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.

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 &ldquo;Trump Rx.&rdquo; 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:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> 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 <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

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.

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&rsquo;s happening in the healthcare world to help you make informed decisions to live your best life.

The Health Advocates

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. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

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. The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF.

S8, Ep 43- 2025 Year-End Public Health Recap

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.

In this episode of The Health Advocates, we break down one of the most pivotal and controversial ACIP meetings in recent history. The CDC&rsquo;s vaccine advisory committee voted to roll back the universal hepatitis B birth dose &mdash; 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 &mdash; from medical societies, public health experts, grassroots organizers, and patient groups &mdash; 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:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> 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 <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S8, Ep 42- ACIP Meeting Recap: What Happened and What It Means for Patients

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.

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&rsquo;s health, and preventive care. From her work on the Select Committee on Preventable Diseases and Women&rsquo;s Health to her advocacy for fair access to vaccines, Rep. Collier brings a clear message: prevention isn&rsquo;t political, it&rsquo;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: <a href="https://ghlf.org/vaccines/">ghlf.org/vaccines</a>
 Contact Our Host 
Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> 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 <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S8, Ep 41- Building Trust in Health: A Texas Lawmaker’s View on Prevention, Access, and Equity

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.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Steven helps our community prepare for the conversations that matter most. Every year, GHLF shares its &ldquo;Turkey Day Talking Points&rdquo; 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&rsquo;t political; they&rsquo;re personal. They&rsquo;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: <a href="https://ghlf.org/vaccines/">ghlf.org/vaccines</a> Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: <a href="mailto:snewmark@ghlf.org">snewmark@ghlf.org</a> 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 <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a> Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our <a href="https://ghlf.org/the-health-advocates">website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

S8, Ep 43- 2025 Year-End Public Health Recap

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