The Cardiometabolic Leadership Academy 

Patient advocacy is often a journey. First, someone is diagnosed with a specific disease. Then, as they navigate their disease state, they find they must advocate for themselves within our complicated health system.  

PACH is conducting an ongoing, robust patient advocacy training program called the Cardiometabolic Leadership Academy, or CLA, for advocates across various cardiometabolic disease states. The patients will be taught how to raise their voices through a training program to advocate for open access to therapeutics.  

The CLA seeks patients who have been on this journey and are ready to tackle public policy challenges that all patients with cardiometabolic conditions face.  

Program 

CLA members will participate in the following:  

  • Quarterly virtual meetings, where they will be briefed on the latest health policy developments; 

  • Opportunity to participate in monthly PACH coalition calls; 

  • Access to a rapid-response team at their disposal for policy questions that might arise; 

  • A yearly in-person training in Washington, DC; 

  • Ad-hoc training when opportunities arise; and 

  • Ongoing opportunities to engage with policymakers and the press.

The CLA training will empower patients and caregivers and make them effective in discussing complex issues for earned media opportunities, legislative testimonials, and policymaker meetings.  

Training would include, but would not be limited to, the following: 

  • Understanding of their specific disease state; 

  • Population-level data on disease preponderance and impact;  

  • A deep dive into utilization management issues impacting patients; 

  • An explanation of the pharmaceutical supply chain from R&D to the pharmacy counter and its effect on patients; 

  • Media training with evaluated mock interviews to be effective patient advocates; and 

  • Ways to elevate targeted messaging on social media. 

If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please fill out the form below and someone from PACH will be in touch.