Pascale Edouard, DrPH, MPH’s Post

Investing in community-led and community serving institutions is a vital component of health equity!

The Economic Development Association for Black Communities (EDABC) is building a stronger, more inclusive Colorado. We achieve this by: > Connecting People, Resources, and Opportunities: We bridge the gap between Black communities and the resources they need to thrive. > Convening Powerful Partnerships: We bring together individuals and organizations to create positive change. > Catalyzing Growth and Prosperity: We spark economic development initiatives that empower Black communities to flourish. The EDABC goes beyond words. We take action! > (Re)building Neighborhood Economies: We design integrated programs that revitalize local businesses and empower residents. > Developing People, Places, and Businesses: We invest in talent development, create thriving spaces, and support Black entrepreneurs. > Focusing on Critical Verticals: We address talent gaps, foster business growth & retention, and advocate for impactful policies. Become a Part of the Change! The EDABC welcomes passionate individuals who want to make a difference. Here's how YOU can join the movement: > Become a Member: Amplify our voice and gain access to valuable resources. > Sponsor Our Work: Invest in a brighter future for Black communities in Colorado. > Stay Informed: Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates on our initiatives. Together, let's unlock the full potential of Black communities and build a stronger, more prosperous future for all Coloradans! Visit our website to learn more! https://lnkd.in/eGWb-sk3

This February, NACDD is honoring Black History Month by recognizing the remarkable contributions of Black Americans to U.S. history. From groundbreaking inventions to pivotal roles in scientific advancements, Black Americans have played an integral part in shaping our nation's greatness. Innovations like Garrett Morgan's three-way traffic light, Dr. Charles Drew's blood collection system, and Katherine Johnson's pioneering work at NASA highlight the ingenuity and brilliance of Black individuals throughout history. Despite these significant contributions, systemic discrimination persists, underscoring the ongoing fight for racial equity and social justice. At NACDD, we remain loyal in our commitment to advancing health equity and dismantling barriers to opportunity. Through NACDD’s Center for Justice in Public Health (CJPH), established in 2023, we are driving meaningful change by: 🌐 Hosting NACDD's inaugural National Day of Racial Healing event, fostering unity and understanding across communities. 🤝 Partnering with the Build Healthy Places Network to promote health and racial equity through collaborative efforts. 🌱 Releasing the NACDD Social Justice Framework, guiding our collective efforts to embed social justice into chronic disease programs nationwide, and more.... As we reflect on our accomplishments and look ahead, NACDD remains dedicated to raising awareness, building capacity, and advocating for policies that promote equitable health outcomes for all. For more information, read the article by Pascale D. Edouard, DrPH, MPH, Program Manager, NACDD Center for Justice in Public Health https://lnkd.in/ewdRffsT #BlackHistoryMonth #HealthEquity #SocialJustice #NACDD

Black and African American people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, potentially leading to decreased access to care, resources, and research opportunities. It is crucial to recognize their unique needs and experiences so that scientists can better understand how PD impacts diverse communities. The Parkinson’s Foundation aims to identify these healthcare disparities to better serve and support the community. In this second episode of our Black History Month special, Dr. Reversa Joseph, Neurologist, MDS at the Columbus Ohio VA, and Dr. Hiral G. Shah, Neurologist, MDS at Columbia University Medical Center, discuss current and historical disparities in research and treatment among the Black and African American PD community. They emphasize the importance of raising awareness about PD in this community, as well as in the medical space, to better understand the diverse lived experiences of the Black PD community. They also address the need to create more PD resources that reflect the voices of the community at hand. https://lnkd.in/e5kSTCDm

Much of the current research and policy focus on Black Americans immediately leads to a conversation about the poor and working-class, but Black middle class families also face distinct challenges and have to overcome greater barriers than their white counterparts. We need to better understand the experiences of Black middle-class families to inform policies and practices that enables Black families to thrive.     To address this void in research, Urban Institute’s LesLeigh Ford and her colleagues in the Office of Race and Equity Research have created the Black Family Thriving Initiative. I encourage you to follow along:  

The negative social determinants of health disproportionately impact Black Americans and innovative structural interventions are necessary to reduce poor health outcomes. Please join us for the first event of the Science, Health, and Equity Series: Unintended Consequences of Premature Black Death in the Knight Auditorium at the Spurlock Museum on Tuesday, Apr. 30 at 4 p.m. Dr. Monica R. McLemore, a professor in the Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing and interim director for the Manning-Price Spratlan Center for Anti-Racism and Equity (CARE) in Nursing at the University of Washington School of Nursing, will connect the dots between preventable maternal morbidity and mortality, infant mortality, and premature Black death. Participants will learn to: 🔸 Articulate the connections between preventable maternal morbidity and mortality, infant mortality, and premature Black death. 🔹 Understand study designs that will be required to provide meaningful data that map assets and identify strengths and protective factors. 🔸 Imagine novel structural interventions that could be operationalized in the present. Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/gG4yGV7x This event is co-sponsored by the Department of History, the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, and Carle Illinois College of Medicine.

#blackhistorymonth Dr. Cheryl Clark reminds us that Black individuals have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of historical injustices and its relevance to the community health center movement. Historical injustices, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the exploitation of black bodies for medical experimentation, have left a lasting impact on the trust and well-being of black communities. Recognizing these atrocities is essential for healing and rebuilding trust within the healthcare system. “Black History Month is also a time to celebrate the courage and accomplishments of people who advance justice in health against unimaginable odds,” said Cheryl Clark, MD, ScD, Executive Director & Senior Vice President of the Institute for Health Equity Research, Evaluation & Policy. “The Community Health Center movement is a key example of how people have come together to overcome discrimination, and in so doing, created a system to care for everyone.” [Read more: www.massleague.org] #communityhealthcare #healthequity #healthequitynow #chc #chcs #communityhealth #MLCHC Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers Institute for Health Equity Research, Evaluation & Policy The Castle Group Health Equity Compact

"Our goals include building understanding, informing policy, developing research, and changing the narrative about Black families. In the first phase, we’ll prioritize research, interventions, and policy changes to improve wealth and well-being for Black families. Future phases will focus on psychological well-being, physical health, and overall quality of life."

At Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF), we're dedicated to promoting equity by improving #HealthNotJustHealthCare. That effort requires all of us to shift the health system to benefit all Texans. EHF’s new strategic framework targets three priority areas: food/nutrition security, maternal health, and diabetes prevention. Why? Because we believe that addressing these critical conditions and issues will lead to a ripple effect of good health for all communities. As we step into the beginning of Black History Month, it's crucial to reflect on how the intersection of racial history and health equity affects Black communities. Take a look at diabetes where there are stark disparities in health outcomes: Black adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed than White adults. These health inequities stem from non-medical drivers of health - factors outside the doctor’s office that impact a person’s overall health and well-being such as limited access to affordable nutritious food, lack of sidewalks or safe environments for exercise, chronic stress, and more. In many neighborhoods across Texas, these negative non-medical factors disproportionately affect under-resourced Black families. In Texas, the maternal health crisis is also particularly alarming. The state's maternal mortality rate is consistently high or above the national average and disproportionately affects Black women, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. This is another reminder of the deep-rooted impact of structural racism on health outcomes in Texas and beyond. Our approach at EHF focuses on nurturing community-led initiatives to tackle these health challenges. As we honor Black History Month, and reflect on the strides made since the Civil Rights Movement, we also should reaffirm our commitment to health equity and celebrate the resilience and spirit of the communities we serve. #blackhistorymonth #healthequity #healthnotjusthealthcare

Put this book on your reading list.