[30-minute keynote address] In January of 2026, Jo Kline's Iowa Institute for Health Literacy made the first independent, Iowa-based projections for Iowa's workforce of physicians, registered nurses and direct care workers.
Jo shares the methodology that makes her projections unique and reliable. And she answers the question, "What now?" These projections of life-limiting worker shortages in the tens of thousands present an opportunity for Iowa to take bold, innovative steps to ensure its residents have access to healthcare when, where and how it is needed. Because the alternative is unacceptable.
"Where will you be when the music stops?"
[45-minute keynote address] Very soon, more than one in every five Americans will be a senior, while more than half of all adults have two or more chronic medical conditions. A perfect storm of healthcare access is quickly approaching: the demographics of aging and chronic disease, dwindling resources and systemic failures to prep. What’s more, this workforce crisis in healthcare is the leading indicator of a labor meltdown that threatens economic viability, as well as patients' and providers' well-being.
Jo Kline shares the startling data and policy failings behind these life-limiting challenges and, as importantly, straightforward strategies for overcoming barriers to access and achieving best health outcomes. Whether a healthcare consumer, caregiver for a loved one, business owner or a community leader, awareness of our demographic challenges is the first step in preparing for this perfect storm of healthcare access. And, by the way, it is no longer approaching. It is here.
Bridges to Healthcare Access
Jo Kline has now incorporated her unique expertise in demographics, the healthcare workforce and health literacy into an innovative initiative. Through Bridges to Healthcare Access Jo raises awareness of the threats to healthcare access and the crucial strategies that benefit both individuals and their "communities," whether a small town, a faith-based organization, a retirement village, a neighborhood, an advocacy group, a business or an extended family.
Learn about the Bridges to Healthcare Access initiative through Jo's series of presentation (one-hour Introduction, followed by two, two-hour classes). Discover Jo's empowering action steps to: 1) avoid being “invisible,” 2) befriend healthcare technology, 3) recognize the threat of medical errors, 4) properly manage medications and 5) practice effective care management.
Click here to preview the basics of Bridges, then contact Jo at JoKline@msn.com to discuss details and whether one or more of her presentations would be a good fit for your organization or community gathering.