Latest news with #MinorityHealthMonth
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
In-Depth: Events planned for Minority Health Month
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — April is Minority Health Month, and Andrea Bivens and Jamille Murphy began a conversation Tuesday about upcoming events supporting minority health in the community. 'This weekend we have our citywide baby shower. That is coming up. And I will defer to my coworker, Jamille, who is our director of minority health, as she could talk a little bit more about our citywide baby shower,' Bivens said. The shower will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eugenia Atkinson Recreational Center at 903 Otis Street in Youngstown. 'To promote maternal and infant health. We want to make sure that some of the underserved populations and some of the at-risk populations are receiving those essential baby items. And we also want to promote. breastfeeding, breastfeeding, nutrition, safe sleep, prenatal care and postnatal care,' said Murphy. The baby shower will also include games and prizes. 'So it's designed to support and celebrate the new and new mothers and expecting moms and we want to offer them with educational resources. We also want to feel, like I said, the essential baby items and overall, you know, welcome them with festivities and some baby shower games,' Murphy said. 'We'll have raffles, we'll raffle off some free items, some gifts and, you know, high chairs, car seats, some pack and plays and other things,' Murphy said. Statistics show that infant mortality is three to four times higher in the African-American community. Wednesday, the conversation about minority health and upcoming events continues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Colorectal Cancer Alliance Survey Reveals Disparities in Minorities that Could Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk
Alliance Advocates for Greater Awareness during April Minority Health Month 'As the leading nonprofit dedicated to ending this disease, the Alliance is committed to spreading education among underserved communities and breaking down barriers to timely screening.' — Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, April 10, 2025 / / -- April is Minority Health Month, a crucial time to shed light on the disparities in colorectal cancer awareness and screening among Black and Hispanic adults. A recent survey commissioned by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance) and conducted by Wakefield Research unveils alarming gaps in knowledge and misconceptions about this preventable disease, underscoring the urgent need for targeted education and outreach. The survey found that these minority groups are significantly less aware that colorectal cancer is often not detected until the late stages due to mild symptoms—just 35% of Black adults and 38% of Hispanic adults recognize this as true, compared to 52% of white adults. Additionally, only 29% of Black adults and 36% of Hispanic adults understand that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, compared to 46% of white adults. This lack of knowledge can be deadly, especially with Hispanics and Blacks already at a higher risk for the disease. 'Lack of awareness is a key factor in delaying potentially life-saving screening,' said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. 'As the leading nonprofit dedicated to ending this disease, the Alliance is committed to spreading education among underserved communities and breaking down barriers to timely screening.' Beyond awareness, familiarity with colonoscopy procedures also varies widely. While 79% of white adults know that a colonoscopy involves inserting a camera into the body to examine the colon, only 53% of Black adults are aware. Similarly, 52% of Black adults understand the need for a day of preparation, compared to 75% of white adults. Alarmingly, nearly a quarter (23%) of Black adults incorrectly believe a colonoscopy requires an inpatient hospital stay—potentially contributing to the 36% of those not already committed to getting screened who report fear could keep them from doing so. Hispanic adults showed the highest knowledge gap when deciphering colonoscopy myths and facts, with 34% answering three or more statements incorrectly, higher than white (23%) and black (23%) adults. Medical recommendations also show stark disparities. A staggering 58% of Black adults and 51% of Hispanic adults have never had a doctor recommend colorectal cancer screening, compared to 36% of white adults. Yet, the good news is that among those who have not yet been screened, 49% of Black adults are committed to doing so at age 45 or within the next year—more than double the percentage of white adults (23%). And while only 27% of white adults would rather get a colonoscopy than file their taxes, 38% of Hispanic adults and 43% of Black adults would choose the colonoscopy. Hispanic adults (60%) are the most likely to say they can never seem to find the time for health screenings like those for colorectal cancer. However, 43% could be convinced to get a colonoscopy if they received a day off from work or childcare, which is higher than white (24%), and black (34%) adults. By normalizing the conversation around colorectal cancer through initiatives like LEAD FROM BEHIND, addressing common misconceptions, and providing accessible tools, the Alliance is working to close these critical awareness gaps and save lives. The Alliance offers support and information about colorectal cancer risk factors, symptoms, and screening options, as well as a free personalized screening recommendation in both English and Spanish at About the Colorectal Cancer Alliance The Colorectal Cancer Alliance empowers a nation of passionate and determined allies to prevent, treat, and overcome colorectal cancer in their lives and communities. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance advocates for prevention through initiatives like LEAD FROM BEHIND, magnifies support with BlueHQ, and accelerates research through Project Cure CRC. We are the largest national nonprofit dedicated to colorectal cancer, and we exist to end this disease in our lifetime. For more information, visit Methodology: The Colorectal Cancer Alliance Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+ X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube TikTok Legal Disclaimer:
