SickKids Foundation’s Post

Black patients have been historically impacted by medical mistreatment, discrimination, racism, and justified mistrust in the health care system. The history of one controversial kidney function test touches all these issues at once. In this post, we explain the history of the racially modified eGFR kidney function test and detail the policy changes made in 2022 and 2023 that impact this issue. In truth, even though these policies can have a significantly positive corrective effect for Black kidney patients, they come far too late for many patients and families. Celebrating and acknowledging Black history and health means accepting that the medical system has left the Black community with deep wounds. The healing process is slow and painful. We hope for additional legislation changes, announcements, and awareness efforts to right health care wrongs, call out racism and discrimination, and cultivate equity and healing. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eETKANBr

As we honour Black History Month, we encourage our community to take the time to better understand the unique barriers to eating disorder treatment faced by Black individuals. Many external and societal factors can impact an individual's health, including the development and perpetuation of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours. To have true inclusivity and equity in eating disorder awareness, research and recovery methods, we must acknowledge and understand the systemic racial bias in our social and healthcare systems that impacts Black individuals, creating barriers to accessing equitable treatment. It is our responsibility as practitioners, organizations and advocates alike to ensure we are all doing our due diligence to provide accessible, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care to Black individuals who need our support. To learn more, check out the resources created by our friends at @the_nedic for Black individuals affected by eating disorders: https://lnkd.in/gVd7vg7i and guidance for providers and organizations on how to ensure they are offering culturally sensitive eating disorder care: https://lnkd.in/gVscg3Ey

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

In honor of Black History Month, please join us for the second COPH DEIA Committee series event: "Convening for Black Health & Social Issues: The Agenda for Equity." This event is on Thursday, February 22, 3 - 5 p.m. via Zoom. Our goal is to foster an understanding of the health and social issues crucial to the African American community, with a particular focus on New Mexico. Our key objectives are: Describing the political determinants of health for African Americans in New Mexico; Exploring the disparities in homeownership for African Americans in the region; Discussing the infant and maternal health disparities for African American women in New Mexico; Examining behavioral health needs and resources for African Americans in the region. To learn more or register for this important conversation, please click here: https://bit.ly/3uCnzHq

On the heels of the launch of our Black Liberation and Just Transition Certification Program and relaunch of our community tools such as the Resource Hub, Policies for the People, and BIPOC in ECJ, The Chisholm Legacy Project will be closed September 2-6, 2024 to give our staff a moment to rest, recharge, and reflect. This rest will allow us time to replenish our physical and mental health ensuring we have the endurance and clarity needed to effectively advocate for systemic change.     When we rest, it is a form of resistance and healing in a society that often exploits the labor of Black people. Our intentional rest defies the historical and ongoing pressures to be perpetually productive. It acknowledges our humanity, affirming our right to well-being and joy. By prioritizing rest, we are modeling sustainable activism and demonstrating that self-care and community care are integral to long-term movements. 

It has been 36 years since Laurence Fishburne urged young Black minds to engage in critical thinking through his powerful performance as "Dap" in Spike Lee's film, "School Daze." Reflecting on this message today, I am reminded of its enduring relevance. For the past 16 years, my sister Kachelle Zachery and I have devoted ourselves to building WATZS Productions, LLC. Our journey started long before that—as young girls captivated by the transformative narrative of "School Daze," a film we watched repeatedly. Now, as adults dedicated to media production, we draw inspiration from it as we chart our company's course. Our purpose-driven media house is committed to ambitious goals with the intent of establishing a lasting legacy for future generations. Recently, while conducting research for WATZS Productions' inaugural docu-series, I encountered an alarming statistic reported by Prosperity Now and the Institute for Policy Studies: the median wealth of Black Americans is projected to fall to zero by 2053! This stark prediction underscores an urgent call to action! As leaders within the media landscape, Kachelle and I are resolute in our mission to educate and empower the Black American community. We believe it is imperative that we invest not only in ourselves but also in our communities and collective knowledge. By doing so over these next 29 years, we can effect meaningful change for future generations.

Worldwide values and celebrates the significant contributions Black Americans, such as Dr. James McCune Smith and Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, have made throughout history and will continue to make. We are committed to achieving racial equity in healthcare by celebrating inclusivity and raising awareness of racial biases. Learn more about some of the Black Americans who have revolutionized healthcare today: https://ow.ly/b5Bp50QIVUX

Juneteenth, Freedom Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. And while today is a day to celebrate, it's also a day to remember the work still to be done because the fight for freedom and equality extends to healthcare. Disparities in migraine and headache care for Black Americans exist at all levels; from diagnosis to treatment. And because Black Americans are underrepresented in clinical trials, there are significant knowledge gaps in understanding how diseases, treatments, and preventive measures perform across different populations. We can and must do better and that's why we're passionate about passing the NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act. Learn more about the bill here: https://lnkd.in/evy3vTtn

This Black history Month, we're highlighting influential Black voices and organizations who have made an impact on health equity and policy. In a January 2024 article, Ashley N. Kyalwazi and coauthors discuss the Medicare Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program and how it has disproportionately penalized resource-constrained hospitals caring for high proportions of Black adults since its implementation. Read the full article: https://hubs.la/Q02kXPqY0

We hear a lot about the success of #apms and #valuebasedcare programs, yet what are the unintended consequences of such a blanket approach? Are there other ways to support resource constrained hospitals who care for vulnerable populations? Thanks to Health Affairs and Ashley N. Kyalwazi for bringing the issue of how Medicare Hospital VBP is having unintended consequences of penalizing resource constrained hospitals which care for a high volume of Black adults, causing some greater disparities in health outcomes. This is the exact opposite of the purpose of apms and VBPs. Please take a moment and read the article, the link is in the post.