Distrust & Disparities: Dismantling Black Health Disparities

In this episode we reflect on this past year and discuss how we will pour into ourselves, this podcast, and our communities to prepare for the future.   If you would like to suggest a topic, guest, or organization email us at distrustanddisparities@gmail.com .   Visit the Distrust & Disparities website and follow us on Instagram , Facebook , Threads , YouTube , and LinkedIn .   Visit our Buy M...

In this episode we discuss how states refusing to expand Medicaid coverage leads to severe harm and death of individuals unable to afford health insurance.   And we highlight Cover Texas Now , a coalition fighting for a sustainable health care system in the state with quality affordable health coverage for citizens.   If you would like to suggest a topic, guest, or organization email us at distrus...

In this episode we interview Saeeda Dunston , the CEO of Elmcor , a Black-run human justice organization addressing the public health crisis of substance use disorder and other core needs of their community.   Visit Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, Inc. to learn about their various programs and services centering the needs of their community. And follow them on Instagram , Facebook , and Linke...

Content Warning: We discuss drug use, addiction, overdose deaths and other triggering topics in this episode. Listener discretion is advised.   In this episode we discuss the opioid overdose crisis in Baltimore City, which has claimed nearly 6,000 lives in the past 6 years. And we highlight Bmore POWER (Peers Offering Wellness, Education and Resources) , a harm reduction organization focused on sa...

Content Warning: We discuss domestic violence and other triggering topics in this episode. Listener discretion is advised.   In this rerun episode we discuss domestic violence and Black women. We cover Marissa Alexander’s story, a Black woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for protecting herself from her abusive estranged ex-husband. And we highlight Survived & Punished , a coalition working...

Content Warning: We discuss domestic violence, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and other triggering topics in this episode. Listener discretion is advised.   In this episode we discuss the devastating impact of domestic violence, especially in the Black community and the heartbreaking murder of a child trying to protect their pregnant mother and younger sibling from an abusive ex-partne...

In this episode we discuss affirmative action and how its overturning has negatively impacted healthcare. And we highlight Dr. Uché Blackstock and her memoir Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine *.   Visit Dr. Blackstock’s website to learn more about her work and check out her book. And follow her on Instagram , Twitter , and LinkedIn .   If you would like to suggest a topic,...

In this episode we interview Emilie Rodriguez and Guramrit LeBron, two doulas creating a better standard of care in maternal health for families of color through their organizations, Ashe Birthing Services and The Bridge Directory. And they discuss the importance of community and ancestral practices to provide the best support for birthing people.   Visit Ashe Birthing Services for NYC based birth...

In this episode we discuss a research study that examines the lasting impact of structural racism on Black women healthcare workers in the U.S., including low wages and hazardous working conditions.   And we highlight The Center for Advancing Racial Equity and Job Quality in Long-Term Care, a national hub centering BIPOC women and immigrant caregivers to build an equitable caregiving infrastructur...

In this episode we discuss the courageous and resilient Black nurses who treated patients with the highly contagious tuberculosis and played pivotal roles in discovering the cure for the disease.    And we highlight the National Black Nurses Association serving as the voice for Black nurses and diverse populations ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportuniti...

In this episode we discuss the 2024 theme for Black Maternal Health Week and have a conversation about the things that give us hope and joy for Black birthing people.   If you would like to suggest a topic, guest, or organization email us at distrustanddisparities@gmail.com .   Visit the Distrust & Disparities website and follow us on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , and LinkedIn .   Visit our...

In this episode we discuss the sewage crisis in Lowndes County, a predominantly Black county in Alabama that has been dealing with wastewater issues for decades.    And we highlight Catherine Coleman Flowers, an environmental and climate justice activist working to address the inadequate waste and water sanitation infrastructures in rural communities in the U.S.   Visit Catherine’s website to lear...

Content Warning: We briefly discuss suicide in this episode, listener discretion is advised.   In this episode Jasmyn discusses finding inspiration and motivation from books written by and for Black women.    And we highlight The Free Black Women’s Library, a community library that centers Black women and Black non-binary writers through a variety of free events, workshops, and public programs.  ...

Content Warning: We discuss pregnancy complications, miscarriages, stillbirths, and abortions in this episode, listener discretion is advised.   In this episode we cover the heartbreaking story of Brittany Watts. A Black woman from Ohio who was prosecuted after experiencing a pregnancy loss.   And we highlight In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, a national-state p...

Content Warning: We discuss suicide, mental health, and other triggering topics in this episode, listener discretion is advised.   In this episode we shed light on the detrimental effects oppressive work environments can have on Black women. We discuss the death of Dr. Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey, a Black woman who dealt with harassment and bullying from her white male boss in higher educati...

In this episode we discuss the Black Panthers, their health initiatives, and community programs to address the disparities in the Black community.    And we highlight acclaimed scholar and writer Dr. Alondra Nelson and her book Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight Against Medical Discrimination *.   If you would like to suggest a topic, guest, or organization email us at distrustan...

In this rerun episode we discuss environmental racism and Black families. We cover Gordon Plaza, a New Orleans housing development specifically built for Black first time home buyers. The residents were not told that their dream homes were built on top of a landfill saturated with toxins harmful to their health.    And we highlight the Residents of Gordon Plaza, a community organization fighting b...

In this rerun episode we cover the tragic story of Antavia Gotitall Lee-Worsham, a young diabetic woman forced to ration her insulin due to absurdly high costs. And we highlight T1Diabetes Journey, the organization created by Antroinette Worsham, who is fighting to change laws and prevent more deaths. Follow T1 Diabetes Journey on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn to learn more about d...

In this episode we highlight some listener reviews, discuss making it to the end of this year, and the importance of rest, hydration, check ups, and therapy. If you would like to suggest a topic, guest, or organization email us at distrustanddisparities@gmail.com . Visit the Distrust & Disparities website and follow us on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , and LinkedIn . Visit our Buy Me A Coffe...

In this rerun episode we discuss Dr. Susan Moore’s tragic battle with COVID-19. She was a Black doctor who took to social media to expose a hospital's racially biased treatment she received as a patient. And we highlight Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, an immunologist who was one of the scientists who helped develop the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19. Follow Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett on Instagram and Twitter for...

In this episode we discuss the origins of pulse oximeters, medical devices that measure oxygen levels, and the unacceptable inaccuracies of readings for people with darker complexions. And we highlight Black researchers in engineering and physics utilizing innovative technology to create equitable pulse oximetry devices. If you would like to suggest a topic, guest, or organization email us at dist...

In this episode we interview Dr. Omolara Uwemedimo, a Black female physician with nearly 20 years in pediatrics, the co-founder of Strong Children Wellness an integrated health practice network for marginalized children and families in New York City and the founder of Melanin & Medicine, a health equity consultancy helping Black, Indigenous, and People of Color health practitioners to have fun...

In this episode we cover the story of Sybil Garbow, a Black nurse with over 40 years of experience who was convicted of assault because of a racist coworker and a criminal justice system that hardly ever views Black women as victims.  And we highlight two Black nursing leaders amplifying Sybil’s story and advocating for justice. Irnise Williams irnise@iwilliamslaw.com Instagram Tauqilla Manning in...

In this episode we interview Jasmine Samuel, a Black nurse, healthcare administrator, triple-negative breast cancer survivor, and founder of The Patient Nurse Foundation, an organization that provides essential care management support and patient navigation services to Mississippians, a state with some of the worst health outcomes in the U.S.  Contact Jasmine through email or by phone to learn mor...

In this episode we discuss how structural racism like underfunded research, inadequate care, and misconceptions about sickle cell disease have hindered treatment advancements. We cover a story of how the fragmented healthcare system can cause more harm for SCD patients.  And we highlight Sick Cells, an advocacy organization elevating the voices of the sickle cell community to influence positive ch...