Harlem has a new batch of frontline heroes and heroines in the fight against COVID-19. The COVID-19 STEM Community Education and Empowerment Internship is a partnership between the Cornell Center for Health Equity and the Diversity Center for Excellence, Mentoring In Medicine Inc, 6 area medical schools that has harnessed the energy, talents, and enthusiasm of young people to distribute information, and combat misinformation about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines! We sat down with the superstars Dr. Lynne Holden, the Founder and President of Mentoring In Medicine and Dr. Susana Morales, Director of the Diversity Center of Excellence at Weill Cornell Medicine to discuss their revolutionary approach to community outreach and health education in Harlem and beyond. Enjoy, and as always we would love to hear any questions, comments, or concerns about Health In Harlem and the topics covered in our discussion.

COVID-19 STEM Community Education and Empowerment Internship

https://centerforhealthequity.cornell.edu/education/diversity-center-of-excellence/covid-19-community-education-empowerment-program/

Mentoring In Medicine Inc.

https://medicalmentor.org/

The fight against SARS-CoV-2 continues and fortunately, here in the United States it's like we have a wave of reinforcements that can potentially join the fray as the Food and Drug Administration revised the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents ages 12-15 as eligible to receive the jab. The race continues to vaccinate as many people as possible in order to get better control of this outbreak and thus get to some sense of normalcy in our lives. In this latest episode of Health In Harlem we discuss the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, their safety, the rise of variants, and our charge to herd immunity (yes, there is still some hope; especially if more folks roll up their sleeves!). Enjoy, and be sure to check out the resources below for more information:

Food and Drug Administration: FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Adolescents in Another Important Action in Fight Against Pandemic

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-use

The New York Times: FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for Children 12-15

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/health/pfizer-vaccine-children-kids.html

The New York Times: Reaching 'Herd Immunity' is Unlikely in the U.S., Experts Now Believe

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/health/covid-herd-immunity-vaccine.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html

That's right ladies and gentlemen, this is our 6th COVID-19 vaccine update and we have some great new information for you all! With hospitalization rates and death rates amongst the most vulnerable (e.g. the elderly, nursing home residents) falling all over the country, it appears the vaccines are doing exactly what they were designed to do. There is even data emerging that highlights the effectiveness of the vaccines against many of the variants that have caused great alarm in the general public and experts alike. Finally, there is encouraging data that the vaccines are very effective (moderna reports 96% reduction in risk of acquiring COVID-19) in adolescents, leading talks of the United States Food and Drug Administration possibly approving the vaccine for use in children 12-15 years of age by next week! All very exciting news and with that said, it is so critically important that everyone consider getting the jab as it is a crucial step in our collective journey to get back to some sense of normalcy. As always, we bring you the most reliable and up-to date information in the episode of Health In Harlem so that you can make an informed choice when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. Check out the resources below for more information. Finally, please hit us up with questions, comments, concerns that you have as we would love to engage you in these conversations about living the healthiest, happiest, most fulfilling life possible!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Updated Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Use of the Jannsen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine After Reports of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Among Vaccine Recipients

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7017e4.htm

Centers for Disease Control: When You've Been Fully Vaccinated

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

The New York Times: FDA to Authorize Pfizer Vaccine for Adolescents by Early Next Week

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/03/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html?s_cid=11236:should%20i%20take%20the%20covid%20vaccine:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21

“Black Women in our country are facing a Maternal Health Crisis.” This statement could have been a headline across any newspaper in the country (hopefully this is not news to anyone as Black women have been suffering for decades), however these are the words of Vice president Kamala Harris. On Tuesday April 13, the White House issued its first-ever presidential proclamation marking Black Maternal Health Week, bringing awareness to the decades-long problem of Black women having a significantly higher number of pregnancy-related complications including a 3 times higher rate of death in Black women compared to White women. Joined by obstetrics and gynecology experts Dr. Marvelle Maloney and Dr. Praise Augustus, we discussed the health challenges faced by black mothers in the United States, the significance of systemic racism and oppression its role in the disparities of pregnancy-related deaths and poor outcomes. Finally, we discuss tips and strategies that Black women can employ to increase their chances of having complication-free pregnancies and births. Please check out the resources below to learn more and as we always ask, whatever you learn on this show, please share it with anyone that will listen!

The White House: A Proclamation on Black Maternal Health Week, 2021

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/04/13/a-proclamation-on-black-maternal-health-week-2021/

Black Mamas Matter Alliance

https://blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw/

National Partnership for Women & Families

https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/health/reports/black-womens-maternal-health.html

Centers for Disease Control and prevention: Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality

https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html

6 cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis out of 6.6 million Johnson & Johnson vaccines administered! Don't let fear speak for the numbers here as suffering the aforementioned complication is like getting tickets to a post-Covid Hamilton on Broadway special performance. It's too early to say whether the vaccines caused those blood clots and even if the vaccine is deemed the cause, this would be a very rare complication. Based on the data we have, you would be much more likely to suffer blood clots (deep vein thromboses, pulmonary emboli, strokes) from a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (aka COVID-19) than the vaccine.

With more than 20% of the United States population vaccinated and the vaccine rollout accelerating across the country, some experts predict the country could reach herd immunity by the Summer. However, despite the fact that vaccine hesitancy has decreased as a whole and more and more people are lining up to get the jab, there are some groups that are particularly challenging to reach. Misinformation and its bigger badder cousin, disinformation (intentionally false and misguided information) is mainly responsible for this and in this episode we discuss that and much more.  Check out the resources below for more information and please be sure to share this information with anyone that will listen! Enjoy and be safe!

Food and Drug Administration Statement: Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine

The New York Times: COVID-19 Live Updates: U.S. Calls for Pause on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Complicating Rollout

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/13/world/johnson-vaccine-blood-clots

Centers for Disease Control COVID Data Tracker

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

Business Insider: Misinformation vs. disinformation: what to know about each form of false information and how to spot them online

https://www.businessinsider.com/misinformation-vs-disinformation

While colon cancer is among the most preventable and treatable cancers and there has been a sustained increase in the number of young, previously healthy people being diagnosed with this disease. In this episode of Health In Harlem we turned to the experts, Dr. Fiyinfolu Balogun and Dr. Onyinye Balogun and Nicole Basabe of the Partnership Community Outreach, Research and Education (PCORE, a partnership between the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the City College of New York) to discuss the latest trends and developments regarding colon cancer, risk factors for the disease and the importance of screening and early detection in order to prevent colorectal cancer and to optimize the outcomes of those diagnosed with the disease. Please check out the following links for more information. Enjoy, and please be safe!!!!!

Colon Cancer Coalition- Get The Facts About Colon Cancer

https://coloncancercoalition.org/get-educated/what-you-need-to-know/colon-cancer-facts/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- What Should I know About Screening

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/index.htm

Cleveland Clinic- How to Improve Your Digestive Tract Naturally

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-improve-your-digestive-track-naturally/

National Cancer Institute- Why is Colorectal Cancer Rising Rapidly Among Young Adults?

https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/colorectal-cancer-rising-younger-adults

I think we all at one point thought that the extent of poor dental health was an unsightly smile, but more and more, researchers are finding real links to oral health and our overall health and  well-being. We sat down with Dr. Latoya Joseph, owner of Sebastian Dental Spa Oral Health and Wellness Center and her husband, Dental Student Steve Joseph to talk about oral health how impacts the rest of our body. We also discuss the best practices as far as oral care and hygiene, right down to the type of toothbrush and the hardness of the bristles. Ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to optimal oral health, we've got you all covered with this show. Please check out the resources below and be sure to hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, Podbean, Tumblr, etc! Smile, and have a great day!

University of Utah Health- Best Way to Brush Your Teeth (Modified Bass Technique

https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2014/09/090814_cvvisual-brush-teeth.php#:~:text=The%20most%20commonly%20recommended%20method,the%20edge%20of%20your%20tooth

Mayo Clinic- Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475

Consumer Reports- Should You Use an Electric Toothbrush or a Manual?

https://www.consumerreports.org/toothbrushes/electric-toothbrush-or-manual/

With the February 27, 2021 Emergency Use Authorization of the Janssen Biotech Inc. (a Jannsen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson) Covid-19 Vaccine and President Biden talking about the possibility of getting "together in your backyard or in your neighborhood and have a cookout and a barbecue (to) celebrate Independence Day", there are many reasons to be optimistic these days. However, the reality is that SARS-CoV-2 is still amongst us and we now have to contend with new variants of the virus that threaten all the hopes and dreams we all have when it comes to getting back to "normal life". With that said, it is vital that we continue to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, good hand-hygiene and to refrain from gathering in large groups so that we can finally get the upper hand over this virus. In this episode, we discuss not only the vaccine, but the new variants of the virus and why social distancing and other non-pharmaceutical interventions are still so important at this juncture in the pandemic. Please check out the resources below for more information and we sincerely hope that you learn from our program and that you share this information with anyone that will listen. 

The New York Times: WHO Grants Emergency Authorization to the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, a Boost for Global Vaccination Efforts

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/world/who-jj-vaccine.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How to Protect Yourself and Others

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

HUB✳️ (Johns Hopkins Magazine): What You Need to Know About the CDC's COVID-19 Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

https://hub.jhu.edu/2021/03/10/cdc-covid-19-vaccination-guidance/

Long before COVID-19, Cardiovascular disease reigned supreme as the number one cause of death worldwide (this is still the case). This pandemic has killed millions on a global scale year-after-year (18.6 million in 2019 alone), but headlines detailing the devastation are few and far between. This week, the Health In Harlem team sat down to discuss different types of heart disease and its relation to other vascular diseases and the risk factors that lead to their development. Finally, we shift to the empowering part of our program and talk about the things you can do to significantly lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Please folks be safe and keep your bodies' moving as that alone can help reduce your risk for heart disease.  Please check out the links below to learn more.  

American Heart Association: American Heart Month

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-month

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Disease: It can Happen at Any Age

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/any_age.htm

MedLine Plus: How to Prevent Heart Disease

https://medlineplus.gov/howtopreventheartdisease.html

Aside from rising death rates and significant economic effects, the COVID-19 pandemic is profoundly impacting the mental health of children worldwide. The social isolation and loneliness that arises from COVID-19 containment measures coupled with the uncertainty surrounding many aspects of the COVID-19 crisis have led to large increases in the prevalence of anxiety, mood disorders, and suicide in children and adolescents. In this episode we sat down with Dr. Sarah Ann Anderson-Burnett, MD PhD, Addiction Neuroscientist, Health Equity Educator and Advocate, and Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Fellow at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons to discuss the challenges children are facing and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Please check out the resources below for more information and please hit us up with your feedback, questions, comments, or concerns!

Psychiatric Times: New Findings About Children's Mental Health During COVID-19

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/new-findings-children-mental-health-covid-19

Healthy Children.Org: Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Child May Need More Support 

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Signs-your-Teen-May-Need-More-Support.aspx

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coping With Stress

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html