Therapy was Part of the Preparation

The All-Around Gold Medal Gymnastic winner told Good Morning America, “Staying on my weekly therapy sessions and even whenever I was here, I was scheduling appointments with my therapist that could work, whether it was early in the morning for me or early in the morning for her,” Biles said, speaking about how she’s balanced everything at the Games. “Staying on top of that meant the world to me, but also it helped me with my performances.”

Dr. Marcia Faustin (aka Dr. Marcy) was one of the women supporting the USA Gymnastics Team.

You might remember the scandal involving the doctor who was supposed to be the medical advisor to the Olympic gymnasts. The new team comprises Dr. Ellen Casey and Dr. Marcia Faustin, who share the USA Gymnastics Team Doctor title. Dr. Marcy looked after Bile’s calf issue during the qualifying round. She also helped Lee get appropriately diagnosed and find treatment for her kidney issues. But this kind of support helped the team get to the gold.

 Pretty was Not Integral to the Performance

When Biles received criticism about her hair, it seemed reminiscent of Gabby Douglas’s judgment when she competed. Douglas was sixteen in 2016, and those comments went straight to her heart. Biles is 27, a seasoned competitor who responded, “The next time you want to comment on a Black girl’s hair, JUST DON’T.”

Celebrating Sisterhood Beyond Borders

The 2024 Gymnastic Floor Exercise Medal Ceremony was an International Black Girl Magic Moment for the ages. Because it was spontaneous, genuine, well-deserved, and an example of sisterhood. Rebecca Andrade delivered a flawless performance, and Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles knew they were part of a historic moment. It needed to be acknowledged.

A Balanced Career: Athlete and Healthcare Pro

When you see Gabby Thomas race, you can’t imagine she has time for anything else. However, the 200-meter sprinter who has already taken home gold from this year’s games and won two previous medals in Tokyo still makes time to work part-time in health care. Thomas has an undergraduate degree in neurobiology from Harvard and a master’s in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Thomas volunteers her time at a clinic for uninsured people. The sprinter told CNBC, “The way I became successful in track and field was running track part-time,” she said. “And I think that’s really important for my mental health, just having other things in my life that helped fulfill, you know, my goals and make me feel fulfilled.”

Break Your Own Records

In the 400-meter hurdles, 25-year-old Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t racing against anyone else on the field. She is trying to beat the clock. McLaughlin-Levrone had already shattered the world record five times. She kept her eye on the hurdles in this race and left the field in the dust. She broke her world record for the sixth time by completing 400 meter hurdles in 50:37 and Won Olympic gold for the second time.

 A Golden Redemption

Almost four years ago, long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall struggled with body image issues and bouts of depression so debilitating it was difficult for her to get out of bed. Although she had been an athlete since childhood, she no longer wanted to train. “Mentally, I was in a dark place,” Davis-Woodhall said at a media roundtable in New York earlier this year. “I just didn’t want to be here anymore.” The domino effect of transferring schools to COVID-19, recovering from a fractured back, and trying to connect with her new teammates had taken its toll.

“She also said this spring that she got more comfortable with her body image, embracing the more muscular arms and shoulders she used to hide under a hoodie in high school.”

“I couldn’t be myself for a while, and it sucked. It sucks not being able to just be free,” she said. “And now that I am, I am not going back.”

By being herself, Davis-Woodhall won her first Gold medal jumps 22 feet, 9 inches, 23-1 3/4, and 23-3 1/2.

It’s Hammer Time

We must shout Annette Echikunwoke for her strength and skill in throwing the hammer. This is a track event in which athletes throw the “hammer,” a ball attached to a grip by a steel wire. But she is the first American to ever medal in this sport—she won gold!

Black Women are Integral to Creating Winning Teams

We are excited that four Black women, anchored by Sha’Carri Richardson, won gold in the 4×100 relay. It’s the 12th time we’ve won, but we know sisters from other countries are on our heels. However, including Gabby Thomas in the runners’ lineup increased their likelihood of securing a win.

Black women are integral to team wins throughout the Olympic Games from gymnastics to swimming. But to see us represented in events like fencing, where Lauren Scruggs, the first Black woman to win an individual medal in foil, is indeed magical. She won a silver medal in the finals against her teammate, Lee Keifer. Then, Scruggs was the anchor when the team played against Italy and helped them win gold. She’s 21 and a first-time Olympian, to boot.

Let’s continue to take our magic and talents to new horizons and conquer them.

The post Olympics 2024: Black Girl Magic in Paris & Mental Wellness Matters appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Her mother, Diann Ash, wrote, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend, Erica Chantal Ash (1977-2024). After a long and courageous battle with cancer, she transitioned peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones. Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit,  humor, and genuine zest life. Her memory will live eternally in our hearts.”

When she appeared as a guest on Jemele Hill’s Unbothered Podcast ep 88, “The Year of No F**Ks,” in 2020, Ash talked candidly about battling breast cancer. “I’ve beaten cancer twice. The first time was 2b, the second time was stage 4, and I was trying to decide if I would talk about this…because I haven’t before. But I feel like I should because Black women don’t talk about it, and we need to share our journeys. It was probably the toughest journey for me, but it made me realize the depth of my power. I don’t even know the depth of my power.”

Ash was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time she was cast on MAD TV and underwent treatment while doing the show. And didn’t tell any of her friends. It returned for the second time a decade later. Ash’s diagnosis at that time was stage 4 cancer. The cancer also ate away 70% of her spine, requiring her to get screws installed. As a result, she decided to live boldly. And she did things like jump off cliffs in Mexico. “I am going to test the limits of my Black girl magic,” she told Hill in the interview. “I told three girlfriends and my parents.” Everyone else found out listening to Hill’s show. She was shooting “In Contempt” during her stage 4 diagnosis and treatment.

Ash believed that one should listen to one’s body and ask questions of medical professionals until one is satisfied with the answers. She told Hill she wasn’t afraid to fire her doctors, and she did so more than once.

Ash was beloved by her colleagues, friends, and all who knew her. May she rest in peace. The family asks that any donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.

The post Actress Erica Ash Has Died After A Battle With Cancer appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and American Society of Nephrology (ASN) on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) plans to remove the African American/Black race coefficient from the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) calculation. This comes after removing the race-based formula for transplantation qualifications a few years ago. This is all good news for us. But let’s ensure your doctors, hospitals, and labs know about these changes and aren’t using old calculations. What does it all mean? Read on.

The Race-Based Formula Explained

Kidney function is measured by a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Test. The Black race variable was developed from a study that says we have higher creatinine levels. Dr. Rosas explains.” In the big scheme, the critical number is 20 when people are referred and can be listed for transplant. But the white person would be 19, the Black person would be 22, but the wait list is long for everybody.” But think of it like a Black tax.

In the United States, the wait for a kidney could be between five and six years, depending on the state where you live.

“The problem with being waitlisted is your comorbidities are still progressing. So many patients are removed from the waitlists because they no longer qualify,” Dr. Rosas explains. “A kidney transplant is a surgery, and if your health deteriorates because you have to wait longer, that becomes a problem.”

Advocating For a Race-Free Formula

However, Dr. Rosas points out that medical schools teach students there are no differences between races. “The NFK, the ASN, and OPTN said this is the formula we should use because we didn’t want people to still use the other one. You don’t want to go to your cardiologist and have X kidney function, then you go to your primary care, he’s using another formula, and you have another kidney function; it’s confusing,” she explains. “The NFK has worked really hard with lab companies to have the new formula  reported.” Between 2023-2024, patients who were on the waitlist got an average of 1.7 years of their time back when race was eliminated from the equation.

How Kidneys From Black Donors Were Evaluated

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network used a mathematical equation called a KDRI to estimate the quality of a donated kidney. Under the old equation, kidneys from Black donors were graded as having poorer organ function than kidneys from White donors. As a result, kidneys donated by Black people were often thrown away. The proposed change was included in OPTN’S 2024 winter public comment period and approved for adoption by the OPTN board in June 2024.

In addition to removing race, the updated KDPI no longer includes whether or not the donor was Hepatitis C Virus positive.

Thanks to therapeutic advances, post-transplant outcomes for HCV-positive deceased donor kidney transplants are similar to those of HCV-negative donor kidneys.”With the new approach, some kidneys that may have otherwise been considered unsuitable for transplantation due to the inclusion of race in the formula will now receive more favorable scores, including some that will now be classified with scores that make them more appropriate for transplant,” said Cynthia Delgado, MD, who participated in the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network task force that led efforts to reconsider the use of race and HCV in the formula.

There are many reasons why a donated kidney may not be viable. “Sometimes they’re not good. If they cannot find a donor, the donor doesn’t come on time, and they don’t have a surgeon. Many things could happen,” Dr. Rosas explains.” Four sequences of transplants happened in the United States: the best sequences of your lower score, the lower the number, the better your kidney is. Unfortunately, many of these kidneys end up in the above 85% range.”

Right now, 90,000 people are waiting for kidney transplants, and 12 people die each day waiting.

 Know More About Your Kidney Disease and Transplant Options

Dr. Rosas suggests taking the following and that you know your options:

If You Have a Family History of Hypertension, Diabetes, Kidney Disease or Heart Disease

Request these two tests from your physician annually to assess your kidney health: creatinine and albumin. Work on reversing the progression of chronic kidney disease before it becomes kidney failure.

Check With Your Lab

Make sure they no longer use race-based testing when testing your Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR).

If You Are On Dialysis (What Have They Said to You About Transplant Eligibility)

If you have been given a brochure, it is time to read it.

If Have Been Turned Down For a Transplant Because Your BMI is too High

Look at other transplant centers; each center sets its eligibility requirements.

The post What’s Race Got to Do With Kidney Donations & Transplants? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While she had made Texas her home, Jackson Lee was born in Queens, New York. She planned to be an executive secretary before graduating from Jamaica High School and, according to her obituary in The NY Times. However, the assassination of Martin Luther King ignited a passion within her. She got a scholarship to NYU and later transferred to Yale, where she graduated—she later attended the University of Virginia to obtain her law degree. Jackson Lee moved to Houston when she married Elwyn C. Lee.

According to the NY Times, Jackson Lee served on the Houston City Council for four years before entering the congressional race when Barbara Jordan’s seat became available. Jackson Lee wanted to serve to help women, Black people, and Hispanic people get a fair shot at success. Her legacy is a testament that she did that and so much more.

A statement released by the Congressional Black Caucus lists includes some of them.

“A former CBC Whip and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a devoted and active member of our Caucus who championed many causes, including racial equity and improving policing and community safety in America – most recently reintroducing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in May 2024. 

“Representative Jackson Lee leaves her mark on the Congress as a former chair and first female ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and as a senior member of the House Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget. During her tenure, she led many important legislative initiatives – authoring the Violence Against Women’s Act and the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act and introducing the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization, the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act, and the Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act.”

While millions will continue to reap the benefits of her efforts, we remember these words from her family: “She impacted us most as beloved wife, sister, mother, and Bebe (grandmother).”

According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that 66,440 new cases will be diagnosed this year, and 51,750 people will die. The disease is often diagnosed in later stages, and symptoms are frequently mistaken for other medical conditions. To learn about pancreatic cancer, contact the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, which can provide information on resources for treatment, research, and support.

The post Representative Sheila Jackson Lee Has Passed Away appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Jenni A. Shearston, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Berkeley, led the study. According to the study, “Between 52–86% of people who menstruate in the United States use tampons—cotton and/or rayon/viscose ‘plugs’—to absorb menstrual blood in the vagina.

Tampons may contain metals from agricultural or manufacturing processes, which could be absorbed by the vagina’s highly absorbent tissue, resulting in systemic exposure. To our knowledge, no previous studies have measured metals in tampons.”

The team examined “14 tampon brands and 18 product lines and compared the concentrations by tampon characteristics.” (Think: Regular, Super, and Super Plus).  They found 16 metals in total: arsenic, barium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, vanadium, and zinc.

They purchased products in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. All the types tested had detectable levels of metals, which Newsweek reports may cause depression.

Are you safer with organic brands? Not exactly. You are exposed to different toxins. The non-organic tampons tested had higher lead levels, and organic tampons were more likely to contain arsenic.

Newsweek reported, “Despite this large potential for public health concern, very little research has been done to measure chemicals in tampons,” said Jenni Shearston, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and UC Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, said in a statement.

“To our knowledge, this is the first paper to measure metals in tampons. Concerningly, we found concentrations of all metals we tested for, including toxic metals like arsenic and lead.”

What’s the risk to our health? Exposure to metal can cause things like infertility, cancer, diabetes, and dementia. They can impact maternal health and fetal development and cause damage to the liver, kidney, brain, and cardiovascular system. However, it is unclear whether the amount of metals contained in tampons would impact us this way.

Since this is the first study of its kind, be aware of the possible implications. Stay tuned to see if there will be any changes in the laws that will include better labeling.

Also, talk to your GYN about your alternative.

The post Some Tampons Brands (Even Organic Ones) Contain Arsenic & Lead appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Kelly Larson, Injury Prevention Lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies, says, “The increase in drowning deaths in the United States, as well as drowning being the leading cause of death among 1-4 year-olds, led us to expand our investment to include drowning, prevention efforts here.” The focus will be on data collection in the ten states that make up half of the drowning tragedies: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Larson points out that children under five are at the highest risk of drowning. In the U.S., they have focused their swim education efforts on an older demographic. “In the United States, we plan to provide swim instruction to 20,000 children ages 6-15, being very diligent in identifying local organizations who can offer swim lessons to those who need it most,” the Prevention Lead says. “Bloomberg Philanthropies will support the CDC Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work in select, high-burden states to provide basic swim and water safety skills instruction in most affected populations. We are working with local organizations in these communities to offer the lessons.”

The $60M investment is expected to fund programs globally through 2027. “As part of this commitment, we are also evaluating safety policies, including pool fencing and personal flotation devices here in the United States, to see how we may advocate for stronger laws,”  Larson says. “We recognize that drowning is the leading cause of death for 1-4-year-olds and want to take a hard look at some of the drowning prevention policies in each state. We want to understand better what policies are in place and identify opportunities to strengthen policies that will reduce drowning.”

The post Bloomberg Philanthropies Donates $60M to Prevent Drownings appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Corynne Corbett (00:13):

H Everyone.

Corynne Corbett (00:15):

I’m Corynne Corbett, editorial director from Black Health Matters. And today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Monet Farr Cole, who is the founder of New Paradigm’s grief, recovery, and Life Coach. And we’re going to talk about loss, and I’m going to ask Monet to talk about what she does because nobody can talk about what you do better than yourself. So Monet, what is it that you do?

Monet Farr Cole (00:53):

Thank you. Well, as you said, my name is Monet Far Cole, and I am a grief recovery specialist and I’m a life coach. And so I work primarily with women who are dealing with loss, whether it’s from death of a loved one, divorce and some of the other many losses that we suffer in life. And I help them to have some tools that they can use to process their grief. Women who are dealing with loss, whether it’s from death of a loved one, divorce and some of the other many losses that we suffer in life. And I help them to have some tools that they can use to process their grief. And then at the end of that, we then start working on, okay, so what does life look like now with your new set of circumstances and how do you want to move forward? And so, then I help them to actually move forward as well. And I just love what I do.

Corynne Corbett (01:35):

So a lot of times we talk about grief, but really, at the end of the day today, what we’re going to talk about is loss because I think we can all identify with loss whether we’ve lost a job, we lost our way, we’ve all lost our way at some point in our lives, right? Yes. And sometimes, it’s coping with a loss. The finding the tools to even identify that we can find the words to say that that’s lost, how we begin to even say that, to even find the words to say that I’m in a space where I’ve lost something.

Monet Farr Cole (02:37):

Yeah. And I just think we don’t understand the relationship between loss and grief. We have all experienced grief, whether we’ve experienced someone who died or not, because we grieve the things that we lose. And whether it’s a relationship, whether it’s community, whether it’s loss of faith, I mean, there’s a lot of different things that our experiences feel like a loss. And so we’ve been grieving, and we didn’t know that we were grieving. And unfortunately, when people hear grief, they think immediately about death. But if we had an open mind around grief and actually had more tools and conversation around dealing with loss, everyday loss in our lives in a healthier way, I think we have those tools early on in life so that we don’t get stuck when we find that after loss, after loss, after loss, and we haven’t been really dealing with the grief of those losses, that’s what gets us stuck.

Corynne Corbett (03:40):

So you talked about being stuck. So, how do we identify that? We’re stuck?

Monet Farr Cole (03:46):

So a lot of times we lose our verb for life. We just get a little complacent. We find that we’re isolated, we don’t enjoy the things that we used to, or there are very few things that we do that bring us any joy anymore. And so we are just going through, it feels like you’re on a hamster wheel, and day after day after day just looks the same, and you’re not quite sure how to get it back. And so a lot of times because we don’t have the tools, or we don’t have someone to say, look, you’re stuck, and you should get some help through this, we just remain complacent in that space. And it’s unfortunate because I think a lot of things happen when we’re stuck, our health starts to suffer not only our physical health, but our mental health as well. And we’re not interacting with other people. So, our brain health is even. There are a lot of things and a lot of fallout from being stuck.

Corynne Corbett (04:49):

Now that it’s interesting that you said that a lot of things happen. So you’re saying, so your mood changes. For example, you become lethargic. You said something about your brain health. So how would that change, for example?

Monet Farr Cole (05:08):

So when we’re not interacting with other people because we’re isolating, because we’re just stuck and not really putting ourselves out there anymore, then we’re not being challenged to think outside of our own thoughts. And especially if we’re just in this very small microcosm of people that we deal with, it’s incestuous. The thoughts become incestuous. Your thoughts and my thoughts are the same. So we’re not learning more. We’re not growing more so because we’re stuck. And we’ve decided that even if we don’t realize we’re stuck, that we’re okay with things as they are, we feel comfortable in that space, and we don’t even want now to try to learn more or to be with people who have different thoughts and feelings and ideas. So it’s a vicious cycle. You’re stuck, so you’re comfortable being stuck, so you stay stuck unless you have someone or you start to at least read about or find someone like me who can show you the ways in which we get stuck. And to compassionately help you through that because it’s hard. It’s hard to first recognize that you’re stuck and then to take the steps to make a change.

Corynne Corbett (06:26):

Right. So, what made you want to do this work?

Monet Farr Cole (06:33):

So, my own grief journey led me to become a grief recovery specialist. So I lost my mom in 2010, and that was devastating. When you lose your mom, it’s like no matter what the relationship, it’s like the earth beneath you just crumbles. And so I felt that. And then I also suffered the loss of basically the whole generation of her sisters and brothers. But the thing that really just took me out was the loss of my life partner. So when he died, I just really didn’t know what my future looked like and I didn’t care. And so that was an indication that I needed some help. So that’s when I found the grief recovery method, which is the method I use with my clients. And so the grief work is what got me started down this path and working with my clients to give them the tools and help them through the process over a six week time period.

(07:36):

But then I also realized that a lot of them were still stuck, even though they’ve done the work to now release the grief, they still weren’t sure how to move forward. So even though you’ve done that work, you could still get stuck. And then I’ve seen my friends and I felt stuck actually after grieving the loss of my soulmate. And I just felt like there was room for someone to be out here to help. And there are others like me, but I’m passionate about really helping people move forward into a life that they can love. Why just settle for a life that’s just okay and humdrum? Go for your dream life. Why shouldn’t we all do that? And so I really wanted to empower women to move forward and go after what they really want.

Corynne Corbett (08:28):

And why do you think that your passion is for women especially?

Monet Farr Cole (08:33):

I see myself. I do. And I think that as women, a lot of us are empathic. We feel so much and we do so much. And we’re the nurturers. We are the caretakers a lot of time. And not to disparage any men because they also have their roles, and they’ve suffered too. They really do. That’s why I’d never say I’m not open to working with men, but women are my passion to work with women through these issues. Because a lot of times, we just take the hit and keep going. We’ve been told to put big girl panties on and keep it moving. You don’t have time to sit down and feel sorry for yourself or feel bad or to feel the feels right. You don’t have time to feel all those emotions keep going. And I think that’s a very dangerous message, and I just would like to be part of the solution to help more of my sisters live life fully and boldly and

Corynne Corbett (09:33):

Big and bad. So what I like is that we’re having a conversation about loss and grief, but it’s not this too, sad overtone because the perception is when you think about grief and you think about that we’re going to have this conversation that we’re going to be sad and somber, so to speak, we’re going to be like, oh, so this is going to be this discussion, and we’re going to be talking like this, and we’re going to be really thoughtful. What we’re not talking like that, because what we’re saying is that we are trying to recover our lives in this conversation, that you’re encouraging women to find the joy again, to find purpose again, and that it is possible to do that. But one of the things that you said that really stuck with me is that six weeks was not enough. That there’s no time limit, that you can’t identify a time when the journey is over for someone.

Monet Farr Cole (11:07):

No.

Corynne Corbett (11:08):

So, can you talk a little bit more about that?

Monet Farr Cole (11:10):

Yeah, I mean, there are a couple of things I want to say about that. So first is that those five stages of grief are not applying to grievers. That was originally put out there by a psychiatrist who was working with terminally ill patients. So that whole concept of first you go through denial and then anger, and then no, that’s not, so our grief is not linear like that. And so, everyone’s journey is different. And so that’s why the six weeks, even though my program is typically six weeks long, I’ve gone almost a year out, to be quite honest with some people, because we all process our emotions differently. And so we have to be given the time to have our own unique grief journey, and we will have different emotions. You can have two siblings lose their mother and have completely different reactions to the death.

(12:05):

And then my message is more upbeat because grief is every day. It’s an everyday thing. I’m trying to bring normalcy to grief. It’s not this big dark cloud that has to be so burdensome and, like you said, so dark and so gloomy that it feels very out there to us instead of, it’s something that we all go through and especially in normalizing it for our children as well, so that then they grow up with a healthier experience and interaction with grief. And so that’s where the name of my company really came from was new paradigms, having just a new look at grief, looking at it differently, reframing our old vision of what grief is. I want to change that.

Corynne Corbett (12:57):

Yeah, I think that’s so important. So you mentioned that there are so many ways that we experience loss. Can you talk about some of the ways that we experience it?

Monet Farr Cole (13:10):

Yeah. So there are over 40 losses that we can experience through our lives and suffer grief as a result. So death of a loved one is the obvious. Divorce is another one that we are familiar with. But what about moving? You move to a new location, that’s a loss. You’re looking forward to the new place that you’re going to be, but you’re saying goodbye to friends and the neighborhood that maybe you grew up in. So that’s a loss. We have loss of friends. Sometimes our friendships come to an end, and that can be really devastating. And we don’t compare losses. My loss of a friend might hit me harder than the loss of your dad because you didn’t know him. It’s like we don’t compare losses. So they’re all things that we may grieve, we also grieve. And the losses that are intangible, like loss of faith, when something happens and we don’t understand it, and we’re questioning our faith, how could that be?

(14:12):

That goes against everything I thought I knew about my spiritual practice and my beliefs. So you got loss of faith, you have loss of safety. Things happen in our lives and we no longer feel safe, loss of health, loss of career. So there’s a lot, there’s so many things that we go through in life that make us grieve and we don’t even recognize. And so what happens is that grief gets packed on there and packed on and packed on. Then we got Samsonite luggage that we’re dragging around with us from one relationship to another or from one stage life to another. And we don’t even realize it, but it impacts us.

Corynne Corbett (14:57):

Exactly, exactly. And I have a friend who used to say, one carry on allowed, but that’s impossible. If we’re talking like this, that’s actually not feasible. If we’re talking about all the things that we experience in life, how are we carrying one carry on? If we’re actually living, we want to unpack. So we would have to then face some of the things that we’re experiencing and then take them behind some way.

Monet Farr Cole (15:39):

Yeah. How many times do we start a new relationship? And we haven’t really dealt with the grief of the past relationship. We just said, oh, move on. Get a new boyfriend. Get a good new girlfriend. Just keep going. Replace that loss with a new person. And you didn’t really grieve what you had with that person at one time. It was good. So there is some grief there no matter why you broke up. And if we don’t deal with that, we just carry it into relationship after relationship. And then it’s hard for us to show up really healthy in those new relationships.

Corynne Corbett (16:20):

So when you are working with people, what is the process? Is it one-on-one sessions? Is it writing? Is it action? Do they get homework? Talk a little bit about how the work gets done.

Monet Farr Cole (16:45):

So I have a couple of different programs. So the program to really process the grief is the grief recovery method. And that’s one-on-one coaching, but I also do groups for that as well. And there is reading and there is homework involved in that process because it’s important that we start understanding, have a new understanding of what grief is, and then we start getting new tools, new ways to look at things, new ways to process things. So it’s really important that homework piece is a crucial part of the work. And then we meet one-on-one weekly to talk about the assignments. And I give my clients however long they need. Typically it takes them about eight to nine weeks instead of the six weeks because it’s hard stuff that comes up. And while I do keep it light, as light as I can, I am a compassionate specialist.

(17:43):

And so I am very aware of what they’re going through. I’ve gone through it. So it helps that I have experienced what they have. But then I also have the coaching after the grief recovery, and those can be different. So for your listeners, I’m offering that Heal Your Heart Challenge, where it’s just the email inspiration and journal prompts just to get people started. But the bigger program would be another four week program where they actually get one-on-one coaching, as well as homework assignments for the Heal Your Heart Challenge, and then the other coaching programs a little bit longer. So I have another program that’s four to six months, and that’s really intensive. So we get into your beliefs, talk about our values, how to structure your life based on your values, and create boundaries based on your values. So we go a little bit deeper in those programs, but with everything there is an educational component, there’s always an educational component.

Corynne Corbett (18:51):

So just for those of you who are listening, Monet has given you a little tease here. She’s going to offer you a 30 day program. Tell us a little bit more about that. Now we are just giving you a little, just teased it a little bit, but we’re going to give you yes, this a little quick little public service announcement.

Monet Farr Cole (19:19):

Yes. So for your subscribers and listeners, I wanted to offer something special. So free of charge, they’ll get a 30 day program where each of those days, they’ll receive an email in their inbox with some inspiration and also a journal prompt. And so what it’s geared to, our brain works in a way that if we can get small tasks done and completed, it gives us a sense of confidence to allow us to do more work, and we see that we can be effective. So that’s what this program is really about: getting people to take these small steps towards healing their hearts and moving forward in their lives. And so the inspiration is just around giving them the encouragement to move forward and with compassion and with good information. And then the journal prompts get them involved. So now they can start taking it in, self-reflecting, and then writing it out. And that’ll take them even further on this journey.

Corynne Corbett (20:27):

So you’ll see the link right here, but then in the transcript, you’ll also see the link again and just see the link at the end of this program. Tell you again before we’re done. But as you’re listening, we just want to give you the little announcement, but we’re going to keep talking just in case. But this is a little public service announcement for those of you who are listening right in the middle of this show. So we talked about this, all the kinds of losses that we can experience in our lives, but let’s go back to now that we, let’s really talked about loss of a loved one. And because initially we didn’t want to talk about that because a lot of times people shy away from that. But now we can talk about that and that can change people’s lives really significantly. And that’s where many, many people become stuck and don’t really know what to do, particularly women, particularly women. And so let’s talk about ways how that shows up in our lives. And this could be women of all ages. This is not women of a certain age is this is women of all ages who just become lost. This is about being lost, not just lost. This is about lost, but become lost because they don’t see themselves without the other person.

Monet Farr Cole (22:36):

So there’s several things I’d really like to talk about here. And so one of them is around emotional incompleteness. So a lot of times when we have unresolved grief, it’s because we didn’t get to say something, do something. There were things that we thought wish were better or we had more of or even less of. And so because those things just get bottled in because now we can’t tell the person, even if in a divorce, it’s not emotionally safe to have those conversations, probably with your ex, because you might just get re-injured. So regardless of whether it’s death or divorce, those things are bottled up inside. So because of that, we’re just carrying that around and it’s hard to move forward. But you have those friends that just keep replaying the same story. Every time you talk to them, they’re telling you the same story, the same story. A lot of times, it’s in a breakup, and he did this, and he did that.

(23:35):

And it is like, girl, okay, we’ve been talking about this same thing, but it’s hard to move forward even with death. You were supposed to take that trip, and you never took that trip and whatever it is. And so those things absolutely get us stuck. So that’s one way we get stuck. The other thing is the people who are supporting us through grief mean the best. They have the best intentions, but unfortunately, there’s so much misinformation around grief or no information around grief that sometimes we actually injure the griever with little things. So for example, I had friends loved me dearly. I know it for sure. And they would just call and say, how are you? How are you?

(24:25):

And I’m like, I’m sad. I’m still sad. But after a while, I got tired of saying I was the sad one. I didn’t want to be negative Nancy all the time, even though I felt like saying he’s still dead. So yeah, I’m sad, I’m sad. But I started lying. I just started saying, yeah, I’m better. I’m better. And see, that gets us in the motion of not being emotionally honest anymore. And so because we’re not able to be emotionally honest, we’re living a lie. And in living that lie, we get stuck. And it happens more times than it, what’s so sad about it? And it’s done out of, there’s no mouth, bad wishes. People have the best intentions, but unfortunately, that’s one of the ways that we can get stuck. And we just become more and more detached from ourselves, from our true self because we can’t be as sad as we really want to be.

(25:36):

We can’t be not okay with life still a year later, yes, I’m still grieving. Yes, even at work, we can’t do it. People don’t understand. So that’s a big reason why we get stuck. And then the other thing is, a third thing I want to talk about is victimhood. So it’s very natural to feel like a victim when we suffer a loss. Everybody, yes, you didn’t want this to happen to you or to your loved one. The problem is, if we get stuck as victim and it’s easy to do because people expect you to be victim, then that’s another way we get stuck because we’re not empowered now to move forward, to make changes, to make a difference. And so what I encourage my clients to do is if you could take just 1% responsibility, not for what happened, but for your reaction to what happened, that’s the only thing we can really have any control over is how we react. So when the time is right, can you just take the 1% and it could be as small as you got help. Hey, that’s a move in the right direction. It’s the smallest steps. But the more they do that, the more they will and the less victim they’ll feel, and the more empowered they feel. So that’s a way out of getting stuck as well. But being victim is one of the ways we get stuck too.

Corynne Corbett (27:13):

But I’m going to go back to what you just said about the friend who calls, and then you’re like, I’m better. You can’t say to your friend you’re lying. You’re not better.

Monet Farr Cole (27:26):

See, the thing is that I know that when I’ve called my loved ones, and they’re suffering, I am waiting for them to say I’m better. I am not putting the pressure on at all. But in the back of my mind, I can’t wait until she says, yes, I’m better. And the other person can feel it. And so we want to make people comfortable without grief. We don’t want them to suffer with us, so we hide it. Yeah.

Corynne Corbett (28:07):

So it’s like a catch-22. So, the person who’s angry has to carry the burden of making other people feel better.

Monet Farr Cole (28:22):

Yes, absolutely. That’s

Corynne Corbett (28:25):

Jacked up though.

Monet Farr Cole (28:27):

It is. And it is just about not having the right information because you know what you can do instead of just saying, how are you? Do you need something? Can I just come and sit with you? You need some, Rosa, what do you need? I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to say to help, but I just want you to know I’m here. So if we had this information, then we would know not to keep asking, how are you? But we don’t have the information,

Corynne Corbett (28:58):

Right? I don’t think I ever said, how are you? I don’t. I say, how? You don’t think I say that?

Monet Farr Cole (29:12):

How are you holding up?

Corynne Corbett (29:17):

I do say, what do you need? What can I bring you?

Monet Farr Cole (29:21):

Yes, that’s perfect. That is perfect.

Corynne Corbett (29:24):

What can I bring? You need some food. What can I send? What can I bring? Yeah, I do say that. Yeah.

Monet Farr Cole (29:32):

I

Corynne Corbett (29:32):

Think when can I come by? Time

Monet Farr Cole (29:33):

Goes on six months in, a year in. I think it’s harder,

Corynne Corbett (29:44):

And I often say this to my family members: you don’t want to be an expert on death. Nobody wants to be an expert on death. And actually, everyone’s situation is different. So you don’t want to assume that what you know to be true is true for that other person.

Monet Farr Cole (30:07):

You’re right. That is key. That is key. Because I lost my mom and someone else lost their mom. We had completely different relationships with our mom. So I don’t know. All I know is how I felt. I can share that with you, but I don’t know how you feel.

Corynne Corbett (30:25):

That’s right. I do always say that to people. I was like, I don’t know how you feel. However, I will say my only advice to people this moment by moment. That’s my general advice. That’s good. Interesting. So, as people are coming through the programs and establishing a kind of new reality for themselves, what is your advice to them as they’re doing it?

Monet Farr Cole (31:09):

To have an accountability partner is really important, and to have a plan. So at the end of my programs, I definitely set up an action plan and we follow up. But it’s so important to be able to keep the promises that we make to ourselves. Because if no one else knows about it, it’s really easy to just go back to your old ways because it’s difficult to do something different. It is. So having an accountability partner is very important. Even if it’s just a friend that you say, look, I promised myself I was going to do this. I’m going to go out once a week and just meet people. I’m just going to go into public places and try to just meet some new people, whatever it is, but just share that with them that these are the things that you’re going to do so that someone can hold you accountable.

Corynne Corbett (32:02):

I think that’s really important. So the person doesn’t have to be, let’s say if you’re doing groups, they don’t have to be in that group. That could just be a friend or someone.

Monet Farr Cole (32:11):

An accountability department can be somebody. It’s whoever they want to choose. They might choose someone in the group because they’re going through very similar things. But yeah, it could be just a friend, someone who really cares about you and would call you on it. But it’s like having patience with themselves, too. It’s like having that balance of compassion and courage. So we want to have the courage to do the things that we say we’re going to do, but also being compassionate with ourselves too. So, just having a good balance.

Corynne Corbett (32:47):

And in your program, are there steps? So if I start in one program, could I go to a next program? Could I go to a next program? I feel like if I’m in a situation where I’m trying to come to terms with a loss of some sort, I may need more tools and more help than just one program, for example. So, if there were more opportunities for help, it’d be nice to know they’re there.

Monet Farr Cole (33:29):

So I have a tier because I realized that my clients are in different places. So I actually have a free unstuck event. So, it’s a free webinar. The next one is actually next Saturday at 12 June 15th if anyone wants to tune in. But I have the free one. So that starts to get you thinking about, wow, so that’s what stuck looks like. I think I’m stuck. So then we go into the Heal Your Heart challenge. So the one I’m doing with your listeners is abbreviated to just the 30 days, but I have a more extended program, but that’s still another tiny step because that’s a short program for just four weeks. And you start getting the one-on-one coaching, you do some journal prompts and you have the lessons. So that’s another step into the process. And then after that, then we have the untangled program. And so that’s the four to six-month program, and that’s more intensive. So that’s when you’re really feeling, okay, I really want to dive in and really make some changes in my life. And so then you would go there. But I did recognize that not everyone is ready to just go deep dive, right? Sometimes, we need those baby steps.

Corynne Corbett (34:46):

Absolutely. So what advice would you give to people who just want to dip a toe in?

Monet Farr Cole (35:02):

So if they just want to dip a toe in, there’s a couple of things they can do. I have conversations with everyone before I start working with them, and sometimes it’s just a conversation to have someone talk to you that understands what you may be going through to maybe give you some ideas of some of the things you could do, whether they’re my programs or whether they’re something else, then to at least get that going. The other thing I think is really good is the unstuck event. Because it is a free webinar on a Saturday, you’re in your home. It’s really easy. You just tune in for an hour, and then you see it might give you some indication of where you are in your process, whether you need to maybe do some grief work, you could do that too, or whether you’re really ready to move forward.

Corynne Corbett (35:56):

Right. Okay. That makes sense. That makes sense. Is there anything, excuse me, that you think we’ve missed in this discussion?

Monet Farr Cole (36:17):

I don’t think so. I think we did such a good job of covering everything. Thank you for being perfectly suited for this conversation. I really appreciate it. But I think we really covered a lot. I think we covered the grief as well as moving forward. And it’s important to distinguish the two and to be able to have tools for each of those, because the tools are a little bit different, but they definitely help. And the only other thing, I guess,

Corynne Corbett (36:49):

Go ahead.

Monet Farr Cole (36:51):

The only other thing we didn’t really talk too much about was emotional honesty. And that’s a big one for me too. Oh,

Corynne Corbett (36:56):

Let’s talk about that emotion. Emotion. Let’s talk about emotions.

Monet Farr Cole (37:00):

Honest is so important. If you’re not going to be honest with the people around you, at least be honest with yourself. And so I have what I call a five-step gut check. And so it’s every morning you wake up, and you’re like, okay, how am I feeling? Okay, so today I’m feeling afraid. Okay, so now the next step is, okay, why am I feeling that way? Why am I feeling afraid? Well, doing some new things. This is scary to me to try new things. Okay, so then the next step is, so are there some beliefs attached to that? So maybe I have some limiting beliefs around my ability to be different.

(37:48):

Then the next step would be, so is there anything I can do about it or no? First, is it true? Is it true? Is it true that I’m limited? No, it’s not true. And then you want to ask yourself, is there anything you can do about it? And yes, I can do more with my prayer meditation. I can read and do things that, I can take these small steps that will show me that I’m making progress, and I can build my confidence. And then, so those are the steps in that gut check. But I think it’s just really important. And to be able to name the different emotions. Don’t just always settle for angry. Really dig deep and figure out what it is you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it. And then basically, is there something you can do about it? And if not, it’s about acceptance, right? Accepting that this is just what is and having some

Corynne Corbett (38:53):

Peace. And you do that in the morning.

Monet Farr Cole (38:55):

In the morning, every morning. Just check in, check-in, just get into the habit. It’s a good habit to start really understanding our emotions. Our emotions are here to tell us something. They don’t just exist. They’re here to tell us something. And there are no bad emotions. They just are. So, if we’re jealous and envious, it’s not bad. It just is. Now, what you do about it could be bad. That’s where the good and bad could come in.

Corynne Corbett (39:30):

So for everyone listening today, this is something that we all can do, whether we have experienced loss or not, this is a five step process that we all need to make a habit starting tomorrow. That is something we could take away right now. So, let’s do the five-step gut check. Let’s start making that a habit right now that is a takeaway for us. All right? Now, the other thing is that the 30-day challenge is something that we could all do ourselves. Whether we’ve experienced loss or not, that is the other thing we could all do. So, Monet, please tell us again about the 30-day challenge that you’re offering.

Monet Farr Cole (40:20):

Us. So it’s a 30-day Heal Your Heart challenge. And what we’ll do is the link will take you to a page on my website where you can put your name and your email address. And so for 30 days after you subscribe, you’ll get an email in your inbox with an inspirational message as well as a journal prompt to help you start reflecting and looking inward to decide how you can move through that inspiration message and how you can apply it to yourself. And it just allows you to make these small steps forward to create a life you love.

Corynne Corbett (41:03):

All right? And who doesn’t want a life that they love?

Monet Farr Cole (41:07):

Yes, we all do

Corynne Corbett (41:09):

Think about that. Who does not want a life that they love? So Monet, for our call, I cannot thank you enough for being here with me.

Monet Farr Cole (41:20):

Thank you so much for having me. It’s my pleasure.

Check out Monet Farr Cole’s Events Page for additional upcoming sessions.

The post BHM Interview Monet Farr Cole on Navigating Loss, Emotional Honesty and Creating a Life You Love appeared first on Black Health Matters.

From Idea to a Movement

Zemoria Brandon, the Shine the Light on Sickle Cell Steering Committee chair and administrator/social worker with Sickle Cell Disease Associaton of America, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter, says that Shine the Light started as an idea. “We were in a meeting at our national convention, and Gloria Rochester, Founder, President, and CEO of the New York (formerly Queens) Sickle Cell Advocacy Network, said there were so many myths, misinformation, and miseducation about it and who it impacts, and shining the light was what we stood on,” Brandon explained. “It started as an initiative; then it became a campaign, and now it’s a movement.”  It has empowered faith-based organizations, even those with SCD, to ask how we can get involved.

“We have an organization, a nursing sorority, and one of the members is affiliated with a sickle cell program in Philadelphia, and every year, they come together and hold a memorial red balloon release in memory of those clients who have passed away,” Brandon says.

Other ideas Brandon has seen include walkathons, block parties, golf tournaments, and red lightbulbs on their porches. And that movement has expanded beyond the Northeast because of social media.

Last year, 29 states and 21 countries participated in Shine the Light.

Amplifying the Message

The power of Shine the Light is a collaborative effort. A driving force of it is SiNERGe CBO, which is a community-based organization, hospital, and advocacy program working together to support, raise awareness about, and treat SCD.

“When we talk about sickle cell disease, it’s not to point to the Northeast region; it’s to shine the light on it so they have the awareness that this a disease that matters and causes a lot of suffering,” says Dr. Rosalyn Stewart, a Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr Stewart also thinks it’s essential to shine a light on the disparities in funding. Currently, 40,000 patients are living with cystic fibrosis in the United States, and there are 100,000 people with SCD disease. “Their funding is about $100,000 to $1. The federal budget for SCD is 8M. We would like that to go up. We need the public voice to get louder, ” she says.”We’ve gotten Congress and the federal government to recognize the power of CBOs in healthcare and serving people in need.”

Getting Patients Access is Critical

While everyone is talking about multimillion-dollar treatments, Dr. Stewart said the primary need right now is getting SCD patients who aren’t on any therapy started on a therapy would be beneficial now. However, centers where patients can access treatments are not always accessible. “If you think about CF centers, people will travel to them. However, the average socio-demographic of someone with sickle cell disease is different. They might not have the means to travel 100 miles to a center of excellence.” the professor explains. “And so, on the provider side, we’ve pivoted to get satellites and other providers out where patients are to help do some of this work, and then only bring them to the academic centers when we have to.”

In areas where patients have access to public transportation, they may be able to use it to see a provider if they have the means, but even that may be an issue. So, when we think about SCD, we must consider all the ways to provide access to treatment. The shortage of hematologists available to treat adult sickle cell patients is an issue, too. As is the lack of treatment facilities and the number of Sickle Cell Disease Centers of Excellence.

June 19th happens to be Zemoria Brandon’s birthday. She has worked with the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter for 42 years. Her husband, who succumbed to SCD in 1998, was one of its co-founders. She will spend the day stopping at all 12 locations in Philly, Painting the Town Red in his honor. 

For a complete list of the SiNERGe CBOs is here.

The post Shining the Light on Sickle Cell Anemia for Six Years appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What’s maddening about this is that it often occurs when a sickle cell patient is already pregnant, and they are advised not to have any more by the OBGYN whose care they are under. Presumably, they trust this person who can subtly exert influence and walk a fine line between force and consent. Patients have 30 days to withdraw this consent, but most don’t.

Here is the scary part:

But the doctor said it was best done while she was already open, she recalled, rather than risking another surgery.

Her memory of that day is fuzzy. But there’s one thing she’s adamant about: She didn’t want to sign the form. Nor did she want to die in childbirth, leaving her kids without a mom. Her obstetrician was older and had delivered countless babies. He was Black, like her. She trusted him. Maybe he knew best.

Sometimes, it is your people who betray you.

These sterilizations are confirmations of the doctors’ belief that SCD patients shouldn’t have children. According to the article, “But to doctors researching the risks, the answer is not to discourage people with sickle cell from becoming parents. The answer is to provide better care. Some hospitals have teamed up sickle cell specialists with high-risk pregnancy experts, dramatically reducing complications and, in some cases, doing away with these deaths entirely.”

The article points out why sickle cell patients fall pretty to these pressures. Black women with SCD seeking quality care do not have a lot of options, especially after graduating from a pediatric program. There is a lack of adult specialists available across the country. And the power differential weighs heavily on the doctor’s side.

But no matter where you live, you have rights. Say, can I have time to think about it when in doubt? And get yourself out of there before a decision is made that cannot be undone.

If you are with your significant other, spouse, boo, or anyone who has signing privileges, make sure you go over what they should and should not sign on your behalf.

The post Women With SCD Sterilized By Coercion appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Love did his residency at Harvard and worked at Mass General Hospital. Although that hospital didn’t see as many SCD patients, he was dismayed to witness a similar scenario. He filed these encounters in the back of his mind. “I ended up in biotech and focused my career on cardiovascular disease and cancer,” Dr. Love says. “And I almost felt guilty for not doing anything about the inequity I saw.”

Dr. Love retired and moved to the wine country in 2012 and got a call from a former Harvard professor, Charles Homcy, who was starting a sickle cell company, Global Blood Therapies, GBT. He tried to coax Dr. Love out of retirement to join the venture-funded company. Initially, the new retiree only agreed to join the board of directors. But a year into the project, he called his wife after reviewing some new material and told her he needed to talk to her about it. “When I got home, my wife and three daughters said, ‘We know you, we know how passionate you are, how you care about the situation sickle cell patients face. And we support you doing this.’ So I called the company back and said, if you want me to be the CEO, I have the support to do it.” I started that role in 2014.”

One of Dr. Love’s first things on his agenda was to connect with the SCD community. “I realized if we were serious about the commitment to these patients, we would have to build those deep relationships early,” Dr. Love explains. “We talked to groups about the clinical trial. Will you help get it done? They told us what data they wanted us to share, and we delivered on that commitment.” That partnership resulted in our drug, Oxbryta, which helps keep hemoglobin from clumping together. After receiving accelerated approval in 2019, the FDA granted breakthrough approval in 2021. Pfizer acquired GBT for $5.4 billion in 2022.

Dr. Love says that GBT was the world’s largest investor in solutions for SCD. Outspending the US government. “The other thing I’m super proud of is that we have stimulated interest and innovations for SCD, as it has been done for cystic fibrosis.”

You already know that Dr. Love doesn’t know the meaning of retirement. He is taking part in the Sickle Cell Forward Trip this fall. “I am trying to get 20 people to donate $50,000 each, and we are going to hike Kilimanjaro in September,” Dr. Love says.”We will give that money to a clinic in Africa where patients often die before their fifth birthday because they don’t have access to simple things, and we will make those things available. A matching gift will go toward sickle cell treatment in the US. We are building a culture to become what we need to see.” (But you can also donate as little as $5 to the cause.)

If you are thinking about what you can do that doesn’t cost you anything, Dr. Love suggests putting some pressure on your representatives and senators. One thing on his list is resurrecting the Sickle Cell Treatment Act, which would allocate $535 million annually to fund SCD Centers of Excellence and CBOs.

However, Dr. Love is hopeful about the innovation happening at Pfizer and across the industry. “I’m hoping to improve the quality and quantity of their medicine in the next decade. To make a big difference in managing sickle cell with two or three pills, and patients live longer in the future.”

The post Dr. Ted Love On His Fight to Keep Sickle Cell Disease From Being Overlooked appeared first on Black Health Matters.

People reported she died at her daughter’s home in Vallejo, California. The singer had suffered two strokes in 2005 and 2006, left partially paralyzed. The Denver Post says Bofill took some years to recover and resumed interviews and appearances but could no longer sing.

According to the Berklee Library, Bofill was born in Brooklyn, NY, to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother. The singer grew up listening to Latin music and earned a Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music. She performed with the Ricardo Marrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem Chorus before being introduced to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen of the GRP Records, who produced her first record with her two chart-top hits, “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” and “Under the Moon and Over the Sky.”

Bofill switched to Arista, and her music was considered more R&B, with some crossover pop hits. People might remember her more “I Try.” She often closed her shows with “I’m On Your Side.”

When Bofill was at the height of her career, her manager, Rich Engel, said. “She could hit low notes and could hit high C. Her pitch was perfect.” She had a coveted 3 1/2-octave range.”

Our prayers are with her family. She is survived by her husband, Chris Portuguese, and daughter, Shauna Bofill.

The post R&B and Jazz Singer Angela Bofill Has Died appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Finding Out What is Relevant For Us.

In approaching this study, researchers knew that persistent disparities exist when it comes to our health, particularly in cancer diagnosis and Black women. “In having a population of all Black women, we can understand what’s driving better outcomes for some Black women, less great outcomes for other black women. That way, as we partner with patient outreach and support and our local and national leaders, we can develop interventions that will be relevant for Black women,” Dr. McCullough says. “Often, when we think about disparities, we think about the reference or comparator group being white women. But by augmenting this population, we can better understand what works for us and what works for our health, and help drive interventions that will be relevant.”

This a 30 Year Study

The goal is to enroll over 100,000 women. This is not the most extensive study of Black women. But it will be the most extensive study to have Black women focused on cancer. To start, they are looking for Black women between the ages of 25-55 who have never been diagnosed with cancer (skin cancer is the only exception). Potential participants fill out a pretty comprehensive questionnaire, so they find out about your lived experience.

Dr. McCullough provides more details. “You will complete a short registration survey to get your demographic characteristics, name, address, phone number, and email. And that’s so we can keep up with you over the time you’re in the study for the next 30 years. That entire process takes about 10 or 15 minutes.,” she explains.

“After that, you would complete the first life and health histories survey, which takes about an hour, and some of the usual things you would expect in a health survey, previous medical conditions and family history; we’d also ask about lifestyle and behavior. Physical activity, diet environment, or food environment, we’d ask about your sleep. And then, there are several questions that we think are specific to this demographic group, including social support and caregiving, mental health, and experiences of racism and discrimination. And that survey, again, takes about an hour, and you’ll be fully enrolled in the study.” However, the health history is designed to be self-paced so participants can return to finish it when their schedules permit.

“Over time, we follow the population for all health outcomes, including cancer. So we’re able to understand then how all of these different things that someone may be exposed to, through their environment, their lifestyle, their job, their family, or medical, personal medical history, and so on, as well as other social and structural aspects, how all of these different factors may influence the risk of developing different types of health outcomes,” Dr. Patel explains, “Then we keep following the populations. So, for instance, if a woman is diagnosed with cancer, we don’t stop following her; we continue to follow the population for potentially the next 30 years, really to be able to understand how also to improve outcomes after a cancer or other disease diagnosis.”

You Don’t Have to Go Anywhere

You can participate in the Voices of Black Women study from the privacy of your home. You never have to go anywhere. “It is not a clinical trial. It is not an intervention,” Dr. McCullough says. “We just want to know about you, your experiences, your lifestyle, and then we can link that with various health outcomes that will emerge throughout the study.”

Dr. McCullough notes that over 30 years, the study researchers will reach out to participants twice a year to complete a 30-minute survey. And that’s it. “So an hour investment every year is what we’re looking for when we partner with Black women, and having this information on this number of women can help augment the research in health and cancer for Black women,” she says.

They Are Recruiting in 20 States

Recruitment is already underway, according to Dr. Patel.”We are recruiting right now across 20 states, including the District of Columbia. These 20 states and D.C. represent where over 90% of the Black population in the United States lives,” she says.

The States include Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Researchers Want to Build a Bidirectional Relationship

Dr. Patel says that this study is building upon previous studies. “So, an important thing for us has been and will continue to be for voices of Black women to share what we learned from the study. The more our participants feel connected to the discoveries we’re making to inform their health and understand their impact on a much greater scale, the more important it is to us,” she says. “We plan to build a bidirectional relationship through that participant portal. This is not something that we want women who choose to participate to feel like they are doing for us. But this is something they are doing with us. We will share findings as we uncover them over the next 30 years with our study participants.”

What They Hope to Learn

Dr. McCullough says, “I think we hope to learn why Black women are getting more aggressive types of disease. Cancer relatively impacts Black and white women pretty equally. But we know Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with tumors that are harder to treat, as well as late-stage tumors,” she says. “Even though for breast cancer, for example, Black women are equally likely to get screened as their white counterparts. And so, trying to get more insights on why this is the way we can tailor our prevention messages would be another goal. And then, finally, why Black women tend to die more or less often than other counterparts. And again, that we’re focused on Black women. But I think we can glean nice insights from understanding which participants, you know, survive longer. Are there things that they’re doing differently? Are there different systems that they’re operating in that better attend to their social needs? But certainly, some early insights will hopefully begin to narrow those gaps and create optimal health for all Black women.”

To enroll in VOICES of Black Women, go here.

If you still have questions about the program, check out the FAQs here.

The post Everything You Need to Know About the VOICES of Black Women Study (Focused on Us and Cancer) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Snowden, age 45, recalls that starting in seventh grade, she began this cycle of losing weight and gaining it back and losing it and gaining more back. “Then, one day, I looked up and was about 350 pounds. I am a tall woman, 5’10”, so my weight stretches out a bit,” she says. “So, when I was getting bigger and bigger, I didn’t notice until it was fast forward, a little too late.”

It Started with a List

The former deputy mayor was unhappy, but she could not figure out why. Because she is a Type A personality, she first looked for answers in books, reading every self-help advice tome on happiness she could lay her hands on. But something within told her to write down why she was unhappy.

“There were four things that made me unhappy. I hated my job, and I wanted to quit. I was working for a major corporation, and it was not feeding my spirit. I wanted to change neighborhoods. I was living in the ‘hood and raising my two boys, and it was getting dangerous, and I didn’t want to raise them there. I wanted to lose weight. And I wanted to start therapy.”

How Therapy Helped

Snowden quit her job, launched her government affairs firm, Blueprint Strategy Group, and purchased and renovated a home. She began preparing for weight loss surgery for the fourth time. This time, Snowden decided to go through the gastric sleeve procedure in 2020. And the mother of two found a therapist. “The hardest thing to do was therapy,” she says.

“Yes, surgery jump-started it, then therapy helped. Because I got to process that I am an emotional eater. When I’m happy, I eat; when I’m sad, I eat; when I want to celebrate with people, I eat. The first thing I do when I hear somebody dies is buy a chicken and take it over there; that is how we love, right?” she explains. “What therapy also did was interrupt a harmful pattern and allow me to get a clear one on normal eating habits.” Before getting a handle on her problems with food, Snowden had been losing and gaining the same 25 to 40 pounds.

Snowden also wants to debunk any misconceptions that weight loss surgery is easy. “Getting the surgery is a process. It is a six-month commitment that some people might consider severe,” she explains. “But like anything else, it is a tool. I’m committed to doing what I am supposed to do: eating a protein-heavy diet with vegetables, trying to keep sugar to a minimum, and working out regularly.

Committing to A Healthier Lifestyle

In 2017, Snowden purchased a Peloton bike as a present after having her baby boy to ensure she got her body together.

“I was an athlete in high school and college and had let that part go substantially. But in my early 20s, I had taken on spinning but did not have time to do it anymore,” Snowden says. “I’ve got a grown-up job with a lot of responsibility. So, when I bought my Peloton, I was the city’s deputy mayor. I thought if this works. It will allow me to fit fitness into my life in a way I could not before.”

“That little seat hurt my first time on the bike at 340 pounds, and I had many reasons not to do it. But you know what? It got better,” she says. “Historically, I would have beaten myself up for not being successful. This is the other thing, particularly since Black women are used to succeeding at many things. And sometimes, the thing that we are the least successful at is taking care of ourselves.”

That same year, when Snowden wanted advice on preserving her freshly blown hair, she asked for advice on the official Peloton FB page, which had over 100,000 members. She got lots of advice she couldn’t use, but a few Black women sent her direct messages with the information that could help her.

Snowden saw the page as a microcosm of the world and thought Black women could benefit from a safe space. “I said, there is something here. I emailed people I knew had Pelotons who had contacted me about my hair post and said, ‘Hey, if I start this thing, would you jump in?’ So, I started Black Girl Magic, The Peloton Edition, with five or six people,” she said. “By the time George Floyd died in 2020, we were at 6,000 members. The reason I remember that is I invited the CEO to have a Fireside chat with me in the Facebook Group. The company rolled out their equity commitments to us live.” she recalled.”Now we are at 35,000 Black women globally.”

“I would not have been able to get a full handle on this without the full combination of the surgery and the commitment to working out.” Snowden has shed 165 pounds and has kept it off for three years.

A big part of her success is the BGM community, which has grown beyond Facebook to discussions on Clubhouse, class takeovers at Peloton studios, and in-person events. Because there are so many members, there are strict rules of engagement, like no solicitation, and all posts need to be approved by one of the three moderators. Still, Snowden is in the group interacting multiple times daily. She recently hosted a book event discussion on perimenopause, menopause, and weight loss at her home. And the group support of one another goes beyond fitness.

Resetting Her Life

Reflecting on her journey over the last four years, Snowden can’t help but think about how it coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic. “Lots of terrible things happened during the pandemic for many people. But one of the best things that happened is that many of us reset our lives,” she says. “I had an opportunity to focus on health and fitness. I could not have been as successful with my fitness and wellness journey any other time in my life.”

This story is made possible by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk.

The post Courtney Snowden’s Winning Weight Loss Formula appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to The Cleveland Clinic, the Gleason Score is a grading system for prostate cancer. Healthcare providers use Gleason score results to set up treatment plans. Gleason scores range from 6 (low-grade cancer) to 10 (high-grade cancer). Low-grade prostate cancer grows more slowly than high-grade cancer and is less likely to spread (metastasize).

Mourning’s doctor informed him that his Gleason Score was an 8. The next course of action was a PET scan to see whether his cancer had spread. He learned his cancer was localized to the prostate capsule and had not spread.

Mourning, who has been director of player programs and development of the Miami Heat since he retired in 2008, elected to have his prostate removed in March. He is now cancer-free.

Mourning had been diligent about screenings because his father and grandfather had prostate cancer, according to Yahoo Sports. Men with a family history of prostate cancer, African American men, and Caribbean men of African descent are at higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Mourning is urging men to get tested. “Mourning told ESPN. “The only way to find out is to get their blood tested and their PSA checked. There are 3.3 million men living in the U.S. with prostate cancer, and many don’t even know it. I was one of those guys.”

We have some fantastic resources for you to learn more about prostate cancer. Check them out:

What to Do After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

50 Questions To Ask Your Doctor if Your Family Has a History of Prostate Cancer

The post Alonzo Mourning Had Prostate Cancer, Now He Is Cancer-Free! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to The Cleveland Clinic, Class III Obesity used to be referred to as morbid obesity, “A complex chronic disease in which a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher and is experiencing obesity-related health conditions.” Studies have reported that extreme obesity can decrease life expectancy by up to 14 years. Mandisa had been last known alive three weeks before her death, according to reports.

The singer also saw her share of triumphs and tears. Right after winning two Grammy awards for Overcomers, her best friend and backup singer, Kisha Mitchell, died of breast cancer while pregnant. Mandisa became depressed, gained 200 pounds, and became a recluse for a time, she told People. Then, she fought her way out of the darkness.

But although she is no longer on this physical plane, Mandisa has left us with six albums that give us the beauty of her voice that will live on.

The post Mandisa’s Cause of Death Has Been Revealed appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“I am confident that my doctors have developed the best possible plan to target my specific disease. The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me,” she wrote.

“To the constituents of the 18th Congressional District: Serving as your representative in Congress for 30 years is one of my greatest honors. Your hopes and aspirations inspire my efforts on behalf of our community every day. As I pursue my treatments, it is likely that I will be occasionally absent from Congress, but rest assured my office will continue to deliver the vital constituent services that you deserve and expect,” she continued.

We know you join us in sending prayers of strength and healing to Representative Jackson Lee as she, her family, doctors, loved ones, and the community support her through this journey.

About Pancreatic Cancer

It’s not clear what causes pancreatic cancer. Doctors have found some factors that might raise the risk of this type of cancer. These include smoking and having a family history of pancreatic cancer.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there may not be symptoms of pancreatic cancer until it is in its advanced stages. Those may include:

• Belly pain that spreads to the sides or back.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
• Light-colored or floating stools.
• Dark-colored urine.
• Itching.
• New diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes that’s getting harder to control.
• Pain and swelling in an arm or leg, which might be caused by a blood clot.
• Tiredness or weakness.

According to the Pancreatic Action Network, more than 64,000 will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year.

The post Representative Sheila Jackson Lee Announces She Has Pancreatic Cancer appeared first on Black Health Matters.

For her historic win, The Athletic says, the award-winning gymnast received an engraved silver belt buckle. That’s just a token because she’s earned a spot at the Olympic trials later this summer. Paris would be her third Olympic games.

Consider that Gabby Douglas won her first gold medal at 16. And until this week, had her eye on Paris as well. Dominique Dawes was a member of the US Olympic team from 1992-1996, winning four medals.

Simone Biles is now 27 years old, and she continues to defy the odds. But she has also had her share of challenges. In 2021, when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics with the twisties, “an athlete’s terms for the sudden loss of air awareness during a routine.” Many thought her career was over. But Biles persevered and made her way back. But has kept her plans closely guarded.

When she stepped out of the Tokyo Olympics, her friend, Jordan Chiles, now 23, stepped up. Afterward, Chiles joined the UCLA gymnastics team, and she and Biles have been training hard for Paris together, according to Fox News. Chiles finished fifth in the nationals. But the next generation of Black gymnasts is already here, and she came in second at nationals. Her name is Skye Blakely from Frisco, Texas.

The post Simone Biles Makes History With Her 9th Win of the US Gymnastics Championships appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to The Washington Post, “Mrs. Robinson’s role was helping granddaughters Malia and Sasha Obama adjust to life in the Washington D.C. bubble and maintain normalcy. She rode to school with the girls in Secret Service SUVs and tucked them in at night when their parents’ schedules kept them from home.”

Mrs. Robinson only appeared with the Obamas on holidays and for some cultural events, especially when the granddaughters were present. She didn’t grant interviews for the most part. She also didn’t speak much publicly, but that was by choice.

She was described by her children as a woman who spoke her mind but cherished her privacy.

Born Marion Lois Shields in Chicago on July 30, 1937. She was one of seven siblings. She attended two years of college but did not finish her degree due to financial issues. She married Fraser Robinson in her early 20s and became a stay-at-home mom. But it is one of the reasons she stressed education to Michelle and her brother Craig Robinson.

Mrs. Robinson picked up running in her 50s and won gold medals in the 50-meter and 100-meter races and the 1997 Illinois Senior Olympics.

She was beloved because she brought warmth, relatability, and the occasional wordless expression that spoke volumes to the national and international stage with a calm assurance of belonging. We will forever be grateful for her presence.

Our condolences to her family, who are especially heartbroken by her loss. President Barack Obama has shared this beautiful tribute to Mrs. Robinson from the family that gives a snapshot of the woman they loved.

The post Marion Robinson, Michelle Obama’s Mother Has Passed Away appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that residents in the area had a higher-than-average incidence of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. But at the same time, a study by the Atlanta Regional Commission found that some residents reported limited access to healthy food options while others couldn’t afford them. It’s the same catch-22 we see in every urban neighborhood. Unhealthy food is cheaper and at our fingertips. But this program seeks to combat those norms.

The Community Market is spearheaded with a commitment of $1 million from the City of Atlanta’s Economic Opportunity Fund-Food Access. It is anchored by a Goodr Grocery store, one of Goodr’s Core Relief Hunger Solutions, which invites 300 local families in District 10 to shop each month at no cost. However, the goal is to give them access to fresh produce, meat, and shelf-stable goods and the ability to shop with dignity. District 10 City Council member Andrea Boone and other leaders in Fulton County will work together to identify families. As the program gets its footing, Goodr is optimistic that it can increase the number of families it can accommodate by year two.

But the project’s genius is that they didn’t stop at the grocery store alone.

“There are a lot of Black people in our community that need access to health resources and education. We are grateful to have partners excited to work with us and provide better resources to our community,” Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Goodr’s Founder and CEO, says. “Goodr has leveraged existing partnerships with organizations such as Grady Hospital, the American Heart Association, and Eat Urban Fresh. These partnerships will provide monthly resources such as healthcare screenings and healthy meal preparation.”

However, the holistic approach to the project gives us even more hope for its success. Goodr goes beyond providing the neighborhood access to healthy food and teaching folks how to prepare meals, offering preventative screenings and one of our favorite parts, a wellness room. “Goodr has also included a “wellness room” that allows a safe space for people to meditate or decompress,” Crowe-Houston explains. “Our goal is to normalize taking care of not only your physical health but also your mental health.”

The post Goodr’s Community Market Is An Investment in Atlanta’s Health and Wellness appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Wade, a medical sociologist, and  Willie L. Williams, DrPH, an assistant professor in the School of Allied Health Sciences at Florida A&M University (FAMU), are first planting seeds in health sciences. Their overall goal is exposure to career pathways in health professions.

“Most recently, I’ve started to focus on our minority students and their transition from college into the professional field,” Dr. Williams explains. “Specifically to help fill in those things that have impacted them from totally making that transition from perceptions to just readiness overall.” At FAMU, that means exposing students to majors like health sciences.

“They can take so many different avenues; they can come from mentorship, faculty, and staff. That comes from ensuring they engage in internship and shadowing opportunities, and even bringing professionals to the campus and the classroom,” Dr Williams points out. Williams gave examples of physician assistants and physical therapists coming in to explain their jobs and how they got them.

For Dr. Wade, the benefit of a Health Science undergraduate major is two-fold. “Degrees like health science are a great opportunity for students to explore. Because it’s not a specific area, many folks have no idea who they are at 18. And we pressure folks to pick a major at when they don’t know anything. But with health science, you get a little taste of all sorts of things,” she explains. “We use an interprofessional approach, where students take one class in every health science area. So that’s a communication disorder, exercise science, social work, nutrition; they take biology and physiology to get a taste of everything. But you also have a general education that allows you to apply to medical school.”

Even then, Dr. Wade believes that they can move the bar beyond being a physician if they so choose. “I’ve just been researching the prevalence of black doctors. And we have a real presence in OB/GYN and Family Medicine. But we don’t have a presence in so many other areas,” she says. “Surgery specialties include ear, nose, and throat, where no black women are even professors in America. So, I think there’s so much more room for growth.”

Dr. Williams points out where FAMU has advantages. “When you have professors in tune with what minority students need, they know they need that exposure. And so when we have classes, like health professions, or personal, professional development, where we can be strategic but innovative with how we make them research different avenues, and help them start thinking and planting seeds, or what do you want to go, let’s see how we can connect you with the right mentors, to help you navigate from health science into the medical field, and tell you which ways are better for you,” he says. “One of the other added components is that we start instilling in our students early the impact and the need for them in the health field, the difference that their presence makes amongst the communities that look like them, how much the communication between patient and provider will improve. Because it’s coming from you, how much trust will now be implemented in the system?  Everybody’s waiting on you, professionals and patients, to take your place and help move the needle forward?”

Whenever something about disparity or inequality arises in one of  Dr Wade’s classes, I say, “I’m so glad you all are going to be the next providers because you all won’t be like that, right? And they’re like, Yeah, because again, we weave it into every topic. So there’s this constant reminder that we need folks who believe in quality care,” she concludes.

The post Dr. Jeannette Wade and Dr. Willie L. Williams Are On a Mission Is To Recruit More Black Health Professionals appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Christian Diggs opened up to us about her diagnosis, treatment, and learning to live, learn, and thrive beyond that.

“My first episode occurred on a flight. That day, my life completely changed. Everything in my world suddenly felt disconnected,” she says. “I felt out of control; my mind was not mine.”

“At first, it was really scary and shocking, but after getting a diagnosis. I felt a sense of relief.” Since she comes from a family of academics, she immediately went into research mode to discover everything she could about the condition.

The adjustment took some time.

“I felt like a passenger in my own body,” she says. “I had to constantly remind myself that that phase of my life was over and that I must focus on learning how to live and succeed in this next phase.”

However, since schizophrenia is so misunderstood, Christian experienced many mixed emotions early on. “When I was first diagnosed, I experienced a lot of shame and embarrassment about what I was going through. I felt that I had let my family down,” she explains. “I didn’t fully realize until years later, when my symptoms had lessened, how integral and solid my family’s support had been. Honestly, I would not have made it to where I am today if it weren’t for my family.”

Through her schizophrenia journey, Christian has learned a lot about herself:

I’ve learned that I can change and adapt to tough and seemingly insurmountable situations.

I am capable of more than just surviving my diagnosis; I can live again.

I thought I had lost everything, but with patience and determination, I have slowly gotten back out there and learned to reconnect with people.

I learned to trust that I know what I need to be okay now and ask for help if unsure. When living with symptoms of schizophrenia, it is crucial to have a care team to help you find tools and coping mechanisms that work and make sense for you.

It is essential to stay connected to friends and family and to use outside resources, including those from the advocacy groups featured on the Live Your PosSCZible website. 

I seek joy in my work as a Carpenter!

Christian is now in her 4th year as a Carpenter Apprentice. “Every day, I go to work feeling so much gratitude and awe that I’ve made it to this phase of my life!” Hot yoga is essential to her, too. She started the classes as a way to develop mental discipline. “At first, being in a hot room with so many people was extremely difficult, and I would have to leave the class,” she says. “With time, I could stay longer and longer, and now taking a class is no sweat…actually, a lot of sweat is involved. I also find happiness in dancing and cycling, and I’m learning to roller skate. When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t think that….. living your PosSCZible could become a reality.”

________________________________________________________________________

Since being diagnosed with schizophrenia at 21, Tyson McGuire has discovered that he doesn’t give up easily. “Even though dealing with schizophrenia is a challenge, I try my best not to make sure I don’t spiral down,” he says. “I try to be happy and smile a lot.”

Tyson has a sound support system that includes his mother, sister, and friends, who keep him grounded in reality. They make sure that he’s okay and that he doesn’t isolate himself. “I have had some friends who didn’t understand schizophrenia and how it affects people,” he says. “Some people have bad stereotypes about it. I had one friend whose girlfriend didn’t want me to come over to their house because of my diagnosis.”

“Music also helps me a lot. I play piano and compose my own music, which I started before my diagnosis and continue today,” Tyson says.

If I had to use one word to describe myself today, it would be “perseverance.” Although some of my goals don’t look the same as before my diagnosis, I am finding new ways to Live my posSCZible. I was recently accepted into Ohio State University (OSU), where I’ll continue my physics degree. And I continue to develop skills – like music and art – that I started when I was younger and continue to enjoy today.

The post Taye Diggs and His Sister Christian Want to Change the Conversation Around Schizophrenia appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Yes it Happened

Cassie, like many victims of domestic abuse, had her experiences questioned. Denial can sometimes invalidate a woman’s lived experience because, according to Martha E. Banks, Ph.D, a Research Neuropsychologist, ‘Women are sometimes victims of romantic terrorism coercive romanticism,” she says. “To victims, as well as people in the victims’ networks, the abuser appears to be especially loving. The abuse is private, but the public appearance is overwhelmingly — and exaggeratedly — loving.”

While the tape may have triggered some who were victims of domestic violence. Others were emboldened to speak about their experiences. Dr. Banks says, “The release of this and similar videos can provide validation to victims who are repeatedly told by abusers that there is no abuse. It is sometimes easier to perceive and be outraged by the abuse of someone else than to recognize that victims themselves do not deserve abuse.”

Power Dynamics Lead to Isolation

One of the drawbacks of social media is that everyone has become an expert on everything. And we have opinions on things we know nothing about, even complicated issues like domestic violence. However, it is critical to understand that there are more factors to consider before we tell a woman to “just leave.”

“There are multiple power dynamics involved. Emotional abuse, which is present as a component of all abuse, includes isolation.  Such isolation can prevent victims from financially supporting themselves, so victims remain in relationships because they cannot access paths to independence.” Dr. Banks explains. “Emotional abuse includes repeatedly telling victims that they deserve the abuse because they are “bad” people.”

The Cycle of Domestic Violence

Dr. Banks points out that we primarily know bout explosions.  “Early in the relationship, explosions are generally followed by denial — either that nothing really happened or that it wasn’t really all that bad.  Then there is a honeymoon phase — flowers, candy, romantic dinners,” she explains. “Then, the tension builds, and there’s another explosion.  After a while, the honeymoon disappears, and the cycle is just explosion, denial, and tension. Then, the denial disappears, and all that’s left are periods of tension and violent explosions.  If the downward spiral is not stopped, it ends when somebody dies.”

As we read the news about more Black and Brown women losing their lives as a result of intimate partner violence, Dr. Banks points out that there is a critical lack of information available, and the information available predates the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is important to note that increased access to gun ownership in the United States has led to increased intimate partner homicide,” Dr. Banks concludes.

The post To All The Cassies Known and Unknown appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Check out our chat here or read the full transcript below:

CC  00:00

Hi, this is Corynne Corbett, Editorial Director for Black Health Matters. And I’m talking to Reshona Jessamy, founder and CEO of Novara, about the intersection of mental health with beauty and why this is important. So, talk to me about mental health. Tell me why mental health and beauty are so important to you, and talk about why you started Novara.

Reshona Jessamy  00:33

Mental Health and Beauty really go hand in hand. I think when you feel good on the inside, you shop differently with confidence, and grit. But I think also too, when you apply products that also make you feel good. And you’re taking that time to really self care and treat yourself and it’s a treat for you, as you apply your moisturizer. As you apply your serum. I think those two are really important because then you start your day off on the best footing. And

CC  01:02

let’s talk about rituals of self care rituals, the times that you take to wash your face to apply moisturizer, to apply serum, that those moments of quiet those moments of application, those moments are good for soul. Those moments are good for the spirit. I bet

01:28

they are. And I think those moments recharges you. I think for me, I’m really big on my faith. And I think in those moments, you can be still. And you can literally take two minutes to be grateful to get on the line of gratitude. And so mentally prepare yourself in those two minutes or five minutes as you do your routine for your day.

CC  01:50

So tell us what’s in your line.

Reshona Jessamy  01:52

So the line contains six products is called the waterfall collection. It’s named the Waterfall Collection because it focuses heavily on hydration. And those six products are a cleanser, an essence, to serums and two moisturizers. So I love the cleanser because having a cleanser is more important than people think it really creates the canvas for the rest of the products to follow. And our cleanser. It’s gentle, but it’s really really effective at just removing the dirt and impurities from your skin. When you’re done, your skin isn’t feeling tight and dry like it’s stripped of all the oils. It’s really got a lot of centella asiatica extract in there. And hyaluronic acid to really add the hydration, while cleansing. So I think that’s really important.

CC  02:42

Key Ingredients and moisturizer. In your essence, I know you have an essence too. So we don’t often think as black women of the importance of an essence in a product in our routine.

Reshona Jessamy  02:56

We don’t and it was important to me to formulate an essence and not a toner. And so an essence is important because what it does is it floods your face with moisture, going into the deeper layers of the skin, preparing it to absorb the other products that you will apply after and that’s why that’s so important. Once again, you’re creating the base. It’s like putting on tile, you have to put your stuff first and then you add the tile. So I think it’s really important to have an essence in your routine. key ingredients in our essence. So Santelli is yada extract. It’s just a miraculous plant. I was told about this plant when I traveled to China. They actually have been using it in their culture for over 2000 years. So it helps with the production of cream asides. It helps to stimulate collagen production. More importantly, it helps with hydration, it gives to skin intense hydration. And so one of the reasons why this is one of our hero ingredients is because the line focuses on hydration. So key ingredients in the essence centella asiatica extract to Manu extract which is really important Aloe which will help to smooth the skin help with any sort of irritations but it also has hyaluronic acid and lactic acids to really help remove some of the dead skin cells. It also has peptides in there so I think it’s just an overall great product. If you were to just get too out of the line, I will recommend the essence and the theorem.Talk about the serum what’s in the serum. So the serum oh I love the serum. I don’t have a favorite child out of the collection. The serum has triple hyaluronic acid. It has basil extract. It also has centella asiatica extract in there also because like I said we want it to follow through with our hearin ingredient. It also has lotus flower. So in India, this is just a skincare jam. It really helps with cream asides, pre Maasai production. It helps to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. And it really helps to give your skin the soft suppleness and triple hyaluronic acid. So high low and medium molecular weights to really go into the deeper layers of the skin flooding your skin with hydration.

CC  05:19

Excellent. Moisturizing, right? Yes,

Reshona Jessamy  05:23

there are two types of moisturizers. So one of the moisturizers has oil and the other ones is not 30% of women in the US suffer from oily skin. So we wanted to accommodate everyone. And the moisturizer is just an overall gem A little goes a long way. And it just deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin with hydration.

CC  05:44

Love it sounds so luscious.

05:48

It is it feels velvety to the touches you put on the moisturizer. It just feels like your skin is saying yes, yes,

CC  05:56

yes. Yes. So Novara a luxury skincare line from a black woman now. It’s coming soon. Yes,

Reshona Jessamy  06:07

it’s coming soon. I don’t think I answered the other question. Why did start the line? You want me to go there?

CC  06:14

Yes. So why did you start alive? For us, and for everyone. But it really answers the need for us because we need hydration. We really did. Everyone

Reshona Jessamy  06:29

needs hydration. That’s the thing. A lot of people think that there is a magic ingredient or surgery that really will help with fine lines and wrinkles or helping you with healthy skin. But it’s hydration, hydrating your skin will give you healthy skin. And hydration will really help to give you radiance, and glow. And really reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Obviously, that’s in addition to the science backed ingredients in botanicals, but it’s really the basis of the ingredients that gives the skin hydration that it needs. But you’re right, I think we all need hydration, the products are for everyone. My mental health journey is not only unique to me, because as we know mental health does not discriminate based on status, or race or socioeconomic status. So I thought it was important to create a line for all skin types and skin tones. But what really led me to create the line was after losing my dream job, a really big law firm, depression resurface and I spiraled into a really dark place. Because all my life I’d worked to get this dream job, I knew I wanted to be an attorney. And so I kind of really put my head down and focused really hard on finishing school and landing the dream job. And it wasn’t just the fact that I was unjustly fired from a job. It was really that my identity and my self worth was tied to this dream job. So after I started working in the firm, the workplace started to become really toxic. The way that I was treated compared to my white counterparts, male specifically, was just not the same treatment. And so then I was unjustly fired. And that caused me to spiral I felt like my entire world crumbled, and depression resurface. And I spiraled into a dark place. I didn’t see a way out, I honestly could not see a way out. And I attempted suicide. After I attempted suicide. I went to therapy for the first time, I went back to the old hobby of formulating, and I really leaned into my faith, I leaned into my faith stronger than I was leaning in before. And I’m a really big proponent in everything that happens to you in life. There’s a lesson to be learned from it. So once I overcame depression, I started really reflecting on what is the lesson that I was supposed to learn from this, I had a newfound appreciation for life and living. And I knew that there was a lesson a bigger lesson that I need to learn from this. And so I just started doing a lot of reflecting. One evening, I was sitting on the couch and I was talking to my boyfriend. He’s now my husband. And I was just telling him, you know, the reasons why I really attempted suicide was because I felt that I wasn’t enough. I felt unloved. I felt I wasn’t worthy. And I just wish the other women knew that their lives matter, and that they are loved. And he said to me, they just need to hear it. They just need to hear that you are loved that you are enough that we love you. And someone needs to tell them and I let that sit for a few days. And as I started to think about it more, I thought to myself, I can be the one to tell them. I thought to myself, this is the purpose. This is the lesson that I was supposed to get from the suicide attempt and It was an aha moment, it was a literal lightbulb moment. I can be the one to tell women. And I can do it through skincare. So I started mixing formulas in my kitchen. I used to do it in high school. And it became a happy place. It was a getaway. For me, it was so therapeutic, similar to how people do knitting, I look forward to like, what am I going to buy the market today, as I came home to mix, it made me so happy. And I thought I can use skincare, what I found my happiness in as a vehicle to accomplish the mission of really empowering women. Because this is a journey, a lot of people traverse. They might not say to you and to be really candid. Whenever I tell my story, I would say two and three people tell me, I’ve had those thoughts. I feel that way. I’ve been there. And so for me, that was really the conversation with my boyfriend at the time. That led me to think about creating the line,

CC  11:05

such a beautiful story, purposeful story, and it is going to help so many people because it is real.

Reshona Jessamy  11:15

Yes, that was my life. We’re

CC  11:19

talking about black health matters, that mental health matters. We’re talking about skincare, but it’s like using mental health and skin care together to help people to live purposefully.

Reshona Jessamy  11:34

That’s my dream.

CC  11:36

So it’s the transparency that I so appreciate you. Thank you so much, letting yourself be used in this way. Because it’s not easy to do that. No,

Reshona Jessamy  11:51

I will be the first to tell you it is not easy to get on a podcast with someone you’ve never known. And talk about such a difficult time that I experienced and talk about suicide. Mental health, I think, is now more of a part of the conversation. But I think suicide is still not at the forefront of the conversation, and we don’t talk about it enough. And so yes, it’s really difficult to share my story and to continue to share my story. But I think once I realize the purpose is bigger than me. I then became more encouraged to be able to share my story because I really think it’s important to use it as a beacon of light to help other women to know I was there. I know what it feels like. But you know what, even in your hardest times, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

CC  12:46

Thank you, my darling. I really, really so appreciate you.

Reshona Jessamy  12:51

Thank you so much for having me him so grateful that I got a chance to connect.

CC  12:55

You have a wonderful day. You too.

The post BHM Talks to Novara Beauty Founder Reshona Jessamy on Beauty Meeting Mental Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What Are Clinical Trials?

So clinical trials and research are just experiments, but again, designed in such a way that they help investigators and scientists learn more about diseases, medicines, and treatments. It’s conducted by doctors and other healthcare providers, including nurses and physician assistants; we’re looking at nurse practitioners and PhDs. You can see a lot of those different roles as investigators and researchers. What it means to be an investigator in research is that you are responsible for the research being conducted at your site. Now, you may be part of research where there are potentially a hundred sites across the globe, and you’re one site, but as an investigator, you are in charge of making sure that everything that happens in that research setting is ethical, that there is no harm done to the patient. And that, again, the conclusions that are pulled from that research are scientifically sound and statistically significant. So it’s a huge responsibility because it means a lot of protocol management, making sure your staff is trained, but again, making sure that we’re having authentic touch points with patients so that we can learn more about them and making sure they’re the right fit for the research that we’re conducting.

What kind of questions can clinical trials answer?

If I’m looking at it from a medication standpoint, it’s going to tell me if the medication is safe. Does it work for the health condition that we’re creating it for? How is it metabolized? And when we see metabolize, I know that sounds like a crazy big word, but think about how our body processes things. I can have a drug that’s metabolized by the liver, and then I can have one that’s metabolized elsewhere in the body. If I look at how it is eliminated, I need to know what type of pressure it puts on the kidneys. Maybe if I’m standing up this trial, I want someone with healthy kidneys, and maybe I’m looking at creatine clearance cut-off as part of my protocol and design of the study.

So all that’s important and all that is kind of what we learned in this research setting. And then two, if I’m standing up a drug, let’s say hypothetically for cholesterol, and I already know that there are other medications on the market that doctors are prescribing that clinicians are prescribing to their patients to treat cholesterol, I want to think about, okay, well where does my potential medication fit in this role of therapy? Am I saying that my medication may be better than what’s on the market? Or am I thinking, Hey, it may be for someone who has research and wants to learn more about the research and healthcare itself have a familial connection to cholesterol, a genetic component of cholesterol, and sound for us to make clinical decisions researcher wants to learn more about the condition?. So, these are all questions we seek to answer as we set up different clinical trials specific to medications.

How do we know clinical trials are safe?

We know that in our communities, our Black and Brown communities, research and healthcare itself have a complicated history. We know about Tuskegee; we know about Puerto Rican and birth control appeal trials where there was harm and grievances done to people within our community. But I’m happy to say that there are, again, those measures in place from a safety perspective that ensure we protect the rights of patients and participants in studies where we didn’t have that before. You have people like me who are members of the community that sit in these RD spaces where decisions are made so we can too circumvent and say, Hey, no, let’s make sure we do our due diligence as a sponsor of research since we don’t have any harm done to patients. So yeah, there’s been a shift from what we know to have occurred in the past because it really wasn’t that long ago. We’re really going to be honest about it. There have been some within our lifetime, some failures and research. But again, holistically, we’re doing better. There are more checks and balances. We have to report to an IRB review board that looks at our study procedures. So, there are more formal processes in place to protect patients’ rights.

Where would I start if I was interested in participating in a trial?

But for anyone interested in being part of research, the first step is to start with your doctor to see if that’s even a viable option. I will go through some of the stages of research because not all clinical research is meant to be an option of last resort. So often, I think there’s a misunderstanding that, hey, I’m dying of this disease, and there’s no medication to treat it.

So, all I have is clinical trials. In some spaces, that may be true, but in many spaces, when I look at the drugs that are being developed by scientists and by companies such as mine, I see that it’s very much so preventative medicine, precision medicine, where we’re going after certain biomarkers and certain genetic factors, and we’re coming up with therapies that are curative and preventative. So, it’s shifted how clinical trials are and why it’s important for us to be in these spaces.

The post Your Introduction to Clinical Trials (An Insider Breaks It Down ) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We had an opportunity to chat with him while he was on tour with Ledesi about his LoveLife Foundation and his partnership with Gilead to improve and help improve the HIV landscape for Black women through education through their Setting the P.A.C.E. Initiative.

I wanted to learn more about the program, so Debra Wafer, the senior director of Public Affairs US Virology, Community Engagement and Advocacy at Gilead Sciences.  Watch the video or look below for the full transcript.

Corynne Corbett (00:12):

Hi everybody. I’m Corynne Corbett, editorial director of Black Health Matters, and I have the pleasure of chatting with the one and only Rah Navo about something special that he’s doing this month as he embarkes on an 18-city tour as he combines music and missions, and we are going to learn more about that. I want to start with asking you to tell us about your Love Life Foundation. Community Engagement,

Raheem DeVaughn (00:44):

Love Life Foundation has been established since right around 20 13, 20 12, 20 13, 20 14. Between that span, the idea was conceived and then I was already doing a plethora of community work anyway, so it just made sense for me to establish my own foundation at that point where I could do more work, hands on, directly support the initiatives that want support, so forth and so on.

Corynne Corbett (01:17):

And what are the things that are important to you that you do through that foundation?

Raheem DeVaughn (01:24):

We do work in terms of HIV prevention. I’ve had previous partnerships in that sector. We feed people that are homeless and displaced as well. We provide scholarships, textbook scholarships. The textbook Scholarship Fund was created to support students for their first year of college, paying for books and supplies. We felt like that was something that was practical, that a lot of times it’s overlooked for students. We weren’t in a position necessarily to pay tuition full year rides and stuff of that nature just yet, but we still wanted to find a way to be able to lend hands to our local parents in the community as well as the students. So that was an initiative that we started out at the DMV. We would pick three students a year, and we’ve successively saw off a lot of students since then with the test, with Scholarship Fund, and then there’s Toys for Tots for of course, the holidays and stuff like that. A lot of different initiatives.

(02:36):

One that I’m extremely proud of, fighting domestic violence and bringing more awareness to the community, to the Black community, and to the youth as well, is being able to identify, first of all what domestic violence is and understanding that it doesn’t just affect women, affects men, children as well, teenage boys and girls as well. So being able to do a lot of work in that sector as well. Establish a program, the Queen for a Day, spot takeover, which allows us to bring in women and pamper them for the day and let them know that they’re still men out here that care in a community that cares is here, be of aid to them, why they transitioning at a very severe domestic violence situation. So those are just a few of our initiatives.

Corynne Corbett (03:24):

And doing it in your community is really important to you, right?

Raheem DeVaughn (03:27):

Absolutely. I mean, every community, I touch many stages across the country and across the world. So the premise is that I’m not looking to just go into the community or go into a city like Chicago and just take and keep it moving. I think the greatest gift that we can leave behind is the gift of love and community and activism and stuff of that nature. So touring, touring makes it very easy for me to move around and be part of the process.

Corynne Corbett (03:58):

Great, great. So how did you start partnering with Gilead Sciences?

Raheem DeVaughn (04:04):

This is a new partnership for Raheem Devine in terms of me in branding, but also allow me to work outside of the sector, the Love Life Foundation. It just gives me an opportunity to do even more work. So being is that I’m on the legacy Good Life tour. I feel like this would be a great time to mobilize and have a strategic partnership. And again, I think it made it very easy, me doing the work I’ve done in the past in terms of HIV awareness and prevention. Gilead felt like I was a perfect suitor for the partnership, and I felt likewise as well.

Corynne Corbett (04:52):

Okay. So let’s talk a little bit about what the partnership is and what you’re going to be doing with Gilead in terms of the tour. So what you’re doing in what you’re doing, you are on the Legacy Good Life tour, right? You’re doing 18 cities?

Raheem DeVaughn (05:16):

Yeah. I’m a supporter act on the Legacy Good Life tour. The tours already started. We knee deep in it. Gilead is showing up and showing out, and their local partners are showing up and showing out. We’re bringing awareness. The goal is to do this successfully; I’m hoping that we’ll come in touch with 35,000 women within 30 days. This is a life-changing experience, providing information that’ll save lives, obviously knowing the fact that Gilead has already created 12 million in grants and local initiatives to create awareness about HIV prevention, anti-stigma, and health equity for Black women and girls in the United States. This is the movement. This is the new cool. This is the new narrative, and they allow me to join ‘EM as a partner. And they’re setting the PACE initiative, which again is over 12 million invested into local organizations on the ground for HIV prevention.

Corynne Corbett (06:30):

So, what other cities are you guys going to this month?

Raheem DeVaughn (06:34):

Oh man, I don’t have the schedule right in front of me. Yeah, I had a list right in front of me. I’ll be honest with you. It’s like a blur. Yeah,

Corynne Corbett (06:42):

Yeah. Because I know that you wake up every day and you’re like, what city is this? Right?

Raheem DeVaughn (06:47):

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m currently home on a brief break, and I know that we are in Birmingham tomorrow. We got Birmingham coming up. We have Houston coming up St. Louis. There’s la, Oakland, California, and I’m sure there’s a few spots that have already missed. We hit Washington dc Philly, started in Newark, New Jersey. We’ve been to Columbus, Ohio. We’ve been to Charlotte, North Carolina. We’ve been to Durham, North Carolina, just to name a few cities. Again, for me, I’m on for 18 cities. There are a few cities that I’m, I’m not participating on the tour, but I mean, the cool thing about it’s that I anticipate that this is just the beginning of a long, hopefully fruitful relationship, and you don’t have to be on tour to care about people. Again, it makes it very easy to touch the people knowing that I’m in these various cities every day and we hit the ground running, me doing the meet and greets and us and Gilead having partners come out and us having a table set up where they scan the QR code, do the survey, we get to have conversations. I can’t tell you about how many people have pulled me aside when I’m in the merch line and thanking me for spreading their awareness, how HIV and AIDS has affected them either directly or indirectly. So I see it working in real time. Absolutely. Black women make up for, I think it’s only 14% and they’re half of the new cases and diagnosis here in the states are Black women

Corynne Corbett (08:51):

Right now. Walk me through. They’re setting up a meet and greet. How’s it?

Raheem DeVaughn (08:59):

Oh, well, yeah. I do a meet and greet anyway at all the shows. It’s something I’ve done since the beginning of my career, but in a cool way, we make it and able to get access to me. We ask that people scan the QR code before we get into the meeting and the greeting of things and taking photos and things of that nature. We like to meet and greet with the people, and before I test the people, it’s imperative that they scan the QR code so that we can have the conversations and get them the information they need to have.

Corynne Corbett (09:43):

I think that’s good. I think that’s good. So I’ll just look up for the rest of the cities. I can get that information just so that people know and we can share that on the site so that people know what other cities that the tour is going to.

Raheem DeVaughn (10:01):

Absolutely. And again, the mission doesn’t stop with the tour. I’m hoping that we continue our partnership, but this is something we do. That’s your work. Yeah, this is my work. You know what I mean? It’s been my work for so long, and obviously it’s so much work to be done. It’s so much work to be done.

Corynne Corbett (10:28):

So what do you think that we need to do better in terms of getting the message out about HIV?

Raheem DeVaughn (10:41):

I think we’re doing a great job. You know what I mean? What’s the saying? It wasn’t, house isn’t built overnight. You got to do, you build a brick by brick and create the foundation. I think part of it is just breaking down the stigmas and just having people comfortable about having the conversations. I think also exploring preventative measures. There’s medications and things that you can take now that’s out there as well. Prep, for example, mean, which is unfortunately for a long time it’s been labeled as a gay drug, for example. You know what I mean? Just saying something or thinking something just as ignorant as that can create stigma. You know what I mean? Or stigmatization. So yeah, it’s awareness of course. Obviously getting tested regularly, knowing what’s going on with your body. And I think just creating an environment, making a new cool, the level of comfortability between partners and human beings, having a conversation about what’s going on with them. Yeah, I think that that would help too.

Corynne Corbett (12:05):

Yeah, I think so too. I think. Do you think that younger people are more comfortable and it is people of a certain age that are still stuck in fear?

Raheem DeVaughn (12:19):

No, I can’t speak to that because I’m considered a young OG at this point.

Corynne Corbett (12:27):

You know what I mean?

Raheem DeVaughn (12:29):

I will say this, I think that we live in a time now in society where music and entertainment for far too long, we haven’t wanted to accept who we are in the community in terms of, I guess as role models or leaders. And I think that they’re definitely in a time where music promotes promiscuous behavior a lot of times, or just the lyrics can be very reckless and so forth. And so for me, as somebody who I feel like has always made tasteful art, but I also, let’s be real, and let’s be blunt, I make records and speak to intimacy and sex.

(13:30):

So again, I feel like from a branding standpoint, it makes sense. If I’m making music about these things, you know what I’m saying? Why not take it upon myself to promote and talk about the importance of sexual health and the responsibility that we have? And that thing, it’s almost like the guy who has the liquor sponsor, and I’m not going to tell you to drink and drive. You know what I mean? So one of the terms I even use sometimes on a tour is just like it’s sex responsibly. You know what I mean? But also when you think about intimacy, intimacy is also more than sex. You know what I mean? So intimacy is conversations, you know what I’m saying? Intimacy is conversations and hopefully establishing a level of trust and a level of comfortability to want to have the conversations. You know what I mean? Encouraging whether my generation or the youth. You got people that are HIV positive, and then there’s a movement out there where you can be HIV possible too. It’s meaning there’s a possibility that this could affect you or someone close to you that you love. So again, kudos and hats off to Gilead Sciences for stepping up and providing tools, spending over $12 million, that’s a lot of money and I’m proud to be part of the team.

Corynne Corbett (15:35):

Alright, well thank you so much,

Raheem DeVaughn (15:36):

Rahe. Thank you so much

Corynne Corbett (15:37):

Taking the time. All I appreciate you.

Raheem DeVaughn (15:40):

Appreciate you as well. Have a great night. Alright, love. Good day.

Corynne Corbett (15:42):

It’s not even nice. I know, right?

Raheem DeVaughn (15:44):

Peace and love. Peace.

Corynne Corbett (15:45):

Take care. All peace. Thank you. To find out more about Raheem DeVaughn’s unique partnership with Gilead Sciences, we decided to talk to Deborah Wafer. She’s the senior director of Public Affairs US Virology, Community Engagement, and Advocacy at Gilead Sciences about the unique partnership that the two of them have. Gilead Sciences and Rahi. DeVaughn, here’s Deborah. So, I have the pleasure of speaking with Deborah Wafer.

Debra Wafer (16:24):

Hi, I am Deborah Wafer, Senior Director of Community Engagement, US Virology at Gilead Sciences. And I’m happy to be here today.

Corynne Corbett (16:39):

Great. Great. So, I’ve always had the opportunity to talk with Raheem DeVaughn about your partnership, and I wanted to dive deeper into your PACE program and your partnership with Raheem and how that came about.

Debra Wafer (17:00):

Well, it came about when we look at HIV in this country, and you look at HIV and Black women, Black women, all women are most impacted when it comes to HIV. And we were looking for an opportunity to educate Black women, not just about HIV, like they might be at risk for HIV, but Black women to help educate the community about HIV. And so the PACE program is a program where we’re looking at arts and advocacy and how do you work through arts and advocacy to educate community and especially the Black community around HIV AIDS and prevention. Right now, there are a lot of people in the Black community who don’t know that HIV can be prevented, and there are different ways that it could be prevented. We know that if people who are living with HIV are taking their medicines and they keep their virus suppressed, there’s no virus to transmit. So treatment is prevention. We know that if people think that they might’ve been exposed to HIV, they can get post-exposure prophylaxis, they can get medication after the exposure, they could prevent transmission of the virus. And now we have prep, which is pre-exposure prophylaxis. And so through the PACE program, we wanted to empower women with information to educate the community, but also to educate other women about how we can prevent this virus transmission from person to person, especially Black women.

Corynne Corbett (18:49):

Right. So tell us what PACE stands for.

Debra Wafer (18:53):

We’re talking prevention, arts. Advocacy, community education. I got it right. Prevention, arts and Advocacy. Community education. That’s what it’s an initiative providing grant funding. And through these partnerships with different organizations, we funded 19 organizations to help educate Black women and girls, trans women about HIV in the United States.

Corynne Corbett (19:29):

That’s amazing. That’s amazing. How long has it been around?

Debra Wafer (19:33):

So we just launched this program this year In 20? This year? Yeah, just this year. It was launched this year.

Corynne Corbett (19:41):

Okay. So are you working with other artists? I mean, is this the first partnership with Raheem? Has this the first music artist that you’re working with?

Debra Wafer (19:53):

Yeah, this is the first music artist that we’re working with. I mean, Raheem DeVaughn has been very committed and connected to the work that we’re doing, and we’re actually proud of the relationship and the partnership with him. I mean, I think one of the things that has happened in the past is people have talked about HIV. It only happens in certain communities. And what we are trying to do is raise the bar and talk about HIV in the Black community, right? Because it’s something that I think it’s an issue for all of us. It’s not about necessarily where you live, who you have sex with. We should be concerned about all of us, about our children, about our grandchildren, about our nieces, everybody who needs to know in the Black community that this is something that could be prevented. We have a lot of health issues when it comes to Black people, and this probably better than most folks because you guys do Black health matters.

(20:56):

And we know when it comes to the impact in the Black community, so many diseases impact us at a higher rate. HIV can be prevented. And that’s what the message is here, is that, let’s take a look at HIV as a whole. Those of us who have children, we have cousins, we have, everybody should know that HIV can be prevented. And we can only do that if we engage the whole community. And I think by this relationship and this partnership with DeVaughn, we are able to DeVaughn Raheem, we are able to educate a wide host of people.

Corynne Corbett (21:40):

Raheem, DeVaughn, say that again?

Debra Wafer (21:42):

Raheem DeVaughn with Raheem DeVaughn, we’re able to, I just started listening to his music last night. Raheem DeVaughn. Yeah.

Corynne Corbett (21:53):

Right. And what’s great is that he’s really passionate and excited about this partnership and working with this. And he’s gotten a track record of working with the community and working in HIV prevention and in the community. It’s not like this is something that’s new to him. He’s already No.

Debra Wafer (22:18):

Yeah. And that’s the beauty of it, right? The beauty of it is that this is part of who he is and his commitment to the work and to Black people. So I think that’s the beautiful part of this. This is not something he’s doing as a one off or one time only thing. So the commitment, the partnership and the messages are all about the Black community.

Corynne Corbett (22:51):

Are we paying enough attention to HIV as Black women?

Debra Wafer (22:57):

No, I think, no, we’re not. The answer is no. Why? I think a lot of people think HIV is something of the past. When you think about HIV kind of hit the news in the early eighties, the 1980s, and now we are in 2024. There are some young people who don’t have or don’t know the history that you and I lived through of people who were diagnosed with HIV, who are no longer here. All the Black artists, all the Black people who have died from HIV that they don’t know about. I mean, I have some nieces and nest views who were born in two thousands and they talk about the old days. And 1990 is the old days for them. And so I think they think about HIV as something that happened in the old days as opposed to HIV is still here. HIV still impacts Black people more than Black and brown people, I should say more than others.

(24:12):

I mean, I think that when you think about how the L-G-B-T-Q white community rallied around HIV, it became a real cause. It became a political movement for them. And now you look at their numbers, their numbers are way down compared to where our numbers are. But I think for a long time, Black people thought it was something that we didn’t have to worry about. And Black people have been dying since the very beginning of this pandemic of HIV. And we continue to, and I think one of the reasons that it happens is we think it’s happening somewhere else as opposed to, no, it’s happening to Black people. And that’s what we need to make sure we bring to the forefront.

Corynne Corbett (25:00):

I think the death of idea broadband is an opportunity to remind us that it is in our community and that her life and death is an opportunity for us to remember and to remain vigilant.

Debra Wafer (25:18):

I agree with you 100%. I mean, I met Hadia when she was a little girl, and that’s another thing to think about. There are children who were born to mothers who were HIV positive before we knew how to prevent transmission from mother to baby. Now we know if a woman is pregnant, she should be tested for HIV. That’s just part of their regular prenatal care. There’s a whole generation of children like Hadia, I think they call themselves dandelions now, who were born to mothers who were HIV positive before we understood the transmission of the virus from mother to baby. And again, that was another one of those, if you treat the virus, you lower the virus, viral load in someone’s blood, then they can’t transmit the virus. That’s what we learned about pregnant women. If you treat the mother, there’s no virus to transmit. But you’re right. Had idea. It was a living example for us in the Black community to think about how it has impacted our community, many children at birth.

Corynne Corbett (26:31):

So it’s like this is National Minority Health Month. So this is a perfect example of us not just saying, oh, this was a sad thing, but take action and do something.

Debra Wafer (26:47):

Right. Exactly. So

Corynne Corbett (26:54):

This program is an opportunity to use that. So thank you so much for this partnership.

Debra Wafer (27:03):

Yeah, no, it is. I mean this concerts are all over the country and everywhere that they’re going, they’re talking about it. And I think that that’s an important message and I think that we have to just get Black people to understand that know what your HIV status is. I think of it like, no, your blood type, A lot of people don’t know their blood types even still. But how about finding out what your HIV status is? Because if you’re having sex and you don’t know, then that can put you at risk. So you don’t even know what your starting point is. So it’s a good reminder that it’s an issue in the Black community. It can be treated and it can be prevented, but it can’t be any of those things if you don’t know what your status is.

Corynne Corbett (28:01):

Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. Thank you so much. This is a good program.

Debra Wafer (28:10):

It’s a great program. Thank you for having us and thank you for helping to spread the word. We appreciate it. And we have more concerts to go. So.

The post BHM Chats With Raheem DeVaughn About His LoveLife Foundation, HIV Education, and Partnering with Gilead appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Corynne Corbett (00:13): Hi everybody. Corynne Corbett here, Editorial Director of Black Health Matters, and I have the pleasure today of chatting with Vanessa Simmons, actress mommy. But today, I’m talking to her as the founder of U4IA, a website and platform she founded centered on wellness and self-care. And we’ll hear more about why she founded that, what her focus is, what she hopes to accomplish, and what she’s bringing to women with her mission. So welcome, Vanessa.

Vanessa Simmons (01:04): Thank you for having me. I’m really excited to be here and to talk about all things wellness and mental health. So thank you for having me on.

Corynne Corbett (01:13): It’s really, really important for us to have this conversation today or this month because especially talking about wellness and self-care. So why did you start U4IA?

Vanessa Simmons (01:30): Well, I’ve always really been deeply passionate about being able to impact as many people as possible with my platform. I don’t take it for granted. I understand I’m in a very privileged place to have so many ears and supporters. So it was really important for me to get out a message of healing.

And for myself, I wanted to create a community surrounded around the education and inspiration through the world of wellness. The reason why I’m so deeply passionate about that and mental health and well-being, in general, is that being, in general, is because I myself currently deal with anxiety. I’ve dealt with seasons of depression, and being able to tap into resources and find information to help me cope and overcome have really been game changers in my life.

And I feel like it’s important for me to get that out to the community of people who support me, the ears that I do have, and just make wellness the star, put wellness in the spotlight for people to engage in conversation, find ways that they can thrive, ways that they can overcome, because sometimes people don’t talk about these things.

(02:46): We hold it in, and that’s also a form of wellness, being able to talk about it and to be able to find the resources that we need. So, for me, I wanted to be able to give back to my community and the people who support me in an impactful way. And that is through wellness. People are going through a lot of challenges. There are a lot of things going on in the world that are unprecedented, and I feel like our mental well-being should be at the forefront of all of that. And so that was really my inspiration in starting euphoria, just being able to put out information for us all to thrive and live a better quality of life. Whether it be a reminder for people who already are on that journey or introducing new information, new ideas, new ways of coping and healing. Really, it’s all about spotlighting healing in a positive way.

Corynne Corbett (03:42): So, what kind of information do you share on your platform?

Vanessa Simmons (03:47): Everything from ways to prioritize self-care to ways to cope with anxiety. Like I said, I’ve dealt with anxiety, whether that be breathing exercises or different workouts that we can be doing using different supplements to really enhance our wellbeing. Teas are anything within the world of wellness that can enhance our well-being. I’m finding that I’m also finding different experts that I can bring on board and people that I have been interviewing that I have to get some of these interviews up. But things that have fact-based results, science-based results, and things that people can really tangibly tangible apply to their life. So there really is no limit as long as it’s going to be in the realm of healing. I want to share it. I want to get it out there to the people, like I said, that support me and follow me.

Corynne Corbett (04:42): So, let’s talk about anxiety for a minute. How did you know that you had anxiety? Because people don’t know. People can’t put words to feelings sometimes. So, how were you able to recognize the signs?

Vanessa Simmons (04:57): A general feeling of just being overwhelmed from a really young age. I was out there in entertainment doing various different lines of work, whether it be acting or hosting, and I had to come in contact with a lot of people. And the more I would do it, the more I would feel this just general feeling of being overwhelmed. And I just feel like that’s not normal. If I’m doing something that I love, I should be completely enthralled in it and excited. And I am, I love being creative, but I was feeling a general feeling of just being overwhelmed, and it made me tap in and be like, okay, maybe there’s someone I should be talking to. Therapy. It started with therapy, and it evolved from there. So it is definitely about being self-aware and being aware that you need to tap in and realign in some way to bring yourself back, mind, body, and soul.

(05:55): So you can go out and you feel good about yourself and you feel confident when you walk in a room. My confidence was being tested, just feeling generally overwhelmed. And so I was like, you know what? Something has to be done. And then especially when you bring a child into the mix, you don’t want that bleeding over into them. So after becoming a mother, I realize, okay, I can’t go on living like that. That’s not really living life, that’s just merely getting by. And so I had to put some things back in order and it was reaching out, finding resources and tangible things that I can add to my everyday life to enhance my life experience.

Corynne Corbett (06:34): So that’s really interesting. And I think that in our community, sometimes we’re hesitant to look at the resources because we are afraid that let’s say that’s not Christian or that’s not a whatever faith community that we’re in, and that’s not necessarily true. So it is important that we understand that getting help does not necessarily negate faith, for example.

Vanessa Simmons (07:15): Absolutely. I get that all the time when I tell people that I’m diving into wellness, they’re like, well, as a woman of faith, how does that work? And I’m like, okay, well, number one, prayer. My prayer life is first and foremost, but then also being able to look at myself and find the resources necessary to heal. That’s faith in action. And that’s what when you’re praying to God to give you like, oh my God, help me find peace, help me heal. Yes, he will give it to you, but you also have to do the work. You have to do the work, and that’s what that is. Going to therapy, talking to someone so that you can cope while you’re here, but it doesn’t negate God. It doesn’t negate Christ in my life. It’s just showing my faith in action, showing God, I’m serious about what I’m praying for, and you’re showing me the way you got to follow the path. So that’s what I say to that. I have gotten that before. Oh, well, breathing exercise. I’m like, God, put breath in our lungs. So we got to make sure to regulate and take care of our nervous system, and that’s really what the breathing and the meditation and speaking nicely to yourself is all about. God wants that for us.

Corynne Corbett (08:25): Exactly. Exactly. So, what advice do you have for mothers who are giving their all to everyone else and forgetting about themselves?

Vanessa Simmons (08:37): Don’t do that because you cannot feed your family from a cup that’s not full. You need to fill your cup up first. It’s like when you’re on the airplane and they say, before you assist anyone else, you got to put the oxygen mask on yourself. That’s what that is. You have to, and no matter what it looks like, take some time for yourself to realign, whether that be through self-care. For me, it’s as simple as doing my skincare routine and taking a little extra time on myself to make myself feel better. Or if you do have the resources going out for taking yourself on a date, spa date, anything nice, manicure, pedicure, anything to just really soothe your mind, taking five minutes to do a deep breathing exercise and meditation, it all matters. So I would say as a mom, it’s more important that you take those moments because your kids feed off of all the energy we have in our house. So it’s important that your energy is calm and your energy is patient, which they teach us to be, and you can’t be if you’re not taking care of yourself. So it’s really important that you prioritize yourself. It’s not selfish. Self-care is not selfish. It’s actually very necessary to make sure that you’re heading in the right way or healing if you need to.

Corynne Corbett (10:01): So what do you do to fuel yourself?

Vanessa Simmons (10:05): It’s all about balance for me. Like I said, it’s waking up a little bit earlier in my house to take time, to plan out my day, get a little exercise in. Exercise is so important. It doesn’t have to be this big drawn out thing. It can be 10 minutes jumping jacks or on a bike or treadmill, or just simply taking a walk and taking in sunshine. Sun is extremely healing and making sure that I’m okay. So waking up, meditating, even for me work, I love being creative. I’m an actress. I’m very blessed to do what I do. So sometimes getting out and accomplishing goals that I have for myself outside of the family is important too for myself.

Corynne Corbett (10:54): Yes,

Vanessa Simmons (10:55): Yes. About balance.

Corynne Corbett (10:57): So what do you want people to get from U4IA?

Vanessa Simmons (11:04): I just want it to be a source of inspiration and education for people to be reminded of ways that they can prioritize taking care of themselves to have the resources that they need to really thrive. So even if it’s just something that sparks an idea or makes someone go, you know what? Let me go look into taking therapy or just prioritizing themself in some way. So I really just want it to be a source of inspiration, to take a beat. We live in a time where there’s so much hustle culture, and that’s cool and all, but sometimes we need to take a moment, take a beat to realign mind, body, and soul so that we can get back to work in a very healthy way, a more euphoric way. And that’s where the inspiration for the name came from. We thrive, and we want to be living in the most euphoric way possible.

(11:56): Life is a gift and an absolute blessing, and so we need to prioritize our health so that we can experience it and enjoy it and not be weighed down by different challenges that come up, which they will. It’s inevitable. I had to go back into the research I’m doing and writing. Recently I was going through some life challenges and I wasn’t leaning into what I was preaching, and so I had to take a beat, realign and actually take my own advice, started doing my breathing exercises, and almost immediately you do one deep breath exercise almost immediately. You could feel a difference in your mental clarity or taking a magnesium supplement. All of these things are very helpful. Drinking tea, taking time to stop and smell the roses essentially.

Corynne Corbett (12:49): So who inspires you today?

Vanessa Simmons (12:53): Who inspires me? Well, a big piece of my inspiration definitely comes from being a mom. I’m in a chapter where motherhood is very prevalent in my life. My daughter’s 10, so it’s all hands on deck right now. She’s in that preteen phase, so she’s a huge inspiration for me. I just want to be a good example to her and make sure that I’m leading her in the right way. I’m helping to raise a little mini-human, and I want to set her up in life in the right way. So she’s a huge inspiration. And honestly, my moms, I have two moms, my mom, my biological mom, and then I was blessed with a bonus mom, my stepmom. and just as an adult now, and being a mom myself, looking back at the way they handled themselves and the example they gave us, I’m like, wow, that was true inspiration and empowerment. I didn’t realize it at the time because they were just being mom. But as I’m older now, I realize the sacrifices they made and their huge inspiration to who I am and who I’m even evolving to become as a woman.

Corynne Corbett (14:06): That’s great. That’s great. So what advice would you give to someone listening here to find inspiration in their own lives.

Vanessa Simmons (14:25): To dig deep. Health is truly the best form of wealth. I can definitely say that. So prioritize you, and don’t be afraid and don’t feel like it’s selfish, especially if you’re a mom. I know a lot of moms have to deal with mom guilt and struggle with taking time for themselves. So I would say make sure that you carve out some time for yourself during the week and take care of yourself. So yeah, that is my advice and my wish for people to truly thrive in life and live the best possible version of themselves.

Corynne Corbett (15:07): Thank you, Vanessa. I think that’s beautiful and that’s real. I think that what I love about it is people, even though they’re going to see this, let’s say on social media, this is an stuff. Click, click, click, click, click. This is life.

Vanessa Simmons (15:25): Yeah, because we’re clicking, we’re scrolling. We see so many things a day. So my hope is that I can just positively impact just even one person, two people, as many people as I can to just prioritize themselves and see the impact you can have on your life by just taking a few minutes a day to be more mindful of yourself. Yeah.

Corynne Corbett (15:51): Thank you so much.

Vanessa Simmons (15:53): No, thank you.

The post Vanessa Simmons On Self-Care, Mental Health, Motherhood and Her Platform, U4IA appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Fakorede notes that in Southern rural areas, there is a high incidence of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and, in some cases, tobacco smoking that leads to plaque buildup. “80% of the patients I see are Black,” he explains. “These elderly folks started dipping and chewing tobacco when they were eight or nine. Back then, they were told it would keep the worms away.”

There are many health disparities in the Delta, including education, economic, transportation, and housing. The crisis heightens when you also layer in healthcare issues, including underinsurance, lack of insurance, and communication issues. “So the risk factors include sugar, the pressure, and it’s not well-managed, and we wait for them to end up in the ER with a gangrene foot. And that doctor looks at them and says, ‘Well. Chop, chop, that’s the treatment. There has been a lack of awareness, not only on the patient side but also on providers; we need to have a conversation.”

Dr. Fakorede notes that if you use cancer as an analogy, where we catch it early in stage in stage four. The mortality rates of this disease and its advanced ages are worse than most cancers,” he explains. “60% of patients will die within five years from critical limb ischemia, which is an advanced stage of PD. Compared to breast cancer, that is double at that stage.”

This crisis is not just happening in Mississippi. It is also in rural areas of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas—even the urban cities of Philadelphia and Chicago. Our communities are on fire, and we didn’t even know it.

 Four Organizations Come Together to Form The Pulse Alliance to Raise Awareness About PAD

Dr. Fakorede is a member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, one of four organizations that have come together to spread the word about the amputation epidemic. Other organizations, including the Society of Interventional Radiologists, the Society for Vascular Surgery, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Intervention, sound the alarm about this issue.

• In a survey conducted by the Pulse Alliance,  70% had never heard of Peripheral Artery Disease.
• Nearly 80% of Black and Hispanic adults reported never having a doctor or healthcare provider discuss PAD with them.
• There was a disconnect between the risk factors (diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking) and their personal perceived risk. People with diabetes have 3xs the risks for PAD, while 80% of patients with PAD are smokers.
• We are twice as likely to get a PAD diagnosis and four times as likely to have an amputation.
• Over half (53%) of respondents would wait more than a week with ongoing leg pain before calling their doctor.

Amputation Isn’t the Only Option

According to Dr. Goke Akinwande, MD, Medical Director, Vascular and Endovascular Specialist, and an interventional radiologist who practices in St. Louis, this epidemic is not our community’s fault. “It’s the physician’s fault; we don’t educate people correctly,” he explains.”So we call it the sugar, but are your legs being cut off because of the sugar? That is usually the conversation. However, diabetes is challenging on the small vessels in the leg. Your arteries get smaller as they go down to the foot. When you don’t have enough blood flow to the foot, it causes sores, which become infected.” Dr. Akinwande says to think of it as having a hose tied to a faucet. When you smoke, on the other hand, it impacts the faucet itself and the distal vessels leading to the feet.

“If you have foot pain that doesn’t go away, or it gets worse when you walk or asleep, get it checked out, ” Dr. Akinwande says. “Most primary doctors blame it on neuropathy. Do you know how many patients come to me on drugs for neuropathy? Patients may need an imaging study to see what is going on. So the foot doctor or vascular specialist is your friend.”

“So I’m an interventional radiologist and in St. Louis, a specialist for a more severe form of peripheral arterial disease called critical limb ischemia,” Dr. Akinwande says. “At this point, there you have pain all the time, and the artery is blocked. So, have figured out a way to get through the blockage, get a balloon up, and get a stent in.” When he started his practice, Dr. Akinwande thought many surgeons and interventional cardiologists were also doing this procedure, but they weren’t, and since then, through word of mouth, it has consumed his practice.

Educating the Community

While they were raised on the East Coast, both Drs Fakorede and Akinwande are committed to connecting by using methods of education that help them understand how to improve their health. When Dr. Akinwande was on the faculty of a teaching hospital in St. Louis, he drove to the north side of town where the Black folks live to observe the community; he met a Black female podiatrist there. They began doing health fairs together, and she still refers patients to him today. He talks to patients about ways to change their diets, then asks them to send photos of their Thanksgiving meals, with details like what kind of meat they put in the greens.

“I believe in the direct-to-consumer approach; you’ve got to meet people where they are. That has been my successful model here. People have to realize that most people don’t walk into the doctor’s office to have these conversations,” Dr. Fakorede says. “They go to the streets, churches, civic organizations, sororities, fraternities, The Chamber of Commerce. My approach has been to disrupt in a positive way, and they can see that you care.” He says it opens the doors to conversations for concerned family members, those with personal questions who wouldn’t otherwise inquire.

“I talk honestly to my patients in a language they understand. “Hey, listen, that sweet tea you drink is why your sugar levels, hemoglobin, and A1C number, which is a factor in trend in why your plaque buildup is higher, and that leads to no blood flow and your circulation shutdown,” Dr. Fakorede says. “If we can get your sugar controlled, or you can quit that sweet tea, half of those carbs, that will improve your sugar and give you a fighting chance to say, ‘Hey, give me another go at this.’ That’s what’s missing in the conversations with our patients down here.”

In his office, Dr. Fakorede found a solution for patients who got lost in physician-speak. “One thing I’ve noticed is when we doctors walk into rooms with white coats, there’s reverence sometimes that patients get lost in thought. When the doctor asks, ‘Do you have any questions for me?’ Many are intimated,” he says. “So when the doctor walks out, they get upset and ask the nurse, ‘Can you please repeat what s/he told me?’ So now, I bring in visual aids to explain whatever I am talking about; I speak at a fifth-grade level, use analogies, and ask the patient to repeat the information so I know they understand it.”

Prevention and Screening Recommendations

We have reached a crisis level because our providers haven’t been screening us, and we haven’t known about the tests to ask for. So here is what we need to know about who needs to be screened and when for PAD:

• If you are over age 50, have a history of diabetes, or have used tobacco, dipped or chewed tobacco
• If you have a heart attack, coronary artery disease, have a stent in your heart, or have a stroke.
• If you have had diabetes for over ten years, and sometimes your legs hurt (or feel cold at times)
• If you have a family history of amputation
• When you go to Sam’s Club and can’t get through the entire place, you must rest because your leg hurts. Then it happens all the time, even when you are asleep. If you have a sore, blame a mosquito or spider bite, and it isn’t improving.
• Your foot looks funny. It’s dry, scaly, and always ashy, and no amount of lotion seems to help.

The post The Amputation Epidemic We Need To Talk About (And Preventions Strategies) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Please note that National Silence the Shame Day is May 5, 2024, and Silence the Shame and Microsoft will also launch an app on that day.

Corynne Corbett (00:12):

Hi everybody. I’m Corynne Corbett, editorial director of Black Health Matters, and I have the pleasure of chatting today with Shanti Das, founder of Silence, the Shame, and host of the Mibo Show. And we are going to be talking about a really important topic today, which is mental health and wellness. And we’re going to talk today about why Shanti started, silence the shame, and talk today about the importance of speaking about the importance of mental health and wellness and speaking up about it, and stop keeping all of this to ourselves. So welcome Shanti.

Shanti Das (01:09):

Thank you Corynne, for having me. I’m so grateful to you and Deidre and everybody at Black Health Matters. You all do a phenomenal job and it’s an honor to be on your show today. Alright, thank

Corynne Corbett (01:18):

You. So tell me about your background and then what led you to start your nonprofit Silence of Shame

(01:26):

SSS.

Shanti Das (01:28):

Absolutely. So my background is in the music industry and entertainment. I got my start in the early nineties working at LaFace Records, helping to promote and market artists like Outkast Usher, TLC, Toni, Braxton, few household names. And I had a pretty great career over a 20 year span, actually working at a label, but over 25 years doing live events and marketing artists like Johnny Gill and Kelly Price and others after I left the label side. But the reason why I started silence to Shame Corynne is because I went through a lot of my own emotional health and wellness issues, particularly stress related, depression related when I was working in the business in the 2000 decade. But I didn’t really know how to deal with it in terms of my stressors. I wasn’t going to therapy, I didn’t have healthy ways to cope. And so I ended up quitting and walking away from my job in 2010 and came back home to Atlanta.

(02:32):

And then in 2014, my best friend took her own life and that kind of sent me on a downward spiral. And so all of the other stressors and unresolved trauma that I was dealing with came to a head. And I also think it’s important to mention that when I was just seven months old, my dad died by suicide. So this was something that had been kind of this cloud hanging over our family for a very long time. So once I got the help that I needed, I started just openly speaking to friends, family, excuse me, anyone that would listen about what I had gone through and how I was on this journey to silence my own shame. And so started a hashtag, and then the organization was formed and we got our 5 0 1 C3. And here we are seven, eight years later and we exist to educate and empower communities around mental health and wellness. And so I consider myself a mental health advocate and we support Black and brown communities and the work that we do and ultimately the community at large and really just want to help erase stigma. And we look at ourselves as that step before therapy because there is still so much stigma, particularly in the Black community, which being a Black woman, I just find that a lot of us still need the support but are ashamed and embarrassed to go and seek help.

Corynne Corbett (03:52):

And I agree with you. I come from a family of first preachers generation two generations ago, preachers current generation, six therapists in my family, six therapists in my family. But still there is serious stigma around it. But at the same time, we see so many people dying by suicide because it’s not taking your own life. You are choosing to die by suicide. And there are young people doing this, so we cannot ignore this. This is an epidemic. So we need to talk about this because there are children doing this. Who,

Shanti Das (04:52):

And lemme say, it’s interesting you said dying by suicide because a lot of times in our community, we’ll say committed suicide. And I stopped saying that once I learned it denotes a criminal act. And I would also tend to say that sometimes people aren’t choosing, in my opinion, Corynne because they aren’t in their right frame of mind. Exactly. So they’re dying by suicide. But I didn’t want to die even taking myself, for example, I didn’t choose to die necessarily. I just couldn’t stop those thoughts in my head. So, in all fairness to the suffering people, sometimes it feels like a choice, but then it’s uncontrollable on our end. And so we either need medical support or intervention with trauma therapy and that sort of thing to really help shift our thoughts in the narrative.

Corynne Corbett (05:36):

Right. And so, as I mentioned earlier, I have had a couple of other podcasts, and I have interviewed highly functioning people who are no longer here, Ericka Kennedy and Chesley Krist. Oh wow. So, for me, it is a really eye-opening thing, I will say, to talk to people who are vibrant or seemingly vibrant, who are functioning, who are talented, who are struggling internally, who have issues that still can’t choose an alternative such as that. Right. So, having an organization like yours is a lifeline. It is a very important lifeline. So thank you. And I think that people, so for people who are struggling with the idea of therapy, this is an important step for them.

Shanti Das (07:15):

It is. And so we do a lot of what we call community conversations where we’ll have panel discussions with people in everyday life sharing their lived experiences, mothers, educators, you name it, various backgrounds, talking about some of the stressors and things they deal with. And we also include a lot of really great clinicians, whether they’re psychologists or psychiatrists, right, because psychiatrists are medical doctors that prescribe medication, and psychologists do more talk therapy. And so we try to make sure there is a well-balanced range of voices, if you will, on our panels to provide the best information possible. We also have a heavy emphasis Corin on youth and young adults. So we have these programs geared towards youth that are our Teen Cope clinics, and we provide peer to peer support and informational panels. We also do wellness stations where we give them healthier ways to cope, teaching them how to do their own podcasts like this, art, drawing, or building a bike.

(08:22):

Just different things that they can do to occupy their minds when they’re feeling sad and that sort of thing, building up that resiliency inside of them. We also, Corynne just launched our Silence, the Shame University. It’s a program called Climb Up, specifically geared towards college students. And it’s a six month training program. And we are so proud that we have our first cohort here in the state of Georgia with over 28 college students. And it’s again, teaching them leadership skills, but with a special emphasis on wellbeing. We have our own podcast, a Silence Shame podcast that people can tune into. And then lastly, I’m really excited about May, as you mentioned, is mental health awareness month May 5th. We actually have our own day, May 5th is National Silence Shame Day. So this year on May 5th, we’re going to be pushing the community towards our very own silence shame app that will be available on your iOS phones or Android.

(09:16):

We have partnered with Microsoft to bring this app to the community. Yes, there are a lot of other wonderful apps in the marketplace, but we do hope that people will utilize our app and see it as a place that they can go to and provide encouragement, give mental health literacy so they can learn about some of the mental health challenges and disorders also encourage you to do mindfulness and get active and that sort of thing. So we’ll have a daily dose and meditation inspirations, and we’re going to have videos from different influencers throughout the months that we encourage people to do their own little five minute, 10 minute meditations, whatever works for you. So we just want to be able to bring additional resources to our community and it’ll be free on your phones. And so we’re incredibly excited about that. So yeah, we are just trying to do our part to continue to help erase stigma and really build communities and make people in the communities more resilient and have healthier ways to cope.

Corynne Corbett (10:18):

So is your hub primarily in Georgia right now?

Shanti Das (10:23):

It is. We are based out of Atlanta, but we do do national programs when we of course have the funding for it. Just some years ago we did a seven city team mental health tour with Jack and Jill of America. We also, in 2020, we were the mental health charitable partner for the NFL Players Association. So we’re about to apply for another grant with them. So you may see us speaking at events in New York. And for me personally as a mental health advocate, I share my story all around the country as well as some globally. So I’m always putting so shame at the forefront. I just spoke last month in New York at Lincoln Center for Women in hip hop. And so again, but it was about wellness, it was about self-care. Anytime I can find a way to insert myself for so shame and certainly bring the topic to the forefront, I try to answer the call.

Corynne Corbett (11:18):

Yes, yes, yes. I think that’s important. Let’s talk a little bit about the podcast, Mibo Show.

Shanti Das (11:23):

Yeah, so it’s funny, I’ve been this mental health advocate since, again, I mentioned almost taking my own life in 2015, but also I think there’s mental health and then there’s physical health. So I just look at it as health now. So I really try to think of myself as someone that lives Corinne at the intersection of health and culture. So about two, well, let me start here. Five years ago I lost my sister unexpectedly to a blood clot that was a result of a leg injury that she had and the blood clot had formed and she wasn’t aware of it. And it was the first time she had flown. And so there were probably some other underlying things going on. And I think the blood clot led to a stroke and she was gone within 20 minutes to say that was devastating as an understatement.

(12:11):

And then my mother had suffered with Alzheimer’s for about 12, 13 years. And so after my sister passed, I became her sole caregiver watching my mom deal with the Alzheimer’s and being there for her also, she had diabetes and hypertension, and then my brother and now, so it was three siblings now, I mean two siblings. And now I have only one sibling, but my brother suffers with heart disease. And then I, two years ago had my gallbladder removed. So I was like, I really got to also pay attention to a lot of the physical health issues that are happening within my own family that truly, truly plague the Black community. And so I said, I want to start my own company called Ebo, MI for mind, and BO for body. So it’s all about mental and physical wellness. So I launched the Mi Ebo show last year and dedicated it to hip hop 50 and Johnson and Johnson is one of my supporters.

(13:04):

And they provide medical experts for each episode or either a community partner for each episode to talk about which specific therapeutic areas. So I interviewed last season everybody from Mc L to Yo-yo to Charlemagne to Eric, sermon on Heart Health and Roxanne and Shante and I talked about eye health and that sort of thing. So I’m excited about season two, launching on May 1st, and I’m going to have the legendary DJ D. Nice. And we’re talk about Black men’s mental health, and we have Tisha Campbell coming up on this episode, Erica Campbell from Mary Mary. And we’re just in so many more and we’re going to be talking about various health issues either that they’re dealing with or that they’ve seen their family members go through. And so that is why I am just so grateful to you all at Black Health Matters for seeing what I’m doing. Also even just outside of Silence of Shame and really just bringing the conversation about health to the forefront of our community.

Corynne Corbett (14:01):

But I think in terms of what we are both doing, it is about elevating conversations. Number one, looking at what we do as it’s about saving lives. Really what we want to do is saving lives. I come from an editorial background, but I also come from beauty and that’s pretty, that’s cute. You come from music, that’s cute. But really at the end of the day, at the point in which we are in our lives, we really want to do more than things that are cute. We want to do things that are meaningful and purposeful,

Shanti Das (14:42):

Purpose-driven work, to your point in saving lives, saving lives. I’m 53, I’m dealing with menopause. That’s another podcast conversation another day. And so many things are happening to my own body. And I look at my family and the comorbidities that existed within the family, and I’m like, okay, hold up. I really need to pay more attention about what I eat, how I move, what’s going on. And especially working, coming from the music industry, we know that community needs it and I want to be an inspiration to those folks so that while they do have these really rigorous schedules that they are pouring back into their lives mentally and physically.

Corynne Corbett (15:21):

Exactly. Exactly. So as, no, it

Shanti Das (15:25):

Just mind, body, health,

Corynne Corbett (15:27):

Mindbody, health and longevity, those are the things. We encourage all of that and providing information so that we can see people live. Maybe we can be talking about living to a hundred instead.

Shanti Das (15:45):

That’s right. That’s right. Absolutely.

Corynne Corbett (15:50):

What advice do you give, do you have for us to encourage the next generation to be mindful of their mental health?

Shanti Das (16:15):

That’s a great question. I’m sorry. Were you going to No.

Corynne Corbett (16:18):

To be mindful and I guess to be kinder to themselves as well.

Shanti Das (16:24):

It’s funny you say that because that’s how I was going to start with something like that. So thank you Corinne for that question. So my advice to the next generation and being kinder to themselves is first of all, just giving themselves grace. That’s probably a word that the younger folks have heard their moms or grandmoms or pop pops refer to. But it really is something, and it is that kind of unwarranted favor from God. You can give yourself that unwarranted favor, favor that you don’t think you deserve, but that you truly actually deserve. It’s being a little bit more kinder, more gentler walking up. I was speaking last week to a gentleman, Dr. J Barnett, who does a lot of work. He’s a Black male therapist and former NFL player, and he talked about waking up more with a sense of ease instead of just jumping up so quick and putting all that pressure on yourself first thing in the morning.

(17:17):

So for me, I like to wake up and pray, and if that’s not your thing, wake up and do meditation or just wake up and be still. Sometimes there is beauty and stillness. It’s beauty and silence. So you can sit there and process through your feelings before you get your day started. That is eating breakfast in the morning and you don’t have to go and have a full breakfast at IHOP or something like that, but put something in your body, drink water, start the day from the purest form that you can, putting good things into your mind and good things into your body. The other thing I’ll say is be kinder to yourself in terms of taking care of your body. It’s so important that we go to the doctor that we get physicals. People might say, oh, I’m 25, I’m 30 years old. I don’t really need to do that.

(18:11):

Well, yes you do. It’s important just to have that checkup, right? Check in with your mind and check in with your body to see how you’re doing and share that with your peers. Oftentimes, it’s hard to open up to other people. I tell people, get yourself a starting five. What does that mean? We need five people in our lives that we can trust. It could be a doctor, it could be a confidant, a spouse, a girlfriend, whomever you feel like you can trust, a pastor, a life coach. Make sure that there are a few people that you can check in with on a regular basis about mind and body health because not all of your friends will understand and get it, but you need to surround yourself with life-minded individuals, and take charge of your life when you are at a young age. And as you’re starting to grow and your body starts to change, join support groups and don’t keep that information to yourself.

(19:03):

The other thing I would say is also find healthy ways to cope. For me, when I was working in entertainment, it was a very, and I’m sure you can attest to this, it’s a very social industry. There’s always a dinner, there’s always a luncheon, a gathering or something. There’s always champagne and cocktails flowing. And for me, sometimes when I was sad, I would turn and drink a cocktail instead of finding a healthier way to cope. So learning what you enjoy to do, whether that’s exercising, swimming, going fishing, even traveling for me kind of sets my mind and spirit free. So kind of tap back into your inner self and find what things work for you. Again, it is all about finding healthier ways to cope. And I wish I had have had some of those ideals, if you will, and principles and things that I stood on when I was a young girl working in entertainment.

(19:57):

It was just work, work, work, work, work. Amen. I sacrifice so much my mind, body, my family, missing family events and different things. And now here I am 53 years old, my sister’s deceased, my mom’s gone, and I’m just kind of resetting my life right now, if you will. And so you got to be more kinder to yourself. You have to learn how to have healthy ways to cope. You got to try to eat and do the best you can. And that’s not to say everybody’s going to be perfect there. You get your cheat days in, but it’s about having, and I don’t even really believe in work life balance. I think it’s work life rhythm, because life is going to life. You’re going to have changes, you’re going to have ebbs and flows, and you’re going to have good days and bad days, but it’s about trying to weave in those healthy practices to try to help you along the way so that you can actually try to do the absolute best that you can and have those accountability partners that can encourage you to pour into your mental health or to pour into your physical health.

(20:58):

Again, that is why I love you all newsletters, Black health matters. You’re always bringing so many important things, whether it is mental health or physical health to the forefront for our community. And it’s those great reminders. And so yeah, subscribe to your newsletter so that you can know what’s going on. But we have to educate ourselves and we really do have to care about it because the one thing I can say is I’ve lost a lot of people over the years, whether it was due to mental health challenges or just physical health challenges, and their bodies succumb to diseases. And it is up to us because we know that there’s so much in this world that makes it hard for us to have access to good healthcare, to have access to good clinicians and good therapists. And so we have to really educate ourselves and try to stay in tuned as much as we can.

(21:46):

And we have to advocate for ourselves as Black folks. We know when we go to the doctors and hospitals all the time, we don’t always get the outcome that we want, and sometimes we don’t ask the right questions. So educate selves, support organizations like Silence, shame, who are out there trying to educate you about mental health and wellness, and put you towards the resources and all these other great organizations that are doing good work. It really is up to us to take care of our minds and our bodies. And of course, spirit is always constant in my life. So, mind, body, and spirit are actually a real thing. It’s not just a cliche and something that I say absolutely, and that is how I live my life, and I just want people to be more kinder to themselves and just try to live by those moments.

(22:31):

I think that’s why what I ended up calling my organization is so important because, and again, going back to Dr. J Barnett, he’s so profound. Y’all should look him up. King j Barnett on Instagram, he said something else. He said, shame loses power when it’s exposed. That’s good. Whether you expose it to a lot of people or to one person, you are silencing that shame within your own life. So get the help that you need. It is nothing to be ashamed about, nothing to be embarrassed about. And to your point, we are in the business of saving lives. We don’t want anybody to think that suicide is an option, although we know some people do succumb to it. And as I was saying, even with my own father, I forgave my father years later because I realized my dad was sick and he wasn’t in his right frame of mind.

(23:17):

I know he wouldn’t have willingly left his wife and three young children, but he was struggling and he was sick. And so I just want people to be healthy. I want us to have healthy minds, healthy bodies, but we got to do the work. And it starts with us standing up for ourselves and giving ourselves grace and showing up for ourselves as we show up for everybody else. We show up to that job every single day, or we show up on the weekend to the little league with our kids, show up for yourself. Stop. Especially Black women, I’m talking to you. Everything else. Stop putting yourself rather on the back burner for everybody else because when we are dead and gone, life continues. And people will say, oh,

Corynne Corbett (24:03):

That part right there.

Shanti Das (24:05):

I loved her. Karen was amazing, but oh, I got to book this flight. I got this trip going. Life goes on.

Corynne Corbett (24:12):

Very true. So

Shanti Das (24:13):

Take care of ourselves while we are here, while we’re trying to take care of the rest of the world, we still got to take care of ourselves. So you got to budget in time for you, just like you do everybody else.

Corynne Corbett (24:23):

And I’m going to add one more thing. Stop holding grudges over little things.

Shanti Das (24:28):

Oh, yes. Because that leads to stress and anxiety, which can, here’s the

Corynne Corbett (24:33):

Thing,

Shanti Das (24:34):

Mental or physical health challenge,

Corynne Corbett (24:36):

Right? Because if it’s not life and death, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.

Shanti Das (24:41):

That’s right.

Corynne Corbett (24:43):

Hundred percent and of the day, it does not matter. And that’s what grand scheme, that’s the thing. If you have not been through really hard challenges, you don’t learn that lesson until it’s really too late.

Shanti Das (24:56):

That’s right. And I’ll tell you, Corynne, I used to get so stressed out, even just at the red light or people driving so crazy, and it would just totally change my mood and the way I approach things for the rest of the day. And so now sometimes when people stress me out, I use this breathing technique called the 4 4 8. And instead of yelling expletives at somebody, I’ll breathe in for four seconds, hold it for four seconds, and then do a long exhale for eight. And I’ll do several repetitions of that. And it really is a good way to recenter myself. And to your point, it’s like not sweating the small stuff. I’ll just do a breathing technique like, you know what? You’re not going to steal my joy. You’re not going to steal my peace today. No, and that is a great point. And it’s a good way to live. Right?

Corynne Corbett (25:45):

Well, tell us how we find silence to shame.

Shanti Das (25:49):

Yeah. So you can find silence to shame on our website@www.silenceshame.com. You can follow us on Facebook at Silence th Shame, or you can follow us on Instagram at Silence the Shame.

Corynne Corbett (26:06):

And

Shanti Das (26:07):

If you want to relate to our organization, we are a 5 0 1 C3 nonprofit. You can text the word silence, S-I-L-E-N-C-E to 7 0 7 0 7 oh,

Corynne Corbett (26:19):

Okay. And then the podcast.

Shanti Das (26:22):

Yeah, saying you can listen to the mibo Show. You can binge season one, or you can check out season two. Again, that’s launching in May at the the mibo, MIBO show. It’s on YouTube for the video version or at the Mi IBO show on all audio platforms for podcasts.

Corynne Corbett (26:40):

Wonderful.

Shanti Das (26:41):

Please make sure to

Corynne Corbett (26:42):

Subscribe and rate us as well. Wonderful. Shanti Das, thank you so much for joining me today. Make sure you follow Silence to Shame and watch the Mibo Show. Folks. Thanks again. Thank you. Have a good day.

The post Shanti Das Speaks To Us About Her Silence The Shame Platform and Making Health & Wellness A Priority appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What is COPD?

According to The Mayo Clinic, COPD “is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.” It’s typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions contributing to COPD. These two conditions usually occur together and can vary in severity among individuals with COPD.

Symptoms include:

• Frequent coughing or wheezing
• Excess phlegm or sputum
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble taking a deep breath

COPD is a progressive disease that can worsen over time. Patients may have to use oxygen.

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

According to The American Heart Association, Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is a quivering or irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib or AF, can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

Some people describe their symptoms as their heart flip-flopping, skipping a beat, or beating hard against their chest. Others have no symptoms and had the condition diagnosed during a check-up.

About 15-20% of people who have strokes have this condition, so doctors often prescribe blood thinners to them. If the condition goes untreated, you are at an increased risk for stroke or heart-related death.

Please see your health care professional if you have any of these symptoms.

The post Louis Gossett Jr. Died from COPD: The Lung Condition Explained appeared first on Black Health Matters.

But her perspective informed her story and made her an accomplished storyteller today. Having been diagnosed with lupus at 30, Alford has made adjustments, like learning to say no, but she can still define success on her terms.

Click to listen to our chat or read the transcript of our chat below:

00:00

Hi, everybody. I’m Corynne Corbett, editorial director of Black Health Matter, and I have the pleasure of chatting with an award-winning journalist, Natasha S. Alford, about her memoir, American Negra. Today, I want to focus on cultural issues, identity, hair, and health issues.

What were your challenges with cultural identity and growing up as a Puerto Rican/Black girl in Syracuse, New York.?

00:39

First, Corynne, thank you for having me on; I’m so honored to join you all. And you know, health is a part of this story, both from a cultural and identity perspective and just literally talking about physical health.

This story really highlights what it is like to grow up between two cultures. Growing up in a multicultural family, you’re often told you are both. In my case, I had very supportive parents. They’re like, you know, you are an African American Girl, you’re a Puerto Rican girl, nobody can take that away from you.

But I found that our society was not always accepting of the diversity within those cultures. And so there were a lot of people who sometimes questioned how I could be Latina. Some people asked me to sort of perform my identity; they wanted to know if I could speak Spanish or if I could cook certain foods.

And in all the African American side, although I was generally welcomed, right, most people saw me as a black girl, there were still questions about, you know, just what was my ethnic makeup? So I got a lot of questions of, you know, what are you, and people will look at my hair and be like, are you mixed? Are you something else?

So when you grow up with those questions constantly being thrown at you so early in life, you start to ask the question of yourself, what am I can I truly be 100% of both of these cultures. And so American Negra is the story of finding myself and my voice, but also finding my way as a young person, particularly regarding health and accepting what it means to live a healthy life.

2:19

Yeah, and that’s so important just finding yourself and I think everyone is finding yourself but when you also layer in health, culture and identity, that you know that’s a lot of things that add on to finding yourself right. So tell us how that played out in your hair story and how others saw you both in a Latina in the back cultures and how you saw yourself?

3:18

Hair is such a complex issue. It is an issue that can sometimes spark confidence, if you love the way you look you sort of move through the world in a different way. But if you lack confidence, that can also show up, you or question yourself, that can also show up when it comes to hair. Growing up as an African American and a Latina girl, what I found is that in one culture that my hair texture was celebrated. It was seen as exotic it was seen and long, curly, black hair, but when I was on the other side and looking at Spanish language media, I always saw straight hair. I always hair that was very, very long and Eurocentric, that was the standard of beauty. So in that culture, the texture of my hair, the African influence, the descendency, it would be more likely that me perming my hair would make me fit in.

4:33

So, looking back, what do you wish you could have told your younger self?

5:00

I see that I actually am most beautiful when I’m just myself. You know, I’m most comfortable, I’m able to move through the world with a freedom that I didn’t have before when I was trying to conform, whether it be with hair, or and just sort of presenting myself a certain way culturally.

And so yeah, I think it would be not to waste an ounce of time and that you know, there’s so many aspects of our society that want us to feel shame about our bodies about the way that we look. So we will spend money so we will we will change and there’s such power and taking back that narrative and saying I love myself the way I am.

5:41

So, I’ve got to tell you I was recently just last weekend at the National Black Writers Convention, no, National Black Writers Conference, and a woman, that was a vendor there, said, I want to give you a book recommendation American Negra, and she said, she loved it because she’s a Black woman married to a Panamanian man. And she has daughters. She said that she felt like this was something that she could see. She could give it to her daughters. As an example of, you know, this is a reflection of, you know, something that you can be proud of. This is how you can go up to live biculturally. And she was really, really excited about it. She was like this: this woman who wrote this book, she went to Harvard, you should read it. I said I’m reading, so she was, she’s issues, really excited about it. So you know, you are making an impact, and lots of different spaces.

So, let’s talk about your time at Harvard and how culture and identity evolved while you were there.

6:48

I am blown away, and I can’t believe that it is amazing.

07:10

Well, first, I have to acknowledge that the story is incredible. So thank you to that woman for being, you know, an ambassador for the book. That’s exactly why I wrote it in the sense of, even if you don’t have the exact ethnic background that I have, or you know, cultural background, that people who haven’t felt seen and representations of blackness and Latino ness and American identity see themselves. You know, the book explores what it means to go to a place and to learn that you belong. A lot of my struggles at Harvard, in some ways, were centered around belonging and centered around deservingness. There was a part of me, I think, this duality that WEB DuBois often talked about. There was a part of me that felt that I certainly belonged there.

But there was this other part of me that felt that I still had to prove I belonged there. And so it created a lot of pressure for me. Sometimes, academic insecurity, holding back in class, not using my voice, and not raising my hand are things that I think a lot of young people can relate to if they’re first or second-generation going to college. And so what American Negra does is it shows the journey of finding your voice, finding your confidence, you know, shedding imposter syndrome, and accepting your talents and gifts in that space. And one of the reasons I was able to do that was because of the Harvard Black community, which is a very strong community, a very deep-rooted community that has been around since really the beginning of the college. Black people have always been at Harvard. Harvard tragically built its institution in many ways off of the wealth of slave labor. And so even indirectly, you know, our existence is a part of this institution in this really interesting way, a really sad way. And yet, there have been so many brilliant scholars who’ve come through this place. And so what I wanted to show in American NACADA was our belonging. There’s a lot of conversation right now about DEI. And you know, whether, when people say DEI, they’re referring to Black people, even though DEI benefits so many, but it’s this question of do we deserve what we have, and I think the book really shows, both historically and in my personal story, what it means to know that you belong someplace and know that you deserve to be there.

9:35

Absolutely, absolutely. Now, let’s talk about the Dominican Republic for a minute. What did your time in the Dr. Contribute to your thoughts about being an Afro Latina?

9:53

Readers who see American Negra will see that the Dominican Republic was a turning point for me. I remember landing It was in 2005, the summer of 2005. And, or it was the summer of 2005 or 2006, I have to double-check. But when I got there, I was completely blown away by how many brown-skinned people were there. And it’s not brown in the sense of, you know, the way that we talk about Latina that in the US, we think of sort of tan. So, with just little hints of color, I saw black people everywhere. I saw Afro-descendants everywhere. They were speaking Spanish, you know, they were born and raised in the Dominican Republic. And many of them saw me and assumed that I was Dominican. And so, for the first time in my life, I’m experiencing what it is to blend in as a Latina, to sort of fit in not to be seen as another just because I’m black, but for people to assume just from looking at me that I must be one of them. So I talk in the book about what that does to me, you know, on an emotional level, but also intellectually, this sort of curiosity that it sparks for me to say, Okay, wait a second, I’ve been hearing that Black people have been across the diaspora for years, right, that there were boats that stopped in all these places. But what does it mean to really know that history? How are we connected? But also, what ways are we divided. And so I also learned a bit about the country’s relationship to Haiti. And times when, you know, the relationship was actually really devastating and violent. And so I talked about that in the book as well, which, you know, in modern times, is obviously very relevant to a lot of what we’re seeing in the news right now.

11:34

Yes absolutely so now let’s talk about your health receiving a Lupus diagnosis tell us that story.

11:48

Well, I was just turning 30, or I had just turned 30 years old. And when you turn 30, it’s a it’s a new phase of adulthood, but you’re still pretty young, right, there’s still some assumptions that you make about what it means to be a 30 year old. And so when I got this diagnosis, completely unexpected, you know, I was running in the gym one day and unable to move my wrists. All of a sudden, it felt like my legs were heavy weights with sandbags, tied to them. It took me a while to realize I even had to go to the doctor because I learned so early that the doctors only to be gone to when it’s an emergency. Other than that, you push through the pain. That’s the sort of culture that I came from. That was the kind of upbringing that I had and watching my parents and, you know, my family and the examples around me.

So by the time I went to the doctor, I was blindsided when I was told that I had lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system attacks healthy cells. So rather than attacking the invaders, it’s attacking healthy cells that can cause joint damage, organ damage, sometimes it manifests in skin rashes and other pains in the body.

But there’s also a mental toll, depression, and anxiety that comes with having an illness like this because your body is under attack, and it is so unpredictable, even with the different ways that you can manage it. And so what American Negra does is it takes you inside the experience of getting a diagnosis like this, but also what it means to get a diagnosis when you’re at the peak of your career, the right things are about to take off.

You know, you have high expectations for yourself, and how do you manage having big dreams with having a big illness? And so you know, it’s not easy; the spoiler is that it took me a while to accept it took me over a year before I really committed to taking my medication to go into the doctor to taking care of myself. And there were consequences to that which I do talk about but ultimately, the journey of acceptance was a really powerful one because then it allowed me to create a new normal for myself that didn’t require me sacrificing my health in order to succeed.

14:10

It’s an it’s, so let’s talk about lupus not just in the black community. It is also in the Latino community. It is yet so. So, raising awareness of this American mega is a vehicle that raises awareness about the prevalence of lupus is also an opportunity to discuss having lupus because also in our communities, we don’t talk about having autoimmune diseases. You know we keep quiet about these things because that’s our culture.

14:24

Yes

14:55

Yes, and I think that it’s a larger field. Share of American culture is that we put our work first, our health comes second, and there’s a lot of shame and stigma around being a person with a chronic illness because it begs the question, well, what can you do? How productive can you be? Can you still work? And so much of our value in this country is defined by what we do for work. So there’s a reeducation, I think that needs to happen. And you’re right that I’m trying to raise awareness about how this disproportionately affects different communities. First and foremost, lupus disproportionately affects women. So that’s just like across the board: women are more likely to get lupus. But then, when you look at race and the way that we categorize race, generally, in the United States, black women are three times more likely to get lupus than our white female counterparts. Hispanic women are also more likely to get lupus. And one of the questions I post in the book, it’s just because of the way that we track race, ethnicity, you know, for the black Latina, I don’t know what the exact numbers are, I’m not sure that anybody’s looking to see how we are affected by lupus, but they should certainly ask the question. And because of that, you know, we, as Black women, are already facing all of these stressors, right? You look at Black maternal mortality rates, you look at our rates of heart disease, you look at our rates of breast cancer. And so it’s yet another burden that we have to carry, which I think highlights the need for us to be open about it and talk about how we’re coping and getting through to lean on each other. And not feel shame because this is not something we asked for. There’s nothing that we did to deserve lupus, but we do deserve to live rich, meaningful, healthy lives, even despite having this illness. And so I hope to break the stigma by being so public about it at this young age.

16:10

Right. And so let’s talk about caring for yourself. How are you caring for yourself as you continue with your career? What adjustments are you making? Because it’s not that your life has stopped, right? But you make adjustments, and you carry on?

Yeah, certainly has it. Yeah. As the mother of a toddler, you know, between this book, being on CNN, and working at the Grio, it definitely has gone on. Life is going on. You know, I think the big difference between me now and before is that I know how to say no, I didn’t know how to say no before, anytime I was invited to do something. Anytime I had a chance to take on more projects, I did more work. I was doing it because that was how I was cultivated and acculturated, you know, to think that you have to grind and take every opportunity and make the most of it. Now, it’s all about quality over quantity, you know, the quality of my experiences, the quality of my relationships, the quality of the work I’m doing. That’s what matters more than squeezing everything I can into a day. And so even with this book tour for American Negra, we did, you know, the northeast, we went to all these cities DC, Boston, New York, Montclair, New Jersey, Syracuse, my hometown, Rochester, but I built in a pause, because I said, you know, the temptation will be to run myself down to the ground promoting this book. But I have to be a living example of what it means to care for yourself. And the truth is, I’m going to need a break. And so we will pick up the rest of the tour. We’ll go to the south. I’m going to Chicago next month. But I needed to live out those values even as I was doing something like promoting a book where I talked about having lupus.

18:55

[Fo] young women who are growing up in areas where not many people who look like them have their cultures and identities questioned. What should they do?

20:10

Well, I think the first step is realizing you’re not alone. Wherever you are in the world, you are not alone. There’s somebody who shares your experience. And so, even in this digital world where we have all these connections, it is very easy to feel isolated. And so I encourage you to find a community where you can find others who share your experience. That’s the first thing. But I think the second thing is that finding who you are is layered. There’s who you are at work, the jobs you enjoy, and the career you want. There’s also who you are in terms of your family story. One of the things I did in writing American Negrae was go and get genealogy assessments done. So I learned about my ancestry things that I had gone years, never knowing about my family. We were connected to a plantation in Darlington, South Carolina, and my ancestor was enslaved there. My ancestors in Puerto Rico worked in sugarcane fields, and you know, essentially me, these big, rich business owners even richer, but those were the histories that I had been denied. Because, you know, how often are you born and you only know your immediate family’s history. And so it was something about learning where it came from that was so powerful, and it made me feel so much more empowered. Again, it was much more like I belonged as an American; I deserved to be here and proud of what my family has contributed. So I encourage people to get to know themselves and maybe do some of that deeper work to discover your family story and your story. I think that it helps you to see yourself in context in a different way.

22:07
But it, it’s been a joy to talk with you. Thank you so much for having me. I want to encourage all your listeners to follow me I’m right on Instagram, it’s Natasha S. Alford, American negative also has its own Instagram account where we’re posting pictures from book tour events, people’s different reviews. It’s just its really community building is what we’re doing with this book. And you can learn more if you go to AmericanNegra.com is just N E G RA. But we are online and we’re doing this tour we’re traveling around the country went to Puerto Rico for an event. So if you don’t come to see me in person in person, you can always go online, and of course, you can get the book on Amazon, where it is a top book in African American history right now, even four weeks after it’s released. So go ahead and check it out and leave us a review, too. You too.

The post Natasha S. Alford: On Culture, Identity, Health, Hair and Her Book, American Negra appeared first on Black Health Matters.

People of Color in Tech reported, “In past business cycles, Black workers have been the last to be hired during expansions and first fired during contractions, so an increase in the Black unemployment rate is eye-catching to forecasters,” from Comerica Bank.

But if you look closely, we are represented in every industry where layoffs occur.

DEI Is Under Fire

Last summer, we saw three high-profile Black female Hollywood executives who happened to be DEI chiefs at major studios (Netflix, Warner Brothers Discovery, Disney) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences all lose their jobs over a ten-day period. According to Inc., companies including Zoom, Snap, Meta, Tesla, DoorDash, Lyft, Home Depot, and Wayfair cut DEI teams amid broader layoff plans. Even hospitals, like Johns Hopkins, bowed to the pressure, which led to the departure of Dr. Sherita Golden.

Tech Layoffs Hit Us Hard Too

According to Layoff. Fyi, in 2023, 1186 tech companies laid off 262,682 employees, and so far this year, 168 tech companies have already laid off 42,324. Although we only make up about 7% of the tech workforce, the layoffs disproportionately impacted us. Surprised, no. Okay, neither were we.

Last winter, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and the CBC sent a letter to the acting US Secretary of Labor,  Julie Su. “We write to express our concerns with recent reports highlighting the impacts of widespread layoffs within the tech industry and its disproportionate impacts on the African American community and women,” the group wrote.

Bloomberg News revealed “that people of color accounted for 94% of new hires at the US’ largest public companies in the year after the Black Lives Matter protests.” The latest findings show that organizations find a way to do it when pressured to hire and promote qualified, diverse talent.

Our take: sometimes, these moves are performative. You can tell when companies revoke programs when no one after a few years.

Others find the environment less than ideal and are happy to leave when the time comes. “Black people, especially Black women, have reported experiencing discrimination and bias in the tech industry, which can impact their career advancement and overall job satisfaction.” according to Forbes. They choose entrepreneurship instead.

The Healthcare Sector Took a Hit, Too

According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the healthcare category, which includes hospitals, medical technology, health insurers, and medical clinics, cut 58,560 jobs last year. An almost 100% increase over the year before. This year, Pfizer, Thermo Fisher Scientific,  Sanofi, Catalent, GSK, and Novartis will all restructure or reduce staff. And the healthcare industry employs more than 23% of Black women or more than one in five of us.

The Incredible Shrinking Media Business

Paramount handed out pink slips to over 800 employees across Paramount+ and Showtime. BET, Nickelodeon, and all their other networks. Sports Illustrated’s editorial team was gutted. Vice Media shut down, laying off hundreds of workers. And more than 3,000 jobs this year, plus those coming from Condé Nast. (Add that to the 21,400 media jobs lost last year).

Watch Out For a Change of Mood

When you are unemployed for a period of time, you may develop a form of situational depression. According to Medical News Today, symptoms might include:

• Feelings of emptiness, sadness, or hopelessness
• decreased interest in favorite activities
• irritability or frustration
• reduced energy levels or motivation
• appetite or weight changes
• sleeping more or less than usual
• forgetfulness or indecisiveness

Additional Symptoms can include:

• low self-esteem
• reduced focus and motivation
• feelings of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm

(Financial stress may trigger symptoms)

Consider Entrepreneurship

However, as we are pushed out of lucrative positions, many of us have no choice but to try entrepreneurship. According to The Brookings Institute, between 2017 and 2020, the number of Black women-owned businesses increased by nearly 20%, far exceeding the growth of women-owned and Black-owned businesses.

If you decide to strike out your own, check out serial entrepreneur Kathryn Finney’s tips on avoiding entrepreneurial overwhelm.

The post Why Are Black Women Losing Their Jobs? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Their collaboration began earlier this week when the two penned a powerful essay in Time entitled We Shouldn’t Have to be Willing to Die to Give Birth in the United States. Among the facts shared in their piece is that 3.400 women have died since Serena and Elaine had their children. The CDC reports that Black women are three times more likely to die during or after childbirth. But the two don’t want to frame this as only a problem faced by Black women or poor women. (However, here, that is our primary concern.)

The roots of Birth Fund began with Welteroth’s desire to give back. According to Afrotech, she started with a birthday fundraiser in December 2013. The Birth Fund is a coalition of Founding Family Funders who raised $16,000 to support out-of-pocket midwifery care for two families at Kindred Space LA.

The two believe that providing access to midwives may be one way to prevent the staggering maternal death rate in our country. Check out this conversation with Jennie Joseph to learn more about the maternal health crisis.

The Founding Family Funders include John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kelly Rowland, Abby Phillip, Ayesha Curry, Savannah James, Karlie Kloss, and Ashley Graham.

You don’t have to be a celebrity to contribute to Birth Fund, but they will match any contribution up to the first $100,000.

The post Elaine Welteroth & Serena Williams Launch The Birth Fund appeared first on Black Health Matters.

‘Some people’s bodies reject dialysis. And thank God that mine accepts it, and I can live… If I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two, “Robinson told The Daily Mail. “So it’s serious, can’t miss a day.” The Three Time Dunk champion has been hospitalized several times due to painful vomiting. When Robinson was drafted and ended up with the Knicks in 2005, he was told his blood pressure was high. Follow-up tests showed his kidneys were failing, yet he went on to have a career that spanned 11 seasons.

We wanted to know more about the factors at play regarding Black men and kidney disease, so we went to Dr. Kirk Campbell, President-Elect of the National Kidney Foundation, and Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.

BHM: Nate Robinson isn’t the first athlete we’ve heard of who battled kidney disease. What factors are at play that lead to their diagnosis?

Dr. Campbell: An active lifestyle with healthy dietary practices is important for overall and kidney health. However, individuals can still get kidney disease due to non-lifestyle related reasons. These could include genetic predispositions, hypertension, diabetes, and other systemic medical conditions.

BHM: Are there genetic predispositions at play?

Dr. Campbell: Approximately 10% of patients with chronic kidney disease have identifiable causative single-gene mutations. This does not include even more common genetic modifiers of kidney disease. An example is mutations in the gene APOL1, encoding Apolipoprotein L1. Approximately 14% of African Americans have APOL1 high-risk genotypes. These mutations account for up to 70% of nondiabetic kidney disease in African Americans and up to 40% of end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis in this demographic.

BHM: Are Black men more predisposed to kidney disease than Black women?

Dr. Campbell: Black men in the US are the demographic group with the highest lifetime risk of kidney failure. A recent report found that though Black Men made up a little over 6% of the US population, they accounted for almost 17% of chronic kidney disease cases. The reasons are multi-factorial and include potentially higher rates and variable management of kidney disease risk factors, including hypertension and diabetes. Access to care and socioeconomic factors could also contribute.

In the meantime, Robinson is holding on for when he feels healthy and normal to spend time with his family and children. And there is still time for Robinson to find a compatible donor.

The post Ex-NBA Veteran Nate Robinson Desperately Needs a Kidney Transplant appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What Happened To Krystal?

Anderson was hospitalized starting with the 21st week of pregnancy and had undergone three surgeries while there. And it was unclear what the source of her sepsis was. Anderson passed away on March 20th, surrounded by her loved ones.

The Mayo Clinic defines sepsis as a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly. Symptoms of sepsis include fast, shallow breathing, sweating, lightheadedness, and shivering. However, sepsis can sometimes be effectively treated if caught early.

If it isn’t, the condition can progress to septic shock and can damage the lungs, kidneys, and other organs. Symptoms of septic shock include not being able to stand, sleepiness, and confusion.

Why Aren’t We Being Taken Seriously?

Last year, The Associated Press did a multipart series, Chapter One: Why So Many Black Women Die in Pregnancy? One Reason: Doctors Don’t Take Them Seriously

“Sepsis in its early stages can mirror common pregnancy symptoms, so it can be hard to diagnose. Due to a lack of training, some medical providers don’t know what to look for.” Kat Stafford, the author of the piece, writes. “But slow or missed diagnoses are also the result of bias, structural racism in medicine and inattentive care that leads to patients, particularly Black women, not being heard.”

What Might Put Us At Increased Risk

According to the Sepsis Alliance, any of the following factors may put us at risk for maternal sepsis:

• Miscarriage
• Abortion
• Invasive test during pregnancy
• C-section
• Pre-term delivery
• Prolong or obstructed delivery
• Ruptured membranes or water breaking several hours before birth
• Postpartum Hemmorhage
• Stillbirth
• Retaining placenta
• Multiple gestations (twins or more)

Symptoms of Maternal Sepsis

According to the National Institutes of Health, maternal sepsis can present with multiple and varied symptoms such as lethargy, chills and rigors, generalized malaise, rashes, lower abdominal or pelvic pain, foul lochia, contractions, malodorous or discolored leaking of fluid from the vagina, and breast engorgement. fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, hypotension, uterine tenderness, preterm labor or preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes, altered mental status, and end-organ dysfunction.

The post Former Kansas City Chief Cheerleader, Krystal Anderson Died From Maternal Sepsis appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Berry recalled having extreme pain after sex and going to the doctor, who told her she had the worst case of herpes he’d ever seen. She and Hunt were both tested, and neither ended up having herpes and “I realized after the fact that is a symptom of perimenopause” due to dryness.  While this led Berry to become an advocate for menopause, it reminds us how medical and structural racism impacts our care.

The ways it impacts us are vast. However, a few we want to mention here include the care we want when searching for a diagnosis, treatment, or hospitalization.

The Failure to Diagnose and Treat Us Properly

If you think about what has happened to Black women this month as a result of the failure to diagnose and treat them properly, it is heartbreaking. The loss of Beauty YouTuber Jessica Pettway. Or yesterday, former Kansas City Chief cheerleader Krystal Anderson,   who died after giving birth to a stillborn child from sepsis.

Some of the ways that this can happen can be in the form of misdiagnosis, which is what happened with Pettway. Other times, it is undertreatment or lack of delayed treatment. How many of you remember that Serena Williams had to fight to be taken seriously after her emergency C-section when she was experiencing shortness of breath? The tennis champion told Vogue that the nurse tried to convince her she wasn’t thinking clearly because of her pain medication. Imagine if she had listened?

The Myth That We Feel Less Pain

Some medical students still believe we have thicker skin and can tolerate more pain. Eventually, those students become doctors, so implicit bias may be present. So, when we ask for pain medication, we don’t know what the health professional we encounter believes about us.

 Using Negative Descriptors On Our Charts

Black patients were 2.54 times more likely to have one negative descriptor in their chart, according to Researchers at the University of Chicago. They used machine learning to examine electronic health records of patients’ negative words and phrases, such as “resistant” or “defensive,” in more than 40,000 adults. They wanted to understand how biased language impacted patient care.

We Need To Do Our Research

This is not our imagination; two books examine its toll on our lives. Linda Villarosa’s Under The Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on Health in America is a sweeping examination of what it has cost us. Uché Blackstock’s Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons With Racism in Medicine is told from a personal perspective.

Check out these books to understand how structural racism may impact care and how you must advocate for yourself.

The post Halle Berry Isn’t Immune From Medical Racism (And Neither Are We) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We spoke with Dr. Folasade May, Co-Leader of the SU2C Colorectal Cancer Health Equity Dream Team, about the importance of screenings, why we are reluctant, and how we can overcome our fears. According to Dr. May, ‘Many of the risk factors for colorectal cancer are more prevalent in black individuals. So when you talk about the use of tobacco, when you talk about overweight, obesity, diabetes, and an unfavorable diet, these are things that, unfortunately, are more common in black communities than in white communities. And that’s playing a role,” she says.

The Benefits of Screenings

However, Dr. May points out that the other factor that plays a strong role is differences in who participates in screening. “Screening can be life-saving, and for colorectal cancer, we’re very fortunate that they work in two ways. Screening can help prevent disease in the first place because when we screen, we look for polyps in the colon and take out those polyps. They don’t have a chance to transform into cancer,” she explains. “So it’s very powerful that we can prevent people from getting cancer in the first place. And the second way that screening works is that it’s a tool for early detection. So even if you didn’t benefit from screening for removing polyps, we can do screening and find cancers early enough that we can remove them, and people can be cured.”

The Idea of a Colonoscopy is Scarier Than The Actual Procedure

Overall, women are better than men at taking care of their health appointments than men. But preparing for a colonoscopy ( a day-long fast), taking the day off, and arranging to be picked up (and having your children picked up) may cause you to put the procedure off. Dr. May says if taking days off is impossible, there are alternatives, “It’s not only colonoscopy; we now have other screening tools that you can use that you can do in the comfort of your own home. These are called stool-based screening tests. You will be given an instruction kit and a safe and hygienic way to collect the sample of that stool, put it in a container, and send it to a laboratory where they test it,” she explains. And it doesn’t matter which of these you do, a colonoscopy or the stool test; the important thing is that you do it, you do it at 45, and you do it at the proper intervals. So you do some stool tests yearly, whereas colonoscopy is every 10 years.”

Colon Cancer is No Longer an Older Person’s Disease

When Dr. May began researching colon cancer, she was told it was more prevalent among older adults in their 60s and 70s. However, that is no longer the case. “Right now, we are seeing colorectal cancer and people in their 30s. And in their 40s and 50s. It’s what we call early-onset colorectal cancer,” she says. “So we’re seeing a drop in cases because screening is working in people under 50; we’re seeing a rise, and that’s across the board by ethnicity and race. So we have this epidemic now that we call early-onset colorectal cancer, and we’re trying to raise awareness, not only in black individuals who are high risk but also in young individuals who need to know that we’ve dropped the screening age to 45 and that they are at risk now. It’s no longer an old person’s disease.”

Note: If you have severe abdominal pain, gut issues, constipation, or weight loss, see your doctor even if you are a young person

How Do We Prevent Colon Cancer

Dr. May points out that one way to prevent colon cancer is to focus on keeping people healthy. One way to do this is to start by teaching children and teens good habits they can carry into their twenties.

Other recommendations include:

• • • Eliminate tobacco
    • Minimize alcohol consumption (particularly binge alcohol drinking)
    • Stay physically active (cardio and strength training)
    • limit processed food (especially processed meat)
    • Limit red meat
    • Eat more fiber
    • Monitor Calcium and Vitamin D levels

Stand Up To Cancer has funded colorectal cancer research and has Health Equity screening sites in Boston, Los Angeles, and Tribal Nations in South Dakota to support the underserved needs of our communities. To learn more, click here.

The post Dr. Folasade May, On Colorectal Cancer & Health Equity appeared first on Black Health Matters.

I was shocked. Me? Cancer? What?

I was in disbelief. I was scared, and I felt a sense of confusion, but for some reason, my faith felt bigger than my fear. I knew that I was in for a fight, and I was ready for it. My name is Mallory Foxx. I’m a mom and wife, and I was the reigning Mrs. Black International Ambassador 2023, and I am a renal cell carcinoma survivor.

When I was first diagnosed with this disease, I didn’t know how to react, but I knew that I was not going to let the diagnosis define who I was. In the US, over 600,000 people live with kidney cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, but it is rare for a healthy woman in her late 30s to have this type of cancer. With modern technology and dynamic breakthroughs when it comes to medicine, the survival rate of this type of cancer has significantly increased.

With the help of my urologist, Dr. Jarrod Brown, and his team at Urology Specialists of the Carolinas, one week after winning the title of Mrs. Black International Ambassador 2023, I was prepared to undergo a successful partial nephrectomy robotic surgery. I am forever grateful to say that I am now officially cancer-free. I am under the watchful eye of my specialist and will be under observation for the next two years.

In the African American community, it’s difficult to realize that making our health a priority is scary simply because of the fear of the unknown. I am so glad I advocated for myself and listened to my body when I knew something was wrong.

I want to challenge our community to take control of their health, even though it can be difficult. Performing preventative screenings and tests and visiting the doctor regularly can improve one’s way of life and treat whatever problem may arise. If I hadn’t listened to my body, I don’t want to think of where my life would be or would have become.

I’m incredibly excited to partner with the Kidney Cancer Association and helping to bring awareness to kidney illnesses and cancers. I want to bring awareness by sharing my story and advocating for the KCA’s mission to serve and empower patients and lead change in the hope of a cure. Hopefully, my story will inspire someone else to take the first step to finding a doctor they trust and listening to their symptoms.

This story appears in cooperation with the Kidney Cancer Association.

The post Mallory Foxx Survived Kidney Cancer (and Wants Others to Do the Same) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

This is a wake-up call for Black women to take our health seriously.

Heavy Bleeding is a Sign of Fibroids and Cervical Cancer

We found that there are instances where a medical professional may believe uterine cancer is a fibroid when a patient complains of pelvic pain or irregular bleeding. However, CT scans and MRIs can further diagnose the condition.

But vaginal bleeding is also a symptom of cervical cancer, especially heavy periods or painful periods, swelling in the legs, or pain during sex, according to Baptist Health. If you have fibroids and any of these symptoms, you might want additional screenings and seek a second opinion.

Black Women Are Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer Later

Unfortunately, Jessica is not alone. Many black women are diagnosed with cervical cancer at later stages, which offers them different treatment options. We are 41% more likely to develop cervical cancer and 75% more likely to die from it than white women, according to the National Center of Biotechnology Information.

Understanding Cervical Cancer?

Why You Need to Get Screened

According to the National Cancer Institute, people who have regular screens for HPV and Pap tests at regular intervals rarely are found to have cancer.  Please stay on top of your annual appointments.

But here’s what you need to know: “The Pap and HPV tests are screening tests, not diagnostic tests. They cannot tell for certain if you have cervical cancer. An abnormal Pap test or HPV test result may mean more testing is needed to see if a cancer or a pre-cancer is present. The tests used include colposcopy (with biopsy), endocervical scraping, and cone biopsies, according to The American Cancer Society.

For more information on cervical cancer, please check out our downloadable guide.

Prevention

The HPV Vaccine can lower the risk of cervical cancer by up to 88%. If you are in your 20s or have children, it is time to learn more about the HPV vaccine.

The post Beauty YouTuber Jessica Pettway, 36 Dies After Cervical Cancer Battle appeared first on Black Health Matters.

In her book, Dr. Harden Bradford has given us a contemplative roadmap that allows us to slow down, do some inner reflection, and learn from the insights so we can find healing, but it is an experience we can also do with our friends.

We discussed how our true sister-friendships add to our lives, allowing us to take off the masks we use as protection and be vulnerable. But our attachment styles (one of four ways we connect with our parents) also appear in our adult relationships and factor into our friendships. Helping us understand that we all approach relationships differently.

She also provides insight into friendship breakups and why they can be as devastating as relationships ending. And how to have a productive conversation with a friend who seems to make everything about her.

Finding a therapist can be challenging. Dr Harden Bradford tells us when we might be ready to explore therapy. She gives us some keys to navigating the process and empowers us to feel no obligation to stay with a therapist who doesn’t work for us. And gives us some realistic ways to navigate our progress.

She also believes that we shouldn’t shy away from group therapy. One reason is that the hurts we experience are often within our community, and we should use community to heal. Often, we think we are alone with our challenges, but the experiences of others can offer us new insights.

She delves into how and why the bonds between Black women have cultural, historical, and emotional significance.

Listen to our full chat here.

The post Dr. Joy Harden Bradford on Sisterhood, Healing and The Power of Community appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“The researchers used CRISPR/Cas 9-based genome editing to generate RCC models lacking common tumor suppressor genes. They then targeted cell cycle regulator genes to mimic common chromosomal abnormality associated with metastatic RCC in humans, leading to a phenotype consistent with the human disease. This is the first immunocompetent somatic mosaic model for metastatic RCC, meaning the model accumulates different mutations that result in uncontrolled cell growth but still maintains a functional immune system.”

What Did They Find?

The team found that losing a cluster of genes called “interferon receptors” lessens the stability of chromosomes, setting up an environment that makes kidney cancer more treatment-resistant. The goal is to help scientists identify which genes in a patient have the potential to become more aggressive.

These findings are significant because while most patients with renal cell carcinoma are effectively treated through surgery, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy (or a combination of them), one-third of those diagnosed will see their disease progress and metastasize.

How Does This Impact the Black Community?

The American Cancer Society predicts that more than 81,000 people will be diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2024. More than half of them will be men. But in our community, we are twice as likely to receive a kidney cancer diagnosis, and there is less likelihood of survival for us. There are several factors impacting that. Risk factors for the disease increase if we smoke, are clinically obese, and have high blood pressure.

Plus, socioeconomic factors may limit access to the treatment we need. A review published in the Kidney Cancer Journal discusses disparities in treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These contributing factors limit the chances that we have the opportunity to undergo surgical nephrectomy, the best early-stage RCC intervention for the disease. They include:

• Unaffordability of discharge medications
• Lack of income
• Lack of insurance coverage
• Unequal access to quality care
• Attitudes toward surgery

That means there is a higher chance of kidney cancer in our community to be diagnosed later and potentially become treatment-resistant.

So, studies like the one at MD Anderson could potentially affect our future RCC survival rates.

The post Can Gene Editing Technology Detect Aggressive Kidney Cancer? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Sienna Naturals

You may be familiar with Sienna Natural because founder Hannah Diop’s partner in this clean haircare brand is actress, producer, and woman who roots for Everybody Black, Issa Rae. But this line should not be confused with a celebrity haircare brand. But its Rooted Technology, a clean approach to chemistry and formulation, makes this brand worth exploring. We love that you can shop by hair needs (dryness, hair loss, definition, or damage) or by individual products. All their offerings, including the Daily Elixir Scalp Oil, $28,  are responsibly sourced, vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatology-tested.

Rebundle

We love protective styles, but many of us have reactions to the synthetic braiding hair we are using, from itching to breakouts. Rinsing braiding hair with apple cider vinegar has been the go-to, but another option exists. And where is all that hair going when we are done? Enter Rebundle, founded by Ciara Imani, who has created the braidbetter solution created with ReGen Hair Fiber “using repurposed biopolymers, which makes it 97 percent biobased, earning the USDA’s Certified Biobased Product label.” This alternative is better for the scalp. Their line is available in Earth Tones and Sun Tones (our fave) for $45. They have a recycling program, and they accept any hair that isn’t attached to a weft.

People of Color Nail Polish

Jacqueline Carrington, founder of People of Color Nail Polish, created shades that look great on our skin tones. One of her goals was to change the narrative of what she saw growing up and nail visuals that never reflected us. So, she has created shades with a range of brown skin tones in mind that are non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free in shades, including Brown Sugar Babe, Geechee Blue, and Mother of Earth, which cost $12.

Marie Hunter Beauty

It took five years for Marie Hunter Beauty’s founder, KeNisha Ruff, to find the ethically sourced ingredients she needed to design her line, which includes lipsticks, skincare, haircare, home fragrance, and leather goods. Her Matte Lipsticks,$40,  for example, are formulated with moisturizing oils like Argan, Olive, Grapeseed, Meadowfoam, Camelina, Murumuru, plus Mango and Shea Butter, to help deliver long-lasting color without drying the lips out.

SkinMuse

When you want a taste of luxury, look at SkinMuse, which blends West African beauty practices and rich ingredients to create products that help you create your skin ritual. The founder, Ezinne Iroanaya, has created a line that blends luxurious benefits with clean beauty and a beauty-first ethos. Her Devine Body Oil, $50, is made with  Egyptian Honey, Moroccan Oil, Rosehip Oil, and Vitamin E. It moisturizes the skin while a soft, powdery scent lingers.

The post 5 Black-Owned Clean Beauty Brands To Cover You From Head to Toe appeared first on Black Health Matters.

1. Your World May Feel Like Its Crashing

After receiving a diagnosis, you might not know what you need immediately. But it is critical to allow yourself to acknowledge your feelings, whatever they are. When you are at your doctor’s office, they speak a foreign language. One survivor will never forget what her OBGYN, Ketly Michel, MD, told her, “We lost a battle, but we are going to win the war.” Her doctor’s words gave her confidence that someone had her back.

2. Remember Your Oncologist is a Scientist

But when it comes to your breast cancer treatment, you want the best scientist. An oncologist may speak with you in an unfamiliar way. But those who have been there believe they will give you the best course of treatment and have your best interests at heart–even if they don’t give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. That doesn’t mean you should accept rude behavior; they should be willing to explain things you need clarification on. As Black women dealing with the medical establishment, we want to ensure our voice is heard. Look for someone who takes you into their office and sits down for a lengthy conversation.

3. Don’t Go Down the Google Rabbit Hole

One survivor mentioned that she lost a lot of sleep Googling every term and drug name. She said it is not unusual to hear 50 terms in three weeks, which can become overwhelming. She decided to be aware and decided against overloading herself. At some point, she decided it was necessary to concentrate more on healing than understanding every term.

4. Know Your Stage, the Proposed Treatment Protocol, and the Side Effects

You must understand what is going to happen to your body, especially when it comes to drugs prescribed for chemotherapy or radiation. You may know that hair loss is possible, but what about fingers and toenails turning black, for example? Or your nails are falling off altogether. Even with hair loss, you might want a wig that works for you before chemotherapy begins instead of waiting until your hair falls out in clumps. One woman shared that hers fell out in the bowl at the hair salon a few weeks after she started chemotherapy, which traumatized her and her hairstylist.

5. Don’t Expect to Feel or Look Like Your Pre-Cancer Self During This Process

Your skin texture might change with dry skin, acne, or rashes. It may also get sensitive and itch because of your treatments. The treated skin may become darker or lighter during radiation, peel, or turn red. You also may become physically or emotionally exhausted. Don’t expect to have chemotherapy and run five miles afterward. You may be able to do it, but eventually, you will hit a wall. When you do, treat yourself with kindness.

6. Figure Out What Brings You Peace During the Process

The mental toll is tough when you hear a word associated with death, so it is essential to lean into faith or spiritual practices or explore talking with a therapist. Beyond that, it is okay to decide your needs minute-by-minute. For some patients, that may mean spending time with a trusted friend or family member during chemotherapy. For others, it might be better to listen to music or spend time alone for some quiet moments.

The post 6 Tips For Managing a Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment (From Those Who Have Been There) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?

According to The Mayo Clinic, ” Primary progressive aphasia (uh-FAY-huh) is a rare nervous system syndrome that affects the ability to communicate. People with it can have trouble expressing their thoughts and understanding or finding words.” According to their website, patients may exhibit symptoms before age 65, which is the case with Williams. The disease progresses gradually and worsens over time. Some people with primary progressive aphasia can lose the ability to speak and write. Her disease has not progressed to that point yet.

According to a statement by her representative to USA Today, “[Williams] can do many things for herself. She was involved in choosing the members of her care team. She was involved with and approved the statement released this morning.”

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Explained

The Alzheimer’s Association defines frontotemporal dementia as “a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears).” The nerve deterioration can impact behavior, personality, and difficulty producing or comprehending language. Her primary progressive aphasia is a result of the type of dementia she has been diagnosed with. Actor Bruce Willis also has FTD, and his family has shared updates on his health.

Where is Wendy Now?

The statement on Williams’ health also comes shortly after People’s cover story on the daytime and radio legend’s family sharing their perspectives on her struggles. The story also revealed that she was filming her documentary through last spring, and filming ended when she entered a facility to treat her cognitive issues in April 2023.

Wiliams has been under financial guardianship since 2022. According to the story, her legal guardian is the only one with unfettered access. But Williams is now in touch with her family and talks to them on the phone.

Williams is under the care of a team at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, one of the top medical research centers in the country. It has an Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorder Program. According to their website, “The Memory Disorders Program features healthcare professionals with extensive experience managing the full spectrum of cognitive and behavioral problems that can accompany degenerative brain disorders.” We hope that Williams is receiving the care she needs.

The post What We Know About Wendy Williams’ Health Diagnosis appeared first on Black Health Matters.

NBC reports that she was abandoned at birth at the University of Southern Nevada Hospital in Las Vegas. But Loren and Patricia Broadbent adopted her. As a child born with the disease, her willingness to share her story throughout her life educated so many about the disease. The Broadbents were the first Black family to discuss their journey publicly. She told Oprah that the most challenging part of living with the disease was watching people she loved die. In addition to Oprah, she appeared on 20/20, Good Morning America, and

Hydeia’s website states that her mission was “simply to inform & create dialogue around HIV/AIDS in our homes, communities, educational institutions & churches. My life’s mission is met in two folds: first, to use my life as a prevention tool for those who are HIV negative to make informed decisions to stay HIV negative, and also for those living with HIV/AIDS to find hope and inspiration not to allow HIV or AIDS to hold them back from living their best life.”

Hydeia was an advocate before medications were available. As she grew into adulthood, she urged us to take the disease and prevention seriously. She said, “I see so many people living recklessly. At what point do we get it? She said in an interview. “We have the tools here in the United States to have no more HIV infections, but yet we have new HIV infections every day.”

She shared publicly that living with the disease could be tough at times. Revealing that the disease impacted her both physically and mentally and discussed going to therapy. Yet she continued to advocate for those who had HIV/AIDS and educate those who were negative to remain so.

Throughout her life, Hydeai Broadbent made an impact on this earth. Because she shared her story, she has saved many lives. May she rest in eternal peace.

The post Hydeia Broadbent, The 39-Year-Old HIV/AIDS Activist Has Passed Away appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Brittne Babe – @brittnebabe

Wildly known for her toned legs and abs, Brittne’s workout routines are the pinnacle for becoming summertime-ready. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness model, so you know she has IT. Her Instagram and YouTube channels are filled with workout videos and photos of her in action—everything from the best plank exercises to the building strength ab workouts. You’ll be sure to lift and trim toward your body goals.

Follow her on Instagram or subscribe to her YouTube channel.

 E2M Fitness (Eager 2 Motivate Fitness)

Eager 2 Motivate Fitness (E2M Fitness), founded by Jeff Witherspoon, is not your traditional fitness content creator. E2M Fitness doesn’t just focus on the physical aspect of improving your body on the outside but also on the inside. Health and wellness are more than just about how we look; it is also about how we think about our bodies and what we consume. E2M Fitness does just that. They are all about helping you become the best version of yourself inside and out. E2M Fitness offers a variety of workouts, from HIIT to yoga, and even has a podcast where they discuss topics like mental health and body positivity. In addition, they run a virtual 8-week weight loss program through which more than one million pounds have been shed. Check out our podcast interview with Jeff Witherspoon here to learn more about their work.

You can follow E2M Fitness on Instagram or subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Nataleebfitness – @nataleebarnett_

Someone once said, “Thick thighs save lives”. This quote takes on a prophetic meaning when you see Natalee B’s fitness routine. She rose to social media fame with her ‘Savage Thicker Thighs Workout’ video. With over 2.4 million views, Natalee B Fitness has proven to be a go-to resource for helping girls gain more confidence in their bodies. Outside of being a fitness model and influencer, Natalee is the CEO and founder of The Girl Spot Gym, a women-only gym providing a safe space for women to get fit, minus the wandering eyes.

Follow NataleeB Fitness on Instagram @nataleebarnett_, and check out the Girl Spot Gym at thegirlspotgym.com.

Taliyah Joelle – @bodiedbytna

If you enjoy a slower pace to your workout routines, Taliyah Joelle is the fitness influencer you need to check out. On her YouTube channel, you will find beginner-friendly how-to videos that can simplify any workout. But just because her videos are easy to follow, that does not mean that they won’t make you sweat. She will show you how to build muscle and lose fat while prepping your weekly meals.

Follow Taliyah Joelle on Instagram @bodiedbytna.

Jeanette Jenkins – @msjeanettejenkins

Jeanette is a personal trainer and health coach with over 30 years of experience. Her at-home workout videos on Instagram are an excellent alternative for those who don’t have workout equipment inside their home. Jeanette has worked with celebrities such as Alicia Keyes and Nia Long. Jeanette will get you more than just fit; she also delivers a dose of wisdom about health and fitness. She is the author of “The Hollywood Trainer Weight-Loss Plan: 21 Days to Make Healthy Living a Lifetime Habit”. She has a variety of programs for healthy eating and fitness. Follow her on Instagram @msjeanettejenkins.

The post Do You Need Fitness Motivation? Follow These 5 Black Influencers appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Ignoring the Warning Signs

Looking back to the circumstances that led to his heart attack, Weekes realized that there were warning signs along the way he chose to ignore. Two of them occurred when he was at a Veteran’s Administration (VA) Hospital. “I overheard a doctor telling one of his colleagues, ‘I don’t feel comfortable doing this procedure.’ I wondered what he says talking about,” Weekes says. “Another time, I was doing an assessment at the VA before receiving treatment for a back injury, and after the assessment, the technician suggested I go to the ER. But she didn’t tell me why, so her advice didn’t move the needle for me.” Instead, Weekes got in his car and went home.

But Weekes, almost 60, has not always neglected his health. He was a combat veteran who served in the Gulf War and was active while serving in Desert Storm. He was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. “In the Navy, my activities were great, but once I got out, I didn’t keep any of it up,” he says. “Then I moved to Charlotte and started eating whatever I wanted and didn’t pay attention to my health.” Eventually, his weight increased to 293 pounds, and he wore a size 54 suit. “I thought I was still fly,” Weekes says.

“I Think I Am Having a Heart Attack”

He was back in New York City studying Exhibition Design at FIT when he was advised to go to the ER. That was on a Tuesday. Two days later, he was putting on a pair of compression socks and felt a pain in his chest, but it subsided in ten seconds. He was scheduled for a portfolio review at school that Saturday and concentrated on preparing for that. The pain began again, but this time it didn’t go away. He tried to get comfortable in his chair and pressed on with the review. But while conversing with his professor, the dean of the department, taking them through his design choices and process, Weekes fell to his knees. But he got up and kept going, still feeling the pain. “Something said, ‘You need to get up and get help.’ But I didn’t call anyone; it took me forever to walk up a flight over stairs, then I sat in the auditorium for 20 minutes with an alarm going off in my head,” he recalls. “I walked down this long corridor and saw a security guard and said, ‘I think I am having a heart attack.”

Seven Medications for Life?

His cardiologists prescribed seven different medications. “I knew nothing about meds, their side effects, and how they interacted. I just knew seven wouldn’t work for me for life,” he says.”I wanted to figure out what I could do holistically.” Weekes went to the grocery to get everything green–an apple. mint, parsley, cucumber, kale, spinach, plus a pineapple for sweetness.

“That was the juice, the concoction I made that did it for me,” he explains. “I drank juice once daily, and my doctor noticed my numbers had changed drastically. I juiced for a whole year to get all my numbers down.”

Initially, juicing was something he did for himself. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, he began sharing with his friends what he did to maintain his health. In December 2020, he added a label on the bottles, and Cellful Organics, a cold press juice company, started getting attention. He started getting orders from people in New York City, had them delivered through an Uber, and eventually started shipping his products. Green Belly (his first recipe) was the foundation of the collection. He developed a line around it that would be visually appealing to consumers, which includes carrot-based, Good Morning Sunshine, Beet Better, Earth (kale, spinach, and Swiss chard), and nine others. He has also become a certified juice therapist.

A Lifestyle Shift

Weekes is no longer the friend to call to go for buffet outings. He mostly eats a plant-based diet and drinks plenty of water. He wakes at four and is at the gym at 5 AM, then returns home for juice, prayer, and meditation.

“When people learned I had a heart attack, everyone came to see me. But not everyone made the lifestyle shift me,” he notes. ” But I will tell them to get there when they are ready.”

Cellful Organics’ line of juices is available via e-commerce. For more information, check out their website. Individual juices start at $10.99 and offer 1-day cleanses, weekly packages, 3-day detox programs, and subscriptions.

The post Alton Weekes: From Heart Attack to Health-Focused Entrepreneur appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A recent report from McKinsey called The State of Black Resident’s Report examines where we live and the factors that improve or impede our economic prospects. According to their research, 30% of us live in twelve megacities (urban centers), 7% of us live in high-growth hubs (think Austin, Charlotte, Minneapolis, and Silicon Valley), 12% of us reside in the suburbs, and 19% make our homes in what is categorized as stable cities (Jacksonville, Cincinnati, St. Louis) and independent economies (like Lancaster, PA and Winston-Salem, North Carolina).

According to McKinsey’s findings, “Black outcomes are generally better in suburban and high-growth areas where Black residents are underrepresented.”

Why is this the case, you might ask?

Across the U.S., suburban neighborhoods have the highest overall Black outcome scores. These areas are reported to be the top indicator of the critical metrics, “such as median household income ($79,000), workers in management roles (36 percent), life expectancy (78 years), and bachelor’s degree attainment (29 percent).” However, only 52% of Black suburban dwellers own their homes compared to 62% of white residents.

Coming in second are high-growth hubs like Seattle, Las Vegas, and Silicon Valley, where few live. But while there is great potential there, our underrepresentation in tech jobs and the high cost of living, including exorbitant housing, makes it a less financially stable option for us.

Interestingly, we outearn our peers nationally when we live in megacities. When we chose these urban and urban-adjacent areas, we faced longer commutes and high housing costs. And we are paid “roughly 60 percent of what white megacity residents do.”

For all our communities to reach the same economic outcomes as those living in suburban communities would take 10 to 30 years.

Where has the Black population decreased in the past decade?

“Over the past decade, the Black population declined in large cities and rural counties while growing in the suburbs,” according to McKinsey. This type of movement is something that has been happening for decades. The Black population has been moving out of urban areas and into the suburbs since the 1960s when the Civil Rights Movement began to dismantle segregation laws. This shift was accelerated by white flight from cities in response to desegregation efforts.

Despite moving from urban cities to the suburbs, “Less than 0.1 percent of the Black population lives in a county close to parity.”

This research reminds us that the racial wealth gap is not just an issue of income inequality but also one of opportunity. It is essential to recognize that our community faces unique challenges in our pursuit of economic mobility, and it is critical to address those challenges head-on. Without change, the report indicates it would take 300 years for all the communities we live in to reach parity with our white counterparts.

The post Cities or Suburbs: Where Do We Thrive Economically? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Georgia Dunston, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Founding Director of the National Human Genome Center at Howard University

A pioneer among Black genetic researchers, Dr. Georgia Dunston, received her doctorate in human genetics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in the 1970s. While doing a post-doctorate research assignment, she collaborated with a noted scientist from the Human Genome Project on a study that examined how Type 2 diabetes manifested in West Africans compared to patients in Finland. Dunston also sought to understand what made people different and focused on populations from Africa because of the vast genetic variations. What fueled her research was to better understand the challenges African Americans face with organ transplants, diabetes, asthma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. She helped bring national and international research collaborations that examined the diseases impacting us to Howard University.

Rick Kittles, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Research, Morehouse School of Medicine

Dr. Rick Kittles is a biologist, geneticist, and health equity expert. He directed the African American Hereditary Prostate Cancer Study Network at Howard University’s National Human Genome Center. He also held positions at Ohio State University and the University of Illinois, Chicago. At the City of Hope in Duarte, California, Kittles was the founding director of the Division of Health Equities in the Department of Population Sciences and associate director of Health Equities in the Cancer Center. He focuses his research on prostate cancer and the intersection of race, Ancestry, genetics, and health disparities. He actively advocates for Black representation and participation in clinical trials and research. Kittles is also the co-founder of African Ancestry, a DNA testing company for us by us.

Jenina Jeff, Ph.D., M.S., Staff Bioinformatics Scientist at Illumina

Dr. Janina Jeff is a self-described population geneticist. She focuses on underrepresented populations studying the human genome to develop technology that predicts and develops disease treatments. “Think of your genome like a recipe, providing the instructions to your body to carry out the necessary functions for your survival,” she explains. “It can also describe some of the traits you were born with that make you uniquely you!” She notes that population geneticists combine their knowledge of genetics with computer science to create tools, like genotyping, that sort through genetic recipes faster. Jeff uses technology to predict and develop potential disease treatments in underrepresented communities. She also makes genetics more accessible as the host of In Those Genes, described as”A hip-hop-inspired podcast that uses genetics to uncover the lost identities of African-descended Americans through the lens of Black culture.”

Hadiyah-Nicole Green, Ph.D., Founder Ora Lee Cancer Foundation

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green is one of the first Black women to earn a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is already one of our country’s leading medical physicists. She has expertise “at the intersection of nanotechnology, immunotherapy, and precision medicine.” She has already developed a groundbreaking treatment that uses nanotechnology and lasers to kill cancer in mice in 15 days. She founded the Ora Lee Cancer Foundation, a 501c3 organization so that she could raise funds to begin human trials to test her discovery and make the treatment affordable.

The post 4 Black Scientists Using Genetics and Technology to Improve Our Future Health Outcomes appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What makes this book a standout read is that he meets his readers where they are and doesn’t prescribe that they walk his exact path but instead find what works best for them. It is divided into four sections: The Food, The Body, The Mind, and the Soul, which represent dimensions of self-care—physical, mental, soul, and community. In each part, he gives us access to the experts who have been integral to his evolution—an integrative medical doctor, a chef, a personal trainer, a therapist, and a pastor.

In The Food section, for example, he writes about how our elders prepared our foods in certain ways because there weren’t many choices available. And we now have to unlearn the things that were passed down because they were a means of survival. We are surrounded by processed food, whereas our ancestors were closer to the land. And he reminds us, “Factory food is designed to make money, not create health.” But he cautions us not to expect overnight success. Real change can take years.

In The Body section, he advises us to approach fitness with the idea that improvement is possible instead of seeking perfection. And the importance of being present in our bodies, loving them as they change, and embracing their flaws.

In The Mind section, Common shares how Muhammad Ali’s theory of self-belief crystallized for him, helping him understand the difference between bragging and self-appreciation.

In The Soul section, he shares the spiritual practices that keep him grounded.

Peppered throughout are actionable tips that can start the reader on their path to wellness, including recipes, a workout plan (complete with a playlist), and a set of questions to ask ourselves.

The post Common Wants Us to Put Self-Care into Action appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Your healthcare provider may have referred you to physical therapy if the pain was acute. But now, stretch therapy studios are popping up nationwide to help those who need to improve flexibility and mobility. We talked to Michael Okech, co-founder of New York Stretch, about the value of stretch therapy and how it can improve the quality of our lives as we age.

 Stretching Essential for Good Health

Our day-to-day aches and pains, including shoulder and neck discomfort and lower back pain, impact our mobility. Okech, a Postural Restoration practitioner, says, “When you don’t have good mobility, you can’t move well. It can decrease the quality of your workouts. reduce your activity levels and affect your cardiovascular health and blood sugar,” he explains. “In our sessions, we work on increasing joint mobility and improving tissue health.”

Decreased mobility also increases the physical signs of aging. “Mobility is a big marker for age. The key things that I look at are cardiovascular health, mobility, and muscle and bone density,” he says. “But if someone moves well, you probably will think they are younger.”

When We Don’t Have Good Mobility, We Compensate in Other Ways

The areas most needing stretching are the lower back, hips, neck, and shoulders, which sometimes causes migraines. But Okech points out that when there’s dysfunctional movement elsewhere, you tend to compensate by using your lower back.

But we often overlook our feet. “There’s a lot of tightness in the ankles and feet because we use them a lot,” he explains. “Wearing shoes and boots, especially in winter, will lock your feet and ankles. You get less sensation and strength.”

What to Expect During a Stretch Therapy Session

Stretch therapy is also known as table-based assisted stretching. You wear workout clothes for the session, but unlike physical therapy, this is a passive experience (you don’t do anything). Okech explains that practitioners start with an assessment with the client on their back. They look at their client’s range of motion. Then, they measure what they see versus how their clients describe their feelings and restrictions before beginning the session, which could last up to one hour.

Okech says stretch therapists use certain principles or techniques during the session:

• Traction, which involves pulling on the body to create joint space. It calms the nervous system and prepares the body to relax.
• Oscillation Shaking is another technique that calms the body.
• Circumduction moves the limb in circular patterns, which gets the joints to relax further.
• Full-body three-dimensional stretch.

“When I say three-dimensional, we’re looking at every range of movement,” Okech explains. “We view the body as a spiral. We are trying to unwind it and get the tissue to almost massage itself.”

One Session Won’t Get You Lasting Results

Okech notes that stretch therapy is like working out or making nutritional changes to your diet. It is a long-term, continuous wellness practice. How often you want to do it could depend on your age and willingness to supplement the assisted stretching with at-home practices. So, while stretch therapy sessions are passive, you must do the homework.

“For the work to stick, you must do a lot on your own,” he says. “The goal is to build your own program.”

But if you are looking for a place to start before you get to assisted stretching, Okech recommends walking as a starting point to improve function. “We’re born to walk and run,” he says. “It’s simple, it’s cheap, it’s free. The more you move, the more range of motion you have.”

The post 4 Things You Should Know About Stretch Therapy appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The American Cancer Society says prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. The prostate is a gland found only in males. It makes some of the fluid that is part of semen. When the cancer has not spread outside of the prostate, it is localized. When it has spread to lymph nodes and surrounding areas, it is categorized as regional, and if it has reached the lungs, bones, or liver, it is a distant stage.

It is the second leading cause of death among American men. However, African American men and Caribbean men of African descent have higher risks. Men in our community are 1.7 more likely to develop prostate cancer and also 2.1 times more likely to die from it. And like many other cancers that impact us, there is a higher chance that they might be diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease.

Dexter King received his diagnosis at a younger age than most men. 60% of men are diagnosed at 65 or older. Even when Black men are diagnosed early, however, they may not receive treatment, a recent study reported. Researchers analyzed more than 300,000 patients with localized prostate cancer and found that Black men were 27% less likely to receive treatment (radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, or cryotherapy) than white patients.

It is imperative that we encourage the men in our lives to get screened for prostate cancer annually. The Prostate-Specific Antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by normal and malignant prostate gland cells. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood, and the level will be elevated in men with prostate cancer.

While the screening age is 50, Black men should begin getting screened at 45, especially if they have a father or brother who was diagnosed with the disease before age 65. If he has had more than one first-degree relative diagnosed, then screening should begin at 40.

Possible symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Blood in the urine or semen.
• Back pain, pelvis pain, or hip pain.
• Difficulty getting or keeping an erection.
• Unexplained weight loss.

For more information on prostate cancer risks, diagnosis, and treatment, check out the following:

Prostate Cancer in the Black Community

50 Questions to Ask Your Doctor If You Have a Family Has History of Prostate Cancer

As we mourn the loss of Dexter Scott King, let’s also take this as an opportunity to encourage Black men to take their health seriously.

The post Dexter Scott King Died of Prostate Cancer (Why it Disproportionately Impacts Black Men) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

She told the magazine, “I stopped taking all of my medication like five months ago,” Broadus reveals. “I’m just doing everything natural, all types of herbs, sea moss, teas. I started working out, drinking lots of water,” she adds. “So now I think my body’s like, okay, this is the new program, and she’s getting used to it.”

Lupus is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation, leading to permanent damage in the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, and brain, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Pain and aching in the muscles is common for those with lupus.

According to an article in the Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology, “Stroke is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).”

 Patients under the age of 50 with SLE have up to a tenfold risk of stroke. For some people, a stroke may be the first time they discover a lupus diagnosis.

 

In addition, a study presented at the American College of Rheumatology a few years ago looked at 336 lupus patients in Georgia; 75% of them were Black, 87% were female, and most received a much later diagnosis than Broadus, with an average age of 40. They discovered 38 stroke-related and 25 ischemic heart-related events or deaths among them. These health issues occurred between two and 14 years after being diagnosed. Broadus was diagnosed 18 years ago.

“Ninety percent of strokes occurred in Black patients (with the peak number occurring in the second year after a lupus diagnosis),” according to CreakyJoints.org. While most of those who had a stroke were older than Broadus, 78% of those who did were women.

If you have been diagnosed with lupus, you must talk to your doctor about stroke risks, no matter what your age. In addition, we should all be aware of the signs of stroke. According to stroke.org, they are as follows:

• F— Face Drooping (Does one side droop or numb?)
• A—Arm Weakness (Is one arm weak or numb?)
• S—Speech Difficulty (Is your speech slurred?)
• T—Time to Call 911 (Act fast and also take note of the time symptoms began)

Additional symptoms include numbness, confusion, trouble seeing or walking, and a severe headache.

The post Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s Daughter, Suffered a Stroke at 24 (How Having Lupus Factors In) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Data informs everything, even how our health and diseases will be treated in the future. But if our community is not actively involved in the research, the likelihood of drugs and treatments not working as well for us could continue to be a reality. It’s not surprising that talk about research is met with skepticism by many Black people; the Tuskeegee experiment and other medical crimes loom large in our minds. However, an ambitious partnership between an HBCU, Meharry Medical College, and a group of pharmaceutical companies—Regeneron, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, and Roche—called Together for CHANGE holds promise for us. “Changing Healthcare for People of African Ancestry through an InterNational Genomics and Equity” is the mission.

Through this project, they seek to build the first-ever reference genome of 500,000 people of African ancestry and provide resources for underrepresented students to pursue STEM careers.

 Why is this important?

James E. K. Hildreth, MD, Ph.D., President and CEO of Meharry Medical College, explains that breakthroughs in gene sequencing are the key. A genome is a complete set of genetic material in a cell or organism. “The basis for diseases and interventions for diseases will be based on what we learn from the genome,” he explains.

Here’s the backstory. It took a decade to sequence the first genome in 2003, cost $2 billion, and involved 2,000 scientists. With artificial intelligence (AI) in the mix, it can be accomplished in a matter of hours for $1,000. “Thousands of genomes have now been sequenced, but only 1 in 100 come from people with African ancestry,” Dr. Hildreth explains. “We have large datasets (from the sequencing) to which we can apply AI and data science tools to find new drugs and interventions. If we are not represented in the data, we will not benefit from these powerful new tools.”

 as we move forward to some exciting times in medicine, the goal is that all of us benefit from the new insights, not just white people.

Dr. Hildreth explained that there is now a considerable effort to get us to participate in clinical trials because the scientific community learned that while some drugs work well for patients of European ancestry, they don’t work for us at all. But they didn’t know this because we hadn’t participated in the trials. “The same thing could happen with the use of genomic data if we are not included,” he says.

Lyndon J. Mitnaul, Ph.D., Executive Director of Research Initiatives at Regeneron Genetics Center, one of the pharmaceutical partners in this project, has spent the last decade at his company working on genomic research. “We knew there’s a lack of knowledge of African ancestry genomic information in the databases we’re studying. And we also knew that there is a lack of Black professionals in STEM careers,’ he says. During the social justice movement that resulted from the death of George Floyd, Regeneron wanted to make a substantive difference instead of doing something performative. They decided to incorporate their specialization, their genetic research machine. “We built the skillset and the capacity to sequence. Why don’t we apply that knowledge to the Black community to train more scientists and build a data depository where these scientists can study to help establish their careers and, at the same time, address health disparities within their community?” Dr. Mintaul explains.

Because of the historic issues between our community and inequitable practices, the companies involved have designed this initiative with some built-in protections. The pharmaceutical companies won’t be directly involved. Instead, the governing body will be a new nonprofit called the Diaspora Human Genomics Institute (DHGI). The data collected will be secured and managed by DHGI to ensure the integrity and transparency of all activities undertaken under this initiative.

All the data will be scrubbed of identifying information, so not even DHGI will know whose data they have. They also instituted an ethics committee, which Dr. Rueben C. Warren, a respected expert in Bioethics from Tuskegee University, leads.

The HBCU Connection

One of the things that is exciting about this initiative is the connection to Meharry Medical College. One of the oldest and largest historically Black academic health science centers in the country was chosen as the academic convener of this project. And its students will be integral to this project. We will be generating scientists, physicians, and genetic counselors from minority communities,” Hildreth points out. “They will be at the table, in the rooms, when discoveries and breakthroughs occur. We’re also starting the first human genetic counseling at an HBCU.”

Currently, less than 5% of researchers are Black. Dr. Hildreth points out that the normal progression to becoming a researcher is obtaining an undergraduate degree, graduate school, and a Ph.D.; you become a postdoctoral fellow and rise to become a faculty member. For white students, there is no drop-off between those steps. In minority communities, we start pursuing undergraduate degrees. However, fewer of us get graduate degrees, and fewer still get to become postdoctoral fellows and faculty members because there is a drop-off in our pipeline. One of the ways they plan to counter that is to engage students early on in K-12 to make science less intimidating.

The plan includes giving students and scientists from all 107 HBCUs an opportunity to do genomic research.

Dr. Mitnaul adds that a grant for a DNA Learning Center on the school’s campus is also included. “We’re doing this because we see an opportunity to make a difference. And, at the same time, advance science by creating more diversity in genetics.”

How Can This Help Black Folks in the Future?

One of the things that Dr. Hildreth is looking forward to is collaborating with scientists in Africa. “There are going to be people in Africa who have very similar gene genomes to African Americans in the United States. This will allow us to study the influence of environment, diet, and other factors on our health,” he says. Through this assessment, they will see the difference in the susceptibility to disease and isolate the differentiators.

Dr. Mitnaul hopes that the safeguards they have put in place will help counter the existing mistrust. “If we don’t change that, we are the ones who will get hurt. What if a BRCA mutation is different from the one we know about now?” he asks. That kind of research could be vital to understanding why Black women are diagnosed more often with triple-negative breast cancer, for example.

But what excites Dr. Hildrath most is the possibility of changing the narrative regarding the Black community’s access to technology that could improve our health and the quality of our lives. “Every time there is a technological leap forward, we are on the outside looking in,” he says.

“Artificial intelligence and its potential to do harm or good overshadows anything that has come before it. We want to ensure that when AI is applied to genomics, it will allow us to answer questions we’ve never been able to. “

He uses sickle cell anemia as an example. A single mutation causes it. However, other diseases have multiple mutations, and because the genome is so large, human brainpower alone wouldn’t be able to tackle it, but machine learning is a game-changer.

Dr. Hildrath says, “I want to make sure we are part of both the data and the people researching the data, particularly regarding AI. Because when humans are involved in anything, consciously or unconsciously, bias can enter it.”

The post Does the Future Of Black Health Involve AI and Genome Sequencing? Yes, Here’s Why It Matters appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We asked Shenelle Mays-Smith, a makeup artist and skincare expert, to guide us on when to toss our makeup. “It is important to keep track of how old your cosmetics are because you are putting these products on your skin, which is our largest organ,” she explains. “And we are applying makeup near our mouths and eyes that secrete fluids, so we must be hygienic and sanitary.”

Your products can be compromised by how you use and store them. For example, if you dip your fingers into a product, preservatives guard against microorganisms for only so long before bacteria and fungi grow. And if you are storing your beauty stash in the bathroom, the moisture accelerates bacteria growth. In addition, expired products may clog pores and trigger breakouts.

Check out her advice below and some picks of products you might want to add this year.

Eye Products

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsie Mascara, $7.99

This category includes mascara, eyeliner (pencils and liquid), and eyeshadow (powder, cream, and liquid).

Mascara

“When you pump your mascara wand before applying it, you pump in air and bacteria,” Mays-Smith explains. It is safe to use for up to three months. But you can also tell it’s time to replace it when the product clumps.

Eyeliner

Mays-Smith points out that liquid and gel eyeliners have a shelf life similar to mascara, even if they are retractable. Replace it after two to three months. “Eyeliner pencils are different because we sharpen them. Each time we do, we are revealing a new product.” Are you sharpening your pencils? Mays-Smith says you don’t have to do it with each use, but you should do it often.

Eyeshadow

Cream eyeshadow lasts three to six months. Since it is often applied with the fingertips, please wash your hands before using it, or bacteria may grow on it over time. Powder eyeshadow has more longevity than other eye products. It can last a year or more. But if the product is cracked or falling apart, or you have had an eye infection, replace it.

Naja Hall Peacock Paint Cool Night Duochrome Shadow, $34

Face

This category includes foundations (liquid, stick, cream, and cream to powder), Concealer, and Powder.

Foundation

Water-based liquid foundations can last up to a year. Cream-based stick foundations have a similar shelf life. But if your product contains organic ingredients, May-Smith says it may be good for three to six months if you keep it refrigerated.

Oil-based formulas last a little longer, up to 18 months. The product may separate between uses, but if the formula doesn’t reconstitute effortlessly, it is time to replace it. She says, “It’s like ketchup. If it is very watery at the top, toss it.”

According to Mays-Smith, packaging may impact the longevity of your face products. Squeeze tubes and pump bottles allow you to control how much of the product is applied, and there is less room for cross-contamination. Cream foundations are good for between six months and a year. She recommends keeping a pancake-style cream-to-powder foundation for no longer than a year. “It can go rancid and oxidize on the skin (changing how the product appears),” Mays-Smith says.

Loose powder has one of the best shelf lives because it is oil-free and is packaged with a sifter top that reduces contamination. They can be good up to two years from opening. Pressed powder can also last a year or more, but if it cracks and crumbles before that, toss it.

How long you can keep a concealer depends on its formula. Cream concealers last three to six months; liquid concealers can last up to a year, and powder concealers last even longer.

Cheeks

How often you replace your blush depends on its formulation, Mays-Smith points out. Like a cream-based foundation, replace your cream blush every six months to a year. Depending on your hygienic practices, powder blushes can last a year, maybe more. The only caveat is blushes and highlighters that contain glitter, light-reflecting particles. She suggests tossing them when you see a film or it starts to separate and doesn’t come back together quickly.

 Lips

If you want to know if your lipstick is still good, smell it, according to Mays-Smith. “Lipsticks get a waxy smell when they are going bad, like crayons,” she explains. “The color won’t go as smoothly, and its texture may change too.”

Lipglosses are suitable for a year, maybe longer. But formulation matters here, too; if your matte lipgloss starts to dry out, it is time to toss it.

Brushes

You can tell your brushes need to be replaced by looking at them. Are the hairs of the brushes coming out? Are the bristles stiff or mishappen? But Mays-Smith says a tell-tale sign is when there is soot on the color you are trying to apply because the previous product altered the brush hairs. Washing your brushes weekly with Dial Antibacterial soap is the best way to keep them in tip-top shape.

Keep Your Makeup Clean

Mays-Smith suggests adding this simple routine to keep your make safe and bacterial-free. Once a week, spray your eyeshadow palettes, powders, blush, and twist-top lipsticks with 75% alcohol and let them dry.

The post Check Your Makeup Bag: What Cosmetics Should You Keep or Toss? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

How do you think knowledge of cervical and its treatment have changed?

Felder: We’re doing better than we were but are not where we should be. Sometimes, I feel like I’m not an expert, but I am because I have experienced the disease. I have my ear to the streets talking to patients.

But the biggest problem I see is  Black women are still falling through the cracks.

Women of color across the board are being overlooked, but Black women are falling through the cracks because:

1. We are diagnosed late.
2. Our follow-up isn’t good, whether it is on us or our medical team.

I can speak to that firsthand. I often say the only difference between me and someone else who looks like me who has been diagnosed is I had great insurance and a primary care doctor who found my cancer and woman-handled me to make sure I followed up.

I kept saying, “I don’t have cancer.” My father had died from cancer, and I thought I knew what it looked like. I got all of these second opinions. One of them, an older Black female doctor at Howard University Hospital, was the catalyst that led me to schedule my hysterectomy when she told me my cervix looked like chewed-up meat. I was mad when she said that, but I scheduled the surgery.

What is different today?

Felder: We have better tools. When I was diagnosed in 2001, we only had the PAP test. The HPV test came in 2003, and the vaccine in 2006. There is still a lot of controversy surrounding the HPV vaccine, but I wholeheartedly believe in it because I see too many people of every ethnicity die of cervical cancer.

But when I see someone who looks like me and is around the same age, I have survivor’s guilt because, unlike breast cancer and blood cancers, we should absolutely be winning the war. After all, we know the cause of most cervical cancers.

We have diagnostic screening tools to detect abnormal cells to ensure that if people are diagnosed, we can get them treated early, and we have a vaccine to prevent it in future generations.

What made you start Cervivor?

I was pissed off, I was sitting at my desk in the newsroom, and there was information about a breast cancer walk. I thought, where is the walk for cervical cancer? The doctors I saw for second opinions and the one who found my cancer kept saying they saw my situation all the time. How come I am not hearing about it? They told me women thought their husbands were cheating and vice versa. I saw the need for education. Patients weren’t talking about cervical cancer because it’s embarrassing. I saw that the disease had a marketing problem.

And I couldn’t stop talking about cervical cancer. Here we are decades later and still have to talk about it. I am a Black woman from South Carolina, you don’t tell all your business. But I am also a storyteller because I worked as a television producer for many years. I created a toolbox for telling your story and getting involved. I wasn’t the first person to talk about cervical cancer, but I was the first black woman to be vocal about the disease.

I am okay being the coochie cancer lady. That wasn’t my dream growing up, that this would be part of the legacy that I leave, but I own it now.

I thought my legacy wouldn’t be the lives I brought into the world. It was going to be the lives that I saved.

But a little over a year ago, your life changed when you and your husband became parents with the help of egg donation and surrogacy. How has your son Chayton impacted your work?

This baby has become a beacon of hope for people because it is another way to share my story. A woman sent me a message that I was her surrogacy mentor. And I said, “God, you have stirred up some stuff in me.” Who knew that becoming a mother would be the continuum?

One survivor said, “It’s like your story has come full circle.”

For me, that means my son won’t have to worry about HPV. My stepdaughter won’t have to worry about HPV-related cancers. And if someone is diagnosed with an HPV-related cancer, it’ll be something that they got, not something they did to themselves because it’s so common.

The post Tamika Felder On Cervical Cancer Survivorship, Motherhood & Leaving a Legacy appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Be Present.

Don’t worry about what you will say to your friend or family member. Start by showing up for them. She may or may not want to discuss their diagnosis, but follow her cues. If she wants to sit in silence, get comfortable with that. But begin by watching and listening to her.

Don’t Try to Be a Medical Expert. 

Once she has decided on a treatment plan, “don’t go to Dr. Google and tell them to drink all the garlic, oregano, oil, and other stuff,” Felder says. “I believe in that stuff, too. But I also believe in chemo, radiation, and all that. When an individual decides how they want to be treated, and it really is their decision, you have to support it as a loved one.”

Take Her to a Rage Room (or Set One Up Yourself).

She may be feeling angry and helpless after receiving a cancer diagnosis. Allow her to express her frustration by booking a rage room. In these rooms, participants (who wear protective goggles, gloves, and a hard hat) get to express their anger by smashing, breaking, and crushing everything in the area for between 15 and 20 minutes (price varies based on the number of people). You can also set up a spot in your backyard with items she can break, protective gear, and a baseball bat. It won’t solve all her woes, but it will provide a cathartic release.

Set Up a Meal Train. 

Food may be the last thing she is thinking about when your friend or family is managing a cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment. But she must eat, and if she has children and a spouse/significant other, they could also benefit from a meal train. A meal train is now a technology-assisted version of what our community has been doing forever: providing food for those experiencing challenges. In this case, you can get together with her family and friends to organize meals for her during recovery and treatments. Two free sites that will help you get started are mealtrain.com and takethemameal.com.

Give Her PJs With a Purpose.

One of Felder’s favorite suggestions is KickIt Pajamas. The collections designed for cancer patients’ hospital stays, treatment, and recovery have functional elements like front wrap closures, snap sleeves, and interior pockets and are made from soft cotton fabric. Choose from gowns, pajamas, capes, wraps and accessories.

Don’t Forget to Check On Your Strong Friend With Cancer.

Your girl, mom, or sibling may say she has everything under control but don’t assume that is the case. Make a habit of checking on her. She is used to doing it all, but you can look for ways to lighten her load with cleaning or laundry services, for example.

Know That Her Journey Continues After Treatment.

Cancer is a gift wrapped in barbed wire, a therapist once told Felder. “The gift is coming out on the other side, leaving you feeling like a worn puzzle piece. After you’ve played with the puzzle countless times, the pieces never fit together the same way,”  she explains. And once your loved one is finished with treatment, don’t assume everything will return to normal. “We’re done with treatment, but treatment isn’t done with us. It sometimes takes months to a year for the residual effects of that chemotherapy and radiation to be out of our bodies.” Your loved one may have secondary concerns, including GI issues, and move slower than she used to.

Please check out Cervivor.org for more support resources.

The post 7 Ways to Support A Loved One With Cervical Cancer (During & After) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

But what is screening these days? The American Cancer Society recommends the first screening (and HPV test) at age 25. It also recommends a primary HPV test* every five years up to age 65. If primary HPV testing is unavailable, a co-test that combines an HPV test with a Papanicolaou (Pap) test every five years or a Pap test alone every three years. This is important for you to understand because women with SLE have a higher incidence of genital infection.

A study by J. Patricia Dhar, M.D., a Clinical Professor of Medicine and a rheumatologist at Wayne State University, used a self-sampling brush to collect cell samples for HPV screenings. The cells were tested for HPV genetic information, gene activation of local inflammatory factors, or cytokines, in the vagina, and cervical cytopathology.

The results showed that 70% of the 30 study participants, all Black women, showed infection with HPV, and half of those showed multiple HPV types. Subjects also had a higher-than-expected frequency of abnormal pre-cancerous Pap smears.

In an interview, Dr.Dhar said, “I did expect they would have higher rates of HPV infection and abnormal Paps based on my experience, but I did not expect to see multiple HPV types, including new types that are just being identified as being high risk for cancer,” she explained. “It verified what I was trying to demonstrate – that this is a high-risk population and needs more monitoring for cervical health.”

So what does this mean for you?

1. Use condoms to prevent transmission of HPV.
2. Stay on top of cervical health screenings (gynecological examinations, Pap smears,  HPV screenings, or co-tests).
3. Get the HPV vaccine if you are eligible for it.

The post Are You a Black Women With Lupus? Why Cervical Cancer Screenings Are a Must appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Both of Collier’s parents had the trait, so he had a 25% chance of being born with the disease.

Earlier this month, when the FDA announced approval for Casgevy and Lyfgenia, two gene therapy treatments that target SCD, Collier was already aware of them because his hematologist thought he might be a good candidate, even though he is in his fifties. But he has adopted a wait-and-see attitude about these breakthroughs.

But Collier has seen many treatments throughout his life, including penicillin, folic acid, and hydroxyurea, to name a few. He spent much of his childhood in the hospital, starting with a splenectomy at six months old. “I came out of the womb with sickle cell anemia, but when I was practically living at the hospital, I knew my life was different,” he recalls. “I missed anywhere from a few weeks  to a few months of school because of a sickle cell crisis or episode.”

According to Johns Hopkins, a crisis occurs when blood flow is blocked to an area because the sickled cells have become stuck in the blood vessel. The pain can occur anywhere but most often in the chest, arms, and legs. Infants and young children may have painful swelling of the fingers and toes.

Collier explains that SCD impacts individual patients differently. Growing up in Chicago, being in cold air or water for too long could trigger a crisis. Yet he became a swimmer and a lifeguard in high school by developing preventative strategies that helped him avoid triggers.

Sickle Cell Disease Takes a Mental Toll

Twenty-four-year-old Amanda Christopher explains that having SCD is both a physical and psychological battle. As a child, she was bullied and labeled contagious by her peers at school. “Aside from the natural pain and suffering one goes through physically, the mental battle was the hardest to overcome. I truly know firsthand what it is like to feel trapped and tortured mentally and physically in your own body,” she says. “No one discussed the mental experiences sickle cell brings: depression, suicidal moments, and frequent hospital stays.”

Amanda Christopher sees her experiences with the disease as a blessing and curse because they have made her more compassionate toward other people’s struggles.

Karen Christopher, Amanda’s mother, opted to add a holistic approach to her daughter’s disease from an early age. “Having a child with SCD made us more health conscious in general. I never wanted Amanda to feel different,” she says. “My main objective was for Amanda to have a quality of life, which I felt the medical community alone could not offer her.” Collier took a similar tactic when he reached adulthood, altering his diet and lifestyle choices (no meat, dairy, or fried foods) and adding a holistic practitioner to his team of doctors. For the Christophers and Collier, holistic approaches have lessened their incidences of crises and hospitalization.

Amanda Christopher has concerns about these breakthroughs. “I am always happy to hear about medical advances within our community, but I would love a wider spectrum of natural treatments studied and offered on the same mainstream scale as other medications and procedures,” she says.

What You Should Know About the Gene Therapies?

How They Work

Casgevy, is made by Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics. It uses CRISPR/Cas9, a flexible and powerful gene-editing technique, to modify a person’s blood stem cells so that they produce fetal hemoglobin, a form of the oxygen-carrying protein that usually goes away shortly after birth. According to the FDA, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can prevent the sickling of red blood cells. At the same time, Lyfgenia therapy by Bluebird Bio Inc. takes a different tack. It uses a virus to slip a gene inside patients’ blood stem cells that allows them to produce healthy hemoglobin, and as a result, the crescent-shaped red blood cells don’t form.

There are about 100,000 people living with sickle cell disease in the United States. but only 20,000, who are 12 and older and are experiencing debilitating pain, may be eligible for these treatments.

These Therapies Take Time and Have a High Price Tag

The price tags for each of these treatments are pretty high. $2.2 million for Casgevy and $3.1 million for Lyfgenia. However, both companies estimate the lifetime cost of treatment for a patient with recurrent crises to be between four and six million dollars over their lifetime. “With one at just over $2 million and the other over $3 million, I wonder how [our community] will benefit. That’s a significant concern for me,” Collier notes. And FYI, these price tags mean distributing these treatments in Africa may be cost-prohibitive.

The process is also resource-extensive, requiring prolonged hospital stay and monitoring. It may take up to a year to complete. And there are some warnings. Like a bone marrow transplant, each of these new therapies requires ‘conditioning treatments,” which involve patients receiving several rounds of chemotherapy to wipe out their bone marrow (which makes their blood cells and platelets) in preparation for receiving the new cells created by these therapies.

However, the conditioning treatment may cause infertility, so egg retrieval options would need to be discussed, and insurance coverage varies for the process. And Lyfgenia does come with what is called a “black box warning” that it may cause blood cancer.

Then there is the question of coverage. Bluebird Bio has reported that it has already signed a large reimbursement deal and is also in discussions with 15 Medicaid agencies that cover 80% of SCD. Vertex estimates that many of the 16,000 eligible for their treatment are also covered by Medicaid.

They Are  Not Widely Available Yet

Only nine hospitals have been authorized to do Casgevy treatments (more are expected). Most of these locations are facilities focused on the treatment of children:

• Boston Medical Center
• Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
• City of Hope Children’s Cancer Center in Los Angeles
• Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas
• Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio
• The Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial in Nashville, Tenn.
• The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio
• University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital

Lyfgenia is set for commercial launch early next year and will be distributed at their qualified treatment centers, which will receive additional training.

However, a potential stumbling block is a lack of hematologists who treat adults. A 2019 study reported a shortage of classically trained hematologists who can treat patients transitioning out of pediatric care, especially in rural areas. And when it comes to sickle cell disease, more mentorship is also needed in the profession.

“Many of the treatments offered at the moment, including the CRISPR cure, are not monetarily accessible to the communities of people who need it,” Amanda Christopher says. “I want to see more compassion from medical professionals so that they can study the illness more humanely and find ways to treat us sicklers without further pain being involved. I feel the same way about other illnesses, such as cancer as well. It just takes the right group of scientists.”

Her mother notes that she has seen more television commercials and more research material readily available today on SCD. Karen Christopher says, “I am extremely happy that the medical community has finally given SCD the attention it has long needed, and the future of having SCD gives hope and a future to its patients.”

While Collier is unsure about how these new therapies will directly impact his SCD journey, he sees the potential for the people coming behind him. “Those who are maybe 10 or 20 years old, newborns that are going to be coming into this world and still have to deal with the disease,” he explains. “I am excited for them and their families because it can potentially change the trajectory of their lives from a health perspective. But as a patient that has been dealing with SCD for decades, I’ll wait and see.”

The post Breaking Down The New Sickle Cell Gene Therapies (And Reactions From SCD Patients) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Board-certified dermatologist Brooke Jackson, MD, of Skin Wellness Dermatology Associates in Durham, North Carolina, adds that when you want to start using them it depends on your particular skin concerns, which may change as you age. “Skin brighteners such as vitamin C can be started in the 20s.  Serums that target dry skin aging and discoloration may be started in the late 30s/40s,” she says. “Not all serums are created the same. Prices vary widely, as does efficacy, which is related to the formulation and the concentration of active ingredients.”

What is a serum, and when should it be applied?

Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Grace Kingdom Beauty, explains that we should consider serums as treatments. “A serum usually means it is a treatment loaded with active ingredients. It can come as a liquid, gel, or milk lotion,” she says.  It is richer than an essence or toner in viscosity, but because it is thinner than a lotion, it penetrates better and can use more active ingredients.” The lightweight formula makes them easily absorbed into the skin.

For those women who use a toner after cleansing their faces to remove residues, the next step should be to apply the serum. But when toner is not part of the regimen, serum should be applied after cleansing and before moisturizer or sunscreen. Dr. Jackson points out that serums are designed to spread easily on the face. Using one or two drops of the concentrated treatment is enough. Whether the serum is applied in the morning, at night, or both depends upon the formula’s active ingredients.

What are some of the key ingredients that are effective for specific conditions?

Many skincare companies utilize many of these ingredients to address specific conditions, but others will also develop proprietary solutions to address specific concerns.

Oiliness: Bell likes products containing hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, niacinamide, papaya, witch hazel, and retinol.

Dullness/Dryness: Dr. Jackson suggests looking for serums with Vitamin C, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid. In addition, King likes alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids. And Bell adds CoQ10, ceramides, retinol, green tea, and ferulic acid.

Fine Lines/Wrinkles: King suggests products with peptides. Dr. Jackson also likes products with retinol and its derivatives. Bell favors hyaluronic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, peptides, growth factors, green tea, ceramides, and ferulic acid.

Hyperpigmentation: Dr. Jackson suggests serums that contain niacinamide, vitamin C, and kojic acid. An additional ingredient that King prefers is licorice. While Bell also adds azelaic acid, arbutin, and green tea.

Mature Skin. Bell suggests hyaluronic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, peptides, ceramides, ferulic acid, green tea, alpha lipoic acid, and CoQ10. King says peptides and ceramides also work well. Dr. Jackson points out that bakuchiol, retinol, antioxidants, polyphenols, and reservatrol are also effective.

Sensitive Skin. Dr. Jackson says to look for serums with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Dr. Jackson says that it is important to note that some serums may irritate underlying conditions. “Layering or mixing serums can also cause irritation,” she explains. “Concentrated ingredients in serums can irritate skin. Be cautious when combining with other ingredients in your skincare regime, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription products.” Always consult your board-certified dermatologist for guidance.

12 Serums We Love

*Pholk Featherlight Cucumber SkinNectar, $30

Tula Sensitive Skin Calming Vitamin B Serum, $48

*BeautyStat Universal C Brightening Vitamin C Serum, $85

*Kadalys Pink Banana Glow Booster Serum, $90

*Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum, $68

*4.5.6 Skin Sevenly Delight Brightening Serum, $85

Korres Black Pine Scupt & Lift Serum, $65

Caudalie Reservatrol Lift Instant Firming Retinol Alternative Serum, $84 

Decorté Liposome Advanced Repair Serum, $75

*Caire Theorem ‘Serum Boost, $56, and Serum with Body Roller, $80

*Buttah Skin Retinol Sterling Silver Everlasting Oil, $49

*Absolute Joi Retinol Plus Vitamin C Skin Refining Night Oil, $64

(*Black-owned brands)

The post The BHM Guide to Facial Serums (Plus 12 We Love) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Lung cancer leads among all cancer deaths, with our community more likely to get the disease than any other racial group.

How Lung Cancer Risks Change After Quitting

But while kicking the habit is vital for our health and well-being, it doesn’t automatically eliminate the risk of contracting the disease. The Centers for Disease Control reports lung cancer risk drops by half 10 to 15 years after someone quits. But it is not until 20 years later that the chances of being diagnosed with the disease are closer to someone who never smoked. Even then, however, there is still a risk since 10 to 20% of lung cancer diagnoses occur in non-smokers or those who have smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. Besides smoking, other contributing factors include radon exposure and indoor and outdoor pollution.

The American Lung Association says that we are 15% less likely to be diagnosed early, 19% less likely to receive surgical treatment, 11% more likely not to get any treatment at all, and 16% less likely to reach the five-year survival mark compared to white patients.

Black men have a higher risk than Black women. They are 37% more likely to be diagnosed than a white man.

What Do Screenings Do?

There is no doubt that lung cancer screenings could reverse these statistics. The problem is we aren’t aware that screenings exist and that we may qualify for one. However, only 6% of the population is currently being screened. African Americans undergoing lung cancer screening with low-dose CT (computer tomography) experienced the most significant reduction in lung cancer mortality of any racial/ethnic group, according to a study conducted by The National Institute of Health. So it is essential to know what the qualifications for screening are:

• Age 50-80
• 20-pack-year-history (click here to figure out yours)
• You still smoke, or have you quit in the past 15 years

If this is you or a family member, talk to your healthcare provider about your screening eligibility.

The post Andre Braugher Died of Lung Cancer: How Do Your Risk Factors Change After You Quit Smoking? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Oprah isn’t alone. Last year, doctors wrote 9 million prescriptions for the medication. A one-month supply could cost up to $1,000 if it isn’t covered by insurance. Your physician sets the dosage amount, which may increase over time. When you are on these medications, you are responsible for the injections. And that is where some people have been reporting issues. Poison Centers nationwide are reporting a large uptick in calls by 1500%. Patients have called because of errors with dosing, taking the wrong amount, or accidentally double dosing.

Increased calls may be happening because people have turned to alternatives like Medispas and online sellers to get weight loss solutions at more affordable prices. However, the medications received may not be semiglutides, but a version containing semiglutide sodium, which the FDA hasn’t tested or approved as safe, or a compounded version with a dosage that hasn’t been approved.

Ozempic and Wegovy, prescribed by a medical professional, come in injectable pens with a dial to manage the dosage. With compounded versions, you may be given a glass vial and syringes. Patients have called the poison center when using the latter version when they have accidentally taken 10x of the recommended dosage.

Novo Nordisk, who manufacturers Ozempic, has taken legal action against illegal sellers, and the FDA has said, “Patients should only obtain drugs containing semaglutide with a prescription from a licensed health care provider, and only obtain medicines from state-licensed pharmacies or outsourcing facilities registered with FDA.” And has written letters to the National Association of Board of Pharmacies and Federation of State Medical Boards warning them about the compounded medicines.

And if you are already on the weight loss drug, know the signs of an overdose.

According to the Missouri Poison Center, signs of a semaglutide overdose include:

If you think you have overdosed on a weight loss drug,  call your local poison control center or the national hotline at 800-222-1222.

And, if you are considering one of these weight loss solutions, do your research, get your prescription from a doctor, and do not look for a hookup to save money.

The post Why Are People Taking Weight Loss Medicines Calling Poison Centers? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Researchers in London discovered that a specially designed meditation program enhanced the mental health of adults 65 and over. The study consisted of two nine-month modules, the first on mindfulness and the second on loving-kindness and compassion. Weekly group sessions and at-home practices supplemented these modules.

According to the researchers, those who completed the course “experienced considerable improvements in well-being, particularly in areas of awareness, connection, and insight.”

These improvements fostered a sense of calm, deep satisfaction, enhanced relationships, and a positive outlook.

How These Practices Can Help Our Community

We talked to Ananda Leeke, a Thriving Mindfully Coach and Human Design Doula, to better understand meditation, mindfulness,  loving kindness, and compassion and provide insight on how older adults, or any of us, can incorporate these practices into their lives. “Meditations is one of the greatest mindful self-care gifts you can give and receive. I define meditation as befriending your mind,” Leeke explains.

“It is an invitation to practice your birthright of mindfulness by paying attention to what’s happening in your mind, spirit, heart, body, and life.”

But what’s the difference between meditation and mindfulness?

Leeke explains that the two are connected. “Mindfulness is your birthright. It is the ability to be aware of what’s happening inside and outside yourself,” she explains. “It becomes a practice when you choose to use it. Meditation is a mindful practice.”

Loving kindness and compassion are additional mindful practices. Leeke calls them self-care vitamins you can use daily to nurture yourself and navigate change in your life on every level. Think of it as treating yourself with gentleness and nonjudgement. You can see compassion as never giving up on yourself, even when you recognize the negative emotions and feelings within yourself.

How Do We Put These Concepts into Practice?

Are you ready to get started with mindfulness practices? Leeke suggests the following:

A Daily Mindfulness Practice

• Slow yourself down. Get still. Find a posture that feels right for your body in the moment. (You can sit, stand, or lay down). Close your eyes or lower your gaze if you prefer to keep them open.
• Begin to notice the sensations in your body. Start with your feet. Become aware of how they are resting on the surface.
• Bring your attention to your heart. Place one or both hands on your heart. Observe the sensations of the heartbeat.
• Next, bring awareness to your breath and how it feels moving in and out of your body. Shift your attention to how the breath sounds. Is it soft or loud? Focus on the space between each breath.
• Appreciate your breath and body. Give thanks for all they do to keep you alive and function in life.

Leeke recommends doing this for at least one minute. “We each get 1,440 minutes every day. You can take one of them to care for yourself with meditation.”

Practicing Loving Kindness and Compassion

Leeke suggests taking the following steps for a mindful moment break:

• Slow down and take three to five breaths.
• Touch your heart with one or both hands.
• As you touch your heart, ask yourself where to give yourself more loving kindness and compassion in your life, relationships, and career.
• Hug yourself for 20 seconds or more, and send loving kindness or compassion to the areas of your life you have identified.
• Repeat the same exercise and ask yourself who you need to give loving kindness or compassion to. As you hug yourself, identify one way to offer the person loving kindness or compassion.

Suppose you want to engage your parents or other older adults in these practices. In that case, Leeke suggests incorporating it into a prayer before a meal or a mindful moment before or after you have a conversation with them. You can also add the practice as part of gift exchange during the holiday season.

If you want to learn more, Leeke hosts the podcast Thriving Mindfully and suggests her episode on meditation, loving-kindness, and compassion.

Ananda Leeke is a Thriving Mindfully Coach, artist, Human Design Doula, and author of Love’s Troubadours, That Which Awakens Me, and Digital Sisterhood.

The post How Meditation Benefits Older Adult’s Mental Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Maya’s Cookies, San Diego

Maya Masden has been baking delicious gourmet, soft-vegan cookies for eight years. Her popularity among vegans and nonvegans has won her the distinction of being America’s #1 Black-owned Vegan Cookie Company. While many of her offerings contain soy and wheat, this Wheat-Free Candy Cane Chocolate Chip Cookie is among her comprehensive collection of cookies. The Holiday Tin, $39, includes six 3-ounce cookies. Maya’s Cookies ships Monday – Thursday, but orders must be received by Wednesday noon PST to go out that week.

Southern Roots Bakery, San Antonio

Marcus and Cara Pitts’s vegan journey was inspired by wanting to create healthier options for a family member. A business was born when Marcus developed a Vegan donut recipe that became a hit with family and friends. Many of the desserts are available. The couple has adapted their offerings to include the Gluten Free Cake Donut ($48.99 for a half dozen). It is nut-free, made with rice flour, and available in  Original Vanilla, Lemon Drop, and Red Velvet, or you can order a mix. This item ships free nationwide.

Plant Based Sweets by Lotus, Baton Rouge

If you are planning a gathering for New Year’s Eve or Day. Now is the time to check out the offerings at Plant Based Sweets by Lotus. The baking business, started by Marla and Allen Howard, was inspired after the couple transitioned to a vegan lifestyle in March 2019. The goal was to put a vegan spin on some of their favorite recipes. Through their business, they hope to contribute to building a healthier community. Some recipes, like this Vegan Chocolate Cake, $74.99, are offered in Vegan or Vegan Gluten-Free. This double-layer 8″ cake is also nut-free upon request.

Mo’Pweeze, Denville, NJ

Christine Miller, founder and head baker at Mo’Pweeze, began her baking business in 2013 which is a plant-based, small-batch destination where all of its products are free of the top 10 allergens (dairy, eggs, tree-nut, peanut, gluten, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame, and mustard), and both vegan and kosher. She is doing something right because USA Today recognized her spot in their Readers’ Choice Awards as one of the 10 Best Gluten-Free Bakeries. The bakery sells breads, cookies, donuts, cakes, and muffins. But the Brookies, $30 for 6, a hybrid between a brownie and cookie, are unique. Mo’Pweeze orders are shipped within 24 hours but order ahead to ensure you receive your treats in time.

Cutie As a Cupcakes, Schererville, IN

Owner Michelle A. Wainwright started Cute as a Cupcake as a cupcakery destination in 2015. Her food trucks sell over 30 sweet treat flavors, including Salted Carmel, Coconut, and Turtle. Plus, she sells gluten-free and vegan options of some of her most popular flavors. But because they are challenging to travel with, let alone ship, Wainwright has developed a perfect portable option with her Cutie Cupcakes in a Jar. The individual flavors come in two sizes, four oz.($5.00) and eight oz. ($8.50) each, or you can order a gift pack of six for $57. This is ideal for accommodating one or many individuals with gluten-free options.

The post 5 Black-Owned Bakeries With Gluten-Free Goodies appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The study looked at routines including straightening, curling, waving, and oiling our hair and the products and appliances used. It examined their potential impact on our health as well as the environment. When we use hair products like shampoo or conditioner, the exposure to the compounds is small.

But the risk increases when we use protectant or smoothing sprays and follow that with heat from a curling iron or flat iron. And the higher the temperature of our tools, the higher the emissions we are inhaling. 

If you have been following the news, you know about the potential ban on keratin treatments designed to straighten hair and the controversy surrounding relaxers. This study also impacts those of us wearing wigs. We use flat irons and curling irons when we style them, too.

The news is not all bad. However, there are habits we can adopt to minimize exposure to the emissions:

• Cut back on the use of heated tools. Get out of the habit of relying on them daily.
• When you use a flat or curling iron, work with the lowest temperature possible.
• If the bathroom has an extractor fan, turn it on. (According to the study, the emissions will clear in about 20 minutes.)
• Switch to hairstyles that don’t require heat (even if it is occasionally).

The post Is Your Hair Routine Causing You Harm? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When compared to other cancer screenings, lung cancer has significantly less participation. The national average for breast cancer is 70%, 74% for colorectal cancer, and lung cancer has just 6% participation.

How Do You Know If You Qualify for a Screening?

A key reason is confusion about what screenings are and who qualifies for them. A contributing factor is a smoker’s or ex-smoker’s pack-year history. It is factored by multiplying the number of packs per day smoked by the number of years they’ve smoked, and the total equals their pack-year history.

Here are some other factors that qualify us for routine screenings:

• Age 50-80
• 20-pack-year history
• Still a smoker or have quit in the past 15 years

What Happens During a Screening?

A critical reason to start having routine screenings is an opportunity to be diagnosed earlier—resulting in less extensive treatments, expanded treatment options, and an increased chance of survival. However, an early detection survey conducted by PreventCancer.Org reported that only 43% of respondents could describe what happened during a screening. We are here to help.

The Centers for Disease Control says the recommended screening test is a low-dose computed tomography (aka a low-dose CT scan or LDCT).

The non-invasive test involves lying on a table and an X-ray machine using low doses of radiation to capture detailed images of your lungs. The test takes a few minutes, and it is pain-free.

What if The Smoker is a Friend, Parent, or Other Loved One?

Even if you aren’t a smoker, you probably know someone who may need to be screened. So what do you think you should do? Start a dialogue with them about the benefits of screenings and the importance of early detection. Help them figure out their pack-year history.  The American Lung Association also offers a few tips, two you might want to consider:

• If they are concerned about costs, let them know there is no charge for the procedure if they are high-risk.
• Offer to make the screening appointment for them. Or you can offer to accompany them.
• Give them time to absorb the information and reopen the conversation.

Check out the infographic below for more quick facts about lung cancer and screenings:

The post Lung Cancer: Let’s Get Serious About Screenings appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What exactly is being proposed?

In an Instagram post, FDA Chief Scientist Namandjé N. Bumpus, Ph.D., explained that the agency plans to propose a rule to remove formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals as ingredients in hair straightening products. Dr. Aguh, who specializes in our hair and scalp conditions, says, “This ban includes keratin and keratin-like treatments. It does not include conventional hair relaxers.” She further explains that the FDA is using these terms because brands may call the treatments different names and tout them as formaldehyde-free, but they can still release the gas when combined with heat.

While some in our community have relied on relaxers, others switched to keratin treatments, sometimes referred to as Brazilian blowouts, because they believed that they were safer. But, apparently, that is not the case for us as clients or for the hairstylist performing the service, who is exposed to these ingredients.

What is the difference between a keratin treatment, a  texturizer, and a relaxer?

“Keratin treatments results are semi-permanent and last for a few weeks.” Aguh says. In addition to being a board-certified specialist, she is a member of the Skin of Color Society, which promotes the awareness of, and excellence within, skin of color dermatology.

 “Formaldehyde, when mixed with liquid keratin, can link with the keratin in our hair shaft and lock into a straight formation with it is activated with a heat source like a flat iron.”

Relaxers permanently break down the disulfide bonds of the hair whether they use sodium hydroxide (lye) or lithium, potassium, or guanidiine hydroxide (no lye), according to Erin H. Maybin, Executive Vice President of Education Development and co-founder of the Natural Hairstyle & Braid Coalition. “Texturizers are the use of a ‘mild relaxer’ applied to the hair (typically done to define curls, omit frizz, and create a curly hair look) combed through the hair for a short period of time to not break down the bonds of the hair completely like a traditional relaxer.”

But traditional relaxers have issues of their own. More than 7,000 lawsuits have been filed claiming the chemical service caused cancer, according to Reuters.

Why is formaldehyde dangerous?

According to Dr. Aguh, “The data linking formaldehyde to cancer is indisputable, and it is unfortunate that, despite this large body of evidence, it has continued to find its way into our hair and skin products.” She points out that the ban is long overdue. Can you believe The New York Times reported that the FDA acknowledged the ingredient was unsafe as early as 2016, yet the ban never happened?

What changed? 

Black women took action. According to CNN, Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Shontell Brown wrote to the FDA Commission, Dr. Robert Califf, asking for an investigation into hair straighteners’ link to cancer. And Dr. Bumpus started leading the FDA’s efforts in the cosmetics category in February. One of the things she was interested in was health disparities and using science to improve everyone’s overall health. But she also wanted to consider “the diverse cultural needs in the development and marketing of FDA-regulated products, including cosmetics.”

Bumpus points out that these formaldehyde-producing products are often marketed to us. When combined with heat, the risks of upper respiratory tract cancers and myleoid lukemia increase. She found that unacceptable.

But this proposed ban is in the early stages, and there will be hearings and hurdles to overcome before anything is final.

Is a silk press a better option if I still want to wear a straight style?

Well, it depends. Maybin points out that when done correctly, the straightening technique will have you looking fly. But the con is if you have silk presses done too often, it may cause mechanical damage that can only be remedied by cutting your hair. “Mechanical damage happens when too much heat is applied to the hair in one sitting or over time through multi-pass straightening or a setting that is too high.” She also cautions that heat level adjustment may also be needed around the hairline.

Maybin says the key to keeping your healthy is in your blowdrying technique:

• Use a concentrator to control the airflow.
• Make sure the heat runs parallel to the hair shaft.
• Start at the roots, move to the mid-shaft, and do your ends last. (Your ends are very fragile, and it is also the place where damage starts).
• When using a flatiron on your hair, divide it into 1/4″  sections and do the one-pass method.

Maybin points out that the technology of your tools is critical. Her choices are tools from Ergo and FHI. Your tools may be the difference between maintaining healthy hair and damaging it. But proper maintenance must also include regular trims.

What are my styling options if I want to grow the keratin out?

“I have a client who is currently embracing her natural hair and growing out her keratin treatment,” Maybin says. “We gently blow her hair, smooth it out with a flatiron, or sometimes curl it. The heat is few and far between because we don’t want to damage her newly embraced hair.” Other styling options include braids, twists, or faux loc extensions.

The bottom line: yes, you can still rock your straight bob but be aware of the risks with chemical straighteners, be aware of the temperature and frequency associated with your heat tools and get regular trims.

The post Do You Wear Your Hair Straight? What the Keratin Ban Might Mean For You appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While most of us don’t write like Walker, journaling can be a worthwhile exercise that may improve our mental health. This is especially true when we center our journaling on gratitude. One study reported that when participants with anxiety and depression tried gratitude practices and self-kindness strategies, finding reasons to be grateful seemed to enhance their well-being. Practicing gratitude can also reduce stress, increase optimism and help you sleep better, according to PositivePsychology.com.

An article published in Berkeley’s The Greater Good Science Center magazine suggests setting aside 15 minutes daily, three times weekly for at least two weeks to see whether the practice benefits you.Three of their standout tips include:

• Be specific about what you are grateful for. Was there a particular act of kindness, interaction or conversation for which you are thankful?
•  Consider going deeper and explore the reasons you are grateful for a person, place or thing. Adding depth will be more beneficial than a list, that might be more of a surface-level exercise.
• See the good things in your life as gifts. When you view things this way, you are less likely to take those gifts for granted.

Looking for a way to get started? To kick-start your practice, check out these gratitude journal prompts.

And if you are looking for a gratitude journal, check out our picks below. You can find them in our BHM Amazon Shop.

The post How a Gratitude Journal Benefits Your Mental Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Roland S. Martin recalled how former Raiders player Elijah Alexander succumbed to the disease after being dismissed by healthcare professionals at the Black Health Matters Fall 2023 Health Summit & Expo. “He kept complaining about his feet hurting. The doctors kept saying, ‘Oh, it’s from your career.’ He eventually died of this very disease,” said the journalist, author, and media personality.

Advocacy can make a difference in how multiple myeloma is discovered and treated.

Martin moderated a discussion with Denise N. Bronner, PhD Director Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Cánical Trials Immunology Portfolio Jansen and Marsha Calloway-Campbell, J.D. Director, Black Myeloma Health, HealthTree Foundation at the summit. They discussed health disparities associated with this form of cancer. The trio was introduced by actor and producer James Pickens (Grey’s Anatomy).

Calloway-Campbell’s husband was misdiagnosed with arthritis in 2017. He had multiple myeloma. She emphasized the importance of self-advocacy. “Nobody’s going to take care of you like you, not even your family, so you have to know what signs and symptoms are of many different diseases,” said Calloway-Campbell.

How can multiple myeloma be misdiagnosed?

Myeloma lesions were mistaken for arthritis on the scans of Calloway-Campbell’s husband. Dr. Bronner was forced to advocate for her father, who suffered from multiple myeloma when healthcare workers interrogated him. They assumed he was taking drugs when he arrived with fluids on his lungs. Without her stepping in, they might not have asked the right questions. Eventually, they got “lucky” with a cardiologist who closely examined the bloodwork and realized that multiple myeloma was a possibility.

Martin cited how medical professionals can stubbornly refuse to set aside their assumptions.

“You have medical folks who say, who are you? I’m the expert,” he said. “I know what’s better.”

He raised the stereotypes of the angry Black person that patients have to fight against when facing this type of challenge.”

Prominent figures of the past are frequently used to illustrate the problem of systemic racism in the medical field. “They always talk about prejudice or racism in a historical sense,” said Dr. Bronner. “They’ll bring up Tuskegee, right? They’ll bring up Henrietta Lacks, but I said this is persistent; it’s been here, it’s ingrained in there. You have a lot of doctors who continue to have these certain ideas about you because you’re Black.”

How can medical misconceptions contribute to misdiagnosis?

Pain is a symptom of multiple myeloma, causing potential friction for patients subject to the horrors of medical racism.

“It’s a notion that Black people have a higher tolerance of pain,” added Dr. Bronner. “That’s also an issue.”

“Myeloma is a journey in and of itself, and when you add the disparities that now we’re talking about, we’re not seen, we’re not heard,” said Calloway-Campbell.

The treatment experienced by Dr. Bronner’s father was not rare. According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), “Black Americans are systematically undertreated for pain relative to white Americans.”

Calloway-Campbell described how Black patients are treated when seeking help for their pain. “Bone pain, and it’s often in your back. It’s one of the symptoms, so when you present to the ER, that’s what it is,” she said before listing a question Black patients are frequently met with. “What narcotics are you trying to get?”

Dr. Bronner recommended questioning the doctors you’re dealing with. Calloway-Campbell agreed. “Doctors are not proactive in doing the testing to see if multiple myeloma is a possibility,” she said. “When you look at many medical textbooks, we’re not there,” Dr. Bronner added. “When you look at some of the medical research that’s out there, the papers that have been published, we are not there, so you have to say to yourself what their knowledge is based on.”

Take Action!

The session provided valuable and practical tips for advocating for yourself if you suspect you’re experiencing symptoms associated with multiple myeloma.

• The acronym CRAB indicates four common symptoms you might want to consider when deciding if you should ask to be tested for multiple myeloma. C stands for high calcium, R stands for high renal urinal counts, A stands for anemia, and B stands for bone pain.
• Pushing on your doctors can result in better results. Advocate vocally and in writing. They are the experts in medicine, but you are the expert in you.
•  Pay attention to your bloodwork and track any change in the numbers to arrive armed with facts.

This session was presented by Janssen.

The panel:

Roland S. Martin, Journalist, Author, and Media Personality

Denise N. Bronner, PhD, Director Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical Trials Immunology Portfolio Janssen

Marsha Calloway-Campbell, J.D. Director, Black Myeloma Health, HealthTree Foundation

The post My Word, My Health: Addressing Health Disparities in Multiple Myeloma appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While seeking therapy is met with skepticism by some members of our community, it is time to reconsider our opinions about it, especially because it can be an essential element in helping Black boys and men to feel worthy and achieve wholeness. Dr. Smith says, “Therapy is a safe place to overhear the inner conversations you have with yourself every day.”

Vance says his therapist asked him, “Are you willing to sit in the mud until the water becomes clear?” In other words, the work Black men must do to heal will neither be quick nor pretty, but the clarity they get will be worth it.

To learn more, check out Courtney B. Vance and Dr. Smith in conversation with Tony Cornelius at the session, The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power, at our Fall Summit in Los Angeles.

Courtney B. Vance and Dr. Smith’s book, The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power is out now. 

The post Courtney B. Vance Gets Real About Black Men’s Mental Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.