For Your Health News Podcast

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Recorded at the Global Black Economic Forum, this powerful FYH.News conversation features host Adjoa Kyerematen (NMQF) in dialogue with Joel Bervell—known widely as the “Medical Mythbuster.”

Together, they break down the facts about clinical trials: what they are, how they work, why they matter, and why participation from Black and Brown communities remains disproportionately low.

Joel walks listeners through the full research pipeline—from lab discoveries to phased human studies—while clarifying the history of Tuskegee and explaining the safeguards in place today, including informed consent, data protections, and federal diversity requirements in enrollment.

This episode reframes clinical trials not as “guinea pig” medicine, but as access to cutting-edge care—and a pathway to better, more representative outcomes for everyone.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why participation from Black and Brown communities remains around 5%—and how representation changes outcomes
 • How the clinical research pipeline works (lab → animal models → phased human studies)
 • Today’s safety safeguards: informed consent, data protections, and diverse enrollment requirements
 • Tuskegee clarified—what happened, what changed, and what to ask now
 • The exact questions to ask your doctor about trials for your specific condition
 • Real-world examples in lupus and cancer
 • How primary care providers and advocacy groups can help connect patients to credible trials
 • The role of community science, research networks, and biobanks in advancing better care

Key Takeaways:

Clinical trials provide access to innovative treatments—not experimentation without protection.
 Go into appointments prepared: “Are there clinical trials for my specific condition? If not, who can we ask?”
Stay current on preventive care (mammograms, A1C, PSA, and other screenings) to help close care gaps and qualify sooner for opportunities.

For more equity-focused health coverage and empowering resources, visit fyh.news

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Dr. Natosha Gatson—neuro-oncologist and founding CEO of Living Oncology—returns to the NMQF stage to welcome the 2025 40 Under 40 class in this powerful and thought-provoking conversation on the future of cancer care.

In this compelling interview, Dr. Gatson challenges the traditional model of oncology by centering a critical question: What matters most to the patient? She explains why treatment decisions should be guided not only by clinical outcomes and survival statistics but also by patient values, lived experience, quality of life, and personal goals.

From improving health literacy to equipping patients with the confidence to ask informed questions, Dr. Gatson outlines why empowerment is not optional—it’s essential for better outcomes.

Discover how she is redefining patient-centered oncology by integrating science, compassion, and shared decision-making into every step of care.

This is a must-listen for providers, advocates, caregivers, and patients committed to building a more humane and effective cancer care system.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why patient values should guide cancer treatment decisions
 • How health literacy impacts survival and quality of life
 • What true patient empowerment looks like in oncology
 • How shared decision-making strengthens trust and outcomes
 • Why integrating lived experience into care models improves impact

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on designing care that honors both science and humanity.

For more equity-focused health coverage, visit fyh.news

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In this powerful episode of FYH News, Dr. Donney John—Executive Director of NOVA ScriptsCentral and a longtime health equity advocate—shares how his journey as a pharmacist and immigrant shaped his mission to break down barriers in health literacy and healthcare access.

With more than two decades of experience serving diverse communities, Dr. John explains why health equity begins with understanding—understanding language, culture, trust, and the lived realities of patients navigating complex systems.

From improving culturally competent health materials to leveraging AI responsibly and elevating community voices, he makes a compelling case for inclusion at every level of healthcare innovation.

This conversation explores what it truly takes to build trust, empower patients, and design solutions that speak every language—literally and figuratively.

If you're committed to advancing health equity in real, scalable ways, this episode is essential listening.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why health literacy is foundational to health equity
 • How culturally responsive communication improves outcomes
 • The role AI can play in expanding access—if designed inclusively
 • How immigrant experiences inform leadership and advocacy
 • Practical strategies to build trust across communities

Your Health. Your News. Your Power.

For more equity-focused health coverage, visit fyh.news

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Investing in Impact: How Nzinga Lowe Is Reshaping Health Systems for All

In this powerful episode of For Your Health News, we sit down with Nzinga Lowe, founder and CEO of Pygmalion Health and a 2025 40 Under 40 honoree, to explore what it truly means to invest in health equity.

Nzinga reframes health equity as more than a moral commitment—it’s a strategic investment opportunity. She explains how health systems, venture capital firms, and policymakers can drive measurable impact and meaningful ROI by centering underserved communities in innovation and design.

From digital therapeutics and culturally responsive care models to youth engagement strategies and Medicaid innovation, Nzinga outlines actionable solutions that meet patients where they are—and move the needle on outcomes.

If you're a healthcare leader, investor, entrepreneur, or advocate committed to building a more inclusive and future-forward system, this conversation is essential listening.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why health equity is both a values-driven mission and a business imperative
 • How digital health tools can close access gaps when designed intentionally
 • What culturally responsive care looks like in practice
 • How Medicaid innovation can unlock scalable impact
 • Why investing in underserved communities drives better long-term returns

This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to rethink healthcare access, reshape investment strategies, and build a healthier future for all.

For more equity-focused health coverage, visit fyh.news

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In this impactful episode of FYH News, **Dr. Tony Awojoodu—2025 40 Under 40 honoree and leader at DaVita—**shares a deeply personal and practical perspective on kidney health, equity, and living with purpose.

Dr. Awojoodu explains why kidney disease disproportionately affects communities of color and unpacks the systemic barriers that delay prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Drawing from his work serving patients with end-stage renal disease, he highlights the urgent need for earlier screening, community awareness, and proactive care.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Awojoodu speaks to purpose-driven leadership and the power of time management—not just for productivity, but for protecting your health. From managing chronic conditions to prioritizing prevention, he makes the case that how we structure our time can literally save lives.

Whether you're an advocate, caregiver, healthcare professional, or community leader, this conversation will leave you informed, motivated, and ready to act.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why kidney disease disproportionately impacts communities of color
 • The systemic barriers that affect prevention and treatment
 • The importance of early screening and proactive health management
 • How purpose-driven living strengthens health outcomes
 • Why time management is a public health strategy

This episode challenges us to normalize conversations about wellness, prevention, and community strength—and to turn awareness into action.

For more equity-focused health coverage, visit fyh.news

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In this episode of the For Your Health News Podcast, Jasmine Leonard, a 2025 40 Under 40 honoree and Senior Business Consultant at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, discusses the intersection of history, stress, representation, and health. 

Drawing on her academic background in Africana Studies and Human Biology, Jasmine explores how historical and systemic factors can affect the biology and well-being of Black Americans and why trust, representation, and clear science communication are important to improving health access. 

The conversation also examines misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and the relationship between chronic stress and health. Jasmine shares perspectives on how healthcare professionals, advocates, and community leaders can communicate more effectively and build stronger connections with the communities they serve. 

Her discussion highlights the importance of combining science, representation, community engagement, and advocacy to help create healthier futures for communities that have historically faced barriers to care. 

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• How history and chronic stress can influence health and well-being
• Why representation matters in healthcare and science
• How trust can affect health communication and decision-making
• Why clear science communication is important when addressing misinformation
• How community engagement can help address vaccine hesitancy
• How Jasmine Leonard’s background in Africana Studies and Human Biology shapes her approach to health
• Why advocacy and representation can support better health access 

Learn more about the National Minority Quality Forum: nmqf.org 

Read more health news: fyh.news 

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In this fascinating episode of For Your Health News, Dr. Paule Joseph joins the podcast to explore how our senses—specifically smell and taste—may hold early clues to serious conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.

A nurse-turned-researcher and leading voice in sensory science, Dr. Joseph shares her personal journey into this emerging field and explains why communities of color must be meaningfully included in research that shapes the future of diagnosis and care.

She highlights how changes in smell and taste can serve as early warning signs of neurological disease, why better screening tools are needed, and how representation in research strengthens both science and trust.

This conversation blends curiosity, lived experience, and patient-centered innovation—showing how the science of our senses can transform not only early detection, but the systems designed to serve us.

If you're interested in where neuroscience, equity, and community intersect, this episode is a must-listen.

For more health news where equity meets science and community, visit fyh.news

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How smell and taste changes may signal early neurological disease
 • Why sensory science is an emerging frontier in preventive care
 • The importance of representation in research and clinical discovery
 • How advocacy and innovation can improve diagnostic tools
 • Why patient-centered science leads to stronger health systems

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In this episode of the For Your Health News Podcast, Adriana Nava, RN, health services researcher, former president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and a member of NMQF’s 2025 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health, discusses the evolving role of nurses as advocates, innovators, and leaders in improving health access. 

Adriana reflects on her personal journey from being uninsured while attending nursing school to leading national advocacy efforts focused on Latino health. 

The conversation explores challenges facing the nursing workforce, the underrepresentation of Latinos in healthcare, and the important role nurses can play in helping bridge gaps in care for communities across the country. 

Adriana also discusses Medicaid access, mentorship, and the importance of developing the next generation of bilingual and culturally competent healthcare leaders. 

Her perspective highlights how nurses can use policy, advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement to help shape a more inclusive and community-driven healthcare system. 

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• How Adriana Nava’s personal experiences shaped her nursing and advocacy career
• Why nurses play an important role beyond direct patient care
• How Latino underrepresentation affects the healthcare workforce
• Why bilingual and culturally competent healthcare professionals matter
• How mentorship can strengthen the next generation of nursing leaders
• Why Medicaid access is an important part of the healthcare conversation
• How nurses can help improve health access in communities across the country 

Learn more about the National Minority Quality Forum: nmqf.org 

Read more health news: fyh.news 

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In this episode of the For Your Health News Podcast, Lyndsay Levingston, founder of SurviveHER, discusses breast cancer awareness, genetic testing, and the importance of community education. 

Lyndsay shares how SurviveHER works to inform and empower women around breast health and explains the role of TreatHER, a community initiative focused on educating women about breast cancer and their individual risks. 

The conversation also explores why understanding genetic risk can be an important part of breast cancer awareness and how community-based initiatives can help connect women with trusted information and resources. 

Lyndsay discusses ways people can get involved and support efforts to increase breast cancer awareness in their own communities. 

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• What SurviveHER is and how it supports breast cancer awareness
• Why genetic testing can be an important part of understanding breast cancer risk
• What the TreatHER community initiative aims to accomplish
• Why community education matters in breast health
• How individuals can get involved in breast cancer awareness efforts 

Learn more about the National Minority Quality Forum: nmqf.org 

Read more health news: fyh.news

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In this episode of the For Your Health News Podcast, Letitia Plummer, who was serving as Houston City Council Member At-Large Position 4 at the time of the interview, discusses environmental issues and quality-of-life concerns affecting Houston’s Fifth Ward. 

The conversation examines concerns facing residents in the Fifth Ward and the initiatives being pursued to support the community. 

Plummer discusses environmental injustice, community needs, and the importance of addressing conditions that can affect residents’ quality of life. 

She also reflects on her journey in public office and her experience working on issues affecting communities across Houston. 

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• About quality-of-life concerns affecting Houston’s Fifth Ward
• What initiatives have been pursued to support the community
• How environmental issues can affect communities and residents
• Why community engagement matters when addressing local concerns
• About Letitia Plummer’s journey in public office 

Learn more about the National Minority Quality Forum: nmqf.org 

Read more health news: fyh.news