The Health Curve

The LGBTQ community faces worse health outcomes, barriers to care, and systemic discrimination in healthcare—yet their struggles remain largely overlooked.

Despite being officially recognized as a health disparity population by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), inequities persist. LGBTQ patients often experience discrimination in a clinical setting, leading many to avoid seeking care altogether. 1 in 6 are denied care and 1 in 5 experience discrimination from health insurers. Meanwhile, LGBTQ youth are 4-5 times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Ayars, CEO of EqualityMD, to discuss the healthcare challenges LGBTQ patients encounter, where these stem from, and how we can build a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.

In our first episode, we explore the rapidly growing field of Longevity Medicine—a proactive approach to health that goes beyond the traditional 'sick care' system. Longevity Medicine focuses on extending both healthspan (living in good health for longer) and lifespan (living longer), while emphasizing disease prevention.

We break down the different components of longevity medicine, separating the science from hype, and discuss how anyone—regardless of their starting point—can navigate their own longevity journey.

Joining us is Hilary Lin MD, a Stanford-trained longevity physician and serial entrepreneur. Dr. Lin is the Founder of Livora Health and Co-Founder & CEO of Elevate X Health, two companies at the forefront of longevity medicine. She is also an Aspen Health Fellow and an Advisor to Stanford Alumni Startups NY and Cornell BioVenture eLab.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women globally. It is responsible for 1 in 3 female deaths, or 1 female death every minute.

But, no one talks about it.

We delve into what makes heart disease in women unique, why it is underdiagnosed and undertreated, and what we can all do to help improve heart health in women.

Joining us is Ritu Thamman, MD, a Cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, a Fellow and member of the Women in Cardiology Leadership Council for the American College of Cardiology, and a senior collaborator with the American Heart Association.

For decades, drug misuse has been met with punishment, stigma, and criminalization—but these approaches haven’t stopped the crisis. Instead, they’ve led to more overdose deaths, more harm, and fewer people getting help. In the U.S., over 100,000 people die from drug overdoses each year, with opioids accounting for nearly 75% of those deaths. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have fueled a dramatic rise in overdoses, yet many people struggling with drug misuse never receive medical or social support.

In this episode, we explore harm reduction, a science-backed approach that meets people where they are, reduces overdose deaths, and creates safer communities. From safe consumption sites to drug-checking programs, these strategies are becoming more visible in neighborhoods everywhere. But many people still don’t understand what harm reduction is—or why it works.

Joining us is Michael Gilbert, a Harvard-trained public health technologist specializing in behavioral epidemiology, pharmacovigilance, and harm reduction. Together, we break down the facts, the myths, and the real-world impact of harm reduction strategies. Whether you've seen overdose prevention tools in public spaces, heard about new community programs, or just want to know more, this conversation will give you the insights and evidence you need to understand and support this life-saving approach.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, killing nearly 20 million people each year, including over 800,000 in the U.S..

But what if there was a treatment that could cut the risk of dying from heart disease nearly in half? Well, it already exists—it’s called cardiac rehabilitation, and it’s one of the most effective ways to help people recover after a heart attack.

Studies show that cardiac rehab can reduce the risk of death by up to 50%—a level of success that beats many prescription drugs. If it were a pill, it would be one of the best-selling drugs ever. Yet, despite its life-saving potential, less than 20% of eligible patients actually enroll. Why? Many people don’t know about it, and doctors don’t always bring it up.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

• What cardiac rehab is—and why it’s so powerful
• Who it’s for—if you have or a loved one has heart disease, this is for you
• Why so few people do it—and how to change that
• How it works—exercise, lifestyle support, and the science behind it

If you or someone close to you has had a heart attack, heart surgery, or struggles with heart disease, this episode is a must-listen.