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.

What actually happens at a major international medical conference — and why should patients care?

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark reports from EULAR 2026 in London, one of the world’s largest rheumatology conferences, to explain how meetings like this help shape the future of patient care. The episode explores why conferences matter not just for doctors and researchers, but for patients and advocacy organizations as well.

Steven discusses how practicing clinicians learn about the latest medical advances, how researchers connect directly with physicians treating patients every day, and why organizations like GHLF play an important role in bringing real-world patient experiences into scientific and medical conversations.

The episode also highlights several emerging themes already generating excitement at EULAR this year, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in rheumatology and the potential future of CAR-T and cell therapies for autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Most importantly, the conversation explains how scientific innovation ultimately connects back to what matters most: improving the daily lives of patients.

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.

Something bigger than a single vaccine debate is unfolding inside America’s public health system.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark explores the growing tension surrounding vaccine policy, scientific transparency, and public trust. From the FDA’s decision not to review a new mRNA flu vaccine application to reports of delayed vaccine safety studies and shifting federal recommendations, the episode connects a series of recent developments that together point to a broader transformation inside federal health agencies.

The conversation examines why some officials argue these changes are restoring scientific rigor, while many scientists and public health advocates worry they are creating confusion and weakening confidence in vaccines. Most importantly, the episode focuses on what this means for patients trying to navigate healthcare decisions in an increasingly uncertain environment.

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 federal budget may feel distant, but its impact on healthcare is anything but. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down the Trump administration’s newly proposed budget, which includes significant cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, reductions in research funding, and a major restructuring of federal public health programs.

But this conversation goes beyond what’s proposed. We also examine what’s already happening on the ground following last year’s federal policy changes, including substantial reductions in Medicaid funding that are placing pressure on state budgets and leading to coverage losses for millions of Americans.

This episode connects the dots between federal decisions and real-world consequences — from access to care and public health preparedness to the future of medical research. For patients, caregivers, and advocates, it offers a clear look at where healthcare policy is heading and why these budget decisions matter now.

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.

A federal court has halted sweeping changes to U.S. vaccine policy, raising fundamental questions about who shapes public health decisions and how those decisions are made. In this episode, we break down the ruling, the role of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, and why the court found the administration’s actions unlawful. We also explore what this means for patients, providers, and the future of evidence-based policymaking.

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.

For people living with osteoarthritis, news about potential new treatments often comes with more questions than answers. In this episode of The Health Advocates, we slow things down to explain what it really means when a company submits a New Drug Application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Steven Newmark is joined by Erich Horsley and Dr. Yusuf Yazici from Biosplice Therapeutics to walk through this important regulatory milestone and why it matters for patients. Together, they break down what an NDA is, what happens during FDA review, and what patients should and should not expect while a therapy is under evaluation. The conversation also explores the current osteoarthritis treatment landscape, why progress in this disease has been so challenging, and what researchers mean when they talk about disease-modifying approaches.

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.