Episode 35 - Driving Cultural Change and Increasing Health Literacy in the Workplace - with Nico Pronk from HealthPartners Institute

In this episode of The Health Literacy 2.0 Podcast, Seth Serxner is joined by Nico Pronk, President and Institutional Official of HealthPartners Institute and Chief Science Officer at HealthPartners to talk about the impact of cultural change, health literacy, and building trust in the workplace.The HealthPartners organization is a health plan and a health system comprised of several hospitals and clinics in the Twin Cities area.Dr. Pronk is a prominent figure in public health research, with a focus on bridging evidence-based practices with real-world applications to enhance population health and well-being. As a Senior Research Investigator at the HealthPartners Institute and an Affiliate Full Professor at the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, he is dedicated to developing and implementing programs, policies, and systems that demonstrably improve public health outcomes. Dr. Pronk's expertise extends across various settings, including workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities, where he pioneers innovative models to address health challenges at research, practice, and policy levels.Recognized for his leadership and expertise, Dr. Pronk has held influential positions such as co-chair of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for Healthy People 2030. He also serves on the Food and Nutrition Board, chairs the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and contributes to several other boards and organizations dedicated to advancing health research and policy.Dr. Pronk's contributions are both scholarly and practical, as evidenced by his extensive publications and international speaking engagements on population health and well-being. He earned his doctorate in exercise physiology from Texas A&M University and completed post-doctoral studies in behavioral medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, solidifying his interdisciplinary approach to tackling public health challenges.In a wide-ranging conversation, Nico and Seth discuss:☑️ Addressing cultural change and health literacy in the workplace.☑️ Successful initiatives implemented by organizations to promote anti-racism within work teams.☑️ Main challenges in integrating new staff and maintaining collegialism in the changing workforce landscape.☑️ How employers can encourage greater participation in health and well-being initiatives among their workforce.☑️ Societal forces influencing the health and well-being of individuals in the workplace.☑️ Integrating health literacy into overall well-being strategies for the workforce.☑️ And much more.For show notes and resources, visit EdLogics Podcast.About The Health Literacy 2.0 PodcastImproving health literacy — the ability to understand and act on health information — is key to improving health outcomes and lowering costs.Together with business and community leaders, we'll explore effective, behavior-changing solutions that can improve health literacy — and drive engagement in corporate and public health and wellness programs.Learn About EdLogicsWant to see how EdLogics' gamified platform can boost health literacy, drive engagement in health and wellness programs, and help people live happier, healthier lives? Visit the EdLogics website. Links:HealthPartners Institute - www.healthpartners.comDr. Nico Pronk - linkedin.com/in/nico-pronk-b2450768