2023 Schedule

With an annual budget of $1.65 trillion, the vast US Department of Health and Human Services oversees Medicare, Medicaid, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and much else. Three Secretaries, past and present from both sides of the aisle, share their experiences about leading the agency and exchange ideas about making...

An entire generation of children in some of the world’s poorest countries are now protected against deadly infectious diseases, thanks largely to Gavi: The Vaccine Alliance. Impact: more than 16 million lives saved, vast healthcare cost savings, and greater global health security. A leading force behind the push for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, Gavi has played a critical role in reaching...

A society that dedicates resources to women is certain to be a healthier society. Ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial opportunities can nurture family well-being and support thriving communities. Yet the pandemic dealt a bitter blow to global progress, sending 47 more million women into extreme poverty, escalating sexual violence, and undermining the availabilit...

In his new book, Rough Sleepers, author Tracy Kidder tells the remarkable story of Dr. Jim O’Connell, a Boston physician who has dedicated his life to providing healthcare to homeless people. Through the doctor’s eyes, Kidder also immerses us in the lives of the unsheltered population—their back stories, daily risks, survival mechanisms, and unmet human needs. In a society that has dehumanized tho...

Few health and social welfare policy issues escape the oversight of the US Department of Health and Human Services, second in size only to the Department of Defense. Prescription drug costs, access to reproductive health services, national and domestic public health threats like COVID-19, and the epidemic of loneliness are all within its purview. As it implements the health provisions of the histo...

Visionary leaders question established patterns, work collaboratively across disciplines and hierarchies, and trek fearlessly into uncharted territory. By encouraging risk-tasking, nurturing creativity, and championing unconventional thinking, they push the boundaries of what’s possible. Hear from a panel of trailblazers in health about what is required in a century that has already seen an histor...

Eighty percent of what impacts our health happens outside of the doctor's office: from education and employment opportunities to access to housing, transportation, and quality food. A panel of global experts will explore actionable solutions to address the root causes of disparities and how to build a path forward for collaboration, community co-creation, and a shared vision of a world without hea...

During this intimate evening of storytelling, hear directly from health workers who are innovating and advocating every day to deliver better care to their communities. Five storytellers will share their personal stories on the challenges they face; how they are driving solutions; and how we can better support their needs to ensure that everyone has access to quality care. These storytellers inclu...

It sometimes feels like we can do nothing to stop gun violence. But easy access to mental health services, widely available trainings to identify individuals at risk, school curricula that elevate social and emotional learning, and community outreach and mentoring programs are all strategies for interrupting gun violence before it occurs. Despite often-angry rhetoric, there is a lot of common grou...

Twenty years ago, under the administration of George W. Bush, the US government established the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). With allocations exceeding $110 billion, it represents the largest investment ever made by any nation in a single disease. The resulting package of testing, prevention, and treatment is credited with saving more than 25 million lives. Learn how PEPFAR...

Today’s kids are facing a mental health crisis unlike any before them, with rates of severe loneliness, anxiety, and depressive episodes reaching new heights. It’s an urgent concern with far-reaching impacts, especially for those in historically marginalized communities who too often do not have access to the help they need. How can organizations leverage their scale to make sure every child can a...

One of the most pressing conversations in mental healthcare right now is the negative impact that technology — including screen time and social media — may have on our minds. But technology also provides an unprecedented opportunity to expand access to high-quality, effective, and personalized mental healthcare. Digital tools can help people proactively make positive lifestyle changes to care for...

As the second largest minority group in the country, Latinos represent 19% of the population and play a significant economic, social, and cultural role. They also face disproportionate health challenges, including high rates of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The absence of adequate health insurance, lack of timely access to care, language barriers, and concerns about...

As the nation’s top doctor, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy helps to advance the health and well-being of all Americans. He has described the growing youth mental health crisis in America as the “defining public health crisis of our time” and warned that social media carries a “profound risk of harm to the mental health of children and adolescents.” Murthy has also highlighted the employers’ role...