September 15, 2021

Episode 6:9 Jody Holtzman on Why ZIP Code Is More Important than Genetic Code

35 minutes

This Top 50 Influencer in Aging and former AARP strategist discusses the increasing importance of geography, how voice technologies are driving innovation, and why sex is the unspoken hero of wellness.

About Jody

Jody Holtzman is founder and Senior Managing Partner of Longevity Venture Advisors LLC, where he works with innovative entrepreneurs, venture investors, public companies, and non-profit organizations to successfully leverage business and investment opportunities in the $8.3 trillion longevity economy. He is a recognized expert on health innovation and products and services of relevance to the aging population, and the opportunities and challenges presented by the demographic wave. He was recognized as a Top 50 Influencer in Aging by Next Avenue/NPR.

He has over three decades of experience helping companies grow by developing and implementing competitive strategies and achieving their strategic market goals. Jody was previously AARP’s Senior Vice President of Thought Leadership and Market Innovation where he conceived and built the first program to spark innovation in the market that benefits people over 50. In this role, he envisioned and developed the concept and market category of the $8.3 trillion Longevity Economy.

His thought leadership and achievements have been recognized in Bloomberg Businessweek, CNBC, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, Information Week, Marketplace, NY Times, PBS News Hour, VentureBeat and USA Today.

Key Takeaways

On the technology side, it's all about voice, complimented by AI and machine learning. Think Amazon Echo, Alexa and Google Home.

Social determinants of health expand what it means to be healthy beyond narrow definitions of medical care.

When only 1 in 5 people over 65(10 million out of 50 million) would choose assisted or independent living, there is a larger societal need.

Sex is the unspoken social determinant of health. It keeps your body and mind active, fights isolation and depression, reduces stress and chronic disease, strengthens the immune system, and increases metabolism. Yet Medicare does not reimburse sex-related drugs and products.

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