OUR
APPROACH
WE FIGHT
FOR OUR LIVES.
At The Center for Black Health & Equity, we understand that the first step to mobilizing health organizations and communities is to become aware of the root causes of health disparities among African Americans. This means examining and abolishing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, fighting the tobacco industry's predatory marketing tactics, and reversing the impact that institutional racism has had on African American health.
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African Americans carry the highest burden of death for many of the country's most fatal diseases. Approximately 45,000 African Americans will die from a smoking-related disease this year, and African Americans are still more likely to die from cancer than any other ethnic group. Additionally, African Americans continue to account for nearly half of all new HIV cases. The Center is taking a stand and providing advocacy assistance to eliminate such egregious health disparities.
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To reduce rates of death and illness among African Americans, it is critical that we help people to quit smoking, encourage early cancer screenings, get more people tested for HIV, promote healthier lifestyles, and assist our community members in accessing quality health care. In addition, we train community leaders to pursue the policy changes necessary for people to make such important choices.
WE EQUIP COMMUNITIES TO END HEALTH DISPARITIES.
Strategic action must be taken to reduce the burden of tobacco use, cancer-related health disparities, and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in order to advance health equity. The Center is leading the way in effective action to reduce the burden of chronic disease on African American community.
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To improve the overall quality of health in America, it is vital that we rethink the tools, strategies, and interventions designed for minority populations.
Since 2000, The Center for Black Health & Equity has been working collaboratively with communities to eliminate tobacco-related health disparities. We have employed our model to address disparities across a myriad of health issues.
Here are a few actions you can take to participate in the fight:
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Raise the awareness of the dangers of menthol and tobacco use in your community; encourage frequent HIV testing for high-risk groups
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Promote early detection and primary cancer prevention strategies; outreach to key stakeholders that can influence access to care
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Advocate for positive lifestyle changes and environmentally friendly policies.
WE BUILD CAPACITY & PROVIDE RESOURCES.
Sharing is the key to health justice and parity. Once stakeholders, community leaders, and health professionals become well-informed on the specific issues at hand, knowledge must be shared with others.
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The Center for Black Health & Equity has a network of strategic partners uniquely positioned to strengthen, support, and disseminate evidence-based and promising strategies to eliminate tobacco, HIV/AIDS, and cancer-related health disparities. It is imperative to engage more public health advocates across sectors in disease prevention work. This includes state and local public health officials, faith leaders, youth, academic researchers, and leaders in the African American community.
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FUNDERS ARE PARTNERS IN OUR WORK.
We are grateful for the organizations and institutions that make our work possible. Through the continued funding provided by private foundations and federal agencies, we are yet moving closer to achieving health justice for African Americans. Funders and supporters are truly partners in this work. They make it possible for us to invest one-third of our budget back into communities and their initiatives.
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