As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, The Health Advocates takes a look at a different kind of American history, the story of our nation's fight against disease and the policies that have shaped the health of millions.

Host Steven Newmark traces 250 years of U.S. health policy, beginning with George Washington's bold decision to inoculate the Continental Army against smallpox and continuing through the development of life-saving vaccines, the creation of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The episode also explores America's response to major public health emergencies, from the 1918 influenza pandemic and HIV/AIDS to COVID-19, including the remarkable development of mRNA vaccines and what they may mean for the future of medicine.

Whether you're a history buff, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about how science, public policy, and innovation have transformed American life, this special Independence Day episode offers a fascinating look at the milestones that helped Americans live longer, healthier lives over the past two and a half centuries.

Contact Our Host

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

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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 COVID-19 public health emergency may be over, but for millions of Americans with weakened immune systems, the virus remains a serious concern.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to phase out COVID-19 Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) and explains why the decision matters for people who are immunocompromised. The transition will require the FDA to establish new regulatory pathways for certain COVID-19 drugs and biologics over the coming year, raising important questions about how patients will continue to access preventive therapies during that process.

Steven explains what an EUA is, why some immunocompromised patients need additional protection beyond vaccination, and why patient voices are essential as the FDA considers its next steps. Most importantly, he discusses how thoughtful patient advocacy can help ensure that regulatory decisions remain focused on science, continuity of care, and the needs of those who remain most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Whether you're living with a chronic illness, caring for someone who is immunocompromised, or simply interested in how health policy affects patient care, this episode offers an accessible look at an important issue that could shape COVID-19 prevention for years to come.

Contact Our Host

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

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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.

What happens at one of the world's largest rheumatology conferences, and why should patients care?

In this special episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark is joined by Dr. Shilpa Venkatachalam, Director of Patient-Centered Research at the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF), to discuss the biggest takeaways from EULAR 2026, the annual congress of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology.

The conversation explores why conferences like EULAR are so important for advancing patient care, how researchers, physicians, and patient advocates work together to shape the future of rheumatology, and why the patient voice has become an essential part of medical research.

Steven and Shilpa also highlight GHLF's contributions to this year's conference, including two original research posters examining barriers to the early recognition of hidradenitis suppurativa and the unmet informational and support needs of people living with Sjögren's disease. Along the way, they discuss exciting emerging trends in rheumatology and clinical care, especially the increasing emphasis on patient-reported outcomes.

Whether you're living with a rheumatic disease, caring for someone who is, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this episode offers an inside look at how today's research is helping shape tomorrow's treatments—and why patient perspectives are more important than ever.

Access the GHLF HS Diagnosis Accelerator: https://ghlf.org/hscheck/

Contact Our Host

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

A podcast episode produced by Amelia Violet Prouse, Associate Podcast & Video Producer 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.