The Health Advocates Global Healthy Living Foundation
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- Health & Fitness
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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.
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S7, Ep 14- Fighting for Improved Access to Care for IBD Patients with Dr. Brad Pasternak
In this episode, we’re joined by gastroenterologist Dr. Brad Pasternak who talks about how his personal experience with ulcerative colitis inspired him to become a pediatric gastroenterologist. Dr. Pasternak realized he needed to advocate for policies that increase access to care after seeing his patients face denied treatments by insurance. He shares the tremendous effect that harmful policies have on the medical community, in delaying treatment for patients and getting in the way of shared decision-making. Finally, he leaves us with hope, discussing the advancements in treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.
Among the highlights in this episode:
01:23: Dr. Pasternak shares his personal journey into gastroenterology influenced by his own diagnosis with ulcerative colitis and his love for working with children
04:08: Dr. Pasternak discusses his recent shift towards advocacy, driven by the challenges posed by insurance policies and his desire to fight for better patient care
06:05: Dr. Pasternak recounts his advocacy efforts, including a significant meeting that led to a change in a health plan’s approval process for biologic treatments
10:27: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Dr. Pasternak delve into the complexities of health policy advocacy, the slow process of legislative change, and the interactions with policymakers
12:14: Dr. Pasternak explains the burdensome process of prior authorizations and appeals in medical practice, highlighting its impact on medical professionals and patients
16:41: Dr. Pasternak outlines the advancements in patient outcomes over the years due to newer, more effective therapies that aim to heal rather than just treat symptoms
18:46: Dr. Pasternak encourages medical providers and patients to persist in advocacy and fight against inefficient and unjust medical policies
21:10: Dr. Pasternak mentions his local advocacy work, which often yields quicker results than federal efforts, emphasizing the importance of physician involvement in legislative processes
23:12: What our hosts learned from this episode
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org
Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate 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
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
S7, Ep 13- Celebrating Lupus Awareness Month with New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif
In honor of Lupus Awareness Month and Lupus Day of Action in New York City, we’re joined by New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif. Council Member Hanif shares about her life as a lupus patient and how her condition informs her work as a member of the city council. She underscores the importance of accessibility within New York City and the idea of creating infrastructure to help patients with chronic conditions live and age in peace.
Among the highlights in this episode:
00:41: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, acknowledges Earth Day and discusses the contributions of plant life to medicine, highlighting how nature aids in treating various diseases
01:26: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, discusses the topic of biologic therapies and their potential use in treating COVID-19 by targeting the immune response
02:46: Council Member Hanif discusses her personal journey with lupus, starting with her symptoms at age 17 and her eventual diagnosis during an emergency room visit, which significantly impacted her life
05:45: Council Member Hanif reflects on her initial awareness of lupus through popular culture and the lack of broader discussions on chronic illnesses in her community, which motivated her to advocate openly about her condition
07:57: Steven asks Council Member Hanif about the transition from emergency care to regular treatment and how she navigated the health care system to find appropriate care despite initial challenges
11:33: Council Member Hanif explains how her personal experiences with lupus and health care barriers influenced her political career and advocacy efforts, especially concerning city infrastructure and public services to accommodate people with disabilities
14:57: Steven emphasizes the need for policies that support aging and accessibility in city environments
15:46: Council Member Hanif shares her ongoing commitment to lupus advocacy, including her participation in national lobby days and her efforts to ensure city legislation considers the needs of people with chronic illnesses
17:43: What our hosts learned from this episode
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org
Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate 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
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
S7, Ep 12- The Balancing Act of Chronic Illness with Shonta Chambers
We’re joined by Shonta Chambers, who serves as the Executive Vice President-Health Equity Initiatives and Community Engagement for the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). Shonta explains how social drivers impact one’s health, including things such as housing and economic status. We dive into the case work she does with PAF to combat these challenges and connect patients to resources. She also shares her personal journey of being a caregiver.
Among the highlights in this episode:
01:00: Shonta explains her role at the Patient Advocate Foundation, detailing her personal and professional experience with health advocacy
01:35: Shonta describes the foundation's work in addressing the non-clinical, social, and financial drivers of health inequities, emphasizing the broad support they offer from insurance issues to basic living needs
02:40: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, discusses the significant impact of social and economic factors on health and probes further into patient experiences
03:04: Shonta highlights the importance of addressing various non-clinical factors that affect health outcomes and shares how the foundation helps patients navigate these challenges
07:34: Zoe reflects on the exhaustive nature of being a patient and highlights PAF's role in alleviating some of that burden
09:20: Shonta shares personal challenges as a caregiver and the systemic issues she faces even with her professional background
16:38: Zoe asks what can be done to help improve conditions for patients, prompting a discussion on policy advocacy and community support
19:47: Shonta offers advice to caregivers on maintaining their well-being and the importance of self-care
23:30: What our hosts learned from this episode
For more information about the Patient Advocate Foundation visit: https://www.patientadvocate.org/
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org
Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate 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
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
S7, Ep 11- "Advocate for Yourself and Don't Give Up" with Cyndi Lauper and Michelle Bernstein
The Health Advocates are joined by singer, songwriter, actress, and activist Cyndi Lauper and chef and restauranteur Michelle Bernstein to talk about their journey with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Recently, the two of them have joined forces to bridge the worlds of music and cuisine to deliver a powerful message of hope and empowerment for patients living with psoriatic disease. Here, they share about their personal journeys with diagnosis, the importance of connecting with other patients, and why they are spreading awareness.
For more information on the resources mentioned by Cyndi Lauper and Michelle Bernstein, you can visit: ThePSConnection.com
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org
Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate 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
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
S7, Ep 10- Beyond the Gut: Creating Change for LGBTQ+ IBD Patients with Dr. Carlton
Zoe and special co-host Adam Kegley, Associate Director of Global Partnerships at GHLF, are joined by San Diego-based gastroenterologist Carlton Thomas, MD, to learn all about LGBTQ+ health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Carlton shares how not enough people are talking about sexual health and IBD, how people can have more open and honest conversations with their doctors, and the challenges faced in the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to accessing health care.
Among the highlights in this episode:
01:00: Dr. Carlton shares his background as a gastroenterologist specialized in IBD and his presence on social media as a voice for queer health, highlighting his unique approach to discussing often taboo subjects
02:54: Adam Kegley, Associate Director of Global Partnerships at GHLF, and Dr. Carlton discuss the lack of conversation around sexual health and IBD in health care settings, emphasizing the importance of open communication between patients and providers, especially in the LGBTQ+ community
04:16: Adam explains the LGBTQ+ IBD Experiences Survey, a GHLF initiative to understand the specific health care experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD, aiming to improve inclusivity and access to care
If you are an LGBTQ+ person living with IBD, make your voice heard and take the survey at https://bit.ly/lgbtq-ibd
05:38: Dr. Carlton discusses the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD, including the difficulty in discussing sexual health with health care providers, particularly in less accepting environments, and the impact of provider bias and misinformation
07:15: Adam notes the surprisingly low percentage of gastroenterologists who routinely inquire about sexual health in IBD patients
10:07: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, reflects on her own experience with Crohn's disease, noting the absence of discussions about sexual health with her gastroenterologist, and asks Dr. Carlton for advice on initiating these conversations
11:23: Dr. Carlton emphasizes the importance of finding knowledgeable and open health care providers, encouraging LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD to seek providers who are comfortable discussing and addressing their unique health care needs
11:58: Dr. Carlton stresses the importance of honest discussions about sexual health and the impact of IBD on one's sex life, as well as advocating for better health care for the LGBTQ+ community
15:30: What our hosts learned from this episode
You can find Dr. Carlton on Instagram and TikTok here: @doctorcarlton
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org
Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate 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
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
S7, Ep 9- “Obesity is a Disease” with Kristal Hartman from Obesity Action Coalition
We’re joined by Kristal Hartman who is a proud member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) and is honored to serve as the Chair of the OAC National Board of Directors. In this episode, we learn about her patient journey, including her bariatric surgery in August 2014, which she describes as the hardest and best decision she ever made for herself. She shares how she now fights for access to quality, compassionate, and affordable access to care for all people living with the chronic disease of obesity.
Among the highlights in this episode:
01:37: Kristal discusses how attending an advocacy day in Washington, D.C. helped her find a supportive community and significantly impacted her obesity management journey
03:40: Kristal and Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, talk about the importance of community in managing chronic conditions. Kristal shares her struggles with obesity from her teens and the challenges she faced with weight management, including her experiences with polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid issues, and fertility problems, which compounded her obesity
07:48: Kristal shares her difficult decision to undergo bariatric surgery after trying various treatments for obesity and facing shaming from her primary care physician. Kristal highlights the transformative care she received from her obesity care team post-surgery and emphasizes the lifelong nature of managing the chronic disease of obesity
11:49: Zoe and Kristal discuss the need for compassionate health care, and the negative internalization of societal and medical bias against obesity
14:33: Kristal discusses the Obesity Bill of Rights, advocating for equal access to care and treatment for people living with obesity, and emphasizes the need to combat weight bias and discrimination
17:37: Kristal expands on her involvement in advocating on Capitol Hill for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which aims to provide comprehensive care and access to FDA-approved medications for obesity
22:01: Kristal discusses the impact of media on the perception of GLP-1 drugs and obesity treatment and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, science-backed care for obesity as a chronic disease
25:10: Kristal encourages listeners to get involved with OAC and advocate for fair and unbiased treatment of obesity at all levels, highlighting various ways individuals can contribute to the cause
For more information, visit www.obesityaction.org
27:57: What our hosts learned from this episode
Contact Our Hosts
Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org
Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org
A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs & Special Projects 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
Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Customer Reviews
Useful for anyone
As someone living with chronic illness, GHLF has been a life saver and source of quick and accurate information. The Healthy Advocates Podcast is a good way to catch up on what’s important for me to know. The hosts are like friends discussing important topics for those of us in the chronic illness community. We are often overlooked and forgotten, and this podcast makes it easy to stay informed, with people who “get it” and understand what our life is like.
Highly Recommend The Health Advocates Podcast
Great and informative material I can relate to as a chronically ill patient.
Not that great
Maybe I heard a lesser show, but I was disappointed. One of the podcasters had poor diction. There was no information presented. I felt like I was listening to two friends complain about the end of the mask mandate on public transportation. I’d rather hear from well informed healthcare professionals.