The Health Advocates

Global Healthy Living Foundation

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

  1. S9, Ep 12- What’s Coming For Rheumatology: Why Conferences Like EULAR Matter for Patients

    2d ago

    S9, Ep 12- What’s Coming For Rheumatology: Why Conferences Like EULAR Matter for Patients

    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 HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 min
  2. S9, Ep 11- Inside the Growing Fight Over Vaccine Science

    May 21

    S9, Ep 11- Inside the Growing Fight Over Vaccine Science

    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 HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 min
  3. S9, Ep 9- Proposed Cuts, Real Impact: Understanding the New Healthcare Budget

    Apr 13

    S9, Ep 9- Proposed Cuts, Real Impact: Understanding the New Healthcare Budget

    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 HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    7 min
  4. S9, Ep 8- Courts vs. Vaccine Policy: Who Decides?

    Mar 27

    S9, Ep 8- Courts vs. Vaccine Policy: Who Decides?

    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 HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    5 min
  5. S9, Ep 7- What an NDA Means for Patients with Osteoarthritis

    Feb 24

    S9, Ep 7- What an NDA Means for Patients with Osteoarthritis

    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 HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    23 min
  6. S9, Ep 6- Vaccine Crossroads: FDA Scrutiny, TrumpRx, and the Fight Over Public Trust

    Feb 19

    S9, Ep 6- Vaccine Crossroads: FDA Scrutiny, TrumpRx, and the Fight Over Public Trust

    This week on The Health Advocates, we unpack a series of developments that signal a pivotal moment in U.S. health policy. The FDA has refused to review Moderna’s new mRNA-based flu vaccine, raising questions about regulatory standards and the future of vaccine innovation. At the same time, the Trump administration has launched TrumpRx, a new prescription drug discount platform that promises savings but faces scrutiny over its scope and real-world impact.We also examine new polling showing declining confidence in flu, COVID-19, and MMR vaccines, and the growing legal battle over changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule. With public trust, regulatory rigor, and patient access all in play, this episode breaks down what these headlines mean for patients — and why clarity and credible science matter more than ever. Contact Our HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 min
  7. S9, Ep 5- Congress Funds Health Care: What This Means for Patients

    Feb 4

    S9, Ep 5- Congress Funds Health Care: What This Means for Patients

    Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, a major government funding bill that includes a wide range of health care policies, from telehealth extensions and hospital-at-home programs to long-sought reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers. But alongside those wins, the legislation also raises serious questions about the future direction of federal health policy. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down what the new spending package actually does for patients, what it leaves unresolved, and why some lawmakers and advocates are uneasy about increasing funding for federal health agencies under current leadership. The conversation explores how these decisions affect access to care, drug costs, public health programs, and trust in health institutions. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, clinician, or advocate, this episode offers a clear, practical look at how congressional budget decisions shape health care on the ground, and why continued engagement and oversight matter more than ever. Contact Our HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    9 min
  8. S9, Ep 4- Redefining Care Through Lived Experience: Cynthia Overton on Person‑Centered Care

    Jan 30

    S9, Ep 4- Redefining Care Through Lived Experience: Cynthia Overton on Person‑Centered Care

    In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark sits down with Dr. Cynthia Overton to explore what person‑centered care truly looks like, through the eyes of someone who has lived it. At age 26, Cynthia experienced a sudden spinal cord injury that left her temporarily paralyzed—an event that fundamentally reshaped her understanding of health care. Today, she draws on both lived experience and evidence‑based frameworks to help organizations and individuals rethink how care is delivered, with an emphasis on dignity, communication, and whole‑person support. Together, Steven and Cynthia discuss disability inclusion, health equity, and why every patient interaction has the power to transform not only individual outcomes, but the system as a whole.Contact Our HostSteven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.orgA 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.orgListen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    16 min
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4.8
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

A podcast that breaks down major health news of the week to help you make sense of it all. Our goal is to help you understand what’s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

Information

  • Creator
    Global Healthy Living Foundation
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 GHLF 2021
  • Show Website
    The Health Advocates

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