The Health Advocates

In this episode, join The Health Advocates as they dive into the latest health news with a focus on the emerging H5N1 bird flu and its implications. They discuss the virus's potential to affect humans, current states with detected cases, and public health strategies to mitigate its spread. The hosts also touch on recent COVID-19 variants and the development of combined COVID and flu vaccines, refl...

After being diagnosed with a type of kidney disease called acute glomerulonephritis at the age of 10, Liz Schumacher learned how to find her voice and become her own best advocate for her treatment. Now through her work in health advocacy and health sustainability, Liz uses the lessons of resilience she learned through her diagnosis journey to inspire other patients to be their own advocates too....

In this episode, we’re joined by gastroenterologist Dr. Brad Pasternak who talks about how his personal experience with ulcerative colitis inspired him to become a pediatric gastroenterologist. Dr. Pasternak realized he needed to advocate for policies that increase access to care after seeing his patients face denied treatments by insurance. He shares the tremendous effect that harmful policies ha...

In honor of Lupus Awareness Month and Lupus Day of Action in New York City, we’re joined by New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif. Council Member Hanif shares about her life as a lupus patient and how her condition informs her work as a member of the city council. She underscores the importance of accessibility within New York City and the idea of creating infrastructure to help patients with...

We’re joined by Shonta Chambers, who serves as the Executive Vice President-Health Equity Initiatives and Community Engagement for the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). Shonta explains how social drivers impact one’s health, including things such as housing and economic status. We dive into the case work she does with PAF to combat these challenges and connect patients to resources. She also shar...

The Health Advocates are joined by singer, songwriter, actress, and activist Cyndi Lauper and chef and restauranteur Michelle Bernstein to talk about their journey with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Recently, the two of them have joined forces to bridge the worlds of music and cuisine to deliver a powerful message of hope and empowerment for patients living with psoriatic disease. Here, they...

Zoe and special co-host Adam Kegley, Associate Director of Global Partnerships at GHLF, are joined by San Diego-based gastroenterologist Carlton Thomas, MD, to learn all about LGBTQ+ health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Carlton shares how not enough people are talking about sexual health and IBD, how people can have more open and honest conversations with their doctors, and the challen...

We’re joined by Kristal Hartman who is a proud member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and is honored to serve as the Chair of the OAC National Board of Directors. In this episode, we learn about her patient journey, including her bariatric surgery in August 2014, which she describes as the hardest and best decision she ever made for herself. She shares how she now fights for access to...

In this episode we are joined by Jae Walker, who lives with multiple autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and a rare neurological disease. Jae shares their emotional journey to diagnosis, offering advice for other people living with chronic illness on advocating for yourself and not giving up. Among the highlights in this episode: 01:21: Jae shares the onset of their r...

Measles has been reported in about a dozen states across the U.S. this year. In this episode, we’re discussing Florida’s response to this recent outbreak, and why it’s not in the best interest of protecting public health. In the news recap, we give an update on our advocacy related to Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs), discuss how nonprofits profited from COVID misin...

The Washington Post released a story that the CDC is considering replacing the COVID five-day isolation period guidance with staying home until 24 hours fever free and improving symptoms. In this episode, we’re breaking down all we do and don’t know so far about COVID, its impact, and this potential change in recommendation from the CDC. In the news highlights, we discuss how unfortuna...

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the great achievements and commemorate important Black heroes and events throughout our history. It’s also a time to reflect and raise awareness of racial and ethnic disparities across health care sectors. The Health Advocates are joined by Sarah Shaw, Senior Manager of BIPOC Community Outreach at GHLF, for a discussion on the disproportionate burde...

About half of U.S. adults say it is difficult to afford health care costs, and about one in five adults say they have not filled a prescription because of the cost. So, what can we do about lowering costs to ensure timely access to affordable care and treatment? In this episode, the hosts give us the 411 on Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDABs), how they aim to reduce drug prices, and why...

Corey Greenblatt, Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy at GHLF, joins Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, as co-host of this episode to share advocacy and policy priorities for the patient community in 2024. Corey breaks down which states are active in passing legislation that protects patients from step therapy and copay accumulators, and how patients can share t...

With measles outbreaks making headlines in the U.S., The Health Advocates are diving into the history of measles in this country, how we got to these outbreaks after eliminating measles, the role of public health trust, and where we go from here to rebuild public health authority. “I think there tends to be this idea that the measles is just a rash or some spots on your skin. But no, and whe...

The Health Advocates are back and breaking down all the latest news so far in 2024. Steven gives us a debrief on what to look for this election year. We then dive into Florida’s plan to import drugs, why you may be switched from Humira to a biosimilar, and finally the latest hospitalizations and case rates this respiratory illness season. Among the highlights in this episode: 01:28: Steven d...

In the third episode of our three-part series on polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), we are joined by JP Summers, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF. JP shares what she’s learned from people living with PMR about managing their symptoms and advocating for themselves at doctor’s appointments. JP and Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, talk abo...

Basmah joins The Health Advocates to share her Crohn’s disease patient journey. Initially, Basmah admits to not paying much attention or learning about her Crohn’s — and she fell behind because of her symptoms. This sparked her to do an online deep dive, learn about the disease, and start a journey of trial and error with lifestyle interventions and medicine. Basmah’s advic...

About a year ago Linda Rinaldi began to feel full body pain. It felt like she had exercised too much, but when it became more extreme, she knew something was wrong. In a matter of days, she was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), a condition she had never heard of. Linda joins this episode of The Health Advocates to share her PMR patient journey and how the diagnosis ultimately led her to...

It’s Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week and we are joined by Mallory Schmoll, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Strategy at Walgreens. Mallory explains what IBD is, how it differs from irritable bowel syndromes (IBS), and the available treatments for patients. We also discuss the different types of remission, along with what it means to achieve remission, and questions to ask your doctor or ph...

It’s our annual Turkey Day Talking Points episode! Our hosts discuss their favorite Thanksgiving foods and what they are especially grateful for. For this year’s Thanksgiving table conversation, our hosts are focused on copay assistance, accumulators and maximizers. They break down how to start a conversation about your advocacy efforts, and the topline points of what you and your frie...

Zoe is live at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2023 Convergence and is joined by patient advocate Shelley Fritz who lives with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Shelley describes her patient perspectives poster about how using the Mediterranean diet has led to significant enhancements in her quality of life through increased energy, reduced fatigue, less pain, and a greater willingness to soci...

Zoe is live at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2023 Convergence and is joined by patient advocate Eileen Davidson who lives with rheumatoid arthritis. Eileen discusses her patient perspectives poster about building a support group as a secure haven for people living with arthritis. Eileen describes how connecting with peers can transform the patient journey. Contact Our Hosts Steven New...

Zoe is live at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2023 Convergence and is joined by occupational therapist and patient advocate Cheryl Crow, who lives with rheumatoid arthritis. Cheryl discusses her involvement with ACR, shares her key takeaways from this year's conference, and offers a sneak peek into her two upcoming talks centered around podcasting and helping her peers with rheumatic d...

In this special episode, Zoe is live at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2023 Convergence and is joined by patient advocate Dana Guglielmo who lives with rheumatoid arthritis. Dana shares about her patient perspectives poster where she uses data to manage her health information. She encourages patients to make their own "Dana's Dashboard" and find what works for them to take control over...