What Forests Can Teach Us About Fixing Healthcare - with Sampo Pihlainen

What can forest management teach us about building healthier societies? In this episode of the Health-ing Podcast, Ushma Issar and Thomas Plochg sit down with Finnish economist and researcher Sampo Pihlainen to explore the surprising parallels between environmental systems and healthcare systems. From climate change and biodiversity to prevention in healthcare, Sampo explains how complex systems can be shaped by a few powerful interventions—if incentives are designed well. The conversation dives into long-term thinking, why prevention struggles to win against short-term profits, and how economics can move beyond money toward true societal welfare. You’ll hear how forests, climate policy, and even gut bacteria offer insights into designing environments where health becomes the default—not the exception. This episode is for anyone curious about how shifting incentives and system design could make Health-ing easier for everyone.