Mike and Pfizer Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Kindler discussed ways to accelerate medical research at the first Partnering for Cures meeting sponsored by FasterCures. Mike pointed out that the health-reform debate has focused almost entirely on coverage and costs. While these are important issues, they don’t address the fundamental challenges of a lifestyle-driven health crisis and the demographic certainties of chronic disease. Unless America takes dramatic action, Mike said, the combined impact of obesity and aging could overwhelm America’s health resources. A renewed focus on medical research and effective prevention is essential.