Patient-Friendly News You Can Use: August

In this issue, we bring you the latest updates on how to protect yourself with new COVID-19 vaccines, exciting breakthroughs in medication affordability, and simple lifestyle changes that could boost your overall health.

From cutting-edge treatments to easy steps for improving your well-being, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s dive in.

New COVID-19 Vaccines Target KP.2 Variant 

New mRNA coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, designed to target the latest KP.2 variant, will be available in the coming week(s) to help boost your protection against COVID-19. In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended everyone six months and older get new COVID-19 vaccinations. 

While these vaccines might not stop all infections, they can make the illness less severe and lower the chances of getting long COVID, which is especially important if you have a weakened immune system. If you haven’t been vaccinated recently or had a COVID-19 infection, it’s a good idea to get the new vaccine soon, especially with the fall and winter seasons coming, when cases might go up. Talk to your health care provider about when to get vaccinated and where to go.  

Unlike some other countries that only vaccinate people at high risk for severe illness, like those over age 65 and or with serious medical conditions, the United States recommends the new COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages six months and older, except very young infants. This way, more people can get protected, even if they don’t know they are at risk.  

Autoimmune Patients at Risk for Long COVID

Did you know that nearly 30 percent of people with autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease might experience long COVID after a COVID-19 infection?  

A recent study found that many patients still deal with symptoms like fatigue, “brain fog,” and joint pain even 12 weeks or more after their initial infection. These ongoing symptoms can really affect your quality of life.  

This raises an important question: Could staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations and taking steps to avoid reinfections help lower your risk of long COVID? The research suggests that it might, making it even more important to protect yourself if you have an autoimmune condition.  

If you’re noticing symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, it’s really important to talk to your health care provider and find ways to manage these potential long-term effects.  

Medicare to Slash Prices on Popular Medications

Starting in 2026, Medicare will lower the prices of 10 commonly used medications, which means you could pay less for your prescriptions. President Biden announced this change, which goes beyond the $35 cap on out-of-pocket insulin costs for people with diabetes. This change is part of a new plan where Medicare will work directly with drug companies to lower prices, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. These price cuts could save Medicare users like you up to $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs.  

This is great news if you take medicines for conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. It’s a big step toward making medications more affordable and easing the financial burden for millions of Americans. Keep an eye out for these changes if you’re on Medicare — they help you save a lot on your health care costs. 

Exciting News for Pediatric Psoriasis Treatment

Amgen has announced that Otezla® (apremilast) is now available in the U.S. for kids and teens with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, a condition that causes scaly skin lesions. This is the first and only pill approved for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 who need more than just light therapy or topical treatments. It’s available for those who weigh at least 20 kg (about 40 pounds). 

The FDA approved Otezla® based on results from the phase 3 SPROUT clinical trial, which showed that the medication is both effective and safe for young patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who didn’t respond well to or couldn’t tolerate other topical treatments. This approval is a significant step forward, giving young patients and their families a new, non-invasive way to manage this uncomfortable and highly visible skin condition. 

Regular Walks May Ease Psoriasis Symptoms

New research brings encouraging news for people with psoriasis. A recent study found that adding more physical activity, like regular walks, to your routine can help improve psoriasis symptoms. In a 20-week study, half of the participants saw a 50 percent reduction in the severity of their psoriasis after committing to twice-weekly walks. But the benefits didn’t stop at the skin — participants also experienced lower blood pressure, better heart health, and improvements in mental well-being, including reduced anxiety and depression.

For those with psoriasis, who often face higher risks of heart disease and mental health issues, this research offers a promising path forward. Increasing your physical activity not only improves your skin — it can also boost your overall quality of life. This study suggests that adding regular physical activity into your routine could be a powerful and low-cost way to complement your current psoriasis treatments and take better control of your health. 

How Your 40s and 60s Trigger Shifts in Health   

Did you know that your body ages faster at certain times in your life? New research shows that we go through two major periods of rapid aging — one in our 40s and another in our 60s. During these times, our bodies experience big changes that can impact our health, especially if we aren’t making healthy lifestyle choices.  

The good news is that by eating well, staying active, and managing stress, you can help slow down this aging process and protect your health. 

For example, in your 40s, your body’s ability to process fats and alcohol might change, which could lead to health issues if not managed properly. In your 60s, changes in your immune system and metabolism can increase the risk of conditions like heart disease. But don’t worry — taking steps like eating more anti-inflammatory foods, exercising regularly, and keeping an eye on your health can make a big difference.  

So, what can you do today to help your body age better tomorrow? 

Could Extra Veggies Boost Kidney and Heart Health? 

Adding just a few extra servings of fruits and vegetables to your daily diet can significantly improve kidney health and reduce the risk of heart disease. That’s according to a new study that offers promising news for people with chronic kidney disease. Over five years, participants who added about two cups of produce per day saw improvements in blood pressure, kidney function, and heart health, all while needing less medication. This suggests that a plant-rich diet might help “lighten the load” on your kidneys by lowering the body’s acidity levels, which can otherwise strain the kidneys as they work to remove excess acid from the blood. 

But the benefits didn’t stop there — participants also experienced lower cholesterol, weight loss, and better overall heart health. These findings highlight the power of simple dietary changes in managing chronic kidney disease and reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.  

Want to Get More Involved with Patient Advocacy?

The 50-State Network is the grassroots advocacy arm of CreakyJoints and the Global Healthy Living Foundation, comprised of patients with chronic illness who are trained as health care activists to proactively connect with local, state, and federal health policy stakeholders to share their perspective and influence change. If you want to effect change and make health care more affordable and accessible to patients with chronic illness, learn more here.