Fawn N. R.’s Post

As we celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the end of formal slavery in the U.S., we must also reflect on how “policy violence” continues to extend the long history of oppression against minority communities in this country. Policy violence refers to the use of legislative decisions and institutional policies that negatively impact and disproportionately harm underserved communities, especially Black and brown ones. Though no longer codified into law, bias and systemic racism continues to perpetuate disparities in areas like housing, education, economic mobility and perhaps most critically - healthcare. The United States has some of the starkest racial inequities in health outcomes of any developed nation. Black Americans have higher rates of preventable chronic conditions, lower life expectancy, and face elevated risks of maternal mortality and other poor health outcomes. These disparities cannot be attributed solely to individual choices or genetics. They arise from policy violence - the compounding effects of historical injustices and modern legislative decisions that create barriers to equitable care access and contribute to the underlying issues propelling social drivers of health (#SDOH). Dismantling and opposing policy violence is integral to achieving health equity. 𝐎𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Policymakers, healthcare leaders, and communities must come together to chart a new course that honors and respects all communities. Join KC Health Collaborative at our community table to discuss and address ways to prioritize health equity and counter policy violence. Together we can create opportunities for every BODY to thrive. Let’s get to work! - Follow KC Health Collaborative to stay up-to-date about our efforts in fostering health equity and community connections in the Kansas City region. #systemicracism #celebratejuneteenth #healthoutcomes #healthequity

Achieving health justice means digging up the common roots of these injustices — including racism, classism, and sexism— and making sure our policies are oriented toward an equitable opportunity for health for all. The AAMC Center for Health Justice is a space to come out of our siloes and work together. We cannot achieve health equity by working alone. The AAMC is committed to partnering with other organizations, community leaders, and community members to develop this important effort. We build authentic collaborations and an aligned agenda for better health, ensuring all voices in a community are heard. We believe that the process — how we work with communities — is just as important as the product that comes out of this work. That is what will make a difference. Taken separately, we are diverse sectors and individuals. Working together, we are a movement to improve the health of people and communities everywhere. https://ow.ly/g05X50QApt8

Dear MS, Racial disparities exist. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Social determinants of health prevent many people from racial and ethnic minority groups from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), multiple factors contribute to disparities that result in continuous highly rated Black maternal mortality rates, including: Quality healthcare Underlying chronic conditions Structural racism Implicit bias Today, International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, is just the beginning of this acknowledgment, kicking off Black Maternal Health Week, which continues until April 17. Adequate birthing support includes a medical representative who listens to their patients to decrease Black maternal death. We need help with this in Mississippi, a place where maternal mortality rates tend to tinker between first and top 10 annually. Black Mamma’s Matter Alliance (BMMA), the founder of Black Maternal Health Week, has themed this year’s week, “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!” Take this week to call your local representative to let them know what we need: access to abortion care, Medicaid expansion, and doctors who listen to our concerns. Best Regards, Dr. Sandra Melvin Health Committee Chair, MS State Conference NAACP Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health https://lnkd.in/eve5x22T

In a recent blog on American Hospital Association, Crysta Meekins, MPH, from AHA's Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, shares insights to enhance Black maternal health. Takeaways from an expert panel emphasize accountability in care, interdisciplinary teamwork, community partnerships, and valuable resources like 'Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story' (pictured) and AHA's action steps. Let's foster equitable, patient-centered care for all. Read more:https://lnkd.in/guiBQiNm #BlackMaternalHealth #EquityInHealthcare #AHAInsights

On this World Health Day, let's shine a spotlight on the critical importance of health research, particularly within the Black community. Health equity is not just a goal; it's a necessity. Together, we can bridge gaps, foster inclusivity, and ensure access to quality healthcare for all. 🩺🌍 Learn more about our health #research: cbcfinc.org/publications #CBCF #WorldHealthDay

April may be ending, but the work to advance health equity and eliminate health disparities don't stop. LinkedIn network lets continue to share and learn from each other. Take what you need and leave the rest. #NationalMinorityAwarenessMonth #MedicaidAwarenessMonth   Meet Brothers in Public Health a group working to increase the representation of Men of Color in public health. Their goal is to advance the field, culture, and perception of public health amongst men of color and their communities. Led by Myles Davenport, MPH; Omari Richins, MPH; Winston Wellington Wright, MPH; and Aaron Carpenter, MPH, their vision is a world where Men of Color are change agents for the liberation and full health realization of Communities of Color. #diverseleaders #blackmeninpublichealth   Their mission is to increase the involvement of men of color in public health to affect change within communities of color. If this is a goal of your company or organization, consider partnering with Brothers in Public Health or similar organizations to reach Black men and improve health outcomes. https://lnkd.in/ekiPWAtG #communityengagement #strategicpartnerships   Let's work together towards #HealthEquity #RacialEquity #HealthLiteracy #HealthDisparities #Education #CommunityEducation #HealthEquityonLinkedIn

Healthy Black Families - Episode Two: Health Investments for Berkeley The possibilities for improving health justice and equity are vast when there is an authentic partnership and inclusive engagement of community based advocates and organizers. In a special CBPH mini-series, Praxis is featuring the community-led efforts to improve health that have been been funded in part through investments from Berkeley’s soda tax. This series presents the grounded stories of the impact that this funding is having at the community level. In this video we are featuring the work of Healthy Black Families. To learn more about their work visit: https://lnkd.in/giZDrmmS Visit our site to learn more about our featured mini-episode series, Health Investments for Berkeley: https://lnkd.in/gQXAVPmV This mini-episode series is part of our larger case-study collection, Communities Building Power for health. Learn more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gsWFT-4 #HealthJustice #EquityInHealth #CommunityEngagement #CommunityOrganizing #HealthEquity #SodaTaxImpact #CommunityLedInitiatives #PublicHealth #CommunityEmpowerment #SocialJustice #HealthcareAccess #CommunityHealth #SodaTaxFunding #CBPH #PraxisInitiative #BerkeleySodaTax #HealthImprovement #InclusivePartnerships #CommunityAdvocacy #HealthcareJustice

Juneteenth is our nation’s second independence day, commemorating the end of nearly 250 years of chattel slavery in the U.S. As we recognize, celebrate, and reflect on Juneteenth and its legacy, we must also acknowledge that while we have seen progress, we have also lost ground in many places. Racism has and continues to adversely impact the health and prosperity of our entire nation – not just people of color. Racism is a public health crisis, and for the “public” (our communities) to be truly healthy, unjust and avoidable differences in health, life outcomes, and life expectancy cannot exist. Fortunately, the governmental public health workforce is eager and well-positioned to take on racism and its adverse effects on community health. Using data from the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), my colleagues (Kay Schaffer, MPH and Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA) and I found that over 70% of state and local public health employees believe that addressing racism should be a part of their daily work. Read the full research brief and our recommendations: https://lnkd.in/eZ_RDz_S There is unquestionably much more work to do, but public health professionals’ willingness to take on the root causes of structural racism and health inequities is admirable and a real opportunity for change. It’s a long-distance race, but if we stay committed, forthright, and collaborative, we can create the systems-level policy solutions necessary for change. #publichealth #racism #structuralracism #healthequity #equity #communityhealth #Juneteenth

Celebrating National Minority Health Month: The Vital Role of Community Health Centers 📆 April marks National Minority Health Month, a time to reflect on and address the persistent health disparities that affect racial and ethnic minority groups across the United States. While these challenges are considerable, there is hope and progress is being made by Community Health Centers. ❓ Did you know that Community Health Centers serve 1 in 7 people of color? These centers are pillars of strength in our communities, especially in underserved areas like the California Central Valley. They offer culturally competent care, which is not just about speaking the same language but understanding the cultural context that influences health behaviors and perceptions. This approach has proven effective in improving patient health outcomes and reducing disparities. ❇ This week, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) video highlighting the indispensable work of Community Health Centers, a project of the Grassroots Advocacy Leadership Program I am a part of. As we observe National Minority Health Month, it's important to acknowledge the critical role that Community Health Centers play in advancing health equity. With your support, we can ensure they have the resources they need to continue their vital work, making a difference in reducing health disparities and building healthier communities for all. #NationalMinorityHealthMonth #HealthEquity #CommunityHealthCenters #CulturalCompetence #HealthDisparities #ValueCHCs

"Building Bridges: A Strategic Imperative for Advancing Health Equity and Racial Justice" underscores the need to address systemic disparities and racial inequities in healthcare. It highlights the importance of collaboration to dismantle barriers and promote inclusive policies for marginalized communities. As this paper presented by Manal J. Aboelata, Roxan Rivas, La’Quana Williams, Elva Yañezing, and the Prevention Institute states, fostering partnerships and prioritizing equity-driven initiatives is an effective and comprehensive approach to achieving lasting health equity and social justice. https://buff.ly/4cIgIxD #CommunityPower #HealthEquity