GRAAHI Editorial – Page 2

The Brutal Death of Tyre Nichols and the cumulative effects of police brutality and trauma on the Black community

February 27, 2023February 2, 2023 by GRAAHI Editorial

Andrae Ivy, MPH | GRAAHI’s Director of Research | February 2023

On January 27th of 2023, the world watched yet again as a Black man named Tyre Nichols was viciously beaten and harassed by a group of police officers in Memphis, TN. The images, words and violence in this video were terrifying to watch, as the officers seemed determined to end this

young man’s life following a routine traffic stop. After being violently punched, kicked and tasered, Mr. Nichols would eventually slump to the ground, blood running down the side of his swollen and distorted face onto the cold pavement. The officers showed no signs of treating Mr. Nichols like a human being before, during or after the attack, as they casually shared excuses and lies to justify their violence. The grotesque injuries Mr. Nichols suffered from the beating can also be viewed, as he laid lifeless in a Memphis hospital room with a face reminiscent of Emmett Till’s. Unfortunately, Mr. Nichols would eventually succumb to his injuries and lose his life three days later. Upon release of the video, five of the officers involved in the incident were fired. That following Monday on January 30th, a sixth officer was fired in connection with the beating. This traumatic event is all too familiar for Blacks or African Americans who are often reminded of their fragile and devalued nature in the face of police officers. Blacks are tired of this state-sanctioned treatment and need tangible protections and anti-hate policies to prevent such attacks from reoccurring.

From Rodney King to Sandra Bland to George Floyd to Breonna Taylor to Tamir Rice to Atatiana Jefferson to Patrick Lyoya and so many others, the deaths of Blacks or African Americans in the presence of police officers are commonalities that plague the hearts and minds of not only the victims and their families, but also those who share a similar phenotype across the many cities and states in this country and across the world. According to Mapping Police Violence, Blacks in America are nearly three times more likely to be killed by police officers compared to whites, resulting in 254 Black deaths in 2022. In addition, this study found that 100 out of 100,000 Black men and boys will be killed by police officers during their lifetime compared to 39 white men and boys. Since Blacks as a whole collectively share the grief and trauma of these deaths, it’s important for Blacks and society to better understand the cumulative effects of these unethical actions on the mental, physical and emotional health of the entire Black population. Several studies have investigated the impact of traumatic events, such as police brutality and racism, on the overall wellbeing of Blacks. One study in 2018, led by Dr. David Williams, found that the killing of an unarmed Black person by a police officer resulted in many days of poor health for Blacks in that state for the next three months. Another study found that Blacks and other non-white groups were more likely to report police victimization, in which that victimization was significantly linked to psychological distress and depression. In a more robust study, researchers found that the constant threat of police violence, the actual acts of police brutality, and the aftermath of these events have a collective and “allostatic load” effect on the mental health of those victimized along with those who identify racially or culturally with said victims. In addition, this study also determined that the effects of police brutality mirror the effects of racism

occurring within many facets of society such as housing, education, employment and health care.

In this interesting study, Black drivers in America were nearly 20% more likely to be stopped by police officers and nearly twice as likely to be searched compared to their white counterparts. When being confronted by police officers, many Blacks run and flee, which is viewed by some as an indicator of guilt. Many Blacks know the history of this country and the unequal treatment with police officers and the justice system, even when no wrongdoing has occurred. In 2016, the Massachusetts (MA) Supreme Judicial Court showed support for this reality regarding a Black man in Boston who was wrongfully profiled during a police investigation. The MA Supreme Court stated, “The finding that Black males in Boston are disproportionately and repeatedly targeted for FIO [Field Interrogation and Observation] encounters suggests a reason for flight totally unrelated to consciousness of guilt. Such an individual, when approached by the police, might just as easily be motivated by the desire to avoid the recurring indignity of being racially profiled as by the desire to hide criminal activity.” This statement by the MA Supreme Court basically means that Black men running from police officers is understandable due to the fact that Black men are more likely to be racially profiled. Their statement also confers that some Black men simply run to escape the indignity of being racially profiled and a potential victim of police brutality, and that this shouldn’t indicate any form of guilt on their part. This is important to note when thinking about Tyre Nichols who decided to run in an attempt to reach his mother’s home, just sixty yards away. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful.

Typically, police brutality against Blacks usually involves white officers. In Tyre Nichols’ case, the officers involved were mainly Black, indicating that Black officers can also possess and demonstrate hate, bias and prejudice towards Black life. Such behavior is repulsive no matter the person’s background, and justice should be served no matter the officer’s race. This fact reinforces calls to investigate police departments, unions and officers to determine their ability to serve and protect the community without bias, hate and prejudice. If not, more innocent lives will be lost. On another note, these acts of police brutality from some officers stain the image and reputation of all officers, even though this behavior isn’t indicative of all officers. Like many citizens, many police officers also expressed their dismay with the vile behavior displayed by the officers in Mr. Nichols’ case and many other cases of police brutality, showing that all officers can’t be blamed for the actions of some. The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) is dedicated to increasing health equity for Blacks or African Americans in the Grand Rapids community. These acts of violence against Black bodies impact our mental and physical health. We are deeply troubled by the death of Tyre Nichols and so many others. Even though these officers were swiftly charged, many systematic changes, such as anti-Black hate policies and protections, are needed to revamp and rebuild the justice system and the consciousness of Americans, so a person’s life isn’t deemed less valuable because of the color of their skin.

We at GRAAHI offer our sincerest thoughts and prayers to the family of Tyre Nichols.

Sickle cell patients need action to promote cures

October 26, 2023July 11, 2022 by GRAAHI Editorial

by Vanessa Greene

When our country comes together to solve a public health crisis, we can do remarkable things. Diseases that were once death sentences are now manageable conditions. We have created vaccines and therapies and drugs that once seemed impossible. Now, we need to channel this innovation into a group of patients who have been quietly suffering for too long: sickle cell patients.

The reality of the sickle cell crisis is glaring, and the statistics speak for themselves. The life expectancy for people with the most severe form of the disease is 30 years shorter than that of people without sickle cell. The rate of stroke in adults with sickle cell is three times higher than rates in African Americans of similar age without sickle cell, and these patients have the highest rate of return to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the United States. It impacts one out of every 365 African American births and one out of every 16,300 Hispanic births. The sickle cell gene is present in an estimated 3 million Americans, all of whom could pass it onto their children. If two parents carry this gene, there is a 50% chance their child will inherit sickle cell disease. Unfortunately, because of insufficient data collection, countless Americans are unaware they have the sickle cell trait.

We are facing a public health crisis primarily affecting Black and brown communities — over 80% of sickle cell patients fall into this group — but it continues to receive inadequate attention from the medical community. We have known about sickle cell disease for over a century, yet the first sickle cell drug did not even hit the market until 2018. At present there are only a few available drugs on the market, and there is no cure.

We currently do not have enough medical providers who are trained to treat sickle cell disease, leaving too many patients with few options for care. Racial stereotypes add further barriers to care, as sickle cell patients looking for pain relief are often dehumanized as “drug seekers” who exaggerate their symptoms. One study found the mean wait time for sickle cell patients at the ER was over an hour, which can endanger lives and force patients to endure extreme pain flareups without treatment. This is over 25% longer than patients without sickle cell disease.

Of the 100,000 Americans suffering from sickle cell disease, nearly half rely on Medicaid for their insurance. As Medicaid coverage is decided by states, there are stark gaps in coverage around the country for sickle cell patients. All patients are deserving of the treatments they need, and we need to make sure they have access to every available drug and therapy, no matter their background or their insurance.

Right now, there are groundbreaking new developments in cell and gene-based therapies that could potentially cure sickle cell, but this means nothing if we do not get these treatments in the hands of every single patient as soon as they are available. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services all have a crucial role to play here. We need leaders at these federal agencies to promote this innovation and coordinate with state policymakers and sickle cell stakeholders to ensure patients on Medicaid have access to all treatments.

If we come together, we can finally give these patients the treatment and care they have lacked for so long.

(From an oped in the Grand Rapids Business Journel, June 24, 2022)

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/

GRAAHI Names New Executive Director

November 16, 2021February 11, 2019 by GRAAHI Editorial

Micah Foster takes the helm of GRAAHI

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute which has been in existence since 2002 announced that Micah Foster has been named their new executive director of the nonprofit which is devoted to achieving healthcare parity for African Americans.

Foster, a trained clinician and former education coordinator for GRAAHI, has assumed the role in the wake of former Executive Director, Shannon Wilson’s departure in December 2018. Wilson led the institute’s work for the last 8 years and helped to elevate the organization as the preeminent advocate for healthcare parity for African Americans in West Michigan. Wilson has taken a new role as Director of Medicaid Outreach & Quality at Priority Health.

“This change of leadership comes as we prepare to take the next steps in the evolution of the institute. We believe Micah will lead us through an exciting stage of growth as we expand our scope of work and deepen our engagement with the community,” said Paul T. Doyle, Chairman of the Board for GRAAHI. “We will support this effort by leveraging our cornerstone research, the Health Equity Index and increasing our advocacy roles at the local and state level.”

Micah Foster holds a master of science degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and a bachelor of science degree from Grand Valley State University.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to expand my role at GRAAHI. The organization is poised to really enhance its vision and build on the tremendous momentum of the past eight years. I look forward to expanding our reach and engagement to help eliminate racial disparities in the healthcare industry,” Foster said. “Look for new initiatives in healthcare education and expansion of our advocacy programming in 2019.”

Together with Foster, Stephanie Pierce, a 12-year veteran of the organization will take on the role of Director of Community Outreach, to support strategic growth in grant funded programming, donor engagement and community events.

More information about GRAAHI can be found at their website www.graahi.org

ABOUT: The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is funded by numerous entities that are equally committed to its mission.

GRAAHI’s mission is “To promote health care parity in the Grand Rapids African American community through advocacy, education and research to achieve positive health outcomes.” By promoting health care parity or equality, GRAAHI will have an impact on the health disparities that currently exist for African Americans who live in this community.