Merck’s Post

As Black Mothers in Power, we wanted to take a moment and acknowledge Endometriosis Awareness Week. Although it affects women of all ethnic backgrounds, as Black women, we understand the significance of raising awareness within our community. Endometriosis is a chronic condition where the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, causing severe pain and other symptoms. Numerous studies have highlighted that Black women tend to experience disparities when it comes to healthcare diagnosis and treatment, and endometriosis is no exception. According to research, Black women are often diagnosed at a later stage, facing prolonged suffering and a higher risk of complications. During this awareness week, let's focus on education and empowerment. Let's encourage open conversations about endometriosis within our communities, breaking down myths and sharing knowledge about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Together, we can help lift the stigma surrounding this condition and empower each other to seek timely medical help.

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

This February, we honor the rich legacy of Black history and highlight the importance of Black participation in clinical trials.   Representation Matters: Our commitment to diversity in clinical research is about more than just numbers; it's about creating a healthcare landscape that reflects the beautiful tapestry of our society. Representation ensures that breakthroughs benefit everyone, fostering trust and inclusivity.   Why It Matters: Diverse participation in clinical trials is vital for discovering treatment nuances across different demographics. By embracing inclusivity, we gain deeper insights into how medical interventions impact various populations, fostering precision medicine tailored to individual needs.   Educate. Empower. Engage: At Reveles, we are redefining the future of healthcare engagement. By utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI), we have expanded our reach to explore broader community connections. Our strategy transcends traditional demographics, as AI enables hyper-personalization by aligning personal interests with therapeutic needs. This approach moves beyond basic categorization, engaging individuals based on shared interests such as hobbies or social causes, thereby fostering more meaningful and lasting connections.   Our Pledge: We pledge to continue championing diversity in clinical trials, striving for equitable access and fostering an environment where every voice is heard. Together, we can reshape the future of healthcare—one that's truly representative and inclusive.   Join Us: Be a part of the change! Share this post, spread awareness, and let's collectively empower communities to take charge of their health journey. Together, we can create a healthier and more equitable future for all. #BlackHistoryMonth #HealthEquity #RepresentationMatters #Educate #Empower #Engage #ClinicalTrials #DCT #AI #HyperPersonalization #PioneeringRepresentationInDiscovery

The Pew Research Center recently posted an article titled "5 facts about Black Americans and health care" Here's what they found: 1. Black Americans’ recent experiences with the U.S. health care system are mainly positive. 2. Still, a majority of Black adults (55%) say they’ve had at least one negative interaction with doctors or other health care providers. 3. Among Black Americans, younger women are the most likely to say they’ve had negative experiences with health care providers. 4. Black Americans cite a lack of access to high-quality medical care as the top reason Black people generally have worse health outcomes than other people. 5. Most Black Americans say it doesn’t make a difference to them whether they see a Black health care provider. Check out the full article and let us know what you think.

"For generations, Black women have not been equally included in important health research resulting in a lack of information specific to Black women’s health. Including Black women in research is a crucial step toward improving cancer outcomes and eliminating disparities. By joining together, we can gain valuable insights into the diverse experiences and health challenges faced by Black women and learn how to deliver culturally competent and effective interventions, treatments, and preventive measures. Black women have made significant advancements in the areas of education, economics, business, and politics. NOW is the time to see similar advancements in health. By engaging in the VOICES of Black Women, we can help transform the health of Black women." -ACS Be the change! Click the link

In early 2023, Horizon’s WHY Group and Multicultural practice collaborated to explore healthcare inequities in the US in our series, The Path to Health. Our latest report uncovers how the healthcare journey specifically impacts the Black and African American population. We dive deeper into what in-culture, inclusive care looks like for this influential group and offer actionable, real-world solutions for the industry. Scripps News devoted a segment to discuss what we learned and how this knowledge influences how we counsel healthcare clients in both their short- and long-term strategies to address the systemic issues that have resulted in 2 in 5 Black Americans citing a lack of trust in providers as the key barrier to their seeking and receiving healthcare. See a snippet of the interview below, as well as a link to the full report. To learn more about how we're leveraging these insights in our planning process, get in touch with Karina Dobarro or Miriam Browning-Nance. #healthcare #healthcareinsights #Blackcommunity

The glaring underrepresentation of Black physicians and surgeons in the United States paints a stark picture of the systemic inequities plaguing the healthcare system. This scarcity has far-reaching implications for public health and health equity, perpetuating and exacerbating existing health disparities. According to recent data, only 5% of physicians and surgeons in the U.S. are Black, despite Black Americans constituting approximately 14% of the population. This disproportionate representation translates to a lack of culturally competent care for Black patients, leading to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and, ultimately, poorer health outcomes. The shortage of Black physicians and surgeons also contributes to a lack of trust within Black communities in the healthcare system. A history of medical experimentation and discrimination has fostered deep-seated mistrust, and the lack of representation further reinforces this skepticism. This mistrust can manifest in reduced healthcare utilization, delayed care-seeking, and non-compliance with treatment plans, all of which contribute to widening health disparities. Furthermore, the scarcity of Black physicians and surgeons has a ripple effect on public health initiatives. A diverse healthcare workforce is essential for understanding the unique health needs of different communities and developing effective interventions. The lack of representation hinders the development of culturally appropriate health education programs, disease prevention strategies, and treatment plans, ultimately impacting the overall health of the Black community. The impact of this shortage extends beyond the individual level. It perpetuates systemic inequities in healthcare access, quality of care, and health outcomes, contributing to the widening gap in life expectancy between Black and white Americans. This is a public health crisis that demands urgent attention. Increasing the representation of Black physicians and surgeons is a critical step toward achieving health equity. This requires a multifaceted approach that addresses barriers to entry into the medical field, promotes diversity in medical education, and fosters an inclusive environment within healthcare institutions. By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, we can create a healthcare system that is more responsive to the needs of all patients, ultimately improving public health and reducing health disparities. #HealthEquity #BlackPhysicians #RepresentationMatters #DiversityInMedicine #HealthDisparities #PublicHealthCrisis #MedTwitter #MedicalCommunity #SocialJustice #SharedHarvest #SharedHarvestFoundation 

Honoring Black History & Heart Health: Tackling Health Inequity Together 🖤❤️ During this significant intersection of Black History Month and America Heart Month, it's imperative to spotlight the critical issue of health inequity in the Black community, particularly concerning heart health. Studies consistently reveal alarming disparities: African Americans are disproportionately affected by heart disease, experiencing higher rates of #hypertension, #coronaryarterydisease, #heartdisease, and #stroke compared to other racial or ethnic groups. These disparities are not solely biological but are deeply rooted in systemic factors such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, discrimination, and cultural factors. It's a stark reminder that the legacy of historical injustices continues to impact health outcomes today. To address these inequities, we must: 1️⃣ Advocate for increased access to preventive care, early screenings, and affordable treatment options in underserved Black communities. 2️⃣ Promote culturally competent healthcare practices that respect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of African American patients. 3️⃣ Support initiatives aimed at addressing social determinants of health, including equitable education, economic opportunities, and community resources. 4️⃣ Invest in research that explores the unique risk factors and underlying causes of heart disease in African Americans, leading to more targeted interventions and treatment strategies. This Black History Month and American Heart Month, let's not only celebrate the resilience and achievements of the Black community but also commit ourselves to confronting health disparities head-on. Together, through advocacy, research, education, and action, we can strive towards a future where everyone has the opportunity to lead a heart-healthy life, regardless of race or ethnicity. Our team at PINC AI™ recognizes that the underrepresentation of people across gender, age, and race/ethnicity has massive implications for patients, providers and life science companies and are leading several endeavors committed to eliminate inequities through partnerships with health systems, community & patient advocacy organizations, robust data platform, and clinical trials innovation across all disease states. Contact me to discuss your organizations strategy to advance health equity! #BlackHistoryMonth #AmericanHeartMonth #HealthEquity #EndHealthDisparities #Research #Clinicaltrials #CardiovascularHealth #Socialdeterminantsofhealth

The Black Health Equity Summit is hosted by the Network for Developing Conscious Communities, a national network organization committed to strengthening Black governed community development organizations, in partnership with Morgan CARES (Community-Aligned REsearch Solutions), Morgan State University’s hub for connecting, supporting, and sustaining community-academic partnerships. Summit Goals: Collective Understanding, Actionable Strategies & Partnerships To build collective understanding of the extent of racial health disparities impacting Black Americans, including how these disparities are shaped by institutional racism and neighborhood segregation. To generate actionable strategies that health industry leaders, policymakers, and community members can implement to truly build a more equitable health system that creates community conditions that enable Black Americans to not only survive, but thrive. To catalyze strong partnerships across sectors, prioritizing the involvement of diverse stakeholders, to advance health equity. No matter who they are or where they live, every person deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Yet, too many Americans - particularly Black Americans - suffer from preventable diseases and death because our healthcare system is designed to treat sickness, not to promote health. Policymakers and healthcare industry leaders are increasingly recognizing the need to identify and invest in community priorities that influence health and healthy behaviors, such as affordable housing, healthy foods, climate resilience and economic security to improve community wellness. We will host discussions surrounding best practices for creating community-driven solutions for addressing health challenges and will provide opportunities and tools for developing authentic and mutually beneficial partnerships among diverse stakeholders. Register: https://lnkd.in/gFqScsRg

In the intricate mosaic of health research, a new study unveils a disconcerting connection between lived experiences of racism and the heightened risk of stroke among Black women. Delving into the extensive data of Boston University's Black Women's Health Study (BWHS), researchers expose a concerning reality—perceived racism as a potential precursor to an increased risk of stroke. As we navigate the nuanced landscape of health disparities, this study sparks a crucial conversation about the broader implications of systemic racism on the well-being of Black women. https://lnkd.in/ejcAdjrY