Articles

I have been living with chronic illnesses for over 20 years. I was diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the prime of my life. As a black woman...

Twenty years ago, when I was first diagnosed with a lifelong illness, I would never have imagined what that diagnose would mean and how it would change my life. All...

So much of how we advocate involves storytelling and creating content that leaves a lasting impression. It can be overwhelming to know what topics to focus on, what information will...

Getting to know your local senators and representatives and getting involved in health policy advocacy is a great way to make a positive impact on your community and the healthcare...

At the Social Health Network, our job is to help support you as you grow from a patient or caregiver to a powerhouse in the community. By giving you the...

Time and time again, we hear the question, “How much should I charge for my patient advocacy expertise?” It’s an ongoing and worthy debate for patient advocates in the health...

If you are a person living with fibromyalgia, it is very likely that you are also affected by mental health. Due to stigmas and false perceptions about fibromyalgia, some people...

Many of us in chronic disease communities are well connected on social media and often share our personal experiences with our health and bring awareness to our conditions and obstacles...

I came into the Patient Leadership Council as a contributing author and moderator for BladderCancer.net. I was honored to be my Mom's primary caregiver throughout her bladder cancer battle. The...

Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate. We had the privilege of interviewing her in light of her upcoming book: Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When it’s...

When you’re a seasoned patient, it can feel like a drag to meet a new doctor for the umpteenth time. But for any number of reasons, we patients often find...

The journey to begin advocacy can feel overwhelming. Many questions arise. How do I start? What do I say? Does anyone want to hear from me? We recently asked Social...

Burnout can be defined as a state of prolonged physical or mental stress. Its symptoms can include exhaustion, depression, anxiety, lack of joy doing activities that you previously enjoyed, and...

In the realm of healthcare advocacy and patient empowerment, the role of Patient Leaders has gained significant importance. Patient Leaders play a crucial role in advocating for the needs and...

Being a health advocate is such a powerful experience for a variety of reasons. To learn more about the ways this role has changed the lives of our Health Leaders...

After the initial shock of a chronic or terminal illness diagnosis, questions arise. What does this mean? How do I manage the symptoms? Can I afford my treatments and appointments?...

Health Leaders wear many hats. Some lead support groups, some advocate for their loved ones at the doctor's office, some work with legislatures to expand healthcare coverage, and more. In...

We were joined by panelists Olivia Salvo, Sarita Edwards, and Abigail Johnston as they discussed the differences, challenges, and opportunities they encountered while advocating for a terminal diagnosis versus a...

Behind advocates are people and resources that help them thrive. Family members or friends, apps or tools, each person’s supports are unique. The Social Health Network’s Facebook group recently asked...

We’re excited to announce our 2023 Social Health Awards finalists! It's been an incredible experience for our judges (and our team) to get to know our Health Leaders better through...