Boston Medical Center (BMC)’s Post

February is a time to honor both #BlackHistoryMonth and #AfricanHeritageandHealthWeek. According the National Health Interview Survey, a Yale study, and Dr. Cesar Caraballo-Cordovez: "Young and middle-aged Black adults had a burden of chronic conditions equivalent to people from other racial and ethnic groups aged 5-10 years older."⁠ ⁠ We're working to address disparities in healthcare that disproportionately affect Black communities. We're celebrating the rich culture of African Heritage, as we advocate for better health outcomes for those living with chronic illnesses. Together, we can create a future where health equity is a reality for all. ⁠ ⁠ More from the quoted study: https://lnkd.in/eQUGbiwU

https://lnkd.in/ghKuv_yT - TOWN HALL VIDEO. Black Americans' Health and Healthcare Experiences: Understanding the Past and Present to Create a More Equitable Future. Historically and presently, Black Americans endure disproportionately worse health outcomes and discrimination in healthcare. First, I will present data (including a nationally representative sample) that assesses the influence of the quality of healthcare experiences on medical trust and early COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in Black Americans. Next, this presentation deeply examines the specific context and experiences in physician-Black patient interactions that may erode medical trust. This is done in a qualitative study conducted with Black American women with breast cancer, a group with repeated exposure to the medical community. Also, I will discuss research that tests how learning about the stories of Black American experiences in healthcare can increase White American perspective-taking. Implications for how medical institutions can build trust with the Black community by acknowledging and addressing injustice in the healthcare system will be discussed. Dr. Kimberly J. Martin is a University of California President's Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco. She earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from UCLA and her B.A. in Psychology, with honors and high distinction, from UC Berkeley. Her research centers on the impact of inequity and the importance of history to current experiences, perceptions & mental/physical health outcomes of minoritized people. Specifically, much of her research looks at the experiences of Black Americans in the healthcare system. It tests how to improve outcomes for Black Americans by increasing the acknowledgment of and support for addressing racism. CAPS/DPS/PRC Town Hall. The CAPS Developmental Core hosts this presentation. Town Hall Chair: Parya Saberi, PharmD

#BlackHistoryMonth Post #3 How do we create new norms in how we teach and address poor health in historically underserved Black communities? We start with a history lesson. Published in 2018, we share a case of how we are doing this in the nation's capital - empowering healthcare leaders with tools to better connect with Black communities to improve health outcomes. https://lnkd.in/g6N7ue6f

Honoring and educating during Black History Month. The US Dept of Health and Human Services shares their Health Literacy, Health Care Access, and Culturally Appropriate Care 2024 Reading List Through the Advancing Better Health Through Better Understanding for Black and African American Communities, this brief bibliography contains resources focused on health and healthcare for Black and African Americans. It aims both to provide a snapshot of health disparities facing Black and African Americans and to highlight how focusing on health literacy and access to culturally appropriate care can mitigate these disparities and improve the health status of this population. #blackhistorymonth #healthequity https://buff.ly/48yxI61

Historically, Black Americans aren’t actively recruited + 80% of all clinical trials fail to meet participant enrollment targets = I am a 33 year old healthy volunteer and I’ve never been actively recruited to participate in a clinical trial. 🤔I represent so many in my community. Company’s need to establish an effective community based approach when looking to diversify their clinical trials and it should be built on trust through education and effective outreach efforts which will help bridge the gaps creating new pathways for innovation and health equity. #healthequity #innovation #healtheducation #clinicaltrials

Following my participation at the Black Directors Health Equity Agenda (BDHEA), I want to emphasize a critical message: doubling down on #healthequity isn't just the right thing to do, it's a strategic business imperative. During #2024BDHEANationalSummit, I had the privilege of moderating a thought-provoking discussion titled "Understanding the State of the State: Health Status Headwinds." A sincere thank you to the panelists for their insightful contributions that fueled a productive conversation. Their insights reinforced a core truth: achieving #healthcareequity leads to: · Reduced overall healthcare costs · Improved health outcomes for all (including Black maternal health) · A stronger, more equitable society (including ending homelessness) The path forward is clear: active leadership is crucial. We cannot afford to be passive in the face of existing challenges. Healthcare leaders must be intentional in their efforts to dismantle barriers to care and ensure equitable access to quality care for all. Together, we can build a healthcare system where everyone thrives. Again, a big thank you to the panelists: · Yolanda Lawson, MD, President, National Medical Association · Shonta Chambers, MSW, EVP Health Equity and Community Engagement, Patient Advocate Foundation · Eugene E. Jones Jr., Former CEO, Housing Authority of Atlanta

If you missed last nights event, you missed a great conversation. During last night’s BLK Mindful Movement: The #Mental State of Black Affairs virtual event, hosted by the ForbesBLK Local Houston Advisory Council, we explored crucial discussions about our health outcomes. One key insight is that misdiagnoses often occur because treatments are developed from #clinicaltrials lacking diverse participation. Without proper representation, the resulting treatments and diagnoses are typically based on data from a demographic that doesn't reflect our #diversity—often white males in their forties. This leads to treatments that may not be effective for others, particularly #Blackwomen. The absence of diverse representation in clinical trials contributes to these misdiagnoses and ineffective treatment plans. A big thank you to JeNae Johnson and Tierra Ledet, M.Ed., LPA for their participation and for sharing their #knowledge. Your #insights are helping to shed light on these critical issues and drive change. This is a 2-part series, Dawine Dacosta and I will be hosting part 2 next week on May 28th at 6:30pm CST. Click here for complimentary registration: https://lnkd.in/dY6ZnFGs #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #ForbesBLK

🌟 Unraveling the Tapestry of Health Equity: The Nexus of Representation and Life Expectancy 🌍 I wanted to share the insightful interview that resonated with me, that was shared on our morning meting today. After immersing myself in the team's reflections and the thought-provoking insights from Michael Dill at @AAMCtoday, I found my thoughts gravitating towards health equity and the intricate dance of social determinants of health. Notably, a recent conversation with a former co-worker underscored the prevalent lack of diversity in healthcare field hiring. This dual exploration sets the stage for a vital dialogue on the pivotal role representation plays in shaping healthcare outcomes. The key revelation: a 10% surge in Black primary care physicians corresponds to a noteworthy one-month increase in life expectancy for Blacks. 🩺✨ This disclosure becomes the cornerstone of an essential dialogue about health equity, social determinants, and the complex factors influencing our well-being. Key points from the interview that left me pondering... Diversity's Ripple Effect: A diverse healthcare workforce isn't just about representation; it acts as a beacon for improved access and healthcare quality, particularly in historically underserved communities. Barriers at the Crossroads: While progress is underway, barriers persist. A closer look reveals the need for systemic changes, beginning with educational reforms to dismantle entry barriers into the medical field. Beyond Numbers: It's more than just statistics; it's about fostering inclusivity and understanding the nuances contributing to health disparities. Each percentage increase in representation is a significant step towards a more equitable healthcare landscape. As I draw parallels between these discussions, it's evident that diversity isn't merely a buzzword; it's a critical factor shaping the future of healthcare. Whether in primary care, infectious disease, or research — representation matters. So, the next question beckons: what can we do to cultivate inclusivity in healthcare against the backdrop of health equity and social determinants? 🗣️💙 #HealthEquityDiscussion #DiversityInMedicine #InclusiveHealthcare #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth https://lnkd.in/eG8pVQpP

As Black History Month draws to a close, it's critical to acknowledge that—while some progress has been made—disparities in access to healthcare and social services continue to disproportionately impact Black communities. Unite Us is committed to addressing these inequities and improving health outcomes for all. In Louisville, Kentucky, we engaged in a public-private partnership to address housing insecurity. The study, in which 71% of participants were Black or African American, demonstrated the positive impact of addressing social needs alongside healthcare through one secure technology platform. The findings: - By connecting individuals with resources like housing, food assistance, transportation, and debt relief, we saw a significant decrease in unhealthy days reported by participants: a 63% decline in physical unhealthy days and 62% decline in mental unhealthy days. - Self-reported unhealthy days (mental and physical) are linked to increased hospital admissions, medical costs, and poorer overall health. By significantly reducing the number of unhealthy days, the program points to fewer hospital admissions and projected $57 lower monthly medical costs per person. Read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/gxcsm_zX. This is just one example of how addressing social drivers of health can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs in communities that face barriers to care. We believe these data underscore the importance of integrating social services into healthcare and investing in systems that address the root causes of health disparities to create truly inclusive solutions. #BHM #BlackHistoryMonth #sdoh #health #healthcare #community

Despite advancements in medicine and improved access to care, Black women continue to experience significantly higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. This is not a recent problem; systemic inequalities, historical injustices and persistent disparities in health care are major contributors to the issue. This Q&A with IFDHE's senior program manager, Crysta Meekins, MPH, and Lynn Todman, vice president of health equity and community partnerships at Corewell Health, explores how Corewell is using AHA's Health Equity Roadmap to advance Black maternal health to ensure equitable outcomes.  https://lnkd.in/dxxHK9uD #BMHW24 #NMHM2024