Welcome to Baptist HealthTalk, powered by the NAACP, dedicated to improving the health of the Black community through education and empowerment. Hear from Baptist Health experts as well as community leaders about what you can do to improve the health and wellness of your family. Whether it’s diabetes, heart health or better nutrition, HealthTalk aims to promote positive change in Black health outcomes.

Episode Description:

Diabetes affects nearly 40-Million persons in the United States and more than 12% of Black adults are diagnosed with the disease. Diabetes can lead to cardiovascular issues, eye problems and even amputations. Join the discussion to know risk factors, screening options and lifestyle modifications you can make to keep your health in check.

Host:

Yvonne Johnson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at South Miami Hospital.

Guest: 

Angel Alejandro, M.D., Endocrinologist at Baptist Health. 

2024 data from the American Heart Association shows that stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. As we have seen with other diseases, black Americans have a higher prevalence of stroke and higher death rate from stroke than any other racial group. Additionally, black stroke survivors are significantly less likely to be treated for many complications, including fatigue, spasticity, and depression compared with white stroke survivors.

Host:

Marcus St. John, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist and Medical Director of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Guest:

Felipe De Los Rios La Rosa, M.D., Stroke Program Director at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute

Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the fourth leading cause in women in the U.S., according to 2024 data from the American Cancer Society. But it’s the second most common cause of cancer death for men and women combined. Colorectal cancer is now the top cause of cancer death in men under 50.  Unfortunately, colorectal cancer disproportionately affects the Black community, where the rates are the highest of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. Black Americans are about 20 percent more likely to get colorectal cancer, and about 40 percent more likely to die from it than most other groups.

Presenters:

Marcus St. John, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist and Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

Sarah Joseph, M.D., Medical Oncologist at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute

Heart disease is the number 1 killer of adults in the United States. Stroke is the number 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability. As frightening as these numbers are, the risks of getting these diseases are even higher for Black people. Join us for a discussion including the importance of knowing your numbers and identifying risk factors which may be putting you in danger. Learn about some of the barriers to accessing healthcare as well as what the NAACP is doing to promote better health in the Black community.

Host:

 Yvonne Johnson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Health South Miami Hospital.

Guests: 

 Marcus St. John, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist and Medical Director of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Harold Ford, President of the South Dade branch of the NAACP.