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.

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