As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to produce new challenges for world economies and healthcare systems, easy access to the information you need to make educated decisions is more important than ever. To answer your timely questions, Investopedia and Verywell, a leading health and wellness publisher, are hosting a free, virtual conference for our readers on Sept. 21, 2021 at 1 p.m. EST. 

The leaders of Investopedia and Verywell will be talking to industry experts to explore topics including what long-term economic recovery looks like, how to manage financial stress, and the future of investing. The goal is to help you feel mentally, physically, and fiscally prepared to take on the months and year ahead.

What to Expect On Conference Day

The virtual “Your Money Your Health” event will be an afternoon of 45-minute discussions with panelists and audience Q&As hosted by Investopedia’s Editor-in-Chief Caleb Silver, Verywell Mind’s Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, and Verywell Health’s Chief Medical Officer Jessica Shepherd, M.D. 

Guest panelists include: 

• Erik Anderson: President of Global Services, Hologic, Inc.
• Melynda Barnes, M.D.: Chief Medical Officer, Ro Health
• Mike Bayer: Life coach and author of “One Decision: The First Step to A Better Life”
• George M. Blount, D.B.A.: Financial therapist & founder, nBalance Financial
• Ethan Harris: Head of Global Economics Research, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research
• Haesue Jo, LMFT: Head of Clinical Operations, BetterHelp
• James L. Madara, M.D.: CEO & Executive Vice President, American Medical Association
• Carolyn McClanahan, M.D., CFP: Founder & Director of Financial Planning, Life Planning Partners, Inc.
• Jim Merlino, M.D.: Chief Clinical Transformation Officer, Cleveland Clinic
• Rhonda Randall, M.O.: Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual
• Liz Ann Sonders: Managing Director & Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab

“Your Money Your Health” Sept. 21, 2021 Agenda

• Opening Remarks & Welcome — 1 p.m. EST
• Healing the Economic Scars of the Pandemic — 1:15 p.m. EST 
• Managing Financial and Mental Stress — 2 p.m. EST
• Paying for It: The Future of Care from the Patient Perspective — 3 p.m. EST
• Moving Forward: Healthcare Access & Options — 4 p.m. EST
• Investing Through the Pandemic: How the Pandemic has Changed Investor Behavior and Impacted Global Markets — 4:45 p.m. EST
• Closing Remarks — 5:30 p.m. EST

Why Now?

COVID-19 continues to present unheard-of challenges for Americans, the U.S. economy, and healthcare systems across the United States and around the world. While Investopedia has been focused on answering questions about finances, the stock market, and the global economy, a few timely themes have emerged, indicating that, in many ways, the recovery from the pandemic  has just begun.  

Financial Stress Runs High

The pandemic brought financial stress in the form of job loss and unexpected expenses to many Americans, and many are still feeling the burden, according to the latest Verywell Mind Mental Health Tracker. According to our readers, financial troubles are even more stressful than the COVID-19 pandemic.

To arm readers with tools to combat and prevent financial stress, Amy Morin, Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind, and Caleb Silver, Editor-in-Chief of Investopedia, will explore this topic with mental health and financial therapy experts at 2 p.m. EST “Your Money Your Health” conference. 

Investor Sentiment Waivers

After a year of continued record highs for the U.S. stock market, investors may be less inclined to take risks in the back half of 2021, according to our latest newsletter reader survey. 

In August 2021, individual investors expressed growing concerns about government spending, inflation, and cyberattacks alongside the spread of COVID-19 variants. Projecting lower market gains, most survey respondents said they don’t plan on increasing their investments over the next 12 months. 

Investopedia’s Caleb Silver and Liz Ann Sonders, Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist for Charles Schwab, will discuss how the pandemic has shaped investor behaviors and markets, and what that means for building wealth in 2022 starting at 4:45 p.m. EST during “Your Money Your Health.” 

All Eyes Are On The Economy

COVID-19 quickly brought many segments of the U.S. and global economy to a halt shortly after March 2020 as businesses, travel, and hospitality industries shut down. Early measures of the economic fallout are on par with the initial declines of the Great Depression, but 2021 has shown the economy is on a road to recovery—but that road is not without bumps and turns.

The Fed is still holding its benchmark rates near zero while it waits for unemployment rates to sink and inflation drops below 2%, but the global economy is facing new challenges as natural disasters strike and the medical fight against COVID-19 variants continues. Inflation has raised the price of goods and services, and while relaxed monetary policies can help support economic growth, it may also temporarily subdue returns on some investments. 

With so many moving parts, reports of lower economic confidence, and further recovery on the horizon, Investopedia’s Silver and Ethan Harris, Head of Global Economics Research for Bank of America, will discuss where the U.S. economy stands today, the long-term global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what it all means for consumers and individual investors going forward. Tune in at 1:15 p.m. EST on Sept. 21, 2021 to learn more.

Keep Reading to Learn More

To learn more about some of the topics industry experts will explore at the virtual conference, read the articles in this content series. Investopedia has created the most relevant stories to help you have the information you need to feel ready to ask deeper questions on Sept. 21, 2021: