In this episode of The Health Advocates, host Steven Newmark breaks down what the recent federal government shutdown means for health care access and vulnerable patients. Then, he’s joined by Mahsa Pazokifard, a passionate patient advocate living with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a rare and often misunderstood autoimmune condition. Mahsa opens up about the challenges of getting diagnosed, how the disease has impacted her life and career, and why raising awareness is essential.

Whether you’ve never heard of IgG4-RD or are living with a chronic illness yourself, this episode offers powerful insights into patient advocacy, rare disease awareness, and the human side of health care policy.

To learn more about IgG4-Related Disease, visit: creakyjoints.org/igg4-rd-guide

To learn more about vaccine recommendations and find reliable resources for patients, visit: ghlf.org/vaccines

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pandemics aren’t only about pathogens, they’re about people, politics, and the deep inequities in our health systems. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark speaks with Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease and public health leader whose career has spanned the front lines of global outbreaks from Ebola to COVID-19. As the former Chief Medical Officer for New York City and co-founder of the Wellness and Equity Alliance, Dr. Evans brings firsthand insight into how societal structures can shape, and sometimes worsen, the course of a public health crisis.

The conversation dives into key themes from Dr. Evans’ new book, Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics (Johns Hopkins Press, August 2025), which examines how inequality, poverty, and fractured health systems accelerate the spread of disease. Dr. Evans explains why scientific breakthroughs alone aren’t enough, we must also tackle the injustices that leave vulnerable communities at greatest risk.

From vaccine mandates to climate change’s role in infectious disease, from disinformation to the erosion of public trust, this episode offers both a sobering reality check and a call to action. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, policymaker, or concerned citizen, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of why true pandemic preparedness starts with equity.

To learn more about Dr. Tyler Evans’ book, Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics, click here.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open enrollment for 2026 is underway — and for millions of Americans managing chronic or rare diseases, understanding your health insurance options is essential. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down what open enrollment is, what’s new this year, and how to navigate changes in your plan.

Drawing from Aimed Alliance’s 2026 Open Enrollment guide, Steven explains key terms like deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, explores what to watch for in your plan’s formulary, and outlines the impact of potential changes to ACA subsidies. Whether you’re reviewing employer coverage or shopping through HealthCare.gov, this episode will help you make informed, patient-centered choices for the year ahead.

Listen and learn:

• What to look for in your 2026 plan
• How to protect your access to medications and providers
• Why ACA subsidies and transparency rules matter for affordability

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark speaks with Kathi Lopez, who shares her journey of being diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). Kathi talks about the challenges of getting a proper diagnosis, navigating treatment, and managing life with a rare autoimmune condition. She shares how staying informed, connected, and engaged in advocacy has helped her take control of her care, and how she now helps others do the same. Her story sheds light on the realities of living with GCA and the importance of raising awareness for rare conditions.

Tune in to hear Kathi’s inspiring story and help us raise awareness for GCA.

To learn more about Giant Cell Arteritis, visit https://ghlf.org/gca

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognized groundbreaking advances in understanding immune regulation — but what do they mean for people living with autoimmune disease? In this episode, Dr. Shilpa Venkatachalam, Chief Patient-Centered Research and Ethical Oversight Officer at GHLF, joins Steven to explore how our immune system knows when to act — and when to stop. Shilpa explains the importance of these discoveries, why immune “brakes” matter in autoimmune conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, and how research breakthroughs can lead to better treatments. She also shares why patients are key partners in turning lab science into real-world therapies.

Tune in to learn how Nobel-winning science could help unlock better care for autoimmune disease.

To read the full article — “How a Nobel Prize Discovery Gives New Hope for Calming the Immune System in Autoimmune Diseases” — visit: https://creakyjoints.org/research/research-immune-nobel-prize-autoimmune/

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens to America’s health when Washington grinds to a halt? In this episode of The Health Advocates, we break down the latest federal government shutdown and what it means for public health agencies across the country. We explain what a shutdown actually is, drawing from past shutdowns over the last 30 years, and then dive into the immediate and long-term impacts on the CDC, FDA, NIH, and other agencies that millions of people depend on for research, vaccines, food safety, and emergency response.

We also look at the political stalemate behind the shutdown, focusing on Democrats’ push to restore pending cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies and what those cuts could mean for healthcare costs. Finally, we explore whether there’s a realistic path to resolution soon—and what’s at stake for patients and the healthcare system if Congress fails to act.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark sits down with Richard (RJ) Kedziora, co-founder of Estenda Solutions, to explore the intersection of technology, data, and patient advocacy. With decades of experience in healthcare technology, RJ shares how he and his team design digital tools that help patients take control of their health while supporting providers and payers alike. They also discuss patient engagement, accessibility, and the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or a patient advocate, this conversation offers insights on building smarter, more empathetic digital health solutions.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, we unpack a turbulent week in public health. The CDC’s Vaccine Advisory Committee (ACIP), now reshaped under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., met to debate changes to the COVID-19, MMRV, and Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations. Despite heated rhetoric and process irregularities, the committee ultimately kept broad access to COVID-19 vaccines — a short-term win for patients and a reminder that advocacy pressure works.

We also break down President Trump’s recent claims linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, and his renewed suggestion of a connection between vaccines and autism. We review what the science actually shows, what public health experts are warning about, and what patients and families should know moving forward.

Tune in for clarity on a confusing week — and why these debates matter for access, trust, and the future of public health.

Contact Our Host

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.