Did you know January is dedicated to raising awareness about cervical health? Your cervix is the lower part of your uterus, which connects the uterine cavity to the vagina. It plays a vital role in reproduction and overall health. 

Keeping your cervix healthy is essential because issues like inflammation, abnormal growths, and cervical cancer can affect this small but vital part of your body. The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to protect your cervical health starting today! 

1. Get Regular Screenings: Pap Smear and HPV Test

Screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer. The Pap test (or Pap smear) and the human papillomavirus (HPV) test are used to check for abnormal cells and HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer. 

Both tests involve gently collecting cells from your cervix for lab analysis. If precancerous cervical cell changes are found, they can be treated before they turn into cancer. HPV tests detect high-risk HPV types, while Pap smears examine cervical cells for abnormalities. 

Most cervical cancers occur in women who skip regular screenings, so stay on schedule and talk to your healthcare provider about your results and next steps.

2. Protect Yourself with the HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine helps prevent infection from virus types most commonly linked to cervical cancer. It also protects against some types that cause genital warts. 

It works best before exposure to HPV, so vaccination is recommended for children ages 9–12. Teens and young adults aged 26 and under who have not been vaccinated should receive the shots as soon as possible. The vaccine is administered in 2 or 3 doses, with side effects typically mild, such as soreness at the injection site. 

It is important to note that no vaccine provides complete protection against all cancer-causing HPV types, so regular cervical screenings are still essential. 

3. Limit HPV Exposure and Use Condoms

HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also spread without sex, such as through hand-to-genital contact. Since HPV is common and often has no symptoms, anyone can pass it on without knowing. 

You can lower your risk by limiting the number of sexual partners and being cautious of partners who have had many others. Using condoms also helps to reduce HPV transmission and related health issues like genital warts, cervical dysplasia, and cervical cancer. While condoms do not fully protect against HPV because they do not cover all areas (like the scrotum), they are still one of the easiest ways to lower your risk when combined with regular screenings and vaccination. 

4. Exercise and Eat a Healthy Diet

Regular physical activity can help lower your risk of cervical cancer by strengthening the immune system, supporting hormonal balance, and reducing inflammation. With just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, you can make a meaningful difference in your health. 

You can also pair exercise with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. These foods provide antioxidants and minerals that support your body’s fight against HPV infections and slow the process by which healthy cells become cancerous. Together, movement and nutrition support overall health and reduce your risk. 

5. Quit Smoking

Smoking exposes you and those around you to cancer-causing chemicals that affect more than just the lungs. These harmful substances are absorbed through the lungs and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. 

Women who smoke are about twice as likely to develop cervical cancer compared to those who do not. Tobacco products have been found in cervical mucus, and researchers believe these chemicals damage the DNA of cervical cells, ultimately increasing cancer risk. Smoking also weakens the immune system, which makes it harder to fight HPV infections. 

6. Understand the Risks of Long-Term Birth Control Use

Research shows that using oral contraceptives for many years (5+) can increase the risk of cervical cancer. The longer the use of oral contraceptives, the higher the risk of cervical cancer. Fortunately, the risk decreases after stopping the oral contraception and eventually returns to normal over time. Hormones in the oral contraceptive pills may influence cervical cells, potentially increasing cancer risk. If you plan to use birth control pills long-term, talk with your doctor about the benefits and potential risks. 

Resources

American Cancer Society: The HPV Test

American Cancer Society: Pap Tests

American Cancer Society; Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?

HCG Oncology

American Cancer Society: Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

Frontiers in Pharmacology

The post 6 Tips for a Healthy Cervix appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Millennials might still be suffering from the pop lock and drop it era, but random knee pain isn’t the only challenge they’re facing. Healthcare firms are meeting the moment by including hip-hop and R&B in their consumer marketing efforts.  

As millennials age, their vast healthcare concerns are moving to the forefront of the healthcare industry priority list. That means integrating messaging that will speak to them directly.  

The music that once signaled a rebellious youth of bar hopping and bottle service is now helping providers court a generation of adults in need of information and interventions to address their collective issues.  

Music As a Means of Getting Attention  

Research shows that tapping into cultural competency works when trying to reach specific audiences. “The importance of cultural competency, including culturally and linguistically appropriate resources and tools, cannot be overstated or overemphasized,” according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  

Unlike a generic jingle, a familiar jam can stop you in your tracks. It can reconnect you to a moment from your past. Twisting around familiar beats isn’t the only way to have an impact.  

Speaking the language of music can help create connections, too. We Are Ill founder Victoria named her organization, designed to connect Black women with chronic illness, after the classic Nas album Illmatic.  

New music can have an impact as well. The FDA turned to developing original hip-hop songs to convince young people not to smoke. Gilead turned to rapper and podcaster Big Loon to help spread the message about their efforts to promote safer sex. Power to the Patients turned to Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Method Man, Rick Ross, Chuck D, and French Montana to promote their arguments for transparency in healthcare pricing.  

Fighting HIV With TLC 

TLC, a group that broke barriers by getting a generation to talk frankly about sex, has had their hit “Creep” reinterpreted for Gilead to promote PrEP. Original and core group member Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins performed the healthcare-centered rendition.  

“In the 90s, we used our platform to speak truth and empower people to love themselves. That mission hasn’t changed,” Watkins told People in November.  

“Black women in the United States are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and are less likely to be represented among HIV clinical research participants relative to their cumulative HIV burden,” according to Women’s Health. This makes TLC the perfect track to speak to an audience that needs to be informed about their options for protecting themselves.  

Fighting Colon Cancer With Lil’ Jon  

Lil’ Jon has transcended the Nuvo guzzling and the pill popping of the crunk era. The snap music pioneer converted his hit “Get Low” into a track to promote Cologuard, a screening device for colon cancer.  

“The distribution of CRC is not even across U.S. subpopulations; there is marked difference in CRC incidence, cancer stage, and cancer mortality by race and ethnicity. In particular, Black Americans show the highest incidence, and have the highest mortality among major U.S. racial and ethnic groups,” according to the Journal of Advances in Cancer Research.  

The American Cancer Society has highlighted the rise in colorectal cancer in people under the age of 55.  

Lil’ Jon shared why he agreed to do the campaign in a 2024 interview with Black Health Matters. “It just makes it easier to palette this subject because it’s funny because the song is called ‘Get Low #2,’ and you have to take a #2 to do the colon cancer screen with the Cologuard kit. So I thought it was pretty hilarious,” he said.  

He’s no slouch when it comes to promoting mental health either. He released an album for meditation.   

Raising Eczema Awareness with Mary J Blige  

Mary J. Blige owned the early 90s with “Real Love.” The kids who grew up singing the classic on their way to elementary school are primed to listen to the remixed version for EBGLYSS, a medication developed to fight eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis.  

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reports that “Black people in the US experience greater atopic dermatitis (AD) prevalence, severity, and persistence when compared to White people.”  

Eczema presents differently in Black people making it more important that they be informed about the symptoms of the condition.  

Fighting Vaccine Misinformation with Juvenile 

Taking over for the 99 and the 2000 is like a millennial mating call. It flips a switch in the millennial brain flooding it with memories of when it was time to “Back That Thang Up” in a club that didn’t take Apple Pay or put a time limit on sections,  

This made it the perfect track to match the moment when anti-vaccine information was flooding the internet. Juvenile released “Vax That Thang Up” to promote the COVID-19 vaccine.  

He partnered with Mannie Fresh and Mia X on the track giving it an even stronger NOLA flavor.  

Resources 

Los Angeles Times: Millennials’ escalating health problems raise economic concerns 

Blue Cross Blue Shield: The Health of Millennials 

Centers for Disease Control 

Journal of Advances in Cancer Research.  

American Cancer Society: Colorectal Facts & Figures 

Billboard 

The post How Music is Matching the Moment for Millennial Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dyson joined Tamar Braxton and others for a panel called Breaking the Silence, presented by ViiV Healthcare, earlier this year to raise awareness of the HIV epidemic, the taboos and stigmas around prevention, and the importance of mental health.

Taboo & Stigma in Communities of Color

Dr. Dyson believes the other reason that we don’t hear as much about HIV is because of the communities that are impacted. “Communities of color, in particular, struggle with talking about sexuality, sex, and sexual health in positive ways,” she said.

“A third thing would be stigma, not just around the HIV diagnosis itself, and just in general, like it’s a barrier. I often tell people, HIV is not actually what’s going to cause someone you know to lose life; it’s actually going to be the stigma,” Dr Dyson continues.

“Because you have this stigma that prevents you from seeking care. Sometimes there’s a stigma that prevents you from seeking prevention options.”

Forty Years of HIV Advancements

There is fear for many surrounding HIV because they can recall the early years of the disease when those diagnosed had short life spans. But things have changed. “We’ve come to a place now, 40 years later, where we have good antiretroviral therapy, so people who are living with HIV can thrive and do well on antiretroviral therapy, on their medications, and as long as they’re on medicine and achieving undetectable viral loads,” Dr. Dyson said.

Bianca Ordoñez said, “Part of it is the stories we hear about people with HIV.” “In news stories, we usually see the trauma, the fear, the shame, the moment of that diagnosis, how it destroyed a person’s life. And while that can be true, and while that can be part of the story, it’s not the full story,” she explained.

For example, I’m in a sero discordant relationship, which means that I’m HIV positive and my husband is HIV negative,”  Ordoñez said. “Together, we have a beautiful, healthy, HIV negative baby girl. So when telling the story of people living with HIV, I would really rather you guys include HIV as a comma instead of a period.”

Why Tamar Braxton is So Vocal About HIV and HIV Prevention

We know that a lot of what Tamar Braxton does is unplanned, and that was the case with her viral Snapchat video. She told the crowd at NABJ.

“I had no idea that going on my Snapchat, figuring out if someone I was dating was 100,000 other people. It just so happened to go viral, helping this sister feel less alone. To help her understand that her purpose is for a purpose.”

But she also mentioned the media’s obsession with clickbait. “We like stories that are going to get traction. But the truth is, a journalist’s job is to bring the news and what is not news about HIV and HIV prevention. So I’m here to help normalize these conversations and make people less uncomfortable about them,” she said

“Why not speak about something important to our community, and that is important to me now, and I mean, I’m going to show up here every time, and so this is a normalized conversation. Having uncomfortable conversations doesn’t make you different; it makes you strong and powerful.”

The singer mentioned data Dr. Dyson shared: at the end of 2023, only 11% of Black folks who could benefit from HIV prevention had received it, whereas 70% of their white counterparts received it. “That’s news. That’s important information to share in the community.”

Mental Health Must Be Included in the HIV Conversation

Yolo Akili Robinson from The Black Emotional Mental Health Collective shared some of the ways they teach in the community. “We have what we call healing circles. So while we think it’s very important to have individual care, you sometimes need to sit in a one-on-one situation. What we do is create collective spaces led by wellness practitioners, therapists, psychiatrists, and other professionals with different healing modalities,” he said.

“And we say, bring your mama, your cousin, your uncle, all them, because we’re going to learn about grief. We’re going to learn about trauma. We’re going to learn about HIV stigma together, as opposed to in these individualized scenarios. We’re going to learn how to process and reframe our emotions together,” Robinson said.

Communities need to be able to move through the uneducation and grief and feel safe.

Caption opening image: Our incredible panelists captured after an inspiring discussion (from left to right): Justin Carter (moderator), Bianca Ordoñez, Tamar Braxton, Yolo Akili Robinson, and Dr. Alftan Dyson. Photo courtesy of ViiV Healthcare.

The post Yes, HIV is Still an Epidemic in 2025 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What the Beyond the Belief Session Covered

The session featured intergenerational elements. They were designed to highlight the new stages of life. The idea is to expand conversations and stay connected to the condition. As people live longer with the condition, this session was the first step in helping us realize we need to adapt our thinking.

The session brought “real stories of aging, community, and many forms of belief that continue to move us forward—whether rooted in faith, science, relationships, or lived experience” to thousands of attendees at the conference. “A variety of cultural and historical factors, such as religious and moral belief systems and political ideologies, can manifest in health care systems’ policies,” according to the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics. Interacting with faith-based communities and respecting patients’ faith has proven to be an effective strategy for engaging populations that need it the most.

Rae Lewis-Thorton is Fighting for Policy Changes and Access to Treatments

Lewis-Thornton made her presence known in the session. As an icon in the community, she uses her voice to fight for policy changes and increased access to treatment. Her life stands as an example of the hope found by many today. “There were no medicines to treat HIV, and funeral directors were afraid to even bury somebody with HIV, so you know it was a cruel time, and so I kept my infection a secret for seven years. I think I told five people those first seven years,” she told Black Health Matters.

She went from living with the secret to speaking out boldly, going beyond fear and shame, bolstered by her belief. She told the story of how one can thrive after a diagnosis. Since then, her voice has encouraged many others. Lewis spoke on the importance of incorporating spaces that hold the beliefs of others as something of value alongside useful scientific information.

Living Beyond Belief

“When we begin to think about where we are with this disease? Yeah. I am living beyond belief, and I think a lot of that has to do with science, and I think a whole lot of it has to do with God,” said Lewis-Thorton.

A 2024 study at Harvard argued that “In a reimagined clinical and public health system, spiritual factors would be routinely considered in creating person- and community-centered policy and practice.” It identified spirituality as a determinant of health.

“It’s important that we all work to make HIV a smaller part of people’s lives who are living with HIV, and that includes reducing stigma that includes holistic health and seeing people less as whole humans and the wholeness of their humanity, meaning that it is important that we recognize all parts of us and all parts of our health,” said Randevyn Piérre, Head of U.S. External Affairs, ViiV Healthcare.

Reality star and entrepreneur Dwight Eubanks shared how his place of worship led to his prostate cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

You can’t see that wholeness unless you go to where the people are, something the session was determined to do.

A 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health (OMH), Black women were 10 times more likely than non-Hispanic White women to be diagnosed with HIV.

You Can’t Fight This Disease Alone: Community is Key

When we examine the numbers and who is being infected, community organizations must be part of the response.

“Black women are in the church, and so it’s important that organizations that do this work like this speak to us in our social location, that they speak to us at the center of who we are,” said Lewis-Thornton.

“People who are living with this disease need something greater than themselves, something higher than themselves in their lives. And so, whatever they, however they, address their spirituality. I think it is significant to live with this disease. You can’t not do it. You know, we are not super people and we cannot do it alone, and I think we need to believe in something greater than us.”

But Black women can’t be both the most infected and the only ones stepping up to treat them. How will faith-based organizations commit themselves to this work in the future?

They Incorporated Contemporary Worship Music to Help Deliver the Message to Millennials and Gen Z

Because the audience spanned a range of ages, the session used a more Contemporary style of praise and worship to bridge the gap. It represented a shift towards inclusion, reflecting the way millennials and Gen Z communicate. Lewis-Thornton described the energy present during the musical interlude.

“Everyone receives messages and communications differently, depending on the messenger, depending on the channel. So, for us to be able to amplify this crucial information around HIV, and to prioritize awareness in different ways, is really an awesome opportunity that’s really critical,” said Randevyn Piérre, Head of U.S. External Affairs, ViiV Healthcare.

“ViiV is really committed to reaching communities in ways that are relatable, and in ways that are relevant, and in ways that resonate and music resonates in many ways with many people, and so we wanted to try something that we’d seen, popping up, in different spaces online that folks were really reacting to and sort of make it relatable and tie it into the experience at USCHA.”

Resources

HIV.gov

American Medical Association Journal of Ethics

HHS.gov

The post Beyond Belief: Surviving & Thriving with HIV/AIDS appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to the news report, “Warner died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, police said. He was caught by a high current in the water and was discovered Sunday afternoon.” Updated reports reveal the actor was swimming with his eight-year-old daughter when they were caught in a fast moving current. A surfer used his board to bring his daughter to safety. A volunteer lifeguard rescued another surfer and Warner, who was unresponsive and given CPR for a prolonged period of time.

The Cosby Show actor was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970, to Pamela Warner and Robert Warner, Jr. His parents named him after Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.

Because he had an early interest in acting, his parents enrolled him in a performing arts school in New York City. Variety reports that he auditioned for the role of Theo Huxtable on the last day of NBC’s nationwide search. Bill Cosby selected Warner himself.

He had a Solid Career as an Actor.

The actor grew up before our eyes on The Cosby Show, getting his first Emmy nomination while working on the show. However, he made sure never to play the same character twice. On Malcolm & Eddie, he played opposite Eddie Griffin, and he cast off his upwardly mobile upbringing. In Reed Between the Lines, he navigated the blended family life with Tracee Ellis Ross, a triple board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, on The Resident.

Warner was also a Talented Director.

As a teen, Warner got his start directing music videos, according to Variety. He directed New Edition and Special Ed. Later, Warner directed episodes of The Cosby Show, Malcolm & Eddie, Kenan & Kel, All That, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Sesame Street. He won the NAACP Key of Life Image Award for the AIDS awareness video “Timeout: The Truth about HIV, AIDS, and You‘ which starred Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall.

He was a Musician and Spoken Word Artist

A true multi-hyphenate, Warner is a self-described poet and a bass player, according to his bio. In 2015, Warner nabbed his first Grammy Award for “Best Traditional R&B Performance as a Featured Performer” on Robert Glasper’s version of the Stevie Wonder classic “Jesus Children of America.” Lalah Hathaway was also featured on the track.

Additionally, Warner’s jazz-funk band, Miles Long, has performed at several prominent jazz festivals, including the Playboy Jazz Festival. They also opened for artists such as Earl Klugh and the late Luther Vandross.

He had a new Podcast Project.

Warner was excited about his latest venture. A podcast he was cohosting with Candace Kelly and Weusi Baraka called Not All Hood. He spoke to People about it in early May, and it launched last month. There are three episodes out so far.

“It’s been an interesting experience for me, because it’s a place where I feel safe enough to be able to be as vulnerable as I allow myself to be,” he told the magazine.

His Private Life Was Off Limits

While we were aware of some of his early romances, Warner did not share any information about his private life in recent years; all he would confirm was that he was married and had a daughter. Beyond that, he preferred to keep his personal life private.

Our condolences go out to his entire family.

Note: The World Health Organization says nearly 300,000 people die from drowning each year. That is 30 people every hour. 

The post Malcolm-Jamal Warner Has Died At 54 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

To unpack what’s behind that gap, we spoke with Tomás León, President and Executive Director of the Equality Health Foundation, which developed the Zip Code Exam to help communities identify and address the everyday conditions that shape health outcomes.

Beneath the Stats

BHM: Why do racial gaps in life expectancy persist, even after years of awareness?

Tomás León: The ZIP code you’re born into still has more influence on your life expectancy than your genetic code. It’s all rooted in systemic inequalities that have gone unaddressed for too long. The pandemic exacerbated these issues and still has a lingering effect.
These disparities persist because the social determinants of health—education, healthcare, housing, food, air, and opportunity—are still distributed unequally. Structural racism, disinvestment in communities of color, and policy decisions that ignore lived realities all contribute.

BHM: What made this the right moment to launch the Zip Code Exam?

Tomás León: We said, “We need a tool like the Zip Code Exam now.” It’s not enough to raise awareness—we need something to spark actionable, community-driven solutions. It helps uncover the invisible, non-medical forces shaping health and empowers grassroots action. With safety nets unraveling, we need to reignite awareness and point people to solutions. It’s a tool for empowerment, advocacy, and change.

BHM: How do you make the data reflect the real experiences of Black communities?

Tomás León: Data often speaks in averages, and averages erase the lived experiences of people outside the norm. We built a listening and communication tool.

The platform reflects community specificity through hyperlocal data and user-defined priorities. It’s not just about what the data says, it’s about what the community says. We consider cultural context, language access, trusted partners, and relevant resources to meet people where they are. The Zip Code Exam restores agency by saying: your story matters, your neighborhood matters, and your health is not an average, it’s personal.

What Your ZIP Code Says

In 2025, your address can still shape your access to health and even how long you live. In many of our neighborhoods, that impact is baked into the environment.

According to the USDA Food Access Research Atlas, grocery stores are harder to reach in areas with high Black populations. The USDA Economic Research Service reports that 22% of Black households are food insecure, more than twice the rate for white households.

The EPA has shown that Black Americans face higher exposure to air pollution, even when income and region are the same. And the CDC’s USALEEP project maps out ZIP codes in states like Mississippi and Louisiana where the life expectancy difference between neighborhoods just 10 miles apart can be as high as 15 years.

These statistics aren’t solely built on personal choices and coincidence; they’re the results of decades of policy. To go even further, we decided to ask León about how mental health connects to the broader discussion.

Collaborative Health

BHM: You’ve worked in public health, mental health, and policy. How does the Zip Code Exam connect to them?

Tomás León: Bridging mental health, public health, and policy is a moral imperative. Health is not siloed. You can’t achieve physical health without mental health, or improve mental health without addressing the social and environmental conditions people live in.

That’s why the Zip Code Exam doesn’t just visualize disparities, it helps dismantle them. It reflects the full spectrum of health, including care, housing, trauma, stress, and resilience. It connects people to local resources and gives leaders data to push for systemic change. We’re mapping possibilities.

Change in Real Time

BHM: Over 200,000 people have already engaged with the site. Can you share a moment that shows what’s at stake when health becomes a matter of geography?

Tomás León: When over 200,000 people engage with a platform like the Zip Code Exam, it’s a chorus of voices telling us where the system is failing and where hope still lives. One ZIP code that really hit home for me was 85004 in South Phoenix, Arizona. This is where the seed for the Zip Code Exam idea was planted. Arizona became the blueprint. And now, we’re scaling it to help more communities take their health into their own hands.

In that community, life expectancy is fourteen years lower than in more affluent neighborhoods like North Scottsdale, just a few miles away. The exam aids residents, they can bring the data to neighborhood meetings, share it with their elected officials, partner with local community-based organizations, churches, and businesses, and begin advocating for better access to healthcare, affordable housing, healthy food, safer streets, employment opportunities, and walkable space. That’s what’s at stake when health becomes a matter of geography. It’s about the opportunity to reclaim power and rewrite the narrative for the next generation.

Redefining Structural Barriers

BHM: In 2022, only 55% of people were projected to live to age 80. The probability of survival from age 20 to 85 was even lower for Black men. Does the platform offer a kind of digital reckoning with structural risk?

Tomás León: Yes, the Zip Code Exam is absolutely a digital reckoning with that reality. It’s designed to expose the invisible architecture of inequality—how where you live, work, and grow up can shape how long and how well you live. But it’s also a tool for action. It helps individuals understand the risks in their environment, connects them to local resources, and empowers communities to advocate for change.

I want policymakers to see this data and realize these outcomes are not inevitable; they’re the result of choices. And we can make different ones.

Earning Trust

BHM: Some folks may see this as just another dashboard. What do you say to Black families who feel like they’ve seen the numbers, the charts, the promises, but not enough change?

Tomás León: That skepticism is real, and it’s earned. The Black community has heard speeches about equity while living through generations of inequity. So, when someone says, “Here’s another tool,” I understand why the first reaction might be, “So what?” I learned from our well-being work in South Phoenix, Arizona that collective impact and transformation happen at the speed of trust.

What makes the Zip Code Exam different is that it wasn’t built for institutions, it was built for community members and leaders. It shows the numbers and helps you act on them. And we know it’s not perfect. That’s why we welcome feedback from families, organizers, and anyone using the platform. We’re committed to improving it so it truly works with and for communities. Because the only way this tool succeeds is if it reflects the voices and needs of the people it’s meant to serve.

I want community members to use this tool to organize, demand investment, and build healthier futures—ZIP code by ZIP code. We know that behind every data point, there is a life. And behind every life, there is a story worth fighting for.

Resources

ZIP CODE EXAM: Calculate your life expectancy based on your ZIP Code

National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 74, Number 2 April 8, 2025 United States Life Tables, 2022

Equality Health Foundation – Equality Health Foundation

USDA Food Access Research Atlas

Food Security in the U.S. – Key Statistics & Graphics | Economic Research Service

CDC’s USALEEP project

The post Does Your ZIP Code Determine Your Life Expectancy? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Yeztugo Is More Effective than the Oral PrEP

In clinical trials, the Yeztugo injections were shown to be more effective than the daily oral PrEP medication, Truvada. The first trial resulted in zero infections, with 100% efficacy among 2,134 trial participants who received the Yeztugo injections. The second trial resulted in two HIV infections, and 99.9% of the 2.179 participants did not. The Journal Science named lenacapavir the 2024 Breakthrough Drug of the Year.

HIV is Still a Threat to Our Community

HIV/AIDs is still a serious health threat to our community. While there have been significant advances in treatment, which have resulted in contracting HIV not necessarily equaling death, the rates of infections continue to increase, particularly in the South.

Yeztugo injections could be an opportunity for at-risk individuals in our community to protect themselves because Black Americans account for 39% of new HIV diagnoses overall, but only 14% of PrEP users.

However, when we break things down by region, we gain a clearer understanding. According to the information supplied by AIDSVu, a public resource for HIV surveillance data in partnership with Gilead and Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, our HIV numbers are higher in the South and the Midwest at 48% and 42% with PrEP users at rates of 22% and 13%.

Upon further examination, we find that 64% of PrEP users fall within the 25 -44 age range. There is an opportunity for education and outreach around this breakthrough.

The Yeztugo Cost Factor

The list price of Yeztugo is $14,109 per injection. Getting the injection versus the pill may be challenging. Gilead Sciences notes that they are collaborating with insurers, healthcare systems, and other payers to ensure broad coverage. In addition, those with commercial insurance can take advantage of Gilead’s Advancing Access CoPay Savings Program to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Therefore, having coverage for this drug will be vital.

However, there may be a potential issue for anyone who is covered under Obamacare. According to NBC News, a pending Supreme Court case related to the Affordable Care Act is up for a decision that could be a barrier for medications that prevent HIV. Currently, PrEP is covered at no cost. Should the court decide against these medications, then they would no longer be free.

The case before the court, however, is not just about HIV medication but all preventative healthcare, from mental health to cardiovascular, cancer, and STI screenings. The ruling could impact more than 150 million Americans.

A Bigger Problem: Access

Poz.com reports that many HIV advocates and organizations are excited about Yeztugo, but are unified in their concerns that this drug may not be accessible to the populations who may need it the most.

Michael Chancley, Communication and Mobilization Director at Prep4All, said, “The stakes couldn’t be higher for communities of color that have yet to significantly benefit from PrEP. “Lenacapavir shows real innovation for cisgender women and other communities facing unique barriers to adhering to a daily pill, but I fear that we may see the same challenges in access that we saw with Apretude which, despite being the first long-acting PrEP available in the U.S., continues to make up only 2% of PrEP scripts.”

In a statement, Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of Amfar, wrote, “PrEP is one of the most indispensable tools we have for ending the HIV epidemic. Having the option of a twice-annual shot, rather than relying on a daily pill, will make long-term adherence to PrEP much easier for many.

But this remarkable drug will only be as effective as it is accessible and affordable. amfAR calls on Gilead Sciences and the U.S. government to do everything in their power to make sure as many people who want lenacapavir can get it,” he continued.

Complicating things further is that domestic funding for HIV is on the chopping block. The President’s 2026 budget request, which includes a 35% cut,  $1.5 billion for domestic HIV funding. This includes closing the CDC HIV Prevention Division to cut $794 million from the budget.

We Remain Hopeful

The drug is just rolling out, so people receiving prescriptions now may not get their first shot for two months. But we remain hopeful that Yeztugo clears some of these necessary hurdles and reaches those who can benefit from it most.

Resources

FDA Approves Yeztugo

Science: The Biggest Science Breakthroughs 2024

AIDSVU Prep for Prep Equity Platform

PrEP4All Statement

AmFar Statement

The post The FDA Approved a Twice-Yearly HIV Drug, Will it Be Accessible? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

1. Have the Conversation

Honest, clear communication is sexy. Before sex, talk openly with your partner about boundaries, STI history, testing dates, birth control (if applicable), and what you’re both comfortable exploring.

Discuss your relationship dynamics (e.g., monogamous, open, casual) and check in about any emotional expectations you may have. These conversations demonstrate care, reduce risks, and foster mutual trust and respect.

@coutureinclinic

You know what else makes sense? ZERO judgment #healthcaretiktok #lgbthealth #stdcheck

♬ Che La Luna – Louis Prima

2. Get Tested Together

Regular STI testing is one of the most important parts of sexual health. If you’re entering a new sexual relationship, schedule testing together—it can be an act of intimacy and accountability.
Look for clinics that are LGBTQIA+ affirming and offer comprehensive testing, including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis. Discuss retesting timelines and follow-ups, too.

3. Use the Right Protection for Each of Your Bodies

Protection options should match the type of sex you’re having and your anatomy. External and internal condoms help prevent STIs during vaginal or anal sex. Dental dams are great for oral sex on vulvas or anuses. Gloves can be helpful for hand play. Lube reduces tearing and enhances comfort—just make sure it’s compatible with your protection method (e.g., water- or silicone-based lube with latex condoms). Having the right tools ready shows care and preparedness.

4. Understand PreP & PEP

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a daily pill or long-acting injection that can lower the risk of contracting HIV by up to 99%. It’s especially recommended for those at higher risk, including men who have sex with men, trans women, and people with multiple partners.

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) must be taken within 72 hours after possible exposure. Find a knowledgeable healthcare provider to help you explore what’s right for you.

5. Get Vaccinated

Vaccinations are an essential part of sexual health. The HPV vaccine protects against strains of the virus that can cause genital warts and certain cancers, and is recommended up to age 45.

Hepatitis A and B vaccines are strongly encouraged for anyone engaging in oral, anal, or rimming activities. Keep an eye on updates around monkeypox or other emergent viruses affecting LGBTQIA+ communities, and get vaccinated when eligible.

6. Check in With Your Mental and Emotional Readiness

Sex should feel good, not just physically, but emotionally. Are you in the right headspace? Do you feel respected and affirmed in your gender identity and body? Have you considered how this encounter might affect your emotional well-being or dysphoria (if applicable)?

It’s always okay to pause, ask for clarity, or say no—even if you’ve already said yes. Intimacy should come from a place of agency, not obligation.

7. Know the Signs of an Unsafe Situation

Consent is enthusiastic, informed, and ongoing. If a partner pressures you, ignores your boundaries, refuses protection, or tries to manipulate the situation, that’s a red flag.

If you’re meeting someone new, especially via dating apps, make sure a friend knows your location, meet in a public place first, and have an exit strategy. Safety is not paranoia—it’s preparation.

@blackgayweddings

♬ Comfortable – H.E.R.

8. Make Aftercare Part of the Plan

Aftercare is the emotional and physical support that happens after sex. It can include cuddling, words of affirmation, helping each other clean up, checking in emotionally, or simply relaxing together.

For queer folks, especially those navigating past trauma or identity-related stress, aftercare can be deeply healing. Don’t skip this step—the connection continues beyond the act.

Your health is your power. When we protect our bodies and care for each other, we create safer, more joyful relationships. Let this be a reminder that your health matters, your pleasure matters, and you are worthy of love that honors all of you

The post Let’s Talk Sex: 8 Must-Know Tips to Keep You & Your Boo Safe appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We discussed his role, which involves aiding in the development and processes of health-related activities. That includes serving as a liaison to the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.’s health-related, pharmaceutical, and other partners to assist the brotherhood and the communities they serve in educational processes

What Health Initiatives Have Resonated With the Kappa Alpha Psi Brotherhood?

Martez notes that they deliver events through webinars and in person. “We’re a fraternity that has a majority of our brotherhood who are African American. Prostate cancer affects 6 out of 10 Black men, he explains.

“One of the organizations that we have partnered with is ZERO Prostate Cancer,” Martez continues. “With that partnership, we’re aiding and educating the members on the importance of knowing the signs of prostate cancer as well as the information to ask from their primary care physician.”

Martez stressed that for their members to have access to that information and be encouraged to undergo screenings helps them become good stewards of their own health.

One of the other initiatives that had many members of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. talking is the “Are You Okay?” Program.

“Our 35th Grand Polemarch, Brother Jimmy McMickle, is a former track athlete at the University of Indiana, where we were founded,” Martez said. “And because of his mantra about activity, he had a vision for the program. We partnered with Johnson & Johnson. The program not only focuses on mental health. But it includes the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being.”

The Fraternity’s “Are You Okay? Facebook’s Group encourages its members to be physically active. Martez noted that they had a Biggest Loser competition underway, leading up to the Conclave, which will take place in Phoenix from July 1st to 6th. “We created a group in which everyone is your accountability partner,” he explains.

But those accountability partnerships mean so much more. “We have our accountability partners, but you know from a physical fitness standpoint, we have in that group as well where brothers have become so vulnerable,” Martez continues.

“That they really get in and talk about what they have going on, and then everyone in the group adds aids as a support system. So, we‘re extremely passionate about it.” Mental health became the gateway to talk about everything.

Martez says another health focus area Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. has focused on during the past few years is kidney disease. “We’ve been full steam ahead concerning kidney disease; we partnered with the American Kidney Fund for the second year in a row for AMKD Day on April 29,” he explained.

Alonzo Mourning attended a previous Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. Conclave to share his personal battle with kidney disease. “We were the first organization that he had the opportunity to come and share his story with.”

Since Black men are overwhelmingly impacted by kidney disease, educating them is critical.

“And not only that, just some of the risk factors that are associated with that are plagued more in the African American communities at large, diabetes can give you issues with your kidneys, and hypertension,” Martez said.

“So those things that impact our communities at a larger rate. It can increase our susceptibility to kidney disease. So again, it’s a domino effect,” Martez continued.

“It’s our job as pillars of the community to educate the communities at large as well as our membership on the importance of any disparity that we can.”

The post Antonio Martez: Keeping The Brothers Engaged Around Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

BHM: How are the statistics of HIV among young people in underserved communities changing?

Despite the significant strides we’ve made in HIV awareness, prevention, and treatment, the HIV epidemic persists, especially for our youth. Young people account for more than 20% of all new HIV diagnoses in the U.S., with a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx queer youth who are experiencing the greatest number of new diagnoses.

To turn the tide, it is crucial that we focus on combating HIV stigma, promoting open and honest conversations, and, most importantly, increasing awareness and action around the options that are available for HIV prevention.

BHM: We have the tools and resources needed for an HIV-free generation, but do we have the collective will?

We believe that every young person deserves access to resources, support, and the care they need to thrive. We understand that empowering youth needs to be at the center of the HIV response, as they are the next generation of leaders in the HIV community. Through our Positive Action for Youth program, which invested more than $5.8 million in youth-focused organizations this year alone, and our Annual Youth Summit, we are informing and empowering young leaders and their community allies to close gaps in HIV prevention, care, and supportive services.

The tools and resources exist to achieve an HIV-free generation, but we need more than just tools.

It’s critical that everyone involved in the fight against HIV continues to prioritize our youth and grow awareness of the resources and services available to improve this generation’s response to HIV.

We know we can’t end HIV alone, but together, we can turn the vision of an HIV-free generation into a reality.

BHM: Are they taking advantage of access to PrEP, or is that something that needs to be more widely known as an option that is available to them?

We know that pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is underutilized. The CDC estimates that roughly 1.2 million people in the U.S. could benefit from PrEP, but only about 30% of those individuals have received a prescription for PrEP.

The CDC also recommends that all sexually active young adults and adolescents be informed about PrEP as an effective option for HIV prevention.

PrEP should be prescribed to anyone who asks for it, regardless of their sexual identity or gender, how many partners they have, or whether or not they report specific reasons for HIV prevention.

Young people should feel empowered to have open and honest discussions with their doctor about HIV prevention and PrEP as a part of sexual health and wellness. It’s the first step to finding an option that meets individual needs and can ultimately help to improve overall health outcomes.

BHM: What do you think is holding them back if they aren’t taking it?

There are many reasons why young people aren’t taking PrEP. For some, it’s a lack of awareness about PrEP, or they may not see themselves as being someone who has reasons for HIV prevention. For others, they may be aware of PrEP and want to consider taking it, but don’t know where to start.

Young people can be hesitant or nervous to start conversations surrounding sexual health and wellness with their doctor or care team.

There can also be anxieties about their friends or family finding their PrEP medication or challenges in adhering to a PrEP regimen.

That’s why addressing these barriers through increased awareness, stigma reduction, and improved health care access is crucial to enhancing PrEP uptake among youth and a core focus of ViiV Healthcare’s work.

BHM: What should we know about PrEP?

PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV acquired from sex when taken as prescribed, but it also isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

There are multiple PrEP options available, including long-acting injectable PrEP and daily oral pills, that can give people the flexibility to choose the approach that works best for them!

Having an open and honest discussion with a doctor about HIV prevention as a part of sexual health and wellness can be a great first step to finding an option that meets an iindividual’sneeds.

Young people who want to learn more about PrEP can check out ViiV’s conversation guide to help start a conversation with their doctor today.

The post Empowering Young People in the Fight Against HIV appeared first on Black Health Matters.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Coi Leray (@coileray)

How many women die every day because of preventable childbirth or other pregnancy-related events or conditions? The CDC estimates around 800. This startling statistic is just one of the many reasons maternal health, both in the Black community and overall, is taken so seriously, with various related objectives from top agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Let’s look at the most common issues that pregnant women face, the many risk factors for preventable complications, some sobering statistics, and what is being done on the national and global levels to improve maternal mortality rates.

Common Pregnancy Health Concerns

There are a few discomforts women can expect during their pregnancy. Women can avoid acidic foods to aid heartburn and eat more fiber to help treat constipation, especially early on, to easily treat some discomforts at home. Women often turn to family or friends for advice to help treat such things, finding unique ways to ease soreness or dry skin. Even expected symptoms of pregnancy can affect maternal health, however, and easing them can increase mood and help expectant mothers look forward to the birth of their child.

Other Symptoms You Might Experience:

• Cramps

• Feeling faint

• Hot flashes

• Incontinent

• Dry skin

• Back pain

• Headache

• Pelvic pain

• Stretch marks

• Tiredness

• Morning sickness

Risk Factors for Pregnancy-Related Complications

The Office of the Surgeon General published a “Call to Action” acknowledging the higher-than-average maternal mortality rates in the United States. In it, they call attention to the disparities within the Black population, suggest what should be done to reduce mortality rates for all mothers, and lay out a long-term plan with strategies to affect this and future generations.

But when do symptoms become risk factors and dangerous for both mothers and the child? Therefore, it’s critical to work closely with an OB/GYN or other health services throughout your pregnancy, so risk they can identify risk factors, monitored, and treated as early as possible.

High Blood Pressure

More women are at risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) prior to pregnancy, mainly due to increased obesity rates. Many women are waiting until later in life to start a family, also contributing to the probability they will begin their pregnancy with high blood pressure, develop it during, or experience a spike during delivery that may all lead to complications. High blood pressure during pregnancy is called preeclampsia.

Diabetes

If a woman did not previously have signs of diabetes but develops it during her pregnancy, they will diagnose her with gestational diabetes. Diabetes significantly increases the chance for complications and it closely related to preeclampsia. Managing maternal health in this condition is vital, as it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, birth defects, and more.

Obesity

With higher rates of obesity, it is becoming a more common risk factor for maternal health in the United States especially. An unhealthy weight can contribute to other conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental health that can contribute to other maternal health concerns, compounding the risk of pregnancy complications.

Illness and Infection

From Covid-19 to a common cold to more serious infections like chlamydia or HIV, illnesses and infections can affect maternal health and the health of the infant. A mother should work closely with a physician if they are diagnosed with an illness or infection prior to or while pregnant. Most times, there are ways to mitigate the risk to the baby before and after birth. However, many of these risks are preventable causes and can be reduced through education and other community resources, such as sexual and reproductive health.

Substance Use Disorders

A substance use disorder can describe everything from nicotine and alcohol to methamphetamine and cocaine. According to the Surgeon General’s report, 12% of the pregnant women polled reported using some type of nicotine product within the last month and 10% reported drinking alcohol. Another 5% reported drug use. Not only does substance use affect maternal health, but it increases health risk to the baby because of pregnancy complications.

Mental Health

Maternal health and mental health are closely linked. This can include pre-existing mood diseases, such as depression or anxiety, or postpartum depression which affects up to 20% of new mothers. In fact, over a ten-year period, they found that nearly 10% of all pregnancy-related deaths were because of a mental health condition. Only by addressing mental health stigma and offering more patient-centered care in the United States can we support maternal health as well.

Domestic Violence

In some states, especially in the south, domestic violence is the single most common cause of maternal deaths for the Black population. This violence often begins during pregnancy or soon after it. Intimate partner violence among Black Americans is one of several preventable causes of maternal and child deaths in the US, especially when addressed at a socioeconomic level.

More Maternal Health Statistics

The United Nations Population Fund offers insight into the global importance of maternal health and that women everywhere are susceptible to preventable causes of maternal mortality. Around the world, nearly 300,000 women died in 2017 alone, mostly due to:

• Severe bleeding

• Obstructed labor

• Sepsis

• Unsafe abortion

• Eclampsia

These deaths are significantly lower than those recorded in 2000, but are still unacceptable. Many of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa or Southern Asia, and global efforts are making an impact.

The Commonwealth Fund analyzed data from the WHO, National Center for Health Statistics, and other studies to get a better picture of who is at the highest risk. In the United States, mortality rates are getting worse year after year, starting in 2000, and worsening significantly since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The current maternal mortality rates are three times that of the country with the next highest death rate, New Zealand. The hardest hit are African Americans, who account for more than half of all maternal deaths.

A National and Global Response

Maternal health is a concern not only in the United States, where it affects the Black population and multiracial people disproportionately but the world over. What is being done to improve health outcomes?

US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Health and Human Services has formed a workgroup comprised of four US federal agencies working together to address maternal health as a national crisis and the disparity affecting the non-Hispanic Black population. The workgroup has focused not only on supporting women and infants directly but also by addressing other emerging health concerns that affect maternal death, such as drug use and sexually transmitted diseases.

American Public Health Association (APHA)

The American Public Health Association is focused on addressing preventable causes of maternal death. They do this by investing in sexual and reproductive health education, preventative health care for women, and more. Like other agencies, they have focused their efforts on the disproportionate affects of poor maternal health on Black Americans, partnering with the Center for Reproductive Rights for “Black Mamas Matter” and the World Federation of Public Health Associations for “Reducing Maternal Mortality as a Human Right.”

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

The focus of the United National Population Fund is sexual and reproductive health care, promoting basic health standards around the world, especially where maternal deaths are most common. Working in sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia, and other regions, the UNFPA supports programs that train providers in preventative care during pregnancy, emergency birth response, and critical care for newborns. These initiatives have improved health outcomes over the last two decades and more improvement is expected.

The World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization helps to support all members with their individual efforts to address maternal health, especially maternal deaths. They closely monitor the progress being made and how effective initiatives are at supporting those that are most vulnerable. This includes the United States, where the majority of those affected are Black people and deaths continue to increase.

Maternal Health: Disparity in Preventable Deaths

Yes, women experience common symptoms during pregnancy. Most will agree that these symptoms are well worth the discomfort once their child is born healthy. However, many women don’t have the same access to care or are at risk for miscarriage, preterm labor, cesarian birth, birth defects, other birth complications or even maternal death because of an increase in risk factors that could be preventable.

Maternal mortality rates have only worsened over the last two decades in the US and this trend will only change with more education about maternal health and better access to care for those disproportionately affected. Black Health Matters is helping to do just that by raising awareness, challenging the system, and bringing more resources to the Black population most vulnerable.

The post Coi Leray Reveals Baby’s Gender — Spotlight on Maternal Health! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to the Journal of Healthcare, Science and the Humanities, “When comparing Black and White US populations, respectively, across HIV incidence, prevalence, and AIDS-related mortality, Black Americans experience stark disparities in all categories, including HIV incidence,” and “From 2015 through 2019, Black MSM accounted for more than 36% of new HIV infections diagnosed annually.”

Randevyn Pierre, Director of National Field Engagement in External Affairs at ViiV Healthcare, acknowledged the importance of addressing the risk of HIV in the Black community.

“National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a timely reminder that we still have work to do in the fight against HIV. That’s why ViiV Healthcare works hand-in-hand with the Black community to activate support networks and linkage to care services, as well as to deliver culturally relevant programming,” he said in a statement to Black Health Matters. “We continue to strive toward the goal of ensuring that every person impacted by HIV receives the care and support they need. Our ambition is clear: to end the HIV epidemic once and for all.”

ViiV Healthcare works to educate people about HIV/AIDS through community engagement and the dissemination of media created to reduce stigma.

“It’s very important to definitely be culturally culturally responsive,” Dr. Maisha N. Standifer, Ph.D., MPH, Director of Population Health at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, told Black Health Matters in an interview.

Black learning institutions are working together to aid in preventing the spread of HIV using culturally informed approaches. “It is important that we teach students about preventive health care, especially as it relates to their sexual and reproductive health, with particular attention to HIV education and prevention,” said Christopher Ervin, MD, director of Community-Based Initiatives in the MSM Department of Family Medicine in a statement to Black Health Matters.

The Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine is working with Fort Valley State University to prepare, pack, and distribute 200 care packages to students and community members in the area.

These packages will include crucial items, such as hand towels to promote physical activity, hand sanitizer to fight the spread of communicable diseases, healthcare resource information, and at-home HIV test kits.

The kits will allow recipients to learn their status in mere minutes.

They will also provide information as swiftly as possible. “Testing is just one element,” said Dr. Standifer. “We are talking about whole health, whole body, mind and spirit health and care.”

“If someone is diagnosed, we need to ensure that there’s care,” she added. “That’s what we need to do as we talk about novel and innovative approaches to educating and increasing testing.”

The innovation at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute includes fostering an inclusive environment by developing their Georgia Thrives initiative with an HIV equity task force and community partners. “We’ve invited local churches to be a part of the messaging,” said Dr. Standifer. They also share resources at barbershops, hair salons, and local civic organizations. The goal is to head where the conversations are happening to share resources, not to shift them or shun the people having them.

Not all Black people are at the same level of risk for contracting HIV—factors like location, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. A 2019 article from The Journal of AIDS and Behavior argued that specific areas in the South require a unique approach to intervention.

Students at Fort Valley reside in Peach County, Georgia. Research from the SHLI Health Equity Tracker shows that the Fort Valley area constitutes “83.5% of its HIV prevalence despite representing only 43.9% of the population.”

Convenient testing could change that.

Previously, getting tested for HIV required a trip to a doctor’s office or a clinic. Today, the process is as easy as administering an oral swab in the privacy of one’s dorm room or backyard. According to the Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, “Rapid tests can be highly sensitive and specific,” and “Options such as oral fluid tests can achieve high accuracy, are less technically demanding than blood-based tests, and eliminate sharps and biohazard disposal problem.”

Historically, Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have traditionally been at the forefront of health issues impacting the Black community with intervention and compassion.

“People respond to who they hear and see often,” said Dr. Standifer. “It’s a trusted voice in a trusted space.”

Photo by: KQ Communications Caption: Dr. Lawrence Bryant, Policy Core Lead, Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Sandra Harris-Hooker, Vice President and Executive Vice Dean, Research and Academic Administration, Morehouse School of Medicine, Christopher Ervin, MD, director of Community-Based Initiatives in the Morehouse School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine, Spelman College students, and Morehouse College students

The post Serving Communities on National Black HIV Awareness Day appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Know The Symptoms

According to VeryWellHealth, only 5-30% of pregnant women with an infection may have symptoms, but they may include the following:

• Mucus or pus discharge from the vagina
• Burning during urination
• More frequent urination
• Pelvic pain
• More pain during sex
• Vaginal bleeding after sex

Sexual health should be considered and prioritized whenever one is engaging in sexual activity. However, it becomes even more complex and crucial when a pregnant person is involved. Chlamydia is an entirely preventable disease, but RBGO Gynecology & Obstetrics reports that there are at least “131 million new cases per year.”

Those cases disproportionately reflect Black people. In 2018, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that “In the U.S., chlamydia infections disproportionally affect Native American Indians (NI), Native Alaskans (NA), Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders.” The Journal of Nursing for Women’s Health found that “chlamydia rates among Black women are 5 times the rates among White women” in 2022.

Here are seven things that you need to know about chlamydia and how it can negatively impact a pregnancy:

1. Chlamydia Is Easily Transmissible

All you need to contract chlamydia is to leave the condom behind. It does not matter when you are having sex, where you are having sex or the type of sex that you are having. If there’s no condom present, you (and your partner or partners) are at risk of getting chlamydia. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “you can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex without a condom with someone who has the infection.”

2. The STI Can Sneak Up On You

One of the main reasons that it is so important to be screened for chlamydia is that it does not show up right away. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “Chlamydial infection is the most frequently reported bacterial infectious disease in the United States.” Its symptoms do not appear immediately, meaning the infection can worsen before you can confirm its diagnosis and receive the appropriate medical treatment.

3. Chlamydia Can Cause Low Birth Weight

Premature birth occurs when a pregnancy concludes prior to 37 weeks of gestation. This is heavily associated with long-term and short-term health problems. The March of Dimes reports that “Preterm babies can have long-term intellectual and developmental disabilities and problems with their lungs, brain, eyes and other organs.”

“In pregnant women, it can cause the baby to be born early (prematurity) or with low birth weight,” according to the World Health Organization. The European Journal of Epidemiology reported that “Chlamydia-positive women also had a significantly higher risk of preterm delivery before 35 weeks.”

4. Chlamydia Can Cause Ectopic Pregnancies

A 2019 article in the Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, “Chlamydia has also been shown to cause long-term reproductive problems such as ectopic pregnancy.”

An ectopic pregnancy is defined as “A condition in which a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes,” according to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. It is also commonly referred to as an “extrauterine pregnancy.” The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology International published a study that found that “Chlamydia antibodies were found in 60% of patients with ectopic pregnancy” and “the presence of Chlamydia antibodies was associated with a fourfold risk of ectopic pregnancy.”

5. Chlamydia Can Be Passed In Utero

A pregnant person with chlamydia can give it to the baby that they are carrying during the childbirth process. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reports, “Mother-to-child transmission can occur at the time of delivery.”

A 1994 article in the Journal of Infection found that infants born to someone infected with chlamydia are at risk no matter what mode of delivery was chosen. Still, it reported that “rates of transmission were significantly lower after Caesarean section with rupture of the membranes before delivery than after vaginal delivery.”

6. Chlamydia Can Harm The Eyes and Lungs of Newborns

One of the ways that chlamydia can cause adverse pregnancy effects is by affecting the eyes and the lungs of newborns. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reports that “the risk of transmission during birth varies, but is about 20% to 50% for eye infections and about 10% to 20% for infection of the lungs.”

The Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection reported that newborns with chlamydia hospitalized after their births showed cases of “diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia or pneumonia.”

7. It Can Increase The Risk Of HIV Transmission

If chlamydia is not properly addressed, it can potentially increase the risk of contracting other sexually transmitted diseases. According to the World Health Organization, “without treatment, chlamydia can cause serious problems and may facilitate the transmission and acquisition of HIV and other STIs.”

The post Chlamydia & Pregnancy: 7 Things You Should Know appeared first on Black Health Matters.

In addition to treatment, making a few lifestyle changes can help you manage COPD symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. Here are some insights from medical experts and patients on managing this chronic disease.

How often you see your doctor depends on many factors.

If you’ve been newly diagnosed with COPD, you might wonder how often you need to visit your doctor (typically a pulmonologist) for checkups. As a new patient, you may undergo several tests to determine the severity of your COPD or try different medications to see which ones are the most effective in controlling your symptoms.

Once you’ve settled into your treatment, you may only need to visit your doctor every six months. However, your pulmonologist may request monthly checkups if you have frequent flare-ups. If at any point in your treatment journey, you experience complications, such as increased difficulty breathing, frequent need to use an inhaler, or an inability to handle day-to-day responsibilities, please seek medical attention from your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic.

Know what can trigger your exacerbations.

COPD exacerbations, or flare-ups, is the sudden worsening of your symptoms. Typically, these symptoms are much worse than normal and can last up to two or more days.

Common triggers for COPD exacerbations include:

• Smoke
• Weather, pollen, and air pollution
• Exposure to irritants (e.g., dust, chemicals, and fumes)
• Respiratory illnesses, such as a cold, flu, COVID-19, or sinus infection

Understanding what can trigger a flare-up can help you take preventative measures to lower your risk of one occurring.

If you have a flare-up, seek immediate medical attention. “Contact your primary care provider or lung specialist when noticing an increase in shortness of breath, impact of activities of daily living, or if symptoms seem to become progressively worse,” says Ayeshia Wright, DNP, a pulmonary disease provider at Novant Health.

Understand your treatment options.

While you don’t need to be an expert in COPD treatment, having a general understanding of the options available can be helpful. It is important to speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment. Your treatment will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and lung function needs.

COPD medications

There are many types of medicines available to treat COPD, and they are used in accordance with the “stage” of COPD diagnosis (mild, moderate, severe). You may be prescribed one, several, or a combination of a few based on your needs. Your COPD Medications include short-acting bronchodilators, long-acting bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, and most recently approved biologics.

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a health program that helps improve the symptoms of COPD. You’ll work with a team of healthcare providers who will guide you through various physical activities, education, and techniques to help you manage your breathing during day-to-day activities.

“I have been going to pulmonary rehabilitation for over two years, and I can say that it makes you feel so much better health-wise and mentally,” says Kandy, a COPD patient on COPD360Social.

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV)

If you have severe emphysema, in-home noninvasive ventilation therapy may improve your breathing and reduce hospital visits. This breathing support technique delivers oxygen to your lungs through a mask or helmet without needing endotracheal intubation. It is typically used for patients with acute or chronic respiratory failure.

Supplemental oxygen

If there’s not enough oxygen in your blood, your healthcare provider may recommend supplemental oxygen or oxygen therapy. This oxygen is administered through a mask or plastic tubing that fits into your nose. This therapy may be used during activities or while sleeping.

If you have questions or concerns about these and other COPD treatments, consult your healthcare provider for professional medical advice.

Make lifestyle adjustments.

Lifestyle adjustments are a crucial part of COPD management. In addition to your treatments, taking care of your overall health and well-being is vital to reduce the chances of exacerbations or flare-ups.

Keep track of your daily activities. Since COPD can worsen over time, it is important to record any changes or adaptations in your daily routine. For example, getting dressed, walking to your mailbox, cooking dinner, and talking with friends. If you need to alter HOW you do these things because of breathing difficulty, your COPD could be getting worse. Talk to your doctor to evaluate if you need a change in your treatment to breathe better.

Stop smoking.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD in the United States. If you’re a current smoker, consider smoking cessation as part of your treatment plan. “It is important to gain the support needed to quit smoking,” Stockdale says. “This may mean joining a smoking cessation group program or using quit-smoking aids like medication or patches. This is the single most important thing to slow the progression of the disease.”

Here are some resources for smoking cessation:

• Freedom From Smoking
•  1-800-QUIT-NOW
• quitSTART
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

If you’re struggling to quit smoking, know that you’re not alone. It can take trial and error to find something that works for you.

“I quit cold turkey, and while the first week was tough, I managed to get through it,” says Bret, a COPD patient on COPD360Social. “That approach may not work for everyone, but my advice is to find a method that works best for you, be it hypnosis, gum, gradually cutting down, etc. The important thing to remember is to never stop trying, and if you slip, start all over again the next day.

Maintain a healthy weight.

According to Norman Edelman, MD, a pulmonologist at Stony Brook Medicine, being overweight or underweight could worsen your COPD symptoms. That said, it’s important to take the necessary steps to get to a healthy weight. “People who are overweight should try and lose weight, so they don’t have to supply excessive oxygen to support a larger body,” he says. “If they’re underweight, they should try to eat the nutritional supplements to get their weight up to normal.”

Be physically active.

Although COPD can reduce physical abilities, daily physical activity is still important. According to Wright, exercise should be done in moderation based on lung status and activity tolerance.

Some exercises that are safe for people with COPD include:

• Stretching
• Aerobic exercise (walking, biking, and swimming)
• Resistance training (weights or resistance bands)

If you pursue pulmonary rehabilitation, your healthcare team can teach you how to exercise safely while managing COPD.

To stay physically active, Deen Mohr Dar, a patient living with COPD, takes daily walks. “The side effects of medication made me feel very lazy and drowsy throughout the day,” they said. “I began taking a morning walk for half an hour, which has helped me a lot.”

The American Lung Association (ALA) recommends that people with COPD exercise for 20 to 30 minutes three to four days a week.

Take care of your mental health and well-being.

Research reveals that people managing COPD have a higher risk of developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. If COPD is taking a toll on your mental health, please reach out for support.

“Join social groups and therapy such as pulmonary rehabilitation, COPD support groups, or activities in the community to increase awareness,” Wright says. You can also reach out to loved ones for support.

In addition to having support, there are other ways to improve your mental health while managing COPD.

“When I need to boost my spirits, there are several things that do the trick,” says Debbie, a COPD patient on COPD360Social. “I look through cookbooks for a cookie recipe, reorganize something in the house, write a letter to a friend, plan a nice Sunday dinner, work on a craft project, spend time with my pets, and watch the birds and squirrels. There are so many things that I can do that I don’t have the time anymore to think about or even remember feeling down.”

Be proactive to protect yourself from illnesses.

• Limit exposure to people with respiratory illnesses — especially during flu seasons.
• Frequently wash hands or sanitize when touching things like shopping carts, doorknobs, and handrails. “I bought an air purifier, keep my room clean, and use cotton bedding,” says Dar.
• Limit exposure to crowded spaces like grocery stores, movie theaters, shopping centers, etc.
• Regularly vaccinate against the flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, and other illnesses.

Have a COPD Action Plan

A COPD Action Plan is a 3-in-1 personalized worksheet that lists all the steps you need to take to manage your COPD, depending on how you feel. This plan comes in handy if you have a flare-up.

“[In the plan] your doctor should tell you exactly what to do when you get a flare-up, how to change your medications, and when to go to the emergency room,” Dr. Edelman says.

You’ll partner with your pulmonologist to develop a comprehensive plan for your unique health needs. This plan will include ways to track how you feel, what to do to feel better, and your medications, including any new treatment options. This is a resource to help you speak to your doctor about how you are doing living with COPD.

The post Living with COPD? What You Need to Know About Managing This Condition appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Thanks to an executive order from President Joe Biden, there will be a national day of mourning on January 9, 2025, to honor Carter’s legacy.

Here are some of the ways that Carter left a mark on the nation.

Carter Fought Houselessness

Jimmy Carter dedicated a large chunk of his personal time and unique capital to championing the need for everyone to have a safe home, no matter their financial situation. After his death, memes detailing Carter’s dedication to helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity flooded social media.

Habitat for Humanity issued a statement recognizing the great contributions Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter made to their organization over the past thirty years.

“Together, they’ve worked alongside over 108,100 volunteers who have built, renovated or repaired more than 4,447 homes in 14 countries, all while raising awareness of the critical need for affordable housing,” wrote The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project Team from Habitat for Humanity.

Being unable to secure stable housing can place one’s physical and mental health at risk. “People experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for infectious and non-infectious diseases. Homelessness is known to increase the risk for infectious diseases such as Viral Hepatitis (especially Hepatitis C), Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19),” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These are not the only risks accompanying the lack of a stable home; the CDC states that “People experiencing homelessness also commonly face mental illness, alcohol and substance use disorder, diabetes, and heart and lung disease.”

Carter Supported HBCUs

If you have a Black doctor or lawyer you turn to for aid, you might want to thank Carter. The Advisory Council On Historic Preservation reported that “On August 8, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12232, (EO) which directed the Secretary of Education to implement a Federal initiative designed to achieve a significant increase in the participation by historically Black colleges and universities in Federally sponsored programs.” The initiative aimed “to identify, reduce, and eliminate barriers which may have unfairly resulted in reduced participation in, and reduced benefits from, federally sponsored programs.”

The White House reports, “Seventy percent of Black doctors in our country attended an HBCU, and 80 percent of Black judges are alumni of these schools,” making cultivating intentional support of HBCUs even more impactful.

Carter Fought Rare Disease

Following his presidency, Carter and Roslyn worked together to fight and prevent rare diseases at The Carter Center, a non-profit they founded in partnership with Emory University, a respected educational institution in their home state of Georgia. According to their website, the center is designed to concentrate on “a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering.”

Some of the global health conditions that the center attempted to prevent and treat through their efforts include “Guinea worm, river blindness, trachoma, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and malaria in Hispaniola.”

The New York Times characterized Carter’s global health as “quiet but monumental.”

Carter Supported Healthcare Accessibility

A 2017 article in Missouri Medicine states, “Primary care physicians in rural areas often do not have the support of sub-specialists, hospitalists, or emergency physicians, and thus treat a wider range of conditions with limited access to sophisticated technology.” People deserve access to the health care they need, whether they live in a large city or a small town.

Carter, a Georgia native, focused on increasing access to healthcare in rural areas during his administration. He supported the Rural Health Initiative in 1975. This initiative began by providing the resources for 47 new health centers. According to The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Health Resources & Services Administration, “By the next year, it had grown to 138 projects. With support from the Carter Administration, there were 262 projects in 1977 and 356 in 1978.”

Kyu Rhee, MD, MPP, President and CEO of NACHC, commented on how Carter championed healthcare access in rural communities in a statement. “President Carter’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the Community Health Center (CHC) Movement, exemplified by his warm welcome of health center advocates to the White House,” said Rhee.

“His visionary leadership and profound understanding of primary care’s importance laid the initial groundwork for building access to rural CHCs, which today serve nearly 10 million rural Americans—one in five rural residents—across 6,500 locations. Carter’s early recognition of CHCs’ vital role in community health and wellness helped establish them as cornerstone institutions in rural health delivery.”

Carter, the first former President to celebrate their 100th birthday on October 1, 2024, has given a blueprint to be a service to others.

The post President Jimmy Carter, A Humanitarian & Advocate appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Long-Acting Medications May Hold Promise For HIV Prevention and Compliance

Breakthroughs in HIV medications may be key to stopping transmission and improving compliance, according to a policy brief called The Big Idea by the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center, in partnership with Amida Care and Cicatelli Associates (CAI) TAP-in project.

The Big Idea brief says, “Advances in HIV clinical practices with the development of longer-acting (LA) products for HIV treatment and prevention could be transformative and could lead to more durable viral suppression, improved health outcomes, and fewer HIV cases. However, unless Medicaid programs adapt and respond to these developments, the opportunity they provide will be missed.”

Long-acting products can come in several forms:

• • Microarray Patch
  • Longer-Acting Injection

• Implant
• Longer-Acting Oral Pill

How Medicaid and States Would Need to Help

Medicaid policymakers and state officials are not keeping abreast of pharmaceutical breakthroughs that may positively impact the lives of HIV patients. The brief recommends that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) partner with the Department of Health and Human Services and even appoint a dedicated point person to be proactive, particularly regarding prevention.

According to Jeffrey S. Crowley, director of the Center for HIV and Infectious Disease Policy at the O’Neill Institute, “A few years ago, CMS put out guidance. A single-tablet regimen for people with HIV treatment takes four pills. It’s all the medication in one pill, so it’s a single tablet. That was a big innovation, but it was more expensive to take that one pill than the four pills,” he explained. “And one of our recommendations in this brief is to say you must do the same thing with longer-acting products.”

The Inequity of HIV

Crowley points to larger inequities that surround HIV, particularly when it comes to Black, Brown, and marginalized communities. “HIV has always been very unequal, and we have large inequities. But for many people, the current treatments, oral pills, work well, but not for everybody,” he says. “But I talk about long-acting products because we have injectables now, but we’re going to have implants. We’re going to have a range of things.”

Ideally, it is figuring out what will be best for each individual; some people will never want a shot, and others won’t like multiple pills. “With HIV, there’s this reason why you’re taking medication every day, But for PrEP, it’s like, I don’t have a disease. Why am I taking it daily? If you only have to do it a couple of times a year, that could help with adherence,” according to Crowley.

“We want a silver bullet, and there isn’t one. But we can keep making progress, and as we make progress, we can reduce disparities, and it could look different.”Crowley continued. “Our challenge is that technology is getting us so far that we must keep people engaged. Who are the people that 95% of the population is benefiting from? Who are those 5%, and don’t they need much more support? So how do we keep people invested in giving them the extra support, recognizing that it’s not just access to healthcare? We talk about social determinants, and homelessness is just one of them. You know, there’s all these other things, and we must make much more progress to overcome those barriers. So that people can remain engaged in care.”

The brief proposes Braided Funded to Extend the Reach of HIV Services.

• Maximize State Medicaid Potential
• Tap into Health Exchanges
• Use Ryan White AIDS Program Support (And Other Social Determinants of Health Program Support)
• EHE (Ending the HIV Epidemic Funding)

*The O’Neil Institute independently created the Longer-Acting Policy Project but received support from Gilead Sciences, Merck, and ViiV Healthcare.

The post Medicaid Should Make Longer Acting HIV Medication Accessible appeared first on Black Health Matters.

They have a Gender Identity Support Team (GIST) that helps individuals get the help they need to live the happiest lives possible.

A 2013 article in The Lancet Infectious Diseases reported that “Transgender women (Male to Female, MTF) are internationally recognized as a population group that carries a disproportionate burden of HIV infection.”

The U.S. Center For Disease Control And Prevention published data stating that “African American people are disproportionately affected by HIV, making up 12% of the population, but accounting for 42% (12,827) of the 30,635 new HIV diagnoses in the United States.”

They aid individuals facing a few health issues and barriers to treatment outside of HIV. Their work is pivotal because, according to a 2016 article in Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity, “Transgender persons suffer significant health disparities in multiple arenas. Real or perceived stigma and discrimination within biomedicine and the health care provision, in general, may impact transgender people’s desire and ability to access appropriate care.” The same article clarified that “some of these health care barriers are faced by other minority groups, many are unique, and many are significantly magnified for transgender persons.” Carey Hanlin, Assistant Director of Transgender Health & HIV Prevention Program, and Jessica Zyrie, TGNB Health and HIV Prevention Coordinator from Amida Care’s Gender Identity Support Team, shared details about how Amida is executing plans to support the transgender community with Black Health Matters.

“We understand that each person’s transition and health goals are different, and the GIST team works with members to identify their needs, to review their options, and to connect them to affirming care and services,” said Hanlin. “Our goal has always been to develop programming that specifically addresses the needs and concerns of this community. And to ‘build a network of provider and community organizations, where our members can get the care and support they need without mistreatment and stigma that they often experience in the healthcare field.”

“We encounter numerous barriers to medical and mental health care, that we need to be healthy. This is why supporting access to care is so important,” said Zyrie.

“Nearly a third of surveyed trans people in the U.S avoided seeing a doctor because they couldn’t afford it or didn’t have access to health insurance, nearly a quarter didn’t see a doctor out of fear of mistreatment and nearly half said that they’d have a negative experience with a health care provider related to their gender identity within the last year.

Visibility in intimate settings, like healthcare visits, can be an invaluable affirmation to someone struggling with their mental and physical health.

Zyrie explained what turns the people she works with off from seeking care. “We unfortunately work with many members who expect mistreatment from the start,” she said.

Hanlin explained, “Not only are our members getting life-saving, gender-affirming care, but they’re also seeing their primary care provider. They’re getting essential cancer screenings, they’re seeing mental health providers.”

“All those things can be nearly impossible in the face of discrimination and stigma,” he added.

Gender-affirming care is not just about syringes and pills. It is about respecting every aspect of a patient’s gender identity when treating them for anything from a bunion to hormone therapy.

“We see their humanity and by working, with our cultural sensitivity, our control sensitive network of providers and staff. We ensure that each member saves the care that they need and deserve,” said Zyrie.

A 2024 article in BMC Health Services Research stated that “transgender people have expressed their need to access health services for general health needs, including but not limited to mental health, non-communicable diseases, and infectious diseases.”

Hope Giselle Godsey, the Executive Director, CEO, and President of the National Trans Visibility March, in an interview with Black Health Matters Editorial Director Corynne L. Corbett, said there is a need for broader, well-rounded conversations that include abstinence self-love, self-care, and self-pleasure in the trans and queer communities. “So you don’t have to feel like your sex life is one or the other, where it’s super existent but feels risky, or where it’s nonexistent and you lack pleasure.”

Godsey also reinforced the importance of diversity in approaches to gender-affirming care: “I think that not enough people are having conversations around the way that we speak about our health, outside of our genitalia, or, you know what surgery you may or may not have had, or how you have sex,” she said. “There are so many health disparities that we go through on a medical level.”

The National Trans Visibility March Executive Director, CEO, & President rejected assumptions that transgender people do not require intervention and support for matters that don’t intersect with their gender. “People often don’t think that we’re galvanized around the same way that we’re galvanized around our gender identity or expression,” Godsey said.

The face of holistic health in public forums does not always include transgender people. Godsey emphasized the need for more “conversations about our holistic health” within the community and shared how herbal medicine shows up in the community.

“Folks are now starting to create their own version of hormone replacement therapy through natural herbs, through juicing, through being able to find out where you can find estrogen and testosterone replacements through natural like roots and herbs and things that, things that don’t affect your body in negative ways or have so many of the ridiculous side effects that some of these like pills and shots that they give us,” said Godsey. “I think being able to talk about that and talk people through it will be interesting for many folks.”

The post Gender-Affirming Care Supports Transgender People appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Office of Minority Health has highlighted the following statistics:

• African Americans represent nearly 13% of the United States population but made up more than 42% of HIV cases in 2019.
• In 2020, African Americans were more than 7 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV, as compared to white counterparts.
• African American males and females have higher rates of AIDS than white males and females.
• African American men and women are more likely to die from HIV infection as non-Hispanic white men.

By examining the causes of these disparities, this article aims to foster a deeper understanding of HIV in the Black community and promote a more inclusive and supportive approach to HIV awareness by eliminating stigma.

History of HIV in Black Communities

The history of HIV in Black communities is complex. Social, economic, and health-related factors have contributed to the epidemic’s disproportionate impact. The virus was first identified in the early 1980s. By the mid-1980s, HIV was spreading rapidly among marginalized groups, including Black Americans.

Initially, public health responses were slow and ineffective. In the 1990s, Black communities faced many unique challenges such as higher rates of poverty, limited healthcare access, and systemic discrimination. These factors exacerbated the spread of HIV and hindered effective prevention and treatment efforts. Misinformation and stigma further isolated those living with HIV, discouraging testing and open discussions about the virus.

Over the years, community-based organizations and activists have played crucial roles in raising awareness and advocating for better resources and support. Despite significant advancement in HIV treatments and prevention, Black communities continue to experience higher rates of HIV.

Current State of HIV in the Black Community

While there has been much progress, the current state of HIV in the Black community remains a critical public health concern. Black Americans remain disproportionately impacted by HIV, representing a higher percentage of new diagnoses, people living with HIV, and HIV-related deaths compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

Areas of progress include advances in HIV treatment and prevention, such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) which have improved health outcomes and reduced transmission rates when taken as prescribed. Community-based organizations and public health initiatives are working tirelessly to increase awareness, promote testing, and provide culturally competent care and support.

Efforts to address HIV in Black communities emphasize the importance of reducing stigma, increasing healthcare access, and improving education surrounding HIV prevention and treatment.

From Stigma to Support

Addressing HIV in the Black community requires us to acknowledge the challenges and systemic inequities faced by Black Americans. While significant strides have been made in treatment, prevention, and decreasing stigma, socioeconomic barriers, and healthcare disparities continue to fuel the epidemic.

It is important to foster open dialogue, provide culturally sensitive and appropriate education, and ensure equitable access to healthcare resources. We must also support community-driven initiatives and policies that promote HIV care and prevention.

By working together, we can overcome the barriers of stigma and discrimination and empower our community with knowledge and resources. Choosing to participate in an HIV clinical trial is one way to help advance HIV research. Clinical trial participation is a personal decision, and it’s important to weigh all options and choose what feels right for you. Visit here to keep up with Gilead’s specific HIV studies, explore your possibilities, and find more information.

References:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. HIV/AIDS and African Americans.

AidsVu. HIV in Black Communities.

Minority HIV/AIDS Fund. Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

The post From Stigma to Support: HIV Awareness in the Black Community appeared first on Black Health Matters.

For Black women, understanding the complexities of HIV is particularly important due to social, economic, and healthcare disparities that heighten our vulnerability. By exploring the latest statistics, some of the causes of HIV disparities, and preventative measures, we hope to empower Black women with the knowledge and tools necessary to take action and help protect their health while advocating for their well-being.

Identifying the Root of HIV Disparities

Black women are disproportionately affected by poverty, lack of access to quality healthcare, and limited educational opportunities. Socioeconomic factors can influence access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services.

Recognizing and addressing the risks and understanding some of the HIV disparities among Black women is essential in developing targeted interventions to prevent HIV transmission and improve health outcomes.

One challenge lies in the focus of HIV prevention efforts on men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women. Black women should not be left out of these efforts, especially given the alarming statistics regarding new infection rates.

Another challenge exists in the suboptimal use of prescription medication used for HIV medication. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy is a highly effective way to prevent HIV. Due to barriers such as unconscious bias, undermining risk of contracting HIV, fear of side effects, and lack of awareness, Black women may be less likely to be offered or request PrEP therapy.

PrEP Use Among Black Women

PrEP can be highly effective at preventing HIV when taken as prescribed, so why aren’t more women taking it? Previously, HIV prevention efforts focused on human behavior and increasing safer sexual practices. Now, due to advancement in HIV prevention research, the use of medication therapies involving antiretroviral (ART) drugs are used.

PrEP is recommended in many high risk groups including heterosexual women who are HIV-negative and:

• Do not consistently use condoms
• Have multiple sexual partners
• Have an HIV-positive partner
• Have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months

Some reasons PrEP use may be lower among Black women include lack of awareness, provider comfort with prescribing for women, and cost especially for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Discuss your options for HIV prevention with your healthcare provider. It may not be obvious to them that you desire PrEP, but it is important that you explore your HIV prevention options.

Take Action

Empowering ourselves with knowledge about HIV helps combat the epidemic within our community. By understanding the unique risk factors, accessing prevention tools like PrEP, and advocating for equal healthcare, we can take proactive steps to protect our sexual health. As Black women, it’s essential to foster open dialogue and promote education and awareness surrounding HIV diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

One way to contribute to these efforts and advance HIV research diversity is by considering participation in clinical trials, which play a critical role in developing new treatments and prevention methods tailored to the needs of our community.

Deciding to participate in an HIV clinical trial is a deeply personal choice, and it’s important to weigh your options and consult with healthcare professionals. Even if you choose not to join a clinical trial now, you may find opportunities in the future that align with your needs and circumstances. To stay informed about Gilead’s HIV studies and explore your options, click here for more detailed information.

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. HIV/AIDS and African Americans.

AidsVu. HIV in Black Communities.

Minority HIV/AIDS Fund. Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

Ojikutu BO, Mayer K. HIV Prevention Among Black Women in the US—Time for Multimodal Integrated Strategies. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(4)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PrEP Is for Women.

Troutman J, Ingram LA, Gaddist B, Robillard A, & Qiao S. (2021). African American Women’s Current Knowledge, Perceptions, and Willingness of PrEP Use for HIV Prevention in the South. Journal of healthcare, science and the humanities. 2021;11(1), 51–72.

The post What Black Women Need to Know About HIV appeared first on Black Health Matters.

How a Second Trump Presidency May Impact This

If Donald Trump is re-elected to the presidency and eventually successfully repeals the ACA, it could cause seismic changes in the U.S. healthcare system. While Trump has never revealed exactly what his alternative plan would look like (during the campaign, he said he has “concepts of a plan”), Lisa Cooper, a professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says, “if the past predicts the future, we can look at provisions targeted during his previous term and expect them to be targeted again or further diminished.”

“As president, Trump’s budget proposals included plans to convert the ACA into block grants to states, cap federal funding for Medicaid, and allow states to relax the ACA’s rules protecting people with pre-existing conditions,” says Samantha Artiga, vice president and director of the Racial Equity and Health Policy Program at KFF. “If enacted, those plans would have reduced federal funding for health care by about $1 trillion over a decade, with the trade-offs being higher out-of-pocket premiums for people, more uninsured, higher spending and greater risk for states, and restrictions in Medicaid eligibility.”

The Top Ways It May Impact Our Community

1. Tens of Millions of Americans Could Lose Their Coverage

Marketplace Subsidies: The ACA provides 40 million subsidies so middle- and low-income individuals can afford health insurance through the exchanges.

If Republicans win both chambers of Congress and the presidency, they are strongly expected to let the subsidies expire at the end of 2025.

This would likely increase copays, premiums, and out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Insurance could become unaffordable for many, possibly leading some insurance companies to exit the market and ultimately leading to an additional 23+ million uninsured people.

Medicaid Expansion: Expanding Medicaid eligibility is one of the ACA’s most noteworthy benefits. Between 2017 and 2024, the number of states with Medicaid expansion went from 32 to 41. If it was repealed, states that expanded Medicaid could lose federal funding, meaning 69 million low-income individuals could lose their healthcare coverage.

2. Over 130 Million People with Pre-existing Conditions Could Be Denied Coverage

Under the ACA, no one can be denied coverage under any circumstance, and insurance companies cannot retroactively cancel a policy unless there is evidence of fraud. It was a different ballgame before; back then, people with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage or charged higher premiums. Removing the ACA could lead to the return of rejections and higher costs and make it difficult or impossible for individuals with chronic conditions, cancer survivors, or anyone else with a health history to get affordable coverage.

Note: If repealed, the replacement plan could weaken pre-existing protections for individuals with one of the growing list of conditions:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alcohol/Drug Abuse
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Kidney Disease
• Sleep Apnea
• Pregnancy
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder

3. Women Could Be Charged More For Coverage Than Men

Before the ACA, women were often charged higher premiums than men for the same coverage. The ACA prohibits charging different premiums based on gender. It also demands that all privately purchased plans cover maternity care, which had routinely been excluded from many individually purchased plans. Most private plans must also cover preventive services (such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, prescribed contraceptives, and breastfeeding supplies) without any co-payments or other types of cost-sharing.

As a result of the ACA, findings from the Commonweath Fund show that the percentage of women who have delayed or skipped needed care because of costs has fallen to an all-time low.

Knocking down the ACA could mean a return to gender-based increased premium rates, fewer services, and worse health outcomes for American women.

In addition, while abortion is the most prominent healthcare campaign issue, a Trump re-election could have massive implications for contraceptive care and maternal health. Professor Cooper says, “Trump has been supportive of abortion access decisions being made by states rather than Federal law guaranteeing a woman’s right to choose.

Under a second Trump administration, in the absence of Roe vs Wade protections, women who live in states with abortion bans will have less access to reproductive health care, and this would worsen the already dire racial disparities in maternal deaths among Black women.”

4. Seniors Could Get Hit with Higher Premiums

The ACA restricts how much more insurers can charge adults over 50 versus younger individuals to three times.

Repealing the law could cause older adults to get slammed with significantly higher premiums, making health insurance unaffordable for seniors between 50 and 65 since they wouldn’t yet be eligible for Medicare.

According to AARP, if insurers did what was proposed in the 2017 Republican repeal bill and charged older adults five times more for insurance, that would add an average “age tax” of $4,124 for a 60-year-old in the individual market. In addition, a 2023 study by Protect Our Care, a healthcare advocacy organization, states that “the Republicans’ plan to repeal the ACA would make 49 million seniors pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare “donut hole” would be reopened.”

5. Essential Health Benefits Could Be Cut or Cost You More

The ACA requires insurance plans to cover preventive services, such as cancer screenings, cholesterol tests, annual check-ups, and contraceptive services, at no cost. Repealing the law could allow insurance companies to offer plans with less comprehensive care, higher out-of-pocket costs, and weakened pre-existing protections, leading to less preventative care and an increase in untreated illnesses.

6. Annual and Lifetime Coverage Limits Could Return

Before the ACA, 105 million Americans with employer coverage carried a lifetime cap on their health insurance benefits. Every year, back then, an additional 20,000 people would hit their cap and exhaust their benefits when they needed them most. The ACA stops that and prevents insurers from instituting annual or lifetime limits on essential health coverage. Without such protections in place, people with high medical costs (think: serious accidents or chronic illnesses) could run out of coverage and into personal debt or bankruptcy.

7. Millions Could Lose Access to Mental Health and Addiction Services

The ACA requires insurance plans to cover mental health and addiction treatment as part of the essential health benefits. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 40 percent of people aged 18 to 65 with opioid addiction—approximately 800,00 or four in 10—are on Medicaid, and most became eligible once the ACA became law.

Insurance companies could stop covering psychiatric care, addiction treatment, and counseling services if struck down.

8. 4.9 Million Young Adults Could Lose Their Coverage

This age group was the most likely to be uninsured before the ACA was created. The law allows young adults to remain on their parent’s insurance until age 26. If repealed, this prevalent benefit could be eliminated, leading to a 76 percent increase in uninsured young adults.

9. 34 Million Children Could Lose Mental Health Services

Medicaid’s comprehensive child health coverage guarantee could be on the chopping block if the ACA is repealed. Such a move would hamper children’s access to mental health care and cause them to go without other services, like annual check-ups and speech and physical therapy.

10. Over 500 At-Risk Rural Hospitals Could Be Forced to Close

Under the ACA, Medicaid expansion has been a financial lifeline for many rural hospitals because it covers the uncompensated care costs of low-income patients. Between 2010 and 2021, nearly three-fourths of rural hospital closures were in states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion, with research showing that expansion disproportionately improved rural hospital margins and helped avert hospital closures. Repealing the ACA and reducing Medicaid funding could lead to at-risk rural hospitals closing and losing health coverage for area residents.

“Black Americans are also more likely to live in [rural] states that have not implemented ACA supported Medicaid expansion,” adds Professor Cooper. Because “these states are less likely to expand Medicaid ACA provisions, it will make health insurance less affordable to Black Americans living in those states.”

 These States Have Not Expanded Medicaid

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kansas,
• Mississippi
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

The post 10 Ways an ACA Repeal Could Impact Our Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post Aging with HIV: Understanding HIV in Older Adults appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“There was nobody, no Black men, who were open about having herpes when I was diagnosed. I still don’t know any Black men who are open about it,” Brame told Black Health Matters.

Black men have little in common with the slender brunettes in gauzy gowns who are doing TikTok trends to spread awareness and combat information online.

While important, their work explaining the virus types and how it is contracted and spread does not speak to everyone. Brame noted the cultural nuances that separate advocates from the audiences that could use their insight.

“That 28-year-old 26-year-old White woman who might advocate for herpes awareness will never have the same experiences that I, a 36-year-old Black man, have,” he said.

He explained that Black men routinely connect with him one-on-one regarding their status but are less likely to participate in educational programming or get tested routinely.

Brame regretted hearing that they were comfortable with their partner’s test results being a bellwether of their personal health. “I know that if she ain’t got nothing, I ain’t got nothing,” he was told. I think that kind of contributes to or explains why many men typically don’t go to the doctor.”

Several panelists at this year’s Black Health Matters Summit pointed out that the attendance was heavily comprised of Black women and urged them to pass on the vital information provided about diabetes, kidney disease, mental health, and more to the men in their lives.

According to a 2022 review published in Women’s & Gender-Related Health, “Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) significantly and disproportionately affect Black women in the United States” and “Black women were more likely to report having an STI over the course of their lifetime (49.6%) compared to White women (27.6%).

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Global Social Welfare, “The long-established negative stereotypes (e.g., insatiable sexual desires, sexual promiscuity, lack of morality) associated with Black/African Americans regarding their race and sexuality, both in research studies and in the real world, have led to unresolved repercussions of poor sexual and physical health outcomes.”

“Black women that I’m talking to about herpes are getting it from Black men who don’t know, they have it, or have it and just aren’t telling people, or they were also misinformed by their health care Professionals and being told you need to just wear a condom, you don’t have to tell anybody, or if you don’t have symptoms, you’re good, you ain’t got to worry,” said Brame.

The condom-centric method of education does not serve them. “All of the messaging, especially for heterosexual men, heterosexual Black men, is wear a condom, and people don’t know this, but condoms don’t cover the entire surface area of where you might expose someone or be exposed to herpes because the virus spreads by skin to skin contact, which may not always be on the external genitals, that could be in the pelvic region,” said Brame. “It could be on a testicle. It could be on the anus.”

Brame highlighted the other shortcomings in the sexual wellness space for Black men who reflect his lived experience. He expressed what he wanted to see available to them. “I think we’ve got to learn how to communicate about sexual health,” he said. “It needs to be about boundaries. It needs to be about consent. It needs to be about being able to give or receive a rejection.”

Sexually transmitted infections need to be learned about by everyone on the planet, but some people need to be met where they are.

Brame stated his belief that public health education efforts do not routinely target heterosexual Black men. “I think that a lot of the information like that is just psychologically inaccessible, especially to Black men, straight Black men,” he said. He identified visual symbols that could render certain offerings “psychologically inaccessible” to some people.

According to Brame, a color palette or acronym could prevent a Black man from accessing the resources he needs.

“A cisgender, heterosexual, Black man who sees that thinks, ‘oh, that’s not for me because it’s a rainbow flag on there and I’m not LGBT or they see the HIV services on the door of the place and maybe don’t want to be seen going in and out of there because of a fear of what other people who might see us go in there might think,” he said.

Sexual health can intersect with mental health for many. “People have suicide ideation after their diagnosis and because of their diagnosis,” said Brame.

Those diagnosed with herpes are often used as punchlines by society. Herpes and other STIs are rife with stigma. “Usher was crucified for an allegation,” recalled Brame. Usher was ridiculed when allegations that he contracted herpes went viral. The lawsuit that brought the allegations to the public eye has since been dismissed. The R&B star’s ordeal is an illustration of the stigma associated with herpes.

A study from the Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology found that “HSV-1 was associated with suicidal behavior.”

“People who want to kill themselves because of the kind of jokes that people make and the harm that’s done in that,” said Brame.

He hopes his commitment to transparency and moving the conversation away from traditional settings will set a new standard for engaging with sexual education through an inclusive lens. “I hope that my presence invites more involvement from Black men to get involved in these cases,” he continued.

“I try not to make everything exclusively about herpes. I’ve been holding events lately where we teach people how to identify their pleasure and safety needs and then go on to communicate that to their partner, and we make the conversation fun. We make it playful. We make it sexy.”

The post It’s National Herpes Awareness Day appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post HIV in Focus: Living Positively appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A viewpoint article from the Journal of the American Medical Association openly criticized the document. “Far from prioritizing ‘the health and well-being of all Americans at all stages of life,’ as Project 2025 claims, the playbook presents an antiscience, anti-data, and antimedicine agenda,” wrote Nicole Huberfeld, JD, Elizabeth McCuskey, J.D., and Michael R. Ulrich, J.D., MPH in a paper published in September 2024. We break the specifics below:

Gut The Affordable Care Act, aka (Obamacare)

Project 2025 asserts, “The Affordable Care Act has made insurance more expensive and less competitive, and the ACA subsidy scheme simply masks these impacts.” For many in our community, the Affordable Care Act is the only way to obtain coverage.

Limit Drug Pricing Negotiations by the Government

The legislative plan states, “States should be the primary regulators of the medical profession, and the federal government should not restrict providers’ ability to discharge their responsibilities or limit their ability to innovate through government pricing controls or irrational Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement schemes.” This could curb the efforts of legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act.

The act names specific drugs that treat common ailments, including diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, blood cancer, and peripheral artery disease, as mandatory price negotiation selections.

It actively advocates for the act’s repeal. Under the plan, select drugs are subject to mandatory negotiation, which could be expanded.

This “negotiation” program should be repealed, and reforms in Part D that will have a meaningful impact on seniors should be pursued. Other reforms should include eliminating the coverage gap in Part D, reducing the government share in — 466 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise the catastrophic tier, and requiring manufacturers to bear a larger share. Until the IRA is repealed, an Administration that is required to implement it must do so in a way that is prudent with its authority, minimizing the harmful effects of the law’s policies and avoiding even worse unintended consequences.

Bottom line: We might not be able to afford the necessary drugs we need.

Redefine Reproductive Healthcare.

If you have concerns about your fertility, you need to pay attention to Project 2025. In an effort to restrict abortion access, far-reaching legislation is being proposed that could affect access to in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF treatment. as IVF treatment. Two years later, the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in a decision that shocked many. Nabela Noor, a content creator credentialed at this year’s Democratic National Convention, spoke to her concerns about IVF being “For many women, IVF is the only choice. That choice, and more, is at stake in November,” said Noor.

Abortion restrictions have already begun impacting individuals and families. Social media mourned the life of a Georgia mother and medical professional named Amber Thurman, who died due to receiving prolonged reproductive care, according to reporting from ProPublica.

Restrict Gender-Affirming Care.

Project 2025 could directly impact those seeking healthcare that aligns with their gender expression. It says that the “HRSA should withdraw all guidance encouraging Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service providers to provide controversial “gender transition” procedures or “gender-affirming care. They also don’t want the CDC to collect data on gender identity.

A paper published in the Journal of Nature Human Behavior in September investigated a perceived link between anti-Trans legislation and the high suicide rate among transgender people. The paper found that “The laws that pose barriers to quality healthcare, especially gender-affirming care, may undermine overall life satisfaction by reducing access to necessary healthcare that could save lives.”

Prohibit Planned Parenthood Medicare & Medicaid Funding (affecting healthcare beyond abortion access)

Planned Parenthood offers well-visits, breast cancer screenings, pelvic exams, colposcopy, cervical cancer prevention treatments, and other forms of healthcare that have nothing to do with terminating a pregnancy.

Reinstate Moral Exceptions to the Contraceptive Mandate

On January 30, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act. It was collectively released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury.”

The announcement declared, “These proposed rules, if finalized, would rescind the moral exemption to cover contraceptive services without cost-sharing while keeping the religious exemption intact and without narrowing its scope or the types of entities or individuals that may claim the religious exemption.”

“HHS should rescind, if finalized, the regulation titled ‘Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act,’ proposed jointly by HHS, Treasury, and Labor,” according to Project 2025.

What this means. If this happens, people in certain areas might have trouble accessing certain medications. This is because some professionals could be permitted not to dispense them on moral grounds. If you do not live in an area with many pharmacies, this can cause an issue. You would have to learn the telehealth laws in your area to determine your options for getting treatment (but then see what they are proposing about telemedicine below).

Remove the Vaccine Mandate for the Head Start program.

Project 2025 recommends eliminating the Head Start program. However, in the absence of achieving that goal, it suggests, “At the very least, the program’s COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirements should be rescinded.” The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services states, “Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to age 5 through services centered around early learning and development, health, and family well-being.”

Regulate Telehealth Services.

The Heritage Foundation asserts that the legal definition of “the locus of service” should be “where the provider is located during the telehealth visit rather than where the patient is.” According to them, “With such a definition, states could continue to reserve their powers to establish the standards for licensure and scope of practice.” This could tie the hands of certain telehealth providers.

Doctors Could Own More Hospitals, and Private Medical Plans Would Compete with Medicare Advantage

The plan includes legislative proposals to “remove restrictions on physician-owned hospitals” and “Encourage more direct competition between Medicare Advantage and private plans.”Your

Please keep these proposed changes in mind when you go to the ballot box. Your health may depend on them.

The post 9 Ways Project 2025 Can Impact Our Healthcare appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Pruitt has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles in medical journals. His research interests include minority health affairs, sickle cell anemia, and HIV in minority populations.

He holds a certification in Good Clinical Practice and Trials from the Clinical Trials Network (CTN) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). He also serves as a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee at Advarra Corporation. Dr. Pruitt is currently the chief medical research director for PBJ Medical Associates and the 7^th District Medical Health and Initiative chairman for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Pruitt, an esteemed physician and medical scientist, provided us with an expert overview of lung cancer, covering everything you need to know, including an overview of the different types of lung cancer, lung cancer risk factors, diagnosis and screening, and how lung cancer affects the black community.

Black Health Matters: Let us begin with a basic but essential question: What do we need to know about lung cancer?

Dr. Pruitt: Lung cancer makes up about 13% of all cancers, but accounts for 90% of the cases of fatality. The peak incidence occurs between ages 75 and 79, and men are at slightly higher risk than women.

There are basically three major types of lung cancer: The majority of people with lung cancer have non-small cell lung cancer, so that’s what we will focus on.

Black Health Matters: Are there any significant risk factors or causes of lung cancer?

Dr. Pruitt: Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor and causes an overwhelming percentage of cases. Other risk factors include radon gas, radiotherapy, family history, and chemical exposure.

Secondhand smoke exposure is an additional risk factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. Various studies have shown that exposure to secondhand smoke increases your chance of lung cancer by up to 20 to 30%.

Black Health Matters: As you mentioned, smoking and smoke exposure are major risk factors. Is cigarette smoke the only thing that should be avoided?

Dr. Pruitt: A lot of people come in and say, well, I don’t smoke cigarettes, I smoke cigars, or use e-cigarettes or vaping devices. It is essential to highlight that cigar smoke, like cigarette smoke, contains the same toxins and cancer-causing chemicals that are harmful to both smokers and non-smokers. Secondhand cigar smoke is possibly more toxic than cigarette smoke because cigar smoke has a higher level of cancer-causing substances.

So to answer your question, cigarette smoke is not the only thing that should be avoided because cigars and e-cigarettes can cause cancer as well. Marijuana, when smoked or inhaled, may also pose a potential risk.

Black Health Matters: What can someone undergoing lung cancer screening expect during the appointment?

Dr. Pruitt: If someone presents to the clinic for screening, we would obtain a basic medical history and perform a physical examination. If lung cancer is suspected, additional testing and imaging may be requested, such as X-rays or CT scans. The provider may look for signs of a tumor, scarring, or fluid buildup. They might also request a sputum test to test for cancer cells or other more invasive tests, such as a biopsy, which involves taking cells from the lung and examining them under a microscope or a bronchoscope, where a tube and built-in camera are inserted through the nose and into the lungs to determine if any cancer cells are present.

Black Health Matters: Can anyone request lung cancer screening?

Dr. Pruitt: It is recommended that lung cancer screening be done for high-risk individuals starting at age 50 through 80, and for individuals with an extensive smoking history, those who are currently smoking, or who have quit in the last 15 years.

Black Health Matters: How does lung cancer affect the Black community?

Dr. Pruitt: Black men are about 12% more likely to develop lung cancer than white men. That rate is about 16% lower in Black women than in white women, but the gap is closing.

According to the American Lung Association, Black individuals with lung cancer were about 15% less likely to be diagnosed early. As noted earlier, we can detect it at an earlier, more treatable stage, which improves longevity and survival rates. We are 19% less likely to receive surgical treatment, 11% more likely not receive any treatment, and 16% less likely to survive 5 years compared to white individuals.

Additionally, the eligibility criteria set for lung cancer screening previously were not ideal, especially for the Black population with an increased risk of lung cancer. We have now adjusted it to the goal of detecting more cases earlier and improving survival.

Black Health Matters: What advice do you have for those who have been diagnosed or are undergoing treatment for lung cancer?

Dr. Pruitt: Clinical trials provide access to treatments that have not yet reached the market. Sometimes, entering a clinical trial may be beneficial for obtaining early access to treatments that may not yet be approved.

The post Lung Cancer in the Black Community: An Expert’s Insight appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Superwoman Schema Defined

According to Berkely News, SWS is characterized by a few things, including the following:

• Feeling obligated to present an image of strength
• Suppressing one’s emotions.
• An intense drive to succeed.
• Feeling a strong obligation to help others.
• Resistance to being vulnerable.

Over time, as we displace our needs to consistently portray an image of strength or continuously put others before ourselves, little by little, ounces of pressure accumulates. Eventually, we are left with pounds of stress. This burden can lead to chronic conditions and many health issues.

How It Manifests in Black Women Over Time

An article from the American Heart Association delves into where SWS starts and how it manifests as Black women age. They gathered information from Amani M. Allen, an associate professor of community and health sciences and epidemiology at the University of California-Berkeley School of Public Health. According to Allen, being a superwoman begins when Black women are little girls, and it ages with them as they become teenagers and continues into their womanhood. SWS and its harmful effects are amplified as Black women are forced to approach both racism and sexism in their journeys of life.

Black women experience the impact of centuries of racism and the residual aspects of unfairness that exist within our systems today. Black women typically earn less than their counterparts of other races. For example, in 2019, compared to white non-Hispanic men, the pay gap for Black women was 38%, as stated by the American Association of University Women. Along with that, we may face limitations regarding opportunities in the workplace. Additionally, Black women face harsh health outcomes, as we often experience a lack of attentiveness in health facilities, and there are so many health disparities impacting us as a collective. To shield ourselves from these things, we tend to suit up in armor that temporarily aids us in suppressing our emotions so that we can appear strong while protecting ourselves from vulnerability. However, this may work temporarily; beneath the surface, all those emotions brew until we can no longer contain the steam. From there, we can be steered down a dark path with doors leading to things such as depression, heart disease, obesity, sleep problems, and much more.

The Historical Context

In an interview with Fox 26 Houston News, Dr. Christine Beliard explained how SWS is connected to history and the necessity for Black women to have safe outlets to be free of their vulnerability. “We have a unique experience. For generations, our ability to be worth anything was based on what we could produce, even literally, who we could produce,” she said.
Dr. Beliard went on to refer to the times of enslavement in America and how Black women were never given the chance to relax or to not be at their best. Productivity was constant and mandatory.

“A lot of the work really is, not that you must go to therapy, but finding a safe space. If you must be hyper-vigilant and take care of this at work and home, you can’t be vulnerable. If you are in a state of hypervigilance, you are in a traumatic response. So, it is important to find a trustworthy space, a place where you can be honest.” she says. “Even if it is therapy or a good girlfriend, you cannot hold that in. We are like pressure cookers. If you hold that in, put on that top, and turn up that heat, it will come out in one way or another.”

SWS is a result of the united effort of Black women as we strive to be dependable and admirable members of our communities while simultaneously exuding excellence to defy false stereotypes of aggression, laziness, and loudness that have historically and unjustly been associated with us. Together, we can deconstruct SWS and evolve into the habit of acknowledging our feelings and the necessity for our wellness holistically.

The Negative Impact of Being a Strong Black Woman

In a wonderful interview with Northwestern Now, Northwestern Medicine clinical psychologist Inger Burnett-Zeigler explained the negative impact of being a “strong Black woman” and highlighted some things Black women can do to strengthen their vulnerability and wellness. She said, “For too long, being strong means avoiding or denying how you really feel. It is holding painful experiences, like trauma, in shame and secrecy. We deal with things by pushing our feelings aside, keeping our eye on the prize, and getting the task done,” she explained.”This is how we survive. We are afraid if we slow down long enough to think about all the difficult things we’ve been through and our pain, we’ll fall apart.

Furthermore, Burnett-Zeigler noted, “Some black women do not have the necessary tools to cope with their feelings healthily. As a result, they may engage in unhealthy coping strategies such as eating unhealthy foods, drinking alcohol, using illicit drugs, being sedentary or a workaholic,” she says. “On the other hand, many Black women do have healthy coping resources such as utilizing spiritual and religious practices. Also, they may be involved in organizations such as sororities, women’s groups, volunteerism, or charity clubs.

Superwoman Schema is evidence of the resilience of Black women and a reminder of the immense societal pressures we face. While we are intelligent, talented, ambitious, and strong, we should also be allowed the space to be vulnerable and authentic. Let’s start making room in the narrative for more self-compassion as we pave the way for generational healing and our collective well-being.

Here are some things we can do:

• Evaluate and prioritize your feelings and be kind to yourself.
• Seek support. Finding a therapist and talking with friends and family are healthy ways to discuss your feelings and to feel understood.
• Set boundaries, try to refrain from stressing yourself out with tasks, and sometimes you have to say no.

The post The Toll On Our Health When We Try to Be Superwomen (There’s Research) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Hydeia Broadbent dedicated her life to educating and fostering dialogue about the disease. Many of us can recall her as a child sitting with Oprah in 1996, detailing how she was born with HIV and describing the symptoms she had when she was diagnosed with AIDS at age five.

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

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

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

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

Throughout her life, Hydeai Broadbent made an impact on this earth. By sharing her story, she has saved many lives.

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

16 Southern states and Washington DC share the greatest burden of HIV and the highest mortality from HIV-related complications. Nine states in the Deep South [Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas] comprised 29% of the U.S. population in 2019, but accounted for nearly 44% of all new HIV infections that year. That means the Deep South has the highest rate of new HIV cases. Pointedly, Georgia leads in new HIV infections, followed by Florida and Louisiana.  52% of new HIV infections are among African Americans in the South. By gender, Black women account for 67% of new infections among all women in the South, while 6 out of 10 Black men account for new HIV infections in the South. Moreover, the majority of new infections among Black men are those who have had sex with men.

The WHY of HIV in the South

From a fiscal perspective, high rates of poverty, unemployment, and lack of insurance are underlying socio-political issues in the South that directly impact HIV. Medicaid expansion has not been adopted in the majority of the deep South which exacerbates the critical needs of those who should be screened, diagnosed, and treated for HIV. Constrained resources suggest that people who are positive and may reside in a more rural setting have even more barriers to seeking care.

Stigma is synonymous with HIV in the South. Due to the overall conservative nature of those who reside in the south, the religiosity and other cultural norms, make people who are infected with HIV seem like pariahs. Furthermore, residents of the south often disparage people who engage in sexual behaviors that are not heteronormative and engage in injection drug use from seeking care. As a result, people are ashamed to visit local healthcare providers, continue to engage in these behaviors, and contract and even unknowingly spread HIV.

The WHAT of HIV in the South

It’s not an easy task to change the inherent discrimination faced by those who live with HIV in the South. However, there are a few things that you can do to change the way that society responds to people living with HIV. Recommendations include:

Education– learn about HIV, how it is transmitted and treated. It is not a death sentence (it is a chronic disease) and you cannot acquire HIV from casual contact with an infected person.

Grace– extend grace to people who live their lives differently from yours. Reserve your judgment, and if you are a provider, treat the whole person as a human being.

Advocate– high rates of poverty and unemployment are not happenstance. Work with your local community-based organizations to change the system that continually oppresses those who have very little.

Motivate– people to get tested for HIV. Resources are constrained, but by partnering with local allies doing the work, you can manage the spread of HIV in your community.

https://southernaidscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HIVintheUSDeepSouth.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/policies/cdc-hiv-in-the-south-issue-brief.pdf

The post The Who, Why, and What of HIV in the South appeared first on Black Health Matters.

HIV is a chronic disease that remains stigmatized long after its initial discovery. HIV, which is the virus that causes AIDS, was initially discovered among white men who had sex with men in the early 80s. The defining and stigmatizing factor of HIV is how it is acquired—through sex and sharing unclean needles. Unlike other communicable diseases, HIV is in a class by itself. From diagnosis to treatment, people who contract HIV are seldom given empathy in their communities, and instead blamed for “careless behavior” or having unprotected sex. This type of stigma is a significant barrier to improving the health and lives of people living with HIV.

Stigma and Sex

As humans, we are innate sexual beings. In society, it is apparent that sex sells from print ads to social media. However, America has its roots based in a puritanical society which has permeated our schools, faith-based organizations and inside of our homes. In fact, negativity and stigma related to sex and sexuality is so pervasive that the United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and the highest sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates of all industrialized countries. 1 in 7 people are uncomfortable discussing STIs with their health care provider (KFF 2020). One may wonder, how can this be? The answer is clear. As educators, faith-based leaders and parents, we have missed the mark on educating our children and adolescents about sex and sexuality in an age-appropriate manner. In turn, misinformed youth are sexually experimenting and contracting sexually transmitted infections.

Moreover, issues of sexuality among Black women are compounded at the intersection of race, gender and sex. From slavery to freedom, Black women have had little ownership of their bodies. Historically, hypersexualized images and acts of violence committed against Black women have borne a narrative of promiscuity and general disregard of the Black body. Hence, sexual liberation and pleasure for Black women is often a moot point, while shame and embarrassment prevail. The need to appear asexual and adhere to cultural norms which include stereotypes such as “good girls don’t have sex”, or “you’ll go to hell if you have sex” has been extremely harmful to Black girls and women physically, mentally and spiritually. In fact, data suggest that these tropes may factor into how Black women make decisions regarding partners and self-protection. Unfortunately, these decisions result in Black women having the highest rates of HIV among all other racial and ethnic groups. Black women make up about 15% of the population and 60% of new HIV infections. At the root of this statistic is the fact that discourse about sex, in of itself, is discouraged and stigmatized in the Black community. So, what can we do?

Solving the Stigma

Here are three ways to reduce Stigma:

• Normalize conversations about sex and sexuality with friends, partners and health care providers
• Educate yourself and others about sex and HIV
• If you are having sex, get into the habit of asking your provider for routine screening for HIV and other STIs

According to the social psychologist, Dr. Earnshaw, “Humans create stigma to enforce social norms”. This means that as a society, we can work to reframe the paradigm about sex, sexuality, HIV and stigma in our communities one conversation at a time.

The post Stigma and HIV appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Since 1981, we have watched the evolution of HIV/AIDS ravage and rebound among white men who have sex with men to a primarily Black/African American disease. Specific occurrences in history, particularly during the 90s, acted as a conduit to the story we currently see unfolding. At the height of the HIV epidemic was the use of illicit drugs in urban epicenters from New York City to Los Angeles. There was an open declaration of the War on Drugs, increased rates of mass incarceration, poverty, and economic turmoil which created the perfect storm for an epidemic.

One may ask, Is HIV still an issue in 2023?

Even though innovations for diagnosing, treating, and testing for HIV have made the disease much more manageable, such that people are living longer, the HIV rates among Black people and especially Black women should give us pause.

Data suggests:

· Although Black/African Americans represent almost 13 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 42.1 percent of HIV infection cases in 2019.

· In 2020, African Americans were 7.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection, as compared to the white population.

· African American men have 8.1 times the AIDS rate as compared to white males.

· African American women have 15 times the AIDS rate as compared to white women.

· African American men are 6.0 times as likely to die from HIV infection as non-Hispanic white men.

· African American women are 15.3 times as likely to die from HIV infection as white women. 
https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=21

Black women are vulnerable to HIV! Among women in the United States, Black women lead in HIV infections. One out of four new HIV infections is Black women. Further, the vast majority of HIV infections are transmitted through heterosexual contact. More importantly, Black women are having sex in communities where HIV is prevalent which makes them more susceptible to infection.

Knowing your HIV status is critical to Ending the HIV Epidemic. Prioritizing yourself is essential to having optimal health. HIV is not a death sentence. It is a chronic disease like hypertension or diabetes that requires an early diagnosis and treatment to have the most favorable outcome. Chronic diseases such as HIV should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Talk to your health care provider about your health concerns and ASK your provider for an HIV test as a part of your annual physical and make an HIV test a part of your health care routine.

Black women are resilient, and strong pillars of their community. Self-care is self-love and it is imperative for Black women to know their HIV status and #TakeTheTest/ #GetTested. To find out where to get HIV tested, go to: https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-testing/learn-about-hiv-testing/where-to-get-tested/

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day and knowing your status is paramount to living your best life by keeping you and your partner(s) safe.

The post National HIV Testing Day: Empowering African Americans to Take Control of Their Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The History of National Minority Health Month

Raising awareness about minority health goes all the way back to 1915, when Booker T. Washington laid the foundation. National Negro Health Week (NNHW) focused on the poor living and working conditions that plagued mostly Black neighborhoods and employment opportunities.

From there, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched Healthy People 2010. This was the third iteration of this initiative, following previous ones in 1990 and 2000, and focused on eliminating health disparities across all ethnic minority groups.

Not long after, the US Congress called for an awareness month to promote the efforts currently underway and encourage further action to reduce the health disparities affecting minorities, establishing National Minority Health Month in April 2002.

Why Do We Celebrate It?

The goal of National Minority Health Month is to help “promote and protect the health of diverse populations through research and communication of science that addresses health disparities.” But what does this mean?

Throughout April, the FDA and other federal, state, and local agencies increase collaboration on a shared initiative, addressing health disparities through awareness and education. To better understand their goals and how they achieve them, you should know a few key concepts.

• Health equity is the equal opportunity to be healthy. While some ethnic minorities are predisposed to health conditions simply because of their race, they should have the same access to insurance coverage, medical care, community resources, language access, and health literacy that any other race has access to.

• Health disparities are the disproportionate health outcomes of one group of people compared to another because of health inequity. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that three months into the Covid-19 pandemic, almost triple the number of African Americans were hospitalized compared to white people and over twice as many had died. There were many underlying health disparities, like lower socioeconomic status and higher risk of other chronic health conditions that were not well managed.

• Health literacy is the understanding of a person’s health or the ability to find the information needed. It also includes the ability to understand the information they find, regardless of language and education barriers. Learning about clinical trials is just one part of health literacy, especially if a clinical trial applies to how your health condition may help both you and future patients.

National Minority Health Month aims to raise awareness of better health for all racial and ethnic minorities by advancing health equity, reducing health disparities, and improving health literacy.

What is This Year’s Theme?

This year’s theme is “Better Health Through Better Understanding.” While the OMHHE supports many initiatives year-round, this theme allows them to share the importance of one in particular. The Enhance Equity Initiative focuses on addressing the underrepresentation of minorities in clinical trials.

Previous National Minority Health Month themes include:

• “Give Your Community a Boost!” to encourage Covid-19 vaccination (2022)

• “Active and Healthy” to emphasize staying physically active and enhancing emotional wellness (2020)

• “Partnering for Health Equity” to raise awareness about current efforts to address the disproportionate burden of various ethnic groups in health care, housing, employment, and more (2018)

• “Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation” to create a better understanding of health disparities and how they affect racial groups (2016)

• “30 Years of Advancing Health Equity” celebrated 30 years of the Heckler Report, which helped to prove the existence of racial inequalities in health care (2015)

Why is This Important?

ProPublica published an analysis of a recent clinical trial of a medication used to treat Multiple Myeloma, a devastating blood cancer. While approximately 20% of all Multiple Myeloma patients in the US are African American, only 13 of the 722 participants in the clinical trial were Black. This is less than 2% of all participants. Because ethnic minority populations, especially Black people, seem to have a genetic predisposition to this cancer, it often leads to more severe disease complications, and they react differently to many treatment options, being so grossly underrepresented in a clinical trial may affect whether this medication is as effective for them as it is for the non-Hispanic Caucasian participants.

However, this new initiative may help raise awareness of these problems, so clinical trials include ethnic minority groups in appropriate numbers and document these participants’ results accurately. Researchers can then work toward improving health outcomes for minority populations, reducing disparities in treatment outcomes. With better communication between the FDA, other research agencies, and health providers, more minority communities can benefit from current and future clinical trials.

Conditions Affecting the Black Community

National Minority Health Month 2023 helps to raise awareness of the benefits of clinical trials through the “Better Health Through Better Understanding” initiative. Those affected by certain conditions may benefit from joining a clinical trial to both test new treatments and play a role in approving effective ones that may benefit many more patients in the future. Some conditions affect African Americans more than others and are, therefore, most important to have an accurate representation of the Black community involved.

Cardiovascular Disease

Health education is vital to the prevention of most heart disease. Some clinical studies in the past have followed those without cardiovascular disease to see who would develop it and who wouldn’t be based on family history, lifestyle choices, and other factors. Learning what risk factors could be affected and to what degree has helped providers adjust treatment based on the health needs of their patients. Current and future clinical trials continue to research risk factors and treatment options, as it is the leading cause of death among all ages, genders, and races in the United States.

Stroke

Closely tied to heart disease is the risk of stroke, which can lead to premature death in Black Americans and other minorities. It is vital that Blacks are accurately represented in clinical trials studying stroke because they are 50% more likely to have one. Black women are at the highest risk. Compared to non-Hispanic White people, over 70% more Blacks will die from their stroke. To truly understand the underlying causes of these health disparities and what can be done to address them, African Americans should be made aware of these clinical trials and encouraged to take part.

Diabetes

Prevention is key, but with so many risk factors, Type 2 diabetes may be unavoidable for some Black Americans. Diabetes comes with the risk of many disease complications, some of them life-threatening. There are ongoing clinical trials to help reduce these risks and perhaps reverse the condition. Every trial is different and may require participants in different stages of the disease or with varying demographics. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and are interested in new treatment options, be sure to discuss the possibility of a clinical trial with your healthcare provider.

Cancer

While cancer is a leading cause of death among all races, some forms are more prevalent among Blacks. These include breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer. Through various studies over the last several decades, it’s been found that the increased risk for cancer can be linked to poor diet, especially common in low-income households; environmental pollution like smog and asbestos which are frequently seen in underprivileged neighborhoods; poor lifestyle choices like smoking that have much higher rates for Black men than for Caucasians; and family history. Clinical studies for cancer are likely specific to the type, so if you are diagnosed with cancer, discuss the possibility of participating in one with your oncologist or another specialist provider.

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell anemia is most often seen in infants and is a medical emergency. There are some medications available to help control the sickling of red blood cells, decrease vascular blockages, control inflammation and pain, and reduce the chance of disease complications. However, some patients may need blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants to control the disease. There are ongoing clinical trials to help develop new treatment options to better manage or treat sickle cell disease that you or your child may qualify for.

HIV/AIDS

A study published by the American Journal of Public Health found that Black men who have sex with men are 14 times more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to test positive for HIV. The number of Blacks currently living with HIV compared to Whites is nearly double and these numbers are continuing to worsen. The average age of initial infection is declining, meaning many Black men are reaching adulthood with HIV. Another study proved that many clinical trials do not accurately address minority health or even gender, although doing so is vital to improving outcomes from new HIV/AIDS treatments for African Americans and all ethnic minorities.

Conclusion

National Minority Health Month helps to raise awareness of the disproportionate burden that Black Americans face every year because of inequities in our health care system. By addressing disparities through easier access to resources and better representation in clinical trials, we may resolve these inequities soon. Black Health Matters support National Minority Health Month by supporting the well-being of African Americans through education and awareness.

The post What Is National Minority Health Month? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of a person’s white plasma cells, the cells that fight infection and disease, and it can permanently weaken bones and damage organs. It’s a rare and incurable disease that often returns after successful treatment.^[2]

When you have multiple myeloma, sometimes eating is the last thing you want to do. The symptoms of this illness and the effects of treatment can make it hard to have an appetite or eat as much as you want to. But getting the right nutrients and enough of them is an important part of getting well.^[3]

A few diet tips and tricks can make it easier to eat well and nourish your body. Also, ask your doctor about working with a dietitian, who can help you choose the right foods. Here are some dietary tips from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society^[4] for individuals undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Depending on what type of treatment you undergo for multiple myeloma, you may experience weight changes. Aim to maintain a healthy weight during treatment, avoiding excess gain or loss. Strict dieting during treatment is not recommended.
• Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Eating frequent small meals will ensure your body is getting adequate calories, protein, and nutrients to endure treatment. Smaller meals may also help to minimize treatment-related side effects such as nausea. Try eating 5-6 small meals or “mini” meals about every 3 hours.
• Choose foods that are bland and easy on your stomach. Since medications used to treat multiple myeloma often cause nausea and vomiting, avoid foods that are spicy and fried. Avoid foods with strong odors. Instead, choose foods that are at room temperature and bland such as crackers, cheese, canned fruit, yogurt, toast, potatoes, rice, and pasta.
• Choose protein-rich foods. Protein helps the body to repair cells and tissues. It also aids in the recovery and maintenance of the immune system. Choose to include a source of lean protein at all meals and snacks. Good sources of lean protein include lean meats (chicken, fish, or turkey), eggs, nuts, beans, and soy foods.
• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables offer the body antioxidants which can help fight against cancer. Choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to get the greatest benefit. Aim to eat a minimum of 5 servings of whole fruits and vegetables daily.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking enough fluids during cancer treatment is important for preventing dehydration. Aim to drink 64 ounces of fluid daily. Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages as too much caffeine can lead to dehydration.
• Limit sweets and added sugars. Foods high in added sugars like desserts and sweets provide little nutritional benefit and often take the place of other nutritious foods.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Alcohol may contribute to dehydration, can impair the immune system, and provides no beneficial nutrients.
• Be observant of changes in bowel habits. Chemotherapy can sometimes cause changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, bloating, and gas. It is important for you to communicate with your healthcare team any changes in your bowel habits. Changes in your food choices or medications may be necessary to manage these side effects.
• Talk to your healthcare team before taking any vitamins or supplements. Some medications and cancer treatments may interact with vitamins and supplements. Choose food first as the primary source for nutrients.

Nutrition is particularly important for patients who might be considering trials ^[5]. You can find out if you’re eligible for Bristol Myers Squibb multiple myeloma trials here.

Your multiple myeloma journey is unique to you and your treatment. You may experience side effects that affect your ability to follow these suggestions. A registered dietitian can suggest nutrition guidelines that may be appropriate for your particular journey.

^[1] https://pearlpoint.org/i-have-multiple-myeloma-what-should-i-eat/, Accessed September 30, 2022
^[2]  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/after-treatment/follow-up.html, Accessed September 30, 2022
^[3] https://www.webmd.com/cancer/multiple-myeloma/diet-blood-cancer-myeloma, Accessed September 30, 2022
^[4]https://pearlpoint.org/i-have-multiple-myeloma-what-should-i-eat/#:~:text=Aim%20to%20eat%20a%20minimum,broiled%2C%20or%20grilled%20foods%20instead., Accessed September 30, 2022
^[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5654371/, Accessed September 30, 2022

The post Maintaining Nutrition When You Have Multiple Myeloma appeared first on Black Health Matters.

OTC hearing aids are meant for adults with self-perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Children are still recommended to see an audiologist or hearing specialist for a hearing evaluation. So, unfortunately, they’re not recommended for everyone. But if you’re experiencing trouble hearing, you might wonder if they’re right for you. Some tools are available to help you figure that out.

FDA Warning Labels for OTC Hearing Aids

The FDA requires OTC hearing aids to label common signs of mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Signs include:

• hearing speeches in noisy places or groups
• hard time hearing while talking on the phone
• constantly turning up the volume to hear the content, and others find it too loud
• listening makes you tired

The agency also provides signs suggesting that your hearing loss may be too severe for the OTC devices. Signs include:

• unable to hear speech in a quiet room
• not able to hear loud sounds – engines, power tools, etc.

If you’re experiencing those symptoms, visit your doctor or an audiologist. Most hearing loss is irreversible. However, there are times when changes in someone in hearing are caused by medical issues such as infections, earwax buildup, or specific injuries. If that is the case, you’ll need to visit your doctor to resolve the issue before jumping to a hearing aid.

Furthermore, the FDA requires OTC hearing aids to be labeled with “red flags” that indicate when you should see your doctor. Those red flags include the following:

• blood
• pus
• fluid coming out of one or both of your ears
• ear pain/discomfort
• dizziness or vertigo
• sudden changes in your hearing

Hearing Assessments – In-Person or Remote

You can opt for an in-person hearing assessment if you believe you’re a good candidate. Most people choose to receive a hearing assessment from a licensed professional. Unfortunately, many providers are charging different prices for the assessments alone. And sometimes, they’re the cost of your hearing aids. Therefore, always check to see if your insurance covers the test(s).

• There are multiple tests to test your hearing. They include:
• tone-based testing apps
• digits-in-noise/speech-in-noise
• evidence-based self-assessment

The post Hearing Aids Are Officially Available In-Stores appeared first on Black Health Matters.

One way I learned to cut costs is by using home products. For instance, I do an apple cider vinegar rinse bi-weekly to keep my hair healthy. Most natural hair companies started to bottle their version of this rinse, but all you need is three tablespoons of ACV (I prefer Bragg) to one and three-quarters cups of filtered water mixed in a bottle with a nozzle top. And saturate your hair (after shampooing). ACV is one ingredient that keeps your curls popping.

We have listed four of the best at-home hair rinses for natural hair. The results are instant, and your hair will thank us later.

Top 5 Hair Rinses for Natural Hair

1. Apple cider vinegar rinse – ACV is one of the more traditional rinses naturalistas everywhere use. Your scalp has a natural pH of about 5, which is slightly acidic. This acidity level is essential in keeping the cuticle layer of your hair flat and closed. A flat cuticle layer corresponds to shiny, smooth, soft hair with less frizz. It prevents tangling, breakage, dryness, and hair loss by helping each hair strand retain moisture and making them smooth and less likely to catch on each other. ACV helps with the following things:
   1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. balancing scalp pH
                  2. provides hair nutrients
                  3. clarifies and exfoliates hair
                  4. adds volume and definition to curls
                  5. stimulates hair growth
2. Rice water rinse – Rice water rinses are another popular hair rinse in the natural hair community. Rice water is the milky liquid left over after soaking, washing, or boiling rice. Rice water is believed to benefit both the skin as a toner and the hair as a conditioner. It promotes hair growth, protects from hair damage, increases shine and hair elasticity, and detangles. Clean 1/2 cup of rice and soak it in two to three cups of water at room temperature; the longer, the better. Strain the rice and rinse the hair.
3. Green tea rinse – Green tea rinses are a color girl’s best friend, especially regarding excessive shedding! Green tea adds moisture, aids scalp conditions, and promotes hair growth. Boil a pot of water and add green tea bags. Allow to steep for several minutes, then completely cool before applying to your hair.
4. Onion juice rinse – Although no one wants to walk around smelling like onions, onion juice is a powerful agent on your hair’s side. Studies show that onion contains methylsulfonylmethane, a highly absorbable source of sulfur that helps form keratin in hair, leading to hair growth. This sulfur also improves blood circulation and provides the hair follicles with the rich amount of nourishment needed. Slice up five onions, add them to a liter of water, and boil for about 15 minutes. Allow it to cool, strain it and use this mixture to rinse your hair. Shampoo and condition after.

Use these rinses after you shampoo and condition your hair, except for the onion juice rinse; some rinses can replace shampoo altogether. I love rinses because you can also add your favorite essential oils to give the rinse a boost your scalp will love. What is your favorite type of hair rinse? Comment below!

The post Best At-Home Hair Rinses For Natural Hair appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“We are sliding backward,” Dr. Jonathan Mermin, the director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, said. “It is evident the systems that identify, treat, and ultimately prevent STDs are strained to near-breaking point.”

Health officials are calling the current STD situation “out of control.” Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia cases reached a record high for four consecutive years. In 2017, nearly 2.3 million individuals diagnosed cases of the three STDs, a 200,000 increase compared to 2016.

“It is imperative that we…work to rebuild, innovate, and expand (STD) prevention in the U.S.,” Dr. Leandro Mena of the U.S. CDC said during a medical conference on sexually transmitted diseases.

According to the CDC, STDs in the U.S. decreased during the pandemic in the early months but resurged by the end of 2020. Unfortunately, there was no guarantee the numbers were accurate then because STD screening and diagnosis likely decreased during the pandemic.

The post STD Rates in The U.S. Are ‘Out of Control’ – Syphilis & HIV On The Rise appeared first on Black Health Matters.

As of now, there is no clear indication of what impacted the ruling. However, it could determine whether the rest of the law’s preventive care coverage requirements will remain. The Texas employers who challenged the provision argued it violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It forced people to pay for coverage that conflicts with their faith and personal values.

They specifically stated that paying for health plans that cover PrEP makes them “complicit in facilitating homosexual behavior, drug use, and sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman.” PrEP reduces the risk of contracting HIV by 99% when taken as recommended. There are two pills approved for use as PrEP: Truvada and Descovy.

Furthermore, O’Connor ruled against the broader preventive services covered under the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. These preventive services included colorectal and other cancer screenings, depression screenings, and hypertension screenings, among many others. He said the task force’s system for deciding which services should be fully covered was “unconstitutional.” Shockingly, O’Connor did uphold some requirements for immunizations and specific services for women and children. Many worries that stopping such preventive measures could threaten access to life-saving care for nearly 168 million Americans covered under private employer health plans and the ACA’s market plans.

The post Federal Judge Rules Against HIV Prevention Drug appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The cause was cardiac arrest brought on by a rare blood disorder called acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or aTTP.  It develops when the immune system stops the enzyme ADAMTS13 from working properly. Without this enzyme, the body creates too many clots, which blocks the flow of blood to such organs as the brain, kidneys, and heart.

In the case of Wynn, the blood clots formed in her heart. When she went to the ER, doctors noticed small, flat red spots under the skin called petechiae—a symptom of aTTP. While they knew to test for the disorder, they didn’t get a chance to give her plasma exchange, which is one of the main life-saving treatments for aTTP.

Medical professionals say that not all doctors would even know to test for the disorder in the first place. aTTP is diagnosed at a rate of only a few people per million each year worldwide. Symptoms can include petechiae (as mentioned earlier), pale or yellow skin color, headaches, and shortness of breath.

These signs and symptoms of aTTP tend to appear most frequently between the ages of 30 and 50.  Although it usually begins in adulthood, it can affect children. Black women, like Wynn, appear to have the highest prevalence of aTTP. It is also 2.5x to 3.5x more common in women than men. And African Americans have a 7-fold higher incidence than Non-African Americans.

It’s unclear what triggers aTTP, but some factors may play a role, including:

• Some diseases and conditions, such as pregnancy, cancer, HIV, lupus, and infections
• Some medical procedures, such as surgery and blood and marrow stem cell transplant
• Certain drugs or medications, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and estrogen-based medicines (such as oral contraceptives)

The increased blood clotting that occurs in aTTP occurs suddenly and lasts for days or weeks, but it can continue for months. aTTP can be fatal. Without prompt treatment, it can cause long-term problems, such as brain damage or stroke.

Treatment with plasma exchange, corticosteroids, and other immunosuppression treatments stops symptoms in most people with aTTP.  In recent years, there has been a treatment approved for aTTP that can be used in addition to this care regimen for faster clinical response.  But, in up to 60% of people who’ve been treated, the disease comes back, or relapses. Usually the relapses happen in the first 1 to 2 years after aTTP was first diagnosed.

Once an acute aTTP episode is resolved, a number of long-term side effects could appear in the form of headaches, hypertension, memory impairment, and a higher risk of death.  These side effects can affect mental health, sometimes causing depression and post-traumatic stress disorder as well.

Still, more research on aTTP, particularly the incidence of the disease in Black women, is needed. James Wynn, Resheemah Wynn’s brother, started the Ree Wynn Foundation along with his late mother mere days after she died. At the time, his mother told friends and family who wished to give bereavement gifts to donate to an aTTP foundation instead. But the family struggled to find one, says James.

That spurred the Wynns into action. “My mom told me, ‘we’re going to start our own foundation,’ and that I needed to figure out how to do it,” says James, who had previously worked at non-profit organizations.

The Ree Wynn Foundation aims to increase awareness and support research efforts for treatment of aTTP. It also raises funds to provide grant opportunities for organizations committed to reducing complications and fatalities. The foundation has a particular focus on women’s health, since this population is most affected by the disorder.

James says the majority of the people who come to the Ree Wynn Foundation share that their aTTP episode had been originally diagnosed as something else. And the results would have been more dire had they not ended up at a teaching hospital specializing in hematology or blood disorders.

“My charge to the Black community is to help us to push for a checklist that will at least help doctors identify and rule out aTTP before the physical symptoms start,” says James. “It’s very difficult for anyone to identify what is causing you to have these symptoms [that are actually caused by aTTP].”

Clare Martin, director of operations at The United States Thrombotic Microangiopathy (USTMA) Consortium, says that fortunately, patient voices are being heard when it comes to raising awareness about aTTP. The USTMA Consortium consists of a group of researchers whose aim is to improve outcomes of aTTP through observational studies, clinical trials of novel therapies, and translational research.

“Before, there were aTTP symptoms, like headaches, that were common in patients but not recognized by the medical community,” says Martin.  “But now the people that are needing help are being listened to and given the necessary resources to address this illness.”

She adds that this discovery of headache as one of the symptoms for aTTP was due to aTTP-focused support groups led by hematologist Dr. Jim George at the University of Oklahoma.

​​If you have symptoms that seem to point to aTTP, make sure to advocate for yourself—and ask your doctor about this rare disease.

A healthcare contribution for this article was provided by Sanofi.

The post You May Have This Disorder—And Not Even Know It appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Biden Administration declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency on Thursday. The decision comes from the rise in cases throughout the U.S. Since mid-May, more than 6,600 probable or confirmed cases have been detected in the U.S. Montana and Wyoming are the only states in the country without confirmed cases.

The announcement was made during a briefing with the Department of Health and Human Services. The administration was criticized for handling the monkeypox outbreak when it first emerged. Many called for the government to declare a national emergency without hesitation. WHO announced last month that the monkeypox outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern. The agency defines a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, as “an extraordinary event” that constitutes a “public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease” and “to potentially require a coordinated international response.”

Cities and States’ Responses to Monkeypox Outbreak

Major cities and states have already declared monkeypox an emergency. This allows them to free up funding and resources to respond to the outbreak. Earlier this week, President Biden named Robert Fenton as the White House’s national monkeypox response coordinator. Fenton oversees Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada as a regional Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator. He will coordinate the federal government’s response to the outbreak. In addition, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the U.S. CDC director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, serves as the deputy coordinator.

Criticism of Administration’s Response to Monkeypox

The post The U.S. Declares Monkeypox Outbreak A Public Health Emergency appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Although systemic racism and bias in medicine are the main reasons we see differences in outcomes for Black people—and tackling these issues is critical to achieving equity—awareness and education may also help narrow the gap by promoting earlier detection and prevention.

What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as NHL or just lymphoma) is a type of cancer that begins in infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are part of the lymphatic system, a network of organs (including lymph nodes) and vessels that filter body fluids of toxins and transports infection-fighting cells throughout the body.

Lymphocytes are tasked with distinguishing normal healthy cells from potentially dangerous invaders. But in patients who develop NHL, lymphocytes become abnormal themselves, multiplying out of control and collecting in lymph nodes and other tissues.

According to the American Cancer Society, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for about 4% of all cancers. The health organization estimates that in 2022, about 80,470 will be diagnosed with NHL (including both adults and children) and 20,250 will die from this cancer (11,700 males and 8,550 females).

There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and they are categorized by how the cells look under a microscope and how they behave. Most types of NHL are either B-cell lymphoma or T-cell lymphoma. According to the American Cancer Society, B-cell lymphomas make up most (about 85%) of the non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas in the U.S. B-cell and T-cell lymphomas can further be divided into one of two categories based on how quickly the cancer cells are growing: aggressive (fast-growing) or indolent (slow-growing).

How do you know if you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin (a main symptom that leads to an NHL diagnosis)
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fatigue (feeling very tired)

What are the risk factors for developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

NHL can occur at any age. In fact, it is one of the more common cancers among children, teens, and young adults. Still, the risk of developing NHL increases throughout life, and more than half of patients are 65 or older at the time of diagnosis. The aging of the American population is likely to lead to an increase in NHL cases during the coming years. In the U.S., Whites more likely than Blacks and Asian Americans to develop NHL. Worldwide, NHL is more common in developed countries, with the U.S. and Europe having some of the highest rates. Some types of lymphoma are linked to certain infections that are more common in some parts of the world.

The exact cause of NHL is not known, but there are risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Factors affecting people’s risk of developing NHL have been studied extensively. Some of these factors are immune disorders, certain medicines, infections, lifestyle, family history, and occupational factors. For example, the risk of developing lymphoma and other cancers may be higher for butchers, car repair workers, gasoline station workers, agricultural and chemical workers, radiation-exposed groups such as uranium mine workers, nuclear industry workers, nuclear test site workers and “downwinders” (residents of cancer “hot spots” or other contaminated areas), according to this study.

How can I reduce my risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

In 2008-2009, The President’s Cancer Panel issued “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do  “ with recommendations that can be taken to reduce cancer risk related to environmental contaminants, excess radiation, and other harmful exposures. Additionally, viral infections (particularly HIV) can lead to lymphoma. Avoidance of infection and high-risk practices is advisable. It is also recommended that you eat a healthy, nutritious diet, remain physically active, and exercise regularly.

What should I do if I suspect I might have non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

First of all, please keep in mind that the signs and symptoms of NHL are also associated with a number of other less serious diseases. Even if you have all the symptoms listed above, you may not have lymphoma or cancer. Nevertheless, if you have signs or symptoms that suggest the possibility of NHL, you should be seen by your doctor as soon as possible. If the doctor suspects lymphoma, additional tests, and possibly a tissue biopsy, may be ordered to make a diagnosis.  You may also be referred to a blood cancer specialist called a hematologist-oncologist, which is the type of doctor who treats lymphoma.

What treatments are available for non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Several NHL treatments are available. Which treatment or combination of treatments is best for the patient will depend on the particulars of their lymphoma, such as the types of cells involved and how fast the lymphoma is growing (whether it is indolent or aggressive). A doctor also considers the patient’s overall health and preferences. If a person’s lymphoma appears to be slow-growing (indolent) and does not cause symptoms, treatment might not be needed right away. Instead, a doctor may recommend regular checkups every few months to monitor the patient’s condition and whether the cancer is advancing. If a patient’s NHL is fast-growing (aggressive) or causes symptoms, a doctor may recommend treatment right away. Options may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, bone marrow transplant, and radiation.

Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best therapy for some NHL patients, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Clinical trials are underway to develop treatments that increase the remission and/or cure rate of the disease. Click here to read more about clinical trials.

The post Why African Americans Should Discuss Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) affects the filters in your kidneys. When these filters are scarred, they are unable to filter your blood, which can lead to kidney damage and failure. Treatment for FSGS focuses on treating the symptoms and preventing any additional scarring.

FSGS is not caused by a single disease. It can have many different causes. The scarring may happen because of an infection, or drug, or a disease that affects the entire body, like diabetes, HIV infection, sickle cell disease or lupus. FSGS can also be caused by another kidney-related disease that you had before you got FSGS.

FSGS has different types based on the cause. Primary FSGS is a type of FSGS that means the disease happened on its own without a known or obvious cause. Secondary FSGS is caused by another disease or drug, such as HIV or anabolic steroids that some people use to speed up their muscle growth.

Early stages of FSGS may not cause any symptoms. You may only see some signs on your own, while others may be found by your healthcare provider.

Signs and symptoms of FSGS include:

• Swelling in body parts like your legs, ankles and around your eyes (called edema)
• Weight gain due to extra fluid building in your body
• Foamy urine caused by high protein levels in the urine (called proteinuria)
• High fat levels in the blood (high cholesterol)
• Low levels of protein in the blood

FSGS has no cure. The prognosis varies depending on the person. For some people, FSGS goes away on its own without treatment. For others, the disease continues for many years but does not get worse.

In the U.S., approximately 40,000 patients are living with FSGS, and more than 60% of patients do not have a durable response to current FSGS treatments, which usually include steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, diuretics, and a diet change. Because of this, 50% of patients with FSGS will progress to kidney failure.

Blacks are at least four times more likely to get FSGS in comparison with Whites. Much of this disparity can be attributed to genetic variants of the APOL1 gene found only in individuals with recent African ancestry, according to this study. These variants greatly increase rates of FSGS, among other forms of kidney disease.

Here’s how APOL1 is a factor for Blacks with kidney disease: Forty-five percent of Black Americans under 60 years old on dialysis have the APOL1 genotype. The APOL1 genotype is also found in 75% of Black patients with FSGS.

Many people with the high-risk APOL1 genotype do not show any signs or symptoms of FSGS until kidney failure is approaching. Knowing if you have the APOL1 gene variants is the key to unlocking the mystery of kidney disease in people with African and Caribbean ancestry, medical professionals say.

This awareness is needed in the medical community as well, as providers might not know this link exists, and therefore do not test for it. NephCure is an organization that focuses on raising awareness of FSGS in the Black community. It conducts “culture conversations” with Black kidney doctors and has monthly health fairs where doctors and nurses offer support in some of its locations. NephCure also hosts webinars, educational articles, blog posts, support groups, and its Kidney Health Gateway, which connects people to top nephrologists and research.

“If FSGS is caught early, it’s possible to stop or slow the damage and live a regular life,” says Deja Ivy, NephCure’s associate director of community health. “Our work is important because of the low quality of life with dialysis, but we’re showing that you can be aware and active in your kidney health.”

Black participation in clinical trials could also improve outcomes, as research could determine whether or not drugs being tested for FSGS will work equally as well for Blacks with the APOL1 gene. Clinical trial participation is particularly important for those who are newly diagnosed because FSGS is a rapidly progressing form of disease.

The post Why Are Black People More at Risk to Develop FSGS Kidney Disease? 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.

MS an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and the body. The exact cause of MS is currently unknown, and symptoms can vary from person to person, and from day to day in the same person.

Historically, MS has been thought to primarily affect Whites. But recent studies have shown that Blacks have an increased risk of being diagnosed with MS compared with White, Hispanic, or Asian patients. Studies also have found there are critical differences in Black and White populations with MS in disease severity, response to therapies, and access to specialty care. That’s why Black participation in clinical trials is essential in improving outcomes for those with the disease.

Clinical trials for those with MS have grown rapidly, particularly over the past two decades, shared Dr. Farrah J. Mateen, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School who practices at Massachusetts General Hospital, in a recent study. As a result, the number of disease modifying therapies has also expanded.

But most clinical research on MS has not included a significant number of Black participants. A 2015 review showed that out of nearly 60,000 published articles about MS, only 113 focused on Blacks. While they represent 13.5% of the US population, Blacks have made up only about 5% of trial participants for MS treatments, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The impact of that absence cannot be underestimated. “Because there was relatively low enrollment of Black people in the studies that led to the approval of most of the drug treatments now available for MS, we don’t have a good understanding of whether or not Black people respond differently to these therapies,” says Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams, a neurologist who is passionate about educating and empowering people affected by MS, in her blog post titled “Why You Should Be Participating in Multiple Sclerosis Research.”

She laments the lack of Black participation in these studies, particularly when clinical trials are concentrated in academic, usually urbanized centers where there is highly diverse racial representation.

There is the reality of Blacks not wanting to participate in clinical trials because of historical mistrust. Dr. Williams understands the trepidation, but asserts that things have changed. “Research trial protocols are rigorously reviewed to ensure that human rights are not violated, and that all work done is ethical,” she says in her blog post.

Some Blacks with MS have been vocal about their inclusion in MS research. In a Momentum Magazine article “Black Women With MS Speak Up,” Antoinette Pick-Jones, an attorney who was diagnosed with MS in 2019, says medical professionals had initially asked about lupus, HIV, and sickle cell anemia—not MS. That’s particularly concerning given that MS risk is highest in Black women, based on a study by Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

“When research is done, it would be nice to know if any Black women were included in the study,” continues Pick-Jones. “That way, maybe when a Black woman comes to the doctor, the first thing they’re thinking is not HIV. Maybe they’re thinking MS a little sooner.”

In the meantime, medical professionals continue to find new ways to ensure Black participation in clinical MS trials and other types of research. “As clinicians and researchers, we must be intentional in making sure that the populations we study and research reflect the type of patients that we see,” says Dr. Williams in her blog post. “In order for science to truly progress toward more effective prevention and treatments for diverse communities, we all have to be a part of the solution.”

Interested in participating in a clinical trial? Ask your doctor about research opportunities or check reputable websites of established MS organizations.

• Accelerated Cure Project
• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Supported by Sanofi, but not responsible for content. Sanofi has ongoing clinical trials in multiple sclerosis and is committed to designing and conducting clinical trials with clear diversity targets so that trial populations reflect demographics of the disease being studied.  They do this through gaining diverse patient insights into trial design, selecting sites in underserved populations, training investigators, partnering with local communities, patient groups, and organizations, and leveraging technology to expand access. To learn more about their trials, visit Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Studies | Sanofi Studies.

This article is brought to you by Sanofi.

The post Why Black Participation in Clinical Trials for Multiple Sclerosis Matters appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“It’s a privilege for those who get to work from home right now,” said sleep neurologist Cathy Goldstein, M.D., an associate professor of neurology at Michigan Medicine, but it also sparks unique challenges. And good shut-eye is key to successfully dealing with all of the curveballs, from managing new schedules, to trying to stay safe from an ongoing pandemic and keeping up with the news during a dramatic presidential election year.

Michigan Medicine experts share tips they’re giving their patients right now to improve their sleep—and they focus on behavior changes, which Goldstein said she recommends as opposed to over-the-counter sleep aids for self-management:

Figure out your body clock to get better quality sleep. Before March, most people’s mornings were tightly scheduled. You’re packing lunches, making sure kids get on the bus or dropped off at day care, or hitting the gym before you commute in for your morning meetings. But now that you aren’t leaving the house in the morning, such an early wake-up time might not be needed.

“Even though everything is crazy right now, at least use this time and any schedule flexibility you now have to get a little more sleep at your body’s natural time,” Goldstein said. The natural midpoint of sleep is around 4 a.m. for the average adult, she said, which means sleeping just a little later in the morning might lead to more sleep at your body’s preferred time.

Additionally, rapid eye movement, or stage REM, sleep is concentrated at the end of the sleep period in the early morning hours, so we may be curtailing that sleep stage specifically on weekdays in addition to being short on sleep in general.

And the vivid dreams people are reporting from their increased REM sleep? This could be a memorable side effect as you adapt to a new sleep schedule.

Once you figure out your ideal sleep schedule, stick to it. Although flexibility to figure out what sleep and wake times are best for you is important, it’s equally important to stay on some kind of schedule.

“I’m glad people can sleep in a bit later right now, but if you’re having trouble with insomnia symptoms during the pandemic, don’t let that flexible wake up time work against you,” Goldstein said. “If you spend too much time in bed trying to sleep, that can worsen insomnia.

“I’ve seen some people’s sleep deteriorate because they didn’t have to wake up at a strict time. Their sleep schedule really fell apart; before they knew it they were sleeping in until midday and then up all night. Without a requirement to be somewhere in the morning, they had a hard time getting back on track.”

She tells her patients to set an alarm even if they don’t have to for work to make sure they aren’t spending time lying awake in bed or shifting their sleep wake times too late. Goldstein said you might feel worse before you feel better doing this, but waking up at a stable time means you have a better chance of getting drowsy on time the following night.

And don’t give in to the temptation to sleep in on the weekends, she said. Then you’re going to experience a phenomenon called social jet lag from the abrupt change back to your weekday schedule.

“It’s like you’ve flown from L.A. to New York on Sunday nights.”

Unplug to improve your sleep, especially in the evening. Your devices affect your sleep in two ways: the blue light makes your circadian rhythm drift later and suppresses melatonin secretion, making it harder to fall asleep, while social media and the news sites you check on those devices keep you wide awake, perhaps feeling stressed or comparing yourself to other people.

“The word doomscroll has come up so many times,” said Deirdre Conroy, a professor of psychiatry and clinical director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic. “Most of my patients say, ‘yeah, I should probably stop doing that …’”

It’s not an all-or-nothing rule, she stressed. Conroy tells her patients there’s a difference between staying informed and allowing the news to bleed into your sleeping time. Plus, “waking up and checking Twitter is not going to help you fall back asleep.”

Goldstein tells her patients to turn off any larger backlight-emitting devices, such as computers, laptops and tablets, around three hours before you want to go to bed, and to step away from your smartphone an hour before hitting the sack. That way, your body clock is on schedule and your mind is calm and ready for sleep.

Get some natural light during the day to help you sleep at night. Goldstein often tells her patients to go outside, in particular to get in a walk or other activity during the first half of the day. Morning light keeps your internal clock, also known as your circadian rhythm, stable, she explained.

Before you started working from home, you may have gotten that morning light exposure while driving or walking to your office every day, but now you need to set aside time to get outside, Goldstein said.

Even further, “We’re finding that morning light treatment is an effective antidepressant—as effective as a pharmaceutical antidepressant,” explained Helen Burgess, a professor of psychiatry and co-director of the Sleep and Circadian Research Laboratory, recently. Burgess said morning light is the most important light to receive during the day.

Move your body for better health. Even if you’re working out as much as you were before, it’s likely that you are missing out on a lot of steps from the rhythm of daily life that’s changed.

“You have to account for all of the activity you’re missing, such as walking to the train or bus during your commute,” Goldstein said. “People can be almost too efficient while working from home, getting overly focused on work. Please, go outside and exercise!”

Try setting timers throughout the day to remind yourself to get up, walk around and go outside if you can, she urges.

Plus, Goldstein encourages good sleep if you are trying to get more exercise or keep up a good routine from home; a 2013 Northwestern University study found that the less sleep you get, the shorter your exercise duration the next day is going to be.

From Michigan Health

The post Working From Home? Try These Tips to Improve Your Sleep appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A tenant of the Affordable Care Act is preventive care. That includes health screenings. Getting checked early can help you stop diseases like cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis in the beginning stages, when they’re easier to treat. In fact, screening tests can spot illnesses even before symptoms develop. Some tests (Pap test or breast exam) should be a routine part of every woman’s health care. Other tests might be necessary based on your age, family history, your own health history and other risk factors. So talk to your physician about being screened.
Breast Cancer
The earlier you find breast cancer, the better your chance of a cure. Small breast cancers are less likely to spread to lymph nodes and vital organs like the lungs and brain. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, your health-care provider should perform a breast exam as part of your regular check-up every one to three years. Mammograms are low-dose X-rays that can often find a lump before you ever feel it, though normal results don’t completely rule out cancer. While you’re in your 40s, you should have an annual mammogram. After age 50, switch to every other year. Your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings if you’re at higher risk.
Cervical Cancer
With regular Pap smears, cervical cancer is easy to prevent. Pap smears find abnormal cells on the cervix, which can be removed before they ever turn into cancer. The main cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a type of STD. During a Pap smear, your doctor scrapes some cells off your cervix and sends them to a lab for analysis. You should get your first Pap smear by age 21 (earlier if you’re already sexually active), and every two years after that. If you’re 30 or older, you can get HPV tests, too, and wait a little longer between Pap smears.
Two vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, can protect women younger than 26 from several strains of HPV. The vaccines don’t protect against all the cancer-causing strains of HPV (and not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV), so it’s still important to have routine Pap smears.
Osteoporosis
After menopause, women start to lose bone mass. (Note: Men get osteoporosis, too.) The first symptom is often a painful bone break after even a minor fall. In Americans age 50 and older, the disease contributes to about half the fractures in women. Though the common belief—even among some in the medical community—is that osteoporosis is a disease of white and Asian women, African Americans also contract this. A special type of X-ray called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can measure bone strength and find osteoporosis before breaks happen. It can also help predict the risk of future breaks. This screening is recommended for all women age 65 and older.
Skin Cancer
There are several kinds of skin cancer, and early treatment can be effective for them all. The most dangerous is melanoma. Some people have an inherited risk for this type of cancer, which may increase with overexposure to the sun. Basal cell and squamous cell are common non-melanoma skin cancers. Watch for changes in your skin, especially to moles and freckles. Pay attention to changes in their shape, color and size. And have your skin checked by a dermatologist or other health professional during your regular physicals.
High Blood Pressure
As you get older, your risk of high blood pressure increases, especially if you are overweight. High blood pressure can cause life-threatening heart attacks or strokes without any warning. Blood pressure readings include two numbers. The first (systolic) is the pressure of your blood when your heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Normal adult blood pressure is below 120/80. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is 140/90 or above. Ask your doctor how often you should have your blood pressure checked.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol can cause plaque to clog your arteries. Plaque can build up for many years without symptoms, eventually causing a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking can all cause plaque to build up, too. To get your cholesterol checked, you’ll need to fast for 12 hours. Then you’ll take a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fat). If you’re 20 or older, you should get this test at least every five years.
Type 2 Diabetes
One-third of Americans with diabetes don’t know they have it. Diabetes can cause heart or kidney disease, stroke, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina and other serious problems. You can control diabetes with diet, exercise, weight loss, and medication, especially when you find it early. You’ll probably have to fast for eight hours or so before having your blood tested for diabetes. A blood sugar level of 100 to 125 may show prediabetes; 126 or higher may mean diabetes. Other tests include the A1C test and the oral glucose tolerance test. If you’re healthy and have a normal diabetes risk, you should be screened every three years starting at age 45. Talk to your doctor about getting tested earlier if you have a higher risk, like a family history of the disease.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It’s spread through sharing blood or body fluids with an infected person, such as through unprotected sex or dirty needles. Pregnant women with HIV can pass the infection to their babies unless they take medication to prevent this. There is still no cure or vaccine, but early treatment with anti-HIV medications can help the immune system fight the virus. HIV can be symptom-free for many years. The ELISA or EIA (blood) test looks for antibodies to HIV. If you get a positive result, you’ll need a second test to confirm the results. Still, if you’ve been infected recently, you can test negative even if you’re infected, so you may need to repeat the test. Everyone should get tested at least once between ages 13 and 64, more often if you’re not in a monogamous relationship or have been engaging in risky behaviors.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Most colon cancers come from polyps that grow on the inner lining of the large intestine. The polyps may or may not be cancerous. If they are, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Removing polyps early, before they become cancerous, can prevent it completely. A colonoscopy is a common screening test for colorectal cancer. While you’re mildly sedated, a doctor inserts a small flexible tube equipped with a camera into your colon. If she finds a polyp, she can often remove it right during the test. Another type of test is a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which looks into the lower part of the colon. If you’re at average risk, screening usually starts at age 50.
Proper screening won’t always prevent a disease, but it can often find a disease early enough to give you the best chance of overcoming it.

The post Get Screened! Tests Every Woman Needs appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Health Matters, the leading health and wellness communications platform, will host its 4^th Black Health Matters Summit virtually on July 18^th from 8:30am to 6:00pm.   This year, Black Health Matters will unveil its new slogan at the 4^th Black Health Matters Summit, being held virtually: “I Vote Because #BlackHealthMatters”. As President and founder, Roslyn Young-Daniels of Black Health Matters has stated,  “Now more than ever we live in a state of urgency that we want used to advance health equity.  Voting provides that opportunity.” When We All Vote will provide easy on-line access to voter registration for all participants in the virtual Summit who have yet to register to vote.

The Black Health Matters Summit is the biggest and most significant health and wellness event of the summer. It is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, visit BlackHealthMattersSummit.vfairs.com.

Black Health Matters Summit:

The Summit will focus on patient-centric issues convened to educate patients, caregivers, health enthusiasts, advocacy groups, and media outlets. We feature a world-class faculty, passionate about connecting with patients about advances in care, especially in the age of COVID-19:

• 20 BEST IN CLASS HEALTH CARE EXPERTS AND THOUGHT LEADERS
• LIVE CHAT Q&A WITH LEADING DOCTORS & ADVOCATES

Topics include: Affording Medications, Breast Cancer, Clinical Trials/Research Study Participation, Kidney Disease (FSGS); HIV/AIDS, Kidney Disease (FSGS), Fibroids/Endometriosis/Reproductive Health, Hereditary ATTTR amyloidosis, Heart Disease, Lung Cancer, Mental Health, Sickle Cell and Prostate Cancer.

Partners include: Akcea, Alnylam, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eisai, Gilead, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Myovant, Retrophin, Pfizer and PhRMA.  Community partners include: Empire State Medical Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

We want attendees to become intentional about their health by attending the biggest forum on health and wellness created for African American families.   They have the opportunity to dialogue with exceptional physicians, scientists, advocates and peers focused on health equity.  It’s our time to reaffirm that #BlackHealthMatters.

About Black Health Matters

Black Health Matters is a trusted health content and experiential woman-owned firm that offers digital, social and screening programs that reach consumers, patients and medical practitioners.  The platform, launched in 2012 prior to the Black Lives Matters movement to support the enactment of the Affordable Care Act.  The mission is to help newly insured and the medically underserved improve their health literacy through self-reflective and evidence-based health content.

Black Health Matters (BHM) is a leading provider of digital health and wellness solutions for African American consumers and patients.   BHM delivers a highly personalized content experience drawing from touch-points of the African American experience that empower and drive compliance. In 2020 Black Health Matters will host more than 20 virtual forums on African American health.  The organization is currently active with a men’s health education initiative launched in partnership with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

The post Black Health Matters Partners With Michelle Obama’s WHEN WE ALL VOTE appeared first on Black Health Matters.

1. Adenocarcinoma represents 40% of all NSCLC diagnoses and affects both smokers and nonsmokers. It tends to grow slower than other types of lung cancer, leading to better recovery rates.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma, also called epidermoid carcinoma, is the second most common NSCLC, representing 25-30% of all NSCLC diagnoses. These cancers are more likely to spread to other areas of the body, making them more difficult to treat. There are more smokers that develop squamous cell carcinoma than any other type of lung cancer.
3. Large cell carcinoma is a rare form of NSCLC, accounting for only 10-15% of all diagnoses. It can occur anywhere in the lung and tends to be aggressive.

Symptoms of NSCLC are common to all lung cancer and include the following:

• A cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Trouble breathing
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss for no reason
• Fatigue
• Trouble swallowing
• Swelling in the face and/or veins in the neck

The leading risk for developing NSCLC is smoking cigarettes. The more you smoke and the earlier in life you begin smoking, the greater your risk for developing NSCLC. Other risk factors include second-hand smoke, exposure to workplace carcinogens, radiation exposure, environmental pollution, family history of lung cancer, and previous infection of HIV.

A 2019 study found that Blacks with NSCLC had more mutational changes in their DNA than people of other ethnicities. However, one 2020 study stated there is no difference in NSCLC treatment and survival when Blacks and Whites receive equal access to treatment.

Early diagnosis offers the best prognosis for NSCLC. But NSCLC and other lung cancers can be difficult to diagnose because these cancers often have symptoms that are mistaken for common illnesses or the effects of long-term smoking. Annual screenings are therefore recommended if you are between the ages of 55 and 80 and have a long and heavy history of smoking tobacco.

Additionally, to detect certain types of NSCLC further genetic testing is required. This helps ensure the treatment is specific to your type of NSCLC. It is important to ask your healthcare provider about genetic testing for NSCLC and all treatment options available.

Treatment for NSCLC will depend on whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, your overall health and age, and the presence of certain proteins that make treatments more effective. If your NSCLC is detected early (before it has spread to other areas), surgery to remove the affected tissue or tumor is the treatment of choice.

Until recently, most non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) were treated similarly, with therapies that destroy dividing cells (both cancer and healthy cells alike). Today, clinical research studies are evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational medicines (with the goal of targeting certain mutations) to potentially treat NSCLC.

Blacks remain underrepresented in clinical trials despite reports suggesting greater incidence and deaths from locally advanced NSCLC. If you’ve been diagnosed with NSCLC, you can consider such clinical trials as Takeda Pharmaceutical’s Exclaim-2 trial, which seeks patients that are positive for an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutation who have not yet been treated.

If you smoke, however, one of the most important things you can do to be ready for treatment is to try to quit. Studies have shown that patients who stop smoking after a diagnosis of lung cancer tend to have better outcomes than those who don’t.

This article is brought to you by Takeda.

The post What is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

On April 6th, Brinkema said that her ruling bars the U.S. military from taking action against the plaintiffs. The ruling applies to other asymptomatic HIV-positive service members who possess an undetectable viral load. Brinkema included them “because they are classified as ineligible for worldwide deployment…due to their HIV-positive status.”

Peter Perkowski, the attorney for the plaintiffs, called it “a landmark victory — probably the biggest ruling in favor of people living with HIV in the last 20 years.” “The military was the last employer in the country that had a policy against people living with HIV. He said that every other employer — including first responders — is subject to rules that prohibit discrimination based on HIV status,” he said. As of now the Department of Defense hasn’t responded to the ruling or whether it intends to appeal.

A Change for HIV-Positive Service Members

In 2018, the airmen argued that due to the advancement in HIV treatment, they could receive appropriate medical care and present no risk of transmission to others. Back in 2020, the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction barring the discharge of the airmen. The judging panel stated the military’s decision to prohibit the deployment of HIV-positive service members was “outmoded and at odds with current science.”

The DOJ argued that the airmen could no longer perform their job duties due to constant deployment. And their condition prevented them from deploying to the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. Central Command governs military operations in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Unfortunately, these areas prohibit service members with HIV from deploying without a waiver. The DOJ acknowledged that treatment lowers the risk of transmission. However, they believe it is still a risk on the battlefield. The airmen’s attorney countered that the odds of transmitting the virus during combat are improbable. Therefore, their status should not limit their opportunity for deployment or discharge.

An End of An Era

The 4th Circuit panel claimed a ban on deployment might have been justified when the management of the virus was less effective, and the risk of transmission was high. “But any understanding of HIV that could justify this ban is outmoded and at odds with current science. Such obsolete understandings cannot justify a ban, even under a deferential standard of review and even according to appropriate deference to the military’s professional judgments,” Judge James Wynn Jr. wrote in the unanimous 2020 ruling.

Judge Brinkema temporarily sealed her ruling to give both parties 14 days to seek redactions. Furthermore, she ordered the decision to discharge the airmen and the denial of Harrison’s application to be overturned. This decision officially ends the military’s ongoing discrimination against 2000 service members living with HIV.

Ap News

The post Judge Rules That U.S. Military Can No Longer Discharge HIV-Positive Service Members appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Power of A Chickpea

Now, becoming a vegan isn’t for everyone, but that is no reason you shouldn’t try vegan recipes. One staple item in the vegan (and vegetarian) community is chickpeas.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central, one cup of chickpeas has:

• 269 calories
• 14.5 grams (g) of protein
• 4.25 g of fat
• 44.9 g of carbohydrates
• 12.5 g of dietary fiber
• 80.4 milligrams (mg) of calcium
• 4.74 mg of iron
• 78.7 mg of magnesium
• 276 mg of potassium
• 11.5 mg of sodium

In addition, they’re excellent for us and can take on many flavors. They are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Other health benefits chickpeas provide are:

• aids in weight management
• improved digestion
• regulate blood sugar
• reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes

Another significant fact about chickpeas is that they’re a complete protein because they contain all nine essential amino acids. Amino acids are building blocks that help our bodies function correctly. With all of the listed benefits, why wouldn’t you try this recipe?

Check Out Tabitha Brown’s Recipe Below:

How do you like to dress up your tacos? Comment below!

The post Try Tabitha Brown’s Chickpea Tacos For Your Next #TacoTuesday appeared first on Black Health Matters.

If approved, this would be a significant achievement in the fight against Covid. It would allow infected people to take an oral antiviral drug at home instead of the hospital. As a result, it will alleviate the strain that many hospitals felt during the pandemic.

How It Will Work

Paxlovid blocks the activity of an enzyme the virus needs to replicate. So when used with a low dose of Ritonavir, an HIV drug, it will slow the patient’s metabolism. This allows the drug to remain active in the body at a higher concentration for a more extended period to combat the virus. Pfizer explained that the treatment is safe and added fewer adverse events reported by trial participants who took Paxlovid. If approved, Paxlovid will be administered in two 150 mg tablets along with one 100 mg tablet of Ritonavir twice daily.

“We are moving as quickly as possible in our effort to get this potential treatment into the hands of patients, and we look forward to working with the U.S. FDA on its review of our application, along with other regulatory agencies around the world,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement Tuesday. In addition, Bourla previously stated that Pfizer planned to submit its data to the FDA before Thanksgiving.

The Biden Administration possibly will purchase a 10 million course of the pills. Pfizer will allow generic drug manufacturers to produce the medicine through a licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool. In addition, the manufacturer will supply generic pills to 95 countries, and Pfizer will waive royalty fees for low-income countries. But the World Health Organization classifies Covid as a public health emergency of international concern. If you remember, Pfizer just received final clearance for the Covid vaccine for ages 5 to 11 years old.

The post Pfizer Requests Emergency Approval for COVID-19 Treatment Pill appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The answer is yes, according to health experts. Last year, we had an unusually mild flu season because most of us were hunkering at home and avoiding large group settings for the holidays. But with more and more businesses opening, the following of social distancing guidelines lessening and fewer people wearing masks, experts are concerned that we could be heading into a big flu season.

“We are worried the incredibly low influenza rates that we saw last season could create a rebound influenza epidemic this year,” said Dr. Mark Roberts, director of the Public Health Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh.

According to data collected by the CDC from 2010 to 2020, the agency estimates that the flu has caused 12,000–52,000 deaths and 140,000–710,000 hospitalizations annually. And while it’s too soon to predict how severe this flu season will be, experts are worried that last year’s mild flu season means that fewer people have immunity to strains that will likely be circulating this winter.

“It could be really bad—and it could be really bad at a time when there’s still quite a bit of COVID-19 filling up our hospitals,” explained Dr. Roberts.

With this in mind, your best defense to fend off the muscles aches, fever and sometimes deadly respiratory infection that is associated with influenza is getting a flu shot. This is especially important for African Americans, who continue to experience the highest rate of hospitalization due to severe influenza illnesses.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year. The flu can be harder to fight off for specific populations, such as infants and young children, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised due to chronic illnesses such as HIV or cancer—so it’s especially important for those populations to get vaccinated.

This season, it’s also important to familiarize yourself with the similarities and differences between the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu. The CDC has created an easy-to-read chart that breaks it all down. You can also find other flu preventative tips on their site so you and your family can better protect yourself this winter.

Want to learn more about why getting a flu shot this year is so important? Check out Sanofi’s new site, FluShotFridays.com. It includes information on everything from whether it’s okay to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time to where you can get a flu shot in your area.

This article is brought to you by Sanofi.

The post Yes, You Should Get the Flu Shot This Year appeared first on Black Health Matters.

As viruses move through the population, they’re constantly mutating causing new variants to emerge. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. But in some cases, they persist and can become the predominant source of infection.

Currently, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is tracking one “variant of concern” in the U.S.—the Delta variant—and has designated several as “variants being monitored.” Below is an overview of Delta and a few others that may be familiar.

DELTA (B.1.617.2) Variant of Concern

Since helping to drive an unprecedented wave of COVID-19 cases in India, this fast-spreading variant has since been found in at least 163 countries. According to WHO (World Health Organization), it’s estimated to be 55% more transmissible than Alpha and almost twice as infectious as the original strain from early 2020.

Even worse, it can cause more severe illnesses than other variants. FDA-approved or authorized vaccines do provide protection. However, according to the CDC, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to others. To date, the Delta variant is still the predominant strain in the U.S.

ALPHA (B.1.1.7)
This variant was first detected in England in September 2020. By December 2020, it was the dominant strain in the U.S. According to the CDC, it spreads much faster than other variants and “may potentially cause more people to get sicker and to die.” Fortunately, all FDA-approved or authorized vaccines do work against this variant and breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people are rare.

BETA (B.1.351)
This variant, which was first identified in August 2020 in South Africa, carries mutations that make it easier to spread and more contagious. But according to the CDC, current data does not indicate that it causes more severe illness or death compared to other variants. Additionally, like the Alpha strain, FDA approved or authorized vaccines do work against this variant.

GAMMA (P.1)
This variant was first spotted in Japan and Brazil in late 2020 and has now been reported in at least 86 countries. While this variant does appear to spread faster than others, current data has shown no sign the variant causes “more severe illness or death than other variants,” according to the CDC.

OTHER VARIANTS ON THE RISE
While the CDC considers Delta to be the only variant of concern at this time, there are a few additional variants being monitored, including Eta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda and Mu. The best way to stay informed on different variants is to check the CDC site frequently.

The best way to minimize your risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19, including any variants, is to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated also helps reduce the risk for others. “If we don’t vaccinate, the virus will evolve,” explains Skip Virgin, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Vir Biotechnology, a company that creates treatments for infectious diseases like COVID-19, hepatitis B and HIV.

If you are infected by one of these variants and are at high risk of disease progression, make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible after diagnosis about what therapeutic treatments are available because COVID-19 becomes harder to treat once it progresses. According to the CDC, FDA-emergency authorized therapeutic treatments like monoclonal antibodies, may help decrease the development of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 into severe COVID-19.

This article is brought to you by VIR Biotechnology.

The post Covid-19 Variants 101 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Throughout history, pronouns have adapted to the times. In fact, “they” wasn’t always singular. In the 1600s, medical texts referred to individuals who didn’t fit the binary gender standards as they/them. But by the 18th century, the idea that a singular “they” was grammatically incorrect became popular amongst linguists. Interestingly, “they” isn’t the only gender-neutral pronoun that has been introduced over the years. Scholars and writers have proposed everything from hir and ze to thon but none have really stuck—until now.

According to Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy Operations of the AIDS Foundation Chicago Kim Hunt, embracing a mindset of mutual respect and understanding for one’s individual pronouns and the pronouns of others is an important step towards accepting all identities. But in order to move in this direction, it’s important to first understand the different pronouns and how they’re used.

The gender binary pronouns of “she/her/hers” for women and “he/him/his” for men are used to refer to people who identify within the gender binary. However, not everyone identifies within this binary because it may be limiting to their gender expression.

Those who choose to identify outside of the gender binary often feel that their self-expression is better supported by language and pronouns that are more inclusive. “There is a growing recognition that there is a gender continuum rather than a binary, but it is still a big hurdle for a lot of folks to deal with because society is so structured around the binary. So many things still have to be unlearned,” Hunt explains.

The main gender-neutral pronouns are the more widely used “they/them/theirs,” but other gender neutral pronouns include the “ze/zir/zirs”, “xe/xem/xirs”, and “sie/hir/hirs”. These pronouns are available for those who do not confine their gender identity into the gender binary or who challenge the existing gender norms by finding expression in pronouns that are not gendered.

For example, Hunt explains: “Even if you perceive someone as a cisgender female, that may not be how they identify. It is important to use the words that are important to the person who is in front of you. Making assumptions about a person’s identity is not good in any place.”

Not sure how to ask someone what their pronouns are? If you’re comfortable, just share yours. It signals to the other person that you want to know (and care about!) what their pronouns are. And if you get it wrong and someone corrects you, just apologize, correct yourself and move on with the conversation. The key is to make the person feel safe, accepted and respected.

Sponsored by MOSAICO
MOSAICO is a large study that will try to prove whether the experimental vaccine regimen can prevent HIV infection in North America, Latin America and Europe. To do this, the study will enroll cisgender men and transgender persons who have sex with cisgender men and/or transgender persons. If Mosaico can show that the study vaccine regimen works, it will be a very important step on the way to finding a safe and effective vaccine for the prevention of HIV. To learn more about MOSAICO and if you are eligible visit www.mosaicostudy.com/contact.

The post What Are Gender-Neutral Pronouns—And Why Do They Matter? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The prostate is a small gland that sits just below the bladder and is part of the male reproductive system. The gland aids in the generation of hormones and sperm, as well as the control of urine flow. Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate become uncontrollably proliferated. This happens when there are mutations in the DNA of prostate cells. Inherited genes that raise the chance of cancer, and acquired mutations through harmful chemical exposure, are possible causes of prostate cancer.

Not only are adult Black men more likely than white men to have this disease, but they also develop it at an early age. Prostate cancer can occur at age 40 and spread rapidly by age 50. According to a 2020 study published in JAMA, after a median follow-up of 7.6 years, 59.9% of Black men with low-risk prostate cancer had disease progression, compared to 48.3% of non-Hispanic white men. Similarly, within the study’s time frame, 54.8% of Black men underwent definitive treatment, compared to 41.4% of non-Hispanic white men.

The notion that Black men are more likely to get aggressive prostate cancer is not new; such inequalities are not uncommon in the cancer field. Historical and institutional racism, racial biases, and entrenched socioeconomic factors ultimately contribute to these gaps in cancer. When evaluating these factors, it is important to acknowledge the mistrust many African Americans have towards U.S. healthcare as a result of historical exploitation and prejudice. Such examples are the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study, as well as the case of Henrietta Lacks in the cancer field—the story is as much about suffering from cancer as it is about a lack of bioethical standards at the time.

Some scholars have concluded that racial biases in the medical system drive doctors to provide poor health care to patients of color, contributing to increased rates of morbidity and mortality. The composition of the medical workforce reflects the absence of appropriate representation. Even though Black Americans make up 13.4% of the U.S. population, only 2.3% of practicing oncologists self-identify as Black or African American. In addition, ethnic/racial groups reportedly comprise only 3–7% of biomedical research faculty in the U.S., despite having a greater representation at the Ph.D. and postdoctoral levels. This lack of diversity in the oncology workforce has grave consequences for Black patients as it can obfuscate correlations between disease traits and treatment response, reinforcing health inequities.

However, sharing a racial or cultural background with one’s doctor helps promote communication and trust. A 2019 NBER study found that Black men seen by Black doctors agreed to more invasive, preventive services than those treated by non-Black doctors. While efforts to address these disparities grow, cultural and social norms remain obstacles for Black men to navigate the system. Norms surrounding masculinity can become barriers to Black men in receiving the health care they need, according to a University of Michigan study published in the journal Social Work.

While a personal matter, sexual health is a major concern in the case of prostate cancer. Men are typically hesitant to ask healthcare professionals, friends, or family members questions. According to some theories “toxic” has an impact on physical health. Toxic masculinity may deter some men from seeking help for potential health concerns. Asking for help can cause emotions of inadequacy, weakness, and a sense of being “less of a man” in some men.

More Black lives can be saved with prostate screening than those at lower risk. When prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening tests were introduced in the 1990s, the death rates of Black men dropped the highest. Because of the substantial association between midlife PSA levels and the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, Black men should practice frequent and early screening. Men between the age of 55 to 69 should consider PSA screening and regular prostate exams, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although prostate cancer is uncommon in men under the age of 45, a 2020 study suggests that high-risk Black men should undergo prostate screening at this age. Any clinical suspicion of prostate cancer can be raised by these screening tests. Although prostate cancer is rare in males under 45 years, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study suggests that Black men at high risk should consider prostate screening around this age. The tests can raise any clinical suspicion of prostate cancer.

Lifestyle changes can also help lower the risk of prostate cancer such as exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. However, Black men should not have to deal with the medical system and cancer risks alone. Brotherhood and community are advocacy tools that can enable Black males not only to check in with one another but also speak up for one another.

This article is brought to you by Janssen.

The post Speaking Up and Checking In: Why Advocacy for Prostate Cancer in the Healthcare System Is Important appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Although it may feel like a party today, protests are deeply embedded in the history of Pride. It all started with the Stonewall Uprising in New York City. In the early morning of June 28th, 1969, eight officers from the New York City’s Public Morals Division, a unit of the police department, raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village.

This raid wasn’t unusual in New York (or many other cities). Back then, the Public Morals Division enforced all laws for vice and gambling, including prostitution, narcotics and homosexuality. Cops could arrest and even force hospitalization of gay people. On this particular evening, however, the bar patrons fought back. More and more patrons joined the fight, including people from neighboring bars, and mayhem ensued. Hundreds of people resisted arrest and fought against police oppression. The protest lasted six days.

The following year, the anniversary of the Stonewall riots was marked by demonstrations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The parades were a mix of politics and celebration. They promoted visibility of the LGBTQ community including their needs and rights — like protection against harassment, raising awareness of the AIDS epidemic or fighting for marriage equality.

Since the Stonewall riots, Pride events have grown tremendously, bringing out hundreds of thousands of people to celebrate each year across the world. And while there have been some huge gains in LGBTQ+ rights, there is still a ways to go.

Want to learn more about the history of the Pride movement? Click here for more information.

This article is brought to you by Mosaico.

The post How the Pride March Made History appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Diagnosis. Certain drugs are a better choice for specific symptoms and types of depression. For example, an antidepressant that makes you sleepy may be better when insomnia is an issue. The severity of your illness or the presence of anxiety, obsessions, or compulsions may also dictate the choice of one drug over another.
• Side effects. You may want to choose a drug based on which side effect you most want to avoid. Medications vary in the likelihood they will cause such problems as sexual effects, weight gain, or sedation.
• Age. As you age, your body tends to break down drugs more slowly. Thus, older people may need a lower dose. For children, only a few medications have been studied carefully.
• Health. If you have certain health problems, it’s best to avoid certain drugs. For example, your doctor will want to consider factors such as heart disease or neurological illnesses when recommending a drug. For this reason, it’s important to discuss medical problems with a primary care doctor or psychiatrist before starting an antidepressant.
• Medications, supplements, and diet. When combined with certain drugs or substances, antidepressants may not work as well, or they may have worrisome or dangerous side effects. For example, combining an SSRI or another antidepressant with the herbal remedy St. John’s wort can boost serotonin to dangerous and, in rare cases, fatal levels. Mixing St. John’s wort with other drugs—including certain drugs to control HIV infection, cancer medications, and birth control pills—might lower their effectiveness. Women receiving tamoxifen for breast cancer should take an antidepressant that does not interfere with tamoxifen’s effectiveness. Eating certain foods, such as aged cheeses and cured meats, while taking an MAOI can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
• Alcohol or illicit drugs. Alcohol and other substances can cause depression and make antidepressants less effective. Doctors often treat alcohol or drug addiction first if they believe either is causing the depression. In many instances, simultaneous treatment for addiction and depression is warranted.
• Personal and family mental health and medication history. If you or a member of your family has had a good response to a medication in the past, that information may guide your choice. Depending on the nature and course of your depression (for example, if your depression is long-lasting or difficult to treat), you may need a higher dose or a combination of drugs. This may also be true if an antidepressant has stopped working for you, which may occur after you’ve used it for some time or after you’ve stopped and restarted treatment with it.
• Cost. Since all antidepressants are roughly equivalent in their effectiveness, you won’t lose anything by trying a generic version first.
• Your preference. Once you have learned as much as you can about the treatment options, your doctor will want to know what approach makes most sense given your lifestyle, your interests, and your judgment.

The post Which Medication Is Best for Depression? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

TheBody

Featuring first-person perspectives from the HIV and AIDS community, TheBody is an impressive network of bloggers who contribute to HIV topics tailored for specific audiences. Examples include HIV and AIDS resources for African Americans, information for those newly diagnosed, aging with HIV, and HIV stigma and discrimination. TheBody also offers its content in Spanish.

POZ

POZ is a lifestyle, treatment, and advocacy magazine. It aims to inform, inspire, and empower its readership. Its blog covers everything from the latest in cutting-edge health news to deeply personal stories from people living with the virus. Additionally, its forums offer an around-the-clock discussion area for people with questions about HIV.

HIV.gov

This is a go-to for anyone interested in federal HIV policies, programs, and resources in the United States. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, HIV.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government HIV and AIDS information. The blog helps readers stay current with news and updates that focus on ending HIV, prevention, and building awareness.

I’m Still Josh

When Josh Robbins started his award-winning blog shortly after getting his HIV diagnosis in 2012, he dedicated himself to spreading hope through his experiences. Equal parts personal narrative and exclusive HIV news, I’m Still Josh is a refreshingly effervescent take on difficult topics.

My Fabulous Disease

My Fabulous Disease is home to the writing and video work of Mark S. King, an award-winning author, blogger, and advocate. Along with inspirational storytelling, the blog features debate on sexual politics, insights on prevention and policy, and personal videos from King’s life.

A Girl Like Me

Women and girls living with HIV will find community and valuable insights here. The goals of A Girl Like Me, a program of The Well Project, are to help normalize HIV and create a safe space for women living with HIV to speak out and share their experiences. Bloggers from around the world come together to support one another and touch on tough issues they face in their daily lives.

BETA Blog

BETA Blog offers an array of content for those with an interest in science-driven developments and community-born interventions. The blog focuses on new developments in HIV prevention and strategies for living well with the virus. Backed by a team of researchers, clinicians, and community advocates, BETA’s mission is all about health literacy. Learn tools to help you ask smarter questions, understand meaningful developments in HIV research, and get the most from your medical care here.

NAM aidsmap

People looking for an honest and in-depth worldview on HIV and AIDS will find plenty to browse through here. NAM believes independent, clear, and accurate information is vital in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Their blog is an extension of their pledge to share knowledge and save lives. NAM’s content ranges from the latest on science and research to drug fact sheets.

AIDS United

AIDS United aims to serve disproportionately affected populations, including men who have sex with men, communities of color, women, people living in the Deep South, and those living with HIV or AIDS. Their mission is to end the AIDS epidemic in the United States. Their blog works toward that goal by highlighting recent research, shining a spotlight on advocates and allies in the community, and sharing commentary from guest bloggers.

Plus Magazine

Plus is a leading provider of HIV-related health information serving consumers, AIDS service organizations, policymakers, and healthcare professionals. The magazine addresses the mental and physical health conditions that affect people living with HIV. It covers topics that include stigma, treatment, and activism.

CATIE

As Canada’s official knowledge broker for HIV and hepatitis C, CATIE’s mandate is to provide both treatment and prevention information on HIV and hepatitis C to frontline service providers across Canada. The site provides up-to-date, accurate, and unbiased information on prevention, treatment, and healthy living.

NASTAD

The goal of NASTAD is to end HIV and related conditions by strengthening public policy surrounding the virus, both domestically and internationally. They’re a nonprofit organization that represents public health officials who run HIV and hepatitis programs in the United States. Visitors to the blog will find information relating to the latest policy and research updates.

Black AIDS Institute

The blog is the platform for the Black AIDS Institute, which for two decades has worked to end the Black AIDS epidemic. It partners with clinics and health organizations to provide quality HIV services to Black people. The Black AIDS Institute offers a virtual speaker series, as well as resources and links to services for Black men and women who are living with AIDS. They offer a free download of their report “We the People, a Black Plan to End HIV in America.”

The Reckoning

This is the literary blog partner of the Counter Narrative Project, a community of Black gay men committed to solidarity with movements committed to social and racial justice. The Reckoning publishes unique, thought-provoking articles on culture and politics concerning HIV and beyond. It welcomes pitches for personal and critical essays. You’ll find articles here about all issues concerning HIV, but the content goes beyond just HIV. It also includes posts on varied topics of interest to Black gay men and their allies, including music, entertainment, the aging process, police relations, housing, and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Black Girl Health

This blog about healthcare for Black women has a lot of information about HIV. You’ll find articles about staying healthy, getting tested, dealing with an HIV-positive diagnosis, and finding the right treatment. You can also read about how to offer support to loved ones living with HIV. You can learn the statistics about Black women living with HIV and AIDS, and the disparities of those numbers among various communities. You can also get advice for dealing with potentially awkward situations, like asking your partner to get tested or telling your family you’re HIV-positive.

Black Health Matters

This site provides health and wellness resources for the Black community and has a large HIV and AIDS category in its health conditions section. You’ll read about how to come to terms with an HIV-positive diagnosis and how to find the right medication, build a support network, and handle the depression that can seem to overwhelm you. You’ll also find the bright side of HIV — yes, there is one! You’ll read posts about how to date again, enjoy time with your family, and have children. Hope shines bright in these posts, and you’ll discover how HIV is now manageable with medication.

If you have a favorite blog you’d like to nominate, please email us at bestblogs@healthline.com.

The post Best HIV/AIDS Blogs of the Year! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post Black Health Matters Talks FSGS With NephCure’s Lauren Lee appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Manage electrolyte (salt) concentrations
• Manage the amount of fluid within the body
• Help manage blood pressure xHelp maintain acid-base balance
• Produce hormones that affect blood and bones

• Immune system conditions such as lupus or chronic viral illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
• Urinary tract infections that have reached the kidneys can lead to scarring as the infection heals. Multiple episodes can lead to kidney damage.
• Inflammation in the tiny filters within the kidneys; this can happen after a strep infection and other conditions of unknown cause.
• A rare kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) that disproportionately affects African Americans. It affects the kidney’s filter units which stop filtering the blood properly and protein spills into the urine (called proteinuria). Over time, this may lead to kidney failure.
• Polycystic kidney disease, in which fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys over time. This is the most common form of inherited kidney disease.
• Congenital defects that affect the kidneys often cause urinary tract obstruction or malformation. One of the most common involves a valve-like mechanism between the bladder and urethra.
• Drugs and toxins, including long-term exposure to some medications and chemicals, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, and use of intravenous “street” drugs.

The post The Truth About Chronic Kidney Disease 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.

Am I at a higher risk for catching COVID-19 if I have kidney disease?
The CDC has identified the following groups more at risk for COVID-19:

• older adults
• any people with the following medical conditions
  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • HIV 
  • asthma 
  • chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
• pregnant women

If you are a kidney patient who has had a transplant and are taking immunosuppressant medications, you may also be at a higher risk. Take these steps, recommended by the CDC, to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19. 

What kidney-friendly foods should I stock up on?

• Get tips and shopping list for a 3-day emergency diet.
• Visit Kidney Kitchen for a shopping list of food items to stock in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Is food delivery safe?
Cooking at home is your best option, but there are many services that deliver groceries to your home. If you do order out, choose a healthy diet with limited phosphorus, potassium and salt.

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you feel sick, call your health-care team right away.

Are dialysis clinics open and should I go to treatments?

Dialysis clinics are still open. Dialysis clinics are taking precautions with your safety in mind, including social distancing in reception areas. If there are changes in your clinic’s hours or to your dialysis schedule, your team will contact you. If you are not sure about schedules, procedures or just have questions, call your clinic. You should not miss treatment. Your immune system is stronger when your blood is clean.

How can I get emergency dialysis?

Call your dialysis center. They will find a way to fit you into their schedule or refer you to another nearby center.

What can I do if COVID-19 is giving me anxiety and this sudden change in daily routine is making me depressed?

If you are on dialysis and have a social worker, talk to your social worker; they are trained to help you navigate your emotions. If you do not have a social worker, call your insurance provider to see if mental health counseling is covered in your benefits and if telehealth is an option.

You can also reduce anxiety with:

• mindfulness: paying attention to the present, not the past.
• meditation 
• breathing exercises 
• exercising 
• limiting or eliminating caffeine 
• getting adequate sleep 
• journaling

In addition to the kidney-specific advice above, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent recommends that everyone do their part to help us respond to this public health threat.

• Use a cloth face covering to keep people who are infected but do not have symptoms from spreading COVID-19 to others. The recommended cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N95 respirators. Medical face masks are critical supplies that should be reserved for health-care workers and other first responders.
• Keep 6 feet between you and others.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds whenever you’ve been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

The organizations below are providing updates on COVID-19. Check each organization’s website regularly as new information and resources become available.

• American Kidney Fund
• Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition
• DaVita
• American Association of Kidney Patients

The post Coronavirus FAQs for Kidney Patients appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The options for treating evil microbes are going down and their number and severity are going up. We unwittingly consume a great deal of antibiotics not only from prescriptions but, increasingly, from what we eat, too—fruit, beef, chicken and pork. As a result, most antibiotics have no therapeutic value against evolving super bugs, increasing the rate of death from infectious diseases. Even before the appearance of COVID-19, Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, has been killing 700,000 people per year, and we have nothing to treat the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The forecast is that microbial infections will be the cause of death for 10 million people per year worldwide. 

Our bodies are home to trillions of microbes and most of them are surprisingly good for us. Only a tiny number of them make us ill. But they are, nonetheless, the cause of a third of all deaths in the world. Microbes make up about 10 percent of our diet and break down what we eat so it can be digested from the 20 or so digestive enzymes permanently residing in our gut. What if we could enlist the good microbes to fight the evil microbes for us? 

While we are spending time sheltering at home, my wife and I are catching up on movies. We just watched “War of the Worlds” and guess what saved us? A virus! This is not only true in movies, but could be our savior in real life as well. No doubt you are also watching “Outbreak,” “World War Z,” “Black Death,” “The Andromeda Strain,” “The Last Man on Earth” and “Contagion.”

Why is it that we preach that “prevention is better than a cure” to our children but don’t practice what we preach? Our country could have been so much better off today if we had not disbanded the Medical and Biodefense Preparedness office, reduced the budget for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ignored the warnings from multiple intelligent sources. 

But because we made these errors, there was not enough work being done to find out how microbes affect us. There is so much more to learn and so little time to get it done.  While it is hard to wrap our minds around a microscopic organism causing the demise of mankind, it has that potential. Just like it only takes one seed to produce a forest, or one candle to light every other candle in the world, it takes only one infected person to infect the entire planet. 

Here’s what we know about microbes:

1. Microbes consist of bacteria (think: bubonic plague, cholera and pneumonia), fungi (mushrooms, yeasts, molds and athlete’s foot), viruses (coronavirus, HIV, SARS, EBOLA, smallpox, the common cold and flu, measles, mumps, chicken pox, hepatitis, herpes and polio)  and protists (amoebas, algae, protozoa, archaea and slime molds). If you made a pile of all the microbes on earth, it would be greater than all the animals. There are more microbes in our bodies than cells. 
2. Viruses are tiny micro-organisms and mostly invisible. If you blow one up (as we have been doing with coronavirus) to the size of a tennis ball, the human from which it was extracted would be 500 miles tall.
3. Microbes even live in the ocean. A quart of sea water contains 100 billion viruses.
4. Of the hundreds of thousands of viruses identified so far, only 263 affect humans either for good or evil.
5. Microbes produce the gas that occasionally escapes from our rectum as they convert what we eat—particularly beans—to methane.
6. Passionate kissing accounts for the transfer of one billion bacteria from mouth to mouth.
7. The varicella-zoster virus that causes chicken pox can be inactive for 50 years before springing back as shingles. 
8. Viruses cannot propel themselves and have no means of locomotion. We have to go out and get them from surfaces—door handles, money, handshakes—and by inhaling it. But once they get into a cell, they explode with activity.
9. About 40,000 species of microbes live in and on us (on our skin, in our nostrils and lungs, in our mouth and stomach). You can soak yourself in alcohol and wash your hands for an hour and never rid yourself of all of them. But you don’t want to; again, most of them are beneficial.
10. Have you even had an E. coli infestation? Without treatment, they can reproduce 25 times per day.
11. While minorities are at greater risk because they have suboptimal health care, COVID-19 is an equal opportunity infector, although infections in children are relatively uncommon.

So, how is social isolation working for you? The average person puts their hands to their face 16 times per hour, or about 200 times per day! An infected doorknob can infect everyone in the building in less than a day. The virus can infect everyone who touches the same dollar bill over a two-week period. 

Who knows what is out there waiting for us? Viruses can bide their time until they get ready to wreak havoc. What affect will global warming have on new viruses that have been dormant for millions of years with the melting of the glaciers or the opening up of new farmlands in ancient rainforests?

—B. Waine Kong, Ph.D.

The post Welcome to the World of Microbes 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.

Black women younger than 35 get breast cancer at twice the rate and die at three times the rate. We get triple-negative breast cancer at twice the rate, have poorer outcomes and there’s no therapy to prevent recurrence. And our clinical trial participation is minimal, thereby we don’t have therapies that are effective for our physiology.

Their reaction was, “Wow, Ricki! We are working hard every day to develop cancer therapies, but what can we do?”  

Here’s something you can do: How about adopting the HIV model? Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Gilead and Viiv (formerly Glasgow Smith Kline) and other pharma took on HIV as a mission. Though there is still no cure, people living with HIV are thriving and living long lives. HIV is no longer a death sentence because of pharmaceutical efforts. Approximately 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV today.

So I am challenging my pharmaceutical partners to start a movement! Take on black breast cancer as a specific disease state, not just breast cancer, but black breast cancer. 

There are approximately 2.8 million black women with breast cancer in this country. Let’s focus research efforts on black women specifically to comprehend our physiology clearly. Make the commitment to understanding what makes breast cancer different for black women. I am not a scientist, and I know that I may be oversimplifying a very complicated illness, but my grandmother always told me, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”  

So pharmaceutical companies, are you up to the challenge? Are you willing to tackle all aspects of this disease state relative to black women? 

What makes black breast cancer a different disease? Let me break some real issues for you about what differentiates black breast cancer from breast cancers in other women: 

Black women are stressed out. Let’s understand fully the impact of stress from the social determinants of health, stress from being the main breadwinners for our families, stress from being single moms (77.3 percent of black moms are going it alone), stress from our Superwoman, save the world, take care of everyone psyche.“Stress has a profound impact on how your body’s systems function … stress makes your body more hospitable to cancer,” said Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., professor of general oncology and behavioral science and director of the Integrative Medicine Program at MD Anderson, 

“Chronic stress also can help cancer grow and spread in a number of ways,” says Anil K. Sood, M.D., professor of gynecologic oncology and reproductive medicine at MD Anderson.  A report published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research by scientists from the University of Rochester Medical Center and Stanford University School of Medicine, identified that “extended periods of stress and trauma … may interfere with the body’s ability to fight off cancer progression … and potentially make the body more susceptible to recurrence of cancer.”

Let’s look at genetics, genomics and biomarkers. What role do they play in black breast cancer? In my personal experience as a triple negative breast cancer survivor, I don’t have any known genetic mutations, but is there something there that hasn’t been looked at, evaluated and a labeled yet? Is there some science we are missing with this testing, because we frankly don’t have enough data on black women? A recent survey conducted by Sisters Network Inc. identified that among African American survivors, there is a huge knowledge gap around genomic testing, and it is not being readily offered to black women by their health professionals.

• 61 percent had never heard of genomic testing.
• 83 percent were not offered genomic testing by their health professional.
• Those who were offered genomic testing (17 percent) did get the testing done.
• For perspective, 70 percent were offered genetic testing by their health professional. Seventy-six percent  had genetic testing done, demonstrating that 6 percent sought out the testing themselves despite it not being offered by their physician. Of those tested, 11 percent have a breast cancer gene.

Let’s research obesity and its potential causal factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 82 percent of black women are overweight or obese. What role does diet and exercise play, and not just any diet, a black woman’s diet and level of exercise?

Let’s look at life stage and age. What’s going on the lives and bodies of black women younger than age 35 that would make them more susceptible to breast cancer?

Let’s study the quality of care for black women. Relative to breast cancer incidence, treatment and mortality is inferior. Where are the disconnects? Where are we failing black women? The National Academy of Medicine released a report documenting that “racial and ethnic minorities receive lower-quality health care than white people, even when insurance status, income, age and severity of conditions are comparable.” It concluded by describing an “uncomfortable reality”: “Some people in the United States were more likely to die from cancer, heart disease and diabetes simply because of their race or ethnicity, not just because they lack access to health care.”

Let’s understand the real factors that drive us to being diagnosed at later stages. According to the American Cancer Society, only 54 percent of breast cancers in black women are diagnosed at a local stage, compared to 64 percent in white women.

Triple-negative breast cancer remains a force to be reckoned with for us. Black women have 2.3 times higher odds of being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Among women who were diagnosed with breast cancer, those diagnosed at late stages were 69 percent more likely to have triple-negative cancer than other types. Why are our incidence and mortality numbers so high? 

African American participation in clinical trials is extremely insufficient. We are reluctant to engage in clinical trials and may refuse treatment as a result of our own race-related experiences. According to U.S. Census data, African Americans represent 13.4 percent of the U.S. population, yet the FDA reports this population makes up only 5 percent of clinical trial participants.

Let’s get real about the actual science of developing and testing drugs for black breast cancer look like Instead of letting the tail wag the dog, with black women being a small percentage of clinical trial research, make the research about black women. Conduct studies with just black women.  

According to Farid Vij, vice president of Corporate Development for Ciitizen (whose mission is to provide patients with control of their comprehensive health information), “Data is what will determine which patients are eligible for which trials, and data will be the driving force behind any research for new drugs and therapeutics. This is how we move the needle. Research for patients, by patients.”  

Let’s change the vocabulary for clinical trials so black women feel like research is safe and can be trusted. Frankly the words “clinical trials” are disturbing. The word “clinical” sounds like mice in a petrie dish, and the word “trials” sounds like failure. Most black women I talk to believe “placebo” means “I’m going to get the drug that doesn’t work.” They don’t understand the basics of what a clinical trial is and how they work, so they have minimal knowledge of what standard of care is.

Black women should not be dying of breast cancer at the levels we are. The industry needs to hunker down and focus specifically on black breast cancer. It is obviously a disease state unto itself, and we are now demanding attention.

Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder and CEO of Sisters Network^® Inc., says, “In our 25 years of fighting this fight, I have never seen enough focus given to black women and breast cancer. We fight a different fight that deserves committed research that matches the devastation we face.”

My awesome physician and sister friend, Regina Hampton, M.D., president of Doctors Community Hospital and co-founder and chief medical officer for Breast Care for Washington, D.C., says, “We need to look at these statistics and sound the alarm. Black women need access, trials and answers to figure out why there is not more progress in breast cancer statistics. We need to find innovative ways to make clinical trials available to this community that has deep mistrust in research.”

Pharma, are you with us? Are you willing to step up to this challenge? What’s stopping you from joining us in this movement to take on black breast cancer?

Let’s save some lives!

—Ricki Fairley

The post Wake Up, Pharma! Let’s Save Some Lives! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Condoms seem pretty easy to put on—and keep on—during sex, but a series of reports show looks can be deceiving. Improper use is a serious public health issue in developing countries and here in the United States.

The Kinsey Institute Condom Use Research Team found that condoms breaking and slipping off were common, but that user error was to blame in most cases. According to MSNBC, not leaving the condom on during the entire sex act, not looking to see if the condom is punctured, expired or damaged prior to use, and not leaving enough room at the tip were common mistakes as well. Some other mistakes included:

• Not squeezing air from the tip
• Putting the condom on inside out
• Withdrawing one’s penis too soon
• Putting the condom on too late
• Failure to roll the condom down all the way
• Using the wrong type of lubrication or no lubrication at all
• Reusing old condoms

While the World Health Organization states that condoms have a 2 percent failure rate when used perfectly and consistently, WebMD states that the typical failure rate is much higher than that, at 15 percent.

We all know not using condoms properly has serious consequences, consequences African Americans just cannot afford, including unwanted pregnancies, STD and HIV transmission. All three are disproportionately higher among blacks compared to whites and other ethnicities.

So the question remains, do you know how to wrap it up the right way?

The American Social Health Association offers up these tips:

• • Use only latex or polyurethane (plastic) condoms.
  • Keep condoms in a cool, dry place.
  • Put the condom on an erect penis before there is any contact with a partner’s genitals.
  • Use plenty of lubricant. But don’t use oil-based products with latex condoms. Water-based lubes are condom-friendly, but they might increase the risks of STIs with anal sex. Consider using silicone-based lubricants for anal intercourse.
  • Hold the condom in place at the base of the penis before withdrawing after sex.
  • Throw away used condoms.
  • Don’t use your fingernails or teeth when opening a condom wrapper. It’s very easy to tear the condom inside. If you do tear it while opening the wrapper, throw it away and get a new one.
  • Don’t leave condoms in hot places like your wallet or in your car.

The post Improper Condom Use Is Very Common appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Each kidney is made up of approximately one million tiny filters called glomeruli. Much as a coffee filter keeps coffee grounds in, glomeruli filter the blood, taking out the water-like part, which becomes urine and leaving the protein in the blood. When glomeruli become damaged or scarred (sclerosis), proteins begin leaking into the urine (proteinuria). The word “focal” is added because in FSGS, only some of the glomeruli filters become scarred. “Segmental” means that only some sections of the glomerulus becomes scarred, just parts of them.

How is FSGS diagnosed?

FSGS is diagnosed with renal biopsy, however, because only some sections of the glomeruli are affected, the biopsy can sometimes be inconclusive.

What are the symptoms of FSGS?

Many people with FSGS have no symptoms at all.  When symptoms are present the most common include:

• Proteinuria caused by large amounts of protein spilling into the urine
• Edema, which is swelling in parts of the body, most noticeable around the eyes, hands and feet, and abdomen, which causes sudden weight gain.
• Low blood albumin levels because the kidneys are removing albumin instead of returning it to the blood
• High cholesterol in some cases
• High blood pressure in some cases and it often can be hard to treat

FSGS can also cause abnormal results of creatinine in laboratory tests. Creatinine is measured by taking a blood sample. Everyone has a certain amount of a substance called creatinine floating in his or her blood. This substance is always being produced by healthy muscles, and normally the kidneys constantly filter it out and the level of creatinine stays low. But when the filters become damaged, they stop filtering properly and the level of creatinine left in the blood goes up.

What causes FSGS?

FSGS is usually idiopathic, which means it arises without a known cause. There are some known genetic causes of the disease, with new gene variants continually being discovered.

FSGS can be primary or secondary in nature.

Primary FSGS means the disease happened on its own without a known or obvious reason.

Secondary FSGS means doctors think it was caused by, or is associated with, another medical condition that occurred first. How the other condition caused the scarring is not always certain. Some causes of secondary FSGS include:

• Kidney defects from birth
• Urine backing up into kidneys
• Obesity
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Viruses and blood disorders (such as HIV and sickle cell anemia)
• Autoimmune disorders (such as lupus and HSP)

Who gets FSGS?

More than 5,400 patients are diagnosed with FSGS every year, however, this is considered an underestimate because:

• a limited number of biopsies are performed
• the number of cases are rising more than any other cause of nephrotic syndrome.

FSGS occurs more frequently in adults than in children and is most prevalent in adults 45 years or older. It is most common in African Americans and people of Asian decent.

How is it treated?

Currently there are few FDA approved treatments, but usually a steroid called prednisone or prednisolone is given to try and control proteinuria. Proteinuria treatment aims to decrease the amount of protein lost in the urine. The less protein in the urine, the better the patient will do. In FSGS, even partial remission is important.

Your nephrologist may also recommend:

• Medications that suppress your immune system
• Diuretics and a low-salt diet help to control edema
• A medication that blocks a hormone system called the renin angiotensin system (ACE inhibitor or ARB) to control blood pressure or lower urine protein
• Anticoagulants to prevent blood clots
• Statins to lower the cholesterol level
• Maintaining a healthy diet—correct amounts of protein and fluid intake according to your nephrologist’s recommendations. A healthy diet consists of low salt with emphasis on fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fat and cholesterol. A low-salt diet may help with swelling
• Exercising
• Not smoking
• Vitamins

From NephCure Kidney International

To see if a clinical trial is for you, visit https://www.fsgsduplex.com.

The post What Is FSGS? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The first step in getting through this difficult period is to understand that these feelings are normal responses to your diagnosis. Ignoring them will not make them go away. Allow yourself to feel what is inside you. It is OK to cry if you feel like it.

Anger, fear and sadness are emotions that most people with serious illnesses experience. You are facing the possibility of getting sick or dying. You may be scared that you will not see the children in your life grow up. Or maybe you are afraid that you will not achieve your life goals. In the beginning, it may seem that testing positive is a death sentence, but this is not true. There is life after you test positive for HIV. In fact, many people living with HIV lead full and healthy lives.

You may also feel that you are now damaged in some way and that no one will want to love you because you are HIV-positive. Or you may blame yourself for getting HIV and ask yourself, “How could I have let this happen to me?” Try to be gentle with yourself. Guilt and shame can be destructive. If possible, try to have some compassion for yourself. You have just gotten bad news and must face changes and challenges ahead. If forgiving yourself or being compassionate with yourself seem difficult, try to imagine how you would respond to a loved one whom you just learned was HIV-positive. Think on the love and comfort you might give that person and share some with yourself. You are just as deserving and just as capable of giving and receiving love as ever.

Being diagnosed with HIV presents many challenges. Building a support network can help you learn to cope. Take your time and do not feel that you have to tell everyone right away. It is important not to let fear of being judged cause you to isolate yourself and not talk to anyone. If it is hard to tell family and friends at first, you may want to turn to HIV organizations. 

Many newly diagnosed people want to speak with others in the same situation. This can decrease isolation and help overcome stigma. There are many AIDS service organizations that offer support and information to HIV-positive people. ASOs are great places to find helpful, non-judgmental people to talk with, and many offer support groups. Joining a support group and talking about your feelings in a safe space may reduce fears and concerns. There are support groups offered by ASOs in many parts of the US. 

Finding networks or others who are in similar situations might also help you not feel so alone. Be sure to check out The Well Project’s blog, “A Girl Like Me” for first-hand accounts of HIV-positive women from different parts of the world and how they each have dealt with their HIV diagnosis.

As upsetting as testing positive can be, you are better off knowing. Once you know you are HIV-positive, you can take charge of your health and have the best chance to slow or prevent disease progression. Getting informed about HIV and its treatment will help you make the best of your situation.

An important factor in getting good care and treatment is to find the right health-care provider. Look for a health-care provider who specializes in treating HIV. Studies have shown that an HIV-positive person whose health care provider treats many HIV-positive people lives longer than a person whose health-care provider treats a few HIV-positive people.

Even though there is no cure for HIV disease, there are many treatments that help keep HIV under control. There are now over 30 HIV drugs available. Much has been learned about how to use these drugs more easily and effectively, and with fewer side effects. The use of HIV drugs is allowing many HIV-positive people to live long and healthy lives.

You will need to get information and work with your health care provider to decide what treatments are best for you. There are many good places to get information including ASOs, hotlines, and websites. But be careful about the information you are getting. Check it out with your health care provider or other reliable sources to make sure it is accurate. Remember, there are no “miracle” cures. If it sounds too good to be true, it is probably not true.

Learning that you are HIV-positive may make you feel you have lost control over your life. Try not to let this rush you into making decisions when you are still coming to terms with your diagnosis. Remember, you are in charge of your own health care. You can decide which treatments you use and when to use them. Take your time and learn about your options. Unless you are very ill and need to make treatment decisions quickly, you have time to think things through. 

You are not alone. In the US, about one million people are HIV-positive, and approximately one in four people newly diagnosed with HIV are women. Globally, women make up half of all people living with HIV. There are many HIV-positive women who can provide information, support, and advice.

Keeping to yourself can make the process of moving forward after the diagnosis more difficult. It is a good idea to reach out to people, but if anyone threatens you with violence or is abusive, it is time to step away from them. Take yourself and any children you have to a safe place and talk with someone you trust. You need a positive environment and supportive people in your life. 

Also be careful not to put your family’s welfare ahead of your own. When you take care of yourself, you are doing something good for yourself and your family. You owe it to them to make sure you are as healthy as you can be. 

Being diagnosed with HIV is life changing. Once you know you are HIV-POSITIVE, you can never unknow it. However, HIV is a virus; it does not change the essence of who you are. Learn to see yourself as a person living with HIV, not a victim. You can do this by getting informed, taking charge of your health care, and learning how to manage HIV. 

You may find that some of the priorities in your life now change. This can be a good thing. Facing a serious illness can prompt people to make their lives better. Many HIV-POSITIVE people make favorable changes such as breaking bad habits like drinking too much or smoking. As serious as the diagnosis is, there is good reason to have hope that your life will be full and healthy. Do not give up on yourself or your dreams.

Reprinted with permission from The Well Project

The post Did You Just Test Positive for HIV? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“Health isn’t something that exists in a vacuum,” Hess said. “It’s connected to economic security, access to affordable health care, housing quality, access to healthy food and racism.”

To change the course of these trends, policymakers have to address the root causes of illnesses that strike about half the United States population. The top six highlighted in IWPR’s report:

1. Less than 50 percent of women in this country exercise regularly. Women in Colorado and Vermont report being the most active, with 59 percent reporting at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee bring up the rear, with less than a third of the female population in all three states getting some sort of workout in on a regular basis. This fact is occurring simultaneous to obesity remaining a growing concern for U.S. women: Nearly six in 10 women are overweight, or have a body mass index of 25 or greater.

2. More women are being diagnosed with diabetes, especially black and Native American women. According to the National Institutes of Health, 10 percent of women in this country have the disease, which increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and blindness. One study found biological risk factors—including weight and fat around the abdomen—are leading contributors for higher rates of diabetes for black Americans.

3. Mental health is worsening across the country. Women reported feeling more distressed everywhere except New Mexico, Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The median number of days per month women reported experiencing poor mental health—anxiety, depression, stress—increased about 11 percent over the last half-decade.

4. Chlamydia is on the rise. The incidence of the U.S.’s most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection has surged among American women of all ages over the last decade. (Men also saw a major increase, though but rate among them remains lower.) Medical professionals say this infection is easily spread because it often causes no symptoms and may be unknowingly passed between sexual partners. In fact, about 75 percent of infections in women and 50 percent in men don’t have symptoms. While every state saw their chlamydia rates among women increase over the last decade, the largest growth occurred in North Dakota, Massachusetts and Arkansas.

5.  More American women are killing themselves. Suicide rates are rising across the country, with rates up 30 percent since 1999. But the suicide rate among women in this country has jumped an alarming 50 percent since 1999, outpacing male suicides by nearly 30 percent. No one knows why this disturbing trend is taking place, though experts believe it’s likely a combination of reasons: 1) federal funding for mental health care has decreased; 2) stigma around seeking help for mental health issues discourage folks from getting care; 3) financial worries have increased; and 4) stress levels have also risen. Rates varied by ethnicity, with white and Native American women being most likely to commit suicide.

6. Black women are nearly 30 times more likely to have AIDS as an Asian woman. Incidence rates of AIDS for black women—28 per 100,000—are nearly six times higher than the rate for all women. That’s almost 30 times higher than among Asian women and about 20 times higher than white women. The lone bright spot in this scary health trend: Black women are the most likely to get tested for HIV. Sixty percent have been tested compared with only 30 percent of Asian and white women.

The post 6 Scary Health Trends for Women 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.

​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.

The survey uncovered a disturbing trend of confusion and insufficient knowledge of HIV and its transmission. This ignorance, coupled with high-risk sexual activity, poor disease management and stigmatizing behaviors among young adults, signals the HIV crisis hasn’t ended in this country.

“Despite scientific advances and decades of HIV advocacy and education, the findings highlight a disturbing trend: Young adults overwhelmingly are not being informed effectively about the basics of HIV,” said Bruce Richman, founding executive director, Prevention Access Campaign and the Undetectable Equals Untransmittable campaign. “These findings are a call to action that the crisis in the United States is far from over. It’s time to elevate a real conversation about HIV and sexual health among America’s young people, and roll out innovative and engaging initiatives to educate and fight HIV stigma.”

Owning HIV, an online survey conducted between June 17 – August 5 of this year, tapped 1,596 Generation Z (ages 18-22) and millennials (ages 23-36) that self-reported as living with HIV or HIV-negative. Participants included African American, Latino, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight individuals. The goal of the study was to uncover attitudes and perceptions around HIV among young adults in this country.

Survey findings showed participants are not effectively being informed informed about HIV and its transmission. Not surprisingly, the trend was worse among Gen Z—the population furthest removed from the HIV crisis of the 1980s and 1990s.

The survey also found:

• More than two-thirds of HIV-negative young adults said they were most concerned about HIV compared to other sexually transmitted infections.
• More than half of the HIV-negative respondents reported not using condoms or pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP.
• Stigma remains a barrier facing those living with HIV; 28 percent of HIV-negative millennials said they have avoided hugging, talking to or being friends with someone with HIV, despite the risk of HIV transmission through casual contact being nonexistent.
• More than three in four young adults living with HIV agreed someone with HIV may hesitate to share their status to avoid being judged, and 90 percent agree someone may avoid sharing their status because of the fear of losing friends or family, or experiencing mental, physical or emotional abuse.
• Thirty-nine percent of Gen Z and 28 percent of millennials living with HIV said they have trouble forming new romantic or sexual relationships due to their status. Eighty-four percent of Gen Z and 65 percent of millennials say they abstain from sex because of their HIV status.

One of the more troubling data sets from the survey found young adults aren’t being accurately informed about the meaning of an undetectable viral load. Scientific evidence verifies that people living with HIV on treatment who reach and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting the virus sexually. In essence, undetectable equals untransmittable. 

Among diagnosed respondents who were asked about the term “undetectable,” only 31 percent reported it meant a person living with HIV cannot transmit the virus sexually. In addition, nearly 50 percent of HIV-negative respondents believed the virus could be transmitted when someone is undetectable. And while most survey respondents who are living with HIV are on treatment, 33 percent of Gen Z and 38 percent of millennials said they’ve forgotten to take their medicine for three or more days in a row—potentially impacting the suppression of their viral load. In addition, more than one-third of Gen Z and millennials living with HIV wrongly believe a person with HIV can stop treatment if they are feeling better.

“Merck invested in this research because of our ongoing and long-standing commitment to the HIV community, and it’s clear based on these findings, unmet needs exist among vulnerable populations across our country,” said Dr. Peter Sklar, director, clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories, and practicing physician caring for people living with HIV. “Understanding the problem is the first step in preventing a deepening of the HIV epidemic. We must continue to search for ways to better understand young people’s perceptions of HIV, promote safer sex behaviors and drive education and action in this population. It’s time to act. We are proud to champion these important issues with Prevention Access Campaign.” 

New HIV diagnoses in the U.S. remained stable between 2012 and 2016, but they increased for people aged 25 to 29 during that same time period. Young people now account for a majority of new diagnoses.

The post Owning HIV: Myths and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Continue Among Young Adults appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Bodybuilders aren’t the only ones who should pump iron.

Working out with weights, bands or machines—also known as resistance or strength training—helps your body’s most important systems work at their peak. Strength training also may protect you from the side effects of some cancers.

Why is strength training so crucial? It offers big benefits. Here’s why you should add it in your workout regimen:

• Strength training aids in weight loss. People associate aerobic exercise with weight loss, but strength training helps you shed pounds, too—with the added benefit of building healthy, lean muscles.
• It gives your metabolism a boost, helping your body turn food into energy.
• It builds bone density. Bones become frail as we age. Strength training can help us avoid the bone-wasting effects of aging.
• It helps improve and maintain physical function. We lose muscle mass as we age, which makes it difficult to perform daily activities, such as carrying loaded laundry baskets and climbing stairs. Strength training can help maintain these abilities.
• It helps cancer survivors cope with some of the energy-draining side effects of treatment.

Customize your strength-training plan and start slowly. Whether you’ve spent years in the weight room or you’re a beginner, shoot for two or three strength-training sessions a week (in addition to moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise). During each session, do a series of 10 exercises that target all your muscle groups. And, no, ladies—strength-training won’t make you bulk up. Talk to a personal trainer about what makes a good training routine. These suggestions can help if you’re just starting:

• Start with light resistance. Complete one set of 10 to 12 repetitions of each exercise. If you can’t do at least 10 reps, you’re using too much weight. Take a 30-second to one-minute break before moving on to a new exercise.
• Try to do two exercise sessions at least 48 hours apart the first week. In week two, add a second set of repetitions.
• In your third or fourth week, add a third set of reps. It’s OK to break up your exercises over a couple of sessions: Focus on your lower body one day, then the next day do back and arm exercises.

To get the most out of strength training, make sure to rest your muscles. Why? You’re breaking down muscle fiber, which needs time to build up again. Work other muscles or do aerobic exercise during the rest period. Don’t overwork tired muscles. And use proper exercise form. Steady, controlled motion is more important than lifting a lot of weight. If have poor form, you’re more likely to get injured.

As with any exercise regimen, talk to your doctor before getting started if you have existing health problems, especially if you are overweight, have heart trouble or have old injuries.

The post Pump Up Your Health With Strength Training appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Your nipples do more than just feed a baby—but you already knew that. What you may not know: Your nipples can clue you in to what’s going on in your body.

Here are 7 important things to know about your nipples:

1. Skin changes could denote something serious. Sudden dimpling or puckering of the skin around or on your nipple—especially if it occurs around just one nipple—could be a warning sign of breast cancer.
2. Hairy nipples are normal. Did you know the small bumps around the nipples are hair follicles? If dark hairs growing on your nipples looks unsightly to you, you can pluck, cut or wax them. But use care. And if the follicles become painful, grow in size, or are itchy and scaly, see your doctor. It could be a sign of infection.
3. Exercise can chafe. To protect against this, get a well-fitting sports bra or use non-chafing balms or cover your nipples with round Band-Aids. But if notice redness, scaling, or itchiness when the extent of your exercise is lifting the TV remote, see your doctor. This could be a sign of eczema or Paget’s disease, a rare form of cancer involving the nipple and areola.
4. Nipple discharge is often normal. A milky, bluish-green or clear discharge can occur in most women—even if they aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding—if the nipple is squeezed. If you’re not squeezing or if the discharge is bloody or coming from just one of your breasts, make an appointment with a health-care professional. The discharge could be caused by a harmless cyst, a benign growth or breast cancer.
5. Nipple pain during breastfeeding is normal. Common complaints during breastfeeding, especially during the first few weeks: burning, cracked, throbbing or sore nipples. If the pain continues, consult a breastfeeding specialist because your baby may not be latching on properly. Engorged breasts and infections can also cause nipple pain.
6. Nipples are erogenous zones. Researchers at Rutgers University found the sensation from nipple stimulation travels to the same pleasure centers of the brain as sensations from the vagina, clitoris and cervix. Got a pierced nipple? You could experience loss of sensation due to nerve damage.
7. Don’t worry about inverted nipples. About 15 percent of women have inverted nipples from birth; connective tissue retracts the nipple inward. A relatively minor surgical procedure can correct it in about an hour. But if your outward-facing nipples suddenly turn inward, schedule an appointment right away.

The post If Your Nipples Could Talk … appeared first on Black Health Matters.

And while that often used to be the case, survivorship programs, like the one at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, offer counseling and interventions to promote sexual recovery after cancer treatment.

“Prostate cancer, especially if it’s caught early, is a highly treatable disease,” says Daniela Wittmann, an associate professor of urology and social work at U-M, and a certified sex therapist with more than 30 years of experience. “But that also means that men are often living for a long time and dealing with the side effects of treatment.”

U-M’s David and Jan Brandon Prostate Cancer Survivorship Program is devoted to helping men—and their partners—manage those side effects, the most disruptive of which are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

“What we do is that we help men and their partners manage expectations for what the side effects of treatment are going to be like,” Wittmann says. “Before treatment, we tell them about the rehabilitation that’s available, and then after treatment, we are there as a team to support them and to help them with rehabilitation—the physiological, emotional, relationship aspects as they relate to intimacy.”

While more than 90 percent of men will largely recover bladder control within a year, recovery of erectile function is a longer and more variable process, she says. It can take two or more years to recover, depending on a patient’s starting level of function, age and the specifics of their surgical procedure, she says.

Before surgery, patients and their partners are invited to hear from a multidisciplinary team, as well as other prostate cancer survivors, about side effects and rehabilitation opportunities. And starting about six weeks after surgery, patients and their partners are invited to meet with members of a care team that includes a sex therapist.

“The goal is to understand what the patient is experiencing and to assess how their side effects are evolving,” Wittmann says. “We help men and their partners feel emotionally supported, to process any sense of grief and loss, which are natural and common, and to help them re-engage sexually if that’s important to them.”

Without such support, men are far less likely to try available interventions, she notes.

“Penile rehabilitation doesn’t necessarily help men recover erectile function, but it helps keep the tissues healthy while they’re waiting for a natural response to return,” Wittmann says. “It also helps men remain engaged in their sexual recovery.”

The psychological and emotional side effects can weigh as heavily as the physical side effects, she says.

“It sometimes means overcoming barriers because people experience feelings of loss around spontaneous sex—like sex is too much work when they have to use sexual aids,” Wittmann says. “We tend to say to them, spontaneity can be replaced with anticipation. You can have dates where you know you’re going to be making love and you can plan something fun.”

Bladder cancer patients also often experience similar side effects, she notes. And may have additional body image issues that would benefit from support if they now have a stoma on their stomach.

Not all hospitals and cancer centers offer similar survivorship programs, and Wittmann recommends that men and their partners speak with their doctors about what resources may be available in their area.

The post Yes, You Can Have Sex After Prostate Surgery 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.

I try to live my life by the saying “knowledge is power.”

Knowledge helps us make informed decisions from everything, including who we vote for, what we eat and how we react to our surroundings. This mantra also holds true to our understanding (or lack thereof) of HIV/AIDS. Despite how easily accessible basic information about the epidemic is, there’s still plenty of dangerous misinformation percolating out in the world and our communities.

And I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Whether it’s in a Facebook comments section, the barbershop or at our own dinner tables, when HIV in black America gets brought up, too often the conversation can become overpowered with dangerous conspiracy theories that do nothing more than put us all further at risk.

We wanted to use this opportunity to debunk—once and for all—the biggest HIV/AIDS myths out there.

Myth 1: The “Down-Low” Is Why So Many Black Women Have HIV.
We can thank the trifling media, Terry McMillan, Tyler Perry and our own homophobia for why this lie continues to thrive. But be clear: The down-low is not fueling HIV among black women—it only accounts for a small number of infections. And we have the data that proves as much.Now, no one is denying that there are black men living double lives, but if we truly want to understand what’s behind our disproportionate HIV rates, look to the following: Having unprotected vaginal and anal sex with multiple partners or even one partner; high rates of incarceration that take men out of the mating pool and create a system of women sharing the same man; intravenous drug use; untreated sexually transmitted infections, which make people more vulnerable to contracting HIV once exposed to the virus; and people having unprotected sex, being unaware that they are positive and who are going untreated while highly infectious. Not to mention, gender inequality in relationships (i.e., who controls condom use in relationships) and lack of access to testing and quality health care.

Myth 2: Straight Men Don’t Have HIV.

So here’s the deal: If 87 percent of black women contract HIV through heterosexual sex and it’s not the down-low fueling HIV, this must mean straight dudes have HIV, too. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms this: They estimated that in 2014, more than 2,108 black heterosexual men received HIV diagnoses (compared with 4,654 black women).

And while it’s biologically easier for a woman to contract HIV from a man, that doesn’t mean that men can’t contract it from women. It happens way more often than you think. During unprotected sex, the virus can enter through the tip of the penis or through a cut or abrasion. This risk becomes even more heightened if that man has an untreated STI.

Myth 3: I Can Tell If Someone Has HIV by Looking at Them.

Can you tell if someone has other chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease? So why would HIV be any different? You can look “healthy,” pretty, fit and built and still be HIV-positive. So if you’re serious about protecting yourself, stop using your eyesight as a prevention tool and start using condoms and getting tested every year.

Myth 4: Magic Johnson Either Never Had HIV Or He Is Cured.

So let’s break down this two-parter: First, why would basketball legend Magic Johnson disrupt his promising basketball career to lie about having HIV, especially in 1991? What would he gain from that? Plus, over the past 25 years, he has stressed time and time again that he has HIV, so why can’t we take the man at his word?

Now to him being cured. As I recently wrote, no one is hiding a cure for HIV because sadly one doesn’t exist. So therefore, Magic is not cured.

The reason why he’s lived this long is because he is on a treatment regimen that works for him and keeps the virus in check. And while his wife, Cookie Johnson, once told Ebony her husband “was healed” of HIV, she misspoke. What was really going on is that Magic is “undetectable,” which means the virus isn’t traceable in his blood thanks to his meds. But trust: He still has HIV.

Myth 5: Only Promiscuous People Contract HIV.

I have spent over 10 years writing about HIV, and doing that work has shown me anyone in our community can contract HIV—grandmothers, church ladies, wives, husbands, you name it. Yes, the more sexual partners you have unprotected sex with raises your risk for contracting the virus, but you’d be surprised how many women test positive while in monogamous relationships (or ones they believe are monogamous) because these are the type of relationships where folks become lax about using condoms. So stop thinking this can happen only to those people—it can happen to you, too.

Myth 6: The Meds Are What Kills You.

Definitely back in the early days of the epidemic, AZT—a form of treatment— was practically the only medication out there for people living with HIV/AIDS. And there were serious side effects, which made people appear to be sicker than they were before they took the meds. And its toxicity did, in fact, end in death for some who took it. But thanks to better and safer AIDS meds over the past 20 years, we’ve seen people with HIV live longer and healthier lives.

Treatment doesn’t take lives, it saves them.

Myth 7: AIDS Is a Government Conspiracy to Kill Black Folks.

Granted, I can understand why we choose to believe this one. All we have to do is look to our past and present to see black folks haven’t had the best relationship with the medical community. As I recently wrote, we are fully aware of the Tuskegee experiments, the stealing of Henrietta Lacks’ cervical cells and the forced sterilization of black women behind their backs. Not to mention it’s clear this nation devalues black lives. Just think: The water poisoning in Flint, Michigan, to the devastating state and police violence blacks face.

But that doesn’t mean AIDS is manmade. It just isn’t and to buy into that is counterproductive and doesn’t help us mobilize and fight this epidemic.

So now that you have the real facts, hopefully because you know better, you’ll do better and help spread the word, not HIV/AIDS myths.

From Hello Beautiful

The post 7 HIV/AIDS Myths We Need to Stop Believing appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to research published in August in Psychoneuroendocrinology, the stress of experiencing racism may lead to an increase in inflammation and a decrease in antiviral response. Inflammation is linked with many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Lower antiviral responses might make people more susceptible to contracting viruses, including HIV.

The findings show that racism can be physically detrimental to health, said April Thames, lead researcher of the study and an associate professor of psychology at the University of Southern California.

The study explored how racism and perceived discrimination affected people on the cellular level by analyzing survey responses and examining blood samples, two-thirds of which were from black participants. The researchers measured leukocytes in the blood, finding pro-inflammatory and antiviral patterns to be more prevalent in black participants.

“The idea that these genes are being expressed in an abnormal way may explain why these chronically stressed groups are more likely to get sick and more likely to get diseases,” Thames said.

Researchers controlled for other life circumstances that might confuse the results by finding participants with similar socio-economic profiles and self-reported stress. It was only when they took racist experiences into account that data lined up. The study found that racial discrimination accounted for over half of the differences in inflammation in blacks and roughly 15 percent of the differences in antiviral patterns.

Experiencing racism and discrimination should be viewed as a health risk factor similar to smoking, obesity and high blood pressure. It is a “chronic stressor,” Thames said. While events such as losing a job or house can be difficult, that stress can usually be managed by taking steps to solve the problem. Being on the receiving end of racism or discrimination is different.

Without having clear evidence, people of color may suspect that they were discriminated against in life events such as not getting a promotion or being rejected when buying a house or renting an apartment.

“You can’t change your skin color, and you don’t always know when it’s happening.” Thames said. “It’s always a feeling of this constant potential judgment that creates this long-standing threat that people experience, and we’re seeing implications on actual biological outcomes.”

The researchers noted that further study is needed. The study design allowed the researchers to find support or partial support for their hypothesis, but prevented researchers from drawing causal conclusions. A larger study would help determine if the higher prevalence of pro-inflammatory gene patterns results in poor health over time. Further, the researchers want to examine if people who experience discrimination on the basis of race and HIV status would have an even higher prevalence of the patterns.

From The Nation’s Health

The post The Effects of Racism Can Be Felt at the Cellular Level appeared first on Black Health Matters.

But Larry caught a break. He could still drive to Selma, he was told, on one condition: He would have to videoconference with his new doctor.

So, on a recent visit, after a nurse checked his vitals, he spoke with Dr. Laurie Dill, an HIV physician who was based 50 miles east in Montgomery. Dill could listen to Larry’s heart and lungs through Bluetooth headphones equipment. The two could discuss his lab results and any potential concerns he faced.

“I’m able to have the same conversations with my doctor—except now it’s over a television screen,” said Larry, who spoke to Stateline on the condition his name was not published, citing the stigma that still exists with HIV. “Nothing else changed.”

The Trump administration is pushing to cut new HIV transmissions 90 percent nationwide by 2030, focusing its efforts on 48 urban counties and seven states, including Alabama, with disproportionately high rates of HIV occurrence. But in the South, which has more hotspots than any other region, HIV treatment providers describe an overwhelming load of patients because of the lack of new colleagues entering the field.

The nonprofit where Dill works, Medical Advocacy and Outreach, now conducts nearly 5,000 patient visits a year, in large part thanks to telemedicine. It’s more efficient than the hours she spent 20 years ago driving around the state to see patients, but it’s still not enough for the region’s growing patient load.

With nearly 40,000 new HIV cases each year nationally—and potentially thousands more still undiagnosed—current providers worry their workforce is so understaffed that it will be hamstrung in making the treatment of HIV similar to that of other chronic diseases.

Even though Medical Advocacy and Outreach was recently praised during a visit by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield as a top example of rural HIV care, Dill says what her organization lacks most—a larger workforce—is what limits the clinics’ ability to serve even more people like Larry.

“To end the epidemic, we need to double our capacity to treat HIV patients,” she said.

Federal health officials involved with the “End the Epidemic” effort are largely focused on providing more resources to help in four areas: diagnose patients unaware of their HIV status, treat people who test positive, prevent new transmissions and respond to potent outbreaks of the disease.

One study from policy research organization Mathematica found that HIV providers have already declined 5 percent nationwide, even though demand increased by 14 percent from 2010 to 2015. And a 2016 report from the Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center, an eight-state consortium that offers educational resources to HIV treatment providers, warned the retirement of older practitioners, combined with fewer entering the specialty, has made it difficult to recruit and retain practitioners.

“It’s a real problem that keeps me up at night,” said Dr. Anna Person, an infectious disease doctor with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “As our patients do better, they are living longer and require more care. It’s a dumpster fire, a hotbed of the epidemic, in the South. We’re going to need more providers than ever.”

CDC data shows the South, which the agency defines as a 16-state region, saw more new cases—19,968—than the rest of the nation combined in 2017.

Georgia, Florida and Louisiana had the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses of any state. Texas, South Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama also rank among the states with the 10 highest rates of new HIV diagnoses.

In many of those states, gay black men face higher risks of contracting HIV—in part because of the lack of housing, transportation and money, which can affect one’s ability to stay connected to consistent preventive care—as do some women and people who inject drugs.

“A lot of people may not be able to afford to drive an hour or more to see a doctor,” said Larry, noting the limited public transportation options in Alabama. “When you have the opportunity to see a doctor that’s close, even if it’s not in person, it’s a huge benefit.”

Several providers interviewed by Stateline said cities, counties and states must spend more to expand HIV treatment access. While the federal government has traditionally funded care for patients living with HIV or AIDS—largely through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program—providers say local officials must help create more training opportunities for future infectious disease specialists and incentivize current general practitioners to work with these patients.

Beyond that, experts also say local officials in areas deemed hotspots should devote more funding for data collection, screenings and programs to access pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those at risk of contracting the disease. While states provide nearly one-third of dollars for HIV prevention nationwide, some Southern states have scaled back their funding or opposed Medicaid expansion, according to health officials, experts and providers.

“There is no such thing as ending the HIV epidemic—for all epidemics are local,” said Dr. Melanie Thompson, founder of the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta, a metro area that has four counties that are considered hotspots. “We’re not San Francisco. We’re not New York. We lack the political will to make the changes we need.”

Shortage of Specialists

Vanderbilt’s Person thinks few careers are more rewarding than being an HIV physician. But as the head of Vanderbilt’s infectious diseases fellowship program, where doctors who have completed residency receive two more years of specialty training, she said it’s hard to persuade trainees to join programs like hers.

Many Southern teaching hospitals struggle to fill fellowship slots, often because trainees saddled with medical school debt are wary of becoming infectious disease doctors, who are among the lowest-paid specialists in medicine. One-third of fellowship slots at Southern teaching hospitals went unfilled during the match process this year, according to a Stateline analysis of National Resident Matching Program data.

This upcoming year, New York will have twice as many infectious disease fellows than the five Deep South states—Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina—combined. (Some schools later find trainees who didn’t match to fill those spots, but the lack of interest indicates residents are reluctant to enter the specialty, HIV doctors say.)

Dr. Wendy Armstrong, medical director of Grady Health’s Ponce de Leon Center’s infectious disease program in Atlanta, said medical schools and internal medicine residencies don’t incorporate enough HIV care into their curriculum. Few students consider HIV care because it’s an underfunded field that operates on a “shoestring” budget, she said. Some even see the HIV epidemic as less urgent today compared with the 1980s.

The lack of resources for HIV trainees is reflective of the broader trend of inequitable funding for medical education. A 2013 study by George Washington University found that 29 states—including many in the South—received less than 1 percent of Medicare’s $10 billion for graduate medical education. Experts told Stateline that Southern states, which also fund medical education, should prioritize these programs.

Thompson also said states can mandate training for all doctors in HIV care—similar to opioid disorder treatment, for example—as a condition of licensure. Person thinks Southern states should offer loan forgiveness programs to prospective providers.

“When I was a young nurse, when someone was diagnosed with diabetes, they had to see a specialist,” said Christine Brennan, project director for LSU Health Science Center’s AIDS Education and Training Center. “Hopefully, we can move HIV to where it’s similar to diabetes. Treatment is safe, easy, one pill a day with minimal side effects.”

Expanding the HIV Treatment Workforce

Dr. Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases at the CDC, said primary care providers and mid-level providers are essential to addressing the provider shortage in regions like rural Alabama. For that to happen, though, he said older primary care doctors must overcome long-held stigma toward patients with HIV, while newer doctors must receive additional training to “feel like they have the technical expertise to be able to manage HIV.”

“It’s hard to train old doctors,” says Dr. J. Dan Moore, an HIV specialist in Arkansas, where some patients will drive more than two hours for care. “We’re hoping new doctors can be comfortable.”

Dr. Michael Kolber, director of the University of Miami-Florida’s comprehensive AIDS program, thinks many primary care physicians choose not to work with patients with HIV because reimbursement outside of federally funded facilities happens on a fee-for-service basis. Primary care physicians often make money by churning through a high volume of patients.

“I came from primary care where, if I saw 20 patients in a day, I lost money,” said Dr. Marguerite Barber-Owens, a longtime private practice internist who switched over to working with HIV patients at Medical Advocacy and Outreach, which receives funding through the Ryan White program. “We’re doing HIV and primary care now, so I have less patients per day, but the extra time is necessary because of the complexity of the patients.”

In lieu of more doctors, Kolber thinks more mid-level providers, including nurse practitioners, should be able to treat HIV patients.

“When I train people, there’s rapid turnover because these are high-burnout positions,” said Armstrong, who trains providers at Grady’s Ponce de Leon Center. “We’re asking people to be social workers and all kinds of things in the middle of their half-hour appointment. I’m constantly training people to become skilled at something it takes a long time to be skilled at.”

In Florida, one of the Southern states leading the fight against HIV, health officials wrote in the state’s integrated HIV prevention and care plan that it “faces a serious crisis in care capacity as these clinicians retire without qualified recruits to take their place.”

And the Mississippi state health department’s 2017-2021 statement of need reported a “severe shortage” of physicians had led to a lack of full-time HIV clinics everywhere statewide except for Jackson.

Louisiana health officials said in the state’s HIV/AIDS Strategy report they must help those who are a part of the state’s HIV prevention workforce to get better at “understanding and addressing institutionalized racism, homophobia and transphobia, and trauma-informed care.”

Brennan said Louisiana should use data to drive workforce improvements. Some states collect data about both positive and negative HIV tests to see which providers are screening patients. But it wasn’t until this summer that Louisiana finally did the same, Brennan said. That key data point can help identify which swaths of the state are lacking providers and help health officials further allocate training resources to those areas.

“Parish health units and the state can see who’s not screening—and address providers [who are] not trained,” Brennan said. “We’ll never get HIV under control until we fix that the lack of screenings.”

The post There Aren’t Enough Doctors to Treat HIV in the South appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Iron is crucial for producing hemoglobin, the protein that aids in oxygen delivery throughout our bodies. Without it, we can develop anemia. Yet lack of iron is the most common nutritional deficiency in this country, especially among women.

Are you getting enough iron? Check this list of symptoms of iron deficiency, and talk to your doctor if you think you have a problem:

• Your periods are heavy. This is the No. 1 cause of iron deficiency, according to gynecologists. How do you measure “too heavy”? Your period should fill two to three tablespoons each month. If you’re going through tampons more frequently than every two hours, make an appointment with your doctor.
• You’re exhausted. With our overscheduled lives, it’s easy to dismiss fatigue as just a normal part of life. But if you’re iron deficient, your tissues aren’t getting the oxygen they need to function properly. So if your exhaustion is accompanied by irritability, weakness and an inability to focus, your iron stores could be depleted.
• You’re pale. Hemoglobin makes blood red and gives skin a rosy glow; low iron levels reduce that color. Obviously, the darker your skin tone, the harder this symptom is to spot. You’ll need to check your gums, your tongue, the inside of your lips and the inside of your bottom eyelids; if these are less red than normal, it’s a sign you need iron.
• You experience shortness of breath easily. When your oxygen levels are low, you feel out of air. If this happens during activities you normally handle with no problems—climbing a flight of stairs or biking the hills in your neighborhood—iron deficiency could be the culprit.
• Your head aches. Your body will push oxygen to your brain before it turns its attention to other body parts, but if you’re oxygen deprived because of low iron levels, your brain will still get less oxygen than it should. The brain’s response: Swollen arteries that can lead to headaches.
• Your hair is coming out. We’re not talking about normal shedding—most people lose about 100 hairs a day—but serious hair loss. When low iron turns into full-blown anemia, your body channels oxygen to those functions necessary to survive, not making sure you’re having a good hair day.
• You crave non-food items. If you suddenly want to eat chalk, clay, dirt or paper, you’re likely suffering from pica, which is a sign of iron deficiency.

It’s important to note that iron requirements vary. Women between the ages of 19 and 50 should get 18 milligrams a day. Your iron need is higher—27 milligrams—if you’re pregnant, and dips to 9 milligrams if you’re breastfeeding. Iron-rich foods include beef, chicken, chickpeas, lentils, nuts, raisins and spinach.

The post Do You Have an Iron Deficiency? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

After several amazing outings and interactions, you begin to think about next steps. And then he drops a bomb on you. The almost perfect man before you, who owns a home and car, has great credit and prides himself on his upwardly mobile career, reveals to you that he’s living with HIV.

Wow.

Now you’re faced with a problem—or are you?

***

Two years ago, when I started dating again after a broken engagement, I met the man described above. After saying to him I didn’t have a problem with his diagnosis, I knew in my heart this was true, but I also had more questions. Much of my introduction to HIV was through losing my favorite uncle to the disease in 1994. Although I was only four, I still remember the dress I wore to his funeral, the ribbons my parents adorned my hair with and the look on my mothers face when she had to explain to me I would never see him again. This contentious relationship with HIV propelled me to connect with friends engaged in HIV research to ask questions and plan out several courses of action. This process was relatively painless, given my networks, and I wish to offer them all to you for your consideration.  

 Things to Consider

There are several things for black women to consider as we think about dating in general, and as we consider the possibility of partnering with someone with an HIV diagnosis.  

First, be willing to ask difficult questions. Asking someone you’re interested in about the last time they were tested or how often they speak to their doctor about sexual health is an important dialogue in any dating scenario. Being with someone who was willing, but not necessarily required, to disclose reminded me of how important this is. 

Secondly, think about your comfort with condom negotiation. Many women are uncomfortable negotiating condom use. It is easy to say a man must do something but to then get lost in the moment and not continue to advocate for ourselves. Worse yet, there’s a trend of men stealthing women and removing condoms in the midst of intercourse. Feeling confident with conversations around condoms is an important part of HIV prevention. But there are some moments where power dynamics make this difficult for us to do. It is for this reason that I take PrEP as an extra precaution. 

Lastly, know that you, too, can go on the journey to PrEP. Taking PrEP can be an involved process, and that’s another story for another day. However, for women who make the decision to research the once-daily pill and to add it to their healthcare regimen (e.g. birth control, showers, breast exams, etc.), one of the added benefits is not having to disclose this if you do not want to. What you take, how often and why, is protected information between you and your doctor. Taking PrEP can offer an added layer of security as you grow more comfortable with condom negotiation and asking questions about sex.

Steps You Can Take

Black women spend a lot of time caring for others. Between child rearing (often alone or for longer periods alone) and supporting the aspirations and experiences of black men, we often neglect ourselves–I know I did. PrEP, however, is one of many options we can explore to ensure our personal wellness and as part of a larger defense against the spread of HIV. So how can you learn more about PrEP? What steps can you take?

1. Talk to your doctor about PrEP. Many healthcare providers are starting to advocate for the use of PrEP to combat HIV transmission. However, your mileage may vary with this given it is possible after reviewing this post and through your own research that you know more about PrEP than your doctor. Know this is not uncommon and you can push your doctor and advocate for yourself. 
2. Know your rights. It is important to know that if a doctor downplays or otherwise refuses to support your desire for a PrEP prescription, it is well within your rights to ask her to add a notation in your chart that she declined to support your self-advocacy for your sexual health. This offers you a layer of protection in the future and could even cause your doctor to rethink how she may be negligent in providing sufficient care for your overall health.
3. Utilize online resources. There are several websites that offer insight into PrEP and HIV prevention. Check out the Black Women’s Health Imperative, CDC and advocacy organizations like The Well Project. Your local health department will also have resources you can use.

Though the aforementioned steps and considerations are serious, know it’s not all bad nor is it all about the meds. I started taking PrEP because I wanted to be responsible for my own wellness and have an added layer of protection while dating. In the midst of this, I have also been privileged to see the real joy in being in partnership and in community with people living with HIV. 

I’ll be honest with you: Joy was not something I typically associated with HIV. It was, after all, the disease that took away my favorite uncle and one that has long maintained a consequential presence in my home city of Atlanta. But the more time I spent with people living with HIV, the more I realized the serious joys of being in relationships, kinships and friendships with people with a positive diagnosis.

For one, they’re people like you and me, and it is an honor to get to know them and their stories. I recognize my life would be poorer without their presence. Second, you’ll always have candid conversations about sex as a part of ongoing practices around health and self-care. And lastly, people living with HIV often provide thoughtful and provocative meditations on life that only those who have truly grappled with their own mortality can do. I say this not to romanticize HIV, but as a nod to the very real ways my life has been forever changed by taking seriously my sexual health and making the decision to use PrEP and talk to others about it. 

It’s on Us

As black women who engage in sex with men, we must be responsible for our sexual health as much as we expect men to carry this load. This is especially true for those of us who are dating in communities with higher associated risks for HIV transmission. This means being aware of all of our options and considering adding PrEP to our overall practices for wellness. My journey to PrEP was a response to necessity, but yours can be one of preparation for possibilities that might otherwise be missed. 

Black women deserve good, healthy, sex without HIV stigma and shame permeating their dating decision making. It was for this reason I decided not to allow HIV to control who, when and where I date. Taking PrEP once daily, although I am no longer dating someone with HIV, continues to keep me protected for the moments I do decide to take the next step.

Maybe you should, too. 

—Brittany M Williams, Ph.D.

The post More Black Women Should Join the Journey to PrEP appeared first on Black Health Matters.

1. Not seeking medical care from an HIV specialist. Infectious disease specialists, like the physicians who treat HIV, know what’s happening with HIV—from the latest research to where to find quality care for underinsured patients. They are best suited to track changes and concerns with your treatment plan.
2. Not following your HIV treatment plan. Taking your medication consistently is critical for people living with HIV. Adherence prevents treatment failure and drug resistance. Side effects, depression and the cost of meds are the most commonly cited reasons people give for stopping treatment. Talk to your medical care team if you’re tempted to quit your treatment plan.
3. Forgetting to take your medication. To keep your HIV viral load low, missing doses is an absolute no-no. If your memory is like a sieve, install a medication reminder app on your phone, set alarms on your calendar or invest in a pillbox.
4. Not reporting HIV symptoms to your doctor. If HIV symptoms flare, your treatment regimen isn’t working effectively. Tell your doctor right away so your viral load can be tested and your meds adjusted, if necessary. The good news: We now have a lot of medication options to treat HIV.
5. Being in denial about HIV treatment challenges. If you’re experiencing challenges with HIV treatment—medication side effects, cost, your emotional state, housing or employment—speak up. Your doctor can direct you to a social worker or resource program that can connect you with the services you need.
6. Not seeing your dentist. Living with HIV increases your risk of developing advanced gum and tooth disease. A compromised immune system because of an oral infection can lead to other health problems. Brush and floss every day. And see your dentist every six months.
7. Taking dietary supplements. Mixing dietary supplement with your HIV medications is asking for trouble. For instance, St. John’s wort, taken in conjunction with certain HIV medications, can make the medications less effective and increase the risk for developing HIV drug resistance. Talk with your doctor before taking any supplement.
8. Abusing alcohol or drugs. Anything that weakens your immune system is a non-starter, because it’s harder for your body to fight infections with an impaired immune system. Alcohol also increases the risk of HIV medication side effects. Smoking marijuana can irritate the lungs, making you more susceptible to infections such as pneumonia. Worse, alcohol and illicit drugs impact your liver, the clearinghouse for chemical waste in your body. An overtaxed liver can’t function properly.

The post Are You Making These 8 HIV Treatment Mistakes? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Did your city make this HIV hot spot list?

1. Miami 
2. New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner, Louisiana
3. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
4. Jackson, Mississippi
5. Washington, D.C. (includes Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia suburbs)
6. Baltimore–Towson, Maryland
7. Memphis, Tennessee (includes Mississippi and Arkansas suburbs)
8. Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Marietta, Georgia
9. New York City (includes New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania suburbs)
10. Jacksonville, Florida
11. Orlando, Florida
12. Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, Texas
13. San Juan–Caguas–Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
14. Charlotte–Gastonia–Concord, North Carolina–South Carolina
15. Columbia, South Carolina
16. Dallas
17. Birmingham–Hoover, Alabama
18. Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, Florida
19. Los Angeles
20. Greensboro–High Point, North Carolina
21. San Francisco
22. Charleston–North Charleston, South Carolina
23. Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News, Virginia
24. Philadelphia (includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland suburbs)
25. Richmond, Virginia

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. Even if you don’t live in an HIV hot spot, you should know your status.

The post Is Your City an HIV Hot Spot? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 8 in 10 new HIV infections can be traced to people not in HIV care. The data, published earlier this year as a Vital Signs study, found people who don’t know their HIV status account for 38 percent of new transmissions, while nearly 43 percent of new infections can be traced to people who know their status but aren’t receiving HIV care.

“Today, we have the tools to end the HIV epidemic,” said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. “But a tool is only useful if it’s in someone’s hands. This is why it’s vital to bring testing and treatment to everyone with HIV—and to empower them to take control of their lives and change the course of the epidemic.”

The report estimated that 4 percent of new HIV infections came from people who had acute infections but were unaware of their HIV status. More than 33 percent were attributed to people with non-acute HIV infections who were unaware of their status. About 43 percent were connected to people who knew their status but weren’t receiving treatment. People receiving HIV care but not virally suppressed accounted for the remaining 20 percent of new HIV infections.

The best news from the report: No new transmissions were linked to HIV patients taking antiretroviral therapy and who were virally suppressed.

The highest transmission rates were among men who have sex with men, CDC researchers said, followed by men who have sex with men and use injection drugs, men who inject drugs, heterosexual men, women IV drug users and heterosexual women. The highest HIV transmission rates overall were among people ages 13 to 24.

According to the report, nationwide there was a decline in the HIV transmission rate between 2010 and 2016, which corresponded with an increase in HIV viral suppression.

“Community efforts to increase public awareness of the benefits of viral suppression might help decrease stigma and make staying in care easier,” researchers said in a news release.

The post Most New HIV Infections Linked to People Not in Care appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Women and girls deserve the knowledge and power they need to live their best lives—and we’re not going back and forth with you on this one.  But when it comes to HIV, it turns out that many women still don’t have the information they need to make healthy decisions. One out of seven people living with HIV have no idea that they have it. This is a big deal for young women in college.

On campuses where students are knowledgeable, fearless and judgment-free, young women are still not including HIV as a part of their sexual health routine. We asked 10 college women if they have been tested for HIV, and we’re sharing their thoughts and our feedback – just in time for National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

 I’ve never been tested before, not for HIV, that is. I just know I don’t have it and would never get it, so I don’t worry. – Junior

Your response: Anyone who has sex can get HIV – the virus does not discriminate. The only want to know your status is to get tested.

HIV testing? Why would I need to get that done? I don’t have any symptoms of HIV.  – Sophomore

Your response: Women and girls living with HIV may have no symptoms for years. Even if HIV causes no symptoms, it is still hurting your body’s immune system.

 I always make it my duty to get tested whenever I switch sex partners. Just testing for STD’s and STI’s isn’t enough anymore. – Senior

Our response: HIV prevention starts with you! Kudos!

I have never been tested for anything in my life. I mean, I don’t think anyone I’ve had sex with is ‘dirty’ per say, but just the thought of getting poked for my blood to be taken isn’t very pleasing for me. – Freshman

Our response: People living with HIV or other STI’s are not dirty. But the only way to know your status is to get tested. You can get tested with home kits that use only your saliva, so needles necessary. You can learn more about how to get tested your way.

I got tested once about 6 months ago. Me and my friend just kinda did it [as a joke]. There was a free HIV testing truck on campus, and we just went. They gave us our results back almost instantly. I’m glad I went. –Junior

Our response: Good for you! HIV testing can be free and convenient!

Tested? For what? I know I don’t have HIV. I thought you only get tested for HIV if you are gay? I don’t feel like I need to be tested honestly. I don’t have HIV.

 –Junior

Our response: One quarter of people living with HIV are women, and their diagnoses are primarily from heterosexual contact. The only way to know your status is to get tested.

Yeah, I got tested once. It was a while back, maybe 2 years ago. The only reason I got tested is because I went along with my friend. She was scared and thought that maybe her last partner had given her HIV. So, I got the test done, too, so she wouldn’t feel alone. –Sophomore

Our response: Supporting a friend is a great reason to get tested for HIV. You can learn more about PEP and PrEP, medications used to prevent HIV for mixed status couples.

I have never been tested. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that I don’t know where to start. I don’t want to go to the doctor and be charged an arm and leg for a small simple test. I’m in college. –Sophomore

Our response: HIV testing is usually free at your primary care doctor’s office. But you can text your zip code to KNOWIT (566948) to find a free or low-cost testing location near you.

Me and my boyfriend have been together for almost 3 years now. I haven’t been tested, I’ve been sleeping with the same person for so long. I don’t see the point.

–Senior

Our response: Getting tested together can enhance trust and intimacy. Talking about your sexual health is an important part of loving relationship.

I get tested often. After I experienced a traumatic event in my life, I realized getting tested is important and necessary—not embarrassing. I just hate that it took that for me to realize. – Junior

Our response: You are strong and resilient. When everyone understands how important and necessary HIV testing is, we can stop the spread of the virus.

Many young women in college are still dealing with fear misinformation as it relates to HIV, and talking about getting tested can seem scary. But there is a clear upside. Knowing your status can increase trust between partners and even help lower overall HIV rates in this country.  For those seeking support or lending it to others, text your zip code to KNOWIT (566948) to find a testing location near you. One simple test can lead to a big change. Know your status, ladies! #NWGHAAD.

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 10.

*Responses have been edited for clarity and/or brevity.

The post We Asked 10 College Women About Their HIV Status. Here’s What We Found Out appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Ed remarked that it is essential to not only educate them on the different ways to prevent and stop the spread of this disease but also to show them support and love. He shared that these 9 words, “love, life, hope, pride, joy, grace, peace, purpose and legacy” which hold great weight and meaning in the communities disproportionately affected by HIV.  While medicines like PrEP are effective drugs, it takes acknowledging the struggles of others and being an outlet for support to really stimulate change and awareness.

The focus of the talk was about the equal importance of treatment and prevention.  “As important  as it is to treat and manage  HIV once its contracted, it also important to take precautions in   order to prevent people from ever contracting it.”  The drug Truvada helps with the many different levels of HIV.  Drugs like Truvada are a contributing factor in the significant decline of deaths from HIV since 1995 and thereby are, “Changing the face of HIV”. He ended his presentation by having an interactive lesson showing the audience how many people have someone affected by STDs and how prevalent in our community. The results showed that most of the room knew someone at risk of having an STD which just goes to show that dealing with this disease is not just on the person affected but the people in the network as well.

If you or a loved one is interested in learning about how to stop the spread of HIV, we recommend that you see:  https://www.helpstopthevirus.com/.

See more at www.blackhealthmatters/summitsouth/recap.

The post Helping to Stop the HIV Virus in South Carolina appeared first on Black Health Matters.

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.

The persistent lack of diversity among clinical trial participants, and the resulting lack of data on multi-ethnic patient bases, requires us to consider the implications of this situation before we can address possible solutions.
It may seem obvious, but it is worth stating: when segments of the population are not included in clinical trials at levels that do not meet statistical significance, it is impossible to determine if the therapy in question will work equally, better, or worse as for the population in which it is studied.
We simply don’t know these answers until the therapy has been on the market. Side effects, efficacy and safety become better appreciated and understood only after the therapy has been on the market for some time, given that FDA approvals allow for wider prescribing that is no longer limited to the population represented in the data. Even then, adverse event reporting is unwieldy and most likely does not fully capture how medications affect larger communities not represented in the data.
The article, Racial and Ethnic Differences in Response to Medicines: Towards Individualized Pharmaceutical Treatment, states, “Pharmacogenetic research in the past few decades has uncovered significant differences among racial and ethnic groups in the metabolism, clinical effectiveness, and side-effect profiles of many clinically important drugs.” While it is important to acknowledge these differences, they don’t become apparent often until these negative effects may have already caused damage.
The consequences could lead to poorer outcomes across several aspects, including poorly controlled symptoms, further disease progression, unwanted and dangerous side effects, more doctor visits, more time away from work, increased out of pocket costs, and additional hospital stays. Those are the calculable effects and don’t include the mental and emotional toll on patients and their families.
An example of the consequences of this persistent lack of data is the anti-HIV drug, efavirenz. It is metabolized more slowly among people of African descent. Since the numbers of African Americans in the study were too few to be able to discover this, the metabolism difference led to resistance issues for many people taking the drug. Had more data been collected at the outset, it is possible that this particular complication could have been avoided for many people.

Hypothetically Speaking

So, let’s take a hypothetical situation. Let’s suppose that U.S. Hispanics account for 25 percent of all diabetes patients in the country. That amounts to 7,500,000 people. Now, let’s say that there is a new drug, DiabetesControl (a fictional name), and roughly 1 percent – 2 percent of the U.S. clinical trial participants were Hispanics. If the trial included 2,000 people, at 2 percent (which would be consistent with current trends) only 40 Hispanics would have been included. This number does not meet statistical significance to tease out any pharmacokinetic or pharmacogenetic differences.
Now let’s look a little more closely at the U.S. Hispanic diabetes population. There is quite a bit of evidence showing that Hispanics with diabetes tend to be diagnosed at younger ages, yet with more advanced disease progression. A1C levels also tend to be higher at diagnosis than for their non-Hispanic counterparts.
Diabetes is a challenging condition to manage, with many variables that must be considered, but let’s suppose that DiabetesControl simply does not perform very well in Hispanics due to a metabolic issue that did not present itself for the vast majority of clinical trial participants, and therefore did not raise any red flags requiring special prescribing information in the label, nor did it prevent the drug’s approval.
Now, let’s suppose that of the 7.5 million Hispanics with diabetes, 10 percent (750,000) have been prescribed and are taking this new drug. Let’s say that 10 percent of this group (75,000) have all been hospitalized at least once for diabetes-related issues and let’s say 10 percent of this group (7,500) have been re-hospitalized several times within a year. Yet, since no one really knows that there is an issue with the drug, no one is looking for this to be a confounding factor in the health of these individuals.
Which bring us to the public health issue. Since I hope we can agree that the goal of treatment is to keep people as healthy as possible and out of the hospital, and that each hospitalization costs the whole health care system a great deal of money – we now have a growing problem with escalating costs, especially in light of the growing diabetes epidemic. In fact, according a recently published study, the American Diabetes Association reports that in 2017, diabetes care cost the U.S. health care system $327 billion, a 26 percent increase from 2012. This figure includes $90 billion in lost productivity.
These costs also included hospital care (30 percent), prescription medications to treat complications (30 percent), prescription medications to treat diabetes (15 percent), and physician office visits (13 percent).

The Widespread Paucity of Data

So now let’s look at some more numbers. Let’s say that of $327 billion annual health care spend, $87.75 billion is spent among Hispanic diabetes patients (which represents the hypothetical 25 percent Hispanic group). If 30 percent is for hospital care alone, then $24.525 billion is spent annually among this group. Using the above scenario, then $245.250 million might have been saved had the metabolic issue with DiabetesControl had been known. That might not seem like a lot of money, but remember, that is simply in hospital care and does not account for lost productivity, or the medications to manage the complications of the condition.
Moreover, what if there were data that supported a more effective medication that could have been used with this group and might have avoided the need for additional medications, and doctor visits? I wonder how many complications could have been avoided, to say nothing of the out-of-pocket costs and the health and well-being of these hypothetical patients had there been more information available.
We are using diabetes only as an example, but let’s remember that the clinical trial participation rate among all minorities in the U.S. ranges from approximately 1 percent – 5 percent and is consistent across almost all disease states. This level of participation, or more accurately, lack of participation, has remained constant over the decades since ethnicity data has been captured in clinical trial data.
Curiously, it is only until recently that the FDA has begun publicly posting the percentages of ethnicities represented in clinical trials. This helps in understanding the widespread paucity of data collected but does not address why this situation persists. While there are some historical reasons for the lack of participation among non-white communities, we must move beyond them and start doing things differently if we are going to make an impact in who is included in the science that should benefit everyone.

Taking the Trial to the Participants

Clinical trials are complicated. They are costly. They involve many stakeholders, including consumers, sponsors, health care systems, physicians, nurses, labs – the list is endless. Yet, there are three sectors we can discuss to change this persistent dynamic:
1) Clinical Trial Design
2) Investigator Training
3) Consumer Education
Let’s start with clinical trial design and the logistics of site location. I recognize that designing clinical trials is no easy task, however, implementing simple logistics that would make it easier for participants to join and remain in studies would not change the scientific parameters, but might very well increase participation rates for those who could benefit. Let’s face it, all stakeholders benefit when a trial is fully enrolled, when patients remain in the study and when data is representative of all groups who suffer from the condition.
What can we do? Well, imagine using existing physical infrastructure to conduct patient visits, such as drug stores where they have express clinics, or even the YMCA, which is in many communities across the country with easy neighborhood access. Since many clinical trials tend to be in cities where there are research universities, there is nothing to prevent those drugstore chains and universities from coming to an agreement to use those physical spaces for patient visits.
There are very good reasons why many clinical trials are conducted at large research institutions, including the rigorous and excellent work they do. However, most people don’t live near research institutions. Even if they do, they often can’t take time off from work to go to clinical trial visits. So why not make clinic hours more convenient? This is where using sites like drug stores, which are open later and on weekends, is a good option.
Perhaps sponsors and investigators could build protocols that would facilitate clinical trial staff scheduling study visits two or three days a week during hours that accommodate participants’ work schedules at these convenient locations where people are already comfortable going and that are closer to their homes and work places. Granted, depending on the trial, there may be certain visits that require a participant to go to where the investigators are, but I imagine that much could be done by taking the trial to the participants instead of making the participants come the trial.

Understanding the Cultural Nuances

Before we look at some persistent myths about the perception of minority patients, let’s address an often overlooked factor. One of the reasons minorities do not take part in clinical trials is simply because they are not asked. Part of the reason they are not asked is because assumptions may be made about their willingness to participate based on their ethnicity, language spoken, and/or cultural background.
Yet, when patients trust their doctor, understand what clinical trials are and how they or their families might benefit, most are open to the discussion, and their ethnicity/language/culture is not a barrier.  Physicians and nurses may need more training to understand different cultural nuances that affect patients’ approach to health care, yet these relatively minor issues should not be a barrier to greater inclusion of trial participants. We need to and can encourage these health care professionals to have those conversations with their patients so that they appropriately ask patients to join or refer them to trials.
Finally, let’s look at how we can bring more understanding to consumers about clinical trials and the important role they play in science and drug development. This is where public health campaigns can make a big difference.
I remember as a young child the anti-smoking campaign in California. They were very effective and combined with legislation and continued initiatives to keep people smoke-free, they helped make California one of the states with a smoking rate 11.7 percent for adults, compared to the ~17 percent national average.
There have been public health campaigns for TB, spitting, hand-washing, tooth brushing, getting rid of flies, vaccines, and forest fire prevention (I still remember Smokey the Bear) – the list is long. We need a public health campaign for clinical trial participation. We cannot expect the sponsors of clinical trials to do this alone since the problem is bigger than any one pharmaceutical company or research university can address.
Given how much money is spent annually on health care, our nation’s health is at stake. Knowing that the population has changed from mostly Anglo to multi-cultural, we can no longer pretend that we can gather information from the same group and expect these new and often life-saving therapies to perform the same among all people.
If we continue doing nothing to change who is included in clinical trials, the disparities of health that already plague this nation will continue, will grow, and will increase costs beyond capacity. We have made great strides in health care and with concerted efforts across public and private institutions, we can create a more inclusive ecosystem where the art and science of clinical trials benefit the lives of all people.
(Lisa Valtierra is a nationally recognized expert in the field of diversity in clinical trials. Please share your comments to the article with her at lisa@valtiaraconsulting.com.)

The post Clinical Trials Advocate Lisa Valtierra shares Why the Lack of Participation is a Public Health Issue appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection is no longer the death sentence it was 30 years ago, but HIV-infected adults may face a new health hurdle—heart disease.

Studies show HIV-infected adults have higher heart risks than people without the virus. A 2013 study found 50 percent higher risk of heart attack in those studied, while a 2012 study suggested more inflammation in heart arteries.

A large, international study, known as REPRIEVE, is currently looking at statin drug treatment can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected adults ages 40-75 who are taking antiretroviral drugs, without a history of heart disease or stroke. The participants also had a low to moderate risk of cardiovascular disease for starting a statin.

Average participation in the trial will last four to five years and 6,500 people will be enrolled at 100 sites, including Canada, Puerto Rico, the United States and Thailand. Participants will receive the statin drug pitavastatin or a placebo.

“The study is really important because we don’t recognize how much inflammation related to HIV may be accelerating [patients’] risk of having heart disease,” said Mamta Jain, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, a study site. “People may be at increased risk just because they have HIV.”

Antiretroviral drug treatment has allowed people with HIV to live into old age by controlling the life cycle and spread of the virus. But even with viral levels under control, HIV may contribute to heart disease by increasing inflammation in the blood vessels, say experts.

“The beauty of statins is they have anti-inflammatory properties,” which could counteract inflammation from HIV, said Steven Grinspoon, M.D., a neuroendocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, who is one of the leaders of the REPRIEVE trial.

More than 1.2 million people age 13 and older were living with HIV infection in the U.S. in 2011, the most recent data available. About 44,000 cases were diagnosed annually as of 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If untreated, HIV destroys the body’s immune system in stages, by killing off a type of white blood cells that help fight off infections. In its final stage, the body is virtually defenseless against deadly cancers and other infections.

From an infectious disease standpoint, “HIV is a huge success,” Dr. Grinspoon said. “It’s largely controlled.” But people with HIV need to learn more about heart risks, he said.

“I don’t think heart disease is on the radar of HIV patients,” said Dr. Jain, who treats between 300 and 400 patients who have HIV.

The treatments have evolved as medications today keep viral loads in check. Dr. Jain, who has treated HIV patients since 1999, said she is now more focused on preventing heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer.

“There is a lot of cardiovascular disease in our aging HIV population and we’re not necessarily recognizing it because they don’t have traditional risk factors,” she said. “Ten years ago I didn’t order a lot of stress tests, but now I am.”

Frank Carroll, age 62, said he didn’t realize his HIV could put him at higher risk of heart disease until he enrolled in the trial earlier this year.

His viral levels have been virtually undetectable for a decade thanks to medication, and he has no heart disease risk factors, although he does battle chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, which he attributes to heavy smoking in the past.

He lost his mother and recently, his sister, from the effects of smoking.

He’s eager to learn more about heart disease and HIV and hopes to help others with HIV by participating in the trial.

Dr. Grinspoon encourages others with HIV to consider cardiovascular disease a new, major problem to face as well.

“It may be off your radar, but it shouldn’t be.” he said. “Get engaged, become part of the trial, become aware of this risk.”

From American Heart Association News

The post Researchers Evaluate HIV’s Hidden Heart Threats appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Though health-care spending is at a record high in this country, young African-American men see little benefit, according to a Boston Medical Center (BMC) researchers’ Viewpoint commentary published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers note that black men live about five years less than their white counterparts. And while heart disease and cancer contribute to this decreased life expectancy, homicide also plays a major role. From ages 1 to 14, homicide is either the second- or third-leading cause of death for African-American men, and from ages 15 to 34, it is the leading cause of death. Here’s another sobering fact from the researchers: Black men are safer in prison. Data show black men are half as likely to die if they are in prison than if they aren’t incarcerated, but white men can die at a higher rate if they are jailed.

Public health sector officials long have been calling for more attention to the health plight of young black men, but the medical field has been relatively silent, said corresponding author Stephen Martin, M.D., of the department of family medicine at BMC and the Boston University School of Medicine.

“Boston Medical Center has many programs and partnerships designed to help individuals cope with violence, find meaningful supports, and make improvements toward living a longer, healthier and happier life. A clear example is providing prescriptions for the hospital’s Preventive Food Pantry,” Dr. Martin said. “But largely, we in the medical field are not meeting young African-American men where they are to address their medical needs—cardiovascular disease, diabetes management, HIV, mental health and much more.”

The authors state that improved funding and other support for social and public health programs to address the disparities in health care, particularly as they impact young African-American men, are needed. Effectively addressing social determinants of health—conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age—has the greatest impact on health disparities and requires interventions beyond just medical care, Dr. Martin said. The authors also point out that U.S. public health programs and activities receive only three cents of the health-care dollar to support efforts to improve the health and well-being of our most vulnerable populations.

For medical care itself to improve, the authors said there should be more proactive engagement and partnerships, effective lifestyle support such as the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, creating trusted spaces for men to feel comfortable and safe, and the use of newer technologies, such as texting and virtual care team members to communicate with patients.

“There is still much to be done to meet men on their own terms and provide them with the survival, behavioral and medical care they need,” said study co-author Brian Jack, M.D., chair of the department of family medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. “Traditional medical care generally isn’t built to do this well. But we are learning better approaches and ways to join efforts with others to truly and effectively meet the needs of young African-American men.”

Dr. Martin and his co-authors also stressed the importance of programs such as the National Healthy Start Association, which bases its fatherhood programs on first addressing survival needs to ensure family involvement. Over the years, Healthy Start has created programs that keep fathers involved, helping them have bigger roles in their children’s lives and promote the importance of responsible fatherhood, adding value and strengthening family resilience.

“There are many shadows that young African-American men in this country walk with every day of their lives; shadows that impede their ability to access myriad needed services,” said co-author Kenn Harris, president-elect of the National Healthy Start Association. “We need services that meet them where they are, but this calls for us to understand the communities in which they live. Our male involvement/fatherhood programs build off of the community-driven approaches demonstrated in the federal Healthy Start programs, which have proved to be an effective strategy. As providers begin to move out of their systems to engage community partners, there’s greater potential for the needs of young African-American men to be met.”

(Photo: Depositphotos)

The post Young African-American Men Deserve Better Health Care appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“Diabetes is truly the epidemic of our time,” says James Gavin, M.D., chief executive officer and medical officer of Healing Our Village, an Atlanta-based advocacy company. “Ebola’s important. HIV/AIDS is important. But diabetes is the epidemic of our time. No organ is spared with diabetes.”

A passionate advocate for community-based interventions, Dr. Gavin, a past president of the American Diabetes Association, spends his days training and educating health-care professionals and minority communities. Recently, he shared his concerns about the growing diabetes epidemic with Black Health Matters.

BHM: What are some of the most alarming statistics about this disease?

Dr. Gavin: One person dies every 10 seconds from the ravages of diabetes. With diabetes, strokes, heart attacks are more common. It is a major chronic disease that drives our trillion dollar health-care budget.

BHM: As with many chronic disease, diabetes affects African Americans in higher numbers. Talk to us about this.

Dr. Gavin: Diabetes favors minorities. It simply likes to be in us. This is important because when you look at the outcomes, amputations are more common in African Americans. This is a dreadful complication; less of you comes out than when you go in. We suffer more end-stage renal failure. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in diabetes, and premature death from coronary heart disease is greater in African Americans than in whites, Hispanics and Asians.

BHM: Why does it seem like we’re seeing a spike in diabetes cases?

Dr. Gavin: The companion epidemics are diabetes and obesity. Body mass and weight gain are the leading contributors to the formation of diabetes. The higher your body weight, the more likely you’ll develop diabetes. Approximately 111 million U.S. adults are overweight or obese and have weight-related comorbidity.

BHM: What does this mean?

Dr. Gavin: You can be overweight and fine, but the minute you develop a comorbidity, you have problems. Eighty-eight percent [of overweight or obese people] have at least one weight-related disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.

BHM: How can current obesity trends in this country be changed?

Dr. Gavin: We don’t eat like this because somebody makes us. We eat like this because we like it. My father used to say, “The only way to really stay out of trouble is to avoid it.” You can’t change the disease once you have it. You can’t change your age, your gender or your genetics. But you can change high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, poor glucose control, obesity, physical inactivity and poor eating habits.

BHM: It seems diabetes news has been alarming for a while.

Dr. Gavin: And now the crisis has reached children. Fifty-eight percent of overweight children have one or more risk factors for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, joint deterioration—these used to be adult diseases. Now they are being diagnosed regularly in children due to trends. Children of color have more obesity and overweight. That’s something about which we must be concerned.

BHM: Can we tell which children will become obese in young adulthood?

Dr. Gavin: The highest odds of you being an obese adult is if you have two obese parents. If you were obese as a child and stay obese into your teens, the likelihood is overwhelming you’ll be an obese adult with health issues.

BHM: How do we counteract these disturbing trends? What can we do better?

Dr. Gavin: There has to be a national effort, with respect to the obesity part of the diabetes epidemic. There has to be public awareness, advocacy and education. But there’s no point in recommending fresh fruits and vegetables if people live in food deserts and can’t buy them.

We have to have healthier meals for schoolchildren, with skim milk and water as the default beverages. We need healthier hospitals, food for patients and staff, and hospital visitors. We have to encourage more physical activity and highlight strategies and solutions to childhood obesity.

We don’t talk about prediabetes as much as we should. It’s not classified as a disease and there’s no reimbursement for seeing people in that stage. When we know that risk is on a trajectory to a bad place, that’s when we need to inform patients that this is not where you want to go, but this is a certain destination given the trajectory you’re on. We have to reshape the narrative and do a better job.

BHM: Is anybody doing these interventions successfully?

Dr. Gavin: We have some of this with Let’s Move!, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Partnership for a Healthier America. Community-based African-American churches in Atlanta successfully implemented diabetes prevention programs and diabetes self-management programs. Forty-eight percent of the people who participated lost at least five percent of their body weight. That’s impressive for a self-driven program.

BHM: Is there any good news on the diabetes front?

Dr. Gavin: The good news is that we have drugs that can be used effectively at any stage of this disease. Some reduce blood sugar while also reducing weight and blood pressure. Some may have protective effects against heart damage. But you have to have a frank discussion with your health-care provider about side effects. And no drug works unless they are taken as required.

Sometimes we’re not aware that new drugs, devices and therapies out there because we don’t participate in clinical trials. We need to increase community awareness of disease state and clinical research.

The post James Gavin, M.D.: Diabetes—‘It’s an Emergency’ appeared first on Black Health Matters.

But there’s good news about chronic stress: If you give your mind and body a break from it for a few minutes each day, you can reverse its negative effects. So even if you have only five minutes to spare, you can start cutting your stress.

These stress-busting techniques may sound too easy—and they are simple—but they are quite effective at lowering blood pressure, reducing blood sugar and helping you lose weight.

Get a massage. Stop thinking of massage as a special occasion treat, and start seeing it as a way to dramatically lower your stress levels. Researchers found folks who received Swedish massages exhibited significant decreases in the levels of cortisol—that stress hormone—in their body. Even light massage has been shown to increase oxytocin levels, which is associated with the warm fuzzies.

Head outdoors. Whether it’s a five-minute romp in the park or a longer stroll through the botanical gardens, being outside can boost your mood.

Breathe. Stress makes your breathing shallower, which contributes to you feeling more stressed. Break the cycle by learning to breathe correctly. Lie on the floor. Put one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest, over your heart. As you inhale, feel your hands move. Pause, and then exhale.

Laugh. It may sound like a cliche, but laughter really is good medicine. It can relieve pain, strengthen your immune system, increase the flow of blood to your organs and ease stress. And, believe it or not, laughter burns calories. One study showed hearty laughing causes a 10 percent to 20 percent increase in energy expenditure and heart rate. Other research shows daily laughter can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. So keep those kitten videos coming!

Meditate. Time-tested meditation is a powerful medication. In addition to helping fix medical problems, including reducing pain, easing depression and managing HIV symptoms, meditation also helps you improve focus and boost creativity. Ready to give it a try? Follow these steps: Find a quiet space. Get in a comfortable position and rest your hands on your thighs. Focus on your breathing. (Take deep breaths in, and then slowly let each breath out.) Over time, finding your zen zone will become easier, and you’ll feel stress leaving your body.

The post Beat Stress Naturally appeared first on Black Health Matters.

1. Lower your blood pressure

Get your blood pressure checked and get and regularly take medication and monitor it if necessary.
Reduce the salt in your diet to no more than about a half teaspoon per day.
Avoid high-cholesterol foods, such as burgers, cheese, and ice cream.
Eat 4 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day, one serving of fish two to three times a week, and several daily servings of whole grains and low-fat dairy.
Exercise at least 30 minutes of activity a day, and more, if possible.
Quit smoking, if you smoke.

2. Lose weight

Work with your doctor to create a personal weight loss strategy.
Try to eat no more than 1,500 to 2,000 calories a day (depending on your activity level and your current Body mass index).
Increase the amount of exercise you do with activities like walking, golfing, or playing tennis, and by making activity part of every single day.

3. Exercise more

Exercise contributes to losing weight and lowering blood pressure, but it also stands on its own as an independent stroke reducer.
Exercise at a moderate intensity at least five days a week.
Take a walk around your neighborhood every morning after breakfast.
Start a fitness club with family and friends.
When you exercise, reach the level at which you’re breathing hard, but you can still talk.
Take the stairs instead of an elevator when you can.
If you don’t have 30 consecutive minutes to exercise, break it up into 10- to 15-minute sessions a few times each day.

4. If you drink — do it in moderation

Have no more than one glass of alcohol a day.
Make red wine your first choice, because it contains resveratrol, which is thought to protect the heart and brain.
Watch your portion sizes. A standard-sized drink is a 5-ounce glass of wine, 12-ounce beer, or 1.5-ounce glass of hard liquor.

5. Treat atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a form of irregular heartbeat that causes clots to form in the heart. Those clots can then travel to the brain, producing a stroke. Atrial fibrillation carries almost a fivefold risk of stroke.
If you have atrial fibrillation, get it treated. If you don’t know if you have it, get checked.
If you have symptoms such as heart palpitations or shortness of breath, see your doctor for an exam.
You may need to take a blood thinning medication so see your doctor.

6. Treat diabetes

Having high blood sugar damages blood vessels over time, making clots more likely to form inside them.
Monitor your blood sugar as directed by your doctor.
Use diet, exercise, and medicines to keep your blood sugar within the recommended range

7. Quit smoking

Smoking accelerates clot formation in a couple of different ways. It thickens your blood, and it increases the amount of plaque buildup in the arteries. Smoking cessation is one of the most powerful lifestyle changes that will help you reduce your stroke risk significantly.
Quit smoking.
Ask your doctor for advice on the most appropriate way for you to quit.
Use quit-smoking aids, such as nicotine pills or patches, counseling, or medicine.
Don’t give up. Most smokers need several tries to quit. See each attempt as bringing you one step closer to successfully beating the habit.
For more information on stroke rehabilitation, recovery and prevention, and to become part of a supportive and nurturing community for stroke survivors and their families, go to WilliesWay.org and @Willie’s Way on Facebook and WilliesWay_org on Twitter and Instagram. #STROKEChooseHOPE

The post Are You at Risk for a Stroke? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Grains, especially whole grains, are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. And a recent large-scale, long-term Harvard study reveals that eating more whole grains has been linked to longer life.

Researchers estimate that every one-ounce serving of whole grains reduced a person’s overall risk of an early death by 5 percent, and their risk of death from heart disease by 9 percent. So make these grains part of your meals and reap the health benefits.

Amaranth, classified as a pseudo-grain, is so popular in South America that it’s sold on the street like popcorn. This peppery tasting grain is a protein powerhouse (it has a higher complete protein level than most grains), containing all essential amino acids. It has been shown to lower cholesterol and is gluten free.

Barley is a cereal grain high in soluble fiber. It is believed to be effective at reducing total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. It may also lower triglycerides and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, but the research on that has been mixed. Barley may also help prevent stomach cancer or prolong life in those who have the disease.

Usually thought of as a grain, buckwheat is actually the seed of a plant related to rhubarb. Buckwheat ranks low on the glycemic scale and is high in the essential amino acids lysine and arginine. This gluten-free food lowers cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

Bulgur, also known as kasha, is 100 percent whole wheat that’s been steamed or parboiled, and then dried and ground into bits. A cup of cooked bulgur has only 150 calories, 8 grams of fiber, and nearly 6 grams of protein. This low-fat grain is also a good source of iron, magnesium and B vitamins.

Corn, America’s No. 1 field crop, provides about 21 percent of human nutrition across the globe. It is loaded with vitamin A, containing more than 10 times that of other grains. High in antioxidants and carotenoids associated with eye health, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, corn is another gluten-free grain.

Cornmeal, ground from dried corn, is a rich source of dietary fiber (1 cup contains about 36 percent of the daily fiber requirements for women and 23 percent for men), iron and phosphorus. Cornmeal is gluten free.

Considered the most ancient of the wheat varieties available today, einkorn hasn’t been grown much in the United States, though recent interest is creating a resurgence in planting this hearty wheat. Compared to modern-day wheat, einkorn has higher levels of protein, essential fatty acids, minerals and some vitamins like beta-carotene. People who have gluten sensitivity (but not Celiac disease) may find einkorn products easier to digest.

Farro, with its nutty flavor and chewy texture, works well in soups and stews. This ancient grain is high in fiber, protein and iron.

Freekeh is wheat that has been harvested while it’s still young and green. Because of this early harvesting, freekeh retains more nutrients, providing higher amounts of protein, fiber and minerals than wheat harvested when it’s mature. It also ranks low on the glycemic index.

Hominy, made from kernels of corn soaked in an alkali solution of either lime or lye, is a low-fat, low-calorie wonder. A University of Maryland Medical Center study found that ample amounts of vitamin B-6 may help prevent carpal tunnel, rheumatoid arthritis and vision problems, such as macular degeneration. Vitamin B-6 also aids the body’s production of serotonin, a chemical that may enhance mood or prevent depression. One cup of cooked grits provides .46 milligrams of vitamin B-6 (the daily recommendation is 1.1 milligrams to 1.4 milligrams). Hominy is also a good source of folate.

Kamut, an Egyptian word for wheat, is another super old wheat. With its buttery flavor, kamut contains high levels of healthy fats, protein, selenium and zinc. And it’s found in everything from breads and cereals to snacks and baby food.

Gluten-free millet comes in white, gray, yellow and red varieties. It can be used in its whole form or ground and used as flour. Millet is especially rich in magnesium, which is important for bone health.

Oats, a favorite in breakfast cereals, provide a whole host of health benefits: lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Oats help you feel fuller longer, which helps control weight, and they can help improve bowel health. Some studies show early introduction of oats in children’s diets may help reduce their risk of asthma. Oats are high in protein and healthy fats, and low in carbohydrates, and they contain polyphenols that have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties.

Generally classified as a grain, quinoa is actually an edible seed related to beets, chard and spinach. Quinoa cooks quickly, is gluten free and comes in red, black and white varieties. It is an excellent source of protein, which builds muscle and boosts metabolism.

Rice is the biggest food source in 34 countries of the world. Brown rice, considered unpolished, retains its germ and bran, which makes it more fiber rich and nutritious. The health benefits of brown rice are abundant: It helps lower cholesterol and contains vitamin B1, essential for a healthy heart and nervous system. Other nutritional benefits include fiber, manganese, magnesium and selenium.

Rye was considered a weed when it first appeared in wheat fields. But farmers realized that it grows more rapidly than wheat, can withstand flood waters and thrives during drought. Rye is a versatile source of dietary fiber, especially a type called arabinoxylan, which is known for its high antioxidant activity. Studies show rye’s health benefits are numerous, including improved bowel health, better blood sugar control and overall weight management. A small Finnish study found that rye may reduce inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome.

It might not be on your go-to list, but sorghum—the fifth most important cereal crop in the world—should be. In addition to being gluten free, this grain contains a compound called policosanol, which may lower cholesterol. Ethiopian flatbread injera is made from sorghum, and sorghum can also be fermented to make beer.

Spelt is found mostly in bagels, breads, noodles and tortillas. This ancient grain is higher in protein than modern wheat.

Teff is gluten-free and higher in calcium than other grains, providing 123 milligrams of the mineral per cup. It is also high in resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that acts like fiber and helpful in weight loss. Teff is small, so it is often eaten whole and can be cooked in porridge, added to baked goods or made into polenta.

Worldwide, wheat is the third most-produced grain, behind corn and rice. In this country, wheat accounts for about two-thirds of all grains consumed. However, much of the wheat we eat is refined or enriched, so it’s important to check nutrition labels for the words “whole wheat.” A diet high in wheat has been found to reduce stroke risk 30 percent to 36 percent, type 2 diabetes risk 21 percent to 30 percent and heart disease risk 25 percent to 28 percent. Wheat is also associated with weight maintenance, healthier blood pressure levels, less inflammatory disease and a reduced risk of asthma.

(Photo: Depositphotos)

The post Great Grains appeared first on Black Health Matters.

For people with compromised immune systems, getting vaccinated often involves complex decisions. A vaccine provides important protection to prevent illness, but when your system is weakened by conditions such as HIV or rheumatoid arthritis, does getting a vaccine also come with added risks? Before making that decision, talk to your doctor. And consider these things:

• What makes someone “immunocompromised”? Your immune system can be compromised in different ways. One example is an immunodeficiency, such as HIV. But other common autoimmune inflammatory diseases can weaken your immune system, too, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, lupus and psoriasis. Medications also can play a part. Biologic drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions are designed to stop the immune system from malfunctioning.
• Which vaccines are risky? “Live” vaccines, including FluMist; those for shingles; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and yellow fever carry the biggest risk for immunocompromised patients. In people who aren’t immunocompromised, live vaccines gently poke the immune system, creating antibodies. But in someone with a compromised system, a live vaccine might lead to illness because of underlying problems with the immune system response—even, in some cases, causing the very disease it’s trying to protect against. If a patient’s disease might progress to the point of requiring biologic drugs in a few years, he or she might want to get vaccinated sooner rather than later.
• Are vaccines always on the no-fly list? Not necessarily. If you’re taking a biologic drug, for instance, current thinking says the shingles vaccine is off limits. But some studies suggest the vaccine may be safe for patients taking these drugs. Current clinical trial are underway to confirm whether that’s the case. This trial is evaluating the shingles vaccine in about 1,000 patients who are taking biologics. Final data from the trial is expected to be ready this fall. The bottom line: If you have a compromised immune system, talk to your medical team about risks and benefits specific to your condition. You and the team can then weigh your options.

The post Can You Get Vaccinated If Your Immune System Is Compromised? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form of the disease, and it involves the entire body.
• Cutaneous lupus causes a rash and lesions on the skin.
• Drug-induced lupus, which occurs when a doctor prescribes a medicine that causes lupus symptoms, usually goes away when the medication is stopped.

Davis was diagnosed with SLE. “It was a devastating diagnosis,” she reveals. “And one I didn’t take as seriously as I should.”
She takes prednisone, which has given her a moon face. She also suffers from joint problems, especially if it’s really cold or damp and humid. She jokes about buying stock in Aspercreme. And she has experienced hair loss.
The fatigue that marks the disease has most severely cramped her lifestyle. “It’s the symptom that bothers us the most,” she says. “It stops us dead in our tracks. There were times it was truly a stretch to get up off the couch.”
But perhaps her biggest lupus challenge came about a year after her initial diagnosis. “In 2010, I was diagnosed with kidney disease,” she says. At first she was able to manage the additional health threat, but by 2016, her kidney function had dipped to 4 percent. Her doctors said it was time to think about dialysis.
She wanted to handle the new diagnosis with exercise and diet. “I said, ‘Let me get my green smoothie on,’ but sometimes we have to take the medicine, and my medicine was dialysis,” she says.
Davis pulls up her shirt to reveal her catheter. “I do nine hours of dialysis with my boyfriend, Baxter,” she says jokingly. Then, serious, again, she adds: “This is my lifeline now.”
Davis’ mission isn’t only to share her own story, though her real-world examples of how lupus has affected her are an engaging way to grab an audience’s attention. “I’m just one of many people living with lupus today. I’m able to hold down a full-time job still. Some can’t,” she says.
Her bigger goal is to spread lupus awareness.
And so she shares these facts:

• Nine out of 10 lupus patients are women.
• 40 percent to 50 percent of sufferers will have organ involvement.
• 1.5 million people in the United States are living with this disease. But that’s a conservative estimate, she explains. “Lupus isn’t tracked well and doesn’t appear on your death certificate.”
• Black women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed than white women; men are diagnosed less often, but they tend to have more severe symptoms.

Celebrities with lupus—Davis cites Toni Braxton, Nick Cannon, Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga—are doing their part, alongside organizations like the Lupus Foundation of America and the Lupus Research Alliance.
But it’s not enough.
“We are the foot soldiers spreading awareness about this disease,” Davis says, “asking for funding and more research.
“The black community has been speaking up more lately. Now it’s time to make a difference in our health. Advocacy starts with health.”
With that in mind, what can you do? Davis offers these tips:

• Educate yourself. Know the symptoms, which include malar rash, raised red patches, photosensitivity, mouth or nose ulcers, arthritis in two or more joints, inflammation, seizures and psychosis, kidney problems and blood disorders.
• Ask for a full blood workup. Your doctor should look for antibodies to double-stranded DNDA and antinuclear antibodies.
• Be a myth buster. “Lupus is not contagious,” Davis says. “And it’s not HIV.”
• Get involved in clinical trials. “I understand America has a past about testing and medication. I know about Tuskegee,” she says, “but we can no longer say we need a cure to a disease and we’re not a part of the research. We to be a part of the trials. Reach out to lupus organizations in your community and ask what you can do. Doing the most you can in your own circle is the most you can do.”
• Be informed. Even if you don’t have the disease, chances are you know someone who does. Learn how to support the people in your life who have lupus.

The post Lupus Is an Urgent Matter appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Anyone who has had a sexually transmitted infection “Birds of a feather flock together,” Leonardos says. If you have chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis, that increases your risk of contracting HIV.
• anyone who has used injection drugs or has a partner who uses Injection drugs
• people with multiple sex partners
• anyone who has sex without condoms
• people who have sex in a geographic area or within a sexual network where HIV is more common (Go to org and enter the zip code of where you date to see incidence and prevalence of HIV.)
• people who exchange sex for drugs, food or a place to live
• people who use recreational drugs or are dependent on alcohol (or drink enough alcohol where it changes their decision-making)
• people who have ever been in jail or prison
• people who have sexual partners whose HIV status is unknown
• men who have sex with men

If your health care provider prescribes Truvada for PrEP, here’s what you should know:

• While taking the medicine you’ll need to see your doctor once every 3 months to make sure you’re still HIV negative, that your kidneys and liver are OK and that you have no other STIs.
• You need to be on Truvada for PrEP for a month in order for it to be 90 percent effective.
• Commercial insurance and Medicaid cover Truvada for PrEP. If you’re uninsured, check Gildead’s medication assistance program. gileadadvancingaccess.com
• There’s still no such thing as safe sex. A lot of times people think of oral sex as safe sex. “It is the least risky, but it still has some risk,” Leonardos say.. You can get a lot of other STIs orally. Receptive anal sex is the highest risk, as is vaginal sex. But remember oral sex is sex. If you go for STI testing, all the places that had fun need to be checked. It is important to have oral genital and anal testing done for completeness.
• This medication doesn’t mean you can have unprotected sex. “Condom-less sex—even with Truvada for PrEP—can still be risky,” Leonardos says. She explains that this is not a panacea, it is not the end all be all. This is only a tool that along with condom use, Truvada can help to reduce the risk of catching HIV through sex.
• Speak to you medical provider about Truvada if you think you may be at risk. There is more information available at Turvada.com, Get HIV tested so you can find out your status and start making a plan on how to stay healthy.

The post We Can Stop the Spread of HIV appeared first on Black Health Matters.

It’s hard to believe that in 2018, with an effective treatment for hepatitis C on the books since late 2013, African Americans—who make up just 12 percent of the population—still account for 25 percent of people living with the virus.
Yet this is the reality Gloria Searson, founder of the Coalition on Positive Health Empowerment, battles every day. Black folks are part of the roughly 3.5 million people in this country with HCV.
That number is an estimate, Searson tells the audience gathered at Riverside Church on a chilly, cloudy morning in Harlem, New York, on a recent Saturday during the Black Health Matters Summit. “We’ve only confirmed about 50 percent of that number,” she explains. “Most of us were born before they were screening for hep C, which means we didn’t get tested.”
We have a cure for this disease, but we do a lousy job of testing for the virus in this country. According to Searson, many locales skip screening people in homeless shelters and prison populations. And black folks are more than twice as likely not to be tested. Even when we are tested, we’re often not referred to hep C specialists.
Some of the blame can be placed squarely on access to care barriers. Minorities are less likely to be tested, even when they have known risk factors for HCV. We are less likely to benefit from coverage options through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, as we disproportionately live in non-expansion states.
Bias and stigma also contribute to limited hep C testing.
We know IV drug use increases the risk of contracting HCV. “Most people have been exposed to IV drug use even if they don’t know it,” Searson says. “But we don’t want this to be associated with something that comes from drug use. When we ask you to test, we’re saying, ‘who did you sleep with in the past 6 months?’, and that’s personal; it’s something people don’t want to be judged by.
So what can we do to reduce the 19,000 new infections of hep C in this country each year?
Searson offers these suggestions:

• Start with the three Es: Engage, educate and empower.
• Expand Medicaid. Restrictive insurance practices limit access to HCV treatment. The ACA would help those states that didn’t expand Medicaid.
• Institute needle-exchange programs. Substance use is huge in HCV. Yet, there’s no syringe exchange in central Harlem. “If you live in the Bronx, 40 out of 100 will come up positive for hep C. In Harlem, it’s in 4 in 7 black men,” she says. “The data are real: Syringe exchange reduces chances of hep C.”
• Make the connection. “One in 5 HIV patients are never screened for HCV,” Season says. This is in spite of the fact that up to one-third of folks who test positive for HIV also have a hep C connection.
• Reduce stigma. “Bring leading thought leaders to meet my folks in my community,” Searson says. COPE, made up of a community of people who have HIV, hep C or were working in the field, has helped doctors stop thinking of hep c patients as “them” and “those people.”
• Take advantage of opportunities. There’s a shifting demographic among hep C patients. As the opioid epidemic spreads across the country, hep C is “increasingly affecting whites in non-urban areas,” Searson says. “Let’s use this as an opportunity. Instead of seeing addiction as a moral failing, Americans need to be more compassionate.”

Effective treatment is a shared responsibility, Searson says. “We know where the majority of people who have hep C are—senior centers, the doctor’s office. Maybe they’re still drinking. Maybe they’re unstable. Our job is not to judge. Our job is to ask how can we help this person.”

The post Hepatitis C in 2018 appeared first on Black Health Matters.

But what’s also been swirling on the Internet are a lot of misinformation and myths about what herpes actually is, how its transmitted and what puts you at risk. So let us break it all down for you.

What is herpes? It’s a common viral infection causes by two different but similar viruses: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

But what’s the difference? According to Planned Parenthood, HSV-1 usually causes oral herpes, i.e., cold sores, and HSV-2, genital herpes. But keep in mind that it’s completely possible for both types to live in either part of the body.

For example, if someone has cold sore and then performs oral sex on you, there’s a chance they could transmit HSV-1 to your vaginal or anal area. Or you can get HSV-2 orally if you’re performing oral sex on someone who has genital herpes.

What does herpes look like? The symptoms can vary depending on the person. Some people don’t have any obvious symptoms, while others do.

Web MD writes that symptoms can occur soon after a person is infected and tend to be severe. They could start as small blisters—on your buttocks, thighs or rectal area—that eventually break open and form raw, painful sores that scab and heal within a few weeks. In addition to these signs, you may experience flu-like symptoms, a fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Other symptoms include:

• Itching or tingling around your genitals or your anal region
• Cracked, raw, or red areas around your genitals without pain, itching or tingling
• Pain from urine passing over the sores, especially in women
• Headaches and backaches

Can herpes be confused with other stuff? Sometimes, it can look like other health issues, including vaginal yeast infections, bacterial infections or even bladder infections. Yet the only way to be clear you have it is to have a doctor diagnosis you with a blood test and/or by swabbing your sore.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get screened if you’re only showing symptoms.

How common is it? Herpes can happen to anyone, especially given just how common it is. According to the CDC, more than half of Americans have oral herpes, and about 1 out of 6 Americans has genital herpes.

Can you have the virus and not know it? As we wrote above, not everyone has severe symptoms, so they don’t know they are carriers. Experts estimate that up to 80 percent of people infected with herpes are unaware they are infected.

So does a person with herpes always have outbreaks? When you have this infection, it can show itself in the form of outbreaks, which can occur multiple times throughout the year. A person with genital herpes can have four to five outbreaks per year, while a person with oral usually has less than one a year.

Is it curable? Unfortunately, it is not, but it is treatable. Antiviral medications, such as Valtrex or Famciclovir, can prevent or shorten outbreaks.

How is herpes transmitted? Planned Parenthood writes that herpes is easily spread from skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. And here’s where we get graphic: A man doesn’t have to ejaculate in either your mouth, vagina, or anus in order for you to get herpes. Remember it’s about skin-to-skin.

In addition: Herpes is most contagious when sores are open and wet because fluid from herpes blisters easily spreads the virus. But herpes can also “shed” and get passed to others when there are no sores and your skin looks totally normal. This is what’s known as asymptomatic shedding.

Also: Herpes is not transmitted through blood. But a pregnant mother can pass it on to her newborn baby.

Won’t condoms provide protection? While I’ve seen a lot of people making comments about how the lack of condom use is to blame for the spread of herpes, wrapping it up actually doesn’t provide 100 percent protection. Yes, it can reduce your risk and you should practice safer sex, but since herpes is based on skin-to-skin contact, using condoms isn’t always sure-fire proof.

Are black folks more likely to get this STI? This isn’t meant to scare you nor is this fake news, but like HIV and other STIs, African Americans have disproportionately higher rates of herpes. A contested 2010 CDC study found that 48 percent of black women tested positive for HSV-2. Also herpes can increase your risk of contracting HIV.

You can reduce your risk by practicing safer sex, having open and honest conversations with your sexual partner(s) or choosing to abstain from sex. The choice is yours.

From Hello Beautiful

The post What Black Women Need to Know About Herpes appeared first on Black Health Matters.

An hour and a half into a rousing Sunday service at the Kingdom Love Worship Center, the Rev. San Jackson paused her preaching to ask Vic Sorrell if he wanted to say a few words.
Sorrell didn’t hesitate. Bounding from his back pew to the pulpit, the white visitor stood before a congregation of African Americans, their faces politely expectant behind a blur of hand-held fans.
As community engagement manager at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program, Sorrell gives talks like this many times. But even 36 years into the pandemic, HIV can make for a difficult conversation, one the 39-year-old Sorrell tailors to the audience and the moment, speaking from his heart and trusting he’ll strike the right chord.
“Thank you for being a congregation that says, ‘Come and talk to us,’” he began that June afternoon in East Nashville. “Every one of us is either infected or affected by HIV. The virus knows no color, no socioeconomic status.”
To calls of “Yes!” and “Amen,” Sorrell spoke about an international research study called AMP—for Antibody Mediated Protection—underway at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and other sites around the world. Run by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, which is headquartered at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the AMP HIV Prevention Study is enrolling 4,200 volunteers to test an experimental antibody that could potentially protect people from infection by HIV.
The antibody is modeled on one that developed naturally in a person whose immune system had been able to control his HIV infection for years without needing medication, Sorrell explained. Such rare individuals are intensely studied by scientists.
“There’s a chance a vaccine could be created that could cause that antibody response in other people and keep them from getting infected if they are exposed,” he said. “If we had a vaccine, we could truly begin to see the face of HIV changed. Thank you for being willing to support these efforts. Thank you for being the faces of love and community we need.”
As the organ started up again and Sorrell headed back to his pew, Jackson, the pastor, nodded her approval.
“Vic preached,” she said. “You will hear some people say that HIV was God’s curse. Whatever the problem, Jesus sends an answer.”
Just maybe, she seemed willing to consider, this antibody could be that answer.
Building trust
The international AMP study got underway in April 2016 when the Vanderbilt HIV program became the first of 47 sites on four continents to enroll a volunteer participant. The trial’s co-leader, the North Carolina-based HIV Prevention Trials Network, reported last week at the International AIDS Society conference that enrollment rates across all sites are running about 20 percent ahead of projections.
That strong response is in no small part due to the efforts of community outreach specialists like Sorrell. Their job is to engage interest and build trust in a clinical trial that is among the largest and most complex either of the two vaccine networks has ever conducted. And in few communities is gaining trust more important than among African Americans.
Sorrell is right that a virus knows no color or socioeconomic status. But because of many of the same barriers that contribute to health disparities in cancers and other diseases, HIV hits African Americans harder than any other group of Americans. As with whites, black men who have sex with men bear the brunt of the infections. If current infection rates continue, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in two gay or bisexual African-American men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime.
Let that sink in: one in two.
Geographically, a majority of these new infections will occur in the South, which today has the highest HIV diagnosis rates, the largest number of people living with HIV and the highest death rates with HIV as an underlying cause in the U.S. Fueling those figures is a lack of access to quality health care due to poverty, no or inadequate health insurance, and cultural attitudes and beliefs that contribute to distrust of the medical system.
For many minority populations, distrust stems from decades of neglect and even exploitation. The Tuskegee experiment is the most infamous example for African Americans. Starting in 1932, scientists followed hundreds of black sharecroppers for 40 years to study the long-term effects of syphilis without ever telling the men they were infected or offering them treatment once penicillin proved curative.
Another equally daunting barrier is unique to HIV, according to Greg Wilson, the AMP study’s lead scientist at the Vanderbilt site.
“It’s the stigma still associated with HIV—not wanting individuals in your family to know you’re positive, not having a circle of friends you can talk to,” he said. “Family and church are large issues for African Americans. You may know that you need to go to a doctor to determine if you have HIV, but there’s a lot of baggage that’s associated with that knowledge and consequences that may come with other people knowing about it—rejection, not only from family but from your church community, which may be your major source of support.”
Barbara Gunn Lartey, the director of community engagement for the Nashville Human Relations Commission and a longtime advocate for people with HIV, agrees that stigma and fear make HIV a taboo topic in many African-American households.
“You still have families who require you to eat on paper plates at Thanksgiving,” Lartey said.
The stigma and shame go deeper than fear of infection.
“For people of color in particular, it’s an issue of your salvation,” she said. “You have voices from the pulpit saying that HIV is punishment for whatever—for being gay, for being promiscuous, for using drugs, for participating in risky behavior. In many cases, the pastor’s perspective can outweigh a parent’s. You feel like you’re being condemned to hell.”
Which brings us back to why Vic Sorrell was at a small African-American church in East Nashville on a Sunday afternoon talking about the AMP study. How he got there is a longer story.
Sorrell’s path to the pulpit of HIV outreach was not a straight one. He was nicknamed “Baby Country” when he moved to Nashville at age 17 from a small town in Virginia, determined to be a country music star. The cherubic-faced crooner had been performing on stage since he was 6. He had wanted to be Dolly Parton for at least that long—OK, maybe not to be Dolly herself, but to have her talent, her light, her presence.
He enrolled in Nashville’s Belmont University and got a degree in music management and marketing for his parents’ sake. But he also got a band and was well on his way to signing a recording contract when something happened that upended his dream: He fell in love with a man.
The surprise was how unequivocal it felt. There were no longer doubts, no telling himself it was a phase he would outgrow. And it forced a decision.
“The reality of the conservative nature of the country music industry smacked me in the face, and it was made very clear that I needed to decide what I wanted,” Sorrell said. “Did I want to be gay, or did I want to be a country star? For me, being something in the public eye that was not real and was not true was not an option.”
And just like that, the dream he had held since he was 6 disappeared.
He stayed in the music business by working in marketing but spiraled into a personal crisis. He found his way out through Marianne Williamson’s best-selling books on spirituality and decided: “I want my gifts to serve, and I’m willing to have that happen however the opportunities present themselves.”
In the 2008 Great Recession, his fallback marketing job disappeared, but a new opportunity presented itself. A friend who knew his drive to do good mentioned a job opening for an HIV prevention educator at Nashville Cares, the largest HIV services agency in the region.
As a gay man, Sorrell definitely had HIV on his radar, but he had no idea that such a job existed, much less that he could do it. He got an interview. Then he got the job.
Sorrell said the work—by which he means the people he’s met and the partnerships he’s formed at Nashville Cares and later at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program—has made him who he is today. And who he is today, many argue, is a big part of why the Nashville AMP study is shaping up so successfully.
One of his earliest partners was Lartey, who at the time was a case manager and director of women’s programs at Nashville Cares. Lartey’s and Sorrell’s backgrounds could not have been more different.
Lartey grew up in the shadow of Tuskegee. Its legacy was not so much talked about as modeled. Observing her aunts and other elders, Lartey recalled that “your head had to be pretty much hanging off to go to a doctor.”
She first became aware of HIV as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa and later when she studied law in South Africa. She was shocked at the widespread misinformation: The virus was believed to have been created by the U.S.; the use of condoms was seen as a ploy to control African population growth. She was shocked again to return home and see the fear, stigma and misinformation surrounding HIV in her own community.
Lartey acknowledges that she and Sorrell are “two very different peas in an odd-shaped pod.” But the two clicked right away.
“It gets my attention when someone says, ‘I don’t have all the answers, but I’m open and willing to learn.’ And that is Vic Sorrell,” said Lartey. “He gets that, at the heart of it, it’s about a person’s humanity. We believe in each other. We believe in this work of lifting up humanity.”
After Sorrell moved to the Vanderbilt HIV unit, he continued working with Lartey to set up programs for Black HIV Awareness Day at African-American churches in Nashville. Earlier this year, he joined her in a musical production about HIV prevention. The musical was written by another key partner, T.K. Hampton, a longtime HIV advocate who works for a Nashville program called Street Works that supports African-American gay and bisexual men. (The show, “YOU Shall LHiV 2 Zero,” was so successful that the group has been invited to present it at the United States Conference on AIDS in Washington, D.C., in September and at the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, or CROI, in Boston next March.)
The only white person in the musical, Sorrell contributes a country version of the title song, talks about the AMP study—and speaks forthrightly about the institutional racism that has contributed to the high rates of HIV among African Americans. He also describes hard-won lessons on recognizing privileges he never even realized he had.
“When you get up in the morning and the first thing you think of is not the color of your skin, that’s a privilege,” he said during a recent run of the play. “Being given the opportunity to check my privilege is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever gotten.”
AMP is an ambitious study with an ambitious goal. Each HIV-negative volunteer gets randomly assigned to receive a laboratory-produced version of the antibody Sorrell described that day at the church service or a placebo via an intravenous infusion. If the antibody provides protection against HIV as hoped, information gleaned from the study could help scientists make a vaccine that teaches the body to make such antibodies—long the holy grail of HIV researchers. A vaccine is widely considered the nail in the coffin needed to finally end a pandemic that still causes 40,000 to 50,000 new infections in the United States each year and 1.8 million worldwide.
In the beginning, the study’s organizers feared that the time commitment alone—participants receive a total of 10 30- to 45-minute infusions, one every eight weeks—would discourage volunteers. That has not been the case.
Take Justin Lofton, 25, who works at a Nashville drop-in center for young gay and bisexual African Americans called My House and who also performs in Hampton’s musical. Lofton volunteered for the study because he believes that such research is key to protecting his community.
“I work with HIV-negative men right now,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll be thinking, ‘Now we’re all negative, but if I count out one, two, one, two, one, two — half of us could get infected with HIV.”
But what keeps him coming back for the infusions are Sorrell and the rest of the study staff.
“They are invested in making us feel like more than a number,” he said. “They’re there outside the clinical role. To me, that feels like a relationship.”
Darnell Peppers, 23, agrees. He met Sorrell at a Nu Phi Zeta party—a non-university affiliated, service-oriented African-American fraternity—and took to him instantly. The fraternity’s motto is “I am my brother’s keeper,” and after reading more about the AMP study online, Peppers started asking himself, “How can I help?” He decided to volunteer for the study.
Thanks to Sorrell and the staff at the Vanderbilt program, Peppers said, “I really feel cared for. I’m going to hate when the study is over.”
So along with enrollment rates that are exceeding expectations has come another surprise: In Nashville, 33 percent of those enrolled are people of color, a higher percentage than any previous study the Vanderbilt HIV program has done.
Sorrell lays this success on the key community partnerships that he has formed with Lartey, Hampton, Lofton and others. His talent for building these partnerships has earned him a reputation throughout the HVTN as a pioneer in community engagement.
“Vic can’t be surpassed in his ability to connect to people,” said Kyle Rybczyk, the Vanderbilt program’s clinic coordinator, who hired Sorrell. “We have a solid reputation in the community for being a program that cares, that’s visible, that shows up—not just when we need people but when they need us.”
As a white man working with communities of color, Sorrell has learned it’s the showing up part that counts. The way to break down barriers is as simple as it is challenging: Open your heart. Be fully present. Repeat.
“My experience has been that even if at first there is a hesitancy to my being there, people eventually understand that my commitment is to however I can assist with what they’re already doing,” he said. “How I can provide resources or any kind of support. Once people have experienced that again and again, a trust is established and I find that there really aren’t barriers to my being there. But it takes time.”
Being a community outreach specialist is not a 9-to-5 job. Evenings, weekends, hot Sunday afternoons in a small church, Sorrell will be there. Again. And again. And again.
From Fred Hutch News

The post Community-Building Leads to Record Enrollment in HIV Prevention Study appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post New Hepatitis C Infections Reach 15-Year High appeared first on Black Health Matters.

One of the most common sexually transmitted infections is becoming harder and harder to treat.
According to NBC News, on Friday the World Health Organization announced that drug-resistant “super gonorrhea” is becoming more common, making a once easily treated infection a nightmare disease.
So—what’s going on?
Experts claim that over the years, the bacteria strains have evolved “outsmarting” the current medicine available.
“The bacteria that cause gonorrhea are particularly smart. Every time we use a new class of antibiotics to treat the infection, the bacteria evolve to resist them,” said WHO’s Teodora Wi, M.D.
Currently gonorrhea—also called “the clap” and “the drip”—is treated with penicillin, but more and more countries are reporting they have to go down a list of drugs in order to treat people successfully.
The WHO stated that 97 percent of countries report gonorrhea that resists ciprofloxacin, 81 percent have found cases that resist azithromycin and two-thirds of countries have found strains that resist the last-resort drugs: extended-spectrum cephalosporins such as oral cefixime or injectable ceftriaxone.
And this is just the “tip of the iceburg,” Dr. Wi said.
Before you freak out, be clear: This doesn’t mean gonorrhea is untreatable. But the WHO did admit that there have been a few cases that did not respond to treatment at all.
“To date, three extensively drug-resistant gonococcal strains with high-level resistance to ceftriaxone (‘superbugs’) have also been reported—in France, Japan and Spain,” the WHO wrote in the report.
The WHO stressed that gonorrhea rates around the world are going up due to lack of “condom use, increased urbanization and travel, poor infection detection rates, and inadequate or failed treatment all contribute to this increase.”
They also emphasize that we need new drugs, but currently there are only three new candidate drugs in the clinical trial phases.
“To address the pressing need for new treatments for gonorrhea, we urgently need to seize the opportunities we have with existing drugs and candidates in the pipeline. In the short term, we aim to accelerate the development and introduction of at least one of these pipeline drugs, and will evaluate the possible development of combination treatments for public health use,” said Manica Balasegaram, director of Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership. “Any new treatment developed should be accessible to everyone who needs it, while ensuring it’s used appropriately, so that drug resistance is slowed as much as possible.”
Why this matters to African Americans: According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015 there were 395,216 reported cases of gonorrhea in the United States, up 13 percent from 2014. Sadly, African Americans bear the brunt of this epidemic: Our rates are 9.6 times higher than our white counterparts. And young folks need to be extremely careful given that the highest rates in our community occur in those between the ages of 15 and 34.
Here’s what to look for:
According to the CDC, symptoms in men include:

• A burning sensation when urinating
• A white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis
• Painful or swollen testicles

In women:

• Painful or burning sensation when urinating
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding between periods

But keep in mind: Plenty of people don’t show any signs they have the infection. What are the dangers of untreated gonorrhea?
First off: It’s not deadly.
But being undiagnosed and untreated for STIs can bring about a range of complications that include chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, fetal death and infertility. It can also raise your risk of contracting HIV five times over.
This is why it’s so important to be tested and treated for STIs, especially given that most STIs, especially in men, show no symptoms. So many folks are completely unaware of their status and in fact may be unintentionally infecting others.
Learn more about STIs and how to get tested for them at cdc.gov.
From Hello Beautiful

The post Untreatable Super Gonorrhea on the Rise appeared first on Black Health Matters.