Chronic Inequities: How Health Impacts Wealth for Women and People of Color

As President and CEO of the National Council on Aging, Ramsey Alwin is leading a nationwide movement to ensure equitable aging for every American. 

Building on NCOA’s 70 years of service and advocacy for older adults, Alwin is renewing the organization’s commitment to improving the lives of millions, especially those who are struggling. She is sparking critical conversations about the resources every American deserves to age well—and what needs to change to ensure all have access.

A seasoned thought leader and policy advocate, Alwin has changed the way people think about older adult poverty and economic security. She designed a new measure of economic security for older adults that better accounts for out-of-pocket health costs and worked to introduce the Measuring American Poverty Act in Congress to redefine the federal poverty measure for the older population. Thanks to Alwin’s efforts, the U.S. Census Bureau formally implemented the Supplemental Poverty Measure nationwide, virtually doubling the elder poverty count and better demonstrating true needs among this population. 

Prior to leading NCOA, Alwin directed financial resilience global thought leadership at AARP and served as Director of National Economic Security Programs at Wider Opportunities for Women. Currently, she serves on the Executive Committee of the UN NGO Committee on Aging, the America250 Health and Wellness Advisory Council, and the National Academy of Social Insurance Finance Committee.

A member of NCOA's Board of Directors, Dr. Cheryl Woodson taught and practiced Geriatric Medicine for almost 40 years while also raising a family and navigating her mother’s 10-year journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She completed a BA in Biology (minor in English) at Wesleyan University in CT, medical school at the University of Pittsburgh, a residency in Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and a fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at UCLA.

She began her career in geriatrics education and program development as a faculty member at The University of Chicago and Northwestern University medical schools. After serving as the director of geriatrics services for a community health system, she founded and for 12 years directed a medical practice called Woodson Center for Adult Healthcare: when you’ve outgrown the kid stuff. The Center was the only privately-owned, community-based, comprehensive geriatrics program in the country that also provided primary care to adults of all ages. It also offered Sterling Silver, a community health education series for people who’ve been blessed to be on the planet more than 40 years. 

Woodson has served on national committees for the Veteran’s Administration and the American Geriatrics Society; she continues as an advisor to several community and faith-based organizations in the Chicago area. She has presented at national meetings on geriatrics, elder abuse and neglect, health literacy and patient-clinician communications, advocating for people with cognitive disabilities, and decision-making at the end of life. Other topics include support for family and professional caregivers, increasing geriatrics expertise in all professions that interact with older adults, and How to Make Careers in Medicine Compatible with Life.

In addition to board certification in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Woodson earned credentials in Health Care Quality Management and worked as a medical director for several managed care companies. Her goal was to serve as a bridge between the clinical and business sides of the health care industry.

In retirement, Woodson continues to write and speak to guide adults to ROAR PAST RETIREMENT, LIVE OUT LOUD and AGE EXCELLENTLY, Embrace the Magic of Menopause, and care for older loved ones without destroying themselves. She is the author of the popular eldercare resource, To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice. 

Marc A. Cohen, Ph.D. is a Professor of Gerontology at UMass Boston. In his role at UMass, Dr. Cohen is the Co-Director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston and he also serves as a Research Director at the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation at Community Catalyst. 

Prior to joining UMass in the fall of 2016, Dr. Cohen served as the Chief Research and Development Officer and former President and co-founder of LifePlans, Inc., a long-term care research and risk management company that works with both the public and private sector on issues related to the financing and delivery of long-term care. 

Over his 25 year career, Dr. Cohen has conducted extensive research on public policy issues affecting the financing and delivery of long-term care services. Dr. Cohen has testified before Congress, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and other organizations, served on Governor Deval Patrick’s Task Force on Long-Term Care Financing for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was a member of the Steering Committee of the 
Long-Term Care Financing Collaborative, and served as a working group chair for a National Academy of Social Insurance Study panel on Designing State-Based Social Insurance for Long-Term Services and Supports.

More recently, he has been examining ways to improve person-centered care, add services to senior housing, and address issues related to caring for eligibles dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare with
complex service needs. Over the years, his work has been quoted extensively and he has been interviewed by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine as a thought leader on issues affecting elder care financing. 

Dr. Cohen received his Ph.D. from the Heller School at Brandeis University and his Master’s Degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University