In this special year-end episode of The Health Advocates, host Steven Newmark takes a step back to review several of the most significant public health developments of 2025.

The episode covers major leadership changes at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, key meetings and votes of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), ongoing challenges related to vaccine access and uptake, and continued debates over prescription drug pricing, including “Trump Rx.” Steven also examines the rapid expansion of GLP-1 medications, the implementation of Inflation Reduction Act health provisions, public health workforce pressures, infectious disease monitoring beyond COVID-19, maternal health initiatives, and the evolving role of data and communication in public health.

Rather than an opinion piece, this episode offers a straightforward recap of how policy decisions, advisory processes, and healthcare system dynamics shaped public health in 2025 and set the stage for the year ahead.

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 episode of The Health Advocates, we break down one of the most pivotal and controversial ACIP meetings in recent history. The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee voted to roll back the universal hepatitis B birth dose — a policy that has protected newborns from chronic liver disease for more than three decades. We explain what ACIP decided, why the changes were not based on new scientific evidence, and how misinformation and ideological viewpoints shaped the discussion.

We also explore the real-world consequences for families, clinicians, and health systems. From confusing new recommendations to unnecessary blood tests to disruptions in the overall childhood immunization schedule, these changes will make it harder for parents to access safe, routine preventive care. But the meeting also revealed something hopeful: strong advocacy — from medical societies, public health experts, grassroots organizers, and patient groups — helped prevent even more extreme proposals from becoming policy.

Finally, we discuss what comes next as ACIP reviews additional childhood vaccines and how advocates, clinicians, and community members can stay engaged to protect science-based immunization policy.

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.

How can lawmakers rebuild public trust in health, and make prevention a shared priority?

In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark speaks with Texas State Representative Nicole Collier, a leading voice on health equity, women’s health, and preventive care. From her work on the Select Committee on Preventable Diseases and Women’s Health to her advocacy for fair access to vaccines, Rep. Collier brings a clear message: prevention isn’t political, it’s essential.

Together, Steven and Rep. Collier explore:
- How preventive care, including vaccines, strengthens community trust
- Why health equity starts with access to reliable information and local leadership
- How Texas can serve as a model for bipartisan public-health collaboration

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.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Steven helps our community prepare for the conversations that matter most. Every year, GHLF shares its “Turkey Day Talking Points” to support people living with chronic illness or who are immunocompromised as they navigate discussions about vaccines with family and friends.

This episode breaks down simple, compassionate ways to explain why vaccines are so important, and why protection for immunocompromised people relies not only on their own shots, but also on the vaccination decisions of those around them. Steven emphasizes that for many patients, vaccines aren’t political; they’re personal. They’re about staying healthy enough to participate in holidays, gatherings and everyday life.

Whether you're looking for language to make yourself heard without sparking conflict, or you want to help loved ones understand what vaccine protection really means for you, this episode offers guidance rooted in empathy, clarity and lived experience.

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.

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.