Juneteenth Reflection and Health Equity

Posted by Bobbi Newman on June 19th, 2024 Posted in: Blog
Tags: black health, health disparities, Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks a pivotal moment in American history – the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This day, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, celebrates resilience, liberation, and the enduring fight for equality. At NNLM Region 6, we honor Juneteenth by promoting health equity and providing valuable resources to support the well-being of all communities.

Juneteenth is more than a commemoration of emancipation; it’s a day to reflect on the ongoing journey toward equality and justice. It serves as a reminder of the systemic challenges Black Americans have faced and continue to overcome. By recognizing this history, we can better understand the context of current health disparities and work toward solutions that promote health equity.

Health Disparities in Black Communities

Despite significant progress, Black American communities still experience disparities in health outcomes. For example, Black Americans are disproportionately affected by conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing health inequities, with Black American populations experiencing higher rates of infection and mortality. Exclusion from medical advancements and healthcare services has compounded these issues, limiting the benefits of early detection and treatment. These disparities are influenced by a variety of factors, including racist and discriminatory practices and beliefs, medical racism, lack of black healthcare providers, access to healthcare, government policy, and exclusionary designs.

NNLM Region 6’s Commitment to Health Equity

At NNLM Region 6, we are dedicated to addressing these disparities by providing access to reliable health information and resources. Our initiatives aim to empower communities with the knowledge and tools to make informed health decisions. Here are some ways we are working toward this goal:

1. Partnerships: Building strong partnerships with local organizations is key to our efforts. We collaborate with libraries, community organizations, and healthcare providers to disseminate accurate and culturally relevant health information. By ensuring that trusted resources are accessible, we help communities navigate their health journeys more effectively.
2. Training and Education: We offer training opportunities and continuing education credit for librarians, educators, community health workers, and health professionals to enhance their ability to provide health information and support. These programs include training on health literacy, digital health resources, and culturally competent care.
3. Health Information Outreach and Community Engagement: By engaging directly with our communities, we can better understand their unique needs and develop targeted interventions that address specific health challenges.
4. Funding: NNLM Region 6 provides funding opportunities to support projects that aim to reduce health disparities. These grants enable community organizations to implement innovative programs that promote health equity and improve health outcomes.

NLM and NIH

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities funds both intramural and extramural research aimed at better understanding minority health and reducing health disparities. They collaborate with partners across NIH, including NLM, and conduct education and outreach programs to expand scientific knowledge and disseminate research findings and health information.

NIH established the UNITE initiative to address structural racism and promote racial equity and inclusion at NIH and within the larger biomedical research enterprise. UNITE functions as a think tank dedicated to promoting equity, generating ideas, and new actions. It collectively identifies and addresses structural racism within the NIH and throughout the biomedical and behavioral workforce. UNITE facilitates activities to pinpoint opportunities, make recommendations, and develop and implement strategies aimed at spurring widescale, systematic change.

Celebrating Juneteenth Together

As we celebrate Juneteenth, let us reaffirm our commitment to advancing health equity. By understanding the historical context and recognizing the ongoing challenges, we can work together to create a future where all individuals can achieve optimal health. NNLM Region 6 invites you to join us in this mission by exploring our resources, participating in our programs, and partnering with us to make a difference.

Explore NNLM Resources

• Black Maternal Health
• Black Maternal Health Week podcast
• Discover Black Maternal Health from the NNLM Reading Club

Videos

• “Because I See What You Do” How Microaggressions Undermine the Hope for Authenticity at Work
• Black Maternal Health Virtual Panel with the All of Us Research Program
• Exploring Medical Libraries’ Role in Perpetuating Racial Science
• From Being to Doing: Anti-Racism As Action at Work
• How Implicit Bias Affects Artificial Intelligence
• Increasing the Pipeline of Black, Indigenous, People of Color & Women Conducting Clinical Research
• Making the link between structural inequities and health disparities
• Systemic Racism in Science Communication
• Unveiling the Power of Community Partnerships: Transforming Black Maternal Health Outreach

MedlinePlus

• Black and African American Health

ABOUT Bobbi Newman
Bobbi Newman (MLIS, MA) is the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist for NNLM R6 at the University of Iowa. She is the author of Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries. She developed the popular NNLM course “Wellness in the Library Workplace.” Bobbi is a mindfulness student and a member of Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). She currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board for Let’s Move in Libraries. She divides her time between her dog, reading fantasy and nonfiction, playing video games, crafting, kayaking, biking, and gardening.

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