We’ve reached a milestone in the menthol movement! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a ban on menthol flavoring in cigarettes. It’s the ingredient that hooks many African American smokers and makes it harder for them to quit. Though this is a pivotal moment in the fight against tobacco, we can’t ignore the damage that has been done to the African American community in the last 10 years alone. The Center of Black Health & Equity is one of many organizations that has pushed for this change. The Public Health Law Center and The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council were also part of a large petition to ban menthol in 2013. Tobacco companies have targeted Black communities extensively to use menthol and tobacco for decades.In this episode we expand on this history, respond to the opposition and share the hope we have for the future of Black health.

If you are trying to quit smoking and need help, call the quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit the website.

The 2021 State of Black Health Conference was all virtual and all the way live! The chat room in each session was filled with the side conversations we all love to have when we're being nourished with dope information. We just had to recap some of our favorite sessions about local politics, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and gun violence as a public health crisis. Please enjoy our takes on these sessions and don't forget to visit www.centerforblackhealth.org to register for our news updates so you don't miss next years community forum in Cleveland, OH!

Welcome back listeners! This episode we are diving right into this discussion about how tobacco prevention work isn't as simple as telling the Black community about the health impacts of smoking. It means understanding resources to empower ourselves for our overall heart health.  February isn't just Black History Month. It's also Heart Health Month. 

That means the heart of the matter is that showing love to Black people includes doing all it takes to keep us healthy. Whether it's at the clinic, the sales counter, the corner store or the courtroom, advocates are bringing the fight to prevent harm caused by tobacco use. We have won many battles and we will win more! This episode, we are joined by:

This is our most impactful discussion yet, so stay tuned and turn us up! 

We can’t stop and won’t stop in the effort to secure progress for Black health and equity! Together we can solve health disparities by increasing awareness of racial and ethnic disparities in health care among the general public. Of course, we’ll be talking about the latest news on COVID-19 vaccination efforts, gun violence, mental health and a myriad of other critical public health issues. We’ll also be hosting workshops on health disparities data, economics, technology and justice efforts all in the name of making unapologetic progress to keep the Black community alive and well. Tune in and turn us up!

We are starting off the new year talking about ALL the important issues and currently - what can we say? Viruses are gonna virus! How COVID-19 is unfolding across the globe isn't a surprise to those who study viruses. Tune in this week as we discuss radon in our homes, COVID-19 vaccines, resources and how we can help each other in the Black community. Tune in and turn us up!!!

No one could have predicted what 2020 would be like and the pandemic has amplified and blown the lid off many of the issues that have already been happening in the Black community as it relates to health, money and housing. 

But we can't let COVID-19 steal all of our joy, we wanted to round out this year's podcasts with a few of our favorite things from 2020. We talk about our favorite organizations, moments, and people of 2020 - while also giving YOU, our lovely listeners some tips moving into 2021. So turn us up and stay tuned - as we wrap up our final episode of the year. 

In this episode we discuss Medicaid, HIV, and so much more! With Black Lives Matter at the forefront of the news cycle and the cry for an end to the violence against Black bodies growing, the fight to protect Black health is as critical now as it was ever before! Join us in this lively discussion drawing attention to how important talking about HIV and speaking up wherever you go. Tune in and turn it up!

Big Tobacco's push of mentholated products into Black neighborhoods is a primary example of predatory marketing. There are campaigns that market menthol products to Black consumers which result in the saturation of advertisements in local corner stores, heavy distribution of coupons, and co-opting our own culture and history to create the false perception of Black support.

There is nothing supportive about overloading the Black community with mentholated products. These products are known to be the leading causes of poor health outcomes within the Black community.

Check out episode 10 of Black Body Health the Podcast to learn how predatory practices and promotions affect the Black community--all for the sake of Big Tobacco's profits.

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer and Black women are more likely to develop more aggressive, more advanced-stage breast cancer that is diagnosed at a young age. In this week’s episode, we are discussing the racial disparities, early detection, treatment, myths and more. We also discuss the announcement of President Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis. Stay tuned in!