The holiday season is approaching quickly. Daylight is shorter and the weather is colder. Shopping lists are getting long and weekends are filling up. We’re celebrating the conclusion of a year and the beginning of another. It’s said to be the happiest time of the year, but for many, the celebration is often accompanied by stress, pressure, and feeling that we should be keeping … [Read more...] about Make It A December You’ll Actually Remember
Health and Fitness
A Reality Check About Alcohol and Other Drug Use
Our culture appears to be awash in alcohol and other drugs. It seems that ads, songs, and TV shows and films portray lifestyles that include all kinds of substances. But does that image really reflect reality? Not really. In fact, a massive yearly survey found interesting trends about Americans’ lifestyle choices. The Monitoring the Future national survey, found at … [Read more...] about A Reality Check About Alcohol and Other Drug Use
Fighting the stigma of overdose with International Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day is observed every August 31, a day set aside to remember those we've lost to drug overdoses, uplift survivors of overdose, and to encourage action to prevent more deaths. For the black community, this day highlights deeper issues of unequal treatment, stigma, and the urgent need for better care. In the past, drug use in black communities … [Read more...] about Fighting the stigma of overdose with International Overdose Awareness Day
Masculinity, mental health, and substance use
In many communities, men have been revered as the steadfast providers and protectors of their families. Societally, we hold a belief that men are the stronger sex— both mentally and physically. It’s hard not to notice that every uncle, cousin, brother, father, or grandfather has never shared a feeling of anxiety, stress, or the struggles that often accompany life’s challenges. … [Read more...] about Masculinity, mental health, and substance use
Experiencing at least 4 of these symptoms? You may have this autoimmune disease
Autoimmune diseases are some of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood diseases out there. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues as if they were foreign invaders. This attack can lead to inflammation and damage to various organs and tissues. Autoimmune disease symptoms vary greatly depending on which part of … [Read more...] about Experiencing at least 4 of these symptoms? You may have this autoimmune disease
Cancer is getting younger—and the system isn’t ready
Cancer is showing up in younger women—earlier, faster, and often more aggressively. Yet our healthcare system, research priorities, and support structures are still stuck in a model designed for older patients. A recent webinar hosted by leaders at City of Hope, the American Cancer Society, and cancer survivor advocates laid out the reality with blunt urgency: if we don’t … [Read more...] about Cancer is getting younger—and the system isn’t ready
An undeniable connection: Substance use and mental health
Her nerves are bad. He’s got the blues. They’re back on the bottle again. We’ve all heard these statements to describe someone who is struggling. Every one of us knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed, day after day, with no end in sight. So, what do we do? We find ways to manage. Not a moral failing Everyone has different strategies for staying afloat, … [Read more...] about An undeniable connection: Substance use and mental health
Five signs of a silent stroke black people should know
A lot of people are familiar with the characteristic symptoms of a stroke – difficulty speaking, numbness on one side, and drooping on one side of the face. However, these aren’t indicative of the less common type of stroke. According to the American Heart Association, 800,000 Americans have silent strokes each year and don’t even know it. Since these strokes are far from … [Read more...] about Five signs of a silent stroke black people should know
What I wish I knew: The truth about preterm birth for black women
In the world of maternal healthcare, few voices resonate with as much urgency and clarity as that of Dr. Kim Bruno. A healthcare provider with 17 years of experience, Dr. Bruno has transitioned from private practice to Sera Prognostics’ Associate Director of Medical Science Liaison, where she bridges science, medicine, and patient education. Her mission: to make preterm birth … [Read more...] about What I wish I knew: The truth about preterm birth for black women
Alcohol Awareness Month: A time for healing, truth, and collective care
April marked Alcohol Awareness Month—a moment not just for raising alarms, but for raising consciousness. For the black community, this month invited a deeper reflection on the historical and present- day forces that shape our relationship with alcohol, coping, and healing. We can’t talk about alcohol use without talking about the weight many of us carry weights that are … [Read more...] about Alcohol Awareness Month: A time for healing, truth, and collective care