Many chemical hair straighteners contain ingredients such as formaldehyde, Bisphenol A, and parabens, all of which have been linked to cancer.  In a 2023 report published by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that women who use chemical relaxers at least four times a year are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who don’t. Both Brazil and Canada have placed restrictions on formaldehyde in relaxers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed to ban the chemical last year.  Several Black women have filed lawsuits against companies claiming that the ..read more

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designed the Your Diabetes Compass, a pioneering tool tailored specifically for Black women with type 2 diabetes. With 1 in 4 Black women over 55 living with the chronic disease, the Compass tool aims to provide invaluable information, resources, and support to navigate the challenges of managing the journey with type 2 diabetes. Recognizing the disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes among Black women and their low participation in personalized support services, the national public health agency designed the website with their unique ..read more

New findings from the Pew Research Center unveiled the two top racial conspiracy theories Black people have come to believe over the last century. According to the Pew study, about six in 10 Black adults (62%) are aware of racial conspiracy theories about government intervention in their family structure and family planning. 62% of Black adults believe the U.S. government has encouraged single motherhood over the years to eliminate the need for Black men. 58% of Black adults think the government promotes birth control and abortion to Black women to keep the Black population small. Past researc ..read more

The American College of Pediatricians (ACP) is calling on medical professionals to stop promoting transgender operations for adolescents.  A recently published declaration by the ACP has urged mainstream American medical associations, notably the American Academy of Pediatrics, to abandon its efforts to prop up “so-called gender-affirming care for transgender youths.” Other allied groups that go by “Doctors Protecting Children” are also backing the group’s call to action, Fox News reports. “As physicians, together with nurses, psychotherapists, behavioral health clinicians, other health p ..read more

A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with child abuse and child neglect after reports were filed to the police back in January that she had allegedly fed her 13-month-old daughter a bottle filled with bleach. Melissa Barnes was arrested and named according to a press release on June 4. Barnes claimed that she just used bleach to rinse the baby bottle. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that a relative made a police report that Barnes and her young daughter were living in a shed with no electricity that was “cold, cluttered, and unsanitary” at the time. When the relative ..read more

With the ever-evolving mental health crisis affecting youth across America, a new program aims to meet them where they are by training young people to help their peers.  Natalie Santiago, a key figure in the creation of the Youth Mental Health Corps, expressed pride in being part of an initiative she believes would have been invaluable during her own challenging upbringing. Growing up with an abusive, drug-addicted father and a grandmother who struggled to make ends meet and encouraged her to “pray on it” when faced with mental hurdles, Santiago sees the Corps as a vital resource for toda ..read more

In May, Pharmacy Times reported that 2024 might be the year of the pharmacy closure, as Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens were expected to close over 1,500 pharmacy locations over the next two years. In addition, they reported that local pharmacies are also closing, and as those two things combine, patients will end up in a pharmacy desert. The School of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the @pharmacists & mentioned by @AP has released an interactive map visualizing pharmacy closures to highlight the importance of healthcare access in communities. See the map, created by Lucas Berenbrok: https ..read more

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame center and current Miami Heat executive Alonzo Mourning is currently recovering from a procedure he underwent in March 2024 to remove his prostate after he developed Stage 3 prostate cancer. Mourning had additional testing done, which determined that the cancer had not spread beyond his prostate; Mourning is now cancer-free as a result of his procedure.  As ESPN reported, Mourning is using his experience to communicate to men the importance of getting their prostate examined, even if they’re not showing any symptoms.  “What scares me about this diseas ..read more

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was the face of COVID-19 guidelines, testifies about the effectiveness of the policies. While being questioned behind closed doors by a panel of GOP legislators in January 2024, Fauci discussed the six-foot social distancing rule and other measures implemented to protect people from the COVID-19 virus. Fauci is scheduled to give public testimony June 3 on the COVID-19 restrictions he put in place—after he admitted to not doing much to slow down the spread of the virus, The Daily Mail reports. During his hearing with the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandem ..read more

June 2 is National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD). The day is a poignant reminder of the progress made in cancer treatment and the ongoing journey of those who have battled the disease. Whether you are a survivor, a caregiver, a healthcare provider, or an advocate, June 2 is a day to celebrate and support the cancer survivor community. NCSD was first celebrated on June 5, 1988. It was established by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation to honor those who have survived cancer, inspire those recently diagnosed, and provide support to families and caregivers. Over the years, it has grown int ..read more