The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Over the last two years, we have seen major expansions in health care coverage through both federal and state insurance exchanges, as well as by expanding Medicaid coverage. This Forum examined whether these efforts to extend coverage have improved the health care experiences of low-income Americans and have narrowed the gap in access to high-quality care between themselves and other Americans. The discussion drew on the findings of a new poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that looked at patients’ perspectives on health care over the last two years, with a focus on the reported experiences of low-income Americans. Through this discussion, panelists identified a future agenda for eliminating inequalities in care.

Presented April 20, 2016, in Collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and NPR.

Watch the entire series from The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health at www.ForumHSPH.org.

In this uniquely insightful Forum, experts examined key health and education policies — and their broad implications — that are likely to be enacted by the new Congress. The panelists discussed the current climate, including the government shutdown. For background, the discussion drew on a newly-released poll by POLITICO and the Harvard Chan School.

This Forum event was presented jointly with POLITICO LLC on January 23, 2019.

Watch the entire series: https://theforum.sph.harvard.edu/

Stroke prevention and treatment is a remarkable success story — but strides appear to be stalling in some populations. Evidence suggests a dramatic increase in stroke incidence in people in their 30s and 40s. Disparities persist among race/ethnicities, and declines in stroke death have stalled in three out of every four states. This Forum examined stroke — from prevention and treatment through recovery. What is the latest information about the impacts of healthy lifestyles? What are the debates about current medications, such as TPA? What are some new treatments, including interventions in the so-called “golden period” of recovery, and the promise of basic science? What do policy changes, such as the 2018 blood pressure guidelines, mean? And how can we transform success from previous stroke prevention efforts for this new era to save even more lives and prevent disability?

Part of The Dr. Lawrence H. and Roberta Cohn Forums, this event was presented jointly with PRI's The World & WGBH on October 22, 2018.

Watch the entire series: https://theforum.sph.harvard.edu/

President Trump recently described a plan to tackle the opioid abuse crisis that includes tougher sentencing on dealers and expanding access to treatment. The President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis cites the need to move ahead quickly with treatment alternatives for those addicted to opioids. Yet, recent public surveys show that Americans are confused about opioid-treatment programs, with only about half believing there is an effective, long-term addiction treatment. There are programs offered for the treatment of opioid addiction, including medicated–assisted treatment, drug rehabilitation programs, addiction support groups, and counseling. This Forum – featuring the unique perspectives of former governors and the 21st United States Secretary of Health and Human Services — will examine the state government’s role in current and future approaches to treatment. These approaches may include educating the public about these alternatives, paying for them, regulating their performance and availability, training and certifying health professionals in their use, and developing guidelines for certification of these treatments. This is the second in a series of Governors Roundtables.

Part of The Andelot Series on Current Science Controversies, this Forum event was presented jointly with Reuters on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Watch the entire series at ForumHSPH.org.