The current COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the increased number of Black youth experiencing anxiety and depression. In addition, the rate of suicide among this group is increasing faster than any other racial or ethnic… group. Yet, they are less likely to seek treatment. Mental health is very stigmatized in our society. We are told not to prioritize our mental health because there is something wrong with asking for help. Although awareness about mental health is increasing, many Black youth still suffer from mental health issues and cannot access the resources necessary to help them. Delays in seeking care can lead to negative consequences, such as emergency psychiatric hospitalizations and also becoming adults with unaddressed mental health issues.

When you’re not at your healthiest, you can probably tell. You may simply feel “off.” You may find that you feel tired, your digestive system isn’t functioning as well as it normally does, and… you seem to catch colds. Mentally, you may find you can’t concentrate and feel anxious or depressed. The good news: a healthy lifestyle can help you feel better. Even better, you don’t have to make drastic changes to your entire life overnight. It’s pretty easy to make a couple of small changes that can steer you in the direction of improved well-being. And once you make one change, that success can motivate you to continue to make more positive shifts.

The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. Older unvaccinated adults are more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19. This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that… adults 65 years and older receive COVID-19 vaccines. The risk increases for people in their 50s and increases in 60s, 70s, and 80s. People 85 and older are the most likely to get very sick. Nursing homes across the US reported nearly 1,800 COVID-19 deaths among residents and staff in August 2021, the highest number of COVID-19 deaths reported in a single month since February 2021 and a steady increase from the approximately 350 deaths reported in July 2021. Deaths due to COVID-19 increased at a faster rate in nursing homes than among all others in the community between July and August 2021. COVID-19 cases also increased more rapidly in nursing homes than in the community. Vaccines coupled with boosters can decrease the number of cases and deaths among the elderly.

Racial and ethnic inequities in the US healthcare system have been happening since the beginnings of this country. In the 19th and 20th centuries, segregated Black hospitals were representative of separate but unequal healthcare. Racism resulted… in hospitals refusing to desegregate despite the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 until they were forced to, under threat of losing federal funds from the newly enacted Medicaid and Medicare programs in 1966. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted long-standing, persistent inequities, with Black communities being at high risk of morbidity and mortality. Doctors take an oath to treat all patients equally, and yet not all patients are treated equally well. This has negative consequences for both patients and healthcare workers, leading to higher risks of illness and, in some cases, lower standards of care for Black people. In addition, discrimination and bias lead fewer Black people to enter the healthcare profession and affects the lives of those who do. Even when doctors disavow racism, medical professionals may still carry unconscious bias that they must actively resist.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women, as well as the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Although mortality rates have decreased as a result of medical and technological advancements, cancer… health disparities still exist. Breast imagery has helped with early detection of breast cancer, so women are able to receive effective treatments earlier.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the country. This disease is ravaging the Black community. In fact, Black people are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from… it than most other groups. The reasons for the differences are complex, but they largely reflect differences in risk factors and in health care access, both of which are related to socioeconomic status. Because of these, colorectal cancer in Black men and women is less likely to be prevented or detected early by screening, when it’s most treatable. It’s as important as ever that everyone has access to and is receiving the recommended screenings. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, necessary screening tests remain available to prevent the disease or find it at an early, more treatable stage.

Every day, human services professionals in the public sector make complex policy decisions that affect citizens. They use insights collected from massive amounts of data to make strategic decisions. Data is a valuable source, not just… for scientific knowledge, but also for a community’s economic development, disaster planning and decision making. Community organizations become more data-driven when making decisions to fulfill their missions of improving their communities and furthering society. Involving communities in the research process can make better the way research is planned, carried out, and used. This approach also encourages recognition of the strengths of community institutions and individuals and encourages people and groups to build on those strengths.

The stigma of mental health isn’t new to the Black community. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reportedly had severe depression during periods of his life and refused psychiatric treatment, even when urged to seek care… by his staff. Unfortunately, that scenario continues to be common today. Overall, mental health conditions occur in Black people in America at about the same or less frequency than in White people. The historical Black experience in America has and continues to be characterized by trauma and violence more often than for their White counterparts and impacts emotional and mental health of both youth and adults. Despite these challenges, however, Black people are far less likely to seek care. Unequal access to health care is one major contributor to this disparity. Other factors include the lack of cultural sensitivity by health care professionals, feeling marginalized, and the reliance on family, community, and spiritual support instead of medical or psychiatric treatment—even when it’s critically necessary.

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women, as well as the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Once a patient is diagnosed, they are considered a “Survivor”. Survivorship begins at diagnosis… and continues during treatment and through a person’s life. Because cancer treatments and overall journeys are different for everyone, survivorship is one the most complicated parts of having cancer.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death each year in the US. However, Black people are 30% more likely to die of this than other populations in the US. Why is this happening? Research shows Black… Americans have higher rates of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes – common conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Other factors include genes and gaps in income and education. Longstanding systemic disadvantages—including discrimination and unequal access to healthcare—can also be linked to severe health disparities.

Although COVID-19 doesn’t necessarily discriminate, some communities are far more susceptible to the disease. Black people are more likely to contract the virus – and to die from it than White people. The COVID-19 pandemic has… brought social and racial injustice and inequity to the forefront of public health. It has highlighted that health equity is still not a reality as COVID-19 has unequally affected the Black community, putting them more at risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. In addition, they are unequally affected by unintended economic, social, and secondary health consequences of COVID-19 mitigation strategies such as social distancing. Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, play, and worship affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Because of these inequities, vaccination rates are low.

Although COVID-19 doesn’t necessarily discriminate, some communities are far more susceptible to the disease. Black people are more likely to contract the virus – and to die from it than White people. The COVID-19 pandemic has… brought social and racial injustice and inequity to the forefront of public health. It has highlighted that health equity is still not a reality as COVID-19 has unequally affected the Black community, putting them more at risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. In addition, they are unequally affected by unintended economic, social, and secondary health consequences of COVID-19 mitigation strategies such as social distancing. Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, play, and worship affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Because of these inequities, vaccination rates are low.