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.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognized groundbreaking advances in understanding immune regulation — but what do they mean for people living with autoimmune disease? In this episode, Dr. Shilpa Venkatachalam, Chief Patient-Centered Research and Ethical Oversight Officer at GHLF, joins Steven to explore how our immune system knows when to act — and when to stop. Shilpa explains the importance of these discoveries, why immune “brakes” matter in autoimmune conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, and how research breakthroughs can lead to better treatments. She also shares why patients are key partners in turning lab science into real-world therapies.

Tune in to learn how Nobel-winning science could help unlock better care for autoimmune disease.

To read the full article — “How a Nobel Prize Discovery Gives New Hope for Calming the Immune System in Autoimmune Diseases” — visit: https://creakyjoints.org/research/research-immune-nobel-prize-autoimmune/

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 (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens to America’s health when Washington grinds to a halt? In this episode of The Health Advocates, we break down the latest federal government shutdown and what it means for public health agencies across the country. We explain what a shutdown actually is, drawing from past shutdowns over the last 30 years, and then dive into the immediate and long-term impacts on the CDC, FDA, NIH, and other agencies that millions of people depend on for research, vaccines, food safety, and emergency response.

We also look at the political stalemate behind the shutdown, focusing on Democrats’ push to restore pending cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies and what those cuts could mean for healthcare costs. Finally, we explore whether there’s a realistic path to resolution soon—and what’s at stake for patients and the healthcare system if Congress fails to act.

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 (https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates) or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.