Barbara Lash

Annual Fundraising Gala Resceduled to 2022 due to Delta variant and resurgence of COVID cases.

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As an organization committed to improving the health and well-being of all in our community, the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute has always acted in the best interests of our community.

With that guiding principle in mind, we have decided to move our GRAAHI Gala planned for October 28, 2021. The recent surge of positive tests, hospitalizations, and tragic deaths attributed to the COVID-19 virus dictate that we alter our plans to ensure the health and safety of our attendees, honored guests and their families. We believe securing our new date of April 21, 2022 for the event is the most responsible course of action and will enable us to direct our energies in addressing the current surge along with our community partners. It will also give us the opportunity to celebrate GRAAHI’s 20th Anniversary Milestone” with our community.

Read more at https://graahi.org/events/gala

Vanessa Greene honored as a Diversity Business Leader Award Winner.

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Corp! Magazine has recognized businesses, organizations and leaders who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and achievements within their organization or the community. Corp! is thrilled to honor its 14th Annual Salute to Diversity winners.

As the new CEO of Grand Rapids African American Health Institute, Vanessa Greene is expanding on GRAAHI’s mission as a leader for health equity in West Michigan, helping to identify and eliminate barriers to health for blacks, latinx and all people of color. TheGrand Rapids African American Health Institute is a leading national organization devoted to achieving healthcare parity for African Americans through advocacy, education, and research.

My Take: Eliminating health care disparities will require systemic change.

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My Take: “Eliminating health care disparities will require systemic change.”

Vanessa Greene, CEO, Grand Rapids African American Health Institute

African Americans and other diverse populations in West Michigan, and across the U.S., have been fighting for their rights and equality and have seen progress. 

A real discussion of history and its long-lasting negative impact on certain diverse groups is happening, with more attention being paid to how we can address those issues. Legislators also addressed past discrimination by recognizing racism as a national health crisis.

While this is an opportunity to celebrate, we still have a long way to go, and there remains a need to address inequities that are directly affecting the health and wellbeing of our communities.

At the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI), one of the biggest obstacles we address every day is the ongoing battle with disparities in the quality of health care for African Americans and other diverse groups in Michigan.

The arrival of COVID-19 further amplified our understanding of the racial inequities embedded in Michigan’s health care system — with African Americans hit harder by the disease due in part to a higher level of underlying health conditions — and how much quality of care can differ based solely on a patient’s race. Yet, research conducted on behalf of Consumers for Quality Care (CQC) shows that this is not just a problem in Michigan. A majority (56 percent) of Americans agree that COVID-19 has exposed racial disparities in our system.

Here are some sobering stats:

In 2017, 10.6 percent of African Americans were uninsured, compared with 5.9 percent of non-Hispanic whites. 16.1 percent of Hispanics were uninsured.

12.1 percent of African Americans under the age of 65 reported having no health insurance coverage. The number was 20.1 percent for Hispanics.

13.8 percent of African Americans reported having fair or poor health, compared with 8.3 percent of non-Hispanic whites

African Americans have the highest mortality rate for cancer, compared with any other racial and ethnic group.

In Kent County, African American infants are 2.5 times more likely to die before the age of 1 than white infants, and 2.2 times more likely to be born with low birth weights.Your stories live here.Fuel your hometown passion and plug into the stories that define it.Create Account

Our goal must be to remove these racial disparities in health care, but it will be a long battle and require systemic changes beyond health care. At GRAAHI, we are on the front lines battling these disparities.

The disconnect between minorities and health care is reflected in the breakdown of health care workers. Less than 20 percent of registered nurses identify as minorities, despite minorities comprising 40 percent of U.S. population. In 2018, 13 percent of the U.S. population was Black, but only 5.4 percent of physicians were African American.

One way to address health care disparities is to encourage more minorities to work in the health care field. Lack of diverse representation is one reason many people of color are hesitant to seek the proper care, preventative or otherwise, so the role of African-American health care providers is critical in building trust and improving health outcomes in communities of color.

To support increasing health care provider diversity, GRAAHI is collaborating with colleges and universities across West Michigan, with support from Kellogg, to help create a pipeline of students of all ethnic backgrounds from high school to careers in health care.

Increasing awareness of the social determinants and key issues affecting health for diverse populations is also essential. Advocacy, education, and research will be crucial to effectively improving health outcomes.

Our end goal is to create a culture where we have moved beyond the need to address inequities and can guarantee that everyone can access a healthy lifestyle, preventative care, and understand how to navigate the health care system.

We can create real, impactful, and meaningful health care change for diverse populations by eliminating disparities, and ensuring that all West Michigan residents will receive affordable quality care without race being a determinant.

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“I Heal, You Heal, We Heal” Mental Health Fair 9/18/21

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Join us for a day of healing on September 18th, 2-5 pm at Joe Taylor Park.The FREE event sponsored by Mental Health Clinicians of Color in GR-Public and Grand Rapids African American Health Institute, “I Heal, You Heal, We Heal” provides a space for community members to come together to shed the stigma associated with mental health care by discussing the topic at a family-friendly and fun event.At the event you will be able to connect with local therapists, participate in therapeutic art, engage in Zumba, listen/dance to music, and more! •Therapeutic Art •Zumba with Yeli Romero•Yoga with Valarie James, LMSW • Learn Brainspotting with Amber Walker-Hunter, LPC •Music provided by Dj Head Debiase•Food•Giveaways!”

Saturday September 18th. 2 pm – 5 pm

Joe Taylor Park,. 1038 Bemis St SE, Grand Rapids

Click here to RSVP on Facebook (No registration required – Just show up!)

Give Hope – Sickle Cell Awareness Blood Drive 9/18/21

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Support your community by giving blood. Saturday, September 18th, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Please give as you are able. Baxter Community Center, 935 Baxter St. SE, Grand RapidsParking is free. All eligible donors will receive a Sickle Cell Awareness Month T-shirt (while supplies last). Versiti will also be testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies.To ensure everyone’s safety during continuing coronavirus concerns, Versiti employees wear face masks or cloth face coverings and are temperature tested before their shifts. Donors are also temperature tested and prescreened before their donation. All donors are asked to wear their own face covering during their appointment.Social distancing is being practiced at all Versiti blood drives throughout Michigan. Versiti is efficiently cleaning and disinfecting all facilities and equipment at all drives.Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to give. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.

Click here to register, although walk-ins are welcome!

https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/…/drive…/135084

“The Risk of Doing Nothing: Michigan’s Access to Care Crisis.”

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July 15, 2021

The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) was honored to host a panel discussion for the Michigan Legislature focused on improving access to quality care for all patients this past Tuesday.  Along with the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI), the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH), and Genentech, MSMS invited Michigan legislators and their staffs to join “The Risk of Doing Nothing: Michigan’s Access to Care Crisis.”

The goal of the panel discussion was to raise awareness about access barriers to consistent, coordinated, and integrated health care and the resulting impact on health disparities.  Panelists touched on several topics including the needs of diverse communities, challenges in rural Michigan, lack of behavioral health resources, impact on the state’s economic health, and diversity gaps in medical research.  A key theme throughout the discussion was the need to work together to find solutions.  MSMS President Pino D. Colone, MD, issued the following statement:

“The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact has been widespread, and one of the realities it has highlighted is the need to better understand, and subsequently address, the numerous barriers to health access that persist for far too many patients across the state. The simple—and alarming—fact is, Michigan’s most vulnerable patients and communities lack fair and equitable access to the very best in quality care. It’s a problem MSMS and our member physicians are committed to solving and today’s panel discussion with Michigan’s lawmakers and policy leaders was a first step towards that goal.”

The panel was moderated by Vanessa Greene, CEO, GRAAHI, and panelists represented each of the above-named organizations:

  • Melissa Gonzales, PhD, Genentech
  • S. Bobby Mukkamala, MD, MSMS
  • Bernice Patterson, PhD, GRAAHI
  • Nancy Spencer, MCRH

The full presentation can be viewed, here. 

Health Education and Equity Series – June 2021

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GRAAHI Health Education & Equity Series
Session 6 – Family Stories of Triumph in the Black Community (Pt. 2)

We’ll be sharing positive stories of hope, resilience and inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic to create a greater awareness about the root causes, challenges and stigmas associated with mental illness.

Panelists include:
Dr. David Paul – Neurosurgeon, Owner of Bold & Gritty
Dr. Herman Sullivan – Neurologist, Mercy Health
Dr. Gerald Griffin – Neuroscientist, Interim Provost of Hope College

Health Education and Equity Series – May 2021

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No Limits No Boundaries: Family Stories of Triumph in the Black Community – Pt. 1

Join us for a panel conversation around provide positive stories of hope, resilience and inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic. The goal of this conversation is to create greater awareness about the root causes, challenges and stigmas associated with mental illness and provide greater understanding of the role parents play in the lives of their children to combat negative messages they receive from society and social media influence.

Panelists are:

Dr. Valencia Agnew: Owner Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Services

Aerica Hurt: Nurse and Co-Owner of Unforgettable Memory Care

Shawn Hurt: Principal and Educational Consultant

Mechell Bridges: IT Analyst & Podcaster

Taylor Calloway: Engineer and Diversity Educator

 

Go to this page for more information.

Health and Equity Series – April 2021

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Session 4- Influencing Change: A Quick Guide to Effective Advocacy

Join the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute for an advocacy workshop facilitated by Jayme Vosovic of the Michigan League for Public Policy and discussion with City of Grand Rapids Commissioner Milinda Ysasi and County Commissioner Robert S. Womack. We’ll explore the state budget, different advocacy tips and the power of relationship building for advocacy.

The links between racism, health inequities, COVID-19 and the civil unrest across the world

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By Andrae Ivy -June 26, 2020

The recent deaths of Black people in the presence of police officers reilluminated racism across the world. Protests, riots and civil unrest blanket streets everywhere, as people of all backgrounds show their frustrations and grief in myriad ways. These images and efforts are reminiscent of the Civil Rights Movement, when Black people fought tediously against racism and systematic oppression.

Nearly 60 years later, America is once again battling its inherent race problems, as the country remains divided. Now the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others are forcing America to revisit its historical pandemics of injustice.

The frustrations showcased by thousands (if not millions) of Americans are not based on one death or factor. Black deaths from police brutality have been examined through history, but Black men are still 2½ times more likely to be killed by police than white men. Black people, as a whole, are 2-4 times more likely to have force used against them than white people. From a Kent County lens, Black people are three times more likely to live in poverty (Blacks-27%, whites-9%) and 3.4 times more likely to be unemployed than white people (Blacks-12.2%, whites-3.6%). In addition, Black people have lower rates of health care coverage (whites-94.5%, Blacks-88.2%) and are twice as likely than white people to report not being able to see a doctor due to costs (Blacks-20.2%, whites-9.2%) in Kent County.

Health inequities plague Black lives more than any other group in Kent County

  • According to the Health Equity Index, Black people are 1.6 times more likely than white people to die from heart disease (Blacks-269.2, whites-164.8 per 100,000) and 1.7 times more likely to die from stroke (Blacks-55.7, whites-31.9 per 100,000) in Kent County.
  • Black children are more than twice as likely than white children to have elevated blood lead levels (Blacks-10.9%, whites-5.1%) in Kent County.
  • Black people are 6.6 times more likely to test positive for HIV compared to white people (Blacks-695, whites-106 per 100,000) in Kent County.

These sad truths are prevalent for Black people, as our current health care, government and political systems need comprehensive reformations. These changes must be systemic and structural, providing Black people with sufficient rights, policies, resources and opportunities to combat these devastating realities.

Reporting racism and health inequities is important, but correcting the systems and environments that drive these conditions is more essential. This issue also is evident with COVID-19 that continues to afflict this country and world. Thus, the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) will continue promoting systemic changes in health and academia to increase health equity and justice for Black people.

COVID-19, standing for coronavirus disease 2019, continues to wreck millions of lives across the world

These findings indicate that Black people and Hispanics are overrepresented among confirmed COVID-19 cases, since each group only represents 10-12% of the Kent County population. These findings align with notices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that suggest that Black people may be more susceptible to contracting and dying from COVID-19 than other racial/ethnic groups.

This may be the case, since people with underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Black people experience the worst health disparities in this country for many health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and HIV.

It should be known that these disparities are greatly influenced by institutional racism and economic/social factors upon the Black population. Living in more densely populated areas and further away from medical facilities and grocery stores may also influence this higher risk for Black people. However, additional studies are being conducted to investigate this link.

Higher rates of poverty, unemployment and poor housing may also influence Black people’s exposure to COVID-19, along with their frontline presence in many essential industries. Thus, it is imperative for public health agencies and the community to gauge this serious matter and take precautions moving forward. For more information and best practices regarding COVID-19, click here.

In closing, our American system continues to fuel racism, racially motivated deaths and health inequities against Black people, which may increase their risk of contracting COVID-19.

However, people across the world are demanding justice for Black people and a renewal of the American system. Many organizations are changing their policies, logos and structure, while others are donating resources to Black businesses, organizations and universities. We at GRAAHI hope you join this movement by using your talents, resources and/or energy to correct the injustices of this country. If interested, we at GRAAHI encourage the following acts:

  • Be honest about racism and racial injustices and how they deteriorate this country
  • Advocate for policies that address injustices and ensure those policies are enforced
  • Identify rogue, racist groups in your community and report them to authorities
  • Hold law enforcement groups/individuals accountable for their misconduct
  • Demand your elected officials investigate the presence of racist/extremist groups in law enforcement and/or government agencies
  • Use disparity data to generate resources for Black people, not just tell the story
  • Donate to Black businesses/organizations and help fight against racism
  • Examine your employer’s practices for racism or bias and propose needed changes
  • Hold elected officials accountable at all levels

Change is here, and we are not turning back now. GRAAHI is dedicated to leading that change to replace the system of racism with a system of justice.

If you would like to help GRAAHI in these efforts, we can be reached at info@graahi.org. We at GRAAHI look forward to our continued efforts with the Grand Rapids community, helping to improve health equity and justice for Black people for a more hopeful and prosperous future.

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At GRAAHI we promote non-discriminatory practices. We do not, and shall not, discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of our activities or operations. We are committed to honesty AND transparency. We support diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas, including but not limited to, staff hiring, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. Together we accomplish the extraordinary.

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