Government officials in Peru announced that they will classify transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people as “mentally ill.” The Peruvian Health Ministry says that the controversial decision was made to ensure the country’s public health services could “guarantee full coverage of medical attention for mental health” for the LGBTQ community, the Telegraph reports. The decree signed by President Dina Boluarte will change the language in the Essentials Health Insurance Plan (PEAS) to reflect that trans and intersex people have mental disorders. Conditions that will be recognized as mental health ..read more

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart reacted to a question about his playing time and any fatigue incurred during the NBA playoffs on March 23, downplaying any concern by making a comparison to workers who work a 12-hour shift. The implication is that NBA players shouldn’t complain about being tired because they don’t work a job that requires them to spend hours laboring to make money.  Hart plays for New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who is notorious for giving his starters extended minutes, which has been referenced several times when the Knicks have struggled this season, and that has co ..read more

Like many dreams, this former college athlete’s journey to help her community learn to swim started with a tweet. Paulana Lamonier’s mission to teach Black people this life skill led to her NYC-based organization, Black People Will Swim. Her request to find 30 Black people in New York ready to dive into the waters quickly made waves. After her initial post in 2019, Black People Will Swim was born. Its mission is to not only teach the practice but also make the venture more affordable for her community. Breaking down the systemic barriers surrounding swimming was the first step, and a crucial o ..read more

Actor Courtney B. Vance and psychologist Dr. Robin L. Smith have written a guidebook aimed at helping Black men heal. Released in November 2023, The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power sees Vance and Smith combine memoirs, psychology, and practical tools to offer Black men guidance and support for reclaiming their mental health and wellness. The duo are on a promotional tour during Mental Health Awareness Month to amplify the book’s message and, they hope, save lives. “There is an African proverb we use in the book that says ‘The lion’s story will never ..read more

An Albany, Georgia, grandmother named Loretta Mack, 69, has fulfilled a lifelong ambition by becoming a registered nurse. “I did it,” Mack told WALB News. Having worked as a certified nursing assistant for six years, Mack’s journey toward becoming an RN didn’t come without its challenges. However, she persevered, driven by her love for people and the desire to take care of them. Mack believed that assuming the role of a registered nurse would allow her to be “a great example” for others. Encouraged by a resource nurse, Mack embarked on her dream of becoming an RN, surrounded by a supportive vi ..read more

Richard Slayman, the first-ever recipient of a pig kidney transplant, has died nearly two months after his surgery ABC News reports surgeons at the Massachusetts General Hospital successfully performed the four-hour operation on the 62-year-old in March. Slayman was released by the hospital April 2. “Our family is deeply saddened about the sudden passing of our beloved Rick but take great comfort knowing he inspired so many,” Slayman’s family said in a statement. “Millions of people worldwide have come to know Rick’s story. We felt—and still feel—comforted by the optimism he provided patients ..read more

According to a new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity-Health, discrimination is a factor in increased biological aging. The study, which was led by researchers from New York University (NYU), establishes that all forms of discrimination have the effect of increasing susceptibility to health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression.  According to the press release from NYU, researchers indicated that being exposed to various forms of discrimination, which they categorized as everyday discrimination, major discrimination, and workplace di ..read more

Less than five years after six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan opened a healthcare clinic to serve low-income communities in Charlotte, North Carolina, he has opened his third such facility in Wilmington, N.C. Novant Health and Michael Jordan have partnered again to open a third medical clinic in Jordan’s hometown of Wilmington. After opening two clinics in Charlotte a year apart (2109 and 2020), with a donation of $7 million for each facility, the latest clinic is funded by a $10 million donation from the former Chicago Bulls legend. The doors are open at the new Novant Health Mic ..read more

Consuming ultra-processed foods is associated with an early risk of death, according to a 30-plus year study. Ultra-processed foods are significantly altered from their original state and usually contain manufactured ingredients such as preservatives, artificial coloring, emulsifiers, added sugar, salt, and fats to make food more appealing. Ultra-processed foods include sodas, potato chips, cakes, nuggets, and ice cream. In the study, published Wednesday in The BMJ journal, experts analyzed data from more than 100,000 health professionals in the United States with no history of cancer, cardiov ..read more

After 20 years of helping us turn up, Grammy Award-winning rapper/producer Lil Jon is assisting us with turning down and tuning in to ourselves with his second guided meditation album, “Manifest Abundance.” As part of his transition into the wellness space, the “Turn Down for What” hitmaker is releasing his second guided meditation album this year during Mental Health Awareness Month. Three months after the release of his debut meditation album “Total Meditation,” Lil Jon is following up with his nine-track album, “Manifest Abundance: Affirmations for Personal Growth.” On the album, 10-minute ..read more