Podcast
From Green to Purple: What is the Air Quality Index?
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by the Clinical Director of Blue Care Network, Dr. Peter Graham. Together, they talk about the AQI, what is it?, and how it can help prepare you for the day. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: How to read the AQI? Who is most effected by air quality? What changes air quality? What you can do to help yourself
The Highs and Lows of Energy Drinks
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Care Management Physician for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Dr. Angela Seabright. Together, they talk about the good and bad of energy drinks, what's in them, and some other ways you could get the energy you need to go about your day. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What's in energy drinks How they effect the body Are they a danger to us what are some alternatives
Eating for Healing: An Anti-Inflammatory Diet
On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Registered Dietitian for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Shanthi Appelö. Together, they explore ways to combat inflammation, why its bad long term and how small changes in your lifestyle can help fight it. In this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast, we explore: What causes inflammation What some of the long term effects can be Diets that can reduce inflammation Other ways to fight inflammation
Easy Ways to Increase Your Veggie Intake
At some point in your life, it’s possible you’ve heard someone say, “it’s important to eat your veggies so you can grow up to be big and strong.” And it’s also likely some of us didn’t read much more into that statement. To an extent, a majority of us know that vegetables are good for us because that’s what we were told growing up. However, according to the CDC, 91% of adults aren’t getting the daily recommended of vegetables. During this conversation, we’ll shed light on the benefits of vegetables and creative ways we can incorporate them into our diet.
Listen Now
Community First-Partnering for Upstream Affordability
Affordability isn't just about medical bills—it's about addressing what drives health in the first place. When people have stable housing, access to healthy food and support for mental health, they use the health care system less and live healthier lives. In this episode we explore how health care affordability starts far upstream—from food security and housing stability to behavioral health and chronic disease prevention. This episode will spotlight community-based partnerships that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has invested in to address these social determinants of health and ultimately reduce unnecessary costs across the system.
Listen Now
Is There an Optimal Time to Work Out?
There’s no question that finding time to work out whenever you can is better than not doing it at all. But what if you wanted to optimize your workouts to get the most benefit? Is there a specific time of day that’s optimal to maximize the results you get from working out?
Listen Now
Explore By
Uncompensated Care and the Safety Net
Uninsured individuals often rely on hospitals for emergency care, the most expensive part of the health system. That cost doesn’t disappear—it shows up in everyone’s insurance premiums. This episode helps reframe affordability by examining how charity care, Medicaid, and federal subsidies work together to manage that cost upstream. In this episode, we explore the hidden costs of uncompensated care, how hospitals and insurers work together to support vulnerable populations, and the impact of federal and state policy decisions on health insurance coverage rates in Michigan.
Shared Responsibility for Affordability
Health care affordability isn't just a consumer problem—it's a system accountability issue. Consolidated health systems promised lower costs. This episode brings together health systems, insurers and business leaders to explore how each player in the health care system can do more—collectively—to lower the cost of coverage. From legacy partnerships to forward-looking value-based models, what does meaningful collaboration look like?
Ways Dehydration is Affecting You That You Didn’t Realize
Did you know 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? Find out the signs and side effects of dehydration as well as ways you can stay hydrated.
