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Healthcare is evolving. Once confined to clinics and in-office appointmentshealthcare is now in our homes, routines, and daily choices. The shift towards accessible healthcare solutions, like over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, is empowering people to manage their health proactively. With 81% of adults using OTC medicines for minor ailments, this societal change saves physicians many hours each year, reducing the strain on healthcare systems. Despite increasing consumer interest in self-care, critical health categories like pain management, skin cancer, and more remain undertreated, underdiagnosed, and underpenetrated. The self-care revolution Consumers are increasingly investing in their health. In the U.S. alone, a staggering 82% of consumers consider health and wellness a leading priority in their lives, contributing to a $480 billion market. This clear sign shows that more people are actively taking charge of their well-being today to build a healthier future. Yet, accessibility gaps persist. Science and innovation must bridge this gapnot just through new formulations, but through better awareness, education, and application methods. Consumer-focused companies like ours are working to address this. The power of innovation Despite skin cancer diagnoses outnumbering all other cancers in the U.S., only 13.5% of adults wear sunscreen daily. Our research found that 99% of healthcare providers believe better application and aesthetics would boost sunscreen use. In response, our R&D teams at Neutrogena developed a new mineral formula that overcame these top consumer barriers with more UVA protection and less whitening compared to competitors, all while providing a lightweight, invisible finish. Our goal is to improve consumers willingness to wear sunscreen regularly, protecting their skin and health. While new innovations create a solution to the problem, education is what empowers consumers to pick it up in the aisle. For example, research shows a need for wider education about sun care in schools, so Neutrogena teamed up with Walgreens and the Melanoma Research Foundation to teach students and families the importance of sunscreen use. Programs like this help people understand how to practice preventative care, and its benefits as one of the most powerful tools in reducing health inequities. Where do we go from here? Consumer health companies can make a differencewhether through smarter skincare solutions, new pain relief technologies, or improved application methods. Here are three ways to do that. 1. Accessibility must be a priority, not an afterthought Despite advancements in OTC medicine, inaccessibility remains widespread. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2 billion people lack reliable access to essential medications, such as acetaminophen in the pain care category. Beyond availability, consumers are also facing unique barriers based on their needs or stage of life. Despite many pain relief options being in pill form, people are often averse to swallowing pills for a variety of reasons ranging from general dislike to fear of choking. To make pain care accessible to more people, this unique need must be front and center in product development. Our Tylenol teams used this information and philosophy to develop products for several life stages, adding powder packs to make it easier for children to swallow, and a topical pain relief formation for those with skin discomfort Accessibility drove the creation to ensure that more people could get the relief they needed in a way that worked for them. 2. Sustainability is front and center Consumers today want products that not only enhance personal health but also minimize environmental impact. The future of consumer health is one where science works smarter, faster, and more sustainably, ensuring the well-being of people and the planet. As part of Kenvues approach, we developed an internal assessment tool, the Sustainable Innovation Profiler, which helps our product developers select more sustainable ingredients, packaging, and product formats. Integrating this capability into our innovation process should help us meet the rising expectations of consumers, retailers, and regulators, while building a more resilient and sustainable future and driving brand growth. 3. Collaboration is key to expanding everyday care No single company can solve the accessibility crisis alone. Partnerships between brands, healthcare providers, retailers, and policymakers are essential for meaningful impact. We do this by partnering with dermatologists, pediatricians, and public health organizations to identify care gaps and address misinformation. By meeting consumers wherever they areaisles, pharmacies, doctors offices, or onlinewe empower them to take charge of their health. To build a future with trusted, science-backed solutions for all, consumer health companies should place science in the service of accessibility, today and for generations to come. Caroline Tillett is chief scientific officer of Kenvue.
Category:
E-Commerce
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement represents a transformative opportunity to reshape the landscape of public health in the United States. With chronic disease now widely recognized as a pressing public health crisis, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions that go beyond traditional approaches. The MAHA Commission has set the stage for a new era in health policy, and artificial intelligence can serve as a pivotal force in accelerating its impact. By integrating AI and centralized health data, MAHA can drive meaningful progress in nutrition and metabolic health, offering personalized and scientifically-backed solutions to combat chronic disease. Recent developments surrounding the regulation of synthetic food dyes signal a major milestone in American health policy. We are witnessing the first serious crack in the armor of the U.S. food industry. For decades, tens of millions of Americans have unknowingly consumed potentially harmful chemicals such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, dyes already restricted in Europe. The FDA’s decision to phase out these additives represents a meaningful shift toward a safer, more transparent food system. This is a critical and positive step forward: Food should nourish, not harm. As someone deeply committed to advancing health outcomes, I view this as a welcome and necessary correction. Dont politicize health While MAHA and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (RFK) have drawn both support and criticism, my focus remains clear: How do we improve health? On that front, I support any movement taking tangible steps to make our food supply healthier and more accountable. Historically, public health recommendations have been one-size-fits-all, often failing to address the individual metabolic and lifestyle factors that shape personal health outcomes. MAHA has the potential to change this paradigm by embracing AI-driven personalized medicine. AI can analyze vast datasets spanning dietary habits, genetic predispositions, and environmental exposures to generate tailored health recommendations that empower individuals to make optimal nutritional choices. I am opposed to the politicization of American health. It disproportionately harms the most vulnerable, particularly low-income communities, who already face significant barriers to accessing nutritious food. My focus is metabolic health, and our most urgent challenge is whats on our plates. The fact that more than 10,000 chemicals are permitted in the U.S. food supply, while only about 400 are allowed in Europe, is indefensible. This is not just a regulatory gap; it is a public health failure that must be addressed. No one has successfully challenged the U.S. food industry until now. Some states are proposing or adopting changes aligned with MAHA such as soda bans, dye eliminations, and ultra-processed food limits in schools, and some corporations like PepsiCo are eliminating food dyes from its products. Over half of U.S. states are introducing legislation to address synthetic dyes. With MAHAs clear intentions, any company that wants its food served in Americas largest restaurant chain (i.e. American school cafeterias), is asking themselves how they can realistically get dyes out of their foods. AI can help It is now widely acknowledged that diet plays a fundamental role in chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, which affect 133 million Americans. Despite this awareness, progress in addressing these issues has been slow. In addition to the important steps of improving school lunches and banning potentially harmful chemicals from foods, AI-powered tools can also be incorporated into preventive care in programs like Medicare wellness visits, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), school health education, and veteran services. AI tools can provide real-time insights into the metabolic effects of foods before consumption, enabling individuals to make healthier choices based on their unique health profiles. They can also create highly personalized plans and virtual coaches to help individuals reach their health goals. For AI to fulfill its potential, it must be fueled by centralized, comprehensive health data. A unified data repository that aggregates nutritional information, health metrics, and environmental factors across diverse communities is essential. This centralized approach enhances the accuracy and responsiveness of AI algorithms, ensuring that health recommendations evolve in tandem with emerging scientific research. Realizing this vision will require close collaboration between government agencies, private-sector innovators, and healthcare and technology experts. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, especially under leaders like Michael Kratsios, can partner with Silicon Valleys AI leaders to set new standards for data-driven health policy. Together, we can ensure AI-driven insights are accessible to all Americans. We are living through a rare window of possibility. As RFK Jr. and MAHA work to improve our food system and as AI becomes a force multiplier for health equity, we have the tools to take real action. The removal of food dyes is only the beginning. The real test for all of us, including MAHA, is whether we can also address the larger crises of ultra-processed food, excess sugar, and nutritional inequality. The future of public health depends not on ideological battles, but on constructive action. Lets focus on what matters: addressing the root cause, rather than just treating chronic disease, and improving the health span of all Americans. Noosheen Hashemi is founder of January AI.
Category:
E-Commerce
The era of the invisible CEO is over. In 2025, silence equals irrelevance. Todays audiences in the attention economy dont wait for press releases. Theyre actively engaged on LinkedIn, exploring niche podcasts, diving into Substacks, and sizing up leaders not just on what they sell, but what they stand for.The crucial question then becomes: In a landscape filled with tech skepticism, debates over hero leaders, the influence of cancel culture, dwindling newsrooms, and widespread misinformation, is a public voice essential for CEOs?According to recent data, yes. You cant afford for them not to have a public voice.The days of direct influenceForget billboards and banner ads; direct communication is more effective than almost every other source of information in terms of trust and influence.According to Mission Norths Brand Expectations Index: 84% of knowledge workers and 81% of the general public trust direct communications from companies, including podcasts, long-form articles, and videos, more than national news, social media, or even academic journals. Source: Mission Norths Brand Expectations Index 2025 Among knowledge workers, technical articles (72%), practical explainers (69%), and human-interest stories (66%) are especially effective in building credibility and deepening knowledge. 75% of IT decision makers report increased trust when they encounter real-world stories of people using or innovating with AI. These arent just content preferences. Theyre strategic cues for howand whereaudiences want to engage.Thought leadership is the new due diligenceThe 2024 LinkedIn-Edelman B2B Thought Leadership Impact Report adds more urgency: 73% of decision makers say thought leadership is more trustworthy than product sheets or traditional marketing. 70% of C-suite executives say high-quality thought leadership has made them question whether to stick with a current vendor. 90% say theyre more receptive to outreach from companies that publish insightful content regularly. In short: If your brand wants a seat at the table, it needs to consistently say something smartand human. Your content is your strategy. And your CEO is your sharpest edge, or your most prominent blind spot.The CEO effect: Reputation as a trust multiplierA companys brand is increasingly a reflection of its leadership. From vision and values to risk tolerance and resilience, executives are expected to show up and show their work.According to the Brand Expectations Index, 67% of knowledge workers and 57% of the public believe the CEOs reputation directly influences their trust in a company. That number climbs in innovation-forward sectors like AI, healthtech, and climate.And the message cant be all features and forecasts. Todays audiences, especially in tech, seek techno-optimism: forward-looking, hopeful stories that focus on human possibility. Its a mindset: Dont just tell me what the technology does. Show me who it helps, and how.When CEO visibility is a must In B2B industries, credibility is paramount: Buyers want to know whos behind the productreputation and reliability matter. Emerging industries demand clear leadership: In industries like AI, climate tech, or biotech, trust is still being built, making it a prime opportunity for CEOs to shape the narrative. Investors invest in people, not just products: Pre-IPO or high-growth phases magnify the equation where visibility equals credibility, which in turn equals valuation. Values-led brands require visible leadership: A silent CEO can signal apathy at best, evasion at worst. Attracting top talent depends on engaging leadership: The next generation wants to work with leaders, not just for them. If youre in one of these categories and your CEO is nowhere to be found, that silence speaks volumes, not in your favor.The limits of CEO visibilityThere are real limits to putting the CEO front and center: Authenticity gap: Not every CEO is a natural communicator, and audiences can smell a ghostwriter. Brand-led companies: In some B2C or community-led brands, the product or movement is the hero, not the leader.Crisis optics: When a company is under fire, CEO visibility can sometimes inflame rather than reassure. If the CEO cant lead out front, who can?When the CEO isnt the right messenger, companies still have impactful options: Other executives: Elevate functional leads, from CTOs to CHROs, who can speak credibly to their domains. Structured editorial formats: Launch a company podcast, Substack, or LinkedIn series that features a range of internal voices and customer stories.Narrative clarity: Shape a strategic story arc that anchors all content, from founder essays to customer case studies, even if it doesnt come from the CEO directly.Owned platforms: Use LinkedIn, Medium, YouTube, and even internal newsletters to showcase expertise in ways that feel transparent and consistent. The key? Tell real stories. Lead with humans. Dont just spotlight innovationshow how it solves problems that matter.The bottom lineTodays business landscape favors the bold. Not the brash, but the brave. That doesnt always mean having the loudest voice, but it does mean having a meaningful one.Whether through the CEO or a broader bench of leaders, companies must find a way to lead in public: to show values, expertise, and vision in a way that feels honest and human. Done right, executive thought leadership isnt vanity PR its strategic infrastructure for brand trust, market leadership, and business growth. And in the age of AI, authenticity, and algorithmic noise, your CEOs voice isnt just a nice-to-have; it can be your most significant differentiator.Tyler Perry is co-CEO of Mission North.
Category:
E-Commerce
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