What Is Second Opinion?

Second Opinion is a national health program that uses the power of non-commercial public media to educate, promote good health, improve doctor/patient communication, and empower people to take charge of their own healthcare. It engages viewers from across the United States as they watch doctors and patients talk through a variety of health issues from high blood pressure and cancer, to mental health and racial disparities in health. BCBSA has been the executive sponsor of the Second Opinion program for over 15 years.

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Second Opinion Host Joan Lunden

In 2020, award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and women's health & wellness advocate, Joan Lunden, was named the new host for Season 17 of Second Opinion. For nearly two decades, Joan Lunden greeted viewers each morning on Good Morning America, bringing insight to the day’s top stories. As the longest-running female host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered five presidents, five Olympics, and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families, and their health.

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Episodes
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Episode 1 - Coronavirus
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Guest Anthony Fauci.

S17 E1 | CORONAVIRUS | DR. ANTHONY FAUCI

Before the beginning of 2020, many people had never heard the word “coronavirus.” But coronaviruses are not new. Researchers have been studying coronaviruses for decades. As COVID-19 appeared in 2019, lives changed forever. However, long before the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 pandemic, coronaviruses had been making people sick in familiar ways, such as with the common cold. This episode discusses COVID-19, as well as all coronaviruses.

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Episode 2 - Racial Disparities in Health
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Guest.

S17 E2 | RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTH | DR. ROBERT ROSWELL

All across America, there are large and persistent racial differences in health and accessing healthcare. People of color get sick at younger ages and die sooner than white people. Compared with whites, members of racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to receive preventive health services and often receive lower-quality care. Addressing health disparities is increasingly important as our population becomes more diverse. Never has the disparity in access to healthcare become more obvious than with the pandemic of COVID-19. This episode examines the racial disparities that exist in health and healthcare in the U.S.

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Episode 3 - Alzheimer’s Disease
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E3 | Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is an under-recognized public health crisis. And while the word Alzheimer’s strikes fear in aging Americans more than any other word, globally the number of people diagnosed is expected to double every 20 years. Not only does Alzheimer’s come with a tremendous cost to our healthcare system, it takes an emotional toll on families as they care for their loved ones, while watching them slip away. This episode discusses Alzheimer’s Disease from a caregiver and a public health perspective.

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Episode 4 - Millennial Health II
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E4 | Millennial Health II

Millennials were born between the years 1981 and 1996. At 73 million, they are the largest, most educated, and most connected generation ever. They make up the greatest percentage of the population and the labor force. They are also the least healthy generation in recent times and they are experiencing declining health faster than any other recent generation before them. How their health plays out in the years ahead will determine the overall health of America. This episode discusses the issue of Millennial Health.

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Episode 5 - Conquering Obesity
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E5 | Conquering Obesity | Bob Harper

Adult obesity is associated with a decrease in life expectancy for both men and women, as well as an increase in chronic disease. It is estimated that 163 million adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese – two thirds of men, and more than 60% of women. The damage to health is staggering, but people still struggle every day to drop the pounds. Everyone has different reasons for wanting to lose weight and keep it off, and this episode discusses the challenges and solutions for sustained weight loss.

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Episode 6 - Caregiving: The Sandwich Generation
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E6 - Caregiving: The Sandwich Generation

In 1981 the term "sandwich generation" was coined to describe a group of Americans who are caring for children under the age of 18 and older relatives at the same time. Today, millions of families are facing the dual challenge of sandwich caregiving as the population ages and Americans are having children later. This episode focuses on these caregivers.

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Episode 7 - Anxiety
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E7 - Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental-health disorder in the United States, affecting nearly one-third of both adolescents and adults. According to new research, millennials have become the most anxious generation in history. This episode discusses what anxiety is, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

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Episode 8 - Heart Disease in Women
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E8 | Heart Disease in Women

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death and disability for women in the United States. Yet, somehow Heart Disease is often overlooked as a major women’s health issue. It is the cause of death for 1 in 5 women in the U.S., and heart disease and stroke combined cause the death of 1 in 3 women every year. That’s more than all cancers combined. But 80% of cardiac and stroke events can be prevented. This episode digs into the issue of heart disease in women and how we can lower cardiac risk and death.

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Episode 9 - Parkinson’s Disease
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E9 | Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. It affects nearly one million people in the United States and more than six million people worldwide. The symptoms generally develop slowly over years, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. While tremors are common in Parkinson’s, the disease progression is unique to each person. This episode looks at the causes and treatments of Parkinson’s Disease, and the search for a cure.

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Episode 10 - The Cancer Spouse
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Second Opinion guest.

S17 E10 | The Cancer Spouse

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and this diagnosis not only brings physical challenges, but significant emotional and psychological challenges, as well. It is something no one wants to face alone. The spouse of the cancer patient feels the impact of the diagnosis, and their support can be crucial to recovery. The couple goes through cancer together. This episode takes on the topic of “The Cancer Spouse.”

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