Category: Public Health

National Minority Health Month: Better Health Through Better Understanding

Three women, one with a mobile device, one with a laptop computer, and one with a folder of papers, discuss information displayed on the mobile device

When I was in dental school, my classmates and I learned to practice dentistry in a big clinic arranged in cubicles. A shared countertop separated back-to-back cubicles. Above the counter hung a set of cabinets. This afforded some privacy with our patients but not much. During one of our early days in the clinic, after Read More >

Posted on by Michelle Hutchinson, DMD, MPH, CPH1 CommentTags , , ,

A Black History Moment: HBCUs and Their Influence on CDC’s Health Equity Journey

Two students smiling at their graduation ceremony.

  Fisk University. Morehouse College. Tuskegee University. Howard University. At first glance, this may appear to be a list of a few of the nation’s distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). While that’s true, together they also tell a story about the strength, connection, legacy, and importance of HBCUs as part of CDC’s quest Read More >

Posted on by Isa J. Miles, ScD, MS2 CommentsTags , , ,

Community is Key to Success of Vaccination Outreach Held at LGBTQ+ and Pride Events

Since August 2022, CDC has worked with communities to provide monkeypox vaccines to the public through innovative channels, including LGBTQ+ events. In planning for these events, CDC worked closely with state and local health departments to vaccinate everyone who wished to be vaccinated before and during each LGBTQ+ event, including impromptu vaccination clinics at bars Read More >

Posted on by Dana Tumblin Collins, MMC, and Stacey Hoffman, MPHLeave a comment

In His Own Words: Gendered Racism through the Lens of a Black Man

What is gendered racism? As a social epidemiologist drawing upon the literature, I would define gendered racism as a system—consisting of structures, policies, practices, and norms—that assigns value and determines opportunity based on a person’s gender and race. I would explain that gendered racism produces amplified experiences that are different from experiences of racism or Read More >

Posted on by Desmond Banks, MPH, PhD5 CommentsTags

Gendered Racism Among Women of Color

What is gendered racism? When thinking of “–isms,” or systems of oppression, many often think of single constructs that operate independently like ingredients in a salad. Examples include how racism impacts individuals based on their race alone or how sexism impacts individuals related to their sex or gender – such as wage gaps between men Read More >

Posted on by Shanice Battle, MPH, PhD, Denise Carty, PhD1 CommentTags ,

Standing Up a Test to Treat Model During a Surge of COVID-19 Cases

“When a person is diagnosed with COVID-19, the window of time for them to receive antivirals or monoclonal antibodies is limited. We are eliminating access barriers and misinformation that prevent patients to quickly receive COVID-19 treatments to help decrease their risk of hospitalization,” said Dr. Sonia Ortiz Flores, physician leading the Bayamon Test to Treat Read More >

Posted on by Diana Durán López, BSN, Jeniffer Concepción-Acevedo, PhD, Iris Cardona Genera, MD, Hope Dennis, MPH1 Comment

Stories from the Field: Conversations on COVID-19 Prevention with 3 Exemplary Charter Schools

CDC has ongoing relationships with charter schools (tuition-free schools of choice that are publicly funded but independently run) across the United States. These relationships allow charter schools to share insights on COVID-19 prevention strategies and health disparities facing students and CDC to offer information on how schools can address health barriers. Ongoing conversations strengthen CDC’s awareness Read More >

Posted on by Jasmine Gaillard, MPH, Osizwe Raena Harwell, MS.ED, Ph.D., Hailey Reid, MA, MPH, Sarah Neale, MPH, CHES1 Comment

Stories from the Field: PODER en SALUD

“The virus has taken a toll on our mental and emotional health,” says Perla Fernandez, a Kansas City community member who lost several friends and family members suddenly to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected many Hispanic or Latino communities.[1] Hispanic or Latino people have experienced higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalization, death, and cost Read More >

Posted on by Farah M. Chowdhury, MD, MPH; Matthew Penn, JD, MLIS; Sheila Walier, MS; Bria Harris-Sharpe, MPH; Hawa Kone, MSLeave a commentTags ,

Give Your Community a Boost!

Communities play an integral role in many aspects of our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a case study for how resilient we can be and our determination to stay connected to our communities even during these challenging times. In April, we acknowledge National Minority Health Month (NMHM) to bring awareness to health disparities Read More >

Posted on by Eman Jibrel, MPH and Jennifer (Jenna) Seymour, PhD2 Comments

Stories from the Field: The White Earth Nation

“We dreamed of saving lives, and we worked to make that dream come true.” These are the words Dr. Carson Gardner, White Earth Tribal Health Department Medical Director, shared during an interview with CDC about the remarkable success the White Earth Public Health team experienced with vaccinating their fellow community members – The White Earth Read More >

Posted on by Julia Henry, Anya Kushwaha, and Averie Lico5 Comments