Season 1: Social Determinants of Health
Stronger communities begin with good health — for everyone.
But how can we get there? Some people are more likely to develop chronic health conditions, simply because of where they live, their economic status, their level of education, and even access to grocery stores. These factors — and underlying inequities — influence the decisions people can make which may lead to life-altering consequences regarding their health. Experts recognize this set of factors with a name: social determinants of health.
Behavioral scientist and host Dr. Ellen Beckjord explores this key issue in eight episodes with other experts.
"Good Health, Better World" is available wherever you enjoy podcasts.
Vice President, Clinical Strategy and Program Optimization
UPMC Health Plan
Dr. Ellen Beckjord, MPH, is host of the “Good Health, Better World” podcast.
Ellen is a behavioral scientist, epidemiologist, and licensed clinical psychologist working at the intersection of population and digital health.
Her work focuses on promoting health, wellness, and health behavior change. She is vice president of clinical strategy and program optimization for UPMC Health Plan based in Pittsburgh.
Ellen trained at the University of Vermont, where she worked with cancer survivors and their families, at Vanderbilt University, and at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
She completed post-doctoral research at the National Cancer Institute in the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch within the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences. She spent nearly five years in academic medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Hillman Cancer Center.
Ellen also is the co-author of “Porchtraits” in which she interviewed people in Pittsburgh during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic about what they were learning, missing, enjoying, what surprised them, and what they felt hopeful about. A long-time member of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Ellen currently serves on the Board of Directors as President-Elect.
Ellen’s guiding principle: “Lead with love.”