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Healthcare MattersAuthor: Global Healthy Living Foundation Language: en-us Genres: Business, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Non-Profit Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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S7, Ep 4- COVID Antivirals: Are High-Risk Patients Missing the Window?
Episode 4
Wednesday, 8 April, 2026
In this episode of Healthcare Matters, Dr. Robert Popovian is joined by new co-host Angela Degrassi for a conversation about access to oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19, especially for older adults and people living with chronic disease.Prompted by a new CDC report and supported by findings from a recent Global Healthy Living Foundation survey, the discussion explores a troubling pattern: awareness of COVID antiviral treatments may be high, but many high-risk patients still do not receive them when they test positive.Dr. Popovian explains why prescribing appears to rise when COVID is dominating headlines and then fall when public attention fades, even though patient risk has not changed. He and Angela discuss the real-world barriers that can stand in the way of timely treatment, including missed prescribing opportunities, delays in testing, out-of-pocket costs, and uncertainty about eligibility.This episode highlights a simple but important message: for high-risk patients, timely treatment should be part of the care plan, not an afterthought. It also offers practical guidance for patients and caregivers on what to do immediately after testing positive and why acting quickly can make all the difference. COVID-19 Antiviral Prescription Receipt Among Outpatients Aged ≥65 Years COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Treatments Among U.S. Patients with Chronic Conditions Contact Our Hosts Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org Angela Degrassi|, Senior Manager, Patient-Centered Research Operations & Engagement: adegrassi@ghlf.org A podcast series produced by Amelia Violet Prouse. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
