Dr. Len M. Nichols, an economist, discusses his paper, “Social Determinants as Public Goods: A New Approach To Financing Key Investments iIn Healthy Communities,” with Dr. Bob Kaiser. Nichols is director of the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics and a professor of health policy at George Mason University. His research delves into how improving social determinants of health — factors such as economics and social conditions — can play a key role in curtailing spiraling healthcare costs.