Featured Story – Page 3

COVID Vaccines for Small Children – What you need to know.

July 5, 2022 by Barbara Lash

After multiple delays, very young children are finally eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. In mid-June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years, as well as to Moderna’s vaccine for kids ages 6 months to 6 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) soon after recommended the vaccines, which are now available.

Understandably, parents of small children are hesitant to get their children vaccinated without knowing the risks and benefits.

Both vaccines are safe and effective

The Moderna vaccine primary series for children 6 months through 5 years old is administered in two 25-microgram doses given four to eight weeks apart. The shots were about 40–50% effective at preventing milder Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infections in young children. Moderna expects children in this age group to be offered a booster dose at some point in time.

The Pfizer vaccine primary series for children 6 months to 4 years old is administered in three 3-microgram doses. The first and second doses are separated by three to eight weeks and the second and third doses are separated by at least eight weeks. Three doses of the Pfizer vaccine were shown to be 80% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were shown to have similar side effects, which included pain at the injection site, irritability, drowsiness and fever.

Here are some common questions, with answers provided by the Kent County Health Department:

Is it a problem for my child to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
- No, children and teens may get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same time. Because children may experience pain at the site where the shot is given, however, you should think about the number of shots you want your child to have at one time.
What kind of side effects should I worry about after my child gets the vaccine?
- Any vaccine can cause side effects. These are usually minor (for example, a sore arm or low-grade fever) and go away within a few days. The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. If your child has any of the following after getting their vaccine, however, you should call or visit a doctor:
  - Breathing fast or having trouble breathing
  - Chest Pain
  - A fast or irregular heartbeat
  - Fainting
  - A high fever with spasms or jerky movements (seizures)
  - A swollen tongue or throat
  - A rash or hives on their body
Should my child get the vaccine if they have allergies?
- Children with an allergy to food, latex or things in the environment (pollen, pets, bug bites, etc.) can get the COVID-19 vaccine. Serious allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine have been very rare, especially among children.
Will my child act any differently after getting the vaccine?
- Your child will likely complain that their arm hurts where the shot was given. They may also feel tired, not want to eat and be more irritable and cry more than usual. This shouldn’t last longer than a day.
Why should my child get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Vaccinating children protects them when participating in childcare, school, and other activities. It’s hard to predict how a child’s body will respond if they are infected with COVID-19. Most kids will do well, but some get very sick and need to visit the hospital. Getting the vaccine is the best way to help prevent this.
What’s the difference between the two vaccines for kids under 5 years old?
- Both vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection. The main difference is that the Pfizer vaccine is 3 doses and the Moderna vaccine is 2 doses. The most important choice is the one to have your child vaccinated.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine affect my child if they have diabetes or sickle cell disease?
- There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine negatively impacts children with diabetes or sickle cell disease. In fact, it is especially important for children with these conditions to be vaccinated as they are more likely to get severe COVID-19 if they are infected.
My child is 4 years old. Should I wait until they are 5 to get vaccinated with the vaccine for 5-11 year olds?
- It takes some time to be considered fully protected after getting vaccinated (6 weeks for the Moderna vaccine and 13 weeks for the Pfizer vaccine). So that your child is fully protected as soon as possible, it is best not to wait and to get them vaccinated now.

You may still have more questions, so we encourage you to speak to your healthcare provider/pediatrician to determine what is the most appropriate action for your family.

Need to get your child vaccinated?
GRAAHI is offering multiple free, local vaccine clinics. To see the dates, locations and make an appointment, go to graahi.com/getvaccinated.

GRAAHI Welcomes New Board Members

June 28, 2022 by Barbara Lash

Grand Rapids African American Health Institute Names
Three New Members to its Executive Board

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI), an organization devoted to achieving health parity for Black Americans in Kent County and throughout the state, today announced the appointment of three new members to its Executive Board.

Dr. Karen Kennedy, Misti Stanton and Mia Gutridge were elected by existing GRAAHI Board members at the organization’s June meeting.

“Adding these three talented and dedicated leaders to our Executive Board will bring new insight to our advocacy efforts and strengthen our impact to the residents we serve,” said Vanessa Greene, CEO of GRAAHI. “We are grateful to have them join our Board and help us address chronic health issues and inequities facing the Black community.”

Dr, Karen Kennedy currently serves as the Mercy Health Physician Partners (MHPP) Regional Medical Director and serves as Lead Physician in one of their direct-to-employer medical sites with Lacks Enterprises Primary Care. She is also proud to serve as the MHPP Diversity and Inclusion Champion alongside a team of dedicated leaders from across West Michigan. She has previously served as Vice President of the West Michigan Medical Society in Grand Rapids. Dr. Kennedy has been a board-certified Family Medicine physician since 2002, earning a degree from Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, NY and her MD from the UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Family Medicine Residency program in New Brunswick, NJ.

Misti Stanton is a fresh voice in diversity in Michigan. After more than 30 years of community and non-profit work, she currently serves as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Mercantile Bank. She devotes her time and energy to cultivating an inclusive work environment in a rapidly-growing organization.

Misti is passionate about health equity, advocacy, and community empowerment. She has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others. She lives by the philosophy that community service impacts the health and well-being of our region. In her spare time, Misti volunteers for a variety of community organizations and advocates for youth literacy and community empowerment.

Mia Gutridge is currently the Human Resources Manager at Grand Rapids Housing Commission. She has a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management, is a certified Professional Human Resources (PHR) provider, and a member of the Society for Human Resources-Certified Professionals (SHRM-CP).

Mia is active in the community and serves in many leadership roles. She is the chapter president of the Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, leading the chapter’s efforts in education development, economic development, mental and physical health, international awareness and development, and political awareness and development. She also serves as the District President of the Women’s Home and Missionary Society of Western Michigan and as a member of the Evaluation and Impact Committee for the Women’s Resource Center. She is married to Dwight L. Gutridge, Pastor of St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church in Grand Rapids.

“The strength of any organization begins with its Board,” said GRAAHI Board Chair Paul Doyle. “We are fortunate to have three dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate people join our Board and devote their efforts to improving health parity for Black citizens in the area.”

Mothers’ Milk – Baby Formula Shortages Impact Black and Brown Women the Most

July 9, 2022May 20, 2022 by GRAAHI Editorial

By Mikisha Plesco, Director of Operations, GRAAHI

A nationwide baby formula shortage is severely impacting Black parents and babies, who are already disproportionately affected by the lack of access to the necessary nutrients to grow and thrive. In May, 43% of the top-selling baby formula products at national retailers were out of stock.

Formula is very expensive, with a yearly estimated cost between $1200 and $1500 which means Black families are hit the hardest, many of them living paycheck to paycheck. They may be relying on WIC benefits, perhaps even SNAP benefits, to purchase baby formula and do not have the resources to be able to stock up. And, they didn’t have the ability to stock up months ago when they saw this coming.

Mothers in Detroit and Grand Rapids have been sounding the message since February that there was no formula on their local grocery store shelves.

Here’s my story:
The most exciting day of my life was having my daughter in June of 2021. Being pregnant during a pandemic was truly frightening because COVID-19 vaccinations were not approved for pregnant women. So, I took every precaution – from masking with a N95, hand hygiene and not going out besides going to work. Even at work, I ensured social distancing and cleaning twice a day.
When my daughter was born, I thought “okay now I have to keep her safe from COVID-19 because no vaccination is available for her age.” She has been in this bubble and has been at home. No daycare, no visiting extended family, and no outside outings. This has been tough.
At her delivery, I was able to choose which formula I wanted to feed her. A formula that I had researched throughout my pregnancy. Although no explanation is needed, I chose not to breastfeed because of a medication that I take. As a new mom I stressed about everything, but COVID-19 was not the worst thing I was going to face.
During my pregnancy I was fortunate that I could save money for formula and ordered 13 cans, wanting to ensure I had enough for her first year. When my daughter was 3 months old, I had to downgrade her formula because it was not available.The formula I had researched, saved for and stored was recalled, and all 13 cans had to be sent back to the company. I scrambled, but was blessed to have my daughter’s physician provide 2 cans of milk. Friends and family also helped us find formulas without considering which kind (such as sensitive, pro advance, regular, allergens, etc.). My daughter is 11 months old and we will not be able to go past 12 months for her formula.

Formula shortage is not a new problem. There are only 2 formula companies that are recommended and only 4 major brands. Necessary recalls and shutting down a plant made the problem exponentially worse. Price increases and hoarding make it even more difficult for low-income families to have adequate supply.

President Biden enacted the Defense Production Act to ensure that baby formula is produced and/or flown to the United States. President Biden proposed $28 million aid that would assist the Food and Drug Administration to address the shortage, but 192 Republicans voted against the bill (Washington Post 2022). The bill came a little too late for some families, but it could have helped millions of families.

Formula shortages should have been addressed just like many other shortages that have happened across the United States. We have known for months that this was a problem and a solution was not mitigated early on to ensure every child under 1 had the formula that they need despite economic status. We have to do better for our community to mitigate risk proactively rather than reactively.

Now we are here and this is every new mom/dad/caregiver’s nightmare. Not to be able to feed formula to your child. If you are having difficulty with formula please seek out the following resources:

Your primary pediatrician may have a list of resources and guidance on formula recommendations.
If you are giving birth soon or in the process of giving birth, please ask hospital staff for formula packs.
Check out this article from Bridge Michigan which provides some helpful resources: https://www.bridgemi.com/children-families/how-find-baby-formula-michigan-and-how-keep-your-child-safe

References:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/05/18/house-formula-shortage-abbott/

A Focus on Mental Health

May 9, 2022 by Barbara Lash

Vanessa Greene, CEO of GRAAHI, kicks off video series for Mental Health Awareness month, by sharing her own journey to get support.

Improving mental health care for Black community members continues to be a priority for GRAAHI. We know that the stigma associated with seeking or utilizing mental health care services can be a barrier for some community members.

In light of Mental Health Awareness month, we will highlight community members and mental health clinicians sharing their perspective on navigating mental health challenges, the benefits of therapy, tips on connecting a therapist, finding a healthy balance with therapy and medication and more!

To kick off our series, check out our CEO, Vanessa Greene, highlighting GRAAHI’s focus on mental health and sharing a bit about her mental health care journey.

Visit www.graahi.com/mentalhealth to see the videos and learn about mental health resources.

April 21 Declared GRAAHI Healthcare Advocacy Day, Mayor Bliss issues proclamation in support of Grand Rapids African American Health Institute

December 19, 2022April 21, 2022 by Barbara Lash

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 20^thanniversary 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.

5 Reasons We Need to Advocate for Better Black Maternal Health

April 14, 2022 by Barbara Lash

This year marks the fifth year anniversary of the Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign. Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, BMHW is a week of awareness, activism, and community building. While we’ve long known about the racial disparities in childbirth here in West Michigan through our research into health equity, we shine a light on 5 main reasons that we need to advocate for better black maternal healthcare.

Black Women Are 3-4x more Likely to Die During Childbirth

The United States has some of the worst rates of maternal and infant health outcomes among high-income nations, despite spending an estimated $111 billion per year on maternal, prenatal, and newborn care. Nationally, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white women.

Underlying Health Conditions make Pregnancy more Risky

Black women experience higher rates of many preventable diseases and chronic health conditions including higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Black women are also more likely to experience reproductive health disorders such as fibroids, and are three times more likely to have endometriosis.

Black infants in America are 2x as Likely to Die Before their 1st birthday as White Infants

With 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, the United States has a high infant mortality rate, and Black babies are in the gravest danger, with an infant mortality rate in 2018 of 10.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to a rate of 4.6 White babies per 1,000 live births.

Black Women Receive Less Help For Postpartum Depression

Black women not only face a higher chance of developing perinatal mood disorders than white women, but they are also less likely to receive treatment due to factors such as fear of stigma, involvement of child welfare services and financial barriers.

Black women are More Likely to Quit, be Fired, or Return to Work Early

Compared to non-Hispanic white women, Black women are more likely to quit, be fired, or return to work before they are healthy after giving birth due to inadequate leave policies. Furthermore, nearly three in ten charges of pregnancy discrimination were filed by Black women.

Black women need the resources, opportunities, and support that will enable them to protect their human right to health and life and to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Maternal health disparities have many causes, but disparate social conditions, lack of access to quality prenatal care, and substandard maternal and reproductive health care are often key factors.

To learn more, read this brief from Black Mamas Matter Alliance, and GRAAHI’s Health Equity Index.

Sources:

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/america-is-failing-its-black-mothers/

https://blackmamasmatter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/0322_BMHStatisticalBrief_Final.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html

We’re Hiring!

April 12, 2022 by Barbara Lash

Join our team as a Community Health Navigator.

Job Title: Independent Contractor – Community Health Navigator (Full-Time, Onsite and Remote- Hybrid)
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Description:
The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to achieving healthcare equity in the African American Community through advocacy,
education, and research. We have a rich history of contributing to social justice and racial equity
policy, programming, and interventions. We seek to employ talented and success-oriented
individuals, committed to supporting and advocating for the well-being of vulnerable populations.
We believe in a synergistic, collaborative work environment in which every staff member feels a
sense of belonging and valued.

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced leader with a proven history of planning,
implementing, and executing programs and managing budgets. This independent contractor
position reports directly to the Community Navigator Lead.

Roles and Responsibilities
● Actively develops and engages with key stakeholders.
● Builds collaborative relationships with community partners.
● Knowledgeable in organization’s history, programs, mission, and vision.
● Organize COVID and health related clinics, including marketing, canvassing and various
forms of social media.
● Work closely with community partners.
● Assist in surveys, focus groups, data collection, and monthly reports.
● Assist with other duties as assigned.

Requirements
● Commitment to GRAAHI’s mission and values.
● Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalent to 2 years plus.
● Proven history of working with a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
● Analytical thinking and ability to analyze data.
● Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
● Proficient and flexible in MS Office Word/Excel and Google documents.
● Detailed oriented, excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize tasks, ability
to meet deadlines and excellent time management skills.
● Initiative-taker and independent.

Why GRAAHI?
● You will get the chance to form relationships with motivated staff members, a
phenomenal community, and stakeholders who genuinely care about the organization
and improving the health of the community.
● You will see the impact of the work that you do and meet the people that are
transformed by the programs of the organization.
● This is the perfect opportunity to support the community while addressing
healthcare issues.

To Apply: Please send your resume, cover letter, two letters of recommendations, and three
references to info@graahi.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position
is filled.

To download the job description as a PDF, click here.

GRAAHI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for
employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,
color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status,
sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by
federal, state, or local laws.

COVID and the Workplace – Community Roundtable

January 19, 2022 by Barbara Lash

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

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

January 12, 2022 by Barbara Lash

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.

Wellness Adventure

December 16, 2021December 13, 2021 by Barbara Lash

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!

Goals

Benefits

In the fight for health equity, every penny counts.