March 26, 2025 • 23 mins
Geographic destiny shouldn't determine your health destiny, yet your zip code remains one of the strongest predictors of how long and how well you'll live. Dr. Jean Accius, President and CEO of Creating Healthier Communities (CHC), brings this stark reality to light in our compelling conversation about health equity and cross-sector solutions.
Drawing from his unique career spanning private, public, and nonprofit leadership roles, Dr. Accius shares wisdom that crosses boundaries: "No organization can solve these issues in isolation." This multi-sectorial approach forms the backbone of his strategy at CHC, where partnerships between companies, government agencies, and nonprofits tackle barriers affecting health and longevity across communities.
The discussion takes on personal dimensions when Dr. Accius reveals the influence of his 101-year-old grandmother, who despite dementia, continues to provide wisdom with her consistent reminder to "be strong." This mantra anchors his leadership during challenging times, reflecting the resilience needed to address America's most pressing health challenges—particularly the crisis in aging care, where nursing home costs exceed $120,000 annually and family caregivers provide an estimated $660 billion in uncompensated care.
Perhaps most powerful is Dr. Accius framework for creating healthier communities through what he calls the "three P's": Personal responsibility for individual health choices, Public responsibility through government programs like Medicaid, and Private responsibility from businesses to create healthier workforces and communities. As technology and AI transform healthcare delivery, Dr. Accius emphasizes that we must ensure these advancements reach all communities equitably.
Ready to break down barriers to health in your community? Visit chcimpact.org to learn how you can partner with CHC in their mission to ensure every person, regardless of zip code, has the opportunity to live their healthiest life.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Welcome to the IdeaGen Catalyze Impact Podcast.
Today I have the pleasure andprivilege of having Dr Gene
Axias, President and CEO ofCreating Healthier Communities,
CHC, with us, Gene, welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Well, thank you so much, George, for having me.
I'm deeply honored to be partof having this conversation with
you today.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Gene, you know changing the world's not easy.
You continue to inspire me andto do incredible things, and so
for our global audience, on thisincredible podcast we have here
, your career spans the private,the public, the nonprofit
sectors.
Gene, how has this experienceacross the sectors shaped your
(00:59):
approach to leadership andproblem solving in the aging,
health and long-term caresectors?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Well, george, I think that's a great question and I
think for many leaders,especially in this environment
of turbulence, of uncertaintyand complexity, we really have
to be thinking about what arethe ways to move our missions
forward to meet the needs ofthose we serve in the
environment in which we're in.
So the opportunity to have hadan opportunity to work in the
(01:29):
private sector, to have workedin the public sector and to now
work in the nonprofit sector isone that I bring with so much
admiration and also humility, inpart because of the fact that
no one organization can solvethese issues in isolation.
It really does take amulti-sectorial approach,
meaning the fact that no oneorganization can solve these
issues in isolation.
It really does take amulti-sectorial approach,
(01:50):
meaning the fact that you havewhether it's companies working
with government or companiesworking with nonprofits or
government working withnonprofits really looking at
those partnerships as a means toreally solve many of the
barriers that impact people'shealth and longevity.
So that is an amazing way toreally think about solving very
big and complex challengesfacing our country.
(02:10):
One of my favorite authors isBryan Stevenson and he's the
executive director of theEco-Justice Initiative and he
wrote the book called Just Mercyand in the book he says that
you cannot be an effectiveproblem solver from a distance.
There are nuances and detailsyou will miss unless you
actually get close, and part ofthat getting close is
understanding those nuances.
And what I know for sure fromworking at the Center for
(02:32):
Medicare and Medicaid Services,or working at AARP, or working
for a huge retirement communityin South Florida, or working for
the state of Florida and theDepartment of Elder Affairs and
now leading CHC CreatingHealthier Communities, is the
fact that many of theseorganizations and most of these
sectors really have best ofintentions in terms of trying to
(02:55):
solve the challenges facingeveryday people as they try to
live their best lives.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
As the Senior Vice President of Global Thought
Leadership at AARP and nowPresident and CEO of CHC
Creating Healthier Communities,gene, how do you see that
intersection of aging, healthand equity in shaping public
policy and improving lives on aglobal scale?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
I think where you live matters.
In fact, we know that your zipcode is a clear indicator of
your longevity, your lifeexpectancy.
In many cases, the quality ofyour life, whether that is
actually here in the UnitedStates or abroad, where you live
has huge implications for howlong and how well you actually
live.
So the opportunity to have hadthe great fortune of working at
(03:47):
AARP, leading the global thoughtleadership work, and to see how
the issues of health care,equity, access, to understand
that, whether or not you live ina rural community or you live
in an urban community in theUnited States or you live abroad
and you're part of a developedworld or not, that at urban
community in the United Statesor you live abroad and you're a
part of a developed world or notthat, at the end of the day,
(04:09):
the fundamentals of do you seeme, do you hear me?
Does what I have to say matter,is a universal experience.
The idea that the systems, orthe lack thereof, actually puts
the person and their families inthe center or not, is a
universal experience.
(04:30):
The barriers that manycommunities actually face is a
universal experience, and thatuniversal experience varies by
gender, it varies by geography,it varies by socioeconomic
status.
It varies by all the differentfactors that actually make us
(04:50):
who we are as individuals.
So the connections globally andspecifically within the US are
there.
The US spends significantlymore on health care, but yet we
see worse outcomes.
So the question is what can weactually learn from other
countries in terms of exactlyhow they've been able to address
the needs of their populationin ways that not is only
(05:14):
cost-effective but also producesbetter health outcomes, and
what are the opportunities tobring those learnings here to
the US, as well as what we'velearned here in the United
States in terms of exactly whatare the innovations that are
taking place and how do weactually scale those more
broadly?
Again, at the end of the day,george, health is so personal,
and what I enjoy about the workthat we do is that we know that
(05:36):
when we talk about lifeexpectancy, what we're really
talking about is time Time to dothe things that you care so
deeply about.
Time to engage with your familyand your friends.
Time to watch your kids growold and get older and get
married and hit all thosedifferent milestones.
Time to do the things thatbring you so much joy, and we
know that, unfortunately,depending on where you live.
That might actually impact howmuch time you have to do those
(05:59):
things that you care so deeplyabout, that you care so deeply
about.
So at CHC, even when I was atAARP, that was something that we
cared so deeply about is how dowe actually close those gaps
and ensure that, regardless ofwhere you live, you have an
equal opportunity to maximizeyour time here on Earth?
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Well and Gene, you've had a significant role in
helping shape policies toimprove access to healthcare for
vulnerable populations.
What do you believe is the mostpressing issue we need to
address today to ensureequitable healthcare access for
aging populations?
Speaker 2 (06:38):
There's a couple of things that I think that,
particularly given where we aretoday, that is critically
important.
That when we invest inprevention, when we invest in
ensuring that people have anopportunity to live their
healthiest life whether that isensuring that in your
neighborhood you have a parkthat you can actually go and
walk and play, whether that isensuring that you have access to
(07:01):
adequate health care, whetherthat is ensuring that you are
able to have access to good foodoptions and housing options in
your locality is criticallyimportant.
We notice that so much of yourhealth actually happens outside
of the healthcare system.
It is where you eat, where youplay, where you pray, where you
(07:22):
work.
So how do we ensure that all ofthose factors are really
working in tandem to improveyour overall health?
So, if I could invest, if Icould actually highlight some
key areas of opportunity for usas leaders, whether that is in
the private sector, in thepublic sector or in the
nonprofit sector, it is toreally think about a couple of
things.
(07:42):
One is what are we able to dowithin our sphere of control and
influence to improve the healthof those that we care so deeply
about, meaning the fact thatour workers, our workforce, our
community.
To what extent can we ensurethat they have access to mental
health services?
Can we ensure that theyactually have access to adequate
prevention opportunities?
(08:04):
Can we ensure that theyactually have access to the
tools that they need to actuallybe in the driver's seat of
their own destiny and ensurethat they are fully engaged in
their own healthcare decisions?
So I do think that there is anopportunity, as leaders across
sectors, to think about healthpromotion, health information,
health literacy, and that cutsacross again all different
(08:26):
communities across the countryand globally.
The second thing is that it iscritically important to ensure
that we are meeting the needs ofan aging population and those
that actually care for them.
Unfortunately, in our country,we know that there is a lack of
a system when it comes toactually providing care for
older adults as relates toeating, bathing, dressing and
(08:51):
their long-term care needs, and,in fact, medicaid is the
primary payer for long-termservices and supports in our
country.
If you need access to a nursinghome, today, according to
Genworth, the cost of a nursinghome in the United States, for a
private room, is over $120,000a year.
That is right, george over$120,000 a year.
If you need help in terms ofassisted living, you're looking
(09:14):
at anywhere between $54,000 to$60,000 a year.
Living, you're looking atanywhere between $54,000 to
$60,000 a year.
And then, if you need help withactually having someone come
into your home to provide healthcare services, you're looking
at somewhere around $40,000 ayear.
So the key point here is that itdoesn't matter where you live
in the United States, the costof long-term care is
unaffordable for the vastmajority of older adults, and
(09:34):
family caregivers, who areoftentimes unpaid, really take
on the emotion of the financialand physical expenses of
providing this care.
They spend roughly 20% of theirdollars out of pocket to support
their family members.
They are what I refer to asfirst responders in the delivery
of long-term care, actuallyhelping to preserve about $660
(10:01):
billion of uncompensated carethat, in the absence of family
caregivers, the government wouldhave to actually pick up.
So we have some work to do and,as we have these conversations
around Medicaid in particular, Ithink it's important for all of
your viewers to understand thatthis would have a direct impact
on older adults and thefamilies who care so deeply
about them, that this would havea direct impact on your workers
(10:25):
who are caregivers and rely onMedicaid to support their
families or themselves.
So this conversation that istaking place in DC currently
around potential reform in theMedicaid program really impacts
all of us Republicans,conservatives, independents,
democrats.
In fact, there was a Kaiserpoll that actually indicated
(10:46):
that the overwhelming majorityof the population actually
supports the Medicaid program,and I think that's an important
thing for us to be thinkingabout, because it also has huge
economic implications in termsof jobs at the local level, as
well as meeting the needs ofthose who need it the most.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
And so, gene, your leadership at CHC clearly is
helping to assist the mostvulnerable.
And I want to shift a bit togiants Now.
We all stand on the shouldersof giants and for you, one of
those giants was yourgrandmother.
(11:25):
How did your grandmother, howdid your grandmother and I had
one of those grandmothers, so weshare that.
How did your grandmotherinfluence your work today and
your focus and your leadership?
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, george, I really appreciate that question.
My grandmother is still with us.
She's 101 years old.
She has dementia mild tosometimes very severe, depending
on the day but I will tell youthat I continue to learn from
her, that learning neveractually stops.
(12:06):
I had an opportunity to see hera couple of months ago and I try
to see her as often as I can,and even though she's bedridden
she's bed bound, if you will shehas a lot of strength.
I mean, she is strong.
She is physically strong andmentally strong.
I chuckle, in part because ofthe fact that every time she
(12:29):
sees me, she says be strong,remember who you are, Be strong.
And I tell you that in thetoughest of days, I have to
channel that in order to getthrough the day and in order to
be able to be anchored.
To get through the day and inorder to be able to be anchored,
this idea and this watching mygrandmother really do so much
with so little, and even at theage of 101 years old, being
(12:55):
bedridden, and their day.
She doesn't even know who I am,but she sensed who I am and she
would hold my hand and say bestrong.
And the other aspect of this,too, is that she clearly
understand her boundaries, andthat is something that I've
really appreciated about mygrandmother, even at 101 years
old.
I mean, you see me kind ofchuckling, because the last time
I was with her she refused toeat, and when I tried to
(13:18):
convince her I said, hey,grandma, please eat something
for me.
And she's like no, I am notgoing to eat, I don't want that
right now.
So she really understands herpreferences, but it's that
spirit of strength, that spiritthat you know she has dementia,
but dementia doesn't have her,if that makes sense.
That even though that there aredays where she cannot remember
(13:39):
who I am, there are also dayswhere she sits there and gives
wise counsel and says be strong.
And I think that is the NorthStar.
She raised me from the time ofmy birth to the age of four and
then she lived with us as I wasgoing through high school and I
(14:00):
learned a lot from her.
Again, this is someone whodidn't have a lot, but she
continues to be spiritually rich.
She continues to through heractions, continual dedication
(14:27):
and her continual commitment toenvisioning something that I did
not see when I was growing upmy grandma did not have a
college education.
She did not have a high schooleducation.
She could not read nor couldshe write, but yet every morning
she would wake up and she wouldgo out there into the
marketplace to ensure that andsell goods and services and
(14:48):
products, to ensure that I canactually get an education.
Before I came to the UnitedStates at the age of four, when
she moved to the country and Iwas in high school and at that
point in time high schools forme started around like 730 in
the morning my grandmotherbecause she could not tell time
would wake up at five o'clock inthe morning and say hey, coco,
that's my nickname, yes, I willsay that publicly.
(15:09):
She would say it's time to getup and get ready for school.
She understood the value ofeducation as a vehicle for
upward mobility and she was verydetermined to see me succeed,
even when I could not see thatin myself, and for that I'm
forever grateful.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
You know, gene, so incredibly inspiring to hear how
the giants in your life, inthis case your grandmother, has
impacted you, 101 years old andso amazing to hear those words
of wisdom.
And so amazing to hear thosewords of wisdom which two words
be strong.
How that can change someone'slife, how that can be a reminder
(15:52):
.
And, at 101, I think we have tolisten to your grandmother and
say, if she's saying be strong,and you're highlighting how
mentally tough she is, that'sone example of the way we need
to live our lives.
We need to be strong.
(16:13):
I mean, that's such greatadvice because we all have those
moments where you're like gosh,you know.
Whatever it is, you know.
And so, as we prepare toconclude this just profound
interview, what role, gene, doyou see technology playing in
the future?
I mean, we're seeing AI clearlychanging the world already and,
(16:37):
specifically, how do you see itimpacting the future of
healthcare, aging, and how canwe ensure, gene, that it is used
in ways that benefit everyone,including those that are
marginalized?
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So thank you for that question, george.
I had an opportunity toparticipate at a forum and it
was around consumer engagementin their own health care, and in
that forum, there's adiscussion around the different
tools and technology that isavailable now to really empower
consumers to be in the driver'sseat of their own destiny, and I
(17:17):
fully support that, whetherthat is the use of AI or the use
of apps, or you know, I havethis aura ring and I tell you,
ever since I got it, I've beenmore intentional about my health
.
You have the apps on your cellphone that is basically able to
track the number of steps oryour heartbeat or your sleep
patterns.
I think all of those areextremely helpful in terms of
(17:38):
building a much healthier life.
I also think that, with the useof AI and the ability for AI
and these different technologyplatforms to help providers with
focusing more on the patientexperience, on the consumer
experience, is also a tremendousvalue add, and I also think
(17:59):
that there's an opportunity,particularly through technology
and how that is literallyrevolutionizing how care is
being delivered and provided andcommunicated in our country.
It's going to be extremelybeneficial for us, both in terms
of improving our overallquality of life, as well as
improving and adding to thenumber of years we have with
quality of life.
(18:20):
I also think that there's anopportunity for us to be very
intentional about technology,the apps, the tools, ai and all
the different forms in terms ofensuring that individuals are
not actually left behind, andwhat I mean by that is the fact
that, when we think about thefuture of healthcare, we have to
look at it from what I refer toas the three Ps that there's a
(18:42):
personal responsibility.
I am responsible for mypersonal health and my personal
health choices.
There is a publicresponsibility, right, meaning
the fact that what is the roleof government we just talked
about government Medicaid andthen that there's also a private
responsibility.
What are the responsibilitiesof the private sector,
businesses in ensuring that theyare creating a healthier
(19:05):
workforce and a healthiercommunity in terms of their
place of employment?
So these three P's arecritically important.
In addition to that, there's asystem level, meaning the fact
that it is important to realizethat there are system
improvements that we canactually look at to improve with
regards to how care isdelivered across our country and
(19:28):
ensuring that the delivery ofhealthcare, healthcare services,
these technology tools, areevenly distributed, particularly
in communities that havelimited resources, and I think
that's critically important,meaning the fact that all the
onus cannot be on the individual, because the complexity of our
healthcare system is such thatoftentimes the needs and the
(19:51):
experiences of the individualare an afterthought rather than
at the center.
And, particularly if you comefrom a marginalized community,
you're often in the margins ofthe system itself, so that as we
move forward, as we think aboutthe future of healthcare, it's
going to be incumbent upon allof us to be intentional about
who's not actually receivingthese services, who are being
(20:15):
left behind.
What could we potentially do toensure that we are embedding
the lived experiences of everysingle person?
And the development of theproducts, and then also the
acceptability and affordabilityof those products, I think is
going to be critically important.
Otherwise, what I fear, if weare not intentional thinking
(20:35):
about the collective, if we'renot intentional thinking about
how interdependent we are as asociety that the disparities
that we actually see withregards to health care and the
differences in life expectancywill only get worse.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Dr Gene Axios, President and CEO of Creating
Healthier Communities.
Gene, what is your call toaction for our global audience
and how can folks find out moreabout all the incredible work
you're doing at CHC?
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Well, first of all, I just want to thank you, george.
I think these platforms arecritically important because we
have an opportunity to learnfrom each other and to think
about ways where we can actuallycollaborate.
As I mentioned earlier, it'scritically important for us to
think about partnerships.
As an organization, chcCreating Healthier Communities
has been around for over 70years.
We touch about 5,000 nonprofitson an annual basis, over 600
(21:30):
businesses, and we're incommunities across the country.
So we want to join forces withorganizations and individuals
who care deeply about franklyensuring that every community is
healthy and that every singleperson, regardless of your zip
code, has an opportunity to livetheir healthiest life.
We believe very strongly in theadministration's focus to make
(21:50):
America healthier again and thatthis has to be a generational
cause.
So, with that, I ask yourviewers to join us, because what
we're doing here is reallybreaking down those barriers and
ensuring that every singleperson has an opportunity to
maximize their time on earth,doing the things that they care
so deeply about and contributingto our collective society and
the fabric that make us allhuman.
So, with that, please visit usat chcimpactorg.
(22:14):
Learn more about the work thatwe actually are doing to break
down barriers across the countryPartner with us.
We have global companies whoare engaged with us, and we're
also very engaged in what werefer to as our Leadership
Council for HealthierCommunities, which is a group of
(22:35):
global leaders who areextremely committed to
addressing the barriers tohealth and community health and
well-being overall.
So, george, I just want tothank you.
I want to thank you for yourleadership, I thank you for your
passion.
I thank you for your ability toconvene thought leaders and
change makers across differentsectors and industries to solve,
frankly, only the toughestchallenges that we can only
solve together.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Dr Gene Axios, President and CEO of Creating
Healthier Communities.
You're leading the way, myfriend.
Thanks for all you're doing tochange the world.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Thank you for your leadership and thank you for
your partnership, George.
I greatly appreciate our timetogether.
Thank you, Gene.
Welcome to the IdeaGen Catalyze Impact Podcast.
Today I have the pleasure andprivilege of having Dr Gene
Axias, President and CEO ofCreating Healthier Communities,
CHC, with us, Gene, welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Well, thank you so much, George, for having me.
I'm deeply honored to be partof having this conversation with
you today.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Gene, you know changing the world's not easy.
You continue to inspire me andto do incredible things, and so
for our global audience, on thisincredible podcast we have here
, your career spans the private,the public, the nonprofit
sectors.
Gene, how has this experienceacross the sectors shaped your
(00:59):
approach to leadership andproblem solving in the aging,
health and long-term caresectors?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Well, george, I think that's a great question and I
think for many leaders,especially in this environment
of turbulence, of uncertaintyand complexity, we really have
to be thinking about what arethe ways to move our missions
forward to meet the needs ofthose we serve in the
environment in which we're in.
So the opportunity to have hadan opportunity to work in the
(01:29):
private sector, to have workedin the public sector and to now
work in the nonprofit sector isone that I bring with so much
admiration and also humility, inpart because of the fact that
no one organization can solvethese issues in isolation.
It really does take amulti-sectorial approach,
meaning the fact that no oneorganization can solve these
issues in isolation.
It really does take amulti-sectorial approach,
(01:50):
meaning the fact that you havewhether it's companies working
with government or companiesworking with nonprofits or
government working withnonprofits really looking at
those partnerships as a means toreally solve many of the
barriers that impact people'shealth and longevity.
So that is an amazing way toreally think about solving very
big and complex challengesfacing our country.
(02:10):
One of my favorite authors isBryan Stevenson and he's the
executive director of theEco-Justice Initiative and he
wrote the book called Just Mercyand in the book he says that
you cannot be an effectiveproblem solver from a distance.
There are nuances and detailsyou will miss unless you
actually get close, and part ofthat getting close is
understanding those nuances.
And what I know for sure fromworking at the Center for
(02:32):
Medicare and Medicaid Services,or working at AARP, or working
for a huge retirement communityin South Florida, or working for
the state of Florida and theDepartment of Elder Affairs and
now leading CHC CreatingHealthier Communities, is the
fact that many of theseorganizations and most of these
sectors really have best ofintentions in terms of trying to
(02:55):
solve the challenges facingeveryday people as they try to
live their best lives.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
As the Senior Vice President of Global Thought
Leadership at AARP and nowPresident and CEO of CHC
Creating Healthier Communities,gene, how do you see that
intersection of aging, healthand equity in shaping public
policy and improving lives on aglobal scale?
Speaker 2 (03:24):
I think where you live matters.
In fact, we know that your zipcode is a clear indicator of
your longevity, your lifeexpectancy.
In many cases, the quality ofyour life, whether that is
actually here in the UnitedStates or abroad, where you live
has huge implications for howlong and how well you actually
live.
So the opportunity to have hadthe great fortune of working at
(03:47):
AARP, leading the global thoughtleadership work, and to see how
the issues of health care,equity, access, to understand
that, whether or not you live ina rural community or you live
in an urban community in theUnited States or you live abroad
and you're part of a developedworld or not, that at urban
community in the United Statesor you live abroad and you're a
part of a developed world or notthat, at the end of the day,
(04:09):
the fundamentals of do you seeme, do you hear me?
Does what I have to say matter,is a universal experience.
The idea that the systems, orthe lack thereof, actually puts
the person and their families inthe center or not, is a
universal experience.
(04:30):
The barriers that manycommunities actually face is a
universal experience, and thatuniversal experience varies by
gender, it varies by geography,it varies by socioeconomic
status.
It varies by all the differentfactors that actually make us
(04:50):
who we are as individuals.
So the connections globally andspecifically within the US are
there.
The US spends significantlymore on health care, but yet we
see worse outcomes.
So the question is what can weactually learn from other
countries in terms of exactlyhow they've been able to address
the needs of their populationin ways that not is only
(05:14):
cost-effective but also producesbetter health outcomes, and
what are the opportunities tobring those learnings here to
the US, as well as what we'velearned here in the United
States in terms of exactly whatare the innovations that are
taking place and how do weactually scale those more
broadly?
Again, at the end of the day,george, health is so personal,
and what I enjoy about the workthat we do is that we know that
(05:36):
when we talk about lifeexpectancy, what we're really
talking about is time Time to dothe things that you care so
deeply about.
Time to engage with your familyand your friends.
Time to watch your kids growold and get older and get
married and hit all thosedifferent milestones.
Time to do the things thatbring you so much joy, and we
know that, unfortunately,depending on where you live.
That might actually impact howmuch time you have to do those
(05:59):
things that you care so deeplyabout, that you care so deeply
about.
So at CHC, even when I was atAARP, that was something that we
cared so deeply about is how dowe actually close those gaps
and ensure that, regardless ofwhere you live, you have an
equal opportunity to maximizeyour time here on Earth?
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Well and Gene, you've had a significant role in
helping shape policies toimprove access to healthcare for
vulnerable populations.
What do you believe is the mostpressing issue we need to
address today to ensureequitable healthcare access for
aging populations?
Speaker 2 (06:38):
There's a couple of things that I think that,
particularly given where we aretoday, that is critically
important.
That when we invest inprevention, when we invest in
ensuring that people have anopportunity to live their
healthiest life whether that isensuring that in your
neighborhood you have a parkthat you can actually go and
walk and play, whether that isensuring that you have access to
(07:01):
adequate health care, whetherthat is ensuring that you are
able to have access to good foodoptions and housing options in
your locality is criticallyimportant.
We notice that so much of yourhealth actually happens outside
of the healthcare system.
It is where you eat, where youplay, where you pray, where you
(07:22):
work.
So how do we ensure that all ofthose factors are really
working in tandem to improveyour overall health?
So, if I could invest, if Icould actually highlight some
key areas of opportunity for usas leaders, whether that is in
the private sector, in thepublic sector or in the
nonprofit sector, it is toreally think about a couple of
things.
(07:42):
One is what are we able to dowithin our sphere of control and
influence to improve the healthof those that we care so deeply
about, meaning the fact thatour workers, our workforce, our
community.
To what extent can we ensurethat they have access to mental
health services?
Can we ensure that theyactually have access to adequate
prevention opportunities?
(08:04):
Can we ensure that theyactually have access to the
tools that they need to actuallybe in the driver's seat of
their own destiny and ensurethat they are fully engaged in
their own healthcare decisions?
So I do think that there is anopportunity, as leaders across
sectors, to think about healthpromotion, health information,
health literacy, and that cutsacross again all different
(08:26):
communities across the countryand globally.
The second thing is that it iscritically important to ensure
that we are meeting the needs ofan aging population and those
that actually care for them.
Unfortunately, in our country,we know that there is a lack of
a system when it comes toactually providing care for
older adults as relates toeating, bathing, dressing and
(08:51):
their long-term care needs, and,in fact, medicaid is the
primary payer for long-termservices and supports in our
country.
If you need access to a nursinghome, today, according to
Genworth, the cost of a nursinghome in the United States, for a
private room, is over $120,000a year.
That is right, george over$120,000 a year.
If you need help in terms ofassisted living, you're looking
(09:14):
at anywhere between $54,000 to$60,000 a year.
Living, you're looking atanywhere between $54,000 to
$60,000 a year.
And then, if you need help withactually having someone come
into your home to provide healthcare services, you're looking
at somewhere around $40,000 ayear.
So the key point here is that itdoesn't matter where you live
in the United States, the costof long-term care is
unaffordable for the vastmajority of older adults, and
(09:34):
family caregivers, who areoftentimes unpaid, really take
on the emotion of the financialand physical expenses of
providing this care.
They spend roughly 20% of theirdollars out of pocket to support
their family members.
They are what I refer to asfirst responders in the delivery
of long-term care, actuallyhelping to preserve about $660
(10:01):
billion of uncompensated carethat, in the absence of family
caregivers, the government wouldhave to actually pick up.
So we have some work to do and,as we have these conversations
around Medicaid in particular, Ithink it's important for all of
your viewers to understand thatthis would have a direct impact
on older adults and thefamilies who care so deeply
about them, that this would havea direct impact on your workers
(10:25):
who are caregivers and rely onMedicaid to support their
families or themselves.
So this conversation that istaking place in DC currently
around potential reform in theMedicaid program really impacts
all of us Republicans,conservatives, independents,
democrats.
In fact, there was a Kaiserpoll that actually indicated
(10:46):
that the overwhelming majorityof the population actually
supports the Medicaid program,and I think that's an important
thing for us to be thinkingabout, because it also has huge
economic implications in termsof jobs at the local level, as
well as meeting the needs ofthose who need it the most.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
And so, gene, your leadership at CHC clearly is
helping to assist the mostvulnerable.
And I want to shift a bit togiants Now.
We all stand on the shouldersof giants and for you, one of
those giants was yourgrandmother.
(11:25):
How did your grandmother, howdid your grandmother and I had
one of those grandmothers, so weshare that.
How did your grandmotherinfluence your work today and
your focus and your leadership?
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, george, I really appreciate that question.
My grandmother is still with us.
She's 101 years old.
She has dementia mild tosometimes very severe, depending
on the day but I will tell youthat I continue to learn from
her, that learning neveractually stops.
(12:06):
I had an opportunity to see hera couple of months ago and I try
to see her as often as I can,and even though she's bedridden
she's bed bound, if you will shehas a lot of strength.
I mean, she is strong.
She is physically strong andmentally strong.
I chuckle, in part because ofthe fact that every time she
(12:29):
sees me, she says be strong,remember who you are, Be strong.
And I tell you that in thetoughest of days, I have to
channel that in order to getthrough the day and in order to
be able to be anchored.
To get through the day and inorder to be able to be anchored,
this idea and this watching mygrandmother really do so much
with so little, and even at theage of 101 years old, being
(12:55):
bedridden, and their day.
She doesn't even know who I am,but she sensed who I am and she
would hold my hand and say bestrong.
And the other aspect of this,too, is that she clearly
understand her boundaries, andthat is something that I've
really appreciated about mygrandmother, even at 101 years
old.
I mean, you see me kind ofchuckling, because the last time
I was with her she refused toeat, and when I tried to
(13:18):
convince her I said, hey,grandma, please eat something
for me.
And she's like no, I am notgoing to eat, I don't want that
right now.
So she really understands herpreferences, but it's that
spirit of strength, that spiritthat you know she has dementia,
but dementia doesn't have her,if that makes sense.
That even though that there aredays where she cannot remember
(13:39):
who I am, there are also dayswhere she sits there and gives
wise counsel and says be strong.
And I think that is the NorthStar.
She raised me from the time ofmy birth to the age of four and
then she lived with us as I wasgoing through high school and I
(14:00):
learned a lot from her.
Again, this is someone whodidn't have a lot, but she
continues to be spiritually rich.
She continues to through heractions, continual dedication
(14:27):
and her continual commitment toenvisioning something that I did
not see when I was growing upmy grandma did not have a
college education.
She did not have a high schooleducation.
She could not read nor couldshe write, but yet every morning
she would wake up and she wouldgo out there into the
marketplace to ensure that andsell goods and services and
(14:48):
products, to ensure that I canactually get an education.
Before I came to the UnitedStates at the age of four, when
she moved to the country and Iwas in high school and at that
point in time high schools forme started around like 730 in
the morning my grandmotherbecause she could not tell time
would wake up at five o'clock inthe morning and say hey, coco,
that's my nickname, yes, I willsay that publicly.
(15:09):
She would say it's time to getup and get ready for school.
She understood the value ofeducation as a vehicle for
upward mobility and she was verydetermined to see me succeed,
even when I could not see thatin myself, and for that I'm
forever grateful.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
You know, gene, so incredibly inspiring to hear how
the giants in your life, inthis case your grandmother, has
impacted you, 101 years old andso amazing to hear those words
of wisdom.
And so amazing to hear thosewords of wisdom which two words
be strong.
How that can change someone'slife, how that can be a reminder
(15:52):
.
And, at 101, I think we have tolisten to your grandmother and
say, if she's saying be strong,and you're highlighting how
mentally tough she is, that'sone example of the way we need
to live our lives.
We need to be strong.
(16:13):
I mean, that's such greatadvice because we all have those
moments where you're like gosh,you know.
Whatever it is, you know.
And so, as we prepare toconclude this just profound
interview, what role, gene, doyou see technology playing in
the future?
I mean, we're seeing AI clearlychanging the world already and,
(16:37):
specifically, how do you see itimpacting the future of
healthcare, aging, and how canwe ensure, gene, that it is used
in ways that benefit everyone,including those that are
marginalized?
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So thank you for that question, george.
I had an opportunity toparticipate at a forum and it
was around consumer engagementin their own health care, and in
that forum, there's adiscussion around the different
tools and technology that isavailable now to really empower
consumers to be in the driver'sseat of their own destiny, and I
(17:17):
fully support that, whetherthat is the use of AI or the use
of apps, or you know, I havethis aura ring and I tell you,
ever since I got it, I've beenmore intentional about my health
.
You have the apps on your cellphone that is basically able to
track the number of steps oryour heartbeat or your sleep
patterns.
I think all of those areextremely helpful in terms of
(17:38):
building a much healthier life.
I also think that, with the useof AI and the ability for AI
and these different technologyplatforms to help providers with
focusing more on the patientexperience, on the consumer
experience, is also a tremendousvalue add, and I also think
(17:59):
that there's an opportunity,particularly through technology
and how that is literallyrevolutionizing how care is
being delivered and provided andcommunicated in our country.
It's going to be extremelybeneficial for us, both in terms
of improving our overallquality of life, as well as
improving and adding to thenumber of years we have with
quality of life.
(18:20):
I also think that there's anopportunity for us to be very
intentional about technology,the apps, the tools, ai and all
the different forms in terms ofensuring that individuals are
not actually left behind, andwhat I mean by that is the fact
that, when we think about thefuture of healthcare, we have to
look at it from what I refer toas the three Ps that there's a
(18:42):
personal responsibility.
I am responsible for mypersonal health and my personal
health choices.
There is a publicresponsibility, right, meaning
the fact that what is the roleof government we just talked
about government Medicaid andthen that there's also a private
responsibility.
What are the responsibilitiesof the private sector,
businesses in ensuring that theyare creating a healthier
(19:05):
workforce and a healthiercommunity in terms of their
place of employment?
So these three P's arecritically important.
In addition to that, there's asystem level, meaning the fact
that it is important to realizethat there are system
improvements that we canactually look at to improve with
regards to how care isdelivered across our country and
(19:28):
ensuring that the delivery ofhealthcare, healthcare services,
these technology tools, areevenly distributed, particularly
in communities that havelimited resources, and I think
that's critically important,meaning the fact that all the
onus cannot be on the individual, because the complexity of our
healthcare system is such thatoftentimes the needs and the
(19:51):
experiences of the individualare an afterthought rather than
at the center.
And, particularly if you comefrom a marginalized community,
you're often in the margins ofthe system itself, so that as we
move forward, as we think aboutthe future of healthcare, it's
going to be incumbent upon allof us to be intentional about
who's not actually receivingthese services, who are being
(20:15):
left behind.
What could we potentially do toensure that we are embedding
the lived experiences of everysingle person?
And the development of theproducts, and then also the
acceptability and affordabilityof those products, I think is
going to be critically important.
Otherwise, what I fear, if weare not intentional thinking
(20:35):
about the collective, if we'renot intentional thinking about
how interdependent we are as asociety that the disparities
that we actually see withregards to health care and the
differences in life expectancywill only get worse.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Dr Gene Axios, President and CEO of Creating
Healthier Communities.
Gene, what is your call toaction for our global audience
and how can folks find out moreabout all the incredible work
you're doing at CHC?
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Well, first of all, I just want to thank you, george.
I think these platforms arecritically important because we
have an opportunity to learnfrom each other and to think
about ways where we can actuallycollaborate.
As I mentioned earlier, it'scritically important for us to
think about partnerships.
As an organization, chcCreating Healthier Communities
has been around for over 70years.
We touch about 5,000 nonprofitson an annual basis, over 600
(21:30):
businesses, and we're incommunities across the country.
So we want to join forces withorganizations and individuals
who care deeply about franklyensuring that every community is
healthy and that every singleperson, regardless of your zip
code, has an opportunity to livetheir healthiest life.
We believe very strongly in theadministration's focus to make
(21:50):
America healthier again and thatthis has to be a generational
cause.
So, with that, I ask yourviewers to join us, because what
we're doing here is reallybreaking down those barriers and
ensuring that every singleperson has an opportunity to
maximize their time on earth,doing the things that they care
so deeply about and contributingto our collective society and
the fabric that make us allhuman.
So, with that, please visit usat chcimpactorg.
(22:14):
Learn more about the work thatwe actually are doing to break
down barriers across the countryPartner with us.
We have global companies whoare engaged with us, and we're
also very engaged in what werefer to as our Leadership
Council for HealthierCommunities, which is a group of
(22:35):
global leaders who areextremely committed to
addressing the barriers tohealth and community health and
well-being overall.
So, george, I just want tothank you.
I want to thank you for yourleadership, I thank you for your
passion.
I thank you for your ability toconvene thought leaders and
change makers across differentsectors and industries to solve,
frankly, only the toughestchallenges that we can only
solve together.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Dr Gene Axios, President and CEO of Creating
Healthier Communities.
You're leading the way, myfriend.
Thanks for all you're doing tochange the world.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Thank you for your leadership and thank you for
your partnership, George.
I greatly appreciate our timetogether.
Thank you, Gene.
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