Category: Health Equity
How the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) Provides Insights into Vaccination Coverage Inequities
Vaccines are one of the greatest advancements in public health in the United States, and integral in keeping community safe from certain diseases. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in racial and ethnic minoritized groups have experienced challenges accessing and accepting vaccinations. Existing research measures the success of vaccination programs by focusing largely Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsLearning through the Lived Experience: Recognizing the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Part of recognizing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and assessing the progress that has been made since it was enacted is to listen and learn from the varied lived experiences among people with disabilities. People with disabilities are the true experts and can share important insights about feasibility, relevance, and benefits for public health Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsAn Arc Towards Greater Inclusion and Sense of Belonging
As this year’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Pride Month comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on my experience as a federal employee who is part of the LGBTQI+ community and the public health scientific and practice accomplishments that CDC LGBTQI+ employees have attained. Prior to accepting a position Read More >
Posted on by 3 CommentsHealth Justice As a Tool to Fight Existing and Future Pandemics
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the nation’s glaring health disparities, highlighting how the communities hit the hardest by the pandemic already had long suffered the impact of structural inequities. From the Syphilis Study at Tuskegee to the disproportionate impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis on members of the LGBTQ+ community, the history of discrimination Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentNational Minority Health Month: Better Health Through Better Understanding
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 2 CommentsA Black History Moment: HBCUs and Their Influence on CDC’s Health Equity Journey
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 2 CommentsGendered 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 2 CommentsAddressing Disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease
Did you know that Black and Latino adults are at much higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) than White adults? And this disparity is expected to grow: CDC projects that cases of ADRD will increase seven-fold among Latino adults and four-fold among Black adults by 2060. In addition, Black and Latino adults Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsStories 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 Leave a commentLooking Forward: Key Milestones in Health Equity!
The year is coming to an end and many of us are looking ahead to what 2022 holds. Here, in the United States, many of us are vaccinated and safely reuniting with our loved ones. Holiday traditions are commencing in person once again and the new year is quickly approaching. Before writing those new year’s Read More >
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