ajayi, unitedhealth group, proactive healthcare false full 3 1 f351e475-0609-4795-b698-09f6c93698d8 How Do We Solve the Burnout Crisis? | Building Better Health Episode 2 Physician burnout is at record levels. The U.S. healthcare system has made it harder to practice medicine than it ever should be - from a frustrating lack of control to an outdated culture that treated long shifts like a badge of honor.  

 

In Episode 2 of Building Better Health, Host Terence Samuel is joined by guests Patrick Conway, Chief Executive Officer at Optum, and Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Dean & CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Together, they discuss actionable solutions for healthcare reform — from upgrading clinical infrastructure to rewriting the medical school curriculum — to give doctors their autonomy back and protect the true calling of medicine.  

 

Timestamps:

0:00-0:55: Introduction  

0:56-6:08: Dr. Conway and Dr. Makhija’s Career Journey and Current Positions  

6:09-8:59: Discussing Physician Burnout  

9:00-12:09: How Burnout Fits into the Healthcare System  

12:10-14:05: Connecting Medical School and Training to Address Whole Health Concepts  

14:06-16:22: What Do Clinicians Need the Most Right Now?  

16:23-20:29: How Do We Get More Clinicians into Primary Care?  

20:30-24:29: Discussing the State of American Healthcare  

24:40-27:35 How the Healthcare System’s Culture is Changing  

27:36-29:43: How Do Physicians Take Care of Themselves  

29:44-30:22: Conclusion  

 

Learn more about Building Better Health: https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/uhg/what-we-do/podcast.html

Follow UnitedHealth Group on social media: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedhealth-group/

X: https://x.com/UnitedHealthGrp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedhealthgroup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedhealthgroup/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unitedhealthgroup

]]> Tue, 9 Jun 2026 16:55:53 +0000 uhg.podcast@uhg.com (UnitedHealth Group) https://building-better-health.simplecast.com/episodes/building-better-health-2-b_21K43v Physician burnout is at record levels. The U.S. healthcare system has made it harder to practice medicine than it ever should be - from a frustrating lack of control to an outdated culture that treated long shifts like a badge of honor.  

 

In Episode 2 of Building Better Health, Host Terence Samuel is joined by guests Patrick Conway, Chief Executive Officer at Optum, and Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Dean & CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Together, they discuss actionable solutions for healthcare reform — from upgrading clinical infrastructure to rewriting the medical school curriculum — to give doctors their autonomy back and protect the true calling of medicine.  

 

Timestamps:

0:00-0:55: Introduction  

0:56-6:08: Dr. Conway and Dr. Makhija’s Career Journey and Current Positions  

6:09-8:59: Discussing Physician Burnout  

9:00-12:09: How Burnout Fits into the Healthcare System  

12:10-14:05: Connecting Medical School and Training to Address Whole Health Concepts  

14:06-16:22: What Do Clinicians Need the Most Right Now?  

16:23-20:29: How Do We Get More Clinicians into Primary Care?  

20:30-24:29: Discussing the State of American Healthcare  

24:40-27:35 How the Healthcare System’s Culture is Changing  

27:36-29:43: How Do Physicians Take Care of Themselves  

29:44-30:22: Conclusion  

 

Learn more about Building Better Health: https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/uhg/what-we-do/podcast.html

Follow UnitedHealth Group on social media: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedhealth-group/

X: https://x.com/UnitedHealthGrp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedhealthgroup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedhealthgroup/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unitedhealthgroup

]]> How Do We Solve the Burnout Crisis? | Building Better Health Episode 2 UnitedHealth Group 00:30:02 Physician burnout is at record levels. The U.S. healthcare system has made it harder to practice medicine than it ever should be - from a frustrating lack of control to an outdated culture that treated long shifts like a badge of honor. In Episode 2 of Building Better Health, Host Terence Samuel is joined by guests Patrick Conway, Chief Executive Officer at Optum, and Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Dean & CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Together, they discuss actionable solutions for healthcare reform — from upgrading clinical infrastructure to rewriting the medical school curriculum — to give doctors their autonomy back and protect the true calling of medicine. Timestamps: 0:00-0:55: Introduction 0:56-6:08: Dr. Conway and Dr. Makhija’s Career Journey and Current Positions 6:09-8:59: Discussing Physician Burnout 9:00-12:09: How Burnout Fits into the Healthcare System 12:10-14:05: Connecting Medical School and Training to Address Whole Health Concepts 14:06-16:22: What Do Clinicians Need the Most Right Now? 16:23-20:29: How Do We Get More Clinicians into Primary Care? 20:30-24:29: Discussing the State of American Healthcare 24:40-27:35 How the Healthcare System’s Culture is Changing 27:36-29:43: How Do Physicians Take Care of Themselves 29:44-30:22: Conclusion Physician burnout is at record levels. The U.S. healthcare system has made it harder to practice medicine than it ever should be - from a frustrating lack of control to an outdated culture that treated long shifts like a badge of honor. In Episode 2 of Building Better Health, Host Terence Samuel is joined by guests Patrick Conway, Chief Executive Officer at Optum, and Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Dean & CEO of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Together, they discuss actionable solutions for healthcare reform — from upgrading clinical infrastructure to rewriting the medical school curriculum — to give doctors their autonomy back and protect the true calling of medicine. Timestamps: 0:00-0:55: Introduction 0:56-6:08: Dr. Conway and Dr. Makhija’s Career Journey and Current Positions 6:09-8:59: Discussing Physician Burnout 9:00-12:09: How Burnout Fits into the Healthcare System 12:10-14:05: Connecting Medical School and Training to Address Whole Health Concepts 14:06-16:22: What Do Clinicians Need the Most Right Now? 16:23-20:29: How Do We Get More Clinicians into Primary Care? 20:30-24:29: Discussing the State of American Healthcare 24:40-27:35 How the Healthcare System’s Culture is Changing 27:36-29:43: How Do Physicians Take Care of Themselves 29:44-30:22: Conclusion improving health outcomes, healthcare system reform, social determinants of health, health equity, building better health, preventive care, care models, early intervention, public health, vulnerable populations, healthcare innovation, value based care, community health, chronic disease, health policy, population health, terence samuel, wyatt decker md, cityblock health, healthcare podcast, toyin ajayi, unitedhealth group, proactive healthcare false full 2 1 649d3f37-96c7-45f3-9dbb-56711bd9e641 How Do We Build a Better System? | Building Better Health Episode 1 The U.S. health system isn’t working as it should. UnitedHealth Group Chief Medical Officer Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson and University of Pennsylvania Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Dr. Zeke Emanuel break down what’s driving cost, fragmentation and complexity — and what real reform could look like.

 

 

0:00 - 0:53: Introduction

0:54 - 5:31: Discussing Experiences in Global Healthcare Systems

5:32 - 9:32: Fee-for-Service Model and Fragmentation

9:33 - 16:10: Value-Based Care

16:11 - 10:17 Insights from Dr. Emanuel's Book and Research

19:18 - 24:05: Discussing How Wellness Fits Into Healthcare

24:06 - 25:14: What's One Thing You Would Do To Build a Better System

25:16 - 29:54: Drivers of Health Economics and Costs

29:55 - 32:22: Final Takeaways and Conclusion

 

Learn more about Building Better Health: https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/uhg/what-we-do/podcast.html

Follow UnitedHealth Group on social media: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedhealth-group/

X: https://x.com/UnitedHealthGrp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedhealthgroup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedhealthgroup/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unitedhealthgroup

 

]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 uhg.podcast@uhg.com (UnitedHealth Group) https://building-better-health.simplecast.com/episodes/building-better-health-1-X5SoCyb6 The U.S. health system isn’t working as it should. UnitedHealth Group Chief Medical Officer Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson and University of Pennsylvania Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Dr. Zeke Emanuel break down what’s driving cost, fragmentation and complexity — and what real reform could look like.

 

 

0:00 - 0:53: Introduction

0:54 - 5:31: Discussing Experiences in Global Healthcare Systems

5:32 - 9:32: Fee-for-Service Model and Fragmentation

9:33 - 16:10: Value-Based Care

16:11 - 10:17 Insights from Dr. Emanuel's Book and Research

19:18 - 24:05: Discussing How Wellness Fits Into Healthcare

24:06 - 25:14: What's One Thing You Would Do To Build a Better System

25:16 - 29:54: Drivers of Health Economics and Costs

29:55 - 32:22: Final Takeaways and Conclusion

 

Learn more about Building Better Health: https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/uhg/what-we-do/podcast.html

Follow UnitedHealth Group on social media: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitedhealth-group/

X: https://x.com/UnitedHealthGrp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedhealthgroup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedhealthgroup/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/unitedhealthgroup

 

]]> How Do We Build a Better System? | Building Better Health Episode 1 UnitedHealth Group 00:32:22 The U.S. health system isn’t working as it should. UnitedHealth Group Chief Medical Officer Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson and University of Pennsylvania Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Dr. Zeke Emanuel break down what’s driving cost, fragmentation and complexity — and what real reform could look like. The U.S. health system isn’t working as it should. UnitedHealth Group Chief Medical Officer Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson and University of Pennsylvania Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Dr. Zeke Emanuel break down what’s driving cost, fragmentation and complexity — and what real reform could look like. healthcare system, margaret mary wilson, university of pennsylvania, dr zeke emanuel, dr margaret-mary wilson, healthcare policy, healthcare innovation, us healthcare reform, value based care, healthcare leadership, future of healthcare, health policy debate, healthcare fragmentation, zeke emanuel, healthcare complexity, healthcare costs, unitedhealthcare, unitedhealth group false full 1 1