More Health, Less Healthcare

Peter Boland PhD

Are you ready to rethink what health really means—and what it takes for us to achieve it? Welcome to the “More Health. Less Healthcare” Podcast, your front-row seat to a revolution in American healthcare, inspired by the game-changing book by Peter Boland.   Healthcare doesn’t have to be defined by endless bills, mounting debt, and a system that prioritizes profits over people. What if there’s a better way that means more health for everyone, fewer unnecessary costs, and a renewed sense of fairness in how care is delivered?   The “More Health. Less Healthcare” podcast takes you inside the heart of a growing movement: one that values equity, transparency, collaboration, and, above all, real outcomes for real people. Hosted by thought leaders committed to making a difference, each episode starts with a bold question: Are we ready to do the right thing, for the right reasons, at the right price?   Drawing from over 100 real-life case examples and interviews, this podcast isn’t just another critique of what’s broken. It’s your practical playbook for solutions that work—proof of concept that eradicating health disparities and cutting out waste can lead to healthier communities, a stronger economy, and a more ethical society.   Learn how the hidden cost of inequity in American healthcare is draining hundreds of billions of dollars from our economy every year, and how millions of Americans endure the crushing burden of medical debt. Discover why up to a third of all healthcare spending in the U.S.—a staggering $1.4 trillion each year—has no benefit for patients and only adds to the harm. The “More Health. Less Healthcare” podcast uncovers these hard truths and turns them into a call for accountability and courage.   We face a crucial choice: keep overspending on sickness care or rebalance our priorities to invest in real health creation. COVID-19 revealed the glaring gaps in our system and the disproportionate impact on minority communities, bringing discrimination and broken incentives to the forefront. The podcast tackles these issues head-on, with stories and strategies from those leading the way on public health, end-to-end care coordination, and the rebuilding of trust in our healthcare institutions.   Why do traditional healthcare financing models fail us? How can we redirect wasted resources to programs that create health? What can individuals, practitioners, and policymakers do right now to drive systemic change, eliminate unnecessary care, and refocus on community-based solutions?   Each episode is a masterclass in what it means to be accountable for the health of our communities. We draw on the wisdom of healthcare’s past, rooted in Hippocrates’ timeless principle—first do no harm, then try to prevent it—and update it for the 21st century. Our guests bring you groundbreaking ideas and proven methods to advance equity, commit to health creation, and embrace transparency and fairness as the guiding values of a new era.   Don’t miss the conversations that matter from how to slash 26-46% of healthcare waste, to making public health programs robust statewide and nationwide, to amplifying voices that have turned health equity from an ideal into a reality.   Whether you’re a patient, a clinician, a policymaker, or someone who simply cares about the future of health in America, “More Health. Less Healthcare” is your go-to resource for hope, honest dialogue, and practical steps toward a fairer, healthier tomorrow. Subscribe now and join the national conversation about how we value health, the urgent reforms we need, and how—with the right leadership and commitment—we can all experience more health and less healthcare.

  1. Making Chronic Illness Visible: Reflections on Accountability and Building Trust After COVID-19

    7H AGO

    Making Chronic Illness Visible: Reflections on Accountability and Building Trust After COVID-19

    We’re excited to announce the release of Part 2 of our conversation with Jason Gale on the More Health, Less Healthcare podcast! This episode is packed with honest insights, global perspectives, and a healthy dose of optimism for tackling the chronic aftermath of COVID-19 and future pandemics. Introduction In this episode, Peter Boland welcomes back Jason Gale, a Bloomberg News journalist with decades of experience in pandemic preparedness. Together, they dive into the controversial and often overlooked realities of Long COVID, chronic illness, and how we can build better systems (and trust!) for the future. 5 Keys You’ll Learn: 1.     Who’s Been Seen—and Who’s Been Invisible: Discover how essential workers, nursing home residents, and communities with health inequalities were disproportionately impacted, and why chronic illness still flies under the radar. 2.     Why Chronic Conditions Remain in the Shadows: Learn the surprising reasons chronic care doesn’t get the funding, media, or public interest it deserves—even as it grows. 3.     The Importance of Trust in Public Health: See how fractured trust in institutions and science became a major roadblock, and explore inspiring examples from Denmark and grassroots messengers. 4.     Lessons from Around the World: What did other countries do right? Understand Jason’s take on countries like South Korea, Denmark, and Vietnam, and why separating politics from science matters. 5.     What’s Next? Preparing for Future Pandemics: Hear Jason’s candid thoughts on why another pandemic is inevitable—and what actionable steps we can take to respond smarter, measure chronic impacts, and build unified, consistent public health funding. Fun Fact from the Episode Did you know the trusted messenger for health information might be your hair salon—not your clinic? Peter Boland and Jason Gale discuss how trust can be found in unexpected places, and how grassroots communication makes all the difference!

    31 min
  2. Generational Consequences of Long COVID and Why Our Healthcare System Is Unprepared

    MAR 18

    Generational Consequences of Long COVID and Why Our Healthcare System Is Unprepared

    We’re excited to share our latest episode from More Health, Less Healthcare , and this is one you don’t want to miss. We had the absolute pleasure of hosting the award-winning journalist and senior Bloomberg News editor, Jason Gale, who’s here to talk about his new book, “After COVID: Health Impacts That Last Generations.” In this first part of our two-part series, Peter Boland and Jason Gale dive deep into the generational consequences of COVID, exploring how the story isn’t just about the acute crisis, but the long tail — Long COVID and its ripple effects on health systems and everyday lives. Here are 5 key takeaways you’ll learn from this episode: 1.     Long COVID is a Global Challenge: No country has truly “solved” the Long COVID problem. Most health systems, from the US to Australia, are struggling to provide coordinated, effective care (Peter Boland, Jackie Lapin, and Jason Gale agree—patients are often left being their own care quarterbacks!). 2.     The Data We Don’t See: While dashboards during the pandemic tracked deaths and hospitalizations, we’re behind on tracking long-term disability, organ damage, and chronic symptoms — the “hidden pandemic” that continues for millions (Peter Boland). 3.     Mental Health & Misunderstanding: Long COVID has significant behavioral and psychiatric impacts. Many patients are wrongly told “it’s all in your head”—even though the data says otherwise! 4.     Staggering Numbers: Recent CDC estimates suggest about 7% of US adults (that’s around 18-19 million people!) may be living with Long COVID. And that number can fluctuate as definitions of Long COVID evolve. 5.     Vaccines Help, But Aren’t a Cure-All: Vaccination reduces the risk of developing Long COVID, but it’s not a silver bullet. Preventing infection remains crucial, and even vaccinated folks can experience persistent symptoms. Fun Fact from the Episode: Did you know some of the most insightful research about COVID’s lingering effects comes from the US Veterans Affairs Health System? Jason Gale mentions how scientists like Ziyad Al-Ali are digging through VA databases to uncover links between COVID and chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems—sometimes even years after infection!

    31 min
  3. What Hospitals Can Learn from Boston Medical Center’s Social Care Innovations

    MAR 11

    What Hospitals Can Learn from Boston Medical Center’s Social Care Innovations

    We just dropped a fresh episode you won’t want to miss! This week, Peter Boland spotlights the groundbreaking work at Boston Medical Center (BMC)—a national leader in social care and health equity. If you think hospitals are just about prescriptions and checkups, think again! BMC is rewriting the playbook for what community healthcare can be. Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode: Food as Medicine: Learn how a simple food pantry sparked a full-fledged movement—BMC now distributes over a million pounds of healthy food each year and even grows fresh produce on its rooftop farm.Whole-Family Care: See how real health care means supporting the entire family, from free cooking classes for moms like Martha to programs that boost kids’ health and well-being.Connecting Social Needs to Medical Care: Explore how the Thrive Screener helps patients get assistance with housing, food, and even legal aid—right from their clinic visit.Empowering Clinicians & Leaders: Get practical takeaways for doctors and health leaders on how to make equity an everyday practice, not just a mission statement.Transforming Communities: Discover how hospitals can work hand-in-hand with local neighborhoods to create affordable housing, good jobs, and lasting change—not just patch up problems in the ER.Fun Fact: BMC’s first “food program” was literally a few cans of vegetables tucked in a doctor’s desk drawer. Fast-forward a few years, and they now run a 2,700-square-foot rooftop farm and the nation’s first hospital teaching kitchen. Talk about a major “grow up” story! Would you like me to adapt this version for a social media caption or podcast show notes format next?

    18 min
  4. How Hawaii’s Cultural Values Shape Health and Community Equity

    MAR 4

    How Hawaii’s Cultural Values Shape Health and Community Equity

    We’re excited to announce the release of our newest episode, hosted by Peter Boland, where we explore Hawaii’s statewide initiative for equity and wellness. This isn't just another case study—it’s a deep dive into the challenges, traditions, and community values that shape the future of Hawaii and offer lessons for us all. So grab your headphones or settle in with your favorite tropical drink—this is an episode worth savoring! Key Takeaways From This Episode: The Power of Transparency, Trust & Collaboration: Discover why these pillars are vital for achieving equity and building mutual accountability across Hawaii's diverse communities.Cultural Competency in Healthcare: Learn how respecting cultural traditions builds trust and leads to better outcomes in health institutions.Community-Driven Change: See how local leaders and anchor institutions can accelerate big changes across islands—and how partnership is the real secret sauce.The Deep Connection Between Water and Community: Find out why the question “Who owns water?” is key to Hawaii’s sustainability—and how water conservation could shape the islands’ future.Equity as a Way of Life: Hear how Hawaiian culture weaves equity, stewardship, and compassion into daily life, making health and prosperity truly sustainable.Fun Fact: Did you know Hawaii is ranked #1 nationally for access to care and quality of health—but still faces major health challenges? The state’s unique history guaranteed full healthcare coverage when it joined the US, boosting its scores

    21 min
  5. Lessons We Haven’t Learned from COVID and Their Impact on Our Future

    FEB 25

    Lessons We Haven’t Learned from COVID and Their Impact on Our Future

    We’re back with a brand new episode of the “More Health, Less Healthcare” podcast! This week, Peter Boland brings the heat (and plenty of food for thought) as he digs into the BIG questions left in the wake of COVID-19—and why health equity is the conversation we can’t afford to ignore. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: The Real Lessons of COVID: Why we need to talk (and keep talking!) about what went right, what went wrong, and what it means for our choices moving forward.The Heroes Amidst the Havoc: How frontline healthcare workers and essential service folks truly kept the world spinning—and why they deserve more than just a round of applause.The Truth About Our Healthcare System: Peter Boland breaks down why our “sickness care” model is stalled out—and how it’s impacting not just today, but the prosperity of future generations.What Health Equity Really Means: Discover how tackling health disparities isn’t just about being “fair”—it’s about saving billions, boosting community health, and even shoring up national security.Hope & Real Solutions: Yes, it sounds tough, but there are organizations and communities leading the way with equity-aligned models that work. Get inspired by what’s already possible!Fun Fact: Did you know Peter Boland points out that, unlike other countries, the U.S. still hasn’t had a true national conversation about the good, the bad, and the lasting lessons of the pandemic? Talk about an important dinner table topic! Thanks for tuning in and being part of this important dialogue. This episode isn’t just about what’s broken—it’s about the real steps we can all take to generate more health (and less sickness) for everyone.

    18 min
  6. How Economic Inequality and Social Policy Shape Pandemic Outcomes with Troy Tassier

    FEB 18

    How Economic Inequality and Social Policy Shape Pandemic Outcomes with Troy Tassier

    We’ve got a truly special episode out today on the Promote Profit Publish channel! This time, Peter Boland sits down with economist and author Troy Tassier, whose book The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus has everyone talking—about pandemic fallout, social policy, and our collective future. Whether you love big ideas about economics or just want to understand what REALLY happened during COVID, this episode is for you. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: How social networks shape health outcomes – Troy Tassier explains the surprising influence of everyday connections on who gets sick and why.The pandemic wasn’t “the great equalizer” – We break down why COVID impacted communities so differently, and how economics and public health overlap.Individual choices vs. collective risk – Understand how one person’s actions (or dinner parties) can ripple out and affect the health of an entire society.Lessons for the next pandemic – Troy Tassier gets real about whether we’re doomed to repeat our mistakes and what it will take to avoid another disaster.Why social infrastructure matters – Discover why investing in healthcare access and social safety nets could inoculate us—literally and figuratively—against future crises. Fun Fact: Did you know the most important people to vaccinate during a hospital outbreak might not be doctors or nurses, but receptionists? According to Troy Tassier’s research, receptionists sit at the center of a hospital’s social network—interacting with everyone from patients to food service staff—making them crucial for stopping the spread. Who knew? Troy Tassier, Ph.D., is a professor of economics at Fordham University and the author of The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus: How Our Unequal Society Fails Us during Outbreaks as well as the weekly Substack newsletter, At the Margin.

    33 min
  7. Leading Health Equity and Community Impact: Meritus Health’s Transformative Journey with Dr. Mualik Josie

    FEB 11

    Leading Health Equity and Community Impact: Meritus Health’s Transformative Journey with Dr. Mualik Josie

    We’ve just dropped a brand-new episode featuring an inspiring conversation with Dr. Mualik Josie, CEO of Meritus Health, hosted by Peter Boland. Trust us—you won’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at the real work driving health equity and building healthier communities. Whether you’re in healthcare or just curious about innovative leadership, this episode is packed with wisdom! Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation: Turning Vision Into Reality: Discover how Dr. Mualik Josie helped launch Maryland’s first new medical school in over 130 years—and why he believes investing upstream in education pays off for community health.Crisis as Opportunity: Hear how Meritus Health leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic to deepen its commitment to community service, from drive-thru testing to free vaccinations and antibody treatments.Innovating for Equity: Learn why the Lead Council, health equity dashboards, and stratified data projects are game changers for addressing healthcare disparities.Social Determinants of Health in Action: Get inspired by practical solutions to loneliness, transportation, and food insecurity—plus hear about the “Care Caller” program, free van rides, and food pharmacies!Aligning Mission and Margin: Find out how Dr. Josie balances sustainability with bold investments, proving that money can follow when the focus is on quality and access for all. Fun Fact: Dr. Mualik Josie personally volunteers in Meritus Health’s “Care Caller” program, making weekly calls to uplift community members who feel lonely. One of his regulars recently turned 100—and he showed up to her birthday party with flowers! Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., is the President and CEO of Meritus Health, Inc. Meritus Health, Inc. includes Meritus Medical Center (MMC), the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM), and Brook Lane. The mission of Meritus Health is to improve the health of the community by providing the best healthcare, health services, and medical education. Meritus Health is an academic health system and serves as an anchor for the region with over 4,300 employees. MMC includes a 327-bed medical center, the 250-plus provider Meritus Medical Group, 65-bed Brook Lane Psychiatric hospital, Meritus Home Health, Meritus Equipped for Life, and 25% ownership of Maryland Physicians Care, a 210,000 Medicaid member health plan. MSOM is the first new medical school in Maryland in over 100 years and started its first class of 90 medical school students in 2025. Meritus Medical Center serves over 200,000 people in Western Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Previously, Maulik was the COO and Executive Vice President at the Anne Arundel Health System (AAHS). Prior to AAHS, Maulik was at the American Hospital Association as Associate Executive Vice President and President of the Health Research and Educational Trust. Maulik has also worked at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, and The HMO Group.  Maulik has a Doctorate in Public Health and a Master's degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. He was Editor-in-Chief for the Journal for Healthcare Quality. He also co-edited The Healthcare Quality Book: Vision, Strategy and Tools (5th edition published in 2022) and coauthored Healthcare Transformation: A Guide for the Hospital Board Member (2nd edition published in 2024) and Leading Healthcare Transformation: A Primer for Physician Leaders (2nd edition published in 2023). Maulik has authored a combination of over fifty peer-reviewed articles, commentaries, and perspectives. Maulik is adjunct faculty at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in the Department of Health Management & Policy, where he teaches annually and professor at MSOM.

    29 min
  8. From Data to Dollars: Houston Methodist’s Strategy for ACO Growth and Quality Care

    FEB 4

    From Data to Dollars: Houston Methodist’s Strategy for ACO Growth and Quality Care

    We’re so excited to announce our latest episode on More health Less Healthcare! This time, Peter Boland sits down with the amazing Julie Andrieni —an inspiring leader with not just one, but multiple hats at Houston Methodist. If you’re interested in what’s working on the frontlines of healthcare transformation, especially around physician leadership and population health, you’ll love this insightful conversation. Here are 5 keys you’ll learn in this episode: 1.     The Power of Physician Buy-In Julie Andrieni shares exactly how involving primary care physicians from the very beginning—and giving them a voice—can spark real culture change and transform results. 2.     Data Transparency & Trust Discover how unblinded, transparent data (yes, everyone sees everyone’s results!) has built a level of trust that helps practices improve year after year. 3.     Real Financial Incentives It’s not all about pride (but that matters too!). Julie Andrieni breaks down how their incentive structure rewards top performers and motivates everyone to strive for better quality care. 4.     Supporting the Whole Patient Learn how Houston Methodist partners with community organizations—like food banks and even real estate agents—to address social needs that impact patient health. 5.     Patience, Persistence & Progress The secret sauce? It’s a long game. Julie Andrini reveals how their best results came after years of steady improvement—and why having leadership’s support from day one is non-negotiable. Fun fact from the episode:                                                                                                                                                                                 When Houston Methodist started sharing performance data transparently at practice meetings, the initial reaction from docs was, “The data isn’t right!” But after personally sitting down to review the numbers, what did they find? The data was right—and friendly competition (with trophies and honor rolls!) went through the roof. Julia Andrieni, MD is the Senior Vice President of Population Health and Primary Care at Houston Methodist. She is a physician executive leader with national recognition for Value-Based Care with innovative patient care models improving quality and reducing costs at a system level. Her multi-disciplinary team at Houston Methodist is responsible for over 100,000 Medicare lives and over 50,000 commercial lives. Dr. Andrieni is the Founder and CEO and President of Houston Methodist Coordinated Care (HMCC)  Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in collaboration with over 350 Primary Care providers. In 2024, HMCC ACO ranked #1 nationally for Academic Medical Center ACOs for total Savings Per Patient. HMCC ACO is also in the Top 2% nationally (476 ACOs) for Medicare Shared Savings Programs for both Quality Performance and Earned Savings. For the past 9 years, HMCC ACO has sustained 90th percentile quality performance and earned savings while taking financial risk. In 2024 and 2025, Pearl Health recognized Dr. Andrieni as one of the Top 50 Value-Based Thinkers.

    31 min

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About

Are you ready to rethink what health really means—and what it takes for us to achieve it? Welcome to the “More Health. Less Healthcare” Podcast, your front-row seat to a revolution in American healthcare, inspired by the game-changing book by Peter Boland.   Healthcare doesn’t have to be defined by endless bills, mounting debt, and a system that prioritizes profits over people. What if there’s a better way that means more health for everyone, fewer unnecessary costs, and a renewed sense of fairness in how care is delivered?   The “More Health. Less Healthcare” podcast takes you inside the heart of a growing movement: one that values equity, transparency, collaboration, and, above all, real outcomes for real people. Hosted by thought leaders committed to making a difference, each episode starts with a bold question: Are we ready to do the right thing, for the right reasons, at the right price?   Drawing from over 100 real-life case examples and interviews, this podcast isn’t just another critique of what’s broken. It’s your practical playbook for solutions that work—proof of concept that eradicating health disparities and cutting out waste can lead to healthier communities, a stronger economy, and a more ethical society.   Learn how the hidden cost of inequity in American healthcare is draining hundreds of billions of dollars from our economy every year, and how millions of Americans endure the crushing burden of medical debt. Discover why up to a third of all healthcare spending in the U.S.—a staggering $1.4 trillion each year—has no benefit for patients and only adds to the harm. The “More Health. Less Healthcare” podcast uncovers these hard truths and turns them into a call for accountability and courage.   We face a crucial choice: keep overspending on sickness care or rebalance our priorities to invest in real health creation. COVID-19 revealed the glaring gaps in our system and the disproportionate impact on minority communities, bringing discrimination and broken incentives to the forefront. The podcast tackles these issues head-on, with stories and strategies from those leading the way on public health, end-to-end care coordination, and the rebuilding of trust in our healthcare institutions.   Why do traditional healthcare financing models fail us? How can we redirect wasted resources to programs that create health? What can individuals, practitioners, and policymakers do right now to drive systemic change, eliminate unnecessary care, and refocus on community-based solutions?   Each episode is a masterclass in what it means to be accountable for the health of our communities. We draw on the wisdom of healthcare’s past, rooted in Hippocrates’ timeless principle—first do no harm, then try to prevent it—and update it for the 21st century. Our guests bring you groundbreaking ideas and proven methods to advance equity, commit to health creation, and embrace transparency and fairness as the guiding values of a new era.   Don’t miss the conversations that matter from how to slash 26-46% of healthcare waste, to making public health programs robust statewide and nationwide, to amplifying voices that have turned health equity from an ideal into a reality.   Whether you’re a patient, a clinician, a policymaker, or someone who simply cares about the future of health in America, “More Health. Less Healthcare” is your go-to resource for hope, honest dialogue, and practical steps toward a fairer, healthier tomorrow. Subscribe now and join the national conversation about how we value health, the urgent reforms we need, and how—with the right leadership and commitment—we can all experience more health and less healthcare.