2025 has been a challenging year for advocates fighting for equitable access to care, as the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has upended a legacy of science-based recommendations supported by the research community. In a particularly concerning move, ACIP removed its decades-long recommendation for the proven pediatric hepatitis B vaccine—a decision that puts millions of children at risk of long-term complications from this infectious disease.

Joining us to discuss the implications of ACIP’s latest action, and how advocacy organizations across the country are responding, is Scott Frey, Senior VP of Public Policy and Relations here at the Alliance.

Equitable access to treatment is vital for older adults with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, especially in long-term care. CMS’s Long-Stay Antipsychotic Medication quality measure aimed to curb inappropriate use in nursing homes, but it has also led to unintended consequences, limiting safe, effective treatment options for more than 3 million residents.

A new Manatt Health report, supported by the Alliance’s Project PAUSE Coalition, explores these impacts and offers recommendations to restore equitable care. Joining us to discuss the findings are Chad Worz, CEO of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and Project PAUSE convener, and geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Amita Patel.

Open Enrollment season is here, and millions of Americans are hoping the latest formulary changes will help ease costs at the pharmacy counter. This month, the Alliance released several new resources, including an educational film, to help Medicare Part D beneficiaries make informed decisions for 2026.

Today, I’m joined by Adina Lasser, the Alliance’s Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, to discuss these new resources and break down what you need to know for this fall’s Medicare Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 through December 7.

With health policy shifting so quickly, it can be hard to keep track of what’s at stake.
Today, we're joined by Alliance Senior VP of Public Policy and Government Relations, Scott Frey, to break down the latest on health access and equity, and what the Alliance is doing to defend it.

With respiratory season approaching, it’s vital to protect against preventable illnesses like COVID-19, flu, RSV, and pneumonia. As debates over vaccination grow, hearing directly from experts is more important than ever.

Joining us today is Dr. Kawsar Talaat, Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins, WHO advisor, and Alliance Research Advisory Council member, to discuss why immunization matters, how to address hesitancy, and what to know this season.

Each year, the Alliance honors advocates and changemakers who set the standard in research, innovation, and advocacy for older adults. We’re thrilled to continue that tradition at our annual Heroes in Health Awards Dinner on September 30 in Washington, DC.

Today, we’re taking a peek behind the curtain with the producers of this year’s event: Sarah Delgado, our VP of Development, and Lauren Belsky, our Development Coordinator.

Starting around age 30, we all begin to lose muscle mass and strength. For some, this progresses into sarcopenia, a condition that can reduce independence, increase disability, and heighten risks of falls, hospitalizations, and other health complications.Joining us to discuss how to prevent muscle loss with age is Dr. Stuart Phillips, muscle health expert and professor at McMaster University.This episode is brought you in part by Nestle.

are you familiar with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? Neuropsychiatric symptoms, or NPS, are emotional and behavioral symptoms that often go overlooked and under-treated in people with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

This month, the Alliance released a six-part educational series that breaks down these symptoms, explores treatment options, and empowers caregivers with tools to better navigate NPS.

Today, we unpack these new resources and discussing why they matter to you, our listeners. Joining me is Katrin Werner-Perez, Director of Health Education and Programming here at the Alliance and producer of the series.