WVON

As optimism returns, it’s important to remember that life after COVID-19 will be stressful for many. Therefore, reducing the risks of illness has never been more important. Reducing lifestyle risks not only protects us from… long-term disease, but it can also save a person from catastrophic injury or death.

As Back to School season approaches, parents are being prompted to ensure their children are properly vaccinated. Although COVID-19 and flu vaccines are important, we can’t forget about other necessary vaccines such as Chickenpox vaccine,… measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, the human papilloma vaccine (HPV) and many others. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to ensure kids are safe as they return to school.

As Back to School season approaches, parents are being prompted to ensure their children are properly vaccinated. Among these vaccines is the seasonal flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine now includes… children ages 12 and up. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to ensure kids are safe as they return to school.

Social determinants of health have disproportionately affected communities of color, particularly Black communities, for a long time. Research shows that systemic racism ensures that Black people in particular are more likely to live in poorer neighborhoods… with fewer social services, less access to healthy foods, and a higher risk of exposure to environmental contaminants. These factors have a huge impact on health and access to health care.

As community members continue to get vaccinated and the city transitions to indoor dining, open sport events, concerts, and other social events, there are still questions about the vaccine and the safety about returning to a… normal routine. It is important for residents to be educated on what getting vaccinated means and how they can continue to protect themselves and their loved ones as we continue to fight against the pandemic.

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 nationwide, there is an existing breast cancer mortality disparity… in Chicago for Black women compared to their White counterparts. Institutions and organizations have implemented interventions to address this disparity, bring awareness to the issue, and increase access to early breast cancer screening.

Screening tests help find cancer early when it is small and before it has spread. Health care facilities are providing cancer screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic with many safety precautions in place. It is important to… talk to your doctor and confirm the steps you can take to plan, schedule, and get your regular cancer screenings.

COVID-19 has continued to affect all of our lives and communities. Although everyone 12 years of age and older is now recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine, there is still some hesitancy among community members. Widespread vaccination… is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic.

Breast Cancer is most often found in women, but men can get breast cancer too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found… in a man. Male breast cancer is typically more advanced when it is diagnosed because the tumor tends to be larger and the cancer is more likely to have spread to regional lymph nodes. Doctors attribute these later diagnoses to a general lack of awareness of male breast cancer, as well as the absence of widespread screening for the disease.

A primary care physician (PCP) or primary care provider is usually the first stop for medical care. The most important role of a primary care provider is to keep patients from getting sick in the first… place. This is called preventative care. The best preventative care means forming a relationship with a primary care physician and a team you like and trust. It is important to make the time to find a primary care physician who is your partner in your long-term care.

Infections with human papillomavirus (HPV) are the main cause of cervical cancer. A safe and effective vaccine against nine high risk HPV types is available. HPV vaccine should be administered routinely to all girls and boys… between the ages of 9 and 13 years of age. Catch up vaccination is also recommended up to age 26 and even age 45 for those who are at a higher risk. Vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) in childhood is a significant step forward in reducing the spread of HPV and preventing cancers.

Over the years, there has been a growing interest in improving black men’s health and the health disparities affecting them. Yet the health of Black men consistently ranks lowest across nearly all groups in the… United States. Black men are more likely than other groups of the population to have undiagnosed or poorly managed chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancers, and heart disease and tend to delay seeking medical care. Interventions to improve these conditions and cancer outcomes among Black men are an essential component of closing the gap in health disparities.