Black Body Health: The Podcast

In part two of Black and Disabled with Vilissa Thompson, we dive into the topic of intersectionality. Thompson opens up by talking about how media has traditionally positioned abled people as 'saviors' for the disabled population. Telethons and fundraisers often portray disabled people as people to be pitied over or incapable of living like others in society. "The way we view disabled people is grossly negative and condescending," Thompson says. This negativity will sometimes deter Black people from identifying as disabled. It's hard enough to be Black in America and adding "disabled" to our social categories can feel like another item added to the struggle plate. To help combat this, we need representation -- which host Natasha Phelps discusses in this episode. Did you miss part one? Click here to catch up. Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha PhelpsProducer,Chelsey SellarsLogo Designer, Ashlee Woods

We're starting a new series on Black Body Health: The Podcast. This week, you get to meet Vilissa Thompson. For 10 years, Thompson has led Ramp Your Voice!, an organization that promotes empowerment, education, inclusion, and self-advocacy for disabled people like herself. According to the World Health Organization, there are three dimensions of disability Body functions and structure (impairment) Activities at the individual level Restriction in participation in society With this in mind, there are still societal pressures and exclusions which prevent people with disabilities from being active or participatory in the ways they would like to be. This episode opens up with host Natasha Phelps explaining what disability rights are and the diversity found within the disabled population. Part one of this series is all about why Vilissa Thompson became an activist. Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer,Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Welcome back Black Body Health listeners! Here is part three of our Black Veterans series with Black Veterans Project Co-Founder, Richard Brookshire.  Did you miss out on part 1? Click here to catch up. Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer,Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

In this episode, we are continuing the conversation with Black Veterans Project Co-Founder, Richard Brookshire. This segment is about the health issues that disproportionately affect Black veterans during service and when they come home. Did you miss out on part 1? Click here to catch up. Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer,Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

Welcome back, Black Body Health listener! Host Natasha Phelps starts off November with part one of our Black Veteran series. In this episode, we introduce you to Richard Brookshire, one of the brilliant minds behind Black Veterans Project. The nonprofit works to advance racial equity for those in and out of uniform by using storytelling and national reporting. They have positioned themselves to be watchdogs of policy and change that could affect the health and well-being of Black veterans. Not only does he detail the hard work of Black Veterans Project on the podcast, Brookshire also shares his own experience with the military. He joined in his early twenties for many reasons but a major incentive was to pay off student loans. This is a theme that is common among Black male military recruits. Brookshire also shares how his return to civilian life had some dark moments – one of which became the catalyst for the creation of Black Veterans Project. To commemorate those who served this Veteran’s Day, go listen to this podcast now! Look out for part two where we will dive into the topic of Black veteran health. Latest news featuring Black Veterans Project>>here Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer,Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

At The Center for Black Health & Equity, we pledge to support a meaningful and community-driven response to this growing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak. MPX has spread to over 88 nations and we are now under a global health emergency according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Recently, on August 3, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration officially declared MPX a public health emergency in the United States. This critical development aims to free up emergency funding, coordinate a nationwide response, and improve the distribution of vaccines and treatment. This past week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 23,499 confirmed cases in the United States and the number is expected to increase. New York and California have experienced the highest number of cases thus far, but other major U.S. states and Puerto Rico are at the helm of this outbreak. The Center for Black Health & Equity exists to fight for Black lives by helping communities understand root causes of health inequity and come up with solutions to address them. Black and Latino people make up more than a third of all MPX cases in this country, yet only less than 10 percent of Black people are vaccinated for it according to the CDC. We’ve seen this kind of disparity unravel during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic and though the lesson has not been applied here, there is still an opportunity to address this health inequity. Listen to podcast host, Natasha Phelps, break down MPX and demystify the stigma connected to it.

Have a seat, let us drape you, and welcome to Black Body Health the Barbershop! Kidding, this is another great podcast episode where fabulous host Natasha Phelps interviews two guests about Black health. More specifically, Black men’s health. In this country, Black men have the lowest life expectancy compared to men and women of other racial and ethnic groups. Stigma, proper access to healthcare, and other socioeconomic details contribute to this disparity. So what are medical and public health professionals doing about this? They’re going to the barbershops. Michael Scott, Senior Program Manager at The Center for Black Health & Equity, joins the conversation alongside Jon Brown, founder of BlackMensHealth.com. These two met in a barbershop as well and implore the need for Black men’s health to be steered in a positive direction. They explain how leaving the barber’s chair will leave you with more than just a fresh fade. This episode expounds on how Black barbershops are valuable pieces to Black culture, history, and occasionally hubs for public health messaging. Listen now –  no clippers necessary! Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer,Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

It’s hot hot hot almost anywhere you go. With record heat baking the United States and Europe, during UV Safety Month, we felt that a discussion about skin cancer in Black people was vital. Yes, our melanin is more than just beautiful – it provides protection. However, the amount of protection it gives us from the sweltering sun is not enough to hit the beach without sufficient sunscreen. While Black people are less likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer, we are more likely to die from it due to late detection. In this episode, host Natasha Phelps explains this health disparity further. She’ll tell you why it’s detected so late in Black people, where melanoma spots often appear on Black skin, and how to stay safe this summer. Have fun, be safe, and the next time you hear someone say “Black people can’t get sunburned,” tell them to listen to this episode of Black Body Health: The Podcast. Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer,Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

At the start of June, many multimillion-dollar companies changed the color scheme of their logos to rainbows. While sharing social media posts saying #LoveIsLove – how many of them believe it and make it part of their company culture? Enjoy the floats, music, and festivities all Pride Month long but understand that Pride is a movement for LGBTQ+ activists. There has been progress in some sectors, but we have also seen recent legislation that is creating a setback – yes Texas and Florida, we’re talking about you. In this episode, Host Natasha Phelps has an interesting and humorous conversation with L’Monique King – a literary enthusiast that is an ‘out and proud, lesbian Black woman.” King touches on the history of pride, intersectionality, and how she works to defend and teach the next generation about LGBT+ rights. Once you’re done listening, Natasha and L’Monique encourage you to keep learning about Pride on your own. Start with these incredible leaders: Marsha P Johnson, Bayard Rustin, Pauli Murray, Angela Davis, and Angela Davis, Audre Lorde Send your feedback to [email protected] CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer,Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods

In the late 90s, pharmaceutical companies created opioids so doctors can treat patients with chronic or severe pain. Misuse and overprescribing of these drugs have turned a solution into a health crisis –  often highlighted in predominantly white communities. Yet in recent years, there has been a shift. The number of Black people who have overdosed on opioids has increased by about 40 percent as other groups see a decrease in cases.  In this episode of Black Body Health: The Podcast, Natasha explains why drug addiction in the Black community deserves our attention and action. The idea that opioids are ‘only used by white people’ is not only false, but also part of the stigma that will keep us from addressing this problem head-on. Send your feedback to [email protected] REFERENCES: What is the U.S. Opioid Epidemic? Opioid painkiller prescribing varies widely among states 4 U.S. companies will pay $26 billion to settle claims they fueled the opioid crisis Suicides by drug overdose increased among young people, elderly people, and Black women, despite overall downward trend Why Prescription Opioids Aren’t Only a Problem for White Americans Opinion: With overdoses spiking, we need a different approach CREDITS: Host, Natasha Phelps Producer, Chelsey Sellars Logo Designer, Ashlee Woods