In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark speaks with Ohio State Representative Michele Grim, the only public health professional currently serving in the Ohio legislature. Rep. Grim shares how her background in public health advocacy led her to politics, where she now champions legislation to expand access to care, fight misinformation, and protect vulnerable populations.

Together, they dive into the challenges of health policy in today’s polarized environment, and the importance of having voices at the table who understand the system from the inside out.

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, Steven Newmark speaks with Ohio State Representative Michele Grim, the only public health professional currently serving in the Ohio legislature. Rep. Grim shares how her background in public health advocacy led her to politics, where she now champions legislation to expand access to care, fight misinformation, and protect vulnerable populations.
Together, they dive into the challenges of health policy in today&rsquo;s polarized environment, and the importance of having voices at the table who understand the system from the inside out. 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.

S9, Ep 2- Championing Public Health in Politics: A Conversation with State Rep. Michele Grim

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, 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.

S9, Ep 1- The Pediatric Vaccine Rollback: What ACIP Changed and Why It Matters

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.

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.

S9, Ep 2- Championing Public Health in Politics: A Conversation with State Rep. Michele Grim

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