A podcast from Mathematica that examines what we know about today’s most urgent challenges and how we can make progress in addressing them. Reimagining the way the world gathers and uses data, Mathematica uncovers the evidence that offers our partners the confidence and clarity they need to find out what can be done, how to make it happen, and where to go next.
138 | Addressing Rising Healthcare Costs in States
Rising healthcare costs in the U.S. threaten people’s access to treatment and services while reducing their ability to afford other necessities. Over the last decade, state policymakers across the political spectrum have responded to this urgent problem by passing legislation, setting up new government offices, and adding regulations to control healthcare spending.
One critical element of states’ maturing strategies for addressing healthcare costs is high quality, timely, and accessible data.
In the latest episode of Mathematica’s On the Evidence podcast, Jim Lloyd of the New Jersey Department of Health, Rachel Block of the Milbank Memorial Fund, and Julie Sonier of Mathematica discuss why rising healthcare costs present a complex and urgent issue, how states are responding, and the role of data in supporting solutions that address healthcare cost growth.
“We have this healthcare system with much higher costs than other countries around the world, but we also have less access,” Lloyd explains. “There's an opportunity to be able to identify those costs that are contributing to quality, identify those costs that aren't, and then increase access and increase quality, potentially without increasing costs.”
A blog summarizing the episode, with quotes from the guests and additional resources for further learning are available at https://mathematica.org/blogs/turning-data-into-solutions-for-reducing-healthcare-cost-growth-in-states
25 Jun 2025
137 | Increasing the Resilience of African Smallholder Farmers
Former AGRA president Dr. Agnes Kalibata discusses locally led development and data's role in improving programs like AGRA's Seed Systems with Mathematica CEO Paul Decker, highlighting strategies for increasing the resilience of African smallholder farmers in this interview.
26 Feb 2025
136 | How a Fintech Company Helps Workers in Africa Access Credit and Savings with Smartphones
Mathematica President and CEO Paul Decker interviews M-KOPA CEO Jesse Moore about leveraging smartphones to expand financial access for African workers, exploring data's role in strategy and impact.
Who has been a guest on On the Evidence
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Agnes Kalibata
Jesse Moore
Erika Rissi
Nick Hart
Melinda Buntin
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
29 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
60
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
90
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