A staggering 8 million children are born with birth defects every year. Nine out of ten of the most serious cases are born in low- and middle-income countries—which, unfortunately, is where the largest population of Black...
Latest Posts
Teen Health: Mental Health & Birth Defects
January, recognized as Birth Defect Awareness Month, brings attention to the physical challenges faced by children born with congenital conditions. However, for Black teens with birth defects, the journey is harder. They often...
Disturbing Infant Mortality Rates in Black Community
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines infant mortality as the death of a child before reaching his or her first birthday. Since the year 2000, neonatal deaths have declined by 44%. However, the decline has...
Man’s Age and Birth Defects
Any family can have a child with a birth defect. A meta-analysis of 25 studies spanning 9 African countries found that the prevalence of birth defects was roughly 20 per 1,000 births. The figure observed in the southern African...
Age 35: Fertility and Birth Defect Risks
“What age is best for a woman to get pregnant and start a family?” I asked myself this question as I approached my 30s because I was constantly reminded that “time doesn’t wait for a woman.” Most ladies within the Black community...
Insurance Fails Black Health Needs
Factors like genetics, poor environmental conditions (including pollution), lack of access to quality care, and other social factors all contribute to the health disparity observed in our community across several health...
Rising Costs Worsen Black Health
Over the past decade, several essential items crucial for maintaining public health have experienced significant price increases. These rising costs—particularly in healthcare, prescription medications, food, housing, and...
Wendy Williams, Cocaine, and Dementia
Cocaine abuse is a significant issue that affects many people across the world, leading to a wide range of physical, mental, and neurological health challenges. One of the most concerning long-term effects of cocaine use is its...
Impact of HIV on Black Mental Health
In 2022, the rate of new HIV diagnosis per 100,000 Black adults/adolescents was 41.6%, about 8 times higher than new HIV diagnoses of white people (5.3%) and nearly twice more than Latinos (23.4%). Receiving a positive HIV...
Influenza Risks for Black Individuals With HIV
Influenza (the flu) is a common viral infection that affects the respiratory system, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. While the flu may cause temporary discomfort for most people, it can be much more dangerous for those...