TEDMED Conversation: Finding synergy between anthropology and product design TEDMED 2023-09-27 | Product design, especially when it relates to the delivery of medicine, is a complicated process. Sometimes the design is a success–widely accepted and seamlessly integrated into people’s lives. Sometimes product design falls short–observations around current trends and reactions to past products may not have been considered. In this TEDMED Conversation, Heidi Larson, MA, PhD, Professor of Anthropology & Risk, and Marc Koska, OBE, Co-Founder of Apiject, discuss why anthropological observations play a critical role in product design and delivery. Watch related Playlist: Novel approaches to therapeuticsyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL6MMgXur0AUHn2qDe-h834ltAyqzkf2Y7We discuss:-Top lessons learned from the pandemic-Paying more attention to anthropological observations-Accounting for human factors in designRelated research & resources:-Five Qualitative Research Concepts Grounded in Anthropological Methods for Teaching Design in Healthcare. Healthcare. 2022; 10(2):360. mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/2/360-The anthropology of health systems: A history and review, Social Science & Medicine. 2022. doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114314-Stuck: How Vaccine Rumors Start - and Why They Don't Go Away. amazon.com/Stuck-Vaccine-Rumors-Start-They/dp/B08K1RRHMZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19E9PE4WW3MHF&keywords=stuck+heidi&qid=1695219654&sprefix=stuck+heidi%2Caps%2C75&sr=8-1
TEDMED Conversation: How to create a healthier future for all TEDMED 2023-06-01 | Health is generated not only by medicine, but also significantly by the world around us–the conditions in which we live, work, and play. Join us for a TEDMED Conversation with Sandro Galea, physician, epidemiologist and author, and Theresa Santoro, president and CEO of RVNAhealth, as they discuss what forces shape our health, how COVID has negatively impacted our mental health, and why they have hope that we will create a path towards a healthier world.Watch related playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6MMgXur0AUG7gAifYA9MnIDHs9QrKJJJWe discuss:-The forces around us that generate good health-Conditions that influenced COVID risk during beginning of pandemic -Success of healthcare system treating those already ill vs preventing illness-Next steps towards a healthier society-Effects of COVID-19 on mood and anxiety disorders-Negative effects of social isolation-Hope for a healthier futureResources:1. sandrogalea.org2. The Contagion Next Time. https://a.co/d/9gy3HCD3. Well: What We Need to Talk About When We Talk About Health. https://a.co/d/0FN65LKReferences & Related research:1. Kadakia KT, Galea S. Urbanization and the Future of Population Health. Milbank Q. 2023 Apr;101(S1):153-175. doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.126242. Leung, C.M.C., Ho, M.K., Bharwani, A.A. et al. Mental disorders following COVID-19 and other epidemics: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Psychiatry 12, 205 (2022). doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-01946-63. Ettman CK, Cohen GH, Abdalla SM, Sampson L, Trinquart L, Castrucci BC, Bork RH, Clark MA, Wilson I, Vivier RM, Galea S.Persistent depressive symptoms during COVID-19: a national, population-representative, longitudinal study of U.S. adults. The Lancet Regional Health - Americas. Volume 5, 2022, 100091, ISSN 2667-193X. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667193X21000879
TEDMED Conversation: Anxiety what kids need in their toolbox TEDMED 2023-05-24 | What do young people need in their toolbox to successfully cope with stress, anxiety, and daily challenges? Join us for a TEDMED Conversation with Anne Marie Albano, a cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in studying and treating anxiety and mood disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults, as she discusses these critical skills and the role adults play in fostering them.Watch full version: youtu.be/Ig759RB_BO4Watch related playlist: Tackling youth anxietyyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL6MMgXur0AUG188MM0ogP5x5tU_S_7beHWe discuss:Youth anxiety disorders pre and post COVID-19 pandemic:-Prevalence-Factors that changed-Role of school as a support system-Common worries youth experienceFactors that promote improving youth mental health:-Caregiver participation in youths’ development/therapy-Shifting focus to childhood exploration-Role of communityTools kids need in their emotional toolbox:-Problem solving-Self soothing-Social skills-Psychological flexibilityResources:1. Effective Child Therapy. effectivechildtherapy.org2. Anxiety Canada. anxietycanada.com/learn-about-anxiety/anxiety-in-youth/?_ga=2.71322771.1601494590.1682688678-2097826302.1682688678&_gl=1*15hvez3*_ga*MjA5NzgyNjMwMi4xNjgyNjg4Njc4*_ga_Y4J3VSGKVS*MTY4MjY4ODY3Ny4xLjEuMTY4MjY4ODcwNy4wLjAuMA3. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. adaa.org4. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. adaa.orgReferences and Related Research:1. Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties. amazon.com/Emerging-Adulthood-Winding-through-Twenties/dp/01953093752. You and Your Anxious Child: Free Your Child from Fears and Worries and Create a Joyful Family life. amazon.com/You-Your-Anxious-Child-Worries/dp/15833349553. Mental health and clinical psychological science in the time of covid-19: challenges, opportunities, and a call to action. psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2020-58594-001.html4. Age of opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence. amazon.com/Age-Opportunity-Lessons-Science-Adolescence/dp/05445702945. Cognitive behavioral therapy, sertraline, or a combination for childhood anxiety. nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa08046336. Parent-Based Treatment as Efficacious as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety: A Randomized Non-inferiority Study of Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S089085671930173X 7. Challenges and burden of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for child and adolescent mental health: a narrative review to highlight clinical and research needs in the acute phase and the long return to normality. link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13034-020-00329-38. Do youth anxiety measures assess the same construct consistently throughout treatment? Results are...complicated. link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10578-023-01515-y9. International consensus on a standard set of outcome measures for child and youth anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33341172 10. Impact of treatment improvement on long-term anxiety: Results from CAMS and CAMELS. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33705168 11. Adolescence as a pivotal period for emotion regulation development. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3478123812. Psychological flexibility and inflexibility as sources of resiliency and risk during a pandemic: Modeling the cascade of COVID-19 stress on family systems with a contextual behavioral science lens. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32834972
TEDMED Conversation: Anxiety what kids need in their toolbox TEDMED 2023-05-01 | Shorter version: youtu.be/vx2p8msrqjYWhat do young people need in their toolbox to successfully cope with stress, anxiety, and daily challenges? Join us for a TEDMED Conversation with Anne Marie Albano, a cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in studying and treating anxiety and mood disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults, as she discusses these critical skills and the role adults play in fostering them.Watch related playlist: Tackling youth anxietyyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL6MMgXur0AUG188MM0ogP5x5tU_S_7beHWe discuss:Youth anxiety disorders pre and post COVID-19 pandemic:-Prevalence-Factors that changed-Role of school as a support system-Common worries youth experienceFactors that promote improving youth mental health:-Caregiver participation in youths’ development/therapy-Shifting focus to childhood exploration-Role of communityTools kids need in their emotional toolbox:-Problem solving-Self soothing-Social skills-Psychological flexibilityResources:1. Effective Child Therapy. effectivechildtherapy.org2. Anxiety Canada. anxietycanada.com/learn-about-anxiety/anxiety-in-youth/?_ga=2.71322771.1601494590.1682688678-2097826302.1682688678&_gl=1*15hvez3*_ga*MjA5NzgyNjMwMi4xNjgyNjg4Njc4*_ga_Y4J3VSGKVS*MTY4MjY4ODY3Ny4xLjEuMTY4MjY4ODcwNy4wLjAuMA3. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. adaa.org4. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. adaa.orgReferences and Related Research:1. Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties. amazon.com/Emerging-Adulthood-Winding-through-Twenties/dp/01953093752. You and Your Anxious Child: Free Your Child from Fears and Worries and Create a Joyful Family life. amazon.com/You-Your-Anxious-Child-Worries/dp/15833349553. Mental health and clinical psychological science in the time of covid-19: challenges, opportunities, and a call to action. psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2020-58594-001.html4. Age of opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence. amazon.com/Age-Opportunity-Lessons-Science-Adolescence/dp/05445702945. Cognitive behavioral therapy, sertraline, or a combination for childhood anxiety. nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa08046336. Parent-Based Treatment as Efficacious as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety: A Randomized Non-inferiority Study of Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S089085671930173X 7. Challenges and burden of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for child and adolescent mental health: a narrative review to highlight clinical and research needs in the acute phase and the long return to normality. link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13034-020-00329-38. Do youth anxiety measures assess the same construct consistently throughout treatment? Results are...complicated. link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10578-023-01515-y9. International consensus on a standard set of outcome measures for child and youth anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33341172 10. Impact of treatment improvement on long-term anxiety: Results from CAMS and CAMELS. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33705168 11. Adolescence as a pivotal period for emotion regulation development. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3478123812. Psychological flexibility and inflexibility as sources of resiliency and risk during a pandemic: Modeling the cascade of COVID-19 stress on family systems with a contextual behavioral science lens. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32834972
Our existential flight from death - and wisdom on connecting to grief TEDMED 2020-10-28 | Could you count on your fingers the number of corpses you've seen, touched, kissed, or embraced? Death Thought Leader Kevin Toolis challenges us to look past our fear of death. After all, we will all face mortality in due time. Kevin reminds us of rituals that have existed across cultures and centuries that allow us to see, experience, and embrace death with acceptance rather than fear. From Irish Wakes to ancient Greek and Roman folklore, death was respected and given worth. There was a sense of closure to this cycle through the rituals that guided death. Kevin urges us to connect back to these traditions and find comfort and acceptance in death.Recognizing death through the lens of community, tradition, and acceptance helps us come to terms with our own cycle of life and death. Watch Kevin Toolis' TEDMED 2020 Talk “Our existential flight from death - and wisdom on connecting to grief” to learn how we can conquer our fear of death and confront our own mortality.
What it takes to create social change against all odds TEDMED 2020-10-23 | It is impossible to think about environmental advocacy today without remembering what brought us here. For decades, Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader has been identifying corporate misdeeds, galvanizing public action, and guiding regulatory action to build a safer and healthier world. From taking on the automobile industry by vying for improved safety features for passengers - like mandatory seat belts - to tobacco regulations, The Clean Air Act, and more, Ralph's efforts have fundamentally shaped legislature over the past decades. He firmly believes that each of us can be advocates for a cleaner environment and a consumer focused economy because lawmakers and representatives will always need votes more than they need corporate dollars. He inspires us to break through power structures and embrace democracy to take citizen action towards a safer world.Through years of organizing, advocacy, and activism, Ralph shares that citizens truly can move legislation forward. Watch Ralph's TEDMED 2020 Talk "What it takes to create social change against all odds" to learn how each of us can be a champion for consumer rights and a clean, safe future.
Could CBD help opioid users overcome addiction? TEDMED 2020-10-21 | The opioid epidemic is one of the biggest and most costly health risks facing modern America. Yet, CBD Scientist Yasmin Hurd suggests that there is a way to overcome this epidemic. Yasmin’s research focuses on Cannabidiol (CBD) as a non-addictive, efficacious treatment option for overcoming opioid addiction. From scientific research to the history behind Cannabinoids, Yasmin shares how the unique characteristics of CBD could have meaningful impacts. Specifically, she shares how Cannabinoids affect chemicals in the brain which regulate anxiety and emotion. As such, in a large NIH-funded clinical trial with CBD, Yasmin is investigating CBD-based solutions in people with opioid use disorder. Yasmin envisions a future in which CBD treatments can help individuals overcome opioid addiction to eradicate the opioid epidemic. Watch Yasmin’s TEDMED 2020 Talk, “Could CBD help opioid users overcome addiction?"
The frightening frequency of family mass shootings TEDMED 2020-10-15 | Acts of gun violence and domestic violence create many of the heart wrenching stories that plague us today. Public Health Criminologist April Zeoli has spent her career analyzing gun and domestic violence trends, with a particular focus on where guns and love interact. She shares that while the media places attention on frightening public mass shootings, the truth is that a majority of mass shootings are "family mass murders" or forms of intimate partner homicide. Moreover, she stresses, most mass murders in this country are committed with guns, "no other weapon even comes close." When gun violence and domestic violence meet, tactics of coercion, manipulation, and power come to the forefront in a deadly way. Yet, April believes there is hope - will common sense policy changes, she suggests ways for our country to dramatically reduce both intimate partner violence and related mass shootings.Leaving a lasting impression, April Zeoli speaks up for victims of gun violence and domestic violence through an objective, analytical lens. Watch her TEDMED Talk, "The frightening frequency of family mass shootings," now on TEDMED.com.
The life unfolding inside your cells, revealed in 3D TEDMED 2020-10-13 | Bio-Imaging Pioneer Gokul Upadhyayula is dedicated to making the invisible visible. By using revolutionary imaging technology, Gokul is able to provide biological insights with implications for the way we view and understand living organisms. With a novel approach, Gokul uses 3D imaging to observe cellular activity through a new lens. As such, he is able to generate data about living organisms to forge a path towards life-saving technologies. Learn more about how Gokul’s 3D molecular cell imaging can reshape our understanding of living organisms and create a healthier world. Watch his TEDMED Talk "The life unfolding inside your cells, revealed in 3D".
Bringing AI to the bedside TEDMED 2020-10-09 | AI Health Pioneer Suchi Saria tells us that data is all around us. Together with machine learning, data can save more lives. In her TEDMED 2020 Talk, Suchi takes us on a journey of perseverance and ingenuity. A story of personal tragedy led Suchi to build a platform that delivers targeted real-time early warning solutions for early detection of patients at risk for major complications. Suchi argues that the effective integration of AI into health and medicine requires that Electronic Medical Records are accessible for integration with other systems. Another critical recommendation has to do with policy and financial incentives. It is not enough for technology to merely show that it improves patient outcomes. Suchi reminds us that for critical adoption of life saving technologies, these technologies must align with financial incentives for healthcare organizations.Watch Suchi Saria’s powerful TEDMED 2020 Talk “Bringing AI to the bedside,” to unlock the future of AI and machine learning to save lives.
The neuroscience of psychedelic drugs, music and nostalgia TEDMED 2020-10-01 | Research has demonstrated a strong connection between music and memory. In fact, Psychedelic Neuroscientist Frederick Streeter Barrett studied the deep connection between music and nostalgia, explaining that music has the ability to evoke meaningful experiences and memories and connect us to our sense of self. He moved a step further to study how music could evoke responses during a psychedelic experience. In doing so, he learned that there are both acute and long-term effects of psychedelic experiences on the brain, cognition, and emotions. With controlled psychedelic substances, there is a potential to alter the entire brain for a period of time and thus provide relief from negative emotions that cloud the mind. Capturing this controlled relief, Frederick's research suggests that, under the right conditions, psychedelics may have the potential to treat a wide range of mood and substance disorders.Frederick believes that music and psychedelics have the potential to open our minds and connect us with our most authentic selves. Watch his TEDMED 2020 Talk "The neuroscience of psychedelic drugs, music and nostalgia," now on TEDMED.com.
How music can rescue and restore our humanity TEDMED 2020-09-21 | Much research has shown that there is a deep connection between music and the mind. It sparks memory, invokes empathy, and allows for emotional release. Musical Visionary Beatie Wolfe suggests that it goes even a step farther. Beatie believes that music creates a profound imprint on the brain and has the ability to reach deeper than perhaps any other experience. She believes that this imprint is due in part to the storytelling, tangibility, and ceremony associated with music. When her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, she found that music could not only feed her own soul, but could evoke feeling from those who may no longer be able to connect or communicate. By bringing music to care homes across the UK, she saw dementia patients break out of mute or catatonic states, and pioneered a far-reaching movement around music for dementia.A lifelong musician and performer, Beatie Wolfe shares and describes the miraculous power of music. Watch her TEDMED 2020 Talk "How music can rescue and restore our humanity".
Whats next for healthcare reform TEDMED 2020-09-16 | Health Systems Architect Jonathan Gruber provides a detailed and emotional perspective evaluating the implications of health insurance on economic mobility and preventative care. As the premier architect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, he offers a detailed account of risk, cost, and economic efficiency in our approach to health insurance. In his TEDMED Talk, Jonathan highlights that critical components of the Affordable Care Act: “non-discrimination regulations, an individual mandate, and low income subsidies” were also the basis of Massachusetts’ first-in-the nation universal health care coverage plan. Drawing insights from his first hand experience designing healthcare to fit our times, Jon shares his thoughts on the road ahead in his TEDMED 2020 Talk, “What's next for healthcare reform.”
A simple, powerful way to help prevent teen suicide TEDMED 2020-09-10 | Today, teen suicide is an overwhelming problem in the US, with rates continuing to climb each year. Yet, Youth Suicide Interventionist Cheryl King shares that there's hope - we can solve this problem. Alongside existing medications and psychotherapies used to treat depression, Cheryl has built a community-based intervention called "Youth-Nominated Support Team" or "YST". Using a model of community support, she helps youth with an acute suicide risk create a network of trusted adults who they can turn to for support through their mental health journey. The program additionally supports these adults to become active and informed support systems for affected youth and teens.With a community based approach, in partnership with medication and psychotherapy, Cheryl and her team has seen a dramatic and lasting reduction in teen suicidality. Teen suicide is a heart-breaking issue that challenges our world daily, but we must not give up hope. Watch Cheryl King's TEDMED 2020 Talk “A simple, powerful way to help prevent teen suicide” to learn how community based interventions can change the future of teen suicide.
Why every story is a brain story TEDMED 2020-09-03 | In this powerful TEDMED 2020 Talk, Neurolaw Rebel Francis X. Shen makes a compelling case for merging the field of neuroscience with the legal system to move our society constantly closer to the truth. Neuroscience aids the informed decision making of attorneys and judges to use brain evidence for more effective criminal sentences, helps us protect individuals with cognitive disabilities from predatory financial scams, and so much more.Francis believes that in the law “every story is a brain story”. The law and neuroscience revolution will lead to many discoveries that will inform our pursuit of justice in law and policy. Watch his talk "Why every story is a brain story".
Nature, folklore and serendipitous photo collaborations TEDMED 2020-08-31 | Our connection to nature - and to the world around us - is difficult to measure. Yet, it is being documented in marvelous ways by Nordic Nature Artists Karoline Hjorth and Riitta Ikonen. Long time collaborators, Karoline and Riitta use their art to capture narratives around how humans participate in and communicate with their surroundings. Traveling the globe, they meet local collaborators and collectively create immersive art that captures modern human relationships to nature. Whether built with pine needles, carnivorous plants, or otherwise, these immersive portraits capture the balance between human life and the climate that surrounds us.There is a beautiful harmony that exists between humans and nature. See how it's captured by watching Riitta and Karoline in their 2020 TEDMED Talk "Nature, folklore and serendipitous photo collaborations".
How the US medical community fails Black mothers TEDMED 2020-08-27 | Maternal Care Reformer Wanda Irving had her life turned upside down when she lost her only daughter, Shalon Irving, at the hands of “the covert bias of her medical provider.” As Wanda explains, “that very bias, fueled by structural racism, is the root cause of disparities in health care. That very bias impacted Shalon’s outcome, and caused her to be included in the maternal mortality statistics for 2017.”In her powerful TEDMED Talk, "How the US medical community fails Black mothers", Wanda reveals the horrific statistics that feed into the systemic disparities which result in Black women dying at rates almost 300% higher than White women. Today, over 3 years later, Wanda is working to promote accountability measures in postpartum care bills and she invites us to use the full range of our resources to eliminate inequity.
The power of CRISPR Cas9 comes with great responsibility TEDMED 2020-08-25 | Spiderman and CRISPR-Taming Chemist Amit Choudhary both tell us that "with great power comes great responsibility". In Amit's case, he speaks of power and responsibility with CRISPR gene editing technology. Today, the gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 serves as a "genetic 'find and replace' function," that allows one to search and cut a DNA sequence at its precise location. Yet, this powerful tool must be used with great responsibility, given that a misstep could have irreversible consequences. Amit has pioneered precision tools - small molecule inhibitors, activators, and shredders - to control Cas9 activity. Having successfully fine-tuned CRISPR activity with first generation technologies, Amit is eager to pave the way for everyone to benefit from this gene editing technology safely and responsibly.Amit's journey with precision control tools for CRISPR-Cas9 demonstrates that responsible use of technology allows us to build solutions that are both effective and finely tuned. Watch his TEDMED 2020 Talk "The power of CRISPR-Cas9 comes with great responsibility", now on TEDMED.com.
How doctors can help fix the broken US asylum system TEDMED 2020-08-19 | Child Rights Physician Joseph Shin has been working with asylum seekers who have been harmed by targeted violence and human rights abuses. At TEDMED 2020, Joseph explained that careful medical evidence documentation of human rights abuses can inform the courts and affirm the need for protection for displaced populations who may be victims of gang activity and police corruption. Joseph’s research has implications for how we offer care and assistance to the rising number of asylum seekers at our borders and in our communities.Watch Joseph’s Talk "How doctors can help fix the broken US asylum system" for a sobering reality of our courts and immigration systems and for solutions for a hopeful future with an end to human rights abuses.
Bringing facts to life through ecological art TEDMED 2020-08-04 | We live in a time of information overload, inundated with facts about the world around us. When it comes to Climate Change, the data continues to be so overwhelming that it is easy to become jaded to it. That's why Ecological Artist Thijs Biersteker dedicates his work to helping us feel facts again. He argues that "if the facts can't reach us, how can they teach us?" Through immersive and interactive art installations, he collaborates with scientists and researchers to bring their findings to life. From demonstrating the impact of one cigarette butt on water pollution to turning "human beings into plastic beings," Thijs’ art is moving, impactful, and urges us to observe science through a new lens.When science and art unite, facts speak loud and clear. Watch Thijs' Talk, “Bringing facts to life through ecological art”, to experience the impact of ecological art in shaping our consciousness of climate change.
Why violence clusters in cities - and how to reduce it TEDMED 2020-07-15 | In his TEDMED 2020 Talk, Violence Reduction Expert Thomas Abt paints a realistic but hopeful picture of cities across the country. As Thomas says, “when it comes to urban violence, the first priority is to save lives, treating that violence with the same urgency that we would treat a gunshot wound in the ER.” It is through this avid level of advocacy and hundreds of hours spent with young men, disadvantaged and disenfranchised, that Thomas brings a new approach for how to make communities safer.Learn about why urban violence matters and the available solutions proven to work in addressing this challenge by watching Thomas’ Talk "Why violence clusters in cities - and how to reduce it".
Why we need medical diagnosis detectives TEDMED 2020-07-15 | Today, 30 million Americans suffer from rare diseases, and it takes an average of 6 years to unlock these diagnoses. But Diagnosis Detective, Lisa Sanders, suggests that it's not just rare diseases that we diagnose incorrectly. Diagnostic error is a large scale problem that costs numerous lives each year. So what do we do about it? Lisa shares that increased training, feedback, and specialization in medicine are the keys to improving diagnostic accuracy. She also looks to Sherlock Holmes for a new approach, suggesting that doctors should look at each new case through a detective's lens - with all evidence in front of them - rather than making a decision based on familiarity. In doing so, we can improve diagnoses, provide accurate treatments, and save lives. Watch Lisa Sanders’ 2020 TEDMED Talk, “Why we need medical diagnosis detectives”, to learn how a Sherlock Holmes approach to medicine could shape the future of diagnoses for rare diseases and beyond.
The courage to live with radical uncertainty TEDMED 2020-07-01 | At 27-years old, Compassion-Driven Oncologist Shekinah Elmore was accepted to medical school and diagnosed with two different cancers, lung cancer and breast cancer. Despite all odds and in a period of grand uncertainty, Shekinah started medical school. Driven by her personal experience with a p53 gene mutation, Shekinah decided to become a radiation oncologist. Shekinah imparts on us that “a devastating genetic diagnosis means learning to live with uncertainty”. Watch Shekinah’s Talk, "The courage to live with radical uncertainty," to learn how living with uncertainty can inspire moving forward with a fulfilling life composed of equal opportunities and equal challenges.
How small collective actions create a water secure world TEDMED 2020-06-24 | Water is a central life force for our Earth and its people. But Water Conservationist Jyoti Sharma shares that half of the world is struggling with water scarcity. Whether lack of clean water or a shortage of water altogether, water scarcity leads to water-related disease, food shortage, and an inability to make clothes, medicines, and more. Often, we perceive parallels between water and wealth - that water scarcity affects only the poor - but recent evidence shows that even wealthy nations face major issues with water security. Jyoti argues that if we each take small collective actions to conserve water, and empower fellow community members to do the same, we can create a paradigm shift towards water security worldwide.Water scarcity is a global issue that grows in scale each day. But water security isn't a myth - it is a reality for our future. Watch Jyoti's TEDMED 2020 Talk, “How small collective actions create a water secure world,” to learn what actions you can take to build a water secure world.
A dose of reality about generic drugs TEDMED 2020-06-17 | 12 years ago, Investigative Journalist Katherine Eban received a phone call that would be the start of the investigation of a lifetime. Katherine walks us through the horrifying truths of generics, validated by over a decade of whistleblower interviews, on-the-ground reporting across four continents, and the tracking of confidential files from the FDA, generic drug companies, and courts. Katherine’s investigation reveals a world of for-profit substandard drugs that are passed off as legitimate generics through defiance of FDA regulation and fraud. Katherine is on a public health mission to save the health of patients around the world. She insists that solutions to the overseas generic drug manufacturing problems lie in the hands of the FDA.Solutions, Katherine says, can begin with “rigorous oversight including unannounced inspections and systematic testing of drugs”. Watch Katherine’s Talk "A dose of reality about generic drugs" to learn more.
Using neural dust to eavesdrop on our organs TEDMED 2020-06-10 | In today's world of wearables, we have begun to receive information about our bodies in real time, and with relative ease. What if we could take this a step further to not only track our health rate or burnt calories, but to understand organ function? Extreme Miniaturization Engineer Michel Maharbiz is actively working to make this a reality. As a co-inventor of "neural dust," Michel uses an ultrasonic interface of millimeter-scale implants to get a closer look at organs in real time. With a miniature lens into the body, we will be able to understand how our habits affect organ function on a daily basis. In doing so, we can build healthy habits, easily share our health status with providers, and make waves in the progress of preventative health care.Using neural dust and extreme miniaturization techniques, Michel allows us to observe organs like never before. Watch his TEDMED 2020 Talk, "Using neural dust to eavesdrop on our organs," to learn how a tiny new window into the human body could redefine the future of human health.
The link between climate change, health and poverty TEDMED 2020-06-03 | Over the last 5-7 years, Clinician for Climate Action Cheryl Holder has noticed the rise of a different epidemic among vulnerable and low-resource populations. She is witnessing first hand the impact of climate change on the health of her Florida patients and advocates for comprehensive medical prevention and care strategies to address inequities. Cheryl is convinced that by providing a model of medicine that incorporates economic and social justice, clinicians can help prepare their patients for the climate related health challenges they will face. Watch Cheryl’s Talk "The link between climate change, health and poverty" to learn more about her proposed tools and strategies that would make for a robust medical response to climate change.
How to raise kids who can overcome anxiety TEDMED 2020-05-27 | Youth Anxiety Psychologist Anne Marie Albano tells us that anxiety is the most common psychiatric condition affecting today's youth. Thinking back to her own personal journey with fears, stressors, and phobias, she has built a career that analyzes the "why" behind childhood anxiety. Through numerous studies, she has come to understand that exposure to phobias actually helps children build coping mechanisms to not only deal with those fears in real time, but to cope with anxiety in the long run. Her work now centers about Cognitive Behavioral Exposure Therapy to help children and families grapple with anxiety and build sustained resilience.An expert in childhood anxiety, Anne Marie has been a guiding source for parents, children, and families. Watch her advice on tackling youth anxiety in her TEDMED 2020 Talk, "How to raise kids who can overcome anxiety".
How to meaningfully reconnect with those who have dementia TEDMED 2020-05-21 | Thirty years ago, Creative Gerontologist Anne Basting experienced a moment in time that would change the course of her life forever. Since then, she has been on a journey of inviting patients with cognitive disabilities into creative expression. By making way for what Anne calls “Beautiful Questions”, we can invite another person into a shared world of discovery, shift away from the expectation of memory, and move toward the freedom of imagination.Anne believes that bringing creative care to scale – embedded within care systems – could ease so much pain. Could we really do it? Watch Anne’s Talk "How to meaningfully reconnect with those who have dementia" to learn how she brings together artists, staff, and elders to reimagine stories and create beauty and meaning – together.
Advocating for people with serious mental health illness TEDMED 2020-05-19 | Many years have passed since the broad scale deinstitutionalization of long term mental health care, but have these institutions really gone away? Laurie Hallmark, Mental Health Rights Defender, argues that deinstitutionalization simply turned old institutions into new ones — shifting those with serious mental illness from long term hospital care into homelessness, short term hospital commitments, and the criminal justice system. At its core, Laurie suggests, the systems in place to support those with mental illness have failed. Currently, the system takes a one size fits all approach, rather than recognizing the needs of individuals and using "sensible reality solutions'' to meet folks where they are. Laurie has developed highly personalized Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs) to support those with serious mental illness from a place of understanding, advocacy, and compassion. With a human-centric approach, Laurie believes that the mental health system can be inverted to develop sustainable solutions that integrate those with serious mental illness into our society. Learn more about her approach by watching her TEDMED 2020 Talk "Advocating for people with serious mental illness".
What if the healthcare system could deliver personalized experiences that rival Pinterest & Netflix? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Leah SparksCEO & Founder, Wildflower Health----Wildflower Health empowers women and their families to confidently navigate and access the care they need, when they need it. By deeply integrating our technology into healthcare and personalizing the user experience, we help the entire healthcare ecosystem meet the expectations of today's consumer, driving a meaningful impact on health for entire families.
What if we gave women more ownership over their pelvic exam? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Mercy AsieduCTO & Co-Founder, Calla Health Foundation----Calla Health Foundation was born out of the Center for Global Women’s Health Technologies at Duke University. Their technology, the Callascope, employs low-light imaging technology to visualize the inner vagina and cervix, enabling people with a cervix to comfortably explore their own inner reproductive anatomy in the privacy of their homes. The Callascope is low-cost, portable, and connects to a mobile device or a tablet, replacing the traditional speculum exam that uses an expensive colposcope which acts as a barrier to healthcare in low resourced settings. Moreover, the Callascope employs a decision-making algorithm that can detect precancerous symptoms in the cervix. Through technological innovation, the Callascope disrupts barriers to healthcare, offering an alternative for people with a cervix to take charge of their own health.
What if we could not only read your genome, but directly interrogate your epigenome? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: William DunbarCTO & Co-Founder, Ontera Bio ----Ontera Bio is democratizing precision diagnostics to create a more sustainable planet. By counting molecules that matter, we enable fast and precise identification of targets, diseases and resistances where and when needed. With the development of NanoDetector and NanoMapper, our platforms are positioned to revolutionize molecular diagnostics. We fight the rise of super pests in plants, animals and humans by identifying pathogens and treatment resistance at the point of need. By bringing molecular precision to the field, we enable a more efficient and transparent supply chain. We are building tools to map the epigenome that will accelerate research and innovation in human health and agricultural technology.
What if we could harness the human immune system to conquer our most devastating diseases? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Ted SchenkelbergCOO & Co-Founder, The Human Vaccines Project ----The Human Vaccines Project is a bold public-private initiative that aims to decode the human immune system to make the next leap forward in human health. Pioneering a new era in health, the Project will enable the creation of next-generation vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies across diseases.
What if human service providers were at the same priority level as healthcare providers? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Taylor JusticePresident & Co-Founder, Unite US----Unite Us is a technology company that builds coordinated care networks of health and human service providers. With Unite Us, providers across sectors can send and receive secure referrals, track every person’s total health journey, and report on tangible outcomes across a full range of services in a centralized, cohesive, and collaborative ecosystem. Unite Us’ dedicated team builds authentic, lasting partnerships to ensure their networks have a solid foundation, launch successfully, and continue to grow and thrive. This social infrastructure helps communities transform their ability to work together and measure impact at scale.
What if patients were able to have their freedom back? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Richard HanburyCEO & Founder, Sana Health----Sana Health is a neuromodulation wearable for the control of chronic pain, addiction and anxiety. Sana uses audio/visual stimulation to guide the user into a state of deep relaxation in 10 minutes, this also consistently increases neuroplasticity - dramatically impacting base pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety levels over time. With the recent wins at UCSF Digital Health Awards and NATO Innovation Summit, Sana is getting recognition which points to the need for clinically proven alternatives to pharmacological solutions in the neurosphere. Pain, addiction and anxiety are widespread problems that Sana hopes to play a major role in helping alleviate - starting with Fibromyalgia.
What if we could replace the molecule with the algorithm? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Peter HamesCEO & Co-Founder, Big Health----Big Health’s purpose is to help millions back to good mental health using digital therapeutics — fully automated behavioral programs backed by world class scientific evidence. Big Health’s lead products are Sleepio™ for helping individuals address poor sleep and Daylight™ for helping individuals address worry and anxiety. Designed by leading clinical experts, Big Health’s solutions are based on cognitive and behavioral techniques and have been evaluated in 33 peer-reviewed research publications, including 10 randomized controlled trials. With offices in London and San Francisco, Big Health’s products are available through multinational employers and major health plans, covering over 12 million people.
What if we could understand the invisible microbial world around us? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Niamh O'HaraCEO & Co-Founder, Biotia----Biotia leverages Genomics and AI to Provide Diagnostic Insights. Current infectious disease diagnostic tools are failing us. Culturing, the current gold standard and technology from the 1800s, misses many important pathogens and requires many labor intensive tests. Newer PCR-based tests are limited, problematic and don’t provide drug resistance information. The result is high levels of mortality and drug resistance. At Biotia, we fight infectious disease and drug resistance using rapid precision diagnostics. We work with hospitals internationally, leveraging next-generation DNA sequencing, and our artificial intelligence software to guide patient treatment and save lives.
What if patients had the power to jumpstart drug research for their own conditions? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Nancy YuCEO & Co-Founder, RDMD----RDMD’s mission is to empower patients and communities to accelerate the development of treatments for rare diseases of all kinds. RDMD makes it easy for patients and families to participate in drug research from home.
What if kids were the authors of their own health journeys? TEDMED 2020-05-15 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Sunny WilliamsCo-Founder, Tiny Docs-------Tiny Docs makes Health Caretoons—animated cartoons that teach kids about their health in a fun, relatable, and easy-to-understand way. Our content library covers medical procedures, chronic health conditions, and general wellness. Every Tiny Docs video is vetted by our board of pediatricians, child life specialists, and nurses to ensure all of the information is medically accurate and beneficial.
Exposing the deadly health risks of incarceration TEDMED 2020-05-13 | After years of investigating injuries in the NYC jails, Prisoner Health Warrior Homer Venters determined that a new injury surveillance system is required in order to adequately report injuries among patients in jail settings. This led Homer to uncover how the jail setting itself could pose health risks to patients. Homer discovered two specific and deadly health risks of jail: “jail attributable death” and “dual loyalty”. Homer and his team began training health staff in jails and prisons on these concepts.With Homer’s help, the Justice Department launched a formal investigation into brutality behind bars, making way for transparency about data reporting in jails and prisons.To learn about approaches that would make a tremendous difference in closing the “unconscionable divide” between community health and correctional health, watch Homer’s 2020 TEDMED Talk "Exposing the deadly health risks of incarceration".
What if everyone in the world had access to the right diagnosis and roadmap to cure their disease? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Andrew BeckCEO & Co-Founder, PathAI----PathAI is a leading provider of AI-powered research tools and services for pathology. PathAI’s platform promises substantial improvements to the accuracy of diagnosis and the efficacy of treatment of diseases like cancer, leveraging modern approaches in machine and deep learning. Based in Boston, PathAI works with leading life sciences companies and researchers to advance precision medicine.
What if you could immediately morph into a doctor the next time you got sick? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Andrew LeCEO & Co-Founder, Buoy Health----Buoy Health is an AI-driven digital assistant that helps patients self-diagnose and triage to the appropriate care. By leveraging AI, Buoy provides consumers with a real-time, accurate analysis of their symptoms, acts as a first line of care, and helps users get better.
What if personalized technology could ensure that no one is held back by mental illness? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Andy BlackwellChief Scientist, Eight Billion Minds----Eight Billion Minds is developing new technology to deliver accessible and personalized psychological therapy on a global scale. By applying deep learning and clinical data science to hundreds of thousands of hours of real-world therapy data, Eight Billion Minds is determining what really works to help patients get better. Eight Billion Minds is a research and development program of Ieso Digital Health, the UK’s largest provider of online mental healthcare.
What if guessing had no place in mental healthcare, and we went from what might work to what will? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: April KohCEO & Co-Founder, Spring Health----Spring Health leverages data to bring clarity to mental healthcare - from early detection, to full recovery and beyond. We’ve pioneered a new approach - Precision Mental Healthcare - that leverages data to identify the right treatment option for the right person at the right time, and predict what is most likely to help them recover. The Spring Health solution has led to 2X higher recovery rates, shorter recovery times by up to eight weeks, and lower healthcare costs. Our approach was recently recognized by the World Economic Forum and endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, and is used by Fortune 500 companies like Gap and Whole Foods as well as high-growth technology companies like Box, Equinox, and Banfield Pet Hospital.
What if we can query the body instead of a biological sample to intercept early disease? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Gabe KwongCo-Founder, Glympse Bio----Glympse Bio was built by a team that is pioneering miniaturized biological sensors. Using breakthroughs in science, engineering, medicine and artificial intelligence – the sensors are designed to be deployed inside the body and query target organs for indicators of disease activity. In many of today’s most common and serious diseases, few biological markers have been identified that can reliably detect early disease or track response to treatment. Our mission is to build a future where disease is intercepted earlier, better therapies are developed faster, people don’t become patients and patients are returned to health.
What if we put women and families at the center of the healthcare system? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Jane van DisMedical Director, Maven----Maven Clinic is the leading women’s and family healthcare company, disrupting how the market and employers are approaching healthcare for working families. By offering high-tech and high-touch support through Maven's award-winning platform, global companies are able to attract and retain talent while improving the health and economic outcomes of their employees. Named one of Fast Company's "10 Most Innovative Healthcare Companies," Maven advances women’s health, family planning, and diversity in the workforce by empowering parents to plan or start a family while growing their careers. Maven’s custom programs support every path to parenthood including: egg freezing, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, pediatrics, adoption, surrogacy, return-to-work, breast milk shipping, and reimbursement management. Founded in 2014 by Katherine Ryder, Maven has raised more than $42MM.
What if no one ever had to lose a limb due to diabetes? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Jonathan BloomCEO & Co-Founder, Podimetrics----Podimetrics is a care management company with the leading solution to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), one of the most debilitating and costly complications of diabetes. On behalf of payers and at-risk providers, we send high-risk patients our FDA-cleared, cellular-connected SmartMat. After placing their feet on the mat for 20 seconds a day, patients’ data are automatically sent to our care management team that helps address any concerning findings. Combining cutting-edge technology with best-in-class care management, Podimetrics earns high engagement rates from patients and allows clinicians to achieve unparalleled outcomes saving limbs, lives, and money. Founded in 2011 by a physician and engineers from MIT and Harvard, Podimetrics is headquartered in Somerville, MA and backed by Norwich Ventures, Scientific Health Development, and Rock Health.
What if we could harness animal superpowers to cure our worst diseases? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Katharine Grabek Chief Scientific Officer, Fauna Bio----Fauna Bio is pushing beyond the classic mouse model to develop a cross-mammal drug discovery platform that takes advantage of 100 million years of evolution.
What if every human had access to the best medical expertise in the world? TEDMED 2020-05-08 | TEDMED 2020 Hive Innovator: Kevin QuennessonChief Executive Officer, Braid.Health----Braid.Health is a digital health innovation company focused on the development and delivery of an AI powered diagnostic collaboration platform for radiology and the healthcare industry. Braid.Health's first solution, an AI powered end-to-end teleradiology brings patients instant, reliable access to medical care from board certified radiologists. We believe everyone deserves access to the best medical expertise, regardless of where they live, how much money they have, or what they know - access to medical expertise should be universal. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, the company was founded in 2018 by Kevin Quennesson and Alessandro Sabatelli, developers behind the Apple Watch, iPhone and Siri. The company is backed by Lux Capital and other prominent investors including former Twitter CEO and COO Dick Costolo and Adam Bain.
