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Black Body Health: The Podcast

Black Body Health: The Podcast

By The Center for Black Health & Equity

If it helps, hurts, or exists in the Black community -- we'll talk about it. Have a topic suggestion? Email us at info@centerforblackhealth.org
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Fresh Fade, Good Health

Black Body Health: The PodcastAug 05, 2022

00:00
01:02:53
Black and Disabled II: Intersectionality
Apr 10, 202312:47
Black and Disabled I: Meet Vilissa Thompson

Black and Disabled I: Meet Vilissa Thompson

We're starting a new series on Black Body Health: The Podcast. This week, you get to meet Vilissa Thompson. For 10 years, Thompson has led Ramp Your Voice!, an organization that promotes empowerment, education, inclusion, and self-advocacy for disabled people like herself.

According to the World Health Organization, there are three dimensions of disability

  1. Body functions and structure (impairment)
  2. Activities at the individual level
  3. Restriction in participation in society

With this in mind, there are still societal pressures and exclusions which prevent people with disabilities from being active or participatory in the ways they would like to be.

This episode opens up with host Natasha Phelps explaining what disability rights are and the diversity found within the disabled population. Part one of this series is all about why Vilissa Thompson became an activist.

Send your feedback to csellars@centerforblackhealth.org

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer,Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods


Feb 22, 202319:57
Black Vets III: Intersectionality and Disparities
Feb 07, 202342:55
Black Vets II: Health On and Off the Field
Dec 12, 202216:46
 Black Vets I: Meet the Black Veterans Project

Black Vets I: Meet the Black Veterans Project

Welcome back, Black Body Health listener! Host Natasha Phelps starts off November with part one of our Black Veteran series. In this episode, we introduce you to Richard Brookshire, one of the brilliant minds behind Black Veterans Project. The nonprofit works to advance racial equity for those in and out of uniform by using storytelling and national reporting. They have positioned themselves to be watchdogs of policy and change that could affect the health and well-being of Black veterans.

Not only does he detail the hard work of Black Veterans Project on the podcast, Brookshire also shares his own experience with the military. He joined in his early twenties for many reasons but a major incentive was to pay off student loans. This is a theme that is common among Black male military recruits. Brookshire also shares how his return to civilian life had some dark moments – one of which became the catalyst for the creation of Black Veterans Project.

To commemorate those who served this Veteran’s Day, go listen to this podcast now! Look out for part two where we will dive into the topic of Black veteran health.

Latest news featuring Black Veterans Project>>here

Send your feedback to csellars@centerforblackhealth.org

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer,Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Nov 11, 202223:04
MPox 101 - Avoiding an Outbreak Mid-Pandemic

MPox 101 - Avoiding an Outbreak Mid-Pandemic

At The Center for Black Health & Equity, we pledge to support a meaningful and community-driven response to this growing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak. MPX has spread to over 88 nations and we are now under a global health emergency according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Recently, on August 3, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration officially declared MPX a public health emergency in the United States. This critical development aims to free up emergency funding, coordinate a nationwide response, and improve the distribution of vaccines and treatment.

This past week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 23,499 confirmed cases in the United States and the number is expected to increase. New York and California have experienced the highest number of cases thus far, but other major U.S. states and Puerto Rico are at the helm of this outbreak.

The Center for Black Health & Equity exists to fight for Black lives by helping communities understand root causes of health inequity and come up with solutions to address them. Black and Latino people make up more than a third of all MPX cases in this country, yet only less than 10 percent of Black people are vaccinated for it according to the CDC.

We’ve seen this kind of disparity unravel during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic and though the lesson has not been applied here, there is still an opportunity to address this health inequity.

Listen to podcast host, Natasha Phelps, break down MPX and demystify the stigma connected to it.

Sep 19, 202242:17
Fresh Fade, Good Health

Fresh Fade, Good Health

Have a seat, let us drape you, and welcome to Black Body Health the Barbershop!

Kidding, this is another great podcast episode where fabulous host Natasha Phelps interviews two guests about Black health. More specifically, Black men’s health.

In this country, Black men have the lowest life expectancy compared to men and women of other racial and ethnic groups. Stigma, proper access to healthcare, and other socioeconomic details contribute to this disparity. So what are medical and public health professionals doing about this? They’re going to the barbershops.

Michael Scott, Senior Program Manager at The Center for Black Health & Equity, joins the conversation alongside Jon Brown, founder of BlackMensHealth.com.

These two met in a barbershop as well and implore the need for Black men’s health to be steered in a positive direction. They explain how leaving the barber’s chair will leave you with more than just a fresh fade.

This episode expounds on how Black barbershops are valuable pieces to Black culture, history, and occasionally hubs for public health messaging. Listen now –  no clippers necessary!

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer,Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Aug 05, 202201:02:53
Melanin vs. Melanoma: Protect your Brown Skin

Melanin vs. Melanoma: Protect your Brown Skin

It’s hot hot hot almost anywhere you go. With record heat baking the United States and Europe, during UV Safety Month, we felt that a discussion about skin cancer in Black people was vital.

Yes, our melanin is more than just beautiful – it provides protection. However, the amount of protection it gives us from the sweltering sun is not enough to hit the beach without sufficient sunscreen.

While Black people are less likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer, we are more likely to die from it due to late detection. In this episode, host Natasha Phelps explains this health disparity further. She’ll tell you why it’s detected so late in Black people, where melanoma spots often appear on Black skin, and how to stay safe this summer.

Have fun, be safe, and the next time you hear someone say “Black people can’t get sunburned,” tell them to listen to this episode of Black Body Health: The Podcast.

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer,Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Jul 22, 202219:06
"We Love, We Hurt, We Fear": Pride Month

"We Love, We Hurt, We Fear": Pride Month


At the start of June, many multimillion-dollar companies changed the color scheme of their logos to rainbows. While sharing social media posts saying #LoveIsLove – how many of them believe it and make it part of their company culture?

Enjoy the floats, music, and festivities all Pride Month long but understand that Pride is a movement for LGBTQ+ activists.

There has been progress in some sectors, but we have also seen recent legislation that is creating a setback – yes Texas and Florida, we’re talking about you.

In this episode, Host Natasha Phelps has an interesting and humorous conversation with L’Monique King – a literary enthusiast that is an ‘out and proud, lesbian Black woman.”

King touches on the history of pride, intersectionality, and how she works to defend and teach the next generation about LGBT+ rights.

Once you’re done listening, Natasha and L’Monique encourage you to keep learning about Pride on your own. Start with these incredible leaders:

Marsha P Johnson, Bayard Rustin, Pauli Murray, Angela Davis, and

Angela Davis, Audre Lorde

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer,Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Jun 22, 202201:14:37
The Opioid Epidemic is taking Black Lives
Jun 13, 202248:22
Rest and Protect your Black Body Health

Rest and Protect your Black Body Health

This week, Black Body Health The Podcast starts off a little heavy. A draft from the U.S. Supreme Court potentially striking down on abortion rights was leaked to the press. People across the country are marching to protest on what could be a major infringement of our right to privacy.

Host Natasha Phelps elaborates on this concern before starting the main discussion: the need to rest and sleep.

When was the last time you had some adequate, consistent sleep? Can you think of the last time you took a few minutes or an hour to rest your mind?

For many of us, sleep and rest sound like ‘luxuries.” May is Mental Health Awareness Month; sleep and rest have an affect on your mental state.

As Black people, the burden of systemic racism and ancestral trauma weighs down on us daily – affecting our sleep, rest, and mind. Social media and socioeconomic issues can also contribute to a lack of sleep or rest.

Listen now to see how you can improve your sleep and rest.

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

REFERENCES:

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer,Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

May 20, 202201:12:27
No Menthol Sunday and Young Activism

No Menthol Sunday and Young Activism

We are about a week away from No Menthol Sunday, a national faith-based observance day put on by The Center for Black Health & Equity. It is an opportunity to engage faith communities in tough conversations about how menthol and tobacco addiction have robbed us of community health for generations.

One could say it’s poetic that as we prepare to embrace No Menthol Sunday on May 15, the FDA announces the rule-making process to ban menthol in tobacco products.

Though we celebrate the historic win, community leaders like Jamal Gooding in Brockton, MA understand that the fieldwork is still necessary to get menthol out of our neighborhoods.

In this episode, host Natasha Phelps gives an update on this FDA announcement and how No Menthol Sunday is a helpful tool to get others involved in the fight. Jamal explains how his younger advocates at PACC are the key to creating “sustainable change” and meaningful activism.

Lawmakers are needed to take down menthol, but in this discussion, you will learn how change on a community level is just as important.

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

REFERENCES:

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer, Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

May 06, 202201:12:34
“Stand Up for Yourself” - A Personal Battle with Uterine Fibroids

“Stand Up for Yourself” - A Personal Battle with Uterine Fibroids

It started with a little abdominal pain, but it progressed as the day went on. Within hours, she had to endure an emergency surgery.

That’s just a part of Sterling Fulton’s story. You’ve heard her on Black Body Health: The Podcast before, speaking as the Director of Evaluation for The Center for Black Health & Equity. But this week, Sterling joins host Natasha Phelps to talk about her journey with uterine fibroids.

Alongside her is Dr.Stacey Wells, a hospitalist working in Houston, Texas. She joins the conversation not only as a physician but also as Sterling’s concerned caregiver and younger sister.

Play this scary but enlightening story as a way to participate in Fibroids Awareness Week. We hope this encourages you to take care of your uterine health or the health of someone you love. Let’s uplift those who are silently dealing with uterine fibroids and inspire them to stand up for themselves as they seek medical care.

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

REFERENCES:

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps

Producer, Chelsey Sellars

Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Apr 22, 202201:03:11
Outside with My Black Self: Reconnecting to Nature

Outside with My Black Self: Reconnecting to Nature

Happy April! Springtime is among us – the birds are chirping louder, your neighbors are cutting the grass, and you are probably listening to this podcast while driving down a snowless road.

This is a great moment to start reconnecting to nature, and our guests on this week’s episode of Black Body Health: The Podcast would agree.

Meet Jordan Bethea, production manager for Backyard Basecamp located in the Baltimore area. He’s a first generation farmer working to help Black people in their nature reconnection journey near the city.

We also have Andrea Ramos on the podcast, an amateur climber who made a major move to Salt Lake City in order to actively experience nature with her new found BIPOC climbing community.

They both have a connection to the earth but understand that for others, interacting with the outdoors may be more difficult to start. Host Natasha Phelps hikes through the topics of stigma, lack of access and the issues of safety Black people often experience when exploring nature.

As you listen to the conversation, understand that hiking, climbing or enjoying a walk by a river are not activities that “Black people don’t do.” We all deserve to have clean air, trees and feel safe when we’re outside — whether we’re in the mountains or on some acreage of land in the inner city.

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

TIMESTAMPS:

5:14 – Center News

7:42 – I Love Nature

18:25  – Meet Our Guests

REFERENCES:

CREDITS:
Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer, Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Apr 08, 202201:18:32
Misinformation is Bad for Your Health

Misinformation is Bad for Your Health

Can a war in Europe tamper with the legitimacy of the content you’re scrolling through on social media? Of course!

We often go on social media for a quick laugh or some inspiration, but we also use it to learn and stay up to date with what is going on in the world.

If something piques your interest, you are bound to share it with others but how often do you check if it’s factual before you send it?

This week, Natasha Phelps pulls apart the topic of disinformation, misinformation and how it infects the internet on Black Body Health.

In this episode, learn how and why some people have chosen African Americans as their audience to misinform about COVID-19, the electoral process and even the Megan Thee Stallion trial.

Don’t delay and start the podcast now – there are also tips on how to increase your media savviness, produced by The Center for Black Health & Equity’s TheTruthCheck.org campaign.

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

TIMESTAMPS:

2:53 – Center News
5:36 – We are in an Infodemic
14:36 – Where does Mis/Dis info come from?
18:28 – What is the Mis/Dis info about?
44:10 – How will the government or social platforms control this?
49:45 – Protect yourself from misinformation

REFERENCES:

CREDITS:

Host, Natasha Phelps

Producer, Chelsey Sellars

Logo Designer,  Ashlee Woods

Mar 25, 202256:03
"What's On The End of Your Fork?" - Talking Nutrition with Holly Branch

"What's On The End of Your Fork?" - Talking Nutrition with Holly Branch

So what IS at the end of your fork – have you thought about that today? It’s National Nutrition Month and there’s no time like the present to make a healthy lifestyle change.

Yes, proper eating choices and physical activity matter — and the more you put off addressing that, the harsher the consequences may be.

We invite Holly Branch, Food and Nutrition Program Manager for The Center for Black Health & Equity, to talk on Black Body Health this week. Branch manages this program funded by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). 

While she is passionate about “eating colorfully” and reading the nutrition labels on packaged foods, Holly says it will take all of us to push for policy changes that will inherently improve Black health.

Most recently, the FDA has suggested that sodium levels must be lowered in our food supply to address heart disease and declining heart health in this country.

Start the podcast now to hear Holly Branch’s response to this major government guidance.

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

TIMESTAMPS:

2:10 – Center News

5:00 – Meet Holly Branch

12:30 – Sodium

17:42 – “These foods are weapons of mass destruction”

35:20 – Choices

52:23 – Tips

REFERENCES:

CREDITS:
Host, Natasha Phelps
Producer, Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Mar 11, 202201:03:04
Black Doctors Save Black Lives

Black Doctors Save Black Lives

A trip to the doctor’s office is not always the most comforting experience. We have to come in and share details about ourselves, hoping and expecting this person in a white coat to help us. But imagine how much better would it be if you knew the doctor was someone just like you?

We need more Black doctors, and – slowly – that may be changing. An article from NPR says the number of first-year med students went up by 21% in the last year.  Changes to admission procedures and waived application fees are part of the reasons why more Black students are getting admitted to medical school.

In this podcast episode, host Natasha Phelps applauds the increasing number of physicians, touches on some of the barriers students face when trying to become one, and why Black physicians are so needed.

Oftentimes, Black patients are met with medical racism when seeking care. Their concerns are dismissed, their pain isn’t taken seriously and negative comments are annotated in their medical charts. Black doctors, especially those serving patients in similar communities they have lived in, help to relieve these medical care concerns for Black patients.

Black doctors, we thank you!

Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

REFERENCES:

CREDITS:

Host: Natasha Phelps

Producer: Chelsey Sellars

Logo Designer: Ashlee Woods

Feb 28, 202242:30
Grounding Ourselves for Black History Month

Grounding Ourselves for Black History Month

We are Blackity Black Black all year long, but it is expressed even more so during Black History Month. Your social media feeds are probably flooding with quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which is great, but February gives us a chance to honor and discuss all aspects of Black history.

Right now you can download our new resource, ‘Health Justice in Tobacco Control’. This training guide takes you on a journey to understand how the commercial tobacco industry has had a grip on Black health and wellness. Briefly put, tobacco was a slave crop that was later laced with menthol flavoring and heavily marketed to African Americans. Legislation from then and until now has helped to reverse some of the damage this industry has done, yet there is still work to do – as you will read in the guide.

Sterling Fulton is the Director of Evaluations for The Center for Black Health & Equity. She’s a co-writer for ‘Health Justice in Tobacco Control’ alongside Dr.Robert Robinson. He is the former Associate Director for Health Equity, Office on Smoking and Health for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Listen to Sterling give a preview of the training guide in this episode. She and Natasha Phelps, who has also completed extensive work in the world of tobacco control, explain how a community approach can help make tobacco policy changes.

Read the guide, here. Send your feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

CREDITS:
Host: Natasha Phelps
Producer: Chelsey Sellars
Logo Designer: Ashlee Woods

Feb 11, 202244:56
It’s not ‘Goodbye’, it’s ‘See You Later!’

It’s not ‘Goodbye’, it’s ‘See You Later!’

We’re about a month into 2022, so the ‘New Year, New Me’ energy is still in the air. The team and voices behind Black Body Health: The Podcast are feeling it too.

With that in mind, change is coming for our fun podcast and we hope you’re ready for it!

Aidil Ortiz and Ritney Castine hop on the podcast as co-hosts one more time to reminisce and pass the baton to our new host, Natasha Phelps.

Natasha is the Director for Equity-Centered Policy for The Center for Black Health & Equity. Her department will guide The Center into new arenas that correlate with Black health.

In this episode, the hosts talk about their journey on the podcast – favorite moments and lessons learned along the way. They also introduce you all to Natasha, who is eager to take on this new role on the mic.

The Center and Black Body Health production team are thankful for Aidil and Ritney for being pioneers on this project. We hope to have you back soon; see you later!

What would you like to learn about next? Email us at info@centerforblackhealth.org with your comments.

Jan 28, 202232:22
Entering the Ballroom on World AIDS Day

Entering the Ballroom on World AIDS Day

On World AIDS Day, let’s take it up a notch and take a walk at the ball! For decades we have used this day to spread awareness and advocate for the end of the HIV epidemic, but we cannot talk about the good fight without mentioning the ballroom scene.

Mainstream shows and documentaries like Pose, How Do I Look?, Paris is Burning, and Legendary have given most of us a peek into the world of ballroom. The culture started in New York City by Black people, primarily those in the LGBT+ community. Today, many houses (or groups) can be found all around the world hosting their own spectacular dance events and competitions.

In the ballroom, people might be serving face or striking a pose but there’s much more to it -- they can enter knowing it’s safe under all the glitter and glamour that was made by them, and for them. It’s also a place where public health advocates have allocated resources and information about HIV/AIDS.

Donte Prayer, the new HIV Program Manager for The Center for Black Health & Equity, brings his colleague Kenya Hutton, Deputy Director for the Center for Black Equity, to the podcast to share their insights on ballroom culture.

Both of them say while the space has helped people navigate through the epidemic, ballroom is still highly criticized.

Along with stigma, there are issues concerning equity in treatment and health laws that are harmful to Black people living with HIV. Special host Natasha Phelps, the new Director of Equity-Centered Policies at The Center, leads the conversation from a health justice perspective.

What do you think about ballroom? Email us at info@centerforblackhealth.org with your comments.

Dec 01, 202159:47
EP27: *Special Episode* The Evil Genius Behind Menthol Addiction

EP27: *Special Episode* The Evil Genius Behind Menthol Addiction

Menthol amplifies nicotine addiction, making it easier for people to start smoking but harder for them to quit.

Knowing this, the tobacco industry marketed menthol combustible cigarettes to African Americans for decades.
Yet in 2009, when the federal government banned flavored cigarettes, menthol was the blatant exemption.

In April of 2021, after years of inexplicable delay, a federal lawsuit brought by plaintiffs including the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council forced the FDA to finally announce it would “begin the rule-making process” to end the sale of menthol cigarettes. However, that can take years before the ban is officially in place.

That’s why The Center for Black Health & Equity is fighting deadly menthol tobacco products in real time at community levels across the country. In this week’s episode, PAVe interviews The Center’s Greg Bolden about the No Menthol Movement in Atlanta; local partner D’Jillisser Kelly of the H.E.A.R.T coalition will discuss on-the-ground efforts including the Great American Smokeout on November 18th.

Nov 10, 202113:17
EP26: Critical Race Theory: Mending or Growing the Divide

EP26: Critical Race Theory: Mending or Growing the Divide

Politicians and school boards around the country want critical race theory out of their systems. They are heading for an end to the “divisive subject” that focuses on the country’s racial history and problems.

Ironically, that is why critical race theory exists today.

The older generation fought for the civil rights of Black people but when it was time to experience the change, they noticed that the new policies missed the mark. In the 80s, as constitutional laws were failing the Black community, critical race theory was developed. CRT helps to explain how policy and laws institutionalize based on race and are often developed based on racist ideals.

In other words, CRT helps to point out what is racist, remove it, and promote equity.

This week on Black Body Health The Podcast, Dr. Loren Saxton Coleman of Howard University helps to break this down even further.

The associate professor says the word ‘race’ makes people uncomfortable so they try to suppress it and pretend it’s inflammatory language. “Racism is ordinary,” said Coleman; it interferes with all aspects of our society including housing, education and health.

Listen to Coleman and Aidil Ortiz explain why CRT is a tool needed to facilitate proper policy creation. What do you think about CRT? Email us at info@centerforblackhealth.org with your comments.

Oct 08, 202148:08
EP25: Head in the Clouds - Black People and Legal Marijuana

EP25: Head in the Clouds - Black People and Legal Marijuana

The plant goes by many names but the question is simple -- does legalizing marijuana help or hurt the Black community?

Aidil, like many of us, was first told that marijuana is a gateway drug when she was in grade school. Ritney says the church calls it the Devil’s lettuce. The reputation marijuana has in our society has evolved; marijuana is now considered to be medicine and acceptable for recreational use.

States like New York and Ohio are already looking at how the tax revenue from recreational marijuana will be profitable for their states. More conservative states, like Mississippi and Arkansas, are observing the possibilities that come with legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Decriminalization is progress in one direction -- it keeps people from serving time for nonviolent crimes and having unnecessary interactions with police. However, what happens to those who are already serving time for marijuana-related charges?

In 2019, of those arrested for drug possession charges, most of them were connected to marijuana. Oftentimes, the people charged are from Black and brown communities and serve longer sentences; as Aidil mentions in this podcast, ‘jail is bad for your public health.’

How is your state handling marijuana use?

Send your thoughts and feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

Sep 24, 202127:41
EP24: Health is Wealth

EP24: Health is Wealth

Money, cash, pesos -- whatever you call it, it will affect your health. You can’t put a price on good health, but a capitalist society will nickel and dime it regardless. Money and the Black community have a relationship that has evolved over time. The rise and fall of Black Wall Street helped and hurt our pockets. An overall lack of financial literacy has made it difficult for some Black people to gain and sustain wealth, along with the harsh fees and practices credit companies have in place.

This week we have Ricardo Thomas on the podcast, financial advisor and president of Thomas-Waddell and Associates financial consulting firm. While he agrees that the fees from these financial institutions do not help generate wealth in our communities, Thomas says we can always choose to patronize elsewhere. However, most of us don’t do so because we either don’t have access to something better or simply don’t know that there are alternatives.

Aidil mentions how the conversation about wealth goes beyond spending habits and knowledge of saving. She argues that our environment and transgenerational financial problems play into this as well.

Ritney believes most people have an innate desire to learn how money works and want to make better choices. For example, those who do not have a lot of money might spend it on unhealthy food or avoid spending on necessary health insurance which can lead to poor health and a shorter life expectancy. Lack of money can keep you from professional advancement, in turn preventing you from getting the job needed to buy said healthy food or healthcare.

So how do we keep the green in our community and wallets? How do we fix a multifaceted problem? Send your thoughts and feedback to info@centerforblackhealth.org

Sep 10, 202140:28
EP23: Emerging work at The Center for Black Health & Equity

EP23: Emerging work at The Center for Black Health & Equity

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths found in the uterus; Black women make up a quarter of all diagnoses in the United States. Yet there are few groups and advocates to speak on it until now.

The Center for Black Health & Equity is expanding -- with more grants comes more exciting work and opportunities! In this episode, Aidil and Ritney introduce The Center’s newest program manager Shayla Compton.

Shayla says her personal struggle with fibroids and that of her loved ones motivated her to spread awareness about the issue. While the exact cause of the fibroids is unknown, the growths are often linked to higher levels of stress and estrogen. Most people with a uterus menstruate and could be experiencing the pain or symptoms associated with fibroids. When some people finally get medical help for it, hysterectomies are often offered as a first treatment option.

To elevate the conversation, Shayla wants to discuss the medical mistrust and the overrepresentation of Black women with hysterectomies. Sexual health and reproductive health are important; this medical problem aligns with the overall chronic conditions that The Center is trying to prevent within the Black community.

The Center will be hosting Sip and Share sessions in October to openly discuss uterine fibroids on a virtual platform. The sessions will include well-informed guests speakers and resources for the people who may need it. Below are additional links and resources you can use to talk about uterine fibroids.

https://www.thewhitedressproject.org/

https://rsphealth.org/

Aug 27, 202124:25
EP22: Black Women & Mental Health, Part 2

EP22: Black Women & Mental Health, Part 2

Oh, you thought we were finished talking about mental health? Not just yet. Hundreds of talented athletes are in Tokyo, Japan for the 2020 (thanks COVID) Olympic Games. Many people have been tuning in to see some of their favorite American athletes compete such as Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time.

The young 24-year-old Black woman has become a household name and inspiration to many, so imagine the backlash Biles received when she pulled out of the gymnastic competitions due to her state of mental health.

On episode 22, podcast hosts Aidil Ortiz and Ritney Castine come to Bile’s defense. There is a lot of pressure to be available and accessible to the people you care about. The pressure to succeed and be the best can also feel heavy on your shoulders. Black women are often expected to be strong and push back their needs to fulfill the needs of others. Many of the people who criticized Biles said she letting her team down and that ‘pressure’ is a part of competitive sports. However, there is tremendous power behind the word ‘no’ and Biles is not afraid to use it.

As we defend the G.O.A.T. of gymnastics, there are other issues relating to public health trending in the headlines. The Delta variant of coronavirus is spreading quickly across the country, but vaccination rates are still low. Also the HIV prevention pill, known as PrEP, will now be free under almost all insurance plans.

For reliable information about COVID-19 and PrEP, click here.

Aug 13, 202133:40
EP21: Black Mental Health: More Than a Notion

EP21: Black Mental Health: More Than a Notion

It’s Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, but does the term “minority” still work for our current society?

Is the term BIPOC (Black or Indigenous people of color) that much better? Black Body Health podcast Host Aidil Ortiz and Dr. Nadia Robinson discuss these questions in this week’s podcast.

Dr. Robinson is the founder and executive director of No More Martyrs; a campaign working to support Black women and girls with mental health concerns. She and her team recently hosted their 5th Annual Minority Mental Health Awareness Summit. The platform allows for a diverse group of mental health advocates to engage and expand on the ongoing need for culturally responsive mental health services.

The world entered a pandemic while simultaneously entering a mental health crisis in 2020. However, specifically in the United States, Black people have had to live through police brutality protests and other racialized events that directly impact the Black community.

So as these Black people seek help, who do they turn to? Black people in the mental health field are found in low numbers and culturally responsive health services are not easily found either.

Listen to this episode to learn how these mental health advocates view the needs and progress related to Black mental health.

For details about the book mentioned in this podcast, click here: Misogynoir and Mental Health book

Jul 30, 202128:17
EP20: Saving Black Health - The Church's Impact on Black Wellness

EP20: Saving Black Health - The Church's Impact on Black Wellness

Holy and healthy might be found under the same roof. In episode 20, Ritney Castine and Aidil Ortiz talk about how the religious institution may be trying to save us in more ways than one.

Historically, Black people have gone to faith-based institutions as a safe space to discuss matters beyond religion. Castine explains how the Christian church has been a place to promote generational health and wellness. Churches are often used as hubs for public health outreach and as facilities to provide health care. The pandemic highlighted this even more -- churches hosting drive-through COVID-19 vaccinations and demonstrating how to properly social distance during times of worship.

Like The Center for Black Health & Equity, some organizations understand the role that faith-based institutions play in Black lives. The Center hosts No Menthol Sunday every year -- an initiative that presents faith leaders with the opportunity to talk about tobacco cessation and how the tobacco industry markets menthol to African Americans.

While we can commend the role faith-based institutions have played in promoting public health, the hosts agree there are times where they missed the mark. For example, some faith-based institutions have pushed back on the discussion of HIV/AIDS. In this episode, learn how both public health and religion can work together to promote overall wellness.

Jul 19, 202136:24
EP19: Unhealthy Zones: How Urban Planning Affects Black Health

EP19: Unhealthy Zones: How Urban Planning Affects Black Health

The tables have turned in this latest episode - we put our podcast host Aidil Ortiz in the hot seat. Most of us know her as such and recognize her extensive resume in public health, but little did Ortiz know her work would lead her to a bicycling and pedestrian commission in Durham.

Think about the city or neighborhood you live in right now. Do you have sidewalks and clean parks, or bike trails? Can you hear the trains as they come by; is the interstate built over your home?

These kinds of questions got Ortiz to look at her neighborhood differently and learn more about urban planning.

Urban planning is the process of arranging a space or land to work, live and play in it. Though we may think of urban planning as streetlights and skyscrapers, people have been urban planning since the beginning of human existence.

Much of the infrastructure in this country is already in place, but when we look back at how it was developed, we can see that there are ties to racism. Some city codes did not allow Black people or white people to live in certain areas, placing Black people in areas with sewage problems or inaccessible to green spaces.

Fast forward to today, some cities are still working through the effects of these aged plans. These segregated urban plans include a lack of fresh air, lack of easy access to healthy food stores, poor transportation, and pollution. More minorities are getting involved in urban planning and residents, like Ortiz, are fighting back to bring forth the needed changes for health and social equity for Black communities.

Jul 01, 202129:13
EP18: HIV, Testing, and More!

EP18: HIV, Testing, and More!

It’s been 40 years since the first case of HIV was reported in the United States. As we reach this anniversary, Black Body Health The Podcast reflects on how our society has navigated through this epidemic.

In light of National HIV Testing Day, this episode will tell you about the importance of knowing your status and the commonly  expressed barriers of getting tested.

J. Donte`Prayer, health access coordinator for North Carolina AIDS Action Network joins our podcast. We also have Torrain Baskerville, senior associate for prevention at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.

Prayer says in North Carolina, increasing HIV testing and access to PrEP has been successful. Baskerville says in a general sense, there is a lot to be proud of in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The CDC reports that the amount of new cases of HIV has dropped by 8 percent in the last 6 years. Specific populations that have been hit hard in this epidemic are receiving the attention and help they need. The use of preventative medications like PrEP has increased by 23 percent. The move towards rapid HIV tests has made it easier for people to learn their status and start the necessary treatments.

However, there is still stigma that affects subcommunities living with HIV that need to be addressed. African Americans and trasngender women still experience the highest rate of HIV in the country.

People in rural communities are often reluctant to get tested or seek help for fear of judgement or ridicule.

To find a testing location, you can visit gettested.cdc.gov/.

Click here for condoms or PrEP providers near you.

Jun 16, 202150:45
EP17: History is Made: The Menthol Movement

EP17: History is Made: The Menthol Movement

We’ve reached a milestone in the menthol movement! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a ban on menthol flavoring in cigarettes. It’s the ingredient that hooks many African American smokers and makes it harder for them to quit. Though this is a pivotal moment in the fight against tobacco, we can’t ignore the damage that has been done to the African American community in the last 10 years alone. The Center of Black Health & Equity is one of many organizations that has pushed for this change. The Public Health Law Center and The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council were also part of a large petition to ban menthol in 2013. Tobacco companies have targeted Black communities extensively to use menthol and tobacco for decades.In this episode we expand on this history, respond to the opposition and share the hope we have for the future of Black health.

If you are trying to quit smoking and need help, call the quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit the website.

May 10, 202124:51
EP16: The State of Black Health Recap
Mar 26, 202134:17
EP15: Equitable Enforcement

EP15: Equitable Enforcement

Welcome back listeners! This episode we are diving right into this discussion about how tobacco prevention work isn't as simple as telling the Black community about the health impacts of smoking. It means understanding resources to empower ourselves for our overall heart health.  February isn't just Black History Month. It's also Heart Health Month. 

That means the heart of the matter is that showing love to Black people includes doing all it takes to keep us healthy. Whether it's at the clinic, the sales counter, the corner store or the courtroom, advocates are bringing the fight to prevent harm caused by tobacco use. We have won many battles and we will win more! This episode, we are joined by:

  • James Young, Spokesperson for the American Heart Association
  • Mollie Mayfield, Senior Project Director and Managing Editor at Counter Tools
  • Natasha Phelps, Lead Senior Staff Attorney at the Public Health Law Center's Commercial Tobacco Control Program
  • Delmonte Jefferson, Executive Director at The Center for Black Health and Equity

This is our most impactful discussion yet, so stay tuned and turn us up! 

Feb 16, 202101:08:29
EP14: State of Black Health

EP14: State of Black Health

We can’t stop and won’t stop in the effort to secure progress for Black health and equity! Together we can solve health disparities by increasing awareness of racial and ethnic disparities in health care among the general public. Of course, we’ll be talking about the latest news on COVID-19 vaccination efforts, gun violence, mental health and a myriad of other critical public health issues. We’ll also be hosting workshops on health disparities data, economics, technology and justice efforts all in the name of making unapologetic progress to keep the Black community alive and well. Tune in and turn us up!

Feb 05, 202142:31
EP13: Power and Immunity

EP13: Power and Immunity

We are starting off the new year talking about ALL the important issues and currently - what can we say? Viruses are gonna virus! How COVID-19 is unfolding across the globe isn't a surprise to those who study viruses. Tune in this week as we discuss radon in our homes, COVID-19 vaccines, resources and how we can help each other in the Black community. Tune in and turn us up!!!

Jan 26, 202137:05
EP12: Race Matters: Advocating for Change

EP12: Race Matters: Advocating for Change

No one could have predicted what 2020 would be like and the pandemic has amplified and blown the lid off many of the issues that have already been happening in the Black community as it relates to health, money and housing. 

But we can't let COVID-19 steal all of our joy, we wanted to round out this year's podcasts with a few of our favorite things from 2020. We talk about our favorite organizations, moments, and people of 2020 - while also giving YOU, our lovely listeners some tips moving into 2021. So turn us up and stay tuned - as we wrap up our final episode of the year. 

Dec 11, 202026:11
EP11: Speaking Up: Let's Talk HIV

EP11: Speaking Up: Let's Talk HIV

In this episode we discuss Medicaid, HIV, and so much more! With Black Lives Matter at the forefront of the news cycle and the cry for an end to the violence against Black bodies growing, the fight to protect Black health is as critical now as it was ever before! Join us in this lively discussion drawing attention to how important talking about HIV and speaking up wherever you go. Tune in and turn it up!

Nov 30, 202001:03:40
EP10: Public Health & Predatory Promotion

EP10: Public Health & Predatory Promotion

Big Tobacco's push of mentholated products into Black neighborhoods is a primary example of predatory marketing. There are campaigns that market menthol products to Black consumers which result in the saturation of advertisements in local corner stores, heavy distribution of coupons, and co-opting our own culture and history to create the false perception of Black support.

There is nothing supportive about overloading the Black community with mentholated products. These products are known to be the leading causes of poor health outcomes within the Black community.

Check out episode 10 of Black Body Health the Podcast to learn how predatory practices and promotions affect the Black community--all for the sake of Big Tobacco's profits.


Nov 09, 202032:25
EP09: Breast Cancer in the Black Community: A Survivor's Story

EP09: Breast Cancer in the Black Community: A Survivor's Story

Breast cancer can touch anyone including young women, men, non-binary, and transgender people. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer and Black women are more likely to develop more aggressive, more advanced-stage breast cancer that is diagnosed at a young age. In this week’s episode, we are continuing this important conversation. With our special guest, Dr. Barbara Pullen-Smith, we talk about her inspirational journey with breast cancer and she dropped some gems for our listeners! Tune in now, as we also discuss what's going on with early voting in our "Spook Us With That" segment. Turn us up!

Oct 23, 202035:04
EP08: Breast Cancer in the Black Community

EP08: Breast Cancer in the Black Community

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer and Black women are more likely to develop more aggressive, more advanced-stage breast cancer that is diagnosed at a young age. In this week’s episode, we are discussing the racial disparities, early detection, treatment, myths and more. We also discuss the announcement of President Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis. Stay tuned in!

Oct 09, 202035:26
EP07: Housing: A Public Health Issue

EP07: Housing: A Public Health Issue

Healthy homes promote good physical and mental health. On this week’s episode we are joined by J. Hamilton McCoy II.
Plus, we discuss the whistleblower reports that indicate forced hysterectomies being performed at an immigration detention center in Georgia. Listen now!
Sep 26, 202051:37
Ep06: No Ifs, Ands, or Butts: Lower the Cancer Screening Age

Ep06: No Ifs, Ands, or Butts: Lower the Cancer Screening Age

On this week's episode, we're joined by Dr. M.J. Collier discussing everything you need to know about colon cancer. We're talking about the death of Chadwick Boseman and why it's important to lower the cancer screening age. This is NOT something you want to miss. 

Sep 11, 202047:54
EP05: Voting: A Public Health Issue

EP05: Voting: A Public Health Issue

As we prepare for Voting Day, there's no better time than now to talk about the importance of voting and how we can make a difference as individuals AND as a community. Join us as we dive deep into the issues around voting and how it has truly become a public health issue worth discussing. We're turning up the heat in every episode! Stay tuned!


Aug 28, 202031:28
EP04: Blowing Smoke: Why Menthol is Dangerous

EP04: Blowing Smoke: Why Menthol is Dangerous

On this week's episode, we're joined by Carol McGruder and Dr. Phillip Gardiner. We're talking about NBA, Census, and Menthol all in one episode - followed by a deep dive into the discussion of menthol and how we've been effected for years to today. We can't spoil the rest - so let's get started!

Aug 14, 202041:40
EP03: Black Women in the Health Justice Movement

EP03: Black Women in the Health Justice Movement

On this week's episode, we're joined by Dr. Jasmine Ward, founder of Black Ladies in Public Health. We're talking about how women are impacting the movement toward health justice and creating solutions that benefit us all.  Stay tuned and turn us up!

Jul 17, 202050:36
EP02: 10 Reasons Racism is a Public Health Issue

EP02: 10 Reasons Racism is a Public Health Issue

Join us for a conversation about issues impacting our health and our lives - discussing politics, activism and health justice for Black people -- we are here for it all! On this week's episode, we're discussing the rise of the The Help on Netflix's Black Lives Matter film collection, plus our top 10 reasons why racism should be considered a public health issue. Stay tuned and turn us up!

Jul 07, 202053:27
Black Body Health: The Podcast

Black Body Health: The Podcast

 Join us for a conversation about issues impacting our health and our lives. Politics, activism and health justice for Black people -- we are here for it all! On this week's episode, we interview Dr. Daniel Dawes, a nationally recognized leader in the health equity movement. We'll do a deep dive into his new book, Political Determinants of Health.

Jun 19, 202043:15