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We can all agree that things have been pretty unpredictable on Twitter lately. Please stay in touch with us here: creakyjoints.org/creakychats…

Your local pharmacy might be the most accessible place for you to receive a recommended vaccine. But what happens when policies make that access harder? For millions of adults, especially those living with chronic conditions, convenience isn't a luxury. It's an important part of accessing preventive care. A new @GHLForg report explores how federal vaccine policy uncertainty and state regulations could affect access to pharmacist-administered vaccines — and what states can do to protect it. Because protecting vaccine access means protecting patients. 🔗 Read the full report in English or Spanish: ghlf.org/vaccines/ #VaccineAccess #PublicHealth #Vaccines

The science of Alzheimer’s is moving quickly. Can health systems keep up? From the World Dementia Council Summit in London, we look at earlier diagnosis, new treatments, brain health, AI, access, and what this new era could mean for patients. 🎧 Tune in: youtube.com/watch?v=IryzoedB… #Dementia #Alzheimers

In recognition of the second annual Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Awareness Day, @GHLForg shares the story of Connecticut State Representative Tom O'Dea, who was diagnosed with GCA after weeks of new, persistent headaches. When his doctor asked about jaw pain, a symptom he hadn't connected to his headaches, she recognized the signs of GCA and started treatment right away. Tom credits her with saving his vision. GCA is a serious inflammation of the arteries that most often affects adults over 50. Without prompt treatment, it can cause permanent vision loss. What you'll learn: • The warning signs of GCA, including new headaches, jaw pain when chewing, scalp tenderness, and vision changes  • Why early diagnosis and treatment can protect your vision  • How the right questions from a doctor can make all the difference  • Tom's advice for anyone over 50 who notices something unusual: don't wait to get checked New headache, jaw pain, or scalp tenderness and over 50? See your doctor right away. Sudden vision changes need emergency care. By amplifying voices like Tom's, we can help more people recognize the signs of GCA and get care sooner. Learn more about GCA: ghlf.org/gca/ #GCAAwarenessDay #GiantCellArteritis #VisionHealth #ChronicIllness #Vasculitis #Inflammation #PatientAdvocacy #HealthyAging #GHLF

Before her Sjögren's diagnosis, Melissa spent a long time searching for answers. What she needed most was for someone to tell her it wasn't all in her head. If you're living with Sjögren's or still looking for answers, you're not alone. Our new podcast, The Sjö, has the answers you need to hear, from people who truly get it. 🎧 Tune in now: creakyjoints.org/sjogrens #SjögrensDisease #Sjögrens #ChronicIllness #Autoimmune #PatientVoices

Your local pharmacy may be one of the most important places for preventive healthcare. So why are barriers to vaccine access still a concern? For millions of Americans, pharmacies offer a convenient, accessible way to receive recommended adult vaccinations. But regulatory restrictions and administrative requirements can make preventive care harder to access. A new report from the @GHLForg examines why protecting pharmacy-based vaccination matters, especially amid ongoing federal vaccine policy uncertainty. Here's what the research highlights: • Access matters. Pharmacies play a critical role in adult vaccination, particularly in underserved communities. • Barriers have consequences. Additional state regulatory requirements are associated with lower vaccination rates. • Affordability matters. Pharmacy-based vaccination can reduce costs, while missed vaccinations can contribute to preventable illness and higher healthcare expenses. As GHLF's Chief Science Policy Officer, @PopovianPharmD , MS, emphasizes, states have an important role in protecting the ability of qualified pharmacists to administer vaccines safely and without unnecessary delays. Protecting pharmacy vaccine access isn't just about convenience. It's about ensuring more people have the opportunity to receive preventive care when and where they need it. Explore the full report and its policy recommendations, available in English and Spanish: ghlf.org/vaccines/ #VaccineAccess #PublicHealth #HealthEquity

Invisible Disabilities Week ends today. But for millions living with chronic illness and invisible disabilities, the pain, fatigue, stigma, and daily challenges don't end when awareness week does. You can look healthy and still be struggling. You can have a good day and still be disabled. And you shouldn't have to prove your pain to deserve compassion, understanding, or accommodations. As we close out #InvisibleDisabilitiesWeek, let's remember that awareness is only the beginning. Real change happens when we listen, believe people, challenge misconceptions, and make accessibility a priority. Because nobody should have to look sick to be taken seriously. What's one thing you wish more people understood about living with an invisible illness? #InvisibleDisabilities

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. On #TheHealthAdvocates, Connecticut State Rep. Tom O'Dea joins Steven Newmark to share his experience with symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. 🎧 Tune in: youtube.com/watch?v=gKcXjlwY… #GCAAwarenessDay #GiantCellArteritis #VisionHealth #Vasculitis #HealthyAging

"Go see your doctor. Don't be afraid." On Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Awareness Day, Connecticut State Representative Tom O'Dea shares his advice for adults over 50: if something feels off around your head, eyes, or jaw, don't brush it off. GCA is a serious inflammation of the arteries that can cause permanent vision loss without prompt treatment. Warning signs include new headaches, jaw pain when chewing, scalp tenderness, and vision changes. Over 50 with a new headache, jaw pain, or scalp tenderness? See your doctor right away. Sudden vision changes need emergency care. Learn more about GCA via link in bio or go to: ghlf.org/gca #GCAAwarenessDay #GiantCellArteritis #VisionHealth #Vasculitis #HealthyAging

A headache isn't always just a headache. Sometimes, recognizing the warning signs can save your sight. Today, October 23, is Giant Cell Arteritis Awareness Day. Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is a serious form of vasculitis that causes inflammation in the arteries, particularly those supplying blood to the head and eyes. It primarily affects adults over age 50. Warning signs can include: 🔴 New or persistent headaches, especially around the temples 🔴 Scalp tenderness 🔴 Jaw pain while chewing 🔴 Blurred vision, double vision, or sudden vision loss 🔴 Unexplained fatigue, fever, or weight loss Why does early recognition matter? Without prompt treatment, GCA can cause irreversible vision loss. Recognizing symptoms and seeking urgent medical care can help prevent serious complications. Sudden vision changes require emergency medical attention, and suspected GCA should be evaluated urgently, even without vision symptoms. This #GCAAwarenessDay, we're reminding our community that symptoms shouldn't be dismissed and timely diagnosis matters. Awareness can protect sight. Early action can change lives. Learn more about GCA, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment: ghlf.org/gca #GiantCellArteritis #VasculitisAwareness

Could a simple blood draw help more Americans get screened for colorectal cancer? 🩸 On #TheHealthAdvocates, Dr. Sam Asgarian and Oliver Rocroi join us to discuss blood-based screening, its benefits and limitations, and what new USPSTF developments could mean for the future. Tune in now: youtu.be/-2YSa9tVtdA #ColorectalCancer #CancerScreening

Living with Sjögren’s disease? 🎙️ The Sjö, our NEW podcast, is officially LIVE! Real patient stories, expert insights, and honest conversations about life with Sjögren’s. Listen now: ghlf.org/thesjo/ #SjögrensDisease #TheSjö

Pain. Fatigue. Brain fog. Dizziness. For Melissa, those were the symptoms that felt most serious. But the clue that led her doctors to a Sjögren's diagnosis? Dryness, something she barely noticed and only mentioned in passing. 💧 If you're living with symptoms that are hard to explain, the "small stuff" might matter more than you think. Hear more of Melissa's story, plus insights from Sjögren's experts, on The Sjo podcast. 🎧 Listen now: ghlf.org/thesjo #SjoögrensDisease #Sjögrens #ChronicIllness #Autoimmune #PatientVoices #TheSjö

What should people with osteoarthritis know about their treatment options, and what happens when conservative care is no longer enough but surgery isn't yet the answer? On The Health Advocates, Dr. Vinod Dasa joins us to discuss OA care, access, shared decision-making, and innovation. Tune in: youtube.com/watch?v=LiXZWJL7… #Osteoarthritis #PatientAdvocacy

Explaining what it's like to live with arthritis isn't always easy. Especially to the people closest to you. How do you explain that you're exhausted even after a full night's sleep? That your pain can change from one day to the next? Or that canceling plans doesn't mean you don't want to be there? Sometimes, family and friends genuinely want to understand, but they don't know what living with arthritis actually feels like. And sometimes, finding the words to explain it can be exhausting in itself. A few things that can help: 💜 Be specific about how arthritis affects your everyday life. Sometimes examples make more sense than medical terms. 💜 Let people know what support looks like for you. Maybe it's help with a task, flexibility with plans, or simply someone who listens. 💜 Explain that symptoms can change. Having a good day doesn't mean your arthritis has disappeared. 💜 Remember that you don't have to justify every symptom or push past your limits to make someone else comfortable. You deserve to be understood, even when what you're experiencing isn't visible. If you've been struggling to explain arthritis to family or friends, this guide might help you start that conversation: creakyjoints.org/support/lif… 💬 What's one thing you wish your loved ones understood about living with arthritis? #WorldArthritisDay #ArthritisAwareness #ChronicIllness

Arthritis is more than joint pain. It's more than a diagnosis. And it's certainly not just a part of getting older. Today, October 12, is World Arthritis Day — a reminder that millions of people are living with conditions that can affect nearly every part of their lives, often in ways others cannot see. According to the CDC, more than 53 million U.S. adults — roughly 1 in 5 — have been diagnosed with arthritis. But behind that number are people whose lives don't stop when symptoms begin. People working through fatigue. Navigating chronic pain and inflammation. Losing sleep. Canceling plans. Adjusting routines. Trying to explain symptoms that may change from one day to the next. And sometimes, facing the exhausting task of convincing others that what they're experiencing is real. Arthritis doesn't have one face, one age, or one story. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related rheumatic conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Each comes with its own challenges, and no two people's experiences are exactly alike. That's why awareness must go beyond recognizing symptoms. It means taking pain seriously. Supporting earlier diagnosis and access to appropriate care. Understanding that disability isn't always visible. Making room for accommodations, rest, and the reality that someone's abilities can change from day to day. It also means listening to patients — not just talking about them. At CreakyJoints, we believe people living with arthritis deserve reliable information, compassionate care, and a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their health. And to everyone living with arthritis: You are more than your diagnosis. Your experiences matter. Your voice matters. And you deserve to be heard. This World Arthritis Day, we want to hear from you: 💬 What's one thing you wish the world understood about living with arthritis? Your answer might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. Explore patient-centered arthritis education and support: creakyjoints.org/ Different journeys. One community. 💜 #WorldArthritisDay #ArthritisAwareness #CreakyJoints

How do 340B and PBMs affect what patients pay and whether they can access the care they need? Join @GHLForg's Steven Newmark, JD, and HEAL Collaborative’s Howard Mosby, CPA, on Oct. 8 at 12 PM ET for a virtual discussion on patient access, affordability, and safety-net care. Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi… #340B #PBMs #PatientAccess #HealthPolicy

Getting into bed doesn’t always mean getting rest. Joint pain can make it harder to fall asleep, wake you during the night, and make it difficult to get comfortable. And poor sleep can make pain and stiffness feel worse the next day — creating an exhausting cycle. From managing pain to adjusting your sleep routine, there are strategies that may help you get the rest your body needs. Learn more about osteoarthritis and sleep: creakyjoints.org/about-arthr… #Osteoarthritis #Arthritis

One of the hardest parts of living with chronic illness is that your symptoms don’t know it’s the weekend. You can have the time, the plans, and genuinely want to do everything — while your body is telling you it can’t. And that creates a constant calculation people around you may never see: If I go out today, will I pay for it tomorrow? If I rest, will I feel like I wasted my weekend? If I cancel again, will people eventually stop asking? If I push through, am I setting myself up for a flare? Living with chronic pain, fatigue, or another chronic condition can mean constantly negotiating between what you want from your life and what your body can realistically give you that day. Sometimes taking care of yourself means changing the plan. What’s one thing you wish people understood about weekends with chronic illness? #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain

For people managing chronic and complex conditions, prevention matters too. Join @GHLForg and @Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy on Sept. 30 for a conversation about why immunizations matter in specialty care, the barriers patients face, and how we can improve access and education. 🗓 Sept. 30 ⏰ 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET 🔗 Register: event.on24.com/wcc/r/5447224… #Vaccines #Immunization #PatientAdvocacy #SpecialtyCare

Your heart doesn’t always send a warning. ❤️ This #WorldHeartDay, know your numbers. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can exist without obvious symptoms, making regular checkups an important part of understanding your cardiovascular health. Know your risk. Talk to your health care provider. Don’t miss a beat. @worldheartfed #HeartHealth #CardiovascularHealth #DontMissABeat