March into a Healthier You — Get Screened for Colon Cancer

Increased risks in the Black Community create greater need for awareness and screening.

by Mikisha Plesco, Dir. of Operations, GRAAHI

Chadwick Boseman was a beloved actor and playwright that was known for his iconic roles such as 42 (portraying Jackie Robinson), Get on Up (portraying James Brown), and Marshall (portraying Thurgood Marshall), Boseman is most known for his role as T’Challa in Black Panther which made him known worldwide. Unknowingly the world watched Boseman silently and slowly die from stage III colon cancer in 2020, which he was diagnosed with in 2016. Boseman gave his best work all the way up to the end with his last film being Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Boseman’s fight with colorectal cancer was a silent one that shocked the world, but there are approximately 1.8 new cases worldwide. According to the American Cancer Association there are 106,180 new cases of colon cancer and 44,850 new rectal cancer per year in the United States. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s image below displays the impact of colorectal cancer by sex, race, and ethnicity which shows African American and women have a higher incidence and mortality rate than other races.

Mayo Clinic indicates that colorectal symptoms include, but are not limited to the following:

  • A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
  • Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
  • A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • No symptoms at all especially in early stages and location

The Mayo Clinic further explains that symptoms may vary from person to person and to seek a provider if you have any persistent symptoms. The typical guidelines is for colorectal screening over 50 years old, but Boseman was 43 years old. If you have any changes that are not normal for your body then seek medical advice.

Mayo Clinic further indicates the risk factors of colorectal cancer are the following:

  • Older age. Colon cancer can be diagnosed at any age, but a majority of people with colon cancer are older than 50. The rates of colon cancer in people younger than 50 have been increasing, but doctors aren’t sure why.
  • African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races.
  • A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you’ve already had colon cancer or noncancerous colon polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.
  • Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.
  • Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Some gene mutations passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer significantly. Only a small percentage of colon cancers are linked to inherited genes. The most common inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, which is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
  • Family history of colon cancer. You’re more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a blood relative who has had the disease. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater.
  • Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a typical Western diet, which is low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meat.
  • A sedentary lifestyle. People who are inactive are more likely to develop colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
  • Diabetes. People with diabetes or insulin resistance have an increased risk of colon cancer.
  • Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight.
  • Smoking. People who smoke may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
  • Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol increases your risk of colon cancer.
  • Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers increases the risk of colon cancer.

The National Cancer Institute indicates the following ways to prevent or reduce your risk of colorectal cancer which is key:

  • If you are over 50 years old and have average risk factors, then be screened for colorectal cancer. Please seek your provider’s recommendation based on your personal risk factors.
  • Avoid smoking
  • Regular exercise
  • Healthy diet
  • If you are at high risk then taking medicines to treat a precancerous condition or to keep cancer from starting under a provider’s guidance.

The National Cancer Institute states, “Avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may lower your risk, but does not mean that you will not get cancer.” It may improve the outcome if you are diagnosed with cancer. Early detection may mean a difference of survival.

Boseman, an alumni of Howard University, was proud to represent the university and completed a commencement speech that impacted the class of 2018 when he left them with these words, “Forget their stories, I can tell my own stories … Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you can really figure out what your fight is and how you need to fight it. When I dared to challenge the systems that would relegate us to victims and stereotypes with no clear historical backgrounds, no hopes or talents, when I questioned that method of portrayal, a different path opened up for me — a path to my destiny. When God has something for you, it doesn’t matter who stands against it.”

To have a fighting chance against colorectal cancer, please talk to your provider about changes in health, know your risk factors, make necessary changes to decrease risk factors, and be screened for colorectal cancer.

To learn more, tune into our panel discussion on March 22nd at 11am EST. Click here to register (https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/-uqeteTVxbsmR4LHu8NKXQ) or watch live in GRAAHI social channels.

References:Colorectal cancer statistics | World Cancer Research Fund InternationalColorectal cancer is the third most commonly occurring cancer in men and the second most commonly occurring cancer in…www.wcrf.org

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-prevention-pdq

https://www.who.int/health-topics/#C

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uscs/about/data-briefs/no16-colorectal-cancer-2007-2016.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353669

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chadwick-Boseman

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1569276/

COVID and the Workplace – Community Roundtable

Online Discussion Shines a Light on Equity and Support During the Pandemic – Jan 27th at 10am

Four women leaders share best practices they have learned from their staff and community

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) will bring together four local female executives for a virtual Community Roundtable event titled, “COVID and the Workplace” on Thursday, January 27th at 10:00 a.m.

From healthcare, education and the private sector, the panelists will discuss how COVID has impacted their teams and our community, and how they’ve navigated the shifting landscape to ensure that new policies are equitable, safe and sustainable for all. The panelists scheduled to participate are:

  • Christina Keller, President/CEO, Cascade Engineering
  • Christina (Tina) Freese Decker, President/CEO, Spectrum Health Systems
  • Teresa Weatherall Neal, CEO, Lead 616
  • Dr. Wanda Lipscomb, MSU College of Human Medicine

Vanessa Greene, CEO of GRAAHI, will serve as moderator. 

“The tragic impact of COVID-19, especially among the African American population, has rocked our community,” said Greene. “We are blessed to have these dynamic leaders in our region who are willing to share their insights and provide guidance to others during this important roundtable discussion.”

Click here to learn more about the Community Roundtable. The Roundtable will be LIVE-streamed to our social channels. Here is a link to Watch it on Zoom 

Free COVID tests – Site is LIVE

Testing is an important tool to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Public health experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that Americans use at-home tests if they begin to have symptoms, at least five days after coming in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or are gathering indoors with a group of people who are at risk of severe disease or unvaccinated.

To help ensure Americans have tests on hand if a need arises, the Biden Administration is purchasing one billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests to give to Americans for free. A half-billion tests will be available for order on January 19th and will be mailed directly to American households.

There will be free tests available for every household, and to promote broad access, the initial program will allow four free tests to be requested per residential address. Americans will be able to order their tests online at COVIDTests.gov, and tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering.

Order tests at covidtests.org

GRAAHI to host Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Grand Rapids on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

What:

Four Grand Rapids organizations are joining forces on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to deliver free COVID-19 vaccinations to residents in our community. 

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI), an organization devoted to achieving healthcare parity for African Americans, is leading the coordination and public awareness efforts for this event. Health care professionals from University of Michigan Health-West will provide vaccination services. Brown-Hutcherson Ministries has generously provided space to host the clinic. The Grand Rapids MLK Community Worship Celebration Committee is providing marketing support.

The goal of this event is to increase the vaccination rate among African Americans in our community, while building greater awareness about the positive impact of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Residents five (5) years old and up can receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the event. To pre-register online click this link – or simply walk in and register on-site the day of the event.

COVID safety protocols will be enforced including mask mandates and social distancing. 

When:

Monday, January 17, 2022 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Where:

Brown-Hutcherson Ministries, 618 Jefferson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Who: Grand Rapids African American Health Institute, in collaboration with University of Michigan Health-West, Brown-Hutcherson Ministries and the Grand Rapids MLK Community Worship Celebration Committee.

For more information about the clinic, go to graahi.com/getvaccinated

To pre-register for an appointment, click this link.

GRAAHI joins Faith & Community Leaders to Support Healthcare Workers and Commit to COVID-19 Safety

We are honored to join more than 100 churches, faith-based and community-based organizations to stand together to raise awareness of the current situation in our hospitals; issue a public statement of our commitment to help; and pray for the blessing of our healthcare workers and their families.Yesterday we safely gathered at the Mercy Health St. Mary’s parking lot to pray, connect and support our community, especially the healthcare workers that are tired and stretched to capacity.

Here’s the commitment we all made:

✔️ Eliminate all non-essential, indoor gatherings

✔️ Restrict essential gatherings to less than 50 people per 2,000 square feet

✔️ Require all attendees at indoor gatherings to wear a mask and abide by social distancing and appropriate COVID-19 hygiene

✔️ Encourage all members of our community to get the COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots

We invite you to join us in this commitment. For more information on the coalition, watch this video from yesterday’s event:https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=927250851483892

Wellness Adventure

GRAAHI’s Wellness Adventure is a fun and exciting way for kids ages 8-13 to learn about their health and overall well-being. This program will provide activities, recipes, and more to help instill healthy habits that the participants will be able to implement for the rest of their lives!

GRAAHI’s Youth Wellness and Mental Health Program for Kent County will provide activities, training, and educational resources to 100-150 school-aged African-American children (8-13) and their families to help build a physically and mentally stronger community.

Consisting of two cohorts of 50-75 students,
each 5-month (A: January-May and B: July-November) cohort will have
three critical mental health foci:
(1) exercise, (2) nutrition, and (3) positive behavioral development.

Goals

  • Promote health lifestyle habits through exercise and nutrition education.
  • Improve mental wellness of African American youth in Kent County.
  • Encourage family engagement in nutritional and physical activities.
  • Provide coping strategies for mental struggles (such as anxiety and depression).

Benefits

  • Opportunity for African American youth to improve their mental health coping skills.
  • Family bonding and healthy lifestyle changes through physical activity and nutrition.
  • Creation of a safe space for African American youth to express their feelings and receive culturally-competent mental health guidance.

We’d love to have your child join us on this Wellness Adventure!

Register HERE>>

What to Know About Binge Drinking

Authored by Granite Recovery Centers    Reviewed by James Gamache    Last Updated: August 27th, 2021

Alcohol has been around since ancient times. Its use has been traced back 10,000 years, when it was first consumed for its psychoactive effects. Today, it fuels a billion-dollar industry and is socially accepted almost globally, having become a major part of human recreation and consumption. 

While many things about this drug have changed in the last 10,000 years (like flavoring, alcohol content, and most definitely the packaging), some things about it remain the same. It is still a mind-altering substance, can affect the brain both long-term and short-term, and can be addictive. When consumed too often, in copious amounts, and recklessly, it can severely alter a person’s life, and the lives of those around them. 

One of the dangerous forms of alcohol use is binge drinking, which is drinking a large amount in a brief period. If a person makes this a habit, this pattern of abuse can eventually result in a serious addiction. 

What is Binge Drinking? 

Binge drinking occurs when someone ingests a large quantity of alcohol in a short period of time, and it is also defined by the person’s blood alcohol content. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) defines .08 as the amount for this to happen, which translates to 5 standard drinks for men and 4 for women in a 2-hour window. 

Just as a person’s gender can impact their intoxication level for biological reasons, so can other variables. Their metabolism, body weight, whether they have eaten in the last few hours, and if any other substances are present in their body can all affect how their body reacts. 

The number of a .08 BAC might seem familiar. This is because it also happens to be the level at which you are considered too impaired to drive. In other words, if you reach a .08 BAC, you are considered legally impaired, barring you from legally driving or operating any heavy machinery. 

In terms of Alcohol Use Disorder, binge drinking does not explicitly mean a person is dependent on alcohol. It can mean a person drinks uncontrollably to purposefully get drunk, but they might not experience withdrawal symptoms or need to drink throughout the day. Some of these drinkers call themselves “weekend warriors,” meaning they drink hard on the weekends but are able to lay off the booze during the work week. Even if a person is not considered addicted in medical terms, their binge drinking habits often eventually cause physical, psychological and mental health issues if they continue with the behavior.

Binge Drinking: A College Rite of Passage?

One of the most common populations associated with binge drinking is college students. There are a number of reasons this occurs, but it originates from the drinking culture that has become ritualized in schools over the years. Its popularity makes it seem obligatory for new students to partake so they will fit in and have the proper college experience. 

The pressure to make friends and fit in is a lot to take on for first year college students. They observe the older classes and see that many of them drink when socializing, and it quickly becomes their own normal. There might be bullying or hazing for people to drink a certain amount, and unwilling participants will find themselves drinking so they aren’t left out. Furthermore, as everyone’s body digests alcohol differently as described above, binge drinking in a group can lead to drastic differences in intoxication. It also lowers inhibitions, can lead to incidents of sexual assault, and can hinder academic progress. 

In recent years, the prevalence of drinking on college campuses has been in the spotlight due to so many unfortunate events it has caused. Great efforts have been made to change the culture around alcohol use, such as more education, creating safer college campuses, support for victims of assault, and enforcing stricter rules. 

What Does Binge Drinking Look Like and How is it Dangerous? 

Binge drinking can be hard to categorize. Alcohol is so widely used in today’s cultures that it is difficult to pin down if someone’s use is dangerous without knowing a lot of information about their behavior. Someone with heavy drinking habits could place into one of a few categories, such as binge drinking, alcohol abuse, or alcoholism. This is truly up to the drinker themselves and medical professionals to diagnose, but if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, doing research is perfectly okay. 

Binge drinking can include any of the following: 

  • Frequent alcohol consumption: Though this might seem like the most obvious behavior, it may not be. If you do observe yourself of a loved one drinking 4 or 5 drinks and up in a short span of time, that constitutes as binge drinking. It might be only once in a while, but if you notice it happening a lot, it could be a problem. The drinker also might be imbibing in secret, and so they will be very drunk after what appears to be only 1 or 2 drinks, really having had more before they arrived to the party, while drinking in combination with other substances, or drinking from a lucrative container when they have a chance to sneak away from view. 
  • Denial about drinking: If you or the person in question is dishonest about their alcohol intake, it could signify a larger problem. This is especially noticeable when responsibilities start to take the backseat—it could mean missing work, social engagements, school, etc. 
  • Risky or impulsive behavior: If you or your loved one start doing and/or saying things that isn’t really in your nature or could be dangerous, it may indicate there is a lot of drinking going on. This means that there is enough drinking occurring to inhibit normal behavior and boundaries. Lapses in judgment could also lead to inappropriate or dangerous behavior. 
  • Memory problems: Excessive drinking often leads to ‘blacking out,’ which is when alcohol impairs your brain’s ability to form new memories. A person can be walking and talking, but will not be comprehending what is happening or remember it when they sober up. 

When Binge Drinking Becomes Alcohol Use Disorder 

Whatever reason brings a person to drink, whether it’s as a social lubricant, to relax, to help manage anxiety, or to avoid emotions, it is often a way to feel different from your usual self. When it comes to binge drinking, there is sometimes trauma or abuse involved, and binge drinking is a means of escape of self-medicating. Binge drinking can also be the result of peer pressure, like we mentioned happening on college campuses. 

If a person continues to binge drink, it can turn into a larger problem. This is not including select times that do not repeat themselves, such as attending a party or wedding and having ‘a few too many.; Most people retract from doing something when it has negative consequences, such as a hangover that normally follows a night of binge drinking. For others, they continue to do it, and a dependence will likely form. 

If a person is repeating patterns of binge drinking to extreme amounts, it might result in the following: 

  • Physical dependence: After a person drinks often for a long period of time, they build a tolerance and require more alcohol to have them feeling intoxicated. At this point, a person’s physical body is so used to the alcohol, it expects it. The neurotransmitters in the brain that are now consistently affected by the alcohol and will no longer self-produce. If a person stops drinking at this point, the body will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that can be life threatening. 
  • Psychological dependence: People who become dependent on alcohol eventually come to view it as necessary to their survival. They will always incorporate it into their routine, even if they aren’t drinking around the clock. If they are a social drinker with binging tendencies, they will have difficulty going to a social event and not drinking because they are so used to it. 

If you or a loved one are attempting to cut down on your drinking and immediately experience withdrawal symptoms, it is important to seek medical care. Detoxing from alcohol after consistent drinking can be very risky and even fatal, so should be done under the care of medical professionals. Granite Recovery Centers provides medical detoxification for people who do not need immediate medical intervention, are not a danger to themselves, and are capable of self-evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Determining Whether You Binge Drink

If you are still trying to decide if you or a loved one has a binge drinking problem, consider the following: 

  • Do you consume drinks quickly, perhaps long before everyone else? 
  • Do you drink specifically to get drunk? 
  • Do you do things you regret, or participate in risky behaviors that are out of character for you? 
  • Do you plan to only drink a few, and then lose control over how much you actually ingest? 
  • Have your relationships suffered as a result of your drinking? 
  • Has drinking taken the place of hobbies you once loved? 
  • Have you faced any consequences at work or school due to your drinking? 
  • Have you had alcohol poisoning or a trip to the hospital due to drinking? 
  • Have you ever tried to cut down or stop, and find that you couldn’t? 

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, it might be time to take a closer look at your drinking habits. Binge drinking, if continued, can lead to an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and more severe problems that can affect you, your life, and your loved ones. 

Ways to Manage Drinking 

If you have determined that your drinking is posing a problem in your life but has not yet led to severe consequences, you might consider actively cutting down. This will require self-discipline and dedication, but isn’t impossible if caught early enough. 

  • Change environment/social circles: If you go to a regular bar every night of the week with the same group of friends who partake in binge drinking, it might be time to take a step back. When we are around others drinking, it feels natural to participate and want to fit in. If they are your true friends, they will support you for pursuing a healthier lifestyle. If they do not, try to your best to keep moving forward. Try joining a gym or athletic club instead, or volunteer for a cause you believe in to fill up your time. 
  • Support groupDo research in your hometown to find other like-minded individuals who actively don’t drink. This could be an AA/NA or SMART Recovery group, or other organization for people who want to stop using substances completely, or it could be less defined. It could even be members of your family you make plans with more, or friends you can hang out with that aren’t looking to drink. 
  • Sharing your plan: Make sure to stay accountable to yourself by letting people in your life know what’s going on. Explain that you are cutting down or stopping, and ask if they could help you along the way.

For more information about Granite Recovery – go to https://www.graniterecoverycenters.com

COVID-19 Youth Vaccinations: A 3-part series to help you make an informed decision for your family.

by Mikisha Plesco, Director of Operations, GRAAHI

A parent’s greatest responsibility is to care, nurture, teach, and keep a child safe until they reach an age that they can care for themselves. Being a parent in the middle of a pandemic is one that stretches a parent’s role. Parents may question the following: how do I keep my child safe, am I making the right decision to join an activity, or what information do I trust related to COVID-19 vaccinations? We as parents do not want to make a mistake in our child’s health.

The best information to reference is on Center for Disease and Prevention which indicates the following:

  1. Children 12 years and up can receive the COVID-19 vaccinations.
  2. Children can contract COVID-19, can get sick with COVID-19, can be hospitalized with COVID-19, and spread COVID-19 to others.
  3. As a parent, you may be concerned with the COVID-19 vaccination and the CDC addresses this by the following:
  4. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
  5. COVID-19 vaccines have been studied in adolescents.
  6. COVID-19 vaccine like adults is administrated in two doses for adolescents 3 weeks apart from each other.
  7. There is no weight requirement for the COVID-19 vaccination, for adolescent the dosage is the same as adults.
  8. COVID-19 vaccinations are safe to give with other vaccinations. There is no need to wait in between vaccinations.Most importantly, your child can not get COVID-19 from the COVID-19 vaccinations.

What are the side effects from COVID-19? CDC explains the side effects are the following:

  1. From the shot as with any other shot, your child may have pain, redness, or swelling.
  2. From the COVID-19 vaccination, your child may have tiredness, headache muscle pain, chills, fever, or nausea. These are all normal and are signs that your child’s body is activating the protection it needs to fight against COVID-19 virus.
  3. The side effects may last for a few days, or your child may not have any side effect.

The best advice for parents is to look at trusted sources such as the CDC, WHO, local hospitals, healthcare centers, and health department like the Kent County Health Department, University of Michigan West, Cherry Street Health, Spectrum, Mercy and/or talk to their provider about COVID-19 vaccinations. After reviewing these resources, then make a decision that is best for your child’s health and well-being.

As for parents who have children 4 years old and under and no approval in sight, let us continue to keep our children safe following the guidelines of COVID-19 prevention to help keep our little ones safe.

To read more, head to the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/groups/families-children.html

NOTE: Information about COVID, vaccines and exposure risks are always changing as we learn more. Please refer to your local health departments, your personal physicians and the CDC for the most recent information.

Black health leaders encourage community to get their kids vaccinated

by: Dana Whyte Wood TV8

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — With kids ages 5 to 11 now able to get the COVID-19 vaccine, health officials are encouraging those in diverse communities to get the shot.

Officials with the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute say while there’s still some hesitancy within the Black community about the coronavirus vaccine, they want people to know it is in fact safe and it’s important for kids to get vaccinated, now that they can.

Vanessa Greene, the CEO, says she wants her community to know that the shot has been vetted thoroughly. As a mother herself, she says she understands the concern but knows getting kids vaccinated is the best option.ADVERTISING

Greene says to solve the problem of hesitancy, it’s important for people to understand why distrust exists and go from there.

“I think that in order to change and to improve in these areas of distrust and hesitancy, whether it’s about the vaccination or about healthcare in general for the African-American community, then it will require us coming together and having those serious conversations and being intentional about making change,” said Greene.

Greene says it’s important to have conversations with communities across the board to understand where others are coming from and move forward.

https://www.woodtv.com/covid-19-vaccine/black-health-leaders-encourage-community-to-get-their-kids-vaccinated/?fbclid=IwAR2Ow5yjiaJJKvcFs0zix7tMbjshlZEEp9Ym-p5d4a-7585LEn7BMJBAcPE

In the fight for health equity, every penny counts.

African Americans experience significant disparities with chronic conditions, access to care, preventive screenings, and mental health.

At GRAAHI, we believe all people should have equal access to healthcare regardless of race.

100% of your tax-deductible gift will support this mission.