Grand Rapids, Mich. (April 20, 2022) – The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) is proud to announce that Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has declared Thursday, April 21, 2022 the first-ever “GRAAHI Healthcare Advocacy Day” in the city of Grand Rapids.
In the proclamation Mayor Bliss highlights GRAAHI’s advocacy work in the community and states, “the City of Grand Rapids is dedicated to eliminating healthcare inequity and supporting those organizations promoting healthcare equality.”
The proclamation comes as GRAAHI celebrates its 20th anniversary of advocating for health parity for African Americans in our community. The day will culminate with a virtual Gala where GRAAHI will recognize four prominent leaders in our community for their efforts in bringing greater health equity for all residents. The Equity Champion Awards will be presented to:
• 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
“We greatly appreciate the Mayor’s proclamation in support of our organization,” said Vanessa Greene, CEO of GRAAHI. “The City’s commitment along with the support of the healthcare community, volunteers and donors, is essential to us achieving our goal of health parity for all in Grand Rapids.”
The GRAAHI 2021 Health Equity Report highlights the societal factors that block access to healthcare for many minority residents in Grand Rapids, leading to higher rates of illness and death from COVID-19, heart disease, lung cancer, HIV, obesity, depression, diabetes and infant mortality. If you would like learn more about how to get involved with our organization or would like to make a donation, simply go to the GRAAHI.org website.
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.
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
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.
The Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute are working together to ensure every family feels informed about COVID-19 vaccinations for our youth.
As we have lived through this pandemic together, we all know that there is a lot of information out there that can be overwhelming for parents/guardians. We have developed a panel of clinicians from our community that will be able to help answer any of your questions related to COVID-19 vaccinations.
The panel will come together virtually on Wednesday, January 26th at 9:30 am and 6 pm. We hope this panel helps you make an informed decision.
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.
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!
