Black Women 4 Healthy Living (BW4HL)

Wellness Wednesday: Black Women Know Your Worth- Self Advocacy "She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her." Proverbs 3:15 KJV When Providers in the Health care system say, "people of color don't trust the health care system, it's just their culture." We All can agree it's a true statement. We also have to remind Everyone that the basis of this mistrust is well-founded. BW4HL's Health Coalition focuses on Health Disparities that impact Black Women and we empower women to advocate for themselves. But what does self-advocacy look like in healthcare as a Black woman? Often times a Black Woman's attempts to advocate for herself are often viewed as being difficult, angry, or drug seeking. Black women who try to take charge of their health have been mocked, ignored, and reprimanded. The narrative that often gets told around health disparities is that they are due to genetic differences between races, but race is a social construct. Health disparities are due to racism, and this impacts how people of color are treated and how we interact with the health care system. When doctors ignore our pain because of the historical false stereotype that Black people have a higher pain tolerance, we suffer needlessly and develop a deep-seated mistrust of the health care system that is passed on through generations. Many are not alone in these experiences and some may have the privilege to be able to navigate the health care system to eventually get their needs met, but not everyone can. BW4HL is committed to addressing Health Disparities that impact Black Women. We focus on Health Literacy, Access, Compliance and Accountability. We have partnered with Health Care Partners and Providers that are committed to caring and educating Black Women on their Health and Well-being. Our 2025 initiative is to increase the Quality of Life for Black Women by Intentionally Advocating for their Health and Well-being that will benefit generations. #BW4HL #Unitypoint #IowaClinic #JohnStoddard #DMU #humana #drakeuniversity #Molina

"Self-care is how you take your power back." —Lalah Delia Please join us for our End of the Year Black Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group. We are ending this year with the focus of advocacy. BW4HL is committed to advocating for the Health and Well-being of Black Women. We know that Black Women are dying of breast cancer at a disproportionate rate. We are here to support, educate and empower our Black Women to prioritize their health journey. Please visit our website www.bw4hl.org for more information on upcoming events and activities or contact us at [email protected]. #BW4HL #mysisterskeeper

Wellness Wednesday: Community Equity and Health Literacy "Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls." Maya Angelou Black Women 4 Healthy Living wrapped up our 2024 Health Coalition Events by highlighting the importance of Community Equity and Health Literacy. We had the pleasure of sharing impactful information. BW4HL is intentional on advocating for the Health Care System to address Care... Holistically. There are benefits in Holistic Care that can increase patient outcomes. As we live a purpose driven life we sometimes forget or don’t recognize the most important Holistic Element for overall Health…. Spiritual Well Being. Spiritual Wellbeing will help address our Emotional Health, Mental health, and Physical Health. Community Equity and Health Literacy impacts the Health of the Community. Where you live and how you live can impact epigenetics. Epigenetics provides one way for environmental exposures to be “written” upon the genome, as a direct result of gene and environment (trauma-400 years of slavery) interactions. The epigenome is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors—the environment is written onto the genes themselves. This is shared from generation to generation. This impacts Health Disparities. Majority of Black Women are considered the “Medical Mom” (an individual taking care of themselves, their kids, their spouses, and may also be the caretaker for aging parents). Unfortunately, most Black Women don’t visit the healthcare system unless they’re feeling sick. That means they’re rarely at their best, and they’re not only anxious about getting better, but also about the costs associated with that. The Black Women’s Health Coalition is designed to build trust and confidence that helps Black Women navigate the Healthcare system and empower them to encourage their friends and family to practice Healthy Living Habits and Preventive care. This helps our Black Women stay healthy and live well. Please visit our website www.bw4hl.org for more information on upcoming events and activities or contact us at [email protected]. #BW4HL #weareinthistogether #communityhealthequity

Did you know that Iowa has 2nd highest cancer rate in the US? Did you know that Black Women face alarming disparities in cancer cases? Did you know that there are community health organizations; like BW4HL; who are willing to provide information, education, advocacy support and empowerment to address your health concerns? Did you know that Black Women 4 Healthy Living has a support group for Breast Cancer Survivors, Fighters and their families? Please join us on Saturday, November 23rd to decompress, vent, share and fellowship. The support group is structured to pour back into people who were impacted by Breast Cancer. Please visit our website www.bw4hl.org for more information on upcoming events and activities or contact us at [email protected]. #BW4HL #mysisterskeeper #weareinthistogether

BW4HL is intentional in building relationships with partners who can benefit the health and well-being of Black Women. Insurance renewals are available the Deadlines are soon. Please see the benefits of Molina Healthcare of Iowa for Medicaid recipients. Also Carelon Health Clinics cater to Molina and Wellpoint patients. Please take advantage of these opportunities. Please visit the attached websites for more information. https://lnkd.in/g7Ad83qh https://lnkd.in/g8S5jJYd #BW4HL #Molina #Carelon

BW4HL Board members held their Planning meeting for 2025. Our meeting sessions are essential to debrief the 2024 activities; in order to prepare for 2025. We are committed to intentionally addressing the community needs Holistically: Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, Financially, Spiritually and Justice. We understand that we have to prepare ourselves for the work; so we create opportunities to pour into each Board member and BW4HL member. ??Emotional, Mental, Spiritual and Justice Preparation: ????Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women by Inger Burnett-Zeigler ????Born Royal: Overcoming Insecurity to Become the Woman God Says You Are by Oneka McClellan ??Physical Preparation: partnering with local businesses that provide nutritional and healthy opportunities for health habits. ????KennedyWricefitness Virginia's Juice ????Frankie Ruschfeier Chiropractic We appreciate all the relationships with partners, allies, advocates and community leaders. Most of All we appreciate the opportunity to connect with the Black Women in Our Community. Please continue to pray for and with Us as we continue to educate, encourage, empower, support and advocate for Black women. Please visit our website www.bw4hl.org for more information on upcoming events and activities or contact us at [email protected]. #BW4HL #mysisterskeeper

Recognizing Black Women doing good works in our community. When you see a Black woman winning....clap for her because you do not know what she had to endure. #BW4HL #mycitymyhealth

BW4HL is attending the MyCity MyHealth conference to learn, observe and network. We are committed to advocating, educating and empowering Black Women to prioritize their health. We intentionally build partnerships with other community agencies, businesses, professionals and health systems to bring needed resources, access, education and support for Black Women. #BW4HL #mycitymyhealth

Wellness Wednesday: Replenish Your Cup Stress infiltrates our lives in countless ways. Sometimes we don’t even know it’s there and it steals time. Finding ways to reduce stress and promote self-care is part of BW4HL fundamental work. Promoting preventive care is essential to addressing stress and it's impact on the Health Disparities of Black Women. Moving around, breathing deeply or to talking to a therapist are some ways to decreased your stress levels. Also, sleep/rest can heal your body and brain by turning it off when you can. Remember rest is what you need to replenish. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Self-preservation is critical for the survival of Black Women; with the high levels of loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression that Black Women experience on a daily basis. BW4HL has a interactive Health Coalition that focus on and facilitate discussions around the importance of self-care care and the restorative practices. The Black Women’s Health Coalition is designed to empower, encourage and to motivate Black Women to live Healthy and Well. We do this through different forms of education, advocacy and inspiration. Please visit our website www.bw4hl.org or contact us at [email protected] We invite other Black Women to join BW4HL to help improve the Health and Well-being of Black Women in Our Community. Reach out to any of the current Board members of ???BW4HL???? and inquire about becoming a member. Our Community needs Sistas like you to stand beside them. My Sistas, it is important that you start to prioritize your Health and Wellness. Come join us and bring a Sista with you. ??We are as strong as the Women we are standing next to. #BW4HL #MySistersKeeper #healthiswealth #selflove2024 #weareinthistogether

Wellness Wednesday: Emotional Time Out for Black Women “If you’re not angry, you’re either a stone, or you’re too sick to be angry. You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn’t do anything to the object of its displeasure. So use that anger, yes. You write it. You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.” #MayaAngelou Today has been an emotional challenging day for Black Women. I am not speaking for All Black Women; I am referring to the stereotyping of Black Women in America. Society is accustomed to Strong Black women doing whatever they set out to do and whatever threatens to stop them only makes them stronger. However, being forced to be "Strong" isn't always simple or healthy. Every day, the world puts us to the test at work, at home, and on the street. We're taught to keep our heads up, wipe our tears away, and keep going when we're hurt, disappointed, or lost. We are pressured by society to be everything to everyone. We pour ourselves out all the time and rarely allow ourselves to receive the care we require.We are unable to express our true selves because of the strong Black woman fa?ade. When all sorts of suffering are taken into account, it's difficult to find a Black woman who hasn't been through some form of trauma. How do we manage Emotional overload? Bringing awareness to triggers and feelings, and instead of reacting impulsively, respond mindfully is essential to feeling valid in your Emotions. When chaos cyclones surround you, you are the only one responding to your emotions; this is the time to take a minute to consider what you have control over and what you don't. When you are able to start working with what you do have control over; you have a better feel of release with your Emotions. BW4HL supports, ecourages and empowers Black Women to own their Emotions. It is okay to be human and be angry and scream. Anger is NOT the only emotion we have but we feel compelled to hide it. Hiding emotions can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and pain. Please visit our website www.bw4hl.org for more information on upcoming events and activities or contact us at [email protected] #BW4HL #Mysisterskeeper #selflove2024