National Minority Health Month is designed to shine a spotlight on the health inequities faced by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in the United States. Black communities face unique systemic barriers to accessing HIV prevention and health care services. As a result, in 2021 Black people were 40% of people living with HIV, as well as 40% of...
Community Champions: ThirdAction Lab, staying the course for RDEI and building community
We are in the first quarter of 2024, and I have now been part of the Center for Community Solutions for two years! My personal goal was to join a team that would elevate the important work that takes place every day on the health and human services level. I served directly in this sector as part of the many...
Cultural and Linguistic Competency in Healthcare is essential
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. – Nelson Mandela My colleague, Natasha Takyi-Micah kicked off the blog series for National Minority Health Month detailing its history, and present-day relevance to eradicating health disparities for all ethnic minority...
Governor DeWine’s State of the State 2024: Focusing on Ohio’s children
By: Community Solutions Policy Staff Governor Mike DeWine gave his fourth annual State of the State address last week, the third consecutive year since the pandemic forced the cancellation of the address in 2020 and 2021. The speech focused almost exclusively on children and youth, recapping what has been achieved and what is planned. The Governor’s proposals spanned health, including...
Disparities in maternal mental health: a rising public health issue
National Minority Health Month brings awareness to the many health conditions Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience, including maternal mental health (MMH). In a study reported by the United States Government Accountability Office, in 2020 more Black or African American women reported depressive symptoms after pregnancy at roughly 8.1 percent compared to 7.9 percent of white women. Both...
April is National Minority Health Month, but what is it about?
National Minority Health Month was originally known as National Negro Health Week (NNHW) in 1915. Led by Booker T. Washington. The week was established after the negative findings by the Tuskegee Institute about the poor health status of Black Americans and its economic costs in the beginning of the 20th century. Washington presented this data at the Tuskegee Negro Conference...
Cuyahoga County Health, Human Services, and Aging Committee Stresses Need to Support Older Adults
Community Solutions recently prepared a report for the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services in which older adults were surveyed on how inflation is impacting their daily lives. 20% of respondents would not be able to pay for a $400 emergency. One striking finding was that 20% of respondents would not be able to pay for a $400...
Levies on the 2024 Ohio Primary Ballot: What Passed?
The Center for Community Solutions published research identifying levies that were on the ballot for the March primary election. Eleven counties across the state had 13 health and human service levies up for a vote. Eleven of the thirteen levies passed. Below is a table with a total breakdown. Eleven counties across the state had 13 health and human service...
Behavioral health disparities in Appalachia and rural Ohio
Previous research at The Center for Community Solutions analyzed disparities distinctly experienced by people in Appalachian and rural counties of the state. Across many health, economic, and social indicators, people in these regions also suffer from higher rent burden, poverty, and less diverse political representation. Behavioral health disparities exist in Appalachia and rural areas as well. A report released by...
Flexin’ in my melanin: Exploring colorism and its impact on our world
Tar baby, light bright, darkie, high yella—words that many in the Black community have heard or been called, me included. Growing up, I was a shade or two lighter or darker than my mom, depending on the season. Walking around as a lighter skinned child with light-colored eyes elicited varying responses– from curious gazes to those wondering if I was...