TOP OF MIND-The Healthcare Report Card

School’s out — but the grades are in. How has the healthcare system performed for Black and underserved communities over the past six months? Let’s just say — don’t expect any honor roll appearances. Email us your grades

We’ve evaluated four critical areas, and the results are far from encouraging.

Health Equity: Grade –?

The road to health equity still feels like an uphill battle. Decades of advocacy haven’t translated into real policy change. Too many remain uninsured. Too many experience racism in healthcare settings. And too many are living with preventable conditions because access to care is still treated as a privilege, not a right.

Despite decades of advocacy, Black Americans still face higher rates of nearly every major chronic illness: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, and kidney failure. Black infants are more than twice as likely to die in their first year of life. Black mothers die at 3–4 times the rate of white mothers during childbirth.

📉 Why? It’s not just genetics — it’s about long-standing barriers like poor access to care, racism in medicine, environmental stress, and underfunded communities.

Chronic Diseases: Grade – ?

High blood pressure. Diabetes. Cancer. Heart disease. These conditions remain rampant in Black and low-income communities. Late diagnoses, unaffordable medications, and clinic deserts make basic care a luxury. The threat of cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and food assistance only deepens this crisis.

Infectious Diseases: Grade -?

HIV and COVID-19 continue to hit our communities harder than others. From essential workers with no paid sick leave to neighbourhoods with limited testing and vaccines, it’s clear that public health still overlooks the very people who need protection most. As a paediatrician, I see this firsthand: children falling through the cracks of a broken system.

Environmental Health: Grade -?

Mold in the walls. Lead in the pipes. Smog in the air. Poor Black and brown neighborhoods are more likely to live in toxic environments that fuel chronic disease and poor outcomes — yet rarely see cleanup or enforcement.

The Path Forward

Transforming this failing report card demands bold and decisive action. We must prioritize health equity, dismantle systemic barriers, and invest in communities that have been overlooked for far too long. Yet, as a nation, we find ourselves moving in the wrong direction.

It’s time to demand better. Healthcare is not a privilege—it is a fundamental human right. The grades tell a clear story: our system is in urgent need of reform. The road ahead won’t be easy, but it is essential. Let’s take the first steps together:

• Make health equity the cornerstone of every policy decision.
• Restore and expand vital programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and community health clinics.
• Address environmental toxins that harm our families and neighbourhoods.
• Build and empower a healthcare workforce that reflects our nation’s diversity.
• The challenges are great, but the need for change is greater. The time to act is now..
  

  AND BLACK AMERICAN

  🧬 NIH Cuts Could Hurt Medical Research

  U.S. Research Leadership at a Crossroads

  On February 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it would cut funding for the overhead costs of research (called “indirect-cost rates”) by 15%. These costs help pay for buildings, electricity, staff, and the tools needed to run research labs. Experts warn that this change could harm medical progress in the U.S. A similar plan in 2017 was rejected by Congress, which instead gave NIH more money.

  Why This Matters:

  NIH funding has helped the U.S. lead the world in science. If we change how it works, we should improve it — not weaken it. Cutting this support could slow down life-saving research.

  🏥 6 Million May Lose Insurance from New Bill

  Reconciliation Bill Could Leave Millions Uninsured

  A new federal bill could remove funding that helps people afford health insurance. If passed, it would lead to about 6 million Americans losing their health coverage.

  State leaders say the damage could be huge:

• Rhode Island could lose over $61 million in tax credits
• Pennsylvania might lose nearly $1.2 billion

These tax credits help people buy insurance through Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces. Without them, many families would face much higher insurance costs — or go without any insurance at all.

Why This Matters:

Without coverage, people can’t get checkups, treatment, or medicine when they need it. This would hurt public health and overload hospitals.

⚖️ Weight-Loss Medications: Do They Really Work Long-Term?

New Study Looks at Real-World Results

A new study found that people who start popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy often don’t stay on them for lon — and even those who do lose less weight than expected. After one year, people lost about 9% of their body weight, on average. This is much less than the 15% to 21% weight loss shown in clinical trials.

Why This Matters:

These medications can help, but they may not be a long-term solution for everyone. It’s important for doctors and patients to look at all options and Black Men Still Have the Shortest Life Spam

Black men still live the shortest lives of any racial or gender group in America. Hypertension, diabetes, prostate cancer, and stroke continue to take lives too early — often because care is delayed.

🧠 Action step: Normalise annual checkups, family health conversations, and advocate for Black male health screenings.

🩺 HOW TO PICK A DOCTOR

Choosing the right doctor is more than just picking a name from a list. Here’s how to find someone who meets your needs and respects your background:

• Look for someone who listens: Find a provider who takes your concerns seriously. If they rush, interrupt, or downplay your symptoms — it’s time to move on.

• Ask about cultural competency: Does the provider understand issues specific to your background — from hair care to hypertension trends in Black patients?

• Check credentials: Use your state’s medical board website to look up licenses and complaints.

• Involve your network: Ask family, neighbours, or trusted community organisations for referrals.

🍴 HEALTHY FOOD RECIPE

Anti-Inflammatory Power Bowl

Prep time: 20 minutes | Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup roasted sweet potato
• 1/2 cup sauteed kale or spinach
• 1/4 cup black beans
• 1/4 avocado, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Dash of cumin, garlic powder, and lemon juice

Directions:

Layer ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice. Season to taste. Rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants — perfect for a midday recharge.

🧠 Why it’s good for you: Helps lower blood sugar, reduces inflammation, and supports gut health — great for diabetes and heart health prevention.

💡 HEALTH TIP OF THE DAY

“One Minute to a Better Mood”

Feeling down or overwhelmed? Research from Harvard shows that a 60-second conversation with a stranger — even small talk — can lift your mood.

📍 Whether it’s at a bus stop, the grocery store, or your building lobby, just saying “hello” and making eye contact can release mood-boosting hormones like Oxycontin.