The Health Curve

Dr. Jason Arora

The Health Curve simplifies complex health topics, explores impactful ideas shaping the future of human health, and raises awareness of critical issues affecting underserved communities. By making science-backed health information accessible, we empower individuals and communities with credible insights and practical tools. On the podcast, I speak with a wide range of voices — from public health scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to advocates, artists, and coaches. Together, we unpack the science, challenge assumptions, and tackle the growing gaps left by misinformation and failing healthcare systems.The Health Curve Podcast is hosted by Dr. Jason Arora — Oxford- and Harvard-trained physician, public health scientist, yoga and mindfulness instructor, and award-winning health innovator - Forbes 30u30, Fulbright Scholar, Harvard Public Health Innovator Award-Winner, and Aspen Health Fellow.  Find us on YouTube (@TheHealthCurve) or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast platforms. Have questions, comments, or feedback? Email us at info@thehealthcurvepodcast.com. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.

  1. 12/16/2025

    Food Is Medicine: Treating Chronic Disease Through Diet | Corby Kummer, Director of Food & Society at The Aspen Institute

    “Food is Medicine” gets talked about a lot these days, but the core idea is straightforward: food can play a direct role in treating and managing chronic disease, not just guiding healthier choices. In practice, that means healthcare systems providing patients with meals and groceries tailored to their medical needs. In this episode of The Health Curve, I sit down with Corby Kummer — Executive Director of Food & Society at the Aspen Institute and longtime food writer at The Atlantic. Corby breaks down where this movement started, why it’s gaining momentum, and what it looks like when hospitals and health systems begin delivering food as part of care. We talk about what’s working, what’s still messy, and the real-world barriers to scaling these programs — from fragmented data and uneven standards to funding gaps and policy hurdles. We also dig into questions of equity, politics, consumer protection, and how newer trends like GLP-1 medications might shift the future of food, weight, and chronic disease in the U.S. If you’re curious about where food and healthcare are heading, this conversation offers a grounded, accessible look at how “Food is Medicine” is evolving — and what it could mean for the future of chronic disease care. If this episode helped you, subscribe to The Health Curve and share it with someone who’d benefit.

    39 min
  2. Food Insecurity in America: Why Millions Go Hungry in the World’s Richest Nation | Prof. Hilary Seligman, UCSF

    10/21/2025

    Food Insecurity in America: Why Millions Go Hungry in the World’s Richest Nation | Prof. Hilary Seligman, UCSF

    Premiering October 21 for World Food Day 2025 — just one day before the U.S. Department of Agriculture releases its final annual report on household food insecurity in the United States (Oct 22). In this episode, host Dr. Jason Arora sits down with Professor Hilary Seligman (UCSF) — one of the world’s leading experts on food insecurity, nutrition policy, and health equity — to uncover why 1 in 7 U.S. households (over 44 million people) struggle to access affordable, nutritious food in the world’s richest nation. They explore what food insecurity really means, how it fuels chronic disease, why pandemic-era policies worked, and what must happen next to ensure healthy food for all. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction | Why Food Insecurity Matters for World Food Day  01:00 What “Food Insecurity” Really Means — and How It Differs from Hunger  03:00 Prof. Hilary Seligman’s Story — From Patient Encounter to National Policy  05:30 Food Insecurity in the U.S. — Rising Again After Years of Decline  08:40 Defining Food vs. Nutrition Security | Why Both Matter for Health  10:20 The Chronic Disease Connection — Obesity, Diabetes & Heart Disease  11:50 Why It’s Not Just About Money — Marketing, Culture & Convenience  14:00 How Time Pressure and Family Life Shape the American Diet  15:30 Health Impacts Across the Life Course — From Pregnancy to Adulthood  20:00 Recent Policy Shifts in SNAP (Food Stamps) & Nutrition Programs  23:00 Inflation and Rising Food Prices — What Comes Next  24:30 What Works | Evidence-Based Solutions to Food and Nutrition Insecurity  26:30 How You Can Help — Community, Policy & Local Action  28:00 Top Myths About Food Insecurity (And Why They’re Wrong)  31:00 Closing Reflections | Food as Medicine & Hope for the Future Food is foundational to health. Access to healthy food isn’t charity — it’s healthcare. 🔔 Subscribe to The Health Curve on YouTube for evidence-based conversations on the issues that shape our health and future.  #WorldFoodDay #FoodInsecurity #NutritionSecurity #FoodIsMedicine #HealthEquity #HilarySeligman #JasonArora #TheHealthCurve #SNAP #HungerCrisis #PublicHealth #HealthyFoodForAll #USDA #ERS #ChronicDisease #FoodPolicy

    32 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Health Curve simplifies complex health topics, explores impactful ideas shaping the future of human health, and raises awareness of critical issues affecting underserved communities. By making science-backed health information accessible, we empower individuals and communities with credible insights and practical tools. On the podcast, I speak with a wide range of voices — from public health scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to advocates, artists, and coaches. Together, we unpack the science, challenge assumptions, and tackle the growing gaps left by misinformation and failing healthcare systems.The Health Curve Podcast is hosted by Dr. Jason Arora — Oxford- and Harvard-trained physician, public health scientist, yoga and mindfulness instructor, and award-winning health innovator - Forbes 30u30, Fulbright Scholar, Harvard Public Health Innovator Award-Winner, and Aspen Health Fellow.  Find us on YouTube (@TheHealthCurve) or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast platforms. Have questions, comments, or feedback? Email us at info@thehealthcurvepodcast.com. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns.