New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Still Leave Black Women Behind In the wake of newly released breast cancer screening guidelines by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) remains concerned that these recommendations continue to overlook the specific health needs of Black women. The updated guidelines suggest biennial screening beginning at age 40, a change from previous recommendations that recommended starting at age 50. While this update represents progress, it insufficiently addresses the unique challenges and earlier risks face ..read more

“Me Period” Film Screening: A Milestone Event for BWHI in Atlanta Last week marked a significant moment for the Black Women’s Health Imperative with the premiere screening of our first documentary, “Me Period,” at the Regal Cinema Atlantic Station in Atlanta. The event offered a beautiful experience that provided unforgettable memories for all attendees. “Me Period” draws inspiration from our founder, Byllye Avery’s 1986 documentary “Becoming a Woman,” which featured eight mothers and daughters discussing puberty, menstruation, and more. Our modern adaptation includes seven sets of everyday ..read more

Unpacking Oprah’s “Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution Special Recap Message from Michele Tedder, Sr. Program Manager, BWHI After watching Oprah’s “Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution” several times, I just had to unpack it. The special, streaming now on Hulu, opens up a critical dialogue on obesity, but it left me wanting deeper discussions on this complex topic. Oprah’s opening confession resonates deeply with many of us. She bravely shared her experiences of enduring public ridicule about her weight for 25 years. This isn’t just Oprah’s story; it reflects the struggles ..read more

N.O.U.R.I.S.H. Program Year in Review: Reclaiming Our Brilliance, Birthright, and Joy As we kick off World Doula Week (March 22-28), the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) is thrilled to celebrate the incredible impact of our N.O.U.R.I.S.H. (New Opportunity to Uncover our Resources, Intuition, Spirit and Healing) program’s inaugural year at Morgan State University. Launched in October 2022 with 44 students, this groundbreaking full-spectrum doula program has empowered 38 remarkable young women to become certified doulas and community birth workers. Throughout the year, N.O.U.R.I.S.H. st ..read more

What Type of Trail BlazeHER Inspires You? What types of women have inspired your enduring connection to the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI)? The Byllyes – bold visionaries like our founder, Byllye Avery, who broke through barriers and opened doors for future generations. The Zsanais – compassionate individuals like our Sr. Director of Reproductive Justice initiatives, Zsanai Epps, whose work demonstrates selfless love and a support that empowers communities nationally such as our HBCU youth. The Nginas – public health scientists, and living legends like Ngina Lythcott, who represent ..read more

BWHI Response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on Women’s Health We’re still unpacking from last week’s State of the Union address by President Joe Biden, where he specifically named impact statements and invested in policy actions and promises with significant implications for women’s health in the United States. At the Black Women’s Health Imperative, we call on all our communities to hold our President and our policymakers accountable to these commitments as we prepare for the urgency of the upcoming November elections. In his address, President Biden declared unequivo ..read more

A Call to Action: Policy Initiatives to End HIV Among Black Women Today marks an essential day of observance – Black Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It’s a day to amplify the conversation, advocate for health equity, and shine a light on the strides we are making towards ending HIV/AIDS among Black women. In honor of this day, we’re taking a closer look at our latest resource that outlines a vital roadmap for action and advocacy. Making a Difference: Key Highlights from Our Resource We extend our gratitude to the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law for their invaluab ..read more

Empowering Black Women Through Revolutionary Health Research On February 28, 2024, the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) was thrilled to welcome the community back to Long View Gallery in Washington, DC, for our 2nd Annual Rare Disease Day Reception and 1st Annual RISE (Resilient, Impassioned, Strong, Empowered) AWARDS. Building on the foundation of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s gathering was a vibrant celebration that saw an even greater turnout, signaling a growing momentum within our community. We owe a tremendous thank you to our sponsors, Novartis AG and Vertex Pharmace ..read more

In the United States, National Diabetes Month began in November. What a fitting way to kick off the holiday season by bringing attention to the importance of prevention, building a community committed to healthier lifestyles, and encouraging others to do the same. Our mission at Black Women’s Health Imperative is to educate and equip our community with the tools they need to manage diabetes, including recognizing the symptoms, avoiding complications, and living a healthy lifestyle.    The Basics of Diabetes: Diabetes, particularly Type 2, disproportionately impacts our community. It ..read more

Big news! For four decades, The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) has championed the causes crucial to the health equity of our community. Now, we’re unveiling our strategies. Our BWHI Change Agency is backing fierce nonprofits in their battle against the menace of Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Black Women. So, what’s the deal? You see, some amazing nonprofits out there are doing groundbreaking work but could always use more resources. Enter: BWHI’s Triple Negative Breast Cancer Capacity Building Intensive. We’re talking mentorships, seminars, and a whole lot of strategic magic to get ..read more