By focusing on six key areas, there are practical steps you can take to enhance brain health and improve mental well-being.

These pillars are essential for anyone looking to sustain and boost their brain health as they age. This article will explore each of the six pillars, providing valuable insights, actionable tips, and resources. Whether you’re already incorporating some of these strategies into your daily routine or looking for new ways to support your brain health, this guide will empower you to be intentional about “staying sharp” and supporting your brain health.

Be Social

Maintaining an active social life is something that can seem more difficult as we age. Engaging in social activities and maintaining social connections can boost your brain health. Making new friends and connections is great, but nurturing those relationships that already exist is beneficial and can help you maintain your social life. Engaging with friends and family not only brings joy and companionship but also helps stimulate the brain and promote brain health. Click here to learn more about how you can make and keep new friends and ease loneliness.

Engage Your Brain

This pillar involves feeding your curiosity, learning new things and exposing yourself to new situations. You can practice engaging your brain by keeping your mind active through various activities such as puzzles, learning new skills, reading, or playing musical instruments. Brain stimulation is an important component of brain health. Click here to learn more about action steps you can take to support brain health.

Manage Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but how we manage it can make a significant difference in our brain health. Chronic stress can affect memory, brain function, and overall well-being. Learning and adapting effective stress management techniques such as decompression, meditation and movement is essential for maintaining brain health. Not only do these techniques promote brain health, but they also relieve tension, boost mood, and increase energy. Click here to learn more about how you can benefit from basic meditation, being present, and pursuing happiness.

Ongoing Exercise

Ongoing exercise is beneficial for physical health. It is also a key pillar for brain health. Engaging in exercises, whether it’s walking, yoga, swimming, or strength training, can significantly boost mental clarity and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The Global Council on Brain Health recommends the following 150 minutes of weekly, moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two or more days a week of moderate-intensity, muscle-strengthening activities. Click here to learn more about activities such as cycling, yoga, and even walking can improve brain health.

Restorative Sleep

Restorative sleep is essential for maintaining our physical and mental well-being and a crucial component of brain health. A good night’s sleep allows the brain to repair and rejuvenate. You can work towards achieving restorative sleep by practicing sleep hygiene. Ways to do this include establishing a sleep routine, avoiding naps during the day, avoiding use of electronics right before bed, and creating a quiet and comfortable environment for sleep. Click here to learn more about restorative sleep, including why you shouldn’t sleep with your smartphone.

Eat Right

The foods we eat play a critical role in maintaining brain health, and a balanced diet can support brain function. There is no magic diet for your brain, but there are foods that can both help and hurt. Click here to learn more about the connection between nutrition and brain health, including food choices that support brain health, benefits of vitamin D, and recipe recommendations.

Ready to kick start your journey towards improved brain health? Click here to access your FREE cognitive assessment to see how you’re performing and learn more about how you can stay sharp.

Music has a positive impact on the health of our brains. Explore how music can promote your brain health. Click here to learn more.

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References

• Brain Health Resource Center

The post Staying Sharp: 6 Pillars of Brain Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Claudia:
All right, so my name is Claudia Lopez.

00:00:15:19 – 00:00:45:18
Unknown
I am the digital marketing and operations manager at Black Health Matters. And today I am here with Miss M. Marcia Lee. She is a fitness and wellness guide. A mentor and I am inspired very deeply by her journey and her story. And I wanted to make sure we gave air and space for her journey and allowed her to share with other people because, really, in today’s day and age, we need inspiration.

00:00:45:20 – 00:01:10:04

We need to be able to see ourselves within other people. And we need to understand that there is, a path forward and that there is positivity to look forward to and growth to look forward to. So, Miss M, would you like to introduce yourself and tell people how your journey started? Thank you, Claudia, for having me on.

00:01:10:06 – 00:01:33:13
Marcia
So my journey began in 2009 when I went to the doctor for my hanging physical, and she said, Miss Lee, you are a borderline diabetic. And I’m like, I say, our family picks up everything but money. Mind you, everybody in my family is a diabetic but me. I didn’t want to become a statistic. So she asked me what it was.

00:01:33:13 – 00:01:57:23
Unknown
I know as far as my diet and exercise regimen. I said the only thing I was doing was going to a happy hour, mostly eating chicken wings and French fries and having cocktails. But it wasn’t until I. I was taking my car home, and I had seen this as a free fitness class setup, so I dropped her off and circled back to the rec center to sign up.

00:01:58:01 – 00:02:24:04
Unknown
But while I was waiting to sign up, I saw a flier that said that in D.C. residents, if they lose 20% of their body weight, they can start the onset of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. I said yes; where do I sign up? I signed up for the first day of orientation. We got to the orientation process, and the dietitian gave us these books.

00:02:24:04 – 00:02:47:08
Unknown
I said, what are these books for? She says, a food journal. I’m like, what? What food? You’re gonna say you’re buying my food, right? I don’t want you to know what I’m eating. But eventually, I understood the assignment. It was necessary for me to be successful in the program. So what we did was try. I had tracked what I ate and my exercise regimen.

00:02:47:08 – 00:03:09:06
Unknown
So the weights have reached a plateau. She was able to review every day. She was able to review the journal, do my exercise, and review my exercise regimen, and we were able to come together, and it actually worked out. But at the end of the 16 week program, I had lost four dress sizes. I wasn’t close with alphabets to close to numbers.

00:03:09:06 – 00:03:35:09
Unknown
You know how good that feel I was. My class was. I had to change my entire wardrobe. It took me six months to get rid of all those clothes I had, and I had all the clothes. But during that process, I actually started exercising, too. I went from not exercising at all to exercising daily. To this day, I’m still exercising regularly, and I have kept my weight off for 15 years.

00:03:35:10 – 00:03:54:00
Unknown
This was the first time in my life that I was able to put a handle on the weight. I never let myself go 5 or 10 pounds over at all. I do a reset spot oversee; I think it is focused and disciplined, and it’s very work. Clearly, a lot of people don’t realize that this whole weight loss journey is work.

00:03:54:02 – 00:04:27:00
Unknown
And this was man, this was this was free. We go to the exhibit, and bam, and all of that. This was hard work, determination, and will. They will want to put in the work. It really is putting in the work. It’s changing your whole way of thinking about food. And then I look at food as medicine. So I went from making pharmaceutical companies rich as far as buying assets and laxatives because when I was bigger, all that stuff I was put in my body was no good.

00:04:27:02 – 00:04:52:18
Unknown
So now I don’t even take I haven’t taken a laxative. You or antacid in years. I rarely have to even do it as it’s so, so rare, so infrequent in my life now. But the exercise journey has been really, really phenomenal as well. I would like to thank my DC Parks and Rec family for all the free, low, and no-cost fitness and wellness classes.

00:04:52:20 – 00:05:14:10
Unknown
Then I’m able to partake in and I still partake until this day. I’m also an ambassador for the DC, a wellness initiative that may have thousands of hours of started. So I am one of the community ambassadors also, every Wednesday for health and wellness. I love it. So, like I say, I’ve done like I say nothing.

00:05:14:10 – 00:05:39:21
Unknown
Now I do. I didn’t like walking cloudy and wouldn’t walk like two inches. Now I walk all the time, I walk, I hike, and do yoga. I do Zumba, I do freestyle dance, I do can I do everything wellness now? Claudia? I’m always trying new things. When I go on vacation, it feels good, Claudia, that I don’t have to sit back because I’m too tired, because I’m winded.

00:05:39:23 – 00:06:02:06
Unknown
I keep up with the best of me already. I love it, so that’s my journey. But in 2019, my brother Michael, that. And you know what? He had to suffer from depression. But he had been depressed for years. But he didn’t say anything. It wasn’t until the day before he passed when he told my brother, I’m depressed and I need help.

00:06:02:08 – 00:06:26:09
Unknown
We’re Claudia. He was there within 24 hours. And I’m like, you know what? Let me let me put some light to the darkness that I was feeling at that time. So I decided I wanted to be an advocate for health and wellness, especially in communities of color. Claudia, because we’re very, shy about our well-being. We don’t want to talk about it.

00:06:26:10 – 00:06:45:09
Unknown
So I’m a I’m a big advocate of therapy. I could be the poster girl on any or any signage that I do or not. I could be the poster girl for therapy because for me, therapy worked. You have to want to put in the work, find the right therapist, be ready. Be very. Be ready to do a deep dive in your life.

00:06:45:11 – 00:07:08:02
Unknown
Be ready to have a breakthrough because of you. Once the breakthrough comes, you can see things for what they are. And then you, you can, you know, you can be active, Courtney. You can play in your life. You can change your how to be of your mental health and well-being. So, I also teach people how to cook healthily on a budget.

00:07:08:02 – 00:07:27:17
Unknown
I don’t keep your income levels until people are always about preparation and planning. And that’s it. I say you can eat very well. And my goal my long-term goal, Claudia, is to get people to get them to do it so that it will be eaten, ask, whatever. Because there’s too much, you know, how much money are you spending? It’s like 60 bucks for one meal.

00:07:27:17 – 00:07:48:19
Unknown
You know how much food you can buy. And we’re lucky, Claudia, we are in, I’m in DC with, DC Department of Parks and access to my community gardens. And they give out free vegetables every week from May through the end of November. Do you know how good I eat? I eat well, anyway, but I’m eating fresh. And I’m so sad during the winter months when it’s not as robust.

00:07:48:21 – 00:08:10:07
Unknown
But I take advantage of that. I usually go home and cook it; sometimes, I see people on social media. What I’m cool with is the vegetables. I’ve gotten some from the different markets and you know how you know how it, no, cause these to make these yourself. So that’s my goal, Claudia. That is my goal to be and just to teach people how to live the best version of themselves.

00:08:10:09 – 00:08:26:11
Unknown
And they could be the best version of themselves. And they put in the work. And it’s not as hard as people think. Once you start doing it, Claudia, it becomes a routine, and you’re not going to want to go. I hear all the time I say that you know, you cannot go out to eat, but don’t make that habitual.

00:08:26:13 – 00:08:52:19
Unknown
It kind of matters what we eat because, well, processed foods are sugars and starches. And I say, you know, keep things to animals. That’s my goal to teach people how to do that. Claudia, I think one one aspect of what you spoke on that is extremely important for people that they can lack when it comes to a physical journey or a mental journey or, you know, anything really in their walk of life is motivation.

00:08:52:21 – 00:09:19:10
Unknown
And how do we stay motivated in order to be able to create these changes within our lives? So what would you say to someone who wants to start a journey or is thinking about starting a journey but maybe isn’t finding the motivation within themselves right now to be able to begin? Well, it’s not what I say because a lot of people don’t like me, you know, some people don’t like being around other people, and that’s fine.

00:09:19:15 – 00:09:38:23
Unknown
But as a quality, become your best friend when you do. I said, you have so many different exercises for all when I tell you all levels by all levels. But, and I always tell people then you can, you can find an accountability partner. It doesn’t have to be a process. You can find a virtual accountability partner.

00:09:39:01 – 00:09:56:21
Unknown
You can meet somebody. Hey, let’s do a FaceTime. Let’s do a Google Meet. Let’s do a zoom. Let’s do it; when I type a digital platform that you may have, or even those who don’t want to, take a virtual digital platform and do a phone check. Hey, how are you doing them? What? You don’t know? Hey, guys, I know, let’s have a call.

00:09:57:02 – 00:10:14:03
Unknown
Let’s get a check-in. But for me, it says I like to be outdoors. My fitness family. Trust me, it was a wellness check. It was. It was a check-in regular accountability was like, oh, where are you at today? Why do you like it? You know, it was always it was always group text. Okay, we’re doing this today.

00:10:14:03 – 00:10:35:06
Unknown
We’re doing that today. So, for me and for anybody, you can have accountability partners, whoever is in person or virtual, because you understand people. People are where they are. And I’m willing if you work with me, I can meet you where you are because everybody, you know, no two people are the same. And I respect that. That’s very true.

00:10:35:08 – 00:10:37:08
Unknown
One other thing that I think,

00:10:37:08 – 00:11:02:09
Unknown
is important that you mention was what we consume and how you treat food and how you view food. So what do you think? For one, what are some foods that are positive contributors to our lives, and what are some foods that maybe we should try to cut out a little bit more or just lessen to improve that journey to wellness?

00:11:02:09 – 00:11:20:17
Unknown
so for the average person, you know, and, you know, bad Claudia, all that junk food, potato chips and all that potatoes are the worst. And I know when I was on that page of trying for a while, the weight came on quick and I said, you have this potato chip. So nad cut that out and processed foods.

00:11:20:17 – 00:11:21:13
Unknown
Claudia.

00:11:21:13 – 00:11:24:11
Unknown
Because the processed foods, processed foods are a killer.

00:11:24:11 – 00:11:42:01
Unknown
And you know Claudia, and when I go in the stores, I know how to leave food labels. And I look at all the ingredients they have, all these ingredients. You need to have spent a year in that. But now, any time you don’t know how to pronounce it, most of the time, bait is not it not, is not as good for you.

00:11:42:03 – 00:12:08:18
Unknown
But as far as like like the healthy things, you know, summertime is good for blueberries and strawberries and blackberries, all the things down. Those are superfoods and healthy foods. No. Avocados. Because all the different lettuce and cucumbers are king, are white, and people are, but what it is, is all a preparation is all it going how you prepared food eggs?

00:12:08:18 – 00:12:29:08
Unknown
At first, I was a big fat a big fan of airplanes. Now I’m the airplane queen. Everybody was they made this like curry recipe, you know because I tried different things because for me it’s. And always tried things once. And I think Claudia the air because I’m vegan people always say, oh again is vegan. I lose weight.

00:12:29:09 – 00:12:56:03
Unknown
Is this food for everybody who’s listening? Attention, listeners, being bored is food. It’s food. It’s real food. It’s just no animal products or no dairy. But being food is food. You will not go hungry. Isn’t that weird? Quiet. Come out of your comfort zone. You don’t have to eat meat all day, every day. You don’t have to eat a piece of meat in your mouth.

00:12:56:03 – 00:13:05:12
Unknown
You don’t try different things. And I tell people, just try this, try, different things. You don’t do meat every day, do meat maybe every other day, or maybe do meat,

00:13:05:12 – 00:13:12:02
Unknown
maybe one once a week. Or do you do meat this Monday or whatever? This try to come and switch it up a little bit

00:13:12:02 – 00:13:14:18
Unknown
and be open to try new things.

00:13:14:21 – 00:13:38:17
Unknown
Definitely. I know it’s cookout season, right? So we’re about to enter that time when everyone wants to grill and they want to have all the sweets, and they may be doing the pie competitions and whatever else they can get their hands on. So it is going to be vital to to look at Whole Foods, the types of whole foods that you can bring to your family events to,

00:13:38:17 – 00:13:46:04
Unknown
contribute and how, you know, that’s going to impact everyone in your family and your journey and how you share that, that part of your journey with each other.

00:13:46:04 – 00:14:03:12
Unknown
so one of the things that you mentioned was the mental health journey and how we navigate things like depression and how the men in our lives navigate things like depression.

00:14:03:16 – 00:14:10:07
Unknown
So how do we how do we start to have those conversations with the men in our life

00:14:10:07 – 00:14:13:03
Unknown
It’s men’s health awareness. So I want to make sure that,

00:14:13:03 – 00:14:20:12
Unknown
we share with other women how they can be or be present for the men in their lives.

00:14:20:18 – 00:14:25:08
Unknown
But that’s a great question for you. Thank you for asking that. So women,

00:14:25:08 – 00:14:45:21
Unknown
let the men be vulnerable. Let them have the space to be vulnerable because people think that men’s poses is real; they don’t have any emotion. And all of that. But, you know, clearly they just like us, they human and they’ve always been taught, take it like a man, you know, don’t show any emotion.

00:14:45:21 – 00:15:05:14
Unknown
But it’s okay to show emotion. And I’m loving this generation them to be a they are embracing that. They are doing therapy. The younger generation, Gen Z, is a millennial. I love how God is doing, and they are really. Thank you for showing your vulnerability. And I always say to them, Claudia, they don’t want to talk to you.

00:15:05:16 – 00:15:23:11
Unknown
It’s a lot of men’s groups. It’s a lot of great men support group, you know, virtual and in-person. Whatever you do, that is probably talking to other men that are willing to some, you know, that are wanted to process that. I want to know some some of the similar journeys. But we have to understand that we have to let men be vulnerable.

00:15:23:13 – 00:15:45:20
Unknown
If a man wants to cry, let them cry. And when I see a man, for I have seen men in my life, I love it. I’ve had men reach out to me. When can I see therapy? Do you know how good that makes me feel? They say. They said no. I say where can I go for therapy? So I’ve given people references and I think that I think, I think that’s phenomenal that, that that’s phenomenal.

00:15:45:20 – 00:16:11:09
Unknown
But again, and even for women, I don’t want to discount women because sometimes women are to be hard to that black woman strong. But I want a strong. You know what? I’m sorry. I’m sorry.  I’m sorry. Sometimes everybody has everybody has a right to break down, to have a break through men, women, men, and women.

00:16:11:10 – 00:16:39:04
Unknown
Because sometimes it takes a breakdown to have a breakthrough. And we have to respect that and allow that. We have to have a place to be safe. We have to have a space to be vulnerable, and we have to have a space where they can talk and be themselves without any type of repercussions or any type of perception that they can’t because they sought help.

00:16:39:06 – 00:16:53:02
Unknown
Man it, you know, what’s up with that? We have to really allow that. And I’m glad the younger generation is doing that now, as the generation is really being taken, pay and paying attention to that. And I’m glad they have more resources.

00:16:53:02 – 00:16:59:10
Unknown
so I love that you mentioned that maybe it’s, it’s coming a little bit easier for the younger generation.

00:16:59:13 – 00:17:12:02
Unknown
and I want to know, you know, as someone I have I have two fathers, I have my step father and I have my biological father. And I often try to have these conversations with them. Right.

00:17:12:02 – 00:17:13:12
Unknown
And I’m wondering

00:17:13:12 – 00:17:16:06
Unknown
how I can almost meet them on their level,

00:17:16:06 – 00:17:22:21
Unknown
because it is more of a challenge to try to convince them,

00:17:22:21 – 00:17:24:12
Unknown
being able to be vulnerable

00:17:24:12 – 00:17:26:14
Unknown
So, how do we bridge that gap with

00:17:26:14 – 00:17:35:05
Unknown
our older generations? How do we bring them into this wider awareness that maybe it’s easier for the younger generations to get Ahold of?

00:17:35:05 – 00:17:43:06
Unknown
Well, I could be speaking of being a baby boomer, but, Claudia, you know what? We have to start having authentic conversations.

00:17:43:08 – 00:18:10:00
Unknown
a lot of the older generation is so much stuff on the road. A lot of stuff is available. And I my suggestion to you as far as your dating wisdom day, sit them down. Maybe you could sit down. sit down with them. Just say tell me. Tell me your story. Sometimes it just does. Is is not as simple, but maybe a question, but tell me about the story of what you know.

00:18:10:00 – 00:18:30:17
Unknown
Well, what were some of your challenges? What do you want to know? You know what I mean? Because a lot of times, Claudia, nobody has asked them how they grew up, you know, what was their story? You think about it. So for me, the men of my family, my, my oh, I mean, my uncle founded tell me the same thing.

00:18:30:17 – 00:18:50:12
Unknown
You know, later in life, you know, a lot of times, Claudia, the men, they were more vulnerable later, my Uncle George, you know, he’s passed away, but he was born of a vulnerable. And I said, thanks for being vulnerable because if because quality, number one, they have to feel, you have to make them feel comfortable is speaking first and foremost.

00:18:50:12 – 00:19:19:09
Unknown
You gotta you gotta make that make make that set uncomfortable. Just can’t come at them. Just be natural. Hey, you know what? You see how up for real? This this is this is like this just, you know, just just make it comfortable. Or even Claudia, maybe give him a book, a journal. So they lay down and, you know, want to talk my device of things down, and we can go over.

00:19:19:11 – 00:19:42:03
Unknown
Maybe we could discuss that. Or, like you don’t us don’t we? Could they talk about you, Mom? I hear you like. Yeah, maybe you like it. You can keep that between the two of you, but that this is not going out here in the YouTube universe. This is what our universe. Because I want to see, you know, how you grew up.

00:19:42:05 – 00:20:19:11
Unknown
What would you what were your challenges? What do you see for me in the future? Because a lot of times, Claudia, men and boys, followed by example. So if they’re seeing men, they dads, uncles, fathers, I mean, that is being uptight and now vulnerable and not showing. And they have to say anything that’s been, you know, like you say, showing a vulnerability, how you think they want me now think about it.

00:20:19:13 – 00:20:40:19
Unknown
And it is generational, the trauma, because you don’t even know what’s going to come out. And a lot of people have gone through trauma like generational. Yeah. That, that, that is still that is still locked in their hearts and locked in they soul and locked in a spirit. And maybe you can one that can open that.

00:20:40:23 – 00:20:41:15
Unknown
Future.

00:20:41:15 – 00:20:42:19
Unknown
So I have

00:20:42:19 – 00:20:45:01
Unknown
I have one final question for you.

00:20:45:01 – 00:20:49:08
Unknown
and then if you have any takeaways that you want to make sure that the audience receives,

00:20:49:08 – 00:21:03:20
Unknown
what importance and value do you see when it comes to sisterhood? I think is often there’s the perception of like the hardened or the tough or the strong black woman.

00:21:03:22 – 00:21:18:23
Unknown
But I think there’s also, especially in the younger generation, I see this, this perception of women often being pitted against each other or extremely competitive with each other rather than elevating each other. There’s,

00:21:18:23 – 00:21:31:04
Unknown
the withholding of information and care and storytelling and journey telling because it this is for me, you know, and it’s hard for people to share.

00:21:31:06 – 00:21:49:03
Unknown
So what has been your journey when I’ve just come to sisterhood, how has that impacted your journey and how can we support the women in our community? That is that’s an excellent question with Claudia. You know, coming up, we don’t have social media.

00:21:49:03 – 00:21:56:20
Unknown
First and foremost, we do not have social media. So our whole communication was different. Everything was impersonal on the phone.

00:21:56:20 – 00:22:22:21
Unknown
It wasn’t the that absent what we do is the Facebook or Tik Tok and all of that due to it wasn’t all that, it was the actual human interaction for me personally, I do have a sisterhood. I’m very I’m extremely fortunate to have sisterhood in my life. I have I have groups, I have different groups of sisterhood. I have women I’ve grown, I’ve grown up with.

00:22:22:21 – 00:22:46:15
Unknown
I have my fitness community, I have people, I have friends who have formed a decade. You know, this is just for me. And I have the leading me who have become my friends now. But, Claudia, unfortunately, as I say, unfortunately, social media sometimes is a fraud, and people can’t be authentic to that because they have the Hannah post.

00:22:46:17 – 00:23:00:20
Unknown
So that’s going to be it’s not hard, but we just have to teach. We have to just show people that we all are in this journey together. And, like I said, that strong black woman,

00:23:00:20 – 00:23:09:19
Unknown
situation that goes for black women. So we got to get rid of that, that dialog because yes, we can we can pull it out.

00:23:09:21 – 00:23:33:13
Unknown
but it’s also okay to be vulnerable, and it’s also okay for us to be in a group. It’s okay for us to cry is okay for us to laugh together. It is okay for us to share our stories is okay for us. And, you know, and with the younger people. To Claudia again, the sisterhood, a lot of times I see I grew up with my mother, and they have friends.

00:23:33:15 – 00:23:57:12
Unknown
They always have circles of friends. So a lot of times, Claudia, I grew up with that. So for me, I had a circle. So a lot of people did not see their cards with circles of friends. So a lot of times and then with a lot of times with the anxiety and depression and different other types of social illnesses, mental health situations, you know, it’s going to be a little difficult.

00:23:57:15 – 00:24:20:23
Unknown
And then the bullying aspect is real, the bullying aspect. So a lot of people now are not going to feel comfortable really going out to reach out because of their vulnerabilities. And maybe they might be bullied or not. Like for whatever reason or not, in the clique. Yeah. So we just have to teach. We just have to teach them what we have.

00:24:21:01 – 00:24:45:21
Unknown
We have to teach our ladies. Love yourself first so that you are loved. You are loved by yourself, with yourself, and for yourself. And once you have to have those affirmations. You have to say those affirmations for you. Do affirmations, maybe add some meditation, maybe add some breathwork, add some things that have been not additional in the past.

00:24:45:22 – 00:25:16:15
Unknown
Have some things to make to be focused. Focus on pulling your inner being and maybe instead, you know, keep your journal, start the drawing that you’re doing is don’t keep your journals, write down things, and maybe, start a club. You could even start if you don’t want to give; you want to be in person. You understand? Do journey, do x y and leverage majority, or do like like if you want to be more intimate, do a zone, do a go, do something, or do some type of virtual journaling classes.

00:25:16:16 – 00:25:35:00
Unknown
Don’t do like do like a rap session. Hey girls, this girl’s rap time, ladies’ rap time was had, you know, different things than we have to think we have. We have to go. We have. We have to hit the mediums and the platforms and where they are and where you think they were. They were the best. We seem to have information,

00:25:35:00 – 00:25:50:04
Unknown
Is there anything that you would like to make sure our audience like? Key takeaways. What specifically should our audience take away from this call? What should they carry with them? What should be their next move?

00:25:50:08 – 00:25:51:22
Unknown
Your next move is

00:25:51:22 – 00:26:09:14
Unknown
where do you see yourself? But sometimes people always, you know, you go on job interviews and people talking about people always ask, where do you want to be in five years? Well, you know, I say when I tell them, I mean, I don’t even know where I want to be in five days. This. See this; see where you want to be.

00:26:09:16 – 00:26:28:06
Unknown
Set yourself up, do goals. But don’t I always say, don’t make goals so unrealistic that they’re not attainable? What do you want to be in a week? What do you want to be in a month? When you want to be a three month, three months, what do you want to be in that months? But clearly, everybody’s journey is not designed that.

00:26:28:08 – 00:27:07:13
Unknown
And I recognize that. And I know for me, like you, it clearly I made that U-turn when I dropped my car. That was that was that was it for me. And I tell people everybody has a different body at that moment than you. Term was my bottom, the rise to the top. So I tell people, when you are ready, you will know when you’re ready. You will take action, but know when you’re ready, there are support systems out here that can help you attain your wellness journey, your health journey, your fitness journey, and your eating journey we have looked at food as medicine.

00:27:07:13 – 00:27:30:00
Unknown
Food is the way to heal our soul and our body and not just to eat. Think of it like that and think of exercise as oh my gosh, I gotta exercise. But think of exercise as a as a part of your movement, of your movement active of your mental movement. It is, it is, it is or not. Also visible is a mental movement.

00:27:30:04 – 00:27:51:05
Unknown
The exercise begins like that. And you can start slow and work your way up. Because I think a lot of times people see people working out like they have lost their mind. But no sudden slow is levels for everybody to be successful in their journey. Thank you for all you, thank you, thank you so much. Medicine.

The post BHM Talks to Marcia Lee About Her Journey to Better Health, Food as Medicine and & Choosing Vulnerability appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Claudia Lopez (00:13):

My name is Claudia Lopez. I am the digital marketing and operations manager here at Black Health Matters, and today, I am joined by Autumn Walker. So, Autumn, tell me a little bit about yourself, what mental health means to you, and how you’ve built your career around being able to provide other people with mental health support.

Autumn Walker (00:37):

Yeah, so thank you so much, Claudia, for having me. I’m so excited to be on this platform and platform that really centers the importance of black health and making sure that it’s a part of the conversation and on the table. So, I’m also happy to be a part of that conversation. So as you all may know, I’m Autumn Walker, and I’m a licensed therapist in Maryland I’m also the founder of the Soul Reasons LLC, which is a mental wellness company and a personal development company, empowering black women to overcome imposter syndrome. And I got into mental health. I will say that I didn’t find mental health. Mental health found me. I have always had a deep level of connection, a deep connection with understanding human behavior and why people do what they do. That whole nature versus nurture conversation really just sparked my interest from a very early age.

(01:41):

And I tried to fit into a different career field. I wanted to be a veterinarian and quickly realize like, okay, this is not in alignment with me. And I stumbled across psychology, and it was smooth sailing, well, not necessarily smoothest. It was a rocky road. Nonetheless though, it definitely, it made sense, it made sense. So, throughout my college career, taking all these different courses and classes as a psych major, every single class resonated with me. I just really took in the information. However, it was my counseling techniques course, I believe it was like counseling theories and techniques, something like that, that really drew me in. And I could just visualize myself meeting someone in a dark space and walking with them side by side into the light and it just spoke to who I was as a person. It spoke to my values. It just really called to me.

(02:51):

And so I decided to pursue that career path and enrolled at Johns Hopkins University in my hometown in Baltimore, Maryland. And I was really drawn to their program because there was a strong emphasis on diversity, social inclusion, equity, all those things. And that was something that I felt very passionately about as well since high school. And I carried into my college career and later on into my graduate career and eventually even into my professional career as well. And once I became a licensed therapist, I do not find it to be ironic that it was in 2020 and I’m graduating about a week before or maybe after around the murder of George Floyd. And I immediately had an emotional response to all that I was ingesting on the computer screen, my phone screen, the news. It was just a lot of information. It was a lot of traumatic content that I was digesting, and I didn’t know it at the time, but eventually, I was able to put language to it, and I was experiencing some depression.

(04:15):

I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t sleeping. I was lacking interest and pleasure in things that I enjoy. These are signs of a depressive episode. And I said, you know what? This needs to be addressed more. I don’t see people talking about the correlation between racial trauma and mental health. And that’s where the soul reason was born. It was a call to action against all that I was witnessing to. And so in addition to working my nine to five, working in the school system, working in the criminal justice system, in a detention center with youth, and then eventually virtually with adults, I also was doing this social justice work through mental health, through my platform. And something that I am continuously doing today, even in the lens of the so reasons as well as clinically with my clients, is making sure that everyone engages with me in this capacity, and understands that everything starts with the mind, everything, the way you see yourself, how you perceive the world, how you show up in relationships.

(05:34):

All this starts with the mind. And because we as human beings exist on a spectrum, we have to recognize that there are things outside of us that impact how we see ourselves and how we in our self-image and self-perception and something that we need to consider is the structural systems that are loudly and at the same time silently having a major impact on how we see ourselves. And because, like I said, everything starts with the mind and our identity, and everything is going to flow from that. So our decisions, our choices, how we engage with the world, how we engage on relationships, how we engage with ourselves are going to flow from these inner beliefs that we have about ourselves, which can be heavily influenced by the system. So that was a longwinded answer, just to say as a mental health therapist is something that I do that I feel like I was called to do. And I also use it as a way to intervene and my attempt to dismantle the systemic norms that plagues disenfranchised communities, particularly black folks because I’m black. But at the same time, just overall I believe mental health and starting with the mind can be a source of change in the world.

Claudia Lopez (07:06):

Yeah. So I have a question for you because you did bring up how content that you were seeing at the time impacted your journey. So what are some other ways do you think that a mental health journey is impacted specifically when you are black

Autumn Walker (07:29):

Systemic in addition to the messages that we may receive and may even internalize because they are reinforced time and time again, it’s hard for me to separate the two because I can even say they’re generational, generational patterns. I’m a big believer in the impact of family and how family and upbringing plays a role in how we behave, how we process our emotions, show up in relationships, all those things. And so of course those that definitely can be a connection to our overall mental wellbeing over the course of our journey. Because as children, we’re like sponges. So we’re just soaking it all up. That’s just the way our brains are developing at that time. We’re soaking in all this information and whatever’s being modeled in front of us, we’re going to take and we’re going to run with it. And so some things are very blatant, such as the way our parents may handle stress, the way our grandmothers or grandparents or whoever our guardians are, how they may express emotions the way even in our neighborhoods and our schools, how children are treated and how the adults interact with the children and how a lot of these things will definitely have an impact long-term impact on our overall mental wellbeing.

(09:17):

And at the same time, it’s like it all goes right back to, it’s so hard for me to separate just structural oppression and racism from just even our conversations about the home and our community because it’s so intrusive. However, there can be things that happens more on a microscopic lens, so more micro, and there are also things happening on a macro level as well. So it can be a lot to juggle for sure. And at the same time, it’s kind of hard for me to separate the two because they intersect in so many ways.

Claudia Lopez (09:55):

What are some ways that you see mental health being manifested in physical health,

Autumn Walker (10:05):

Especially in regards to the black community? To our bodies tend to manifest or give us different warning signs that something is off first. And some warning signs that are pretty common is the gut. So your gut is some of the chemical, not neurons, the chemical properties in the gut. They communicate a lot with the chemical properties in our brain. So those butterflies that you feel and that sinking feeling in your tummy when you’re anxious or that loss of appetite or maybe an increase in appetite. So your gut tends to be, I always say it’s definitely one of the major ways that your body is letting you know that something is off. In addition to that chronic pain as well, chronic pain, whether it’s in your chest, your back can also be another way because the body is not meant to hold on to emotion. It’s not meant to hold on, such as stress, anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, all the different emotions.

(11:29):

These things are meant to be felt and released. So when we hold onto them because we don’t have proper or appropriate outlets, it got to go somewhere so it does get stored in the body and it can start to manifest. So that’s where that pain can be coming from, issues in the gut as well. And sometimes this can be seen as physical, but it’s also behavioral as well. Sleep that matters as well. Sleep requires relaxation, but if there’s a lot of restless activity happening in the body, it’s going to be really pretty difficult for the body system to actually relax. And so I definitely find that when we’re referring to just the black community, because mental health is still a novice conversation, sometimes it can be, I would say, a little bit easier for us to be able to just listen to our bodies and pay attention to our bodies to let us know when something is on or when something is very much so off.

Claudia Lopez (12:40):

And that’s a perfect statement because I’m curious how, as you mentioned, being part of a community that often stigmatizes mental health and negates some of the discussions or conversations that we try to have. How do we as a community pour into each other or acknowledge these conversations or how can we do better to ensure that we are acknowledging mental health as a community?

Autumn Walker (13:10):

The first thing that comes to mind for me, Claudia, is to start the example in my family. I used to get made fun of because I was the one who was very mindful about what I ate. I am very intentional about my skin routine, my water intake, and working out. I’m slim by nature, but my granddad was like, what you working out for? You’re already skinny. And I’m like, grand pop, pop. This is for my mental, this is to help me feel good. I feel energetic and alive and more rooted and grounded when I work out. He still doesn’t get it. It’s okay, but I get it though. And I think, but yes, setting the example and because I feel like if we get so caught up in trying force it down people’s throats, it’s going to be very hard for folks, one for themselves and two to see the benefit of it. However, if you are walking and talking, the mental health, they’re going to see it. They’re going to see it. You look lighter today.

(14:48):

Something seems different about you. I can’t put my hands on it. But then we can start to have the conversation. In addition to that, I think it’s also important for us to continue to humanize folks and understand everyone may not be where you are when it comes to just understanding the importance of wellness and health. We have to take into consideration that for generations, this type of conversations, it seemed almost like a luxury or a privilege for generations. Black folks were just trying to survive. So talking about this health thing and this wellness thing. At one point this seemed like it was only for white people. So, depending on, and I can’t even say this is just for older generations because, like I said earlier, as kids, we’ll take this, and we will soak it up because we’re sponges. So I would even say maybe even from millennials, and I don’t know about all about Gen Z, but they seem to be taking the reins and doing their own thing, which I’m not mad at all. Nonetheless, though, I do think it’s important for us to have a sense of compassion and empathy that everyone may not be there yet. And so that kind of loops back into that optimism. Looping back to what I was encouraging you all to do is how about we just start with you, start with you.

(16:19):

And through that consistency and through that genuine desire to want to be well and healthy, allow that to speak for itself. And those who will come, they will come. And I kind of just think about it just one at a time. This is probably one of those things that’s not going to be quick and a snap of a finger. Like I said, there’s generational things going on, cultural things going on. It’s a lot of layers, a lot of reinforced layers, a lot of things that could posing obstacle to progress and change, which is why we got to focus on what we can focus on, which is, and that is what is in your control and that’s you. So start with you and continue to extend, I mean, compassion to others.

Claudia Lopez (17:19):

Something that I love that you said was that it doesn’t happen at the snap of a finger. I think a lot of people want to put a timeframe on how long it takes to create their or to complete their mental health journey. So what do you have to say towards the people who are trying to find a number or trying to say, how long does this take

Autumn Walker (17:44):

To understand what a journey is? I’m always, I do this in sessions sometimes I actually Google, what does Webster say about this? And if I’m not mistaken, a journey is ongoing.

Claudia Lopez (18:00):

It’s lifelong.

Autumn Walker (18:01):

Exactly. And so to that point, I will encourage, I love this new thing that I’ve been, it’s just something that I recently came across. My mind just likes to move. And something my mind landed on recently is to have fun with it. Have fun with the journey, embrace the twist and the turns and the yeps and the downs. Because in each direction that the journey takes you, there’s something to learn. There’s something that you can take away from. There’s something that can propel you to the next level, embrace the journey. And rather than looking for a deadline or an end date, rather than just try to think about it and like, what’s next? What can I learn about me next? What can I learn about how I engage with myself and my community and my partner and my friends? What else am I going to learn about myself on this journey?

(19:07):

And I think also it could be helpful to have someone in your corner such as a therapist to also, because it can get hard. I do not want to romanticize the journey too much because it is hard putting a mirror in front of yourself and seeing you seeing parts that you tried your very best to hide or shadow. This is not easy work, and I think that’s something that often get skipped when we’re addressing mental health because sometimes we can make it look like a lot of glitz and glam. It is sometimes weeping and crying your eyes out. It’s sometimes screaming. It is sometimes going silent. It can have a lot of colors. It’s very colorful, this mental health journey. So in addition to having fun with it, I think it’s also helpful to have someone in your corner such as a therapist, to help you navigate so that you can feel empowered and equipped to be able to steer the boat no matter which direction it goes in.

Claudia Lopez (20:30):

Something that I want to touch on is that you said the things that you tried to hide or the things that you tried to shadow. And as someone who is chronically online, I’ve heard a lot lately about something called shadow work. So can you explain what shadow work is and how that is a part of someone’s mental health journey?

Autumn Walker (20:53):

Yeah. Shadow work is ultimately intentional effort and intentional effort in a processing of understanding some of sometimes unconscious or subconscious behavior that we may engage in because at some point in our lives it was helpful, it was useful, it helped you to push through maybe some difficult and dark situations and because it helped and it worked out, or maybe you had to use it several times on several occasions, it started to become just what I do, nature. It started to become who I am, and next thing you know, it kind of gets tucked away because our brains just started conceptualizing this as you need to do this to survive. However, because the brain is still kind of considered ancient to some psychologists or those in the field, there’s this concept of evolutionary psychology where the brain is still evolving, and it’s still kind of trapped back into caveman in women’s times.

(22:33):

So the brain sometimes doesn’t really catch up to the fact that you are not 10 anymore; you’re actually 30 now, and life is a little different. So you don’t have to stay in that survival mode anymore. You don’t have to engage in these behaviors anymore. They’re actually hurting you more than they’re helping you. However, because it’s shadowed, you don’t see that. We don’t notice what’s that. We just think this is who I am, and this is just how I do things. Like, no, you were conditioned and taught to do it this way because it helped at some point in time, but now it’s time to relinquish that. But that’s scary because it helped you for so long. And so shadow work also means not only bringing it to the light, what can we do now?

Claudia Lopez (23:30):

Accountability,

Autumn Walker (23:33):

There we go. What can we do differently now that still gives you the same functionality, is still protecting you, it’s still helping you, and still keeping you alive and safe, just with less risk?

Claudia Lopez (23:49):

So we talked about what it means to be on a mental health journey, specifically when you’re someone in the black community. We talked about different types of work in mental health and how it contributes to physical health. So, for the people who want to start their mental health journey, this will be our last question: how do they start? Who do they go to? Take me through that.

Autumn Walker (24:18):

Yeah, I think it’s kind of hard to answer that question because different people are in different spaces and places and have different levels of access to care or to resources. So to try to keep it as general as possible. Something that I’ve been encouraging my community to do is to get back to the basics. Start taking care of your basic needs first. So that looks like you’re eating. Are we eating nutritiously?

(24:53):

Are we eating three meals? In those three meals? What are we eating? It looks like physical activity moving your body. And we have even in addition to the food, we have a level of privilege that our foremothers and forefathers did not have. We have so many resources at our disposal now from the internet to just different inventions. There’s so many different ways in which we can engage in physical activity from YouTube to just walking to different free classes on Eventbrite. There’s just so many different ways you can engage in physical activity and even just healthier eating habits as well. Substance use, nobody wants to talk about it. So I will. We have definitely normalized some things in culture around substance use. I’ve recently some self-disclosure just decided to practice full sobriety from all substances and it pulled me back and allowed me to realize, whoa, there’s a lot of normalcy around certain substances and moderation is key.

(26:22):

However, there needs to be more discussion if you ask me about or more education about what is dependency, what is chemical dependency and what is addiction and what is not. And so I would encourage folks to be very mindful of how much you’re in taking any kind of substance use of choice. When are you doing it? How often are you doing it? Why are you doing it? Any patterns you notice around your use. Substance use your physical health, physical ailments, listen to your body. If your back hurts, don’t just throw an icy hot on it. Okay. If it’s continuously hurting you, please check in with your medical provider. If that migraine doesn’t seem like a typical migraine or a headache, you know this isn’t typical, please check in on that. So, for physical illness, pay attention to that. Personal hygiene. We probably would say, isn’t that just a no-brainer? Not for everyone. Actually, personal hygiene tends to be the first thing that goes out the window when people are feeling depressed, anxious, or burnt out. I’ll take a shower later, and I’ll brush my teeth later.

(27:43):

I’ll just throw on the first thing that I see. I won’t even put myself together. Personal hygiene, take care of that. What else up, sleep, duh? That also may seem like a no-brainer. However, sleep is very challenging for many different people, and understandably so. And so I would say get back to the basics first and foremost. That’s something that I think we owe it to ourselves. We owe it to our bodies, and you’re more than deserving of that. Far as where to go if another thing that we have privilege to is I am a big fan of therapy. I think therapy is very transformative and at the same time, I understand that therapy is not for everyone and I am not mad at that. I’m not mad at that at all. There are support groups, they are spiritual leaders, spiritual counseling as well. I think at the same time I do think that we are subjective by nature, so you do need someone.

(28:54):

We do need someone on the outside to check us on the inside. So that can be a coach, a mentor, a spiritual leader, a counselor, an actual therapist, as well as a support group. Nonetheless, though, I do think it is important for you to recognize that, especially as black folks, because we do have this independence thing about us, which is totally understandable. Nonetheless, though, we are also still social beings at the end of the day, so including some sort of unbiased party in your journey or just into your well-being can also be very productive as well. Wow, that was a lot of amazing

Claudia Lopez (29:40):

Information. I think our audience here has much to work with. I hope so. This is a long journey. This is a lifelong journey, as Auta mentioned, and thank you so much for joining me today. Thanks for having me.

The post BHM Interviews Autumn Walker on Mental Health, Self Care & More appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post Spring Clean Your Fitness Routine: 5 Essential Moves appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Americans are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to kidney failure and trying to find a donor. In this session, Dr. Feyikemi Osundina, Director of US Patient Advocacy at Sanofi, outlines the Black community’s challenges regarding kidney transplants and ways to overcome them. And Patient Advocates share their transplant experiences.

Educating yourself on the issues involved is an essential first step. But more than half of our community, 57%, don’t fully understand basic health information. A variety of factors have contributed to this, including a lack of trust in the system due to historical mistreatment, uncertainty about how to communicate with doctors, and cultural barriers that may prevent you from speaking out.

What is Kidney Disease?

The American Kidney Fund reports that 37 million Americans are living with kidney disease. Of those, 807,000 are living with kidney failure. (That means they can no longer filter waste products from your blood). This is a permanent, irreversible condition that requires dialysis.

• Symptoms of kidney failure include:
• Weight loss and poor appetite
• Swollen ankles, feet, or hands – as a result of water retention (edema)
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Blood in your urine
• Increased need to pee – particularly at night
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Itchy skin
• Muscle cramps
• Feeling sick
• Headaches
• Erectile dysfunction in men

A kidney transplant is necessary for people who are in the end stage of renal disease (ESRD). So, it is likely that you know someone who has either had a kidney transplant or needs one. But, if you think that you may be at risk for kidney disease, you should contact your physician immediately. The earlier it is detected, the better your chances are of stopping it from progressing to kidney failure.

A Kidney Transplant May Have Risks

Nerve damage. While 95% of transplanted kidneys are still functioning a year after the procedure, there may still be risks involved with the procedure. According to the National Health Service, 5 out of every 100 patients suffer nerve damage during the procedure. The nerves around the wound, or front of the thigh of the kidney transplant, are usually the ones that are damaged. However, there is a possibility that it will heal on its own.

Heart problems. Following the procedure, a blockage in the blood supply to the heart can occur. If you have a history of heart issues, talk to your physician about having your heart function assessed before you are added to the transplant list.

Blood sugar management. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes before a transplant, there is a possibility that your blood sugar will be more difficult to control after the procedure. If this happens, work with your physician to make any necessary medication adjustments.

It is Difficult For Us to Find Living Donors

Our community is at a severe disadvantage when it comes to successfully finding a kidney donor. There are over 100,000 people on the waitlist to receive a kidney transplant, and 30% of them are black. Despite the overwhelming number of black Americans who are on the waitlist for a kidney transplant, we are six times less likely to receive a transplant from a living donor. Outsourcing for a kidney transplant will require some self-advocating. Some ways to advocate for yourself include switching doctors and getting second or third opinions.

We are six times less likely to receive a transplant from a living donor.

The Transplant Experience

Most people are hesitant about becoming a kidney donor. It is a significant surgery to remove one of your body’s vital organs. However, the procedure does have a 95% success rate. The chances of a malfunction during the procedure are extremely rare.

As with all major operations, there is a recovery period involved after the transplant. But Reggie, one of the patient advocates on the panel who became a donor, said the process is almost seamless.

“As far as recovery, it is usually just a mild soreness. I took pain medicine the day after surgery, but after that, I just weaned myself off of it. You feel fatigued for about a week,” Reggie said. “After that, I started feeling normal in about a week or two. I was out four weeks before I went back to work.”

Reggie donated his kidney to his wife, Alana. It was her second transplant after her brother donated his to her when she was still a teenager. Though it was not easy needing to have a second procedure as an adult, Alana says it was worth it.

“After my transplant, I was able to move the way I like to move, travel, and get back to my catering business.”

“One of the promises I made with my husband, with the kidney transplant, was that we would have another baby. Our kids are 16 years apart, but our daughter will be five this month. We had a healthy baby girl. Mommy is healthy after my second kidney transplant. So, living life on your terms is possible.”

This session was presented by Sanofi.

The Panelists:

Feyikemi Osundina, PharmD, MS

Alana H, Patient Advocate

Reggie C, Patient Advocate

The post Living Life Beyond Dialysis: What You Should Know About Living Donor Kidney Transplant appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Denise N. Bronner, PhD Director Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Jansen, and JoBaris D. Swain, MD, MPH Medical Executive, Cardiovascular & MetabolismJanssen Scientific Affairs, ILC of Johnson & Johnson discussed the need for “True Representation In Cardio Research” at the 2023 Black Health Matters Summit. They were introduced by actor and producer James Pickens (Grey’s Anatomy). According to a study published by the National Kidney Foundation, “rates for African Americans remained 20% higher for heart disease and 40% higher for stroke.”

Another study published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that “African Americans were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.”

How has a lack of accurate representation in cardio research impacted the Black community?

“Representation is very important,” said Dr. Swain, noting that biological differences are not accounted for when studies are not diverse. Dr. Bronner shared how crucial it is for Black people to be considered in the planning phases of treatment development. She declared that exclusion from the baseline can result in disparities in “efficacy” and “effectiveness.” “The only time that we get included is when the drug has already been approved,” she said. “That’s when you start to see the adverse events or side effects starting to come.” Inclusion at that stage precludes preventive safety measures in some instances. “Things could have been identified if we were being pulled into the study,” she continued. Dr. Swain remarked on the lack of available training materials for diagnosing psoriasis on Black skin. Studies have found that this chronic and complex autoimmune disease is associated with many cardio patients. According to Cureus, “Many studies have shown an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity in patients with psoriasis.”

What are some myths associated with cardio care?

“Many of us have probably heard that cardiovascular disease only happens in old people, and a lot of times, you know, when you go to certain screening events, they’ll, you know, start looking at people 65 and older. However, we’ve now learned that cardiovascular disease can affect individuals of all ages, even children, so we have to be mindful of our activity, diet, and exercise,” he continued.

“A second myth that often we have is that if I don’t have symptoms, I have a healthy heart,” said Dr. Swain, who described witnessing the sudden onset of severe symptoms during a telehealth session.

“We have patients who come into the emergency department, and they’ve been completely healthy in their mind. They’ve not had chest pain or any other side effects or symptoms, and all of a sudden, they come in, and they may have gone and had their blood pressure checked. Then they start having chest pain, and then they realize that they’ve had a full-on myocardial infarction, and often it comes as a complete surprise,” Dr. Swain continued. The older man clutching his left arm in sudden distress is the troupe most people are familiar with when they think of a heart attack. But that popular image is not the whole story of how cardio events occur.

“We often think that men are the only ones who have cardiovascular disease, and we understand men often are at greater risk, but cardiovascular disease affects men and women,” said Dr. Swain.

He revealed that these events in women can be associated with jaw pain. They can also appear to be “asymptomatic or atypical.”

Swain pointed out how cultural norms can convince Black women to ignore symptoms that might be their overall cardio health. “As a culture, you know, we grow up with aches and pains, and it’s straightforward for us to say, oh, I woke up like this, and kind of, you know, write it off as something that’s a part of our natural everyday experience.

Take Action!

• The session provided valuable and practical tips for managing your cardiovascular health.
• Take control by educating yourself and others about cardiovascular issues.
• Familiarize yourself with the myths associated with cardio so you can fight misinformation
•  Don’t assume the ache or pain you are feeling is normal.

As Dr. Swain said, “If you feel something, say something.” Start the conversation. Ask the questions. Listen to your body. Contact your healthcare provider and fight for your cardiovascular health.

This session was presented by Janssen

The Panelists: Denise N. Bronner, PhD Director Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical Trials – Immunology Portfolio Jansen

JoBaris D. Swain, MD, MPH Medical Executive, Cardiovascular & Metabolism Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC of Johnson & Johnson

The post Healing Hearts: True Representation in Cardio Research appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Learn about the triggers and symptoms of this uncomfortable yet misdiagnosed condition in Black and Brown communities.

Sponsored by Regeneron

The post Black Skin Myths Busted appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Sanjay S. Shukla, M.D., M.S. President and CEO aTyr Pharma, Chidinma Chime-Melton MD, MBA, FCCP, CPHQ, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCLA, and Andrea Wilson, a sarcoidosis patient and advocate, discussed the fight against sarcoidosis at the Fall Black Health Summit.

How does sarcoidosis impact the Black community?

“What is really striking here, though, is that it’s so prevalent in our community,” said Dr. Chime-Melton. She cited the alarming statistics about the disease. “In the African-American community, it’s three times as common, so if you’re looking at the epidemiology of it, they tell you, oh sarcoidosis is about 10 in 100,000 patients will have it but within our community, it’s 34 In 100,00 patients. So, it’s three times as common,” she continued.

Dr. Chime-Melton paused and invited the audience into the conversation, taking an impromptu survey of the people in the room. She asked who knew someone with the disease, causing a barrage of hands to go into the air. The anecdotal evidence supported a theory she had been harboring. “I believe firmly that it’s highly under-reported,” she said.

Race is not the only indicator that someone can be at an increased risk for sarcoidosis.

“It’s more common in women as well,” Dr. Chime-Melton revealed before explaining that it is “twice as common in women.” Black people are not just diagnosed more often. They also have poorer outcomes, according to Dr. Chime-Melton. “We have a higher prevalence of the disease, but it doesn’t end there, unfortunately,” she said. “When we do have the disease, we also have worse forms. So we see more breathlessness. We see more shortness of breath. We see more coughs and progression to the fibrosis to the scar and in the lungs.” .

Wilson shared her personal experiences during the painful journey towards arriving at a diagnosis. “I have walked the challenging path that many of you sarcoidosis patients are on right now,” she said. The symptoms that led her on a long path to being diagnosed appeared in 1986.

“I had a nagging cough, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss,” she added. She learned she had sarcoidosis after several misdiagnoses.

She now had the needed information after being subject to a series of irrelevant treatments. “I was finally thrilled that I was diagnosed with something and that it was not all in my head.” Wilson was subject to the medical gaslighting that many women experience. Her diagnosis offered her vindication. “It was not my menses. It was not the fact that I was a young 20-some-year-old woman and that it was stress which I had been told,” Wilson continued.

Steroids are not the only answer.

Wilson was prescribed prednisone, a steroid with significant side effects, including irritability, extra hair growth, fatigue, rampant sweating, and diminished libido. She worked with her caregiver to decrease the role of medicine in her care. “With my doctor’s guidance, we’ve created a multifaceted treatment plan to reduce my reliance on prednisone,” she said. Dr. Shukla expressed a distaste for the overwhelming use of steroids to manage sarcoidosis. He labeled them as “toxic therapy” and described witnessing the dismissal of the need for new treatment methods by executives. “Big companies or even you know investors, they would say, ‘It’s not that bad of a disease, those patients can just take steroids,’ and that just really bothered me,” he said. Dr. Shukla was impacted by seeing “what steroids can do to someone’s life.” “In 50 years in the medical textbooks, they’re going to say this was poison,” he declared.

Sarcoidosis impacts more than the lungs. “90% of people have it in the lungs, but then you appear in multiple other organ systems. It can affect the eyes, lead to strokes, and the skin,” explained Dr. Chime-Melton.

Take Action

• Persistent coughs are cause for concern. Request a chest X-ray if you suspect you have sarcoidosis.
• Talk to your doctor about alternative healing methods. Nutrition can make a difference in a patient’s quality of life, and you have the right to seek information.
• Ask questions about the side effects of any treatment therapies and stay current on your options.

This session was presented by aTyr Pharma

Panelists:

Sanjay S. Shukla, M.D., M.S. President and CEO aTyr Pharma

Chidinma Chime-Melton MD, MBA, FCCP, CPHQ Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCLA

Andrea Wilson Sarcoidosis Patient and Advocate

The post Sarcoidosis: It’s More Than Just a Nagging Cough appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post Understanding Small Cell Lung Cancer Are You At Risk appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The full transcript of the session is below:

Wendy Racquel Robinson (00:03): One thing that I am excited about is this next section, and I think it’s going to be something we all need to lend our ears, eyes, and hearts to. It’s very important, in The Invisible Ache, Black Men identify their pain and reclaim their power. That is what this section is about, and your [mental wellbeing matters. The title of this session is called, like I said, The Invisible Ache, Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming their Power.

It is also the title of a new book by our next panelist, Mr. Courtney. B Vance is a Tony and two-Time Emmy Award-winning actor, producer, and Arthur in this Harvard Scholar, as well as a Yale School of Drama trained actor is always a powerful presence. From the theatrical boards to the silver screen,

Dr. Robin I. Smith is a licensed psychologist. She’s a media personality. She’s a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and ordained minister. Hallelujah. As a host of Sirius XMs, the Dr. Robin Show, Dr. Robin addresses today’s most pressing societal changes through fearless truth-telling. I think I will settle down while everybody settles down because this is a very important session that I want us to give our eyes, ears, and hearts to.

01:37): Thank you for moderating this discussion, Mr. Tony Cornelius. Tony Cornelius is a veteran television producer and founder of the Don Cornelius Foundation, which focuses on suicide prevention and awareness, and we are so excited to welcome this distinguished panel for this vital discussion. So please join me in welcoming these panelists. Thank you so much.

Tony Cornelius (02:02): Well, first I want to say I’m honored to be here. I was invited here last year for the first time, and Black Health Matters is real and I am absolutely pleased to have these two talented people on stage with me to be exact. There’s a book here called The Invisible Ache by Courtney Vance and Dr. Robin l Smith. And this is a fantastic exploration on Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Their Power, Reclaiming It. And when I first saw this book, this is exactly what’s happening with me as well. I have an invisible wake-up right now. My father passed in February 2012 of suicide, and that invisible ache follows me to this very day. I’d like to start by asking Dr. Robin and Courtney about this book’s title, the Invisible Ache. I’m really interested to know what that’s really about.

Dr. Robin Smith (03:29): We talked a lot. Courtney, my team, and I talked about the best topic, and people had different ideas. I was clear that there is like a soul ache that Black men often carry, human beings carry it, but Black men in particular carry this ache that no one can see, and that if we see it, sometimes we see it through crime or we see it through drug use, but there’s no language it that says, I hurt. I hurt. And I wonder if gun violence would go down. Not only poverty [is a huge part of it, racism is a part of it, but what’s also a huge part of it is if I can’t cry when I hurt, when little girls fall and we pick them up and we kiss their knee and tell them it’s okay, and little boys fall and we tell ’em they better not cry or we’ll give them something to cry about. And then as women, we get connected with these men and we shame and blame them. And I’m not shaming and blaming women, but I am saying that Black men have been stripped of their divine birthright and they hurt. And so Courtney and I are here almost like a principal would give a permission slip to say, not only do you hurt, but we see you and we see your ache.

Tony Cornelius (05:38): It’s always interesting to meet someone who identifies with suicide prevention and it’s very hard to talk about. I didn’t realize that Courtney had family members, particularly his father, as my father committed suicide. Suicide died by suicide, died by suicide. [I’m sorry. No, no. Don’t be sorry. There is a way to say this. We’re just learning. We’re all learning. There is a way to say this and we have an instant connection. An instant connection. And my question to Corey is, Courtney is how are you reclaiming your life back behind that? I mean, we talked about talking to someone. I mean personally, I have to admit, my father passed in 2012 and I haven’t had any therapy. I used my family as my therapy. My church is my therapy. My mother has my therapy, but never gone into a real serious conversation with someone about it. And it’s very, I’m almost afraid to do it. (

06:48): I know it’s hard work. It’s very, very hard work. So Courtney, I want to know how you were able to get through this. My mother. My mother, once I went home with my sister to take care of my mother’s affairs in order. And when we finished a month later, my mother said, now, when you and your sister go back to your cities, I want you to find a therapist. I’m going to find somebody here in Detroit, but when you go back to New York and to DC find somebody and we’re going to break this thing. And she gave me the license. And I know we don’t have a lot of time, but the thing that was most important to me to realize is that I’m worth it.

(07:30): At 30 years old, I had gone as far as I could go with the achievement track. I had gone to Detroit Country Day school with my scholarship and did everything that was at that school for 16 hours a day for four years, three sports for four years. Every club you could join, I joined and then went to Harvard and did that thing, went to Yale Drama School and did that thing and went to New York and did that thing, was on top of the world with six degrees of separation on Broadway. And I got the call from my mother, hysterical that your father killed himself. So all of that achievement stuff didn’t work no more. Didn’t nobody care about that mess. And it was time for me [to take the time and figure out me. My mother ped up on the floor and said to my sister, and I don’t even know how to turn on the VCR, y’all may not know, but Tony, they may not know what, it’s a young crowd out there, Dr. Robin, what are we going to do with him?

(08:59): Okay, we’ll leave that alone. We’ll, okay. The journey of finding someone for me was difficult. As you said, it’s work. But when I finally put my Laura Lenny actress, you may know her, she was in the cast with six degrees with us. And when I came back to the show, everybody wrapped me up and started trying to give me do for me. And Laura said, I have a therapist, massage therapist, I want you to, oh, okay, cool. In between shows on Wednesday when laid down on the table, met gun osp, laid down on the table and before I started, Gunilla asked me, is there anything I need to know before I get started? She said, I said, well, my father just died of suicide. She broke. I broke, and we began. And when she finished, she said, I know the perfect person for you. And that’s how I found my therapist. I was with her for about four years on and off. And initially, we did once a week, and thank God I was on Broadway, and was able to pay for her. But when I got in there, I recognized and started talking a mile a minute, and Dr. K, named Dr. Kornfield, got arrested. So I called her Dr. K. Dr. K said, Courtney, you don’t need to tell me everything today.

(10:29): But I realized this was my time, this was my time, and I could pay for it. And we worked off my dream. She challenged me and she said, I want you to get your dreams. And long story, I got my dreams and brought in 35 dreams to her. The next session, I mean a month two, has gone by, but 35 dreams. And so she said, Courtney, choose one. I said, really? So from somebody who didn’t know what to do, Dr. Robin, and if you listen and if you’re committed to the journey, to you, to our journey, we will be led. What we need to do and who we need to be with. But the main thing is you commit to me. You commit to commit to the journey. And by virtue of the journey, you will find out everything you need to find out. Dr. Robin, let’s say something real quick, and this leads me to a question to you, Dr. Robin, in seeking help, how do we seek help? Whether it be those that are depressed, those that are struggling with whatever it is they’re struggling with, how do we seek.

Dr. Robin Smith (11:39): Help? Anxiety, sometimes we think of depression and suicide. We don’t think about how anxious many people are, how afraid many people are. And I’m going to answer your question and roll it in to something you said. And Courtney said, you said you’re afraid almost to do the work, the hard work. I just want to remind us that suffering is a lot of work too. We’re just more familiar with how to suffer. And so I just want us to realize that it takes a lot of work and a lot of energy to suffer and to suffer silently and to be invisible how we find help. It’s interesting, Tony, because Courtney talked about Dr. K, and this is in The Invisible A invisible ache, our new book, which will be out on November 7th. Courtney had several other experiences, shall we say, with therapists who, and I’m happy to hold this up there.

(12:57): Courtney and I are so excited about it. And we’re excited not because for the sake of excitement, we’re excited because Black lives and Black Health Matters and we know that this is going to save lives. But Courtney had several therapists, Tony before, or several appointments with therapists who were, I’m just going to say it because we don’t have a lot of time to find nice words where it was [00:13:30] a disaster and a disaster because some people were intrigued with Courtney B Vance, who was on Broadway. And so they would love to have signed up as his therapist. There were people, there was a Black woman who therapist, because sometimes we think we need to find somebody who’s like us. So if I’m a Black man, I need to find a Black man. If I’m a Black woman, I need to find a Black woman. I ask this question when people have called me and said, I need, I’m also, they mentioned an ordained minister. So sometimes people will call and say, I need a Christian and I want to come to you because I heard you preaching. And I’ll say to them, if you needed heart surgery or brain surgery, would you ask if that person is a Christian or would you ask, can you get me off the table alive?

(14:26): This is how we find someone word of mouth. So we got to find people like you met Courtney. And so you might say like, okay, what was her name? And I know she’s going on, but who do we know in California? Now you’ve met me. So word of mouth. But because we’ve been ashamed as a people about getting help now we’ll borrow money for bail. We’ll tell people about all kinds of mess,] but we won’t say, I’m not sleeping well and I have these thoughts that I can’t get rid of and I can’t shake them. And so part of Tony, what we do is we find the right people. I didn’t say, just go ask anybody. Ask someone who looks like they’re doing their work. Who has told you that their child struggled? Courtney’s godson, 23 years young in 2020, died by suicide, vibrant, had loving parents, 23 would be 26 now and is gone. So we can’t keep these secrets about our suffering as if somehow we are ashamed of our humanity. All we’re doing is claiming that we are wholly] and fully human. Remember it was said that we were only three fifths. I don’t know if you all know that, that we were only partially human. So I don’t know what part they left off, but I do know here today that part of our divine birthright is that we reclaim our full humanity and that comes with being broken and being hurt and being resilient.

Tony Cornelius (16:32): Fantastic. Well, lemme say this. As you talk about that, let’s talk a little bit about recognizing, and particularly I’m going to send this over to Courtney. My experience, my father said to me weeks before he passed, well Tony, I don’t know how long I’m going to be here as a father, father tells you that you go, well, dad, what do you mean you don’t know how long you’re going to be here? Well, Tony, I just don’t know. Well, that goes [00:17:00] in one ear and out the other really. And then finally it happened, and then I understood. But to recognizing it is so, so difficult and so important at the same time. And I’m just wondering, Courtney, have you learned anything by this experience as far as recognizing some of those things amongst us? And this is not just for men, it’s for women as well.

(17:24): I don’t want people to think this is just for men. Women have the same thoughts we have. Well, I think we all know folks. We all know ourselves. And the difficult times that we go through, and the question is for me, always, what are we going to do about it? I mean, I didn’t know that there was something that I could do. Tony, Dr. Robin, I didn’t know what,] as I said, as when I got into therapy, I didn’t even know I needed to be in therapy because I was so used to doing things the way I had done things. So I think the largest step is to recognize that I need to talk to somebody or I would like to talk to somebody. And from talking to Dr. K as I related, I just started babbling because there was so much to you just do.

(18:40): And some people do, and don’t go where you can be recognized and they’re living life. I was blessed to be able to be successful in the career that chose me. [00:19:00] And a lot of times that’s enough. And if there’s some struggle that goes along with it, then you just got to learn how to deal with that. That’s just on you. You just got to learn. But the knowledge that I don’t just have to put up with the suffering, that there is something else other on the other side of suffering and the fact that we actually succeed or do well at our job or do, but [00:19:30] I’m not in abundance. I’m not old. I don’t feel well. And I think that’s everybody. I don’t just think that’s, I mean, we are told to give our cars a tuna and we go to the dentist every well, and we’re supposed to do our pap smears and colonoscopy Well, [00:20:00] and we’re supposed to take care of our physical cells, but this is a part of it.

(20:04): The mental health, it’s all about the battlefield is the mind. It’s all about the mind, the way as a person thinks in their mind. So they are. And the fact that our mental health is the last thing we pay attention to, but it’s the last thing that we think that we need to pay attention to because nobody wants to talk about it. Nobody wants to say that. Say, yeah, you’re not dealing. Well, [00:20:30] please don’t talk to me about that. Okay, you’re struggling with what do you want me to do? You want me to pray for you? Okay, I’ll pray for you. And then I got to go. But what are we going to do about it? And that’s what our book is about. That the message from me, from my experience is that it came up on me and I didn’t know what to do, anything. But my mother, I love her again. Thank you, holy Spirit. My [00:21:00] mother said, my sister named is Cecily CEEs. And Courtney, when you go back find somebody, she didn’t tell me what to do. Dr. K didn’t tell me. She said, I want you to get your dreams. She didn’t tell me how to do it. She challenged me. Don’t challenge me.

Dr. Robin Smith (21:17): She also asked, are you patient? Yea.

Tony Cornelius (21:22): And the answer is no, Courtney, (21:25): He told the truth. He said, no, I’m not. And then what did she say? (21:29): She [00:21:30] said, well, do you have the patience to let the mud settle in the water and the water become clear? And I said, no. (21:46): I said, I got to go, Dr. K. I got to get going. I’m going to make a decision. She said, well, how do you make decisions, Courtney? I mean, just like everybody, right? And this is how you get yourself in trouble. You say, well, that is what everybody does, right? No. I said, well, I just like in acting, I just go for a choice. I make a choice. I flip a coin and just go for her. She said, that’s this is all information that she’s gleaning from me to see where we are. Where is this young man? What’s the next steps for this young man? How many sessions per week do we need to? Dr.

Robin Smith (22:28): And Tony, I want to say something [about your father’s cry. Father’s cry, his godson’s cry, his courage. Sometimes we say that people who die by suicide, they weren’t courageous. We blame them for running out of steam. We blame them or we blame ourselves or both for not having heard. But how would you ever have known, and this is something I want to remind us all. Yes. He said, I don’t think I’m going to be around much longer. That was a cry. But you could never have known that a few weeks or so later, his despair would

Tony Cornelius (23:25): Prevail. And my sister said the exact same thing. Yeah. I mean, my father said the exact same thing to  my sister. She said, daddy, we’re going to take care of you. Something like that. Something he said, oh no baby, you don’t need to take care of me. Something like that without coming out and saying it, right, without saying it. Trying

Dr. Robin Smith (23:43): To. Right. So we can’t know that. But what we can do with these new ears, we can begin to listen. I think about there are times when I’ve said, because when I’ve asked people, have you ever been suicidal? And people] are like, oh, not me. And I’m like, well, it depends on what you think suicidal thoughts are. Because I’ve thought what a blessing it would be when life was rawest for me not to see the sun again. So I didn’t have a plan, and I didn’t have a weapon, maybe, and I didn’t have but the ache in me. And I had people who loved me say, oh, you don’t want to say that. You don’t want to. No, I mean you have everything to live for, which makes the person who is aching even exactly ache more.

Tony Cornelius (24:43): Let me cut in by saying I don’t know how much more time we have, but let’s talk a little bit about reclaiming. Let’s talk about how we can get better. How do we find ourselves again, and what do we have to do to reclaim our lives?

Dr. Robin Smith (25:03): Yeah, our birthright. Courtney’s mother, in terms of getting resources, everyone can’t afford a private therapist. But there are universities, and I want everyone to know this, that have counseling programs. I was working in one, and they have sliding scales. Sometimes it’s free. You can get some of the best care in these centers because people are training with some of the best clinicians. So I want to remind us that there are community mental health centers all around the country. There are universities all around the country, but Courtney’s mother, I call her, she was a fierce lion Mama Vance. And what I want to remind us is of this, when we say to our children, do what I say, not what I do, it doesn’t work. There’s a quote that says The lion’s story will never be known as long as the hunter is the one to tell it.

(26:02): So when you said, where do we start? We start, the lion’s story will never be known as long as the hunter is the one to tell it. And so we start Tony by telling our stories to someone safe, someone who understands that this is holy ground. Someone who can tolerate [not having the answers and can let the water get really messy and the mud to settle, and they don’t need you to be okay when you’re not. So we start by telling our story to someone who can bear and we don’t feel like it’s too much for them to carry. They’re going to be up at night. It’s so, so important that the beginning is for the lion to tell his or her own story to some person or community where it is safe. Sometimes it’s the barbershop. It is sometimes in that chair where someone says, man, how are you? And you say, I’m not well. And they don’t shut you down. They say, well, what’s happening? Tell me more. This is the line I want to feed you. When someone tells you they are hurting, don’t try and fix it. Ask them to tell you more. So you’re at your wits end. You think you may not be here much longer. Tell me more. Because you can’t reassure someone about their ache. Ask them to tell you more.

Tony Cornelius (28:02): It’s interesting as I listen to you, there are times when people come to me who are in pain, but I think what happens is we’re so involved in ourself that we don’t hear it. And I’ve had friends that come to me and say, Tony, I’m having some thoughts. And because I understand that, I dig in immediately, but there’s so many people who don’t have that experience. And the interesting thing is that those who don’t have that experience, it goes in one ear, right out the other. I don’t know if you’ve experienced that as well, but here’s what I want to do. If I came to you and told you I was a certain kind of way, what would you say to me

Dr. Robin Smith (28:50): If you said to me that you were feeling depressed and thinking of taking your life or just depressed? I’d ask, tell me [] what’s that depression look like? How does it show up in your everyday life? How does it show up in your eating and in your sleeping? How does it show up? Is there any joy in your life? And what I’ve found, Tony, is when we hear Black men don’t go to therapy, I’m like, I don’t know what Black men people are talking about. Because if you create a safe space for a Black man to tell his story, he’ll talk. He’ll keep talking. He won’t stop talking. You’ll have to remind him that we can do this next week and do it again the following week. And so I would make space to let that man know that we can make this journey together. I’d also ask if someone’s talking about not wanting to live, [00:30:00] whether or not they have a plan. We need to know, have people, how far has someone thought out not being here? So, instead of being afraid, again, I don’t want to ask because that might put the thought in their head. That’s the lie. You don’t put that thought in someone’s head. You help someone express what is already happening inside of them.

Tony Cornelius (30:30): [00:30:30] Well, we’ve got a couple of minutes left, and I want Courtney to say, just give us a few words on the way out. I was just sitting thinking about what you were saying, doc, and one of the things that, the thoughts that are in our mind that as long as it’s taken for the thoughts to get in our minds, it’s going to take an equal] amount of the quote, suicidal thoughts. It’s going to take an equal amount. They said it takes three weeks or so to change habits. So one of the things that helps me is finding those things, that finding the joy. I like to ride my bike. I have e-bikes now, and when I’m riding my bike, my mind goes somewhere else, and it’s not running. I had a total [knee replacement on my knees, so I can’t be running like I used to anymore.

(31:34): But I can ride my bike, I can ride my scooter. I like to listen to books. So I read more now than I have. And once, it’s another thing, something that I can do for my mind that it’s not some loose drugs, not cigarettes, it’s not coffee, it’s not drinking. It’s something. Find something that you love to do and do it. Find something that brings you joy, that’s simple, that’s not expensive, something that’s doable. And if it’s walking for you, just get out and walk. Maybe sometimes you can’t walk in your neighborhood, I get it. But find something to do. Get on the bus and go to a neighborhood where you can walk around just to make sure it’s not Beverly Hills because they don’t let you walk around that neighborhood. I know. [00:32:30] Don’t come back and say, Courtney said, how’d you go to Beverly Hills and walk around? What are you doing here? Courtney B. Vance and I should walk around to Beverly Hills. Don’t be going to Beverly Hills and walking around. Okay, I’m, that’s all I’m saying, ladies and gentlemen, the invisible ache. Did we give him something to go out with? Don’t go to Beverly Hills. We having so much fun in here, Courtney. He doesn’t want to go home. He doesn’t want to go home. But I want to introduce this book, the Invisible Ache, Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power. Courtney b Vance, and Dr. Robin l Smith.

Dr. Robin Smith (33:08): Thank you. And thank you, Tony. I mean, I know we need to end, but I really want to thank you and thank Courtney for this moment because what I know for sure, I know this for sure, that there are Black men and women all around the country who are going to find the right person to say, ouch. I hurt. And it will save lives. It will save lives. And we will remember in your father’s honor and in your father’s honor that they paid so that other Black men, their sons and others, and Black women of course too, but our Black boys and our Black men, so they can live and live abundantly. So thank you. Oh, for Tony Cornelius (34:05): Question, I was told there was a q and a, but I’m not sure. Dr. Robin Smith (34:09): Hi. Okay. My name is Re Bryant. I am a licensed clinician in la. I’ve been practicing for about 15 years, so I’m happy we’re doing this segment today. I also run a nonprofit that sponsors Black men to get licensed clinical support from other [00:34:30] Black men. We’re actively doing that program right now, so I just wanted to put that out there. If there are African American men who are looking to get mental health support, you may not have insurance or what have you. We are running a program right now where we will cover it for free, eight sessions completely free. So if you want to come to find me afterward, please come and talk to me. If you are looking for a therapist for ongoing support, I have a private practice in la Brian [00:35:00] counseling.com. CCG for you.org is a nonprofit. So, I just wanted to put that out there. I’m glad you guys are doing this work.

(35:08): You

Courtney B. Vance (35:10): Quick comment and then a question. Really, thank you for this space. I have a history of attempted suicides from age six to 20. I’m 22 now, so I’m about just 22 in August, so a year and some change of those stocks and attempts outside of me, [00:35:30] just thanks to especially Ms. Culley, she’s the executive director of Sanctuary of Hope, who she creates a space and opportunities where we can receive therapy and heal for former foster youth and former homeless youth. So that just as I’m at this, the question, just as I’m in this period of healing and whatnot when it comes to vulnerability, how do you [00:36:00] all engage in that without the thought of there being a sabotage in the future or that paranoia of it coming back to bite you.

Dr. Robin Smith (36:13): And tell us your name again?

Courtney B. Vance (36:15): Nathaniel. Nathaniel. Nathaniel.

Dr. Robin Smith (36:17): Let me say this. You are every piece of courage to be whole. I mean, you are [00:36:30] everything. I mean, you are Nathaniel, you are. And I’m not minimizing that your life from six to 22 has been painful and traumatic, but you are the living testimony that with those attempted suicides, because attempted suicides, and you know this even better than I do, it’s a pain. It is that invisible [00:37:00] ache. And so when you talk about vulnerability, if we, you, me, and those in this room understand that vulnerability is part of your superpower, you could not, and you didn’t have to say anything. You didn’t have to say a word. So I want to ensure that you understand that everyone in this room and around the country understands that vulnerability, [00:37:30] if shared with the right people, is our superpower. And if we make the mistake of trusting someone unworthy, we’ve all done that. I’ve told things to people that I’m sorry, I told them because they’ve taken my vulnerability and used it against me. But that’s okay because as long as I’m learning, it’s not a failure. It’s [00:38:00] just feedback telling me, don’t do that again with that person. And so what you are doing is you are living right now showing us exactly what it looks like to be strong and mighty and vulnerable in your power.

Tony Cornelius (38:25): My father was a foster child, and [00:38:30] thought that his mother didn’t want him. And because he thought his mother didn’t want him at the base core, when things got rough, he was unmoored. Eventually, he had enough, and there was no long story here. He had enough, and he took himself out. But we found out that his mother was looking for him. And if he had just been able to hold on, and I found out [00:39:00] that me, he held on long enough to, I knew I was loved and unconditionally that he was at everything, every event, every sporting event, everything. He was there. My mother was there. He couldn’t do it for me. He wasn’t done for him, but he did it for my sister and me, and then he did it for me so that I could find out that my vulnerability, when I found acting, [00:39:30] I found that I can use my vulnerability, as you had said, as power. Your superpower, my superpower. Vulnerability in acting is a superpower. If you’ve got that, you’ve got it. People are, oh, Courtney, I wish, how do you, it’s like, but baby, that’s my superpower.

(39:54): That’s my superpower. And so you keep, I will stand up for you. You [00:40:00] keep on going. You keep, you just keep going. Don’t you stop and find something positive? You find somebody to talk to so that when those thoughts come up in your head again, you got positive things to say, get away from me so that you end up one day sitting up here with a mic [00:40:30] on a couch with a testimony. That’s what you got. You got a testimony. So you see all this, use that for when things get rough again. Because they will. Oh, tomorrow it’s going to be up on you. So you have to arm yourself to get ready for the fight. That’s what it is. It’s just a fight. And just because you get their thoughts, you see all

[00:41:00] These people have been here.

(41:01): Every one of us has those thoughts. The question is, what you going to do about ’em? And I say, tell ’em to go somewhere. You got somewhere to go. No. With that being said, I want you to know we love you. Amen. And I felt you before you got on that microphone. Okay? And I love you. I don’t even know you and I love you. Amen. And there’s so many other people that love you, man. Okay? [00:41:30] And if my father were here today, I’d tell him the same thing You so keep doing what you’re doing and I love how you got up there and spoke out and keep speaking out. Okay?

Speaker 5 (41:46): I think they

Tony Cornelius (41:47): Said that we ain’t got to go home, but Speaker 6 (41:49): I think they right. You don’t have to go home, but you must leave here. We want to tell you that, by the way, hope is, hold on. Pain ends hope. [00:42:00] Hold on. Pain ends. And a lot of times we don’t know whether we’re anxious, we’re depressed. We have thoughts. We don’t know what to do with, hold on, hold on. Pain. That’s hope. Just remember, hold on. Pain. And so we have a question.

Speaker 5 (42:21): My name is Ted Booker, and I work for an unapologetically Black agency called the Ahmad Institute. We are intersectional peer support, behavior, health [00:42:30], and wellness organization. You can get therapy from us for free. We’re in South la. We’re in Watts. Wonderful. It’s called the Ahma Institute. You can get on our list and you can receive therapy for free without insurance.

Speaker 6 (42:46): Wonderful. And say the name again so everyone

Speaker 5 (42:48): Can, the Ahma Institute. It’s an acronym for Arming Minorities Against Addiction and Disease. And I just had a quick statement because this is a great beginning, but there’s one thing in Black culture [00:43:00] current day that we still have to deal with that deals with this subject matter. You don’t know Black culture if you don’t know that Black women run Black culture and lead Black culture. However, one of the things that is happening today is that I engage with young people a lot. So much stuff happens to Black males that they get protected, and our females are raised. So the other disparity like this between men and women, when you look at socioeconomic status, education, head of household [00:43:30], and Black culture between males and females, it looks like this. (43:35): And you can’t do anything in Black culture without our women. Even if she’s supporting. Amen. You cannot. I’ll say it again. You cannot do anything in Black culture without our women. And that’s a direct result of slavery, what slavery did to us in this country. And there are so many things associated with that that we have not the stigmas that we have not dealt with, but where do we begin in terms of, we [00:44:00] still need to protect, but where do we begin with raising our boys where they could be on an equal playing field with our women because our young ladies are being taught to survive and take care of themselves. Their counterparts look like this. Speaker 6 (44:19): Absolutely. Yeah. Thank you so much for that. So I’m supposed to tell you there is a QR code. QR code [00:44:30] was put together today for the invisible ache. It’s on your screen. You can pre-order the book right now. You can buy the book. We want you to do that. The book is also on audio. Courtney and I recorded the book, so you can buy it now. Go to that QR code and purchase the Invisible A. It’s about saving lives and our community. Thank [00:45:00] you so much, and God bless you. Thank.

The post The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post Do You Have the Heart? Arm Yourself Against Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risks! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Check out these recruiting trials: Funded by Bristol Myers Squibb.

The post Adrienne Nicole Talks Lupus Advocacy & Clinical Trials appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Featured:
Tony Cornelius
Cassandra Cantave
Yolo Akili Robinson

To stay up to date on all Summit related information, please sign-up for our BHM Summit Newsletter: https://bit.ly/BHMSummitInfo.

Make sure to like and subscribe to show that #blackhealthmatters!

The post Mental Health is Important to Everyone in Our Community a Discussion Across Gender and Age appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Sponsored by Amgen

Featured Speakers:
Reema Dirks, PharmD
Chrissy Carter

The post Learn To Understand and Manage Severe Asthma & Representation in Clinical Research at Amgen appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Academy of Continuing Healthcare and BHM invite you to join us and Dr. Rachel Villanueva, MD/FACOG Rosh Maternal Fetal Medicine, PC, for an in depth discussion on endometriosis, it’s symptoms and finding care.

You will also hear from a patient advocate and most important, have the opportunity to share your experience in getting diagnosed and finding care. You do not have to suffer in silence!

Make sure to like and subscribe to show that #blackhealthmatters!

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Black Health Matters, (www.blackhealthmatters.com) is a digital health communications and patient event engagement firm that was founded in 2012. Black Health Matters (BHM) is an award-winning, premier web site that empowers thousands each week with information on the management of chronic disease. We deliver a highly personalized content experience that makes healthy behaviors relevant within the context of our visitors’ lives. Our Black Health Matters Summit brings world-class medical doctors, advocates and other medical professionals in dialogue with communities on the science of disease and management of chronic illness.

The post End(o) the stigma | #endometriosis appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The reasons are complex, as there are multiple factors that contribute to the higher incidence of colorectal cancer in the community.

Here are Five Key Reasons:

#1: Lack of Adequate Health Care

Proper healthcare is instrumental in the fight against colorectal cancer. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also can find colorectal cancer early when treatment is most effective.

The American Cancer Society now recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screening at age 45. Blacks are less likely than Whites to get screened for colorectal cancer, and some of those concerns are related to expense, particularly for people who don’t have health insurance.

Although a colonoscopy is the most expensive screening method, there are other, more cost-effective options available. The cost might be a deterrent for some, although insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid, usually covers the cost of a colonoscopy. Please contact your doctor to discuss cost-effective screening options.

Even though Blacks have higher colorectal incidence than Whites, Blacks are less likely than Whites to receive a recommendation for colorectal screening, according to a National Institute of Health (NIH) study. Physicians, the study found, are less likely to recommend screening if they believe the patients won’t be able to pay for it.

For patients, trust in their doctor is an important factor in their decision to get screened for colorectal cancer, and Blacks have a history of mistrust in health providers, which can stem from negative experiences.

#2: Lack of Representation In Clinical Research

Clinical trials are carried out for all types and stages of colorectal cancer. Many patients may explore if a new treatment is safer and more effective than existing treatments. These types of studies evaluate new drugs, different combinations of treatments, new approaches to radiation therapy or surgery, and new methods of treatment.

Blacks have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials, accounting for just 5% of clinical trial participants in the United States, while White patients make up the vast majority of participants. Diverse representation in clinical trials is essential, as it allows researchers to learn how treatments work for and impact different populations.

The research community has been focusing its efforts on improving clinical trial diversity. It is important to study the genetic differences in patient populations regarding race and ethnicity. Studies that focus on colorectal cancer are ongoing and looking for patients. Learn more about one such study for patients with late-stage diagnosis, the OrigAMI-1 Colorectal Cancer Study.

#3: Not Knowing Family History

One risk factor for colorectal cancer is a family history of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. This NIH study shows that Blacks may be less likely to know their family history of cancer than Whites, and family members are less likely to tell relatives about the finding of colonic polyps.

This lack of information could be a reason Blacks are less likely than Whites to get screened for colorectal cancer, leading to potentially higher incidences of diagnoses and fatalities related to the disease. Colorectal screening is critical, as many people with the disease do not have early warning symptoms.

Talking to people who know your family medical history can help you and your doctor determine if you are at an elevated risk for colorectal cancer. This knowledge can help ensure you get screened at the right time in the most appropriate way.

#4. Stigma about Getting a Colonoscopy

While the colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, an exam used to look for changes — such as swollen, irritated tissues, polyps or cancer — in the large intestine (colon) and rectum, there’s a stigma associated with that part of the body, particularly for Black men.

This NIH study found that one particularly important barrier among Black men when it comes to colonoscopy is the view of the invasive procedure as a potential challenge to their masculinity. That, coupled with fear and embarrassment, may have contributed to low engagement in colorectal screening among this population, the study found.

It’s part of the reason efforts are underway to raise awareness of colorectal cancer among Black men, who have the highest incidence rates in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. For example, behavioral scientist Dr. Charles R. Rogers, who studies racial disparities in colorectal cancer, has targeted Black barber shops in his work to eliminate the stigma and increase screenings.

#5. Not Being Informed

While information about colorectal cancer may be available online, few within the Black community may truly know the elevated risks that they face in developing it.

At the very least, it’s important to know what symptoms to look out for that may be associated with colorectal cancer: a change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few days; a feeling you need to have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one; rectal bleeding; blood in the stool; abdominal cramping; feeling tired or weak; or losing weight without trying. You should contact your doctor if you are concerned about any of the symptoms you are experiencing.

Share this article with your loved ones and remind them of the importance of medical screening, doctor visits, and advocating for diverse patients to be represented in colorectal cancer research.

The post Five Reasons Why Colorectal Cancer is Prevalent in the Black Community appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Cynthia Bailey (Real Housewives Of Atlanta) shares her story of dealing with fibroids. Learning she had them after the birth of her daughter, they had begun to grow. It affected her in many ways and was always on the celebrity “baby bump” list because of the changes it had made to her body. When she finally had the procedure done, the ones removed were the size of an orange. Today, she is fibroid free and continues the conversation to help women have a better quality of life.

Dr. Julianne Adams Birt speaks about the shock that some women face when discovering they have fibroids. She explains that genetic history and knowledge of fibroids can help women to know that there may be a problem. She also delves into the disproportionate number of Black women with fibroids and the preventative measures they should be taking with their doctors.

Dr. Anita Johnson echoes these sentiments and urges viewers to persist when they feel symptoms. Don’t ignore it out of fear or discomfort. She pushes for women to have a strong relationship with their doctors.

Then M.J. Collier Jr. Speaks about the importance of finding the right healthcare provider, who answers questions rather than pushing a patient out in seven minutes. He asks that everyone be their own advocate.

The post Let’s Talk About Women’s Health Fibroids, Cancers, and More appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Ali was surprised by her haunting experience and how common it actually is within the Black community. Between systemic racism and bias, she found herself in a situation that did not feel safe. She discusses being coerced into an epidural, getting pinned down, and listening to screaming. The scene played out unlike anything she imagined and Tatiana found herself in shocking positions, including one with a doctor climbing on her bed, that left her feeling squeezed “like a bottle of toothpaste.” It was then that she realized no one there could help her.

That’s when they pushed her son back inside of her.

It is that part of the story that gets a stark reaction and that’s the part of the story that truly spotlights the importance of sharing her experience. The fallout left her son with medical issues and a stay in the NICU.

The video also features commentary from birth doula Denise Bolds. Bolds offers her own unique perspective on this important issue. She highlights the problems and the potential solutions for those women entering this crucial part of their birthing journey. She showcases exactly what Black women need in order to have the safe space they deserve.

The post Advocating for a Healthy and Respectful Birthing Experience appeared first on Black Health Matters.

ER+/HER2- breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer. It makes up nearly 70% of all breast cancer cases. It is more commonly diagnosed in postmenopausal women, but it can also affect premenopausal women.

Estrogen is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body. In ER-positive breast cancers, the presence of estrogen promotes cancer cell growth. Medication treatment options for ER-positive cancers work to stop or slow this growth.In HER2-positive cancers, there is an overexpression of HER2 protein which is not applicable in this type of cancer. In HER2-negative cancers, this overproduction protein is not present.

Click here to learn more about an ongoing clinical trial, determine if you are eligible, and do your part to advance estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and human epidermal receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer research.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for HR-positive breast cancer:

• Genetic mutations
• Family history
• Age
• Obesity
• Alcohol use
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Early onset of menstrual cycle
• First full-term pregnancy later in life
• Late menopause

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ER+/HER2- breast cancer typically involves a series or combination of labs, tests, and imaging. Your healthcare provider can help determine which tests are right for you. Imaging tests may include a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI. A biopsy will confirm the diagnosis, presence of ER+/HER2- breast cancer cells, and other cancer-specific features.

Treatment

Treatment for ER+/HER2- breast cancer often includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and possibly chemotherapy. The key element of treatment in both early and progressive disease is endocrine therapy. Endocrine therapy works by blocking or reducing estrogen production.

The goal of early stage breast cancer treatment is to cure it and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the future. This treatment typically includes endocrine therapy. Commonly used endocrine therapies include tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and ovarian suppression. Chemotherapy may also be recommended in certain situations. Treatment may be continued for several years following surgery.

Outlook

Cancer outlook can vary based on factors like the stage of cancer at diagnosis, tumor size, grade, and the presence of other factors. ER+/HER2- breast cancer tends to have a better prognosis and more treatment options that are highly effective compared to some other types of breast cancer. In ER+/HER2- breast cancer, the risk of cancer recurrence exists for an extended period of time.

Further Research

Treatment options have evolved and advanced over the years, but the harsh reality is that breast cancer disparities still exist. Minority women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in later stages, less likely to receive optimal treatment, and likely to experience worse outcomes when compared to their white counterparts.

If you or a loved one have early-stage ER+/HER2- breast cancer and have had surgery to treat it, click here to learn more about whether a clinical trial may be an option for you.

– – –

References

• National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Female Breast Cancer Subtypes
• CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Systemic therapy for hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early stage and metastatic breast cancer
• American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer HER2 Status
• National Library of Medicine. Racial disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment by hormone receptor and HER2 status

This article is sponsored by Lilly.

The post What is ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When a specific ethnic or minority group is underrepresented in clinical trials, this can be detrimental to the advancement of treatment options and significantly researchers are able to gain regarding factors or considerations that are specific to that group. It is imperative that we increase representation and diversity in clinical research, allowing critical insight into the complex differences that may exist among these groups and promoting improved outcomes.

If data including minority patients is lacking in clinical trial databases, this can limit the potential benefits of personalized medicine for minority communities. Increasing minority participation in clinical trials can provide valuable insights into cultural and social factors that affect healthcare decision-making and adherence to treatment regimens.

Increasing Clinical Trial Participation

While clinical trials play a huge role, it is crucial that participants in these trials appropriately represent the population. So crucial, in fact, that the FDA issued guidance in 2019 urging pharmaceutical companies to increase clinical trial enrollment of underrepresented populations. Diversifying clinical trial participation helps researchers better understand the risks and benefits across different groups and reduce health care disparities.

Limited access is one of the major barriers to involvement of underrepresented groups in clinical trials. Eli Lilly and Company recognizes that diversity in clinical trials is a critical part of ensuring medications are effective for those that use them, and  they strive to achieve diverse representation in their clinical trials.

Click here to learn more about an ongoing breast cancer clinical trial, determine if you are eligible, and do your part to increase diversity in clinical trials and advance estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and human epidermal receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer research.

Disparities in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Lack of clinical trial diversity is a barrier to the advancement of breast cancer treatment. Black women specifically are largely underrepresented in clinical trials. In fact, Black patients make up less than 4% of enrolled patients for specific cancer treatments. Some factors that may explain the low participation rate include access to care, finances, lack of awareness, and patient uncertainty. If you are willing to participate in a clinical trial, but have concerns, speak with your health care provider about your options and the risks and benefits of participation. Your provider can also answer any questions you have.

Choosing to participate in a breast cancer clinical trial requires making the important decision to invest in your health and the health of other patients with breast cancer. When you volunteer for a clinical trial, you become a vital contributor to the research process. Your participation may also help researchers work toward understanding and improving health disparities.

Making your decision can come with an overflow of emotions. Understanding the role clinical trials play in the advancement of healthcare may help make your decision easier. If you choose to participate in a clinical trial,

If you or a loved one have early-stage ER+/HER2- breast cancer and have had surgery to treat it, click here to learn more about whether a clinical trial may be an option for you.

– – –

References

• S. Food & Drug Administration. Enhancing the Diversity of Clinical Trial Populations — Eligibility Criteria, Enrollment Practices, and Trial Designs Guidance for Industry
• ACS Journals. Addressing racial/ethnic disparities in cancer clinical trials: Everyone has a role to play
• American Association for Cancer Research. Disparities In Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment
• Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Increasing Clinical Trial Participation of Black Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

The post What is the role of clinical trials in the advancement of breast cancer treatment? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Developed over a century ago, Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight. It doesn’t measure body fat directly, but instead uses an equation to make an approximation. However, BMI can help determine whether a person is at an unhealthy or healthy weight.

Often, a high BMI can be a sign of too much fat on the body, while a low BMI can be a sign of too little fat on the body. The higher a person’s BMI, the greater their chances of developing certain serious conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. A very low BMI can also cause health problems, including bone loss, decreased immune function, and anemia.

While BMI can be useful in screening children and adults for body weight problems, it does have its limits. BMI may overestimate the amount of body fat in athletes and other people with very muscular bodies. It may also underestimate the amount of body fat in older adults and other people who have lost muscle mass.

Adult BMI Calculator

More recently, BMI has been challenged for its discrepancies because it may misclassify rates of overweight and obesity in historically marginalized ethnic populations, particularly Black women.

Given that the BMI was developed based on studies in white populations, its ability to accurately classify overweight and obesity in other populations has been questioned. High BMI bodies have been stigmatized as “diseased bodies” in both scientific literature and media messaging.

Furthermore, those with high BMI bodies have been characterized as lacking willpower. For people and populations that BMI misclassifies as overweight, there can be social and medical consequences.

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH METRICS FOR BLACK WOMEN

Here are two health metrics aside from BMI that may be more accurate for Black women.

WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE

While the BMI is a good predictor of your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, it’s more accurate when combined with waist circumference measures.

Waist circumference measures abdominal adiposity—the excess fat around organs—and is an independent predictor of heart disease and type 2 diabetes risks.

Traditional recommendations indicate that waist circumference should be less than 35 inches (88 cm) in women and less than 40 inches (102 cm) in men.

WAIST-TO-HIP RATIO (WHR)

Another measure of abdominal obesity is the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), which is a strong predictor of metabolic risk and heart disease.

Combining this measure with the BMI produces strong insights into patterns of body fat storage and health risk.

According to an older report from the World Health Organization, an ideal WHR is less than 0.85 for women, and 0.9 for men.

BMI relates weight to height and is an estimate of body fat and disease risk, although it’s not an accurate measure of body composition.

CONCLUSION

More research is needed to clarify how BMI impacts people of African descent and whether ethnic differences in body structure are clinically significant for disease outcomes.

Even though Black Americans have been shown to have lower body fat percentage and higher muscle masses, BMI may misclassify them as overweight or obese, since it doesn’t take variation in body composition into account.

Plus, studies indicate that structural racism specifically leads to higher BMIs among Black women, potentially making the BMI an unfair metric for this population.

Try this today: In addition to monitoring your BMI, you may want to keep track of your waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. And speak with a medical professional for help understanding what your numbers mean for you.

The post What Does Your BMI Say? What Black Women Should Know appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Throughout the session, the panel delves into topics such as the stigma around mental health, access to mental health resources, generational trauma, and practical advice for improving mental health and wellness. Each panelist brings a unique perspective to the table, offering valuable insights and strategies for overcoming these challenges.

If you’re looking to gain a deeper understanding of mental health in the black community, this video is a must-watch. Join Shanti Das, Lynette Shaw, and Randy Sconiers, DSW, LCSW for an engaging and informative discussion on Mental Health.

The post A Black Mental Health Discussion appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Featuring: Tony Cornelius, Cassandra Cantave, and Yolo Akili Robinson.

To stay up to date on all Summit-related information, sign-up for our BHM Summit Newsletter! [Sign Up]

The post Mental Health is Important to Everyone in Our Community a Discussion appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Featuring: Sarah Y. Vinson, MD Sherri Broadwater, MD Dr. Contessa Metcalfe,MD, MSPH and Sharnell Myles, PsyD, LPC, CPCS, CCTP.

The post Breaking the Stigma About Mental Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

EC is the most common type of uterine cancer. It’s also one of the few cancers where diagnoses and deaths are on the rise. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that there will be over 66,000 new cases of uterine cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2023 alone, accounting for over 13,000 deaths. It’s important for people to learn more about this disease so they can spot the potential signs at an early stage and take action.

Early detection can help save lives

EC may be more treatable when detected at an early stage. If diagnosed when the cancer is local and has not spread from the uterus, a patient’s five-year survival rate is 96%. Early detection and treatment is particularly important for communities of color, many of whom already experience health disparities. Black women are nearly twice as likely to die of EC compared to white women and are more often diagnosed at a later stage.

Risk factors and signs of EC

It is important that women and all people with a uterus are aware of the factors that may increase their risk of developing EC, which include but are not limited to obesity, age, family history of uterine cancer, high-fat diet and lack of exercise, conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or a hereditary cancer syndrome such as Lynch syndrome. Knowing the signs of EC can also empower women to advocate for their health and help catch EC at an early stage. Look out for these common signs:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Spotting or brownish discharge after menopause
• Irregular or heavy bleeding before menopause
• Pelvic area pain or pressure.

“Prior to my diagnosis, I experienced symptoms like abnormal bleeding and intense cramps that were so painful, I knew I needed to see my doctor,” said Shawn Smith, an EC survivor.  “I’m now sharing my story because I want other women to be able to spot the signs of EC and speak up for themselves and the women in their lives.”

Engaging in open conversations with your doctor can make a big difference. It’s vital for all women — especially Black women — to speak to a doctor if they experience any potential symptoms of concern.

End the silence and raise awareness

SHARE Cancer Support, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), Black Health Matters, Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African-Americans (ECANA), The Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC), and Eisai Inc. came together to launch Spot Her^® to help end the silence around EC by educating the public about the signs and symptoms of the disease.

If you want to help raise awareness and show your support for women living with EC, join the conversation on social media by tagging your posts with #SpotHerforEC. For every post shared using #SpotHerforEC, Eisai will donate one dollar (up to $20,000) between SHARE, FORCE and ECANA to support women living with EC.

Know the signs, spot them early, and help save lives. For more information and resources on EC, visit SpotHerforEC.com.

The post Empower Yourself and Others To Spot The Signs of Endometrial Cancer appeared first on Black Health Matters.

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Go ahead, sneak one of the candy bar minis from your child’s Halloween haul. Just make sure to check this list* to find out how much exercise you’ll need to burn off those stolen calories:

• Butterfinger (85 calories) 10 minutes of Zumba
• Heath bar (77 calories) 12 minutes of aerobics
• Hershey’s milk chocolate bar (67 calories) 15 minutes of dancing
• Kit Kat (70 calories) 10 minutes of moderate rowing
• Milky Way, Mounds, Snickers, Twix (80 calories each) 9 minutes on the elliptical
• York Peppermint Patty (60 calories) 25 minutes of yoga
• Mr. Goodbar (90 calories) 13 minutes of hiking
• Plain M&M’s (67 calories) 9 minutes of jumping jacks
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup (110 calories) 7 minutes of jogging
• 3 Musketeers (63 calories) 26 minutes of Pilates
• 100 Grand (95 calories) 10 minutes of kickboxing

*calorie counts based on a 130-pound woman

The post Treat at Your Own Risk appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Clinical trials are health-related research studies that study and evaluate the safety and efficacy of investigational medicines, vaccines, and medical devices on humans.

Before a new medicine, vaccine, or medical device can be approved for public use, it must be researched through a series of phases in a clinical trial to evaluate whether a new medicine or vaccine is safe and effective for use by the general public.

Unfortunately, many clinical trials continue to lack the representation needed to reflect real-world populations. Diverse representation matters. A participant’s race, ethnicity, sex, and other health factors play a critical role in the development process of treatment options for public use.

To learn more about the clinical trial process, visit: www.researchincludesme.com

The Role of Diversity in Research Studies

When it comes to studying the safety and efficacy of investigational medicines; there is no one size fits all approach. The same medication can and may have different effects on participants with varying biological differences. Without diverse representation , researchers may not have the data to determine if and how differing backgrounds may respond to new and investigational drugs, medicines, vaccines, and recommended dosages.

For this reason, diversity in clinical trials is imperative for researchers to understand how certain health conditions affect different populations and to help ensure the safety and effectiveness of investigational treatment options for consumers of diverse backgrounds.

Minorities are Reluctant to Participate in Clinical Trials

Diversity in clinical trial participants is crucial to improving public health outcomes. However, for many minorities, distrust in the healthcare system is the main barrier in their willingness to participate in clinical trials.

This skepticism isn’t without cause. Historically, minorities have been the subjects of unethical practices in past clinical research studies. Such studies include: the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, the Puerto Rico Pill Trials, the case of Henrietta Lacks and many others.

Although new regulations and human rights protections have been implemented to prevent the reoccurrence of past wrongdoings and to help ensure the safety of clinical trial participants – the stigma of clinical trials for many minorities still lingers.

Improving Diversity in Clinical Trials

Patient and healthcare provider relationships

Doctors and healthcare providers are in a position to make the most impact when it comes to improving diversity outcomes in clinical trials. Physicians can help drive diversity outcomes by simply talking to their patients about clinical trials and getting to know them more. By developing meaningful relationships with their patients, doctors are able to establish trust and are in a better position to inform and support their patients with their decisions to participate in clinical trials.

Transparency

Minorities need transparency from researchers and healthcare providers in order to feel comfortable and safe enough to participate in clinical trials. From recruitment to onboarding and throughout the clinical trials process, participants need and should feel like they are a part of the process and be should be informed every step of the way.

Patient/Care advocates

Patient advocates are able to help support patients to make the best decisions for themselves. Enlisting patient advocates can help potential participants feel more at ease and less alone with the clinical trials process. They’re able to use plain language to help participants understand the clinical trial process, their rights, financial information, and better communicate any questions or concerns they may have. Connecting participants with care advocates can help give them the support they may need to enlist in a clinical trial – especially if the care advocate is of the same racial, ethnic, and/or language and cultural background as they are.

Outreach

Making an effort to reach out to diverse groups is always a step in the right direction. Outreach groups and agencies such as the CDC’S Office of Minority Health & Health Equity (OMHHE) are able to reach out and connect with diverse communities. In doing so, outreach agencies are in a unique position to be able to provide useful resources and educational content to stakeholders to garner advocates, new participants, and help erase clinical trial stigmas.

The Next Steps: Participating in a Clinical Trial

To participate in a clinical trial, talk to your physician or healthcare provider and let them know that you’re interested in learning more about clinical trials. They may already have a trial in mind that you might be a good fit for. You can also visit: ClinicalTrials.gov . This website is maintained by the government and lists active trials for many different diseases and illness.

The post Representation Matters: The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While certain aspects of health are advancing, some people continue to be left behind, and this disparity is especially apparent in the clinical trials process. Pharmacogenetic research has uncovered significant differences among different groups in the metabolism, effectiveness, and side-effect profiles of many clinically important drugs. Yet, clinical trials for these therapies don’t always represent the demographics of the people who will use them.

Since 2019, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson have been working to change these dynamics, and to ensure our clinical research efforts across our organization mirror the populations that will benefit from our medicines. Our vision is a world where clinical trials are representative of the patient populations we serve, and we know that this vision can be achieved with transparency, commitment, and accountability.

Investing in reaching and recruiting underrepresented participants will only advance progress in medicine by ensuring the relevance of clinical trials to the real world. By developing and adopting inclusive clinical trial design, execution and analysis across all our therapeutic areas, we aim to ensure data and insights from underserved and underrepresented populations inform the development of safe and effective therapies and treatments.

Our Approach to Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials
We are scaling our approach to deliver impact across Janssen’s entire portfolio to advance health equity, close gaps in care, and create a better future for our patients. To achieve this vision, we have created a formula for success:

In 2021, we will continue to:

• Educate investigators and increase diversity of trial personnel
  We are increasing the focus on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion within our clinical trials with our external partners and study sites, and working together to develop the strategies and resources needed to execute. This includes equipping healthcare personnel with educational resources and preparing them for conversations about the importance of diversity and inclusion in clinical trials. Identifying and engaging study sites with personnel who reflect underrepresented populations is also crucial.
• Remove logistical barriers
  Meeting people quite literally where they are is critical to driving clinical trial participation of underrepresented populations. We can help to mitigate challenges—such as travel and time off work—by expanding the network of sites and investigators we work with to include those serving underrepresented communities, and when needed, contributing our expertise and resources to support their growth, so more people have local access.
• Establish trust through community partnerships
  Understandably, many Black and Brown communities struggle to trust clinical research due to past incidents, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and current systemic inequities in healthcare. Engaging with trusted community figures and institutions—churches, civic groups, professional associations, and non-profit organizations—to increase transparency and disseminate accurate information about today’s clinical trial process—and protections in place for participants—is pivotal in earning trust.

Johnson & Johnson’s ongoing collaboration with the National Black Nurses Association is a key example of two organizations combining our resources and reach to achieve our shared goal of ensuring access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color. Since 2016, Johnson & Johnson has worked with NBNA on a variety of initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccine education, scholarships for nursing students, and nurse resiliency training and recognition efforts. We are proud of our continued work together and look forward to expanding our collaboration to include pursuing equity in clinical research.

Learn More: Research Includes Me
We encourage you to learn more about the clinical trial process, and the importance of ensuring that all people are represented. Janssen’s Research Includes Me program was created to raise awareness about clinical trials and encourage people from all communities to participate. More information can be found on ResearchIncludesMe.com.

This article is brought to you by Janssen.

The post Collaborating with Trusted Community Leaders to Build Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Clinical Research appeared first on Black Health Matters.

His presentation on the intersectionality of these conditions—and the importance of flu vaccination—took place during the recent Black Health Matters’ Fall Health Summit session titled “Maintaining Overall Diabetes, Cardiovascular Health and Influenza Risk.”

Dr. Alcendor began with a discussion on the health disparities associated with such chronic conditions as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer in the U.S.  “Influenza can exacerbate those conditions, so when we look at ethnicity and race, we clearly see African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities are more likely to have issues with the flu.”

One important reason is that there’s less uptake of the flu vaccine among minority communities. When there’s less uptake, there will be greater incidence of morbidity and mortality. African Americans are least likely to get vaccinated and have greater death rates as a result when compared to other U.S. populations.

Dr. Alcendor shared statistics on the flu’s impact on several chronic diseases. Fifteen million people who have heart disease are 10 times more likely to have a heart attack in the first three days of contracting a flu infection. Thirty-one million people that have asthma or COPD put themselves at a greater risk for flu complications. And 31 million people that have diabetes have six times more risk of flu-related hospitalization.

Dr. Alcendor focused part of his presentation on diabetes in particular. He shared that if you have diabetes, you’re more likely to have life-threatening complications associated with the flu. That’s because people with diabetes are more susceptible to infections because of the increase in their blood sugar levels.

“So, it’s important if you have diabetes…to lower your risk if you come down with flu,” advised Dr. Alcendor. “To do this, there are many things that are important, and you need to stay healthy by monitoring your condition, taking your medication, exercising, and eating healthy.”

Flu vaccination is especially critical for those living with diabetes.  In recent flu seasons, 30% of adults hospitalized with the flu were diabetics. Flu vaccination, however, can reduce hospitalizations for diabetics by 79%.

Dr. Alcendor then shed light on how the flu impacts those with heart disease. People with cardiovascular disease are more likely to get the flu than those that don’t have this condition. Viral infections like the flu can put added stress on the body and affect blood pressure, heart rate, and overall heart function.

The result could be serious, said Dr. Alcendor. People with heart disease are six times more likely to have a heart attack after coming down with the flu. The flu causes inflammation that can affect the heart, and severe inflammation could lead to a heart attack.

Flu vaccination is effective at reducing your risk of a heart attack by up to 45%, added Dr. Alcendor. “If you compare that to smoking cessation, cholesterol medication, and of course, high blood pressure medication, the flu vaccine decreases your risk at an even greater percentage than those interventions,” he said.

Dr. Alcendor shared additional statistics to underscore the point about the importance of flu vaccination. During the last flu season, there were 38 million flu illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths associated with the flu. Flu vaccination could have reduced that risk to 7.5 million illnesses, 105,000 hospitalizations, and only 6,300 deaths.

“The impact of the flu vaccine is very real. It can help save lives!” emphasized Dr. Alcendor.

This article is brought to you by Sanofi.

The post Why You Should Get the Flu Shot If You Have Diabetes or Heart Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Understanding Key Components

Understanding the key components of NSCLC is a vital part of navigating your diagnosis. It can help empower you to move forward in light of your diagnosis and encourage you to prioritize positive outcomes. It provides the knowledge needed to actively engage in your care and openly communicate with healthcare providers.

NSCLC Subtypes

There are three subtypes of NSCLC that are identified based on how they look under a microscope: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of NSCLC. It is found in the outer parts of the lung and likely to be identified in its early stages. It occurs mostly in current or former smokers but is also very common in non-smokers.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma, develops in the squamous cells of the lungs. These specific cells line the lung airways. It is usually found in the center of the lung. Like adenocarcinoma, there is a link between this cancer subtype and smoking history.

Large Cell Carcinoma is the least common subtype of NSCLC. It can be found in any part of the lung. It can be difficult to treat because it tends to grow quickly and spread rapidly.

NSCLC Staging

Following a NSCLC diagnosis, the care team will need to determine if the cancer has spread through a process called staging. Staging helps ensure the most effective treatment plan is chosen.

NSCLC is staged using a TNM system. This system identifies the size and location of the primary tumor (T), assesses lymph node involvement (N), and identifies the presence of other distant cancerous growths or metastases (M).

NSCLC is also classified by numerical stages (0-4). Stage zero means the cancer has not spread and stage four means the cancer has spread to the other parts of the body.

Staging can be complicated, so it is important to ask questions as you learn more about your specific cancer stage.

NSCLC Prognosis

Good news is that NSCLC is treatable at various cancer stages, but early detection and diagnosis is key. Your overall health plays a role in your cancer outlook as well as cancer stage and type.

Know Your Options

As you navigate your diagnosis, you may encounter several members of the care team who will work together to tailor a treatment plan that is best for you. It is important to work with your providers to ensure decision making is shared. Seeking second opinions can help you feel confident you are receiving the best care possible. Treatment options may vary depending on a number of different factors.

Common treatment types include:

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy

Advancements in treatment options through ongoing research and clinical trials provide an avenue to access new NSCLC treatments.

Advocate for Yourself

Coping with the mental, physical, and emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be a challenge. Identifying your support system and relying on them especially during tough times can be beneficial. Communicate with your care team, and don’t be afraid to utilize resources such as therapists, counselors, and support groups.

Advocate for yourself and others with NSCLC by making decisions that align with your treatment goals. Participating in a clinical trial is one way you can take action and help advance the field of NSCLC research.

Click here to learn more and ask your healthcare provider about NSCLC clinical trial research.

References:

• American Society of Clinical Oncology. Lung Cancer – Non-Small Cell.
• American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer?
• American Cancer Society. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stages.

The post Newly Diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: What You Need to Know appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When lupus severely affects the kidneys and causes kidney disease, it is called lupus nephritis. This is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the kidney in patients with SLE. 

Lupus nephritis is a common but serious lupus-related health complication, affecting up to 60% of lupus patients. Blacks, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics are all populations at high risk for developing lupus nephritis.

In severe cases, lupus nephritis may cause permanent kidney scarring. Patients with lupus nephritis are at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer and heart problems. Without adequate treatment, lupus nephritis may result in impaired kidney function, and many patients progress to end stage renal disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.

There is no cure for this disease, but treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent disease progression.

If you have been diagnosed with lupus nephritis, consider participating in a clinic trial. Click here to learn more about an ongoing study of an investigational medication.

Is it Lupus Nephritis?

Recognizing lupus nephritis involves understanding the signs and symptoms that indicate kidney involvement. Signs and symptoms may vary. Some symptoms may not be noticeable initially and may take up to 5 years to be recognized. The most common symptoms include:

• Weight gain
• Swelling (usually in the legs, feet, ankles, or around the eyes)
• Urine changes
  • Frequent urination
  • Blood or protein in urine (may only be visible under a microscope)
  • Dark urine
  • Foamy, frothy urine
• High levels of waste (creatinine) in your blood
• High blood pressure

If you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns, your healthcare provider can complete further testing to determine if a lupus nephritis diagnosis is appropriate. 

Join the Research

Early detection is key to being proactive about preventing further kidney damage and ensuring optimal treatment outcomes. Regular checkups and communication with your healthcare provider are equally as important. 

Clinical trials are another way to raise awareness and improve treatment options, as researchers test new possible therapies and gain a deeper understanding of the condition as a whole. Participating in a clinical trial allows you to contribute to the advancement of your own health and the lupus community at large. 

Currently, due to a number of different factors, Black patients are unfortunately underrepresented in clinical trials. Improving representation in medical research is a collective effort that may involve you taking the first step. You may be able to participate in an important new study and potentially avoid further damage to your kidneys. 

Join the search for a better way to protect your kidneys. Learn more here.

– – –

References:

1. NIH – Lupus and Kidney Disease (Lupus Nephritis)
2. Lupus Foundation of America – Lupus Facts and Statistics
3. CDC – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
4. National Kidney Foundation – Lupus and Kidney Disease (Lupus Nephritis)
5. Lupus Foundation of America – What is Lupus Nephritis?
6. American Kidney Fund – Lupus Nephritis: Symptoms, treatment, and complications
7. NIH – The State of Lupus Clinical Trials: Minority Participation Needed
8. National Kidney Foundation – Are Clinical Trials Safe?

The post Lupus Nephritis: Know the Signs and Join the Research appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Being a caregiver takes courage. While caregivers may take on a variety of different roles and responsibilities, they play a key role in their loved one’s overall well-being and can be a source of support and encouragement. Taking on the role of a caregiver requires patience, compassion, and the ability to communicate effectively to ensure your loved one is receiving the best possible care.

Choosing to be a caregiver for someone with lung cancer can be rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are 10 tips to help you prepare to care for a loved one with lung cancer.

1. Learn how to care for yourself. Caregiving can be emotionally, physically, and mentally demanding. You must take care of yourself in order to provide the care needed during your loved one’s cancer journey.
2. Prioritize self-care by seeking support from others, taking breaks, and continuing to engage in activities you enjoy.
3. Join a support group. Caregiver support groups are a great resource for connecting with others who may be experiencing the same feelings and struggles as you.
4. Ask for help. The journey of caring for a loved one with lung cancer is often unpredictable. You should be flexible and able to adapt to changes as needed. Be honest with yourself about what you are able to do. Identify tasks that others can do and be willing to accept help.
5. Being proactive about facing challenges can help ensure you are caring for yourself as you care for others.
6. Maintain open and honest communication with the person you are caring for. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings, but be sure to acknowledge and verbalize your own feelings too. Let them know you are available when they need you and express the importance of being included in their care.
7. Maintain close and consistent contact with the care team. The care team may consist of doctors, nurses, social workers, and pharmacists. As a caregiver, you are part of the care team, too. Be sure that these health care professionals know who you are and your role as caregiver.
8. Understand your role. Being a caregiver may look differently depending on the level of care needed and the complexity of the cancer treatment. Common responsibilities you can prepare to engage in as a caregiver include assisting with practical needs, helping to coordinate care, and offering emotional support.
9. Educate yourself. Learn about your loved one’s specific type of lung cancer, their treatment plan, and any other health conditions they may be dealing with.
10. Be informed about options. Clinical trials may be part of the available options and plan for those with cancer. Clinical trial participation provides an avenue to receive expert care while advancing lung cancer research. As a caregiver, you will play a major role in supporting your loved one throughout the clinical trial process if they choose to participate.

If your loved one is battling NSCLC, click here to learn more about available clinical trials.

References:

• American Cancer Society. What is a Cancer Caregiver?
• American Cancer Society. Cancer Caregiver Resource Guide
• American Lung Association. Taking Care of Yourself as a Lung Cancer Caregiver

The post 10 Tips for Caring for a Loved One with Lung Cancer appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of NSCLC is an important first step towards early intervention and an accurate diagnosis. Being able to identify the potential signs of NSCLC can help those impacted  seek timely diagnosis, medical care, and play an active role in managing their own health.

Possible Signs and Symptoms

Lung cancer often advances silently, meaning much time can pass without ever experiencing any symptoms. There may not be any symptoms present early on.

Most of the symptoms reviewed are not specific to NSCLC, however familiarizing yourself with common signs and symptoms could help lead to earlier diagnosis if symptoms are identified.

Persistent cough

A persistent cough is one of the common symptoms associated with NSCLC. Coughing up blood or excess phlegm or mucus may also be another early indicator of lung cancer. A nagging cough, with or without blood or mucus, that is otherwise unexplained and lasts for several weeks should be reported and further evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath is another symptom of NSCLC that can also occur in many other health conditions. The severity of the symptoms may vary based on cancer-specific factors such as size and location. Shortness of breath that is progressive, persistent, or worsening should be evaluated by a health care provider.

Chest pain

Chest pain can be associated with NSCLC and may be caused by the presence of tumors in the lung. Persistent or worsening chest pain should be further evaluated by your health care team.

Unexplained weight loss

Weight loss (more than 5% of your body weight) that occurs without trying could be an indicator that something is wrong. If you lose weight, it doesn’t mean that you have cancer, but the presence of unexplained weight loss in combination with other symptoms may be a cause for concern.

Fatigue

Fatigue occurs when you continue to experience feeling tired even after resting. It may limit your ability to function normally and complete your usual daily activities. It may also impact your overall mental health and wellbeing.

Less common symptoms

Some less common symptoms of NSCLC include recurrent respiratory infections or pneumonia, difficulty swallowing or speaking, facial swelling, wheezing, and finger clubbing (which occurs when the fingers and nails change shape).

The most important takeaway regarding symptoms of NSCLC is that symptoms can vary or may not exist at all.  They can, however, be a reliable starting point in acknowledging something may be wrong, especially if you are a current or former smoker.

If you are a smoker, one of the best things you can do to prevent NSCLC is stop smoking.

What’s Next?

If you are experiencing symptoms of NSCLC, your health care provider may complete further testing to determine if you have NSCLC and come up with a care and treatment plan that is best for you.

They can also discuss your treatment options more in depth, or if a NSCLC clinical trial may be an option for you.

Click to learn more about NSCLC clinical trial research.

References:

• American Society of Clinical Oncology. Lung Cancer – Non-Small Cell.
• American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer?
• Non-small cell lung cancer.

The post Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Do You Know the Signs? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Unfortunately, Black men experience the highest rates of lung cancer. Members of the Black community are developing NSCLC earlier in life and presenting with more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. In the United States, people of color living with lung cancer face worse outcomes, and have lower five-year survival rates than their white counterparts. Black Americans are 15% less likely to receive an early diagnosis, 19% less likely to undergo surgery for cancer treatment, and 11% more likely to not receive treatment at all.

Smoking, exposure to environmental pollutants, and genetics are common risk factors. Because lung cancer is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, treatment options are often limited. Despite advances in treatment options, ongoing research is needed to help improve lung cancer outcomes. General lung cancer symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and unexpected weight loss.

SCLC vs NSCLC

According to the American Lung Association, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)  are the two main types of lung cancer. NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for 85% of all lung cancer cases. Other rare forms of lung cancer include carcinoid tumors and sarcomatoid carcinomas.

Small cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma are the two different types of SCLC.  Adenocarcinoma (found in the lung exterior), squamous cell carcinoma (found in the center of the lung), and large cell carcinoma (may occur in any part of the lung) are the three types of NSCLC. Both cancer types have different characteristics that influence how they are diagnosed, how they are treated, and the expected prospect of recovery.

Both types of cancer have similar symptoms, causes, and risk factors. Understanding how lung cancer types are similar and different helps ensure the treatment plan is appropriate and specific.

Common Differences

African Americans and NSCLC

Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by lung cancer. Research has found that Black patients often have poorer survival rates after being diagnosed with NSCLC. Increasing awareness about lung cancer and available treatment options can help address lung cancer disparities.

Ongoing lung cancer research aims to improve outcomes for people of color and other populations affected by lung cancer, and increasing minority participation plays an important role. You may be eligible to participate in clinical research and the discovery of potential treatment options for people living with NSCLC.

Click to learn more and ask your healthcare provider about clinical trial research for NSCLC patients.

References:

• Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Facts About Lung Cancer.
• American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Lung Cancer.
• American Lung Association. Types of Lung Cancer.
• American Society of Clinical Oncology. Lung Cancer – Non-Small Cell.
• Net Lung Cancer-Non Small Cell Statistics

The post Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer vs. Other Lung Cancers: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While Boseman’s death caught us off guard, cancer advocates aren’t surprised by this young-colon cancer news. Colon cancer deaths have been rising among young people since the 1990s. A report from the American Cancer Society earlier this year found half of all new diagnoses are in people age 66 and younger.

Scientists knew cases of colorectal cancer were going up in younger age groups, but “were surprised by how fast it is happening,” said Rebecca Siegel, study co-author and scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society.

“This report is very important because it not only provides a snapshot of the current colorectal cancer burden, but also a window to the future,” she said, adding that if the increases in younger adults continue, “doctors should be aware of the unique challenges in this patient population, such as the need for the preservation of fertility and sexual function, as well as the risk of long-term treatment effects because of their extended life expectancy.”

Each year, roughly 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer, and more than 50,000 die from it. The numbers for African Americans, however, are more dire. Not only do we have the shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States for most cancers, but we also have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer.

“African-Americans are more likely to get colon cancer, they’re more likely to have an advanced stage of disease when they’re diagnosed with colon cancer, they’re more likely to die from colon cancer and they have shorter survival after diagnosis with colon cancer,” said Fola May, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at UCLA and a researcher at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

In fact, nearly 20,000 new cases of colorectal cancer were expected in this country among African Americans in 2019, with incidence rates 24 percent higher in black men and 19 percent higher in black women compared to other races, the ACS reported. Black colorectal cancer patients are also 15 to 20 percent more likely to die from the disease than patients of any other race.

Occurring in the colon, rectum or both, colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer in all adults in the U.S.—after lung and prostate in men and lung and breast in women. The black community’s heightened risk appears to be due to several contributing factors. “Some biological factors may be at play,” said Inova Schar Cancer Institute oncologist Timothy Cannon, M.D.

African Americans with colorectal cancer are more likely to cope with an aggressive subtype fueled by a mutation in the KRAS gene, which drives cancer growth, he said. This cancer in black people also occurs more often on the right side of the colon, another factor that can lead to poor prognoses.

“But there are also socioeconomic factors that can make it more difficult for people to gain access to screening,” Cannon said. Socioeconomic factors may place some African Americans at a disadvantage by making it harder to seek timely screening or access high-fiber, minimally processed foods, which can lead to lower rates of colorectal cancer.

“Their cancers tend to be harder to treat and grow more quickly, so the prognosis isn’t as good,” he said.

In 2018, the American Cancer Society updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines, changing the recommended age of initial screening from 50 to 45, due to higher rates of the disease in younger people.

“But even before that, many expert bodies recommended African Americans get screenings at 45,” Cannon said. “Unfortunately, fewer than half of African Americans are screened by 45.”

If there’s a family history of the disease, people should be screened at age 40, said UCLA’s May. If someone has symptoms at any age, she recommends getting a colonoscopy immediately.

Symptoms of this cancer may include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding with bright red blood, blood in the stool making it look dark, cramps or abdominal pain, and feeling like the bowel isn’t emptying completely after a bowel movement.

The gold standard for colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy because cancer-causing polyps can be removed during the exam. But other screening options exists, and any test is better than not being screened.

Other screening tests include:

• Fecal occult blood test, which can detect blood in a stool sample
• Cologuard, a stool DNA test you can take at home
• Virtual colonoscopy, which requires the same preparation as a colonoscopy, but no sedation, for those who are medically unable to undergo colonoscopy

The post Chadwick Boseman’s Death Sparks Needed Young Colon Cancer Discussion appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Here’s what else you should know: You can eat healthy when you’re in a hurry, too tired to cook something healthy or have no time.

Eating fast food doesn’t mean you have to mean a fatty cheeseburger and salty fries. These days, there are a variety of menu options where you can find healthier options. Many fast-food restaurants also have their menus, with calorie counts, online.

Smart picks for a quick and easy meal are places where you have more control over what goes into your order. At a sandwich shop, make healthy adjustments such as no mayo, extra veggies and whole-wheat bread. (Plus, they also often have salads and soups.) Many eateries now offer build-your-own bowls, vegetarian options or grilled meat and vegetable plates—all good bets.

But if you find yourself still driving through through a traditional fast-food joint, keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid anything fried (think: French fries, chicken strips and nuggets, and onion rings).
• A grilled skinless chicken breast sandwich is lower in saturated fat than a burger.
• Don’t supersize. In fact, ordering the kid’s menu version of your favorite fast food can give you the taste you crave with far fewer calories.
• Skip calorie-heavy sides, toppings and dressings.
• Bypass sugary drinks in favor of water, unsweetened tea, or fat-free or low-fat milk.

The post Eat Healthy When You Have No Time appeared first on Black Health Matters.

It was while visiting family in Waco, Texas, in the spring of 2019 that Ailani started feeling ill.

Doctors at Baylor Scott and White McLane Children’s found she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Countless surgeries, spinal taps, transfusions and chemotherapy sessions led to Ailani receiving a marrow transplant from her dad.

The transplant worked well until recently.

“We almost celebrated her year transplant, she had three rounds of chemo left, and then P.J., Ailani‘s mom, called me and said unfortunately 58 percent of the cancer cells were back,“ explained Beth Carrion, account manager with the Be The Match program.

Now, Ailani’s oncologists say she has months to find a match that could save her life.

“She’s in critical right now, and we just need everybody to just go out and register with Be The Match so we can prayerfully find a match for Ailani,“ explained her aunt Giggett Johnson.

“She has a 2 to 3 month window where we actually need to find a 10 out of 10 match for her … now with Ailani’s story, because she is of mixed race, mom is black, dad is white, it’s even harder to find a match on the registry for her,“ said Carrion.

Registering with Be The Match is simple:

• Its free to register for people from ages 18 to 44, and for people 45 to 61 donors pay a $100 tax deductible fee
• Registration kits can be sent to you in the mail
• The test consists of a cotton swab in the inside of your cheek

The Be The Match program explained 1 in 430 people are selected as a genetic match.

Eighty percent of the time donors who match with patients simply give stem cells via an IV in their arm, and only a fifth of donors actually give through a procured in their leg.

“Be her hero, be our hero, in the words of Ailani, ‘God take this cancer away from me,’ so we know we need God’s help as well, so that’s what we’re asking for today so just [reach out to] Be The Match and register,” said Johnson.

To learn more and register to save Ailani, text SAVEAILANI to 61474. July is African American Bone Marrow Awareness Month.

Republished with permission from KXXV

The post In Search of a Be The Match Donor for 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is recommending annual low-radiation CT scans for:

• Adults aged 50-80 who have a smoked an average of a pack a day for 20 years, and who currently smoke or who have quit smoking within the last 15 years.
• Previously, annual scans were recommended for smokers with 30 “pack years” starting at age 55.

To better understand the thinking behind the recommendations and what they may mean for patients, we spoke with Douglas Arenberg, M.D., head of the lung cancer screening program at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with an average five-year survival rate of around 20 percent,” Dr. Arenberg said. “And, like with most cancers, we know that we can achieve better outcomes for patients when lung cancer is detected at earlier stages.”

This year, around 230,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 136,000 people will die of it, according to the American Cancer Society. Smoking is the largest risk factor—with smokers being 20 times more likely to develop the disease.

The screening recommendations were last updated in 2014 and new evidence has emerged since then, Arenberg noted.

Some of the key new data comes from a large scale study called the NELSON trial, which found lung cancer deaths were reduced by nearly 25 percent among current and former smokers through the use of regular, low-dose CT screening.

Compared to other types of cancer, lung cancer screening adoption has been particularly low. A 2019 American Lung Cancer report found only 4 percent of people at high risk get screened.

One of the challenges has been that the recommendations aren’t as simple as saying that everyone should get a colonoscopy when they turn 50, Dr. Arenberg said.

“But while the guidelines remain more complex relative to screening guidelines for other types of cancer, the changes do two important things that have the potential to improve outcomes for thousands of people: significantly expand the number of eligible individuals and, supported by new evidence, reduce some health inequities by proportionally increasing the number of at-risk women and African Americans who are eligible for screening.”

Worries about additional radiation

Many people are naturally concerned the additional radiation exposure from the additional CT scans will increase their cancer risk.

“There is a risk, but it’s extremely small—a decimal point with a lot of zeros after it,” Dr. Arenberg said. “For long-term smokers, which is who we’re talking about, the theoretical risk from the tests is miniscule compared to the well-established risk of developing lung cancer.”

The primary risk from increased screening actually comes from false positives.

“Unfortunately, there’s no blood test or biomarker that’s going to tell us if a suspicious spot on the lungs is benign or cancer,” Dr. Arenberg said. “We sometimes have to do a biopsy to know for sure. And any time you are doing an invasive procedure on the lungs there is a small potential risk of complications.”

Ever-improving imaging technology, however, is making it easier for doctors to monitor and evaluate suspicious lumps in a non-invasive manner—confirming, for example, if they are growing too slowly (or even too quickly) to likely be cancer, Dr. Arenberg said.

With any type of cancer screening, the benefits must greatly outweigh the possible harms. “The data the task force reviewed in making these recommendation suggest that expanding annual lung screenings could potentially help us catch a significant number of lung cancers at earlier stages, when they’re easier to treat,” Dr. Arenberg said.

Addressing disparities

Screening for lung cancer in those with lighter smoking histories and at an earlier age may also help improve racial disparities in screening eligibility, the task force notes. And because women also tend to smoke fewer cigarettes than men, women would make up a greater percentage of those the expanded guidelines would apply to.

Additionally, African Americans, especially those with more moderate smoking histories, are at higher risk than their white peers of developing lung cancer, the task force points out, though the reasons for the difference aren’t entirely clear.

“So, the hope is that by lowering the age threshold and adding people with fewer pack years, there is also an opportunity to improve some of the racial disparities that are seen in lung cancer,” Dr. Arenberg said.

Doctors talk about smoking history in terms of “pack years”—that is, smoking, on average, pack of cigarettes a day for a year. It can also apply to those who smoke more over a shorter period of time (for example, two packs a day for half a year), or who smoke less for longer (half a pack a day for two years).

From Michigan Health

The post Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Revised appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Researchers reached this conclusion after analyzing the dietary habits of more than 170,000 women for three decades. But you don’t need to mainline the drink. According to their research, a couple of cups of black tea a day was associated with a 31 percent reduction in risk for this cancer.

So how does it work? ”The mechanisms aren’t completely understood, but a number of flavonoids are anti-inflammatory and have effects on cell signaling pathways,” says Aedin Cassidy, Ph.D., study author and professor of nutrition at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School. It’s possible, the researchers conclude, that flavonoids induce cancer cell death.

Given that ovarian cancer is so deadly—the five-year survival rate is a dismal 45 percent—it seems smart to add tea to your drink repertoire. But if Earl Grey and English breakfast aren’t your thing, you can still gain the cancer-fighting benefit of flavonoids from other food sources, including apples, blueberries, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, grapes, red wine and onions.

The post Tea Can Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What is true is that the legitimate protest that has emerged in response to the death of George Floyd is addressing the same issues the legendary civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s addressed. What is also true is that in 1968 the President’s National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders—known as the Kerner Commission—released its report, condemning racism as the primary cause of the surge of riots that occurred in the mid-late 1960s. Headed by then-Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, the 11-member commission was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in July 1967 to uncover the causes of urban riots and recommend solutions.

It is true that the Commission report in 1968, which declared that “our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal,” called for expanded aid to African American communities to prevent further racial violence and polarization. Unless drastic and costly remedies were undertaken at once, the report said, there would be a “continuing polarization of the American community and, ultimately, the destruction of basic democratic values.” But the Commission report did not awaken America to the awareness that institutionally law enforcement agencies were both the perpetrator and defender of the racism that would cause even economically and socially successful blacks to live in a perpetual nightmare.

It is true that the election of hundreds of black mayors, county officials, state legislators, congresspersons and even a black president has not had a measurable impact on this issue. And it is true the protests occurring right now are likely to fail to result in creating long term, sustainable change. It is true that the protests in response to the Minnesota incident may influence the disposition of the cases that will be brought against the men responsible for the death of Floyd. But the lack of coherent strategy, the lack of disciplined action, the lack of experienced organization and the absence of long-term, comprehensive policy initiatives all minimize the sustainable impact that will result from this formidable showing of discontent.

One intelligent, articulate and passionate 30-year-old activist lamented that he suspects the youthful crowds will return to their normal disconnected lives after a few more days of televised outrage. This is what has happened even in the era of video recordings of beatings and killings. And the sincere, most vulnerable young people that need the change the most will have contributed to the rise in prominence of “celebrity” activists—some new, some old—and will live on without the needed police reforms but also education, jobs and access to health care. But they will be available for the next protest after a police shooting.

This protest is revealing a unique surge of serious concern among the demographic that seems to normally be preoccupied with fake reality TV and celebrating vulgarity and nudity wrapped in musical genres. As commendable as it is, our current “social uprising” lacks the guidance and the substance needed to know the definition of victory. For the past 50 years, blacks have behaved as if simply putting other blacks in the right positions constituted a victory for all black people. So, it must be excruciatingly painful to their otherwise political saviors when these young protesters seem to sense no substantial difference between their new, diverse political representatives and the former urban, white political machine despots. Many of them are railing against and expressing distrust in cities held by black mayors just as the activists of the ’60s expressed no confidence in southern racist sheriffs.

And they lack formal, credible, trained leadership. Their base is comprised of fragmented grassroots sympathizers and their fragile organizational infrastructures have allowed them to be infiltrated and at times upstaged by those whose goal is chaos and destruction rather than justice and progress. Organization was a key to civil rights era successes.

A social movement in America is by definition legitimate only to the extent that its goal is to make America a better democracy. Any other goal is too narrow, shallow and self-serving to deserve broad sympathy and support. This means the core of a legitimate movement or protest must be the belief that America is worth improving and able to improve. Anything other than that is not much more than group selfies claiming bragging rights for cursing at the enemy government officials with impunity. That kind of movement cannot allow real progress to occur because it needs the problem to justify its existence.

The civil rights movement wanted to work itself out of a job. And its leaders knew what that looked like. Desegregation. Legal rights equal to other Americans. Support to catch up to historic deprival. The policing issue needs similarly concrete goals. And the “movement” for justice needs to define what justice means in the aftermath of the George Floyd moment. It must be more than hashtags, slogans and periodic marches. We need a seven-part agenda:

• We must find diverse communities that exemplify excellent police-community relations. We must study those communities, dissect the parts of their strategy to discover why it is working effectively, document the model and promote it as a best practice. Communities must be incentivized to tailor the principles for use in their locale and replicate the model. We may want to start with Genesee County, Michigan, where Sheriff Chris Swanson marched with protesters in Flint this past weekend.
• We must increase penalties for abusive behavior by law enforcement officials and implement no tolerance practices for police misconduct. This includes lowering the threshold for charging law enforcement officials with violating the civil rights of citizens.
• We must create independent commissions that review, evaluate, revise and monitor the use of training manuals, procedures and practices in law enforcement agencies.
• We must recruit, train and promote law enforcement personnel that possess the psychological, emotional and cultural capacity for law enforcement work and assess them every three years to ensure they have maintained that capacity.
• We must incentivize law enforcement personnel to breach the “blue wall” of silence even as we motivate communities to oppose the “don’t snitch” culture.
• We need a national database of law enforcement who were terminated for misconduct and ban them from working in other law enforcement agencies.
• We must elect political representatives that support this agenda and hold them accountable for follow-through.

If the activist energy currently being displayed can be harnessed into support for a concrete agenda, then we may be able to unify our country and start working on the next issue that threatens the greatness we all desire for our country.

—DeForest B. Soaries Jr., Ph.D.

The post How We Can Breathe Again: From Protest to Solutions appeared first on Black Health Matters.

As we know, research on race and health in the United States shows pervasive health disparities between racial and ethnic groups. The possible causes—genetics, socioeconomic factors, access to care and racial injustice—continue to be debated and are likely some combination of all of these. We also know that disparities in health between blacks and whites are nothing new. They have existed since we were dragged here in shackles during the Middle Passage.

Given the current political climate and the heightened attention to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, there should be a collective call to action to offer solutions to a balanced equality among all people, a need to understand the inequalities that exist. Health doesn’t just affect African Americans, it affects humanity. And collectively, we all are connected by matters of our health.

So why should this matter to all Americans?

Black Health Matters because #BlackLivesMatter. Without our health, nothing else matters. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was aware of this when he said, “of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman.” 

The #BlackLivesMatter movement focuses on the social injustices that impede African American communities from realizing their potential. So, too, does Black Health Matters focus on how health inequalities keep our people from reaching their dreams. When adults in their 40s suffer massive strokes and are unable to work, when working families lose the foundation of grandparents in assisting with children, when many mentally ill are treated by the prison industrial complex, clearly our community ecosystem is impaired. 

Black Health Matters addresses the overall mental, physical and emotional well-being of our existence in this society. It’s clear that Black Health Matters, as many corporations have developed, or are in the midst of developing, programs that seek to close these health gaps and that spotlight efforts to make health care more inclusive.

We are pleased to partner with socially conscious health and pharmaceutical companies that support our mission to improve health literacy. These corporations enable us to develop and maintain our laser focus on content creation and educational activations that will improve the health outcomes of thousands.

A #BlackHealthMatters movement is just as important as the #BlackLivesMatter movement, as the widening health gap is debatably among the most vital and inadequately addressed concerns. No one but Black Health Matters is addressing how collectively to empower each one, to reach each one, in order to build a more balanced and holistic movement, which defines and encompasses our interconnectedness and how we work together to solve such problems.

We stand with the Association of Black Cardiologists, the National Medical Association and other professional, civic and Greek organizations committed to making #BlackLivesMatter. Our mission is to prevent future generations from living in a world where homicide doesn’t stand alongside heart disease and stroke as a leading cause of death for African Americans.

At the rate we are going, and with the dramatic improvements in health care and our environment, our children can realistically expect to live to be 100 years old. One hundred will be the new 80. And, boy, won’t that matter!

As Black Health Matters, Black Lives Will Matter. 

—Roslyn Daniels, Publisher

The post Why Black Health Matters appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Here’s why: Heating cold feet causes vasodilation—dilation, or opening up, of the blood vessels—which may signal to the brain that it’s bedtime. After the blood vessels open in the hands and feet, heat is redistributed throughout the body in preparation for sleep.

Research has shown that the more vasodilation in your hands and feet, the less time it takes for you to fall asleep.

If slipping on socks before you drift off, but you need help getting your body and brain to sleep faster, give these these foot-warming strategies a try:

• Layer extra blankets on top of your comforter, over the bottom portion of the bedspread, to create extra warmth for your feet.
• Make like your grandmother and invest in a basic hot water bottle (about $10 at drugstores) or a heating pad ($15 to $85 at drugstores) to warm up the foot of your bed before bedtime.
• Splurge on plush footwear to wear in bed. A pair of cashmere socks might set you back about $20.
• Take slippers for a test drive. Wear cozy, insulated ones before bedtime to help prep yourself for sleep.

In the final analysis, should you wear socks to bed? They may not be sexy, but neither are cold feet.

The post Should You Wear Socks to Bed? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Farro Vegetable Salad
1 (16 oz.) package farro
2 asparagus bundles (2 cups, chopped )
1 (10.5 oz.) container of cherry tomatoes
1/2 small red onion
2 yellow bell peppers
1 bundle of parsley leaves

Vinaigrette Dressing
¼ cup olive oil
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

Follow package directions to cook the farro, drain and cool. Dice bell peppers, onion and parsley. Cut cherry tomatoes into halves. Remove hard stems from asparagus. Then blanch and dice asparagus. For the dressing: In a separate small bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey and spices. In a large bowl combine the farro, cherry tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, parsley, asparagus and the vinaigrette dressing. Serves 8

Cooking Tip: Blanching includes placing the vegetable in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, followed by placing it in ice water to stop the cooking process.

Nutritional Information—calories: 265; total carbohydrate: 38 g; dietary fiber: 7 g; protein: 7 g; total fat: 8 g; saturated fat: 1 g; sodium: 2 mg

The post Meatless Monday: Farro Vegetable Salad appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Gum disease and diabetes go hand in hand. Diabetes can lower your body’s ability to resist infection. Elevated blood sugars increase the risk of developing gum disease. And gum disease can make it harder to keep blood sugar levels in check. Protect your gums by keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Practice proper dental hygiene, and see your dentist at least twice a year—more if he requests it.

Mouth bacteria can trigger heart disease. Some studies show people with gum disease are more likely have heart disease than those with healthy gums. Though researchers don’t know exactly why this is—gum disease isn’t proved to cause other diseases—it makes sense to take care of your mouth like you do the rest of your body.

Stress can make you grind your teeth. Stressed, anxious, depressed? You may be at higher risk for oral health issues. Stressed people produce high levels of the hormone cortisol, which can wreak havoc on the gums and body. Stress also leads to poor oral care; research shows more than 50 percent of people don’t brush or floss regularly when stressed. Other stress-related habits include smoking, drinking alcohol and grinding teeth.

Osteoporosis can cause tooth loss. Osteoporosis affects all the bones in your body, including your jaw bone, and that can cause tooth loss. Bacteria from periodontitis, which is severe gum disease, can also break down the jaw bone. Bisphosphonates, often used to treat osteoporosis, may increase the risk of a rare condition called osteonecrosis, which causes bone death of the jaw. Keep your dentist informed if you take bisphosphonates.

HIV can lead to tooth decay, oral thrush and other mouth infections. People with HIV or AIDS may experience dry mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay, or can develop oral thrush, oral warts, fever blisters, canker sores and hairy leukoplakia (white or gray patches on the tongue or the inside of the cheek). The body’s weakened immune system and its inability to stave off infections are to blame.

Gum disease can lead to premature birth. If you’re pregnant and have gum disease, you could be at increased risk for having a baby born prematurely and at low birthweight. How gum disease and premature birth are linked remains poorly understood by experts, but they believe underlying inflammation or infections could be to blame. Pregnancy and its related hormonal changes also make gum disease worse. Since black women have double the rates of preterm births, we don’t need help making this problem worse. Talk to your obstetrician or dentist to find out how to protect yourself and your baby.

Gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis are linked. People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are eight times more likely to have gum disease than people without this autoimmune disease. Inflammation may be the common denominator. Also, people with RA can have trouble brushing and flossing because of damage to finger joints. The good news: Treating existing gum disease can reduce joint pain and inflammation.

Pale gums are a sign of anemia. If you’re anemic, your mouth may be sore and pale and your tongue can become swollen and smooth. This is because your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, or your red blood cells don’t contain enough hemoglobin, and you aren’t getting enough oxygen. There are different types of anemia, and treatment varies, so talk to your doctor to find out what type you have and how to treat it.

Medications may cause dry mouth. A chronically dry mouth raises risk of cavities and gum disease, so check your medicine cabinet. Antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants and painkillers are among the drugs that can cause dry mouth. If you suspect your meds are affecting your health, talk to your doctor or dentist about changing your medication regimen or other options.

Dry mouth can cause tooth decay. Saliva helps protect teeth and gums from bacteria that cause cavities and gingivitis. So a constantly dry mouth is more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. Just ask the 4 million Americans who have Sjögren’s syndrome, a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks saliva glands and tear ducts. Its sufferers are more prone to having oral health problems.

How do you know if your gums are healthy? Look at them. They should be pink and firm, not red and swollen. To keep gums in good shape, practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day, see your dentist regularly and don’t smoke or chew tobacco.

The post Your Mouth, Your Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Instead of: Sour Cream
Try: Greek Yogurt
The Skinny: Plain Greek yogurt and sour cream are nearly alike in both taste and texture, so there’s really no excuse not to use the lean, protein-packed alternative to fatter sour cream. A dollop of Greek yogurt can save you more than 20 grams of saturated fat while more than doubling your protein intake.

Instead of: Full-fat Cheese
Try: Low-fat Cheese
The Skinny: Many cheesy casseroles and bakes call for ricotta. Swap the full-fat cheese with the skinner version and cut 9 grams of saturated fat per serving.

Instead of: French Fries
Try: Potato Salad
The Skinny: According to a USDA Agricultural Research Service study, chilled potatoes pack more resistant starch than any other kind of potato. Sometimes called the third starch, resistant starch is not absorbed in the small intestine, so you eat less and feel fuller longer. Use extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar and mustard instead of mayo to slash even more calories.

Instead of: Sausage Patties
Try: Center-cut bacon
The Skinny: Salty, fatty breakfast pork will try to seduce you every now and again. If you indulge, remember that center-cut bacon has only 25 calories per slice. It’s loaded with nearly 200 milligrams of sodium, though, so go easy.

Instead of: 1⁄2 cup chocolate ice cream
Try: 1⁄2 cup fat-free chocolate pudding
The Skinny: Fat-free pudding will save you 7 grams of fat.

Instead of: Granola
Try: Oatmeal
The Skinny: A half-cup cooked serving of Quaker Steel Cut Oats contains 150 calories, 2.5 grams of fat and 1 gram of sugar, while, a half-cup of Quaker’s Apple, Cranberry & Almond Granola weighs in at 200 calories, 5 grams of fat, and a whopping 13 grams of sugar—before you add the milk.

Instead of: Vegetable Soup
Try: Split-Pea Soup
The Skinny: Pea soup has 10 grams of protein, more than the amount in a glass of milk or an egg.

Instead of: Flour Tortilla
Try: Corn Tortilla
The Skinny: Save 450 milligrams of sodium.

Instead of: Rice
Try: Baked potato
The Skinny: Get nearly three times the fiber in that baked potato. You’ll also clock 20 percent of your daily dose of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

Instead of: A Bran Muffin
Try: Raisin Bran
The Skinny: Coffee shop muffins can pack 400 calories or more. But when you eat your bran with a spoon, using 2/3 cup 1% low-fat milk, you trim the calories and get 2 grams more fiber than in the muffin. You’ll also add 200 milligrams of bone-building calcium.

Instead of: Orange Juice
Try: An Orange
The Skinny: A cup of orange juice contains about 21 grams of sugar and almost no fiber. A large orange has slightly less sugar—about 17 grams—but will give you more than six times the heart-healthy fiber.

Instead of: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Try: Fig Bars
The Skinny: Though they are technically still cookies, fig bars contain much less refined sugar. They are also a great source of fiber, so you won’t wolf down a whole pack at one time.

Instead of: Meat Lasagna
Try: Cheese Ravioli
The Skinny: Compared with the lasagna, the ravioli is downright Kelly Ripa-thin, with about half as much total and saturated fat as lasagna.

The post Food Swaps appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Herb Roasted Chicken Breasts

1-pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 medium onion

1–2 garlic cloves

2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash® Garlic and Herb Seasoning Blend

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ cup olive oil

Marinating: Chop onion and garlic and place in a bowl. Add Mrs. Dash Seasoning, ground pepper and olive oil. Add chicken breasts to the marinade, cover it, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover a baking sheet with foil, place the marinated chicken breasts on the pan. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Broil an additional 5 minutes for browning.

From Fresenius Kidney Care

The post Kidney-Friendly Recipes: Herb Roasted Chicken Breasts appeared first on Black Health Matters.

2 pounds catfish (boned and filleted) 6 5-ounce pieces

4 teaspoons pesto

¾ cup panko bread crumbs

½ cup mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons olive oil

Chef Aaron McCargo’s Signature Seasoning Blend

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 400° F. Mix all the seasonings in small bowl and begin to sprinkle even amounts on both sides of fish. Spread equal amounts of pesto (1 teaspoon each) on topside of filets and set aside. In medium bowl, mix cheese, oil and bread crumbs and dredge pesto side of fish in mixture until well coated. Grease or spray baking sheet tray liberally with oil and lay fish pesto side up on sheet tray leaving space between filets. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 400° F or until desired brownness on bottom rack. Let rest for 10 minutes after cooking and removing from tray to prevent fish from breaking.  

TIPS: Make an extra serving of Chef McCargo’s signature seasoning blend and use it to spice up your other dishes. For another twist on this tasty recipe, substitute chicken or turkey for catfish.  

From Fresenius Kidney Care

The post Kidney-Friendly Recipes: Pesto Crusted Catfish appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The condition can be the result of various issues:

• Virus infection
• Caused by medications 
• Linked to cancer 
• Altered structure or function of kidney after disease or surgery (i.e., diabetes, sickle cell disease, obesity)
• Nonspecific FSGS caused by kidney scarring 
• Genetic mutations 
• Without any known causes 

Recently, researchers have established a strong connection between abnormal variants in genes found in individuals of sub-Saharan African ancestry and the development of FSGS.

The disease can affect both children and adults with males tending to be slightly more susceptible. 

If you have been diagnosed with FSGS, here’s what you need to know now. 

Current Therapies: 

Currently, there are no medications approved specifically for the treatment of FSGS. Treatment involves a combination of drugs tailored to the cause of FSGS, a person’s age and other conditions (e.g. diabetes and obesity). The goal is to greatly reduce protein loss into the urine. 

This is achieved with drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor II blockers (ARBs). ACE inhibitors/ARBs are sometimes combined with immunosuppressants such as steroids (e.g. prednisone).

Clinical Trials: 

Clinical trials are another way that patients with FSGS can get treated for their disease. 

Currently, a biotech company called Retrophin is enrolling patients in the Phase 3 DUPLEX Study, to further understand how to help slow the decline of kidney function in patients with FSGS. 

Partner with your nephrologist and talk with family members about participating in the DUPLEX Study. Also, be sure to contact Patient Advocacy Groups such as NephCure, www.nephcure.org, for their specialized assistance. 

DID YOU KNOW…  

The following 10 regions have the highest incidence of kidney failure.  See where your state/region nets out.

RANK STATES/REGIONS

1. Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee 
2. Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina 
3. Southern California 
4. Texas 
5. Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma 
6. Maryland, Virginia, W. Virginia, Washington, D.C. 
7. Northern California, Guam, Hawaii 
8. New York 
9. New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
10. Illinois 

The post Health Priority: FSGS appeared first on Black Health Matters.

I am a physician who studies health disparities and ways to improve health-care delivery. My work focuses on people of color, including those who are black and indigenous. Improving health-care delivery for these groups of people is a complicated and multi-layered task, but solutions exist. One of them is to increase the probability that minorities see doctors of their race or ethnicity, which I refer to as patient-provider racial and ethnic concordance. I have partnered with Prof. Edwin Lindo, a critical race theorist, to help explain why.

Building trust is key. In the current workforce, diversity among physicians is limited. That can lead to mistrust in doctor-patient relationships, even during routine checkups. Black patients, for instance, may feel more wary with a white doctor than a black doctor, and white doctors may feel less comfortable caring for minoritized patients. Mounting evidence suggests when physicians and patients share the same race or ethnicity, this improves time spent together, medication adherence, shared decision-making, wait times for treatment, cholesterol screening, patient understanding of cancer risk, and patient perceptions of treatment decisions. Not surprisingly, implicit bias from the physician is decreased.

A Stanford University study paired black men in Oakland, California, with either black or non-black doctors. The men seen by black physicians were more likely to engage with them, and even consent to preventive services like cardiovascular screenings and immunizations.

And, the study found that black doctors were more inclined to write detailed notes about their black patients. Those men who had the least trust in the medical system—and the least exposure to it—benefited the most from racial/ethnic concordance. The study estimates this approach could reduce the black-white mortality gap due to heart disease by 19 percent.

But what happened in Oakland is not going to happen anytime soon across the U.S. Based on the latest figures, white doctors make up 56 percent of the physician workforce, with Asian doctors at 17 percent. Just under 6 percent are Hispanic doctors. Only 5 percent are black doctors. Yet by 2042—just over 20 years away—the combined minority population is set to become the majority in the U.S.

Based on those numbers, it will be difficult for the physician workforce to mirror the population in the near future. But given the benefits of a more diverse workforce, all educational and medical institutions – from grade school through completion of medical training – should invest in building a more diverse workforce.

In the meantime, there is another way to augment patient-provider racial/ethnic concordance: Increase the presence of minority providers who are part of a team-based model of care, including registered nurses, doulas, certified nurse midwives and nurse practitioners.

Another way to potentially improve care for minority patients is to better understand the effect of other forms of patient-provider social concordance, such as shared immigrant status, religion, LGBTQ+ status, socioeconomic background or disability. Discordant patient-provider interactions can be improved by training more culturally and structurally competent doctors.

Finding a minority doctor. Since the health-care workforce won’t reflect America’s true diversity anytime soon, here are a few tips to find a minority physician:

• Ask family or friends for recommendations. Look for online photos posted by your health-care provider, or request someone who speaks your native language. Check out the new phone apps: HUED connects patients with minority physicians and offers patient reviews of them. Ayana matches users with licensed mental health therapists based not only on race and ethnicity but disability and LGBTQ+ status.
• If seeing a doctor who’s your race or ethnicity isn’t an option, there are still ways you can advocate for yourself in health-care settings:
  • • Write down your doctor’s name. Just knowing that can build rapport and increase accountability.
    • If you need a language interpreter, request one.
    • Bring family or friends with you. Studies show that accompanying family and friends can serve as patient advocates and that their presence has a positive influence on building rapport and increasing patient participation according to doctors.
    • Ask for a chaperone during physical exams. Like an interpreter, a patient request for a chaperone is widely accepted in today’s health care system.
    • Ask for and review documentation of your medical visit. You will need it in case of medical error, or if your physician wrongfully refuses to offer an appropriate service or treatment.
    • If you have a negative experience with a doctor, say something. Speak with a supervisor. Do something: Join a patient advisory council. Even giving feedback anonymously through a suggestion box helps. That can be enough to give employers adequate grounds to act on racist or difficult physicians. Positive feedback also helps; minority physicians too are subject to discrimination.
    • If you’re black and pregnant, create a birthing plan and surround yourself with the best possible team of health-care providers.

The ultimate goal, of course, is to achieve the best possible health outcomes for everyone, regardless of the race or ethnicity of patients and doctors. Minority patients should be able to trust their white physicians, and white physicians should be able to take equally good care of minoritized patients. Minoritized physicians should not bear the burden of eliminating health disparities. Until then? As long as structural racism exists within the health-care industry, a minority patient should consider the benefits of a same-race or same-ethnicity doctor.

—Ryan Huerto

From The Conversation

The post Black Patients Benefit From Black Doctors appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Don’t know what’s involved in a colonoscopy? It involves a doctor inserting a small camera inside your rectum to check for signs of colon cancer.

As horrible as that sounds, here’s the thing: The procedure isn’t a big deal. In fact, you’re under conscious sedation during the colonoscopy and can’t feel anything. You are, however, wide awake and getting well acquainted with your bathroom for the preparation.

Follow these five tips and your prep can be almost as painless as the procedure:

1. Fast the right way. For your colonoscopy results to be accurate, your insides to be clean. That usually means you can’t have solid foods the day before the procedure. But if you start the cleansing process earlier, the 24-hour fast can be easier. Eat lighter meals for three or four days before your colonoscopy.
2. Prepare for the prep. For the preparation process, your doctor will give you strong laxatives. This usually involves myriad drinkable prep solutions. Be forewarned: They all taste pretty awful. You can try to mask the taste by mixing it with your favorite flavor of a beverage (think: Gatorade). But this might ruin your favorite flavor flavor for you because you will forever associate it with the bad taste of the prep solution. Whether you choose to take it straight or mask the flavor with your favorite beverage, gulp it fast, while it’s cold and chase it with water.
3. Stay in. Don’t make plans to go to the movies or out dancing the night before a colonoscopy. You’re going to spend a lot of quality time in the bathroom. Binge-watch Netflix or catch up on the stack of books on your nightstand.
4. Get the correct supplies. Before you drink the prep solution, pick up diaper cream and baby wipes.
5. Pat yourself on the back. Medical professionals say far too many people avoid getting a colonoscopy. Though the prep is unpleasant, you’ve decided to be proactive about your health. The procedure is an essential part of regular medical care after the age of 50, and it can save lives by catching colon cancer in its earliest, treatable stages.

The post 5 Tips to Survive Your Colonoscopy Prep appeared first on Black Health Matters.

In a new study, researchers analyzed more 1 million patients at more than 200 hospitals across the United States from 2006 to 2016. Not only was there less improvement in mortality rates in hospitals with large minority patient populations, but the length of stay was longer, too.

“We wanted to know whether racial inequalities, previously described across a range of health care environments, extend into the highest level of care, namely the ICU,” said study author John Danziger, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Minority hospitals were defined as hospitals with twice as many minority patients as expected demographically or a hospital where more than 25 percent of the ICU patients were black or Hispanic.

Non-minority hospitals showed a 2 percent decline in ICU deaths each year. Meanwhile, minority hospitals showed no decline in the first few years. Additionally, a large number of critically ill black and Hispanic patients were treated at only 14 of the 200 hospitals.

To avoid bias, gender, age, diagnosis, illness severity and other variables were analyzed in the study. The authors said they couldn’t determine whether the disparities reflected differences in hospital resources or level of care for minority patients. But, they noted, wait times for the ICU were also longer at minority hospitals.

“The observation that large numbers of critically ill minorities are cared for in poorer performing ICUs gives us an important target for focused research efforts and additional resources to help close the health care divide amongst different minorities in the United States,” Danziger said.

The post Race and ICU Outcomes appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Panelists at a workshop, “Addressing Advocacy at the Bench: Implementing Change,” held last fall at The 12^th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved described complex and sometimes contentious negotiations between the scientists conducting clinical trials and patients from racial and ethnic minority groups.

Research has long shown that populations at risk for cancer health disparities are less likely than other groups to participate in research studies. In the past few years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has provided guidance on how to recruit participants from underserved groups, and the agency began publishing Drug Trials Snapshots, clearly written, graphically presented information on the demographic makeup of clinical trials.

Most researchers know they should recruit patients from minority groups. But when approaching patients, they sometimes fail to establish trust, or to adequately convey that patients are likely to benefit from their participation, panelists said.

“Many of us come from populations that have experienced research in a negative form,” explained Phyllis Pettit Nassi, associate director of Research & Science, Special Populations, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. “There has been unethical use of data that come from our people. Our populations are fearful, and we have to correct misinformation.”

Nassi, who was one of several cochairs of the disparities conference, works with 40 Native American tribes in five states, and she said she has seen many efforts to recruit them to a research study fail due to misunderstandings. For example, a researcher may visit a tribal land, and may establish some friendly relationships, but if the Native Americans have never left the reservation or visited the researcher’s clinic, he may not truly understand the value of the researcher’s work.

Jamie Brewer, M.D., of the FDA Office of Oncology and Hematology, pointed out that clinical trials that enroll mostly white patients ultimately only determine a drug’s safety and efficacy in white patients.

“Drug development has been very robust lately, but we are missing out on the aspect of whether a drug will be more beneficial or less beneficial to various racial and ethnic groups,” she explained.

The panelists said that researchers and patients alike would benefit from efforts to continuously connect with minority populations, so that trust and familiarity might grow organically. Lola Fashoyin-Aje, M.D., a medical officer with the FDA, said the agency has taken steps in this direction, seeking out patients to advise them on many issues surrounding clinical trial participation, including financial toxicity and ethical concerns.

“We have to get out of this mentality that we just have to get the data,” said Nynikka Palmer, assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco. “We have to go to the communities, ask them what they need, and meet them along the way. We should start by building relationships and building trust.

Brewer agreed. “The relationship needs to be there, and we should work to develop it early on in a patient’s care,” she said. “We try to build the relationship when we need patients for studies, but we should get to know them earlier, without demanding anything from them.”

How can the patients help?

At Candace Henley’s lowest point during her treatment for young-onset colorectal cancer, she promised herself that if she lived, she would devote herself to advocacy.

Today, she is a proud and passionate advocate, having founded The Blue Hat Foundation to raise awareness of colorectal cancer in minority and medically underserved communities. She also works to spread awareness of the crushing burden of medical costs for cancer patients. In the wake of her treatment, she lost her home and her job. She applied for federal Social Security Disability Insurance, but her application was denied.

“At that time, there were no patient navigators; there was no one to tell me that I could have appealed it,” she said. “I didn’t know I could fight.”

She said patients can improve their chances of being heard and respected if they learn all they can about their cancer.

“Patients need to understand their disease,” she said. “It’s great to have passion, but make sure that with your passion, you are educated, so that when you are having a conversation with a medical professional, they will trust you just as you are being asked to trust them.”

From the American Association for Cancer Research

The post How Can We Recruit Minorities Into Cancer Clinical Trials? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Risk factors for cervical cancer include:

• Multiple sexual partners. The greater your number of sexual partners—and the greater your partner’s number of sexual partners—the greater your chance of acquiring HPV.
• Early sexual activity. Having sex at an early age increases your risk of HPV.
• Other sexually transmitted infections. Having other STIs—such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV/AIDS—increases your risk of HPV.
• A weakened immune system. You may be more likely to develop cervical cancer if your immune system is weakened by another health condition and you have HPV.
• Smoking. Smoking is associated with squamous cell cervical cancer.
• Exposure to miscarriage prevention drug. If your mother took a drug called diethylstilbestrol while pregnant in the 1950s, you may have an increased risk of a certain type of cervical cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma.

To reduce your risk of cervical cancer:

• Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine. Receiving a vaccination to prevent HPV infection may reduce your risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. Ask your doctor whether an HPV vaccine is appropriate for you.
• Have routine Pap tests. Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix, so they can be monitored or treated in order to prevent cervical cancer. Most medical organizations suggest beginning routine Pap tests at age 21 and repeating them every few years.
• Practice safe sex. Reduce your risk of cervical cancer by taking measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as using a condom every time you have sex and limiting the number of sexual partners you have.
• Don’t smoke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor about strategies to help you quit.

The post Cervical Cancer: Understand Your Risk appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Does whitening toothpaste really work?
Yes, though most don’t have enough whitening ingredients to get noticeable results in the short term. And long-term use may cause sensitivity.

Can over-the-counter toothpaste for sensitive teeth work as well as prescription brands?
If you have sensitive teeth, you have fewer options. Over-the-counter sensitive toothpastes are a little more affordable, and they work fairly well. But you can also pay more for a sensitive toothpaste prescription from your dentist if the OTC brand doesn’t provide the results you want.

Can a toothpaste restore enamel?
A lot of brands claim they can restore enamel. While this is possible, restoration depends on the condition of your teeth. A fluoridated toothpaste will help restore enamel that has not yet decayed. If there is decay, however, all bets are off.

Should I rinse after I brush?
You reap the best benefits by not rinsing after brushing because this allows the ingredients to be absorbed fully into your teeth and gums. This goes for all toothpaste, including those for sensitivity. Most people are conditioned to rinse, though. (This may be especially true with sensitive toothpaste, which typically doesn’t taste as good as the regular kinds.) A good rule of thumb: Don’t rinse, eat or drink until 30 minutes after brushing.

Along with flossing, a good toothpaste is an essential part of your daily dental care routine. Pastes, gels or powders enhance the cleaning power of your toothbrush. Be sure the one you choose contains fluoride—at least 1,000 parts per million—so it removes plaque effectively. Also check the package for the American Dental Association stamp of approval.

The post How to Choose the Right Toothpaste appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that eating right means giving up on taste. Take this fun jambalaya recipe for a spin:

Jumpin’ Jambalaya

14 ounces low-fat turkey kielbasa
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
Nonstick cooking spray
1 medium celery stalk, chopped
2 small onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small bunch green onions, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 14-½-ounce can of diced tomatoes, no salt added
1-½ cups uncooked brown rice
4 cups water
2 cubes, low-sodium chicken bouillon
1 bay leaf
1-½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped

Wash chicken and pat dry. Cut the chicken breast and kielbasa into 1-inch chunks. Spray a medium-sized pan with nonstick cooking spray. Brown the sausage and chicken over medium heat, and then remove from the pan. Add the next 6 ingredients to the same pot and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Put the cooked meat back into the pot; add the rice, water, chicken bouillon cubes, bay leaf and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for about 50 minutes or until the water is evaporated. Stir in parsley and serve warm. Serves 9

Calories 250, total fat 4 g, saturated fat 1 g, cholesterol 53 mg, sodium 531 mg, total fiber 5 g, protein 22 g, carbohydrates 31 g, potassium 427 mg

Cooking tips: If you use instant brown rice, you’ll cut down on cooking time.

The post Jumpin’ Jambalaya appeared first on Black Health Matters.

​We believe when people are empowered patients who act as experts in their own health care, they better meet their wellness goals. Studies show being proactive about one’s own health not only results in better health care; it also strengthens the body’s natural self-repair mechanisms and helps fend off illness. ​

Through health education and engagement programs, Black Health Matters, the leading syndicator of original content on African American health, is committed to teaching African Americans how to take control of their health into their own hands. ​

We’re launching ProActive Health for African Americans with the 4th Black Health Matters Summit because we are uniquely qualified to do so. 

The 4th Black Health Matters Summit will showcase world-class health leaders who engage with the community in intimate roundtables and workshops on the latest trends and innovation in African American health. Topics include breast cancer, clinical trials, colon cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hereditary hATTR amyloidosis, HIV, lung cancer, mental health, prostate cancer, sickle cell disease and more. Registrants can also take advantage of free health screenings.

The post ProActive Health: 4th Black Health Matters Summit appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Metformin, a prescription drug used to control high blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, is just the latest medication suspected to contain the carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Over the past 18 months, some high blood pressure and heartburn medications have been recalled for containing NDMA.

Janet Woodcock, director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said the FDA is investigating whether metformin in the United States contains NDMA, and whether it exceeds the acceptable daily limit of 96 nanograms. Though other countries have recalled the drug, no such recalls affect the U.S. market at the moment.

“The agency will also work with companies to test samples of metformin sold in the U.S. and will recommend recalls as appropriate if high levels of NDMA are found,” Woodcock said in an agency statement.

She cited several reasons why impurities can be present in drugs, including manufacturing processes or even the conditions in which they are packaged or stored. “If as part of our investigation, metformin drugs are recalled, the FDA will provide timely updates to patients and health care professionals,” she said.

While the FDA investigates metformin, the agency recommends doctors continue prescribing and patients  continue taking the medication. “It could be dangerous for patients with this serious condition to stop taking their metformin without first talking to their health care professional,” Woodcock said.

The post Diabetes Drug Metformin May Contain a Carcinogen appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Don’t give in to sniffles and congestion just yet. These four tips can help you stop a cold in its tracks. OK, that might be hyperbole; there’s no known cure for the common cold. But at least you can ease the symptoms.

1. Sip chicken soup, stat! It’s not an old wives’ tale. A University of Nebraska study proved chicken soup really does help relieve symptoms of a cold. Apparently, soup contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help prevent a cold’s miserable side effects.
2. Take zinc. You can shave two days off a cold with zinc, according to a 2012 study. Look for lozenges with zinc acetate or zinc gluconate and take one every couple of hours while you have symptoms.
3. Try vitamin C. Forget what you’ve heard; vitamin C can’t prevent a cold. But an analysis of 29 trials found popping vitamin C 1,000 milligrams a day as soon as you feel the first symptom may reduce your downtime by about 8 percent.
4. Stock up on shut-eye. While you’re asleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines that combat infection. Regularly getting the appropriate amount of sleep will also help prevent more sniffles in the future. One study shows people who sleep less than seven hours a night are three times more likely than those who sleep at least eight hours to catch a common cold after exposure to a cold-causing virus.

The post Stop a Cold in Its Tracks! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

You know you should eat as many greens as you possibly can. Why? They have a ton of benefits: They supply your body with vital vitamins and minerals, they are key to a healthy digestive system and they have phytonutrients that help fight cancer. They can give you glowing skin glow, fill you up without making you fat—even improve your sex life!

But if you’re sick of boring salads and steamed broccoli makes you want to hurl, here are a few simple ways to trick yourself into getting more greens into your diet:

• Stir-fry: It’s so easy to pack green veggies into stir-fries that this one is almost a no-brainer. Toss in bok choi, sugar snaps, Swiss chard, snow peas, asparagus or green beans.
• Sandwiches: Ask the deli guy to double the greens on your sandwich. Bonus: This adds more fiber to your diet, too, which is good for lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
• Muffins: Puree greens and add them to muffins. You won’t notice spinach mixed with with other ingredients, like blueberries. This works with brownies, too, but don’t be tempted to eat the whole pan.
• Fresh juice: Toss a handful of cabbage, celery or a shot of wheatgrass into your sweet (think apple or carrot) juices. You won’t taste the greens (though they will change the color of your drink).
• Kale chips: These tasty chips are a party favorite, and they have more nutrition than carb-packed potato varieties.
• Smoothies: A handful of spinach in your fruit smoothie won’t change the taste at all.
• Soups: Jazz up canned chicken noodle or your homemade orzo with a handful of arugula. Simmer for about a minute.
• Black beans: Stirring in a couple of cups of chopped, blanched greens like chard or kale at the tail end of cooking your beans adds flavor, color and texture.

The post Easy Ways to Eat More Greens appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“We’re probably 15 percent or less,” Jonanna “Dr. Jo” Bryant, president of the Black Nurses Rock Philadelphia chapter, told Black Health Matters recently. “It’s about exposure. If you don’t have an environment where people encourage you to say, ‘this is what I can do,’ you get steered to doing hair or other trade things versus developing a career. I met with a young lady recently who’d never met a black nurse who had a doctorate.”

Fortunately, this wasn’t Dr. Jo’s story, even though she grew up in central Pennsylvania, where there weren’t a lot of faces that looked like hers. “My mom’s a nurse. My aunt’s a nurse,” she said. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.” 

And this is part of the reason Black Nurses Rock exists. The organization was founded in 2014 by Romeatrius Moss, who joined a different nursing organization and found it didn’t meet her needs or the needs of her nurse friends. The other organization wasn’t “really embracing the younger generation of nurses,” Dr. Jo said. “They weren’t moving toward the millennial age group, which is much more tech savvy, more into social media and being really innovative and thinking outside the box.” 

The organization focuses on fostering a positive environment of professional growth and development, providing support and mentorship to nurses in an effort to elevate the profession and improve communities. In addition to holding an annual health symposium, BNR, which has grown into the largest minority nursing association in the United States with 48 chapters nationwide, has annual blood drives, stays abreast of the latest treatments, teaches younger members leadership skills and raises funds for scholarships.

The scholarship program helps new nursing students with tuition, and it also helps with continuing education for folks who have been in health care for a longer period of time.

BNR also gives nurses confidence to tackle new things. “I’ve been a nurse almost 30 years,” Dr. Jo said. “It’s the only thing I know in terms of employment. Being part of BNR has expanded my view of what I can do as a nurse. You get pigeonholed in thinking, ‘I only can work in this type of nursing.’ Being part of BNR, I’ve seen so many men and women do things outside of nursing. It’s a great exposure for that person who feels stuck. It’s a great inspiration to help people move to the next step in life, inside of their scope of practice, outside of their scope of practice. 

“I’m grateful to BNR for helping me to see things differently than I had before.”

The post Black Nurses Rock! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

She’d done that drug and others for about 20 years before getting sober in 2008. But things were different back then. This time, the 62-year-old knew she needed to seek treatment before it was too late.

“If I used today,” she said, “I’d be dead.”

The powerful opioid fentanyl is often mixed into cocaine, turning the stimulant into a much bigger killer than the drug of the past. Cocaine-related overdoses took the lives of nearly 14,000 Americans in 2017, up 34 percent in just a year, the latest federal figures show. And they’re expected to soar even higher as cocaine’s popularity resurges.

Barton, who is African American, is wise to be wary. Deaths are rising most precipitously among African Americans, who are more likely to use cocaine than whites and fatally overdosed at an 80 percent higher rate.

But the scourge is festering quietly, overshadowed by the larger opioid epidemic that kills tens of thousands each year, the vast majority of them white.

More than 30 states have seen cocaine death rates rise since 2010, with Ohio leading the way. Overdoses from crack and powder cocaine killed 14 of every 100,000 Ohioans of all races in 2017 — seven times more than in 2010, according to the University of Minnesota’s State Health Access Data Assistance Center.

Colin Planalp, senior research fellow with the center, said deaths have risen steeply in rural and urban areas across America since 2000, and the increase is directly related to the national opioid crisis.

“Your whole system is kind of thrown a curveball,” said Katherine Engel, director of nursing at the Center for Addiction Treatment in Cincinnati. “You’re an opiate virgin, so to speak.”

Tom Synan, police chief in Newtown, just outside Cincinnati, said the risk extends to cocaine users who also have used older opioids such as heroin because fentanyl is 50 times more potent.

“In the ’70s, a ‘speedball’ was a mix of cocaine and heroin. I call this ‘speedball 2.0.’ Fentanyl has made it much worse,” he said. “It’s made every drug people are addicted to into a crisis.”

In May, in Cincinnati’s county of Hamilton, cocaine overdoses killed six people over 10 days.

Increased Supply, New Dangers Added

The crisis is growing as more people use cocaine.

A federal survey showed about 2 million Americans used the stimulant regularly in 2018, up from 1.4 million in 2011. One in 100 African Americans used the drug regularly last year, a rate 40 percent higher than among whites.

Supply helps drive use. A 2018 report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says record cocaine production in Colombia, the primary source for cocaine seized in the United States, has widened the cocaine market and pushed down prices. The agency expects the trend to continue.

Synan said the supply has ebbed and flowed over the years and cocaine never went away. What’s different now, he said, is the intentional and unintentional addition of fentanyl.

Sometimes, law enforcement experts said, dealers spike cocaine with the inexpensive synthetic opioid to hook people. Other times, it gets mixed in through sloppy handling or packaging somewhere along the way.

“The reason they’re putting it in is it’s cheap,” said Thomas Fallon, commander of the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition Task Force. “Also, they’re not chemists. They don’t always know what they’re doing.”

Still, longtime cocaine users often trust their dealers. They’re less likely than heroin or pill users to carry the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, treatment professionals and police said, because they don’t think of themselves as opioid users and don’t believe they’ll need it.

While some users overdose and die from cocaine mixed with fentanyl, others come to crave the potent combination for its high.

“Instead of being a deterrent, it’s an incentive for some,” said Evonne Stephenson, a nurse practitioner at the Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program of Cincinnati. “Everyone thinks they’re invincible.”

Actually, drug use makes them more vulnerable to serious health problems or death, especially as they age. Indeed, the steepest rise in cocaine-related overdose deaths nationwide was among people 45 to 54 years old.

William Stoops, a University of Kentucky professor who studies drug and alcohol addiction, said longtime cocaine use causes cardiovascular problems, which raises the risk of dying from an overdose even before fentanyl is added to the mix.

Barton likens doing cocaine these days to a game of Russian roulette.

“One person might get super high,” she said. “The next one may take it and die.”

Challenges Abound

Efforts to reduce these deaths face several obstacles.

Long-simmering resentment among African Americans around the criminalization of cocaine addiction in the 1980s and ’90s fuels an ongoing mistrust of law enforcement and public health efforts.

Back then, possessing 5 grams of crack, which many associated with low-income African Americans, brought the same prison sentence as possessing 500 grams of powder cocaine, which many associated with middle-class or affluent whites.

The way people think about and tackle drug use has been “influenced by who we think uses them,” said Jeffrey Coots, who directs John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s “From Punishment to Public Health” initiative in New York.

And though African Americans use opioids, too, today the drugs are typically associated with white users.

“There’s a thought that no one cared until a bunch of white people started dying,” said Stephenson, the Cincinnati nurse practitioner. “That’s so tragic.”

Synan said he’s heard this sentiment. People ask: “‘Why do you care now if you didn’t care back then?’” he said. “So you have to overcome that. Whether it’s real or perceived, it doesn’t matter, because it’s still an issue.”

Synan said he understands the concerns and acknowledged that society sees opioids more through a medical lens. But he said that’s partly because of an evolving understanding of addiction and the sheer numbers of overdose deaths in recent years, which require urgent action.

To be sure, overdoses involving opioids kill more Americans: 47,600 in 2017, including 5,513 African Americans. Overdoses involving cocaine killed 3,554 African Americans — although categories overlap because deaths may involve more than one drug.

Another challenge: There’s less in the treatment arsenal for cocaine addiction. While medications such as Suboxone and methadone treat people hooked on opioids, there are no federally approved medications to treat cocaine problems, even though researchers were testing promising medications nearly 15 years ago.

Public health officials say they’re focusing more on cocaine addiction in light of today’s deadly overdose threat, and trying to address the larger issue of addiction in general.

“What we’d certainly like to see more of is community-level interventions that go at the drivers of drug use in the first place — seeing it as the symptom of a problem,” Coots said.

In Ohio, the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition — which plans to change its name to reflect a focus on all addictions — has reached out to African Americans through black churches, public forums and community leaders. It tries to spread messages about prevention, the dangers of today’s cocaine, where to get help and the need for every drug user to carry naloxone.

The group also has a “quick response team” including police, emergency workers and addiction specialists who follow up with overdose victims, often going to their homes to try to get them into treatment.

That treatment needs to be “culturally competent,” Stephenson said, meaning providers respect diversity and the cultural factors that can affect health. These are key goals of the Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program, where she works.

Barton said treatment she gets through this program is helping keep her sober and productive. She works as a cook in nearby Covington, Kentucky, and also tries to help friends still struggling on the streets.

Lately, she’s been especially worried about one friend, a longtime cocaine user who has overdosed repeatedly and landed in the hospital.

She pleads with him to be careful, delivering a dire warning:

“One day, you’re just not gonna come back.”

From Kaiser Health News

The post Death Toll Rising From Tainted Cocaine appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A Saturday night at the movies can clean out your wallet—and pack on the pounds. Movie theaters now are required to post calorie counts on their menus. The FDA’s rule applies to food establishments with 20 or more locations, including movie theaters, fast-food chains, amusement parks and bowling alleys. While this may take the guesswork out of how many calories you’re consuming while you watch the latest thriller, studies show that even armed with this information, many adults still don’t change their caloric intake.

So we’re providing a few facts you might not know about movie snacks:

• The average small movie popcorn with butter has about 600 calories, more than a quarter-pound cheeseburger, which has 550 calories. You could have three slices of thin-crust cheese pizza or three milk chocolate candy bars for about the same number of calories. And here’s more food for thought: A slice of cheesecake has about 410 calories.
• You can have a meal of two large pieces of fried chicken (800 calories), a cup of mashed potatoes (230) and a 16-ounce soda (200) or the average large movie popcorn with butter, which is about 1,270 calories. Here’s another comparison: Two cups of spaghetti with meat sauce and a slice of garlic bread total roughly 800 calories, while a small thick-crust pepperoni pizza with a 10-ounce can of soda has about 940 calories.
• Grab a large combo—a 48-ounce soda and a large popcorn with butter—and you’ll consumer about 1,700 calories, accounting for 85 percent of the daily allowance, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
• An average small movie soda is about 23 ounces and has about 14 teaspoons of sugar and a little more than 200 calories. An average large movie soda is 47 ounces has almost 30 teaspoons of sugar and about 450 calories. But these numbers can vary wildly, depending on the chain. One theater chain’s medium soda can be 32 ounces, while another’s is 44 ounces. A small can vary even more: One chain’s small soda might be 16 ounces, while another’s is double that. The same holds true for popcorn, where the size of a medium tub of popcorn can vary by as many as 10 cups. One chain’s version of a medium popcorn might contain 10 cups, while another’s might have up to 20.
• An average small popcorn contains about 450 milligrams of sodium, about 20 percent of the recommended daily amount for adults and 30 percent of the recommended amount for children and adults who are older than age 51 or African American, or who have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
• Choose your chocolate carefully. A 3.5-ounce bag of chocolate-covered raisins has 420 calories, a 4.8-ounce bag of chocolate-covered mints has 570 calories and a 4-ounce bag of chocolate-covered peanut butter pieces has 580 calories. If you simply must have chocolate, your best bet may be the 3-ounce bag of chocolate-covered caramels, which comes in at 370 calories.
• If you split a small unbuttered popcorn with a friend, you’ll each get about the same number of calories as you would from an 8-ounce container of flavored whole-milk yogurt, about 230. For comparison purposes, a hard-boiled egg has about 80 calories, half a cup of cottage cheese contains 110 calories and 18 cashews have 165 calories.
• To make date night at the movies healthier, eat dinner before the movie; this can help curb hunger. If watching a movie isn’t the same without the popcorn, split a bag with a friend and ask that it be plain, meaning unbuttered and unsalted. Some theaters offer more healthy snack options, including bottled water and trail mix, so check your options before ordering.

The post Pump the Brakes on Movie Snacks appeared first on Black Health Matters.

You’ve heard the recommendation: Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet—seven to nine servings a day—is good for your health.

But did you know that not all fruits and vegetables are created equal, especially if losing weight is your goal? A recent study, from researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, suggests different produce items can have dramatically different effects on weight loss.

The study analyzed diet information for 117,918 people during four-year intervals over 24 years, starting while the participants were in the 30s and 40s. Though increasing daily servings of fruits and vegetables led to losing weight across the board, some foods correlated better with dropping pounds than others.

For example, though higher fruit intake led to an average weight loss of .53 pounds per additional daily serving over a four-year period, berries led to more than a pound of weight loss. Pears and apples had a similar effect, leading to weight dips of 1.24 pounds per extra daily serving.

Cauliflower and tofu/soy were the weight-loss winners in the vegetable category. An increase in vegetables overall led to about a quarter-pound of weight loss per daily serving, but bulking up on tofu/soy caused the average person to drop nearly 2.5 pounds, while cauliflower led to 1.37 pounds of weight loss.

Some vegetables were actually associated with weight gain. “Increased intake of starchy vegetables, including corn, peas and potatoes, was associated with weight gain,” the study authors said.

Americans consume a lot of fruit juices and potatoes, but they might not be the best options. “There are many fruits and vegetables that may be better choices—apples, pears, berries and nonstarchy vegetables,” said lead author Monica L. Bertoia.

The post The Best Fruits and Veggies for Weight Loss appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Differences in smoking habits between black and white folks in this country may lead to lower lung cancer screening rates for blacks, according to new research.

For this study, researchers reviewed federal government data from 1965 to 2012 and found blacks are less likely than whites to start smoking in their late teens, but also less likely to quit as they get older. The study also found black smokers use fewer cigarettes a day than white smokers.

These racial differences result in contradictory, yet important differences in lifetime cigarette exposure, said the Yale School of Public Health team performing the study.

Though blacks tend to continue smoking into their later years, the fact that they tend to smoke fewer cigarettes means they have fewer average “pack-years,” calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by years of smoking, the researchers said.

Pack-years is one way to determine eligibility for lung cancer screening. While black smokers may have fewer pack-years, they may have a longer exposure to smoking. That means it’s possible fewer at-risk black smokers would be targeted for lung cancer screening, even though they face a similar, possibly higher risk of death from tobacco-related diseases, researchers said.

“Racial differences in smoking initiation, cessation and intensity give rise to substantial differences in risk for tobacco-related diseases,” said study author Theodore Holford, a professor of public health at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut.

Though more research is needed, “this study shows that commonly used measures may give rise to disparities in access to lifesaving interventions,” Halford said.

The post Black Smokers Less Likely to Be Screened for Lung Cancer appeared first on Black Health Matters.

As a caregiver, you may be so focused on your loved one that you don’t realize that your own health and well-being are suffering. Watch for these signs of caregiver stress:

• Feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried
• Feeling tired often
• Getting too much sleep or not enough sleep
• Gaining or losing weight
• Becoming easily irritated or angry
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Feeling sad
• Having frequent headaches, bodily pain or other physical problems
• Abusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications

Too much stress, especially over a long time, can harm your health. As a caregiver, you’re more likely to experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. In addition, you may not get enough sleep or physical activity, or eat a balanced diet—which increases your risk of medical problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.

To help manage caregiver stress:

• Accept help. Be prepared with a list of ways that others can help you, and let the helper choose what he or she would like to do. For instance, a friend may offer to take the person you care for on a walk a couple of times a week. Or a friend or family member may be able to run an errand, pick up your groceries or cook for you.
• Focus on what you are able to provide. It’s normal to feel guilty sometimes, but understand that no one is a “perfect” caregiver. Believe that you are doing the best you can and making the best decisions you can at any given time.
• Set realistic goals. Break large tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time. Prioritize, make lists and establish a daily routine. Begin to say no to requests that are draining, such as hosting holiday meals.
• Get connected. Find out about caregiving resources in your community. Many communities have classes specifically about the disease your loved one is facing. Caregiving services such as transportation, meal delivery or housekeeping may be available.
• Join a support group. A support group can provide validation and encouragement, as well as problem-solving strategies for difficult situations. People in support groups understand what you may be going through. A support group can also be a good place to create meaningful friendships.
• Seek social support. Make an effort to stay well-connected with family and friends who can offer nonjudgmental emotional support. Set aside time each week for connecting, even if it’s just a walk with a friend.
• Set personal health goals. For example, set goals to establish a good sleep routine, find time to be physically active on most days of the week, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Many caregivers have issues with sleeping. Not getting quality sleep over a long period of time can cause health issues. If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, talk to your doctor.
• See your doctor. Get recommended vaccinations and screenings. Make sure to tell your doctor that you’re a caregiver. Don’t hesitate to mention any concerns or symptoms you have.

If you’re like many caregivers, you have a hard time asking for help. Unfortunately, this attitude can lead to feeling isolated, frustrated and even depressed.

Rather than struggling on your own, take advantage of local resources for caregivers. To get started, check out the Eldercare Locator or contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about services in your community. You can find your local AAA online or in the government section of your telephone directory.

The post Caregiver Stress: Tips for Self-Care appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“The barber-client relationship is a very special one,” Herman Muhammad, owner of Supreme Style Barbershop in Denver, said. “The guys sitting in your chair usually have done so for years. There is a sense of trust there.”

For decades, health professionals have leveraged this relationship to bring care to a hard-to-reach demographic: black men. With barbers as advocates, health workers visit shops to educate and perform screenings, usually for high blood pressure. Women’s hair salons have also been included in intervention programs.

Intervention is critical because blacks, especially black men, are less likely to get regular health checkups than whites. And high blood pressure disproportionately affects black people, who are also more likely to develop complications of stroke and heart conditions than other races and ethnicities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among men, 43 percent of blacks have high blood pressure, compared to 34 percent of whites and 28 percent of Hispanics.

Barbershop interventions have plenty of advocates, but evidence-based studies have lagged. That changed last year when the New England Journal of Medicine published a study showing that barbershop interventions improved the health of participants. Over 300 customers at 52 Los Angeles black barbershops took part in a randomized study. About one-third of them with high blood pressure were assigned to an intervention group that prescribed a drug therapy by a pharmacist at a shop. Over 60 percent of participants lowered their blood pressure to healthy levels and sustained them for a year.

Then in August, HIV education in barbershops got a boost. APHA’s American Journal of Public Health shared results of an HIV program at dozens of black barbershops in Brooklyn, New York.

The program improved responsible sexual behavior among low-income black men, a demographic at heightened risk for HIV. Sixty-four percent of over 350 men in the intervention group reported no sex without a condom.

“This represents a new way to think about certain diseases and conditions, which, perhaps because of stigma and fears, have not been addressed in this way before,” Tracey Wilson, a professor at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center School of Public Health and lead author of the Brooklyn study, said. “It shows it can be done effectively.”

A problem, though, is that efficacy trials can be expensive—federal grants for the Los Angeles barbershop trial hit $8.5 million. But that should not stop health groups from partnering with barbershops, especially now that trials are showing health and behavioral improvements, Terri Richardson, M.D., said. A basic barbershop program is simple and low cost.

“If you have a dime and the time, you can make this happen,” said Richardson, a leader of the Colorado Black Health Collaborative, which Muhammad’s barbershop is part of.

Since 2012, the nonprofit collaborative has grown to 14 barbershops in the Denver area, said Richardson, an internal medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Denver, and has screened more than 8,600 blacks for high blood pressure.

Barbers encourage customers to attend a four-hour monthly screening held at the shops. Some clients tested have had dangerously high blood pressure and were immediately sent to a hospital.

“We are not trying to be their doctors, their providers, but we are trying to empower them to ask their doctor about what their health goals should be,” Richardson said.

Students at local medical universities can conduct blood pressure screenings at barbershops, or volunteers can be trained how to do it, Richardson said. A table, two chairs, a blood pressure monitor and a screener are all that is required.

Though distrust about health screenings and studies remain in black communities, Muhammad’s customers trust him and his recommendations. He estimates that 85 percent of his customers get screened.

“It’s about education that is not preachy, just practical,” Muhammad said. “I tell them high blood pressure is a silent killer among black men. Get tested.”

Another shop within the Denver collaboration is the Winning Coiffures Salon, which like black barbershops has an open, friendly atmosphere. Shop owner Rosalyn Redwine sat for a screening in 2013 and discovered she had high blood pressure that was a symptom of a rare kidney disease, for which she got treatment.

“Had they not been coming on a regular basis, I would not have caught it, because I go for my checkup once a year,” Redwine said.

As intervention success stories pile up, startup programs are launching. One is the Shop Docs, begun two years ago by medical students at the University of Miami’s School of Medicine. Shop Docs has partnered with several barbershops to conduct blood pressure screenings, and plans to begin education on safe sex and HIV prevention in coming months. Glucose testing for diabetes is also in the works.

Important for success is a consistent presence at the shops, which helps overcome suspicion of the health care system, said Annette Grotheer, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Miami and founder of Shop Docs.

“One of my main goals is encouraging that positive relationship, showing that we really do care about their health and we aren’t trying to take advantage of them, which is a historically embedded perception in the minority community,” Grotheer said.

Barbershops are also promoting mental wellness. Black Americans are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder than other races and ethnicities, according to CDC. Yet, because of social determinants, they are also less likely to receive treatment for PTSD and other mental health conditions.

Lorenzo Lewis wanted to do something for the black community to improve mental wellness. In 2016, he founded the Confess Project in Little Rock, Arkansas, which trains barbers to advocate to men of color about mental health. Grants have enabled the project to enlist 15 barbershops in seven Southern states.

Barbers are trained to spot customers who are struggling and invite them to attend a mental wellness presentation at the shop.

Besides staying in contact with Confess Project leaders, the some 50 barbers involved have access to a private social media discussion group, which has helped bond them to the larger cause, Lewis said. He also emphasized the importance of building long-term relationships to build trust.

Lewis said the project’s quick success could not have happened without partnering with black barbershops.

“They are one of the most trusted spaces beyond your home,” Lewis said.

From The Nation’s Health

The post Barbershop Interventions Improve Health Outcomes appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A 30-minute nap in the middle of your day could protect you against the harmful effects of too little sleep at night, according to recent research.

In the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, naps seemed to restore to normal levels the hormones and proteins involved in stress and immune function.

The small study restricted the nighttime sleep of 11 healthy male volunteers between the ages of 25 and 32 to two hours. The following day, the men had a 2.5-fold increase in levels of norepinephrine, a stress hormone that increases heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar. They also had lower levels of a protein called interleukin-6, which fights viruses.

On a separate night, sleep was limited to two hours again. But the next day the men were allowed to take two 30-minute naps. After the brief snoozing, the men’s norepinephrine and interleukin-6 levels had returned to normal.

“Our data suggests a 30-minute nap can reverse the hormonal impact of a night of poor sleep,” said study author Brice Faraut, of the Universite Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cite in France, in a new release. “This is the first study that found napping could restore biomarkers of neuroendocrine and immune health to normal levels. Napping may offer a way to counter the damaging effects of sleep restriction by helping the immune and neuroendocrine systems to recover.”

Lack of sleep has been shown to increase the risk of serious health problems such as depression, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and stroke. Inadequate sleep is also associated with reduced work productivity and a higher likelihood of traffic and industrial accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The findings support the development of practical strategies for addressing chronically sleep-deprived populations, such as night and shift workers,” Faraut said.

A 2009 National Health Interview Survey of roughly 75,000 people in 12 states revealed some startling things about sleep: Almost three in 10 American adults sleep an average of six hours or less a night, 37.9 percent say they fell asleep unintentionally during the day at least one time in the past month and 4.7 percent admit to falling asleep while driving at least once in the last month.

These stats prove that too many of us don’t get enough shut-eye or it isn’t the quality sleep our bodies need to function properly. The National Sleep Foundation has weighed in on the issue, tweaking the organization’s sleep recommendations earlier this month.

The post Take a Nap! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A review of the latest research finds there’s a growing body of clinical evidence to suggest that CBD oil may hold promise for treating conditions such as chronic pain and opioid addiction. But few clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of CBD oil have been reported, and more research involving humans is needed before health-care providers can say definitely that they’re helpful and safe.

“There are many intriguing findings in pre-clinical studies that suggest CBD and hemp oil have anti-inflammatory effects and may be helpful with improving sleep and anxiety,” said Brent Bauer, M.D., an internist and director of research for the Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine program. “But trials in humans are still limited, so it is too early to be definitive about efficacy and safety.”

Dr. Bauer said there’s reason for concern about a growing number of reports of liver injury in patients who have used CBD products. With greatly increasing patient interest in CBD and hemp oil products, it’s important that clinical research moves ahead to better understand their potential value and safety.

“Careful selection of a health-care product is crucial, and though these products do not have Food and Drug Administration approval for therapeutic use, patients continue to ask for them and use them,” he said. “Physicians need to become better informed about these products, and it’s important that human trials examine issues of efficacy and safety.”

The legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes has spurred intense interest by consumers in over-the-counter products containing CBD oil, especially for chronic pain relief. A review in Mayo Clinic Proceedings summarizes the latest research, as well as the current legal status of CBD and hemp oils, and concludes the products are potentially useful for chronic pain and addiction management.

With CBD oil a hot consumer trend, physicians may find it easy to dismiss them as unproven and untested. Dr. Bauer encourages health-care professionals to learn as much as possible and develop an expertise about these products, and take their patients’ interest seriously.

“We encourage physicians to not disregard their patients’ interest in these products and keep both a clinical curiosity and a healthy skepticism about the claims made,” he said. “Chronic pain management continues to challenge patients and physicians, and these therapies are a promising area that needs more research. For patients struggling with chronic pain, physicians taking time to listen to them and address their questions compassionately but with an evidence-based approach can help them make informed decisions.

The variety of CBD and hemp oil products, and the limited regulation of these products, is a concern for health-care professionals, according to the study. No rigorous safety studies have been done on “full spectrum” CBD oils, which contain a variety of compounds found in the hemp plant, not just CBD. The variability of state laws regarding production and distribution of hemp and CBD products adds to the complexity of decision-making for consumers and physicians.

Study co-author Karen Mauck, M.D., an internist, said there are important distinctions between marijuana, hemp and the different components of CBD and hemp oil, and some clinicians may not be aware of them.

“Other than Epidiolex, a purified form of plant-derived CBD, which was approved in 2018 for treatment of severe forms of epilepsy, all other forms of CBD are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration but are sold in a variety of formulations, including oral or topical oils, creams, sprays  and tablets,” Dr. Mauck said. “They contain variable amounts of CBD, may contain other active compounds and may have labeling inaccuracies. Before using CBD or hemp oils, it’s important to consult your physician about potential side effects and interactions with other medications.”

The post Is CBD Oil Safe? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

If your loved one has been newly diagnosed with the big C, you may wonder how best you can support him or her. You may feel overwhelmed and unprepared; that’s normal. But you should also know that health-care workers report that many people tell them caring for a seriously ill partner often strengthens a relationship.

Here are eight tips to help your loved one through diagnosis and treatment:

1. Communicate. Ask your partner what he needs. Encourage him to share his feelings. Don’t hide your emotional journey. Be honest about your needs and feelings, too.
2. Take time to process. Spend some couple time to get through the initial shock and to make decisions. You might also use this time to map out a plan for childcare, household duties and finances.
3. Decide how to break the news to your circle. Does your wife want to tell only family? What about close friends or co-workers? Ask your spouse or partner if it’ll ease her stress if you help break the news. Once people know, some of them will offer to help. Accept the help! Figure out how to make the best use of this network so the two of you can focus on treatment.
4. Listen. Let your partner cry, ramble or howl at the moon if he needs that. Don’t take the show of emotions personally. Ask: Do you need me right now?
5. Maintain routines when you can. Everything can’t always focus on cancer. You’ll both need a break sometimes.
6. Direct traffic. Cancer treatment can be overwhelming. You can be a big help if you schedule appointments, pick up prescriptions, call for test results and accompany your spouse to doctor visits.
7. Seek advice. Join a support group or talk to a neighbor who has gone through this same thing. If you have young children, find resources to help you communicate with them.
8. Take care of you. Maintain your health and sanity by going to yoga, catching a movie with a friend or participating in your weekly bowling league. Have a massage or get a pedicure. Know that it’s OK for you to enjoy life.

The post 8 Ways to Support a Sick Spouse appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Soon after, she received “a stunning diagnosis—leukemia.” Fisher “was in shock and in complete disbelief,” she said. But she was also determined. “It wasn’t really an option for me not to fight for my life.”

That fight began in Atlanta, where Fisher was attending college. Chemotherapy initially “sent the leukemia into remission.” When it returned, Fisher decided to return to her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, and begin treatment at Mayo Clinic. She had more chemotherapy and eventually was told she would need a bone marrow transplant. “I had a lot of questions,” she said. They were answered by “an amazing team and a determined doctor”—James Foran, M.D., a hematologist/oncologist.

One thing Fisher learned was that as an African American, her likelihood of finding a compatible bone marrow donor on the national registry was just 23 percent. “The biggest challenge that we have to find donors to proceed with bone marrow transplantation is ethnicity,” Ernesto Ayala, M.D., a hematologist/oncologist, said. “If I have a patient that belongs to an ethnic minority, then I will only find a donor in the registry in about 20 to 25 percent of cases.”

Thankfully, Fisher’s team did find a compatible donor, three months after she went on the registry. She had a bone marrow transplant in October 2018 and “has since become an advocate for other people who need life-saving bone marrow.” Especially people like her.

Fisher is sharing her story to help raise awareness of the need for donors among minority populations. “I think there is a lack of diversity due to a lack of information,” she said. She wants people to know the registry “is a lifesaver” and “a blessing unlike anything you can imagine, giving someone a chance at life.”

She’s grateful for her chance, and plans to use it to help others. “I still plan to go to medical school,” Fisher said. “I feel as though my future might have oncology in it.”

The post Leukemia Patient Becomes Advocate for Diversity on Bone Marrow Registry appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Children with asthma tend to experience worse symptoms at the same times every year: when school starts in the fall and after spring or Easter break.

Researchers previously attributed the problem to environmental factors, such as air quality in schools, but a recent study cites the common cold as the main culprit of seasonal waves of worsening asthma symptoms, which can lead to hospitalizations.

Exacerbations, the medical term for worsening asthma symptoms, cause millions of missed work and school days and cost $50 billion in direct health-care costs in the United States each year, according to researchers.

“This work can improve public health strategies to keep asthmatic children healthy,” said Lauren Meyers, professor of integrative biology and statistics and data sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. “For example, at the riskiest times of year, doctors could encourage patient adherence to preventive medications, and schools could take measures to reduce cold transmission.”

Earlier studies looking into the cause of exacerbations involved swabbing individual patients to detect viruses, but Meyers, a mathematical biologist, and her team studied population-wide patterns of how common colds circulate among adults and children throughout the year to learn about the role of the viruses.

The researchers then built a computer model incorporating possible drivers of asthma exacerbations and compared the output of the model to a large set of real-world health data: the timing and locations of about 66,000 asthma hospitalizations from cities across Texas over a seven-year period. The findings show the spread of cold viruses, which is heavily influenced by the school calendar, is the primary driver of asthma exacerbations.

“The school calendar predicts common cold transmission, and the common cold predicts asthma exacerbations,” Meyers said.

When children are out of school, the authors speculated, they tend to spend less time with other children and are exposed to fewer viruses. As a result, their viral immunity decreases. When school is back in session, they are exposed to viruses at much higher rates, and this is also the time when they are most susceptible.

[Also read: Children With Allergies at Increased Risk of Early Heart Disease]

The study also developed more accurate rates of transmission of cold viruses than have been produced by previous studies—information that might help shed light on how common colds spread, and how we can protect people who are most vulnerable to them.

Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, affects nearly 7 million children in this country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the numbers are rising. Black children are 3.6 times more likely to visit the emergency room for asthma symptoms, and they have a death rate seven times that of white children.

The post Asthma Is Worse for Kids After School Breaks appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Mayo on the side. A half-cup portion of cookout staple potato salad will net you 180 calories and 12 grams of fat; the same amount of coleslaw is about 150 calories and 8 grams of fat. Cut calories by making your salads with light mayonnaise or mixing mayo with low-fat yogurt or light sour cream.

High-fat meats on the grill. Barbecue can lay waist to your waistline. A 20-ounce T-bone steak can set you back 1,540 calories and 124 grams of fat. A smaller cheeseburger still packs 750 calories and 45 grams of fat. A bucket of fried chicken can feed a crowd in a heartbeat (while wreaking havoc on your bloodstream). And pork or beef ribs? They come from the fattiest part of the animal. But you don’t have to go meatless this summer. Go lean with skinless chicken breast, pork tenderloin and lean ground beef. Spice things up with marinades and rubs.

The seventh-inning stretch. Is it a baseball game if you don’t have hot dogs and sausages? If “play ball” is synonymous with wiener for you, choose low-fat versions. Do keep in mind, however, that most hot dogs and other sausages are high in sodium, even the low-fat ones. A typical hot dog is about 1,250 mg of sodium, while a six-ounce kielbasa has 1,590 mg of sodium.

Salad stoppers. What’s healthier than bowls of veggies and lean protein? That’s why salads can be the perfect summer meal. But high-calorie toppers—cheese, bacon, croutons, fried chicken strips and creamy dressings—can push a salad from lean to fattening in a flash. Throw grilled chicken, strips of lean meat or eggs on your greens instead, and then pile on the veggies and drizzle with a light dressing.

Teetotalers need not apply. Sweet, fruity alcoholic concoctions may seem refreshing, but the calories can burn you. A daiquiri can range from 300 to 800 calories, a piña colada from 245 to 490 calories and a Long Island iced tea about 520 calories—much of it from sugar. Sip wine, a wine spritzer, or a mixed drink with seltzer and a splash of 100 percent fruit juice instead.

Gimme a cold one. Staying hydrated is crucial during the dog days, but some cold drinks can bust your calorie budget. If you’re drinking 12-ounce bottles of sweet tea, sweetened soda, energy drinks, juice drinks or beer, you’re sucking down about 150 calories a pop. Smoothies, milkshakes and frozen coffee drinks can contain much higher calorie counts. Try light versions of your favorite thirst quenchers or water.

Have fun at the fair. You don’t need us to tell you this: The country fair, amusement parks and beach boardwalks serve up delicious, but deep-fried disasters. From funnel cakes to fried macaroni and cheese to jumbo turkey legs, most eat-while-you-walk foods are a calorie catastrophe. Healthier options include cotton candy, caramel apples or a simple grilled meat. When all else fails, split your treat with a friend.

We all scream for ice cream. Does your heart still race when you hear the ice cream truck song? Know this: A cup of soft-serve ice cream can have 380 calories and 22 grams of fat. Add mix-ins and boost the calorie count even higher. Of course, there’s nothing that says summer quite like ice cream, so we’re not saying give up frozen treats. Just pass on super-sized portions and high-fat toppings. Choose instead frozen desserts like sherbet or fruit bars.

The post Summer’s Most-Fattening Foods appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Pollak, his team and many collaborators, spent years utilizing the latest genetic technology tools to further study, research, and learn about the two common genetic variations in the apolipoprotein L1 gene. But what exactly is APOL1?

Every human being inherits two copies of the APOL1 gene, one from mom and one from dad. But this recent research has identified a groundbreaking insight: Those who inherit two common variations in the APOL1 gene have a ten-fold increased risk for developing kidney diseases like focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. These variants are only present in African Americans and others with recent African ancestry.

African Americans are three times more likely to get kidney disease than those of European descent. The APOL1 genotype is common in Africa because it provides protection against parasites, including a disease called African Sleeping Sickness. Transmitted by a fly, this disease is common in eastern Africa and can cause fever, anemia, and even death.

While the gene mutations can be beneficial to some people who still live in Africa, for African Americans it can provide more risk than protection.

“Having these genetic variants doesn’t cause everyone with this genetic profile to develop kidney disease, but it increases their risk by a lot,” Dr. Pollak explained. “You have to inherit one of these gene variants from both parents, but a lot of times people don’t know the details of their ancestry. However, many people who have this high-risk APOL1 genotype don’t show any signs or symptoms. It’s possible that many of those with the variation won’t ever develop any form of kidney disease.”

For more information about FSGS and genetics, go to the NephCure website.

To see if participating in an FSGS clinical trial is right for you, visit www.fsgsduplex.com.

The post Is FSGS Caused by a Genetic Variant? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Join us for the 3^rd Black Health Matters Summit to be held on March 2, 2019 at Riverside Church.  Registration begins at 9:30 am.  The program begins promptly at 10:00 am and closes at 4:00 pm. A light breakfast and lunch will be served.

The Summit will focus on patient-centric issues convened to educate patients, caregivers, health enthusiasts, advocacy groups, and media outlets. This program is free and open to the public.  The goal is to help improve the understanding of the management of chronic and rare diseases while underscoring the importance of participation in research studies.

Topics include:

• Breast Cancer
• Clinical Trials/Research Study Participation
• Fibroids/Endometriosis/Reproductive Health
• Hereditary ATTTR amyloidosis
• Heart Disease
• Lupus
• Mental Health
• Sickle Cell
• Prostate Cancer

This Harlem-based, world-class symposium will feature:

• Dr. Carol L Brown:  Board-certified Gynecologic Oncologist, Associate Cancer Center Director for Diversity and Health Equity at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
• Karen Jackson:  Founder/CEO of Sisters Network® Inc
• Dr. Icilma Fergus:  Director of Cardiovascular Disparities, Mount Sinai
• Dr. Kecia Gaither: Director, Perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine, NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln
• Dr. Michael T. McRae: Director Of Mental Health Strategy, New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
• Dr. Lewis J. Kampel: Director, Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention
• Brenda Blackmon:  Emmy Award Winning News Anchor and Lupus Advocate

Admission is free.  A light breakfast and lunch will be served.

Register today: https://3rdblackhealthmatterssummit.eventbrite.com

Please email questions to info@blackhealthmatters.com.

The post Register Today for the Black Health Matter Summit 2019 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the year 2000 I had already lost my father and both grandfathers to the disease. This made me the third generation in my family to face prostate cancer.  However, it was some years later that I understood the important role of genetics in a man’s prostate health.
Researchers are working to pinpoint the exact genetic reasons that African American men are diagnosed with a 60% higher rate of prostate cancer and die from the disease at a 130% higher rate than white men. While this work is being pursued new prostate cancer treatments are continuing to be developed and approved to treat the disease.
Each of these new treatments is approved based on a clinical trial study. More and more doctors are focused on using genetic profiles to determine which treatment is best for individual patients. This is referred to as personalized or precision medicine. The problem is that African American men have not been participating in clinical trials in large enough numbers for researchers to know which treatments may or may not work best for us.

PHEN’s Clinical Trials Rally is aimed at raising the level of clinical trials education and awareness and increasing African American participation in prostate cancer clinical trials. We cannot be left behind with new treatments if we are going to eliminate the prostate cancer racial disparity.
The decision on whether a man should participate in a prostate cancer clinical trial has to be made between him and his doctor. However, we trust that our clinical trials rally information will help you make better informed decisions with your doctors. There are benefits from clinical trials that you may realize while you are on your prostate cancer journey today, and possible benefits for future generations within your family.
My best to you in our fight against prostate cancer.
Tom Farrington
PHEN Founder and President
Written by PHEN.

The post African American Clinical Trials Participation appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• It provides another treatment option.  You will have access to new innovative treatments (at minimal to now cost) that are not available to people outside of the trial.

• You receive expert medical care that will provide close monitoring of your condition and any changes.

• If the treatment being studied is more effective than the standard treatment, you may be the first to receive this benefit.

• You will help doctors develop new treatments and determine how well they work for all black men.

Written by PHEN.

The post Understanding the Possible Benefits for Patients When Participating in a Clinical Trial appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Why we need African Americans to lead the charge for a Clean Energy Economy and a Clean Environment
Climate Change: Low income and communities of color are hit first and worst by climate change, suffering disproportionately from the effects of severe tropical storms, heat waves, and air pollution. Despite the need for action on climate, the Trump Administration, led by Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, are rolling back safeguards like the Clean Power Plan and clean car standards, even though EPA scientists recognize the health impact on black lives. Their recent study found that when it comes to particulate air pollution – which is linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, irregular heartbeats and decreased lung function — the health burden on African Americans is 54 percent higher than the health burden on the American population overall.
Clean Air: Black children are 4.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma, and 10 times more likely to die from asthma than white children.
Clean Energy Jobs: While solar and wind opportunities are growing, African American employment in these areas is very low. For example, African Americans only makeup 7% of the solar job force. There are tremendous opportunities and demands for skill labors, technicians, and engineers; however by rolling back the clean car standards and gutting the Clean Power Plan, the Trump Administration is undermining the clean energy economy that could create career opportunities and pathways out of poverty for people of color and low-income communities on the front lines of pollution.
Clean Homes: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 87 percent of homes built before 1940 in the U.S. have lead paint. Despite the U.S. government banning the use of lead-based paint, lead from paint, including lead-contaminated dust, is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning, which is still a public health burden facing African American families.
Clean Transportation: The transportation sector is now the country’s largest source of carbon pollution that contributes to climate change. By rolling back America’s clean car standards, Americans will be forced to breathe dirtier air and spend more money at the gas pump. The current standards could save consumers as much as $5,700 per car and $8,200 per truck over the lifetime of their vehicle, and losing those savings will disproportionately hurt the pocketbooks of African American families.
Clean Water: African Americans are more than twice as likely as whites to live in a home with substandard plumbing. More than 1 percent of black people live in houses without potable water and modern sanitation, compared to less than 0.5 percent of whites. Additionally, there is a crisis of lead in water in American schools. According to a recent report published by the US Government Accountability Office, 43 percent of districts, serving 35 million students, tested for lead. Of those, 37 percent found elevated levels and reduced or eliminated exposure.
Links and Resources: Do you have a story to share around what climate pollution is costing you or your community? Share your story at myclimatecost.org.

The post Environmental and Clean Energy Facts You Need To Know appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Phasellus malesuada felis eget diam pretium, ut hendrerit tortor dapibus. Pellentesque mattis ex eget malesuada consequat. Sed blandit tincidunt lectus, at viverra dui rhoncus quis.

When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains.

Phasellus malesuada felis eget diam pretium, ut hendrerit tortor dapibus. Pellentesque mattis ex eget malesuada consequat. Sed blandit tincidunt lectus, at viverra dui rhoncus quis. Integer urna massa, vestibulum eget odio sit amet, commodo viverra dui, condimentum id felis tempor velit.

FOR THE HAPPIEST LIFE, DAYS SHOULD BE RIGOROUSLY PLANNED, NIGHTS LEFT OPEN TO CHANCE.

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris vel magna ex. Integer gravida tincidunt accumsan. Vestibulum nulla mauris, condimentum id felis ac, volutpat volutpat mi. In vitae tempor velit of the impenetrable foliage of my trees. Vestibulum commodo nulla eu augue tincidunt rutrum. Suspendisse interdum lacus in ligula finibus luctus. Vivamus mollis libero vel orci finibus, sit amet malesuada lectus aliquam. In auctor viverra eros. Maecenas elit mi, dictum et consectetur nec, sollicitudin sed arcu.

1280Closeup of two smiling young business men using tablet computer and standing with office buildings in background

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The List for doing things

Curabitur tempor tempor pharetra.Sed imperdiet sem at nunc luctus, sed cursus nulla mollis. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Etiam sollicitudin, purus id porta tincidunt, purus enim laoreet orci, a rhoncus ex mi in libero. Donec et sagittis est. Curabitur tempor tempor pharetra. Etiam aliquam tincidunt molestie. Fusce euismod luctus nisl in fringilla. Nunc pulvinar tortor sollicitudin tempus laoreet purus id porta tincidunt, purus enim laoreet orci, a rhoncus ex mi.

CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD

NORMAN VINCENT

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Condimentum id felis ac, volutpat volutpat mi. In vitae tempor velit. Donec et sagittis est.Vestibulum hendrerit hendrerit magna. Suspendisse lectus erat, ultrices eget lectus quis, blandit efficitur tortor. Nullam interdum pellentesque urna, vitae egestas enim placerat at. Vivamus sodales nulla vestibulum rhoncus facilisis. Sed cursus vehicula nisl sit amet laoreet. Etiam eu nisl vitae ipsum ornare mollis. Donec finibus enim sollicitudin lorem iaculis suscipit. Sed id placerat dolor, eu congue nisl. Suspendisse consectetur id justo quis feugiat. Mauris nec enim id justo feugiat pharetra sit amet ac libero. Pellentesque in accumsan felis. Nunc convallis accumsan volutpat. Nullam tristique ipsum sit amet turpis interdum, in maximus lectus viverra. Sed imperdiet sem at nunc luctus, sed cursus nulla mollis. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.

Vestibulum hendrerit hendrerit magna. Suspendisse lectus erat, ultrices eget lectus quis, blandit efficitur tortor. Nullam interdum pellentesque urna, vitae egestas enim placerat at. Vivamus sodales nulla vestibulum rhoncus facilisis. Sed cursus vehicula nisl sit amet laoreet. Etiam eu nisl vitae ipsum ornare mollis.

Boldly approach new sources of advice

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed at nisi auctor, porttitor eros nec, varius enim. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Aliquam nisl erat, ornare quis lacus hendrerit, tempor vestibulum augue. Maecenas convallis diam eu nibh consectetur, quis varius tortor congue. Nulla consequat fermentum arcu. Nullam eget dolor nec ipsum aliquet viverra. Phasellus malesuada felis eget diam pretium, ut hendrerit tortor dapibus. Pellentesque mattis ex eget malesuada consequat. Sed blandit tincidunt lectus, at viverra dui rhoncus quis. Integer urna massa, vestibulum eget odio sit amet, commodo viverra dui. Nam vel malesuada mi, ac ultricies velit. Nam semper ante eget purus mattis, et condimentum lorem ultricies.

The post Packing your gym bag? These are the beauty products you can’t forget appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Phasellus malesuada felis eget diam pretium, ut hendrerit tortor dapibus. Pellentesque mattis ex eget malesuada consequat. Sed blandit tincidunt lectus, at viverra dui rhoncus quis.

When she reached the first hills of the Italic Mountains.

Phasellus malesuada felis eget diam pretium, ut hendrerit tortor dapibus. Pellentesque mattis ex eget malesuada consequat. Sed blandit tincidunt lectus, at viverra dui rhoncus quis. Integer urna massa, vestibulum eget odio sit amet, commodo viverra dui, condimentum id felis tempor velit.

FOR THE HAPPIEST LIFE, DAYS SHOULD BE RIGOROUSLY PLANNED, NIGHTS LEFT OPEN TO CHANCE.

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Mauris vel magna ex. Integer gravida tincidunt accumsan. Vestibulum nulla mauris, condimentum id felis ac, volutpat volutpat mi. In vitae tempor velit of the impenetrable foliage of my trees. Vestibulum commodo nulla eu augue tincidunt rutrum. Suspendisse interdum lacus in ligula finibus luctus. Vivamus mollis libero vel orci finibus, sit amet malesuada lectus aliquam. In auctor viverra eros. Maecenas elit mi, dictum et consectetur nec, sollicitudin sed arcu.

1280Closeup of two smiling young business men using tablet computer and standing with office buildings in background

DEMO POST TITLE IN UPPER CASE

Sed imperdiet sem at nunc luctus, sed cursus nulla mollis. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus musnteger urna massa, vestibulum eget odio sit amet, commodo viverra dui. Nam vel malesuada mi, ac ultricies velit. Nam semper ante eget purus mattis, et condimentum lorem ultriciesjusto feugiat pharetra sit amet ac libero.

The List for doing things

Curabitur tempor tempor pharetra.Sed imperdiet sem at nunc luctus, sed cursus nulla mollis. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Etiam sollicitudin, purus id porta tincidunt, purus enim laoreet orci, a rhoncus ex mi in libero. Donec et sagittis est. Curabitur tempor tempor pharetra. Etiam aliquam tincidunt molestie. Fusce euismod luctus nisl in fringilla. Nunc pulvinar tortor sollicitudin tempus laoreet purus id porta tincidunt, purus enim laoreet orci, a rhoncus ex mi.

CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD

NORMAN VINCENT

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed at nisi auctor, porttitor eros nec, varius enim. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.

POST TITLE NEXT TO IMAGES

Phasellus malesuada felis eget diam pretium, ut hendrerit tortor dapibus. Pellentesque mattis ex eget malesuada consequat. Sed blandit tincidunt lectus, at viverra dui rhoncus quis. Integer urna massa, vestibulum eget odio sit amet, commodo viverra dui.

Condimentum id felis ac, volutpat volutpat mi. In vitae tempor velit. Donec et sagittis est.Vestibulum hendrerit hendrerit magna. Suspendisse lectus erat, ultrices eget lectus quis, blandit efficitur tortor. Nullam interdum pellentesque urna, vitae egestas enim placerat at. Vivamus sodales nulla vestibulum rhoncus facilisis. Sed cursus vehicula nisl sit amet laoreet. Etiam eu nisl vitae ipsum ornare mollis. Donec finibus enim sollicitudin lorem iaculis suscipit. Sed id placerat dolor, eu congue nisl. Suspendisse consectetur id justo quis feugiat. Mauris nec enim id justo feugiat pharetra sit amet ac libero. Pellentesque in accumsan felis. Nunc convallis accumsan volutpat. Nullam tristique ipsum sit amet turpis interdum, in maximus lectus viverra. Sed imperdiet sem at nunc luctus, sed cursus nulla mollis. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.

Vestibulum hendrerit hendrerit magna. Suspendisse lectus erat, ultrices eget lectus quis, blandit efficitur tortor. Nullam interdum pellentesque urna, vitae egestas enim placerat at. Vivamus sodales nulla vestibulum rhoncus facilisis. Sed cursus vehicula nisl sit amet laoreet. Etiam eu nisl vitae ipsum ornare mollis.

Boldly approach new sources of advice

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed at nisi auctor, porttitor eros nec, varius enim. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Aliquam nisl erat, ornare quis lacus hendrerit, tempor vestibulum augue. Maecenas convallis diam eu nibh consectetur, quis varius tortor congue. Nulla consequat fermentum arcu. Nullam eget dolor nec ipsum aliquet viverra. Phasellus malesuada felis eget diam pretium, ut hendrerit tortor dapibus. Pellentesque mattis ex eget malesuada consequat. Sed blandit tincidunt lectus, at viverra dui rhoncus quis. Integer urna massa, vestibulum eget odio sit amet, commodo viverra dui. Nam vel malesuada mi, ac ultricies velit. Nam semper ante eget purus mattis, et condimentum lorem ultricies.

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Q&A with Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, Chief Engagement Officer, All of Us Research Program

Q: Can you please describe your role at the All of Us Research Program?

I was an inaugural member of the All of Us Research Program Advisory Panel, so it felt like a natural transition to step into my current role as chief engagement officer. All of Us has a goal to enroll and retain one million or more volunteers in this landmark effort to advance innovative health research, which may lead to more precise treatments and prevention strategies. My primary objective is to forge partnerships with research participants, health care professionals, and national and community-based organizations to raise awareness of the program and engage members, with a special focus on populations that have been historically underrepresented in research. Engaging and empowering people is something about which I am extremely passionate.

Q: Why is it so important to include communities that have historically been underrepresented in research?

Most studies and clinical trials have been conducted with the average white male participant. All of Us aims to be different. We want our program participants to reflect the rich diversity of the United States. We know that a truly effective pool of participants won’t all physically look the same; it will include people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. The more data we gather, the more we’ll know about what makes people unique, which may, in turn, pave the way for more customized health care approaches.
Minorities make up 38 percent of the US population. This number is expected to rise to more than 50 percent in the coming years. And now think about this statistic: the African American population is the second largest ethnic/racial minority group in the U.S., making up 13.3 percent of the total U.S. population (46.3 million people), yet African Americans contribute to only five percent of clinical trials nationwide. This is despite the fact that African Americans, for decades, continue to have the highest incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates from chronic and often preventable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, mental health, and HIV/AIDS.
We do not fully understand why these disease rates are so high in many underrepresented communities, and part of why we don’t understand is because we don’t have enough representation of all individuals in the research that will lead us to answers.

Q: The history of this field is not free of its mistakes. In fact, there have been some past transgressions in biomedical research and large-scale studies. What lessons were learned, and how will All of Us be different?

A: We recognize that many transgressions have occurred in research over the years, ranging from Henrietta Lacks to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. These egregious abuses have understandably led to many groups, especially minority groups, being hesitant or skeptical when considering whether or not to share their medical information or participate in research.
While none of us can wave a magic wand to erase the past, our job is to genuinely, and with overwhelming respect and empathy, acknowledge the legitimacy, fear, concerns, and mistrust these unfortunate historic actions and realities instill in many of the communities we are attempting to engage.  We hope to make it abundantly clear – both in our words and our actions – that the All of Us Research Program is focused on authentically engaging participants in a way that respects their interests, values, and needs.
And most importantly, we must make it absolutely clear that our mission is to accelerate health research and medical breakthroughs, enabling individualized prevention, treatment and care, not just for some us, but for all of us!
Excerpt from the Precision Medicine World Conference

The post Meet Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, Chief Engagement Officer, All of Us Research Program appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When people resist eating whole grains, one of the most common reasons they give is taste. We’ll give you that the flavor, texture and cooking times for whole grains are all different from that of refined grains. But there are ways around these complaints, and we can sum them up in one word: pancakes.

Whole-grain pancakes can be fluffy and tasty. They’re more filling than traditional pancakes and they have a lot more nutrients.

Whole-Grain Pancakes

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1/3 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1-1/2 cups soy milk

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the soy milk and stir until the batter is smooth. Lightly spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Spoon the batter into the skillet to form 3-inch pancakes. When the pancakes bubble, it’s time to turn them over. Cook the other side, then remove them from the pan. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve hot. Serves 4 (1 serving is 3 pancakes).
Nutrition analysis: 224 calories, 2 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 2 milligrams cholesterol, 42 milligrams sodium, 44 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams dietary fiber, 5 grams sugar, 10 grams protein

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Health disparities in cancer exist based on race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status and age.
For nearly all forms of cancer, including breast, lung, colon, prostate and uterine cancers, black folks do worse.
“On the surface, that’s not fair,” Carol Brown, M.D., Associate Cancer Center Director for Diversity and Outreach at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, tells the gathered crowd at the Black Health Matters Summit at Riverside Church in Harlem, New York, on a recent Saturday afternoon. “Why is that happening? Is it because of injustice or discrimination, or is there something about these cancers and how they work in black people that makes them more difficult to treat?”
Dr. Brown has spent nearly the last three decades trying to answer these questions.
Here’s what we know: Clinical research in underserved populations equals cancer health equity. Put simply, clinical trials are a crucial step to finding new and promising ways to improve treatment for cancer. Most medical advances have come as a result of clinical trials.
Yet, less than 3 percent of people with cancer nationwide enroll in clinical trials.
Despite what we know about the Tuskegee experiment from last century, the reasons why we have such low participation in clinical trials are varied:

• Mistrust in the medical community is a small part.
• We lack awareness about many clinical trials.
• We’re uninvited. We don’t participate because we aren’t asked. Often this is because “the doctor assumes we won’t understand, won’t want to participate or are too sick,” Dr. Brown says. In addition, she explains, “doctors are less likely to ask older people and people who aren’t white to participate in a clinical trial.”
• Our cultural beliefs dissuade us from joining a clinical trial.
• We don’t know the eligibility criteria.
• We are uninsured. Here’s a little-known fact: President Bill Clinton required all commercial insurance plans and Medicare to cover clinical trial costs. The downside? Medicaid does not cover these costs.
• Language differences account for some lack of participation.
• Physician awareness is also key. If your doctor doesn’t know about a clinical trial, he or she can’t invite you to participate.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City have been working to overcome these challenges. According to Dr. Brown, 1 out of 3 patients who enter the facility’s doors enroll in a clinical trial.
“We empower our patients and get them access to cutting-edge, life-changing treatments,” she says.
Some therapies being studied right now at Memorial Sloan-Kettering include:

• Breast cancer. Black women have 10 percent lower cure rates. Currently, researchers have one targeted therapy plus hormone therapy clinical trial and four trials for women with the deadly triple-negative breast cancer.
• Colon cancer. Black patients have 8 percent lower cure rates, and the disease occurs 10 years earlier in blacks than in whites. It is also a more aggressive cancer in blacks. Right now there are four targeted therapy trials for this cancer, and one trial is focused on explaining the racial differences.
• Multiple myeloma. This bone marrow cancer happens at two times the rate in blacks as it does in whites, and the age at diagnosis is 10 years younger in black folks. Researchers have three targeted therapy plus steroid trials in the works.

Dr. Brown is a tireless clinical trials advocate. “Participating in cancer clinical trials is the best way to level the playing field for black people affected by cancer,” she says.  “We’re not just talking about the best in terms of care, but access to the best in new therapies, access to new drugs and interventions before they are widely available. If the treatment is a success, you are among the first to benefit. Memorial Sloan-Kettering is leading the way to understanding racial and ethnical differences in cancer, allowing us to disseminate treatments that can end disparities.”
Click here to download Dr. Brown’s Presentation given at the 2018 Black Health Matters Summit.

The post Cancer Clinical Trials 101 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Many respondents agree that clinical trial participation should be a routine health behavior, whether you are healthy or ill, similar to getting an annual checkup with your health care provider.
• A majority of all races say they greatly admire individuals who volunteer for clinical trials.
• A higher percentage of minorities say we are not making enough progress in medical research compared to 2013. The percentage dropped slightly among non-Hispanic whites.
• When asked if the health-care services they receive are based on the best and most recent research available, the percentage saying “no” climbed significantly across the board compared to 2013.

The post What Factors Contribute to Our Low Clinical Trial Participation? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• For added fiber, substitute whole-wheat noodles for regular lasagna noodles.
• Add other vegetables, such as broccoli, mushrooms, onions or zucchini, to boost flavor and nutrition.

Nutritional Analysis—Calories: 232; fat: 10g; carbohydrates: 20g; cholesterol: 45mg; sodium: 501mg; fiber: 2g; sugar: 5g; protein: 16g

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The mouths of middle-aged Americans face a lot of problems right now—and an uncertain future to come.
One in 3 Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 say they’re embarrassed by the condition of their teeth, according to the latest University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. A slightly larger group (38 percent) cite pain, difficulty eating, missed work or other health problems in the past two years due to dental problems.
Even though professional cleanings and other preventive care can help thwart dental problems, 40 percent of those polled don’t get such care on a regular basis.
Insurance coverage appears to have a lot to do with this lack of care. Overall, 28 percent of respondents said they don’t have dental coverage. But that percentage was much higher—56 percent—among those who say they only seek care for serious dental problems.
As for the future, 51 percent of those surveyed said they simply didn’t know how they will get dental insurance coverage after they turn 65. Another 13 percent of middle-aged adults expect to count on Medicare or Medicaid to cover their oral care needs after that age. But traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental care, and Medicaid dental coverage is often limited.
“Our findings highlight a stark divide among middle-aged Americans in terms of their oral health now, and a real uncertainty about how they will get and pay for care as they age,” says associate poll director Erica Solway. “This is not out of disregard for the importance of preventive dental care—more than three-quarters of the people we polled agree that regular care is important to preventing problems later.
“But it does highlight opportunities to improve access to care and insurance options after age 65.”
The new poll, based on a nationally representative sample of 1,066 people ages 50 to 64, was conducted by the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation with support from AARP and Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center.
Participants answered a wide range of questions online; laptops and internet access were provided to those who needed them.
Solway and poll director Preeti Malani, M.D., a professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School, divided the poll respondents into three groups based on their responses about their use of dental care:

• Prevention-focused: about 60 percent of the sample, who got regular preventive care as well as getting attention for dental problems
• Inconsistent prevention: the 17 percent who sought preventive dental care occasionally
• Problem-only: the 23 percent who went to the dentist only for serious dental problems
• Classification helped researchers better detail the extent of the problem.

“We know that oral health is a critical factor in overall wellness, and this research helps us identify some key issues—such as affordability and coverage—that we can focus on to address those 40 percent who are not prevention-focused,” stated Alison Bryant, senior vice president of research for AARP.
Looking ahead to the years beyond their 65th birthday—an age when most Americans become eligible for Medicare—poll respondents were uncertain about how they’d get dental insurance.
Sixteen percent said they would count on employer-based coverage or a retirement-based plan. Another 12 percent said they planned to buy supplemental dental insurance.
And in addition to the half of respondents who indicated that they didn’t know whether they will have dental insurance after age 65, another 8 percent said they would simply go without.
But it’s the remaining respondents, the 13 percent who expect Medicare or Medicaid to cover their dental care in their older years, that pose the bigger concern.
“Traditional Medicare does not cover dental care, and many states offer very limited or no dental coverage for adults with Medicaid,” Dr. Malani said. “Even those who were diligent about seeing the dentist and had dental insurance throughout adulthood may find it harder to afford dental care as they get older, and coverage options may be more limited.”
Respondents who were female, white, had higher incomes or had insurance were much more likely than others to take a prevention-focused approach to dental care, the poll found.
Men, African-Americans, Hispanics, those with lower incomes, or those without insurance were more likely to seek dental care for problems only.
Differences among the three groups were also apparent when the U-M team asked about how easy it was to get care and why they might not have sought care.
Among the prevention-focused, only 13 percent said they had delayed or had not received dental care when they needed it in the last two years. But that proportion jumped to 35 percent in the inconsistent-prevention group, and 56 percent in the problem-only group.
Why didn’t poll respondents get needed dental care? Cost was the most common answer, given by 69 percent who said they did not get or delayed needed care.
Respondents also reported they were afraid of the dentist, couldn’t find time to go or couldn’t find a dentist. Of the people who didn’t receive care they needed, 1 in 5 cited fear of the dentist as a major factor.
From Michigan Health

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• Adding steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms or any other favorite colorful vegetables to give this pasta dish your own twist.

Nutritional Analysis—Calories: 388; cholesterol: 55mg; carbohydrates: 46g; sodium: 86mg; fiber: 1g; fat: 18g; protein: 11g

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This chilled gazpacho soup is perfect for the hot, sticky dog days of summer when turning on the stove seems unbearable. Make a big batch after a morning trip to the farmers market picking out local vegetables. There will be enough soup left to enjoy all week.
This gazpacho recipe makes the perfect lunch. It won’t make you feel as sluggish in the mid-afternoon as a heavy, greasy meal might. Or pair it with leftover grilled chicken and some fresh slices of watermelon to create a low-calorie summer evening meal.
Tomato Gazpacho
1 large zucchini, scrubbed and diced
1 large yellow squash, scrubbed and diced
6 ripe medium to large tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium cucumbers, peeled and diced
1 medium red onion, diced
1 large green pepper, cored and diced
1/2 cup of corn (right off the cob)
1/4 cup canned, chopped green chilies
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped scallions (green and white parts)
1 large red pepper, cored and diced
4 cups tomato juice
1/2 cup lime juice (must be fresh)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1 tablespoon hot sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Combine all ingredients in a large container. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or until thoroughly chilled. Serve with chopped avocado, croutons or a bit of sour cream, if desired. Serves 8
Nutritional Analysis—Calories: 93; fat: 4g; carbohydrates: 14g; sodium: 329mg; fiber: 2g

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