Decoding the Brain
Neurological disorders, sensory pleasures, decision making, movement, behavior, memory, dreams, and imagination—all these are seated within the human brain. As neuroscience teaches us more about the billions of neurons in that three-pound organ, we are also gaining deeper insights into the mysteries of the mind. A knowledge explosion is transforming how we approach mental health, learning and cognition, childhood development, social interactions, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Audacious Science
Biomedical breakthroughs are everywhere and artificial intelligence, digital health, and technology are driving extraordinary innovation. Think organs generated with 3D printers, therapeutic psychedelics without hallucinogenic properties, and digital twins that allow surgeons to identify the best repair pathways before operating. Cancer vaccines, new uses for the remarkable GLP-1 drugs, and precision editing of the microbiome are all on the horizon. Shared progress also depends on privacy safeguards and an equity emphasis.
Payoff: Investing in Health
The medical enterprise, with its vast public and private investments, should be designed to produce the healthiest population possible. Health systems, insurers, venture capitalists, providers, philanthropists, and regulators can help by dedicating resources to cutting-edge science, embracing new care delivery models, tackling workforce challenges, and promoting market competition. How do we get them on the same page to support quality healthcare for everyone?
Food for Thought
The pleasures of good food are sometimes dampened by concerns about obesity and other health risks, the climate impact of producing meat, and confusion about what we should really put into our bodies. Chefs, farmers, nutritionists, and community activists cut through the noise, sharing insights about the future of food and its use as medicine, how to control food obsessions and end food deserts, and the right regulations to enhance safety and contribute to a sustainable global system.
Uncommon Allies
Everyone has a stake in advancing better health but intentional outreach is essential to build the creative partnerships that can make it happen. By breaking down barriers between folks who typically operate in separate siloes, use unfamiliar language, or subscribe to different belief systems, non-traditional collaborations can drive transformative change. Bridging faith and science, finding common ground across ideology and culture, linking government, business and academia, and bringing art and medicine together are all models for nurturing the power of allyship.
Pop Health
Popular culture—the information and entertainment we get from influencers, advertisers, and other content creators through apps, podcasts, games, shows, and social media—has a growing influence on our health decisions. It can be a great tool to educate people and promote healthy behavior, but it can also provide a forum for fads, rumors, and lies. How do we imbue pop culture with a respect for evidence and draw on its capacity to cultivate good habits, build social connections, and foster health for all?