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.

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.

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.