Health News – Page 3

Grand Rapids African American Health Institute Plans New Programs and Services After Receiving Federal Grant

January 6, 2023December 19, 2022 by Barbara Lash

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Dec. 19, 2022) – The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI)announced today it has received a $1 million grant through the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). GRAAHI was one of 30 grant recipients out of a total of 300 area applicants selected to receive funding by Kent County.

“We are pleased the Kent County administration and commission recognizes the important work GRAAHI provides in this community and has chosen to support our future efforts,” said Vanessa Greene, GRAAHI CEO. “As the leading health equity advocate for African Americans in greater Grand Rapids, we plan to use this federal funding to increase health-related resources for our residents and build on our efforts to make access to healthcare more equitable for all.”

Investing in new and existing mental and physical health programs for local communities was consistently described as “the first priority” in federal, state, and Kent County’s plans for spending ARPA funds. As part of its application process, GRAAHI presented plans to expand our services and impact in these areas. Specifically:

Expanding and enhancing mental health navigation services for Kent County’s BIPOC residents.
1. PROGRAM GOAL/Impact: At least 500 African American residents of Kent County whose mental health needs have developed or been exacerbated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be connected annually to mental health services to regain their optimal level of physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning during the 4-year project period.

Expanding and enhancing the representation of BIPOC professionals in Kent County’s healthcare workforce.
1. PROGRAM GOAL/Impact: Increase representation of African American and Latinx individuals in the Kent County healthcare workforce by engaging an additional 200-300 students annually from 2023-2026.

Launching a maternal and infant health community navigation program to serve BIPOC individuals and families in Kent County at high risk of disparate pregnancy outcomes.
1. PROGRAM GOAL/Impact: Significantly reduce the high and disparate rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity from all causes in Kent County’s BIPOC communities.

Expanding and enhancing the Restoring Health program that serves senior citizens in Kent County whose health deteriorated as a result of the social isolation and medical experiences they endured during the COVID-19 epidemic.
1. PROGRAM GOAL/Impact: To serve 300 or more BIPOC adults 65 and older in Kent County each year who were adversely impacted by COVID-19 and/or whose health and wellbeing are now deteriorating or are at risk of deteriorating as a result of chronic conditions, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and/or social isolation.

Organizing and directing county-wide blood drives with a focus on sickle cell patients.
1. PROGRAM GOAL/Impact: Expand our outreach to over 100 repeat blood donors in Kent County annually, each donating four times per year, resulting in over 1200 lives saved.

“This grant is both an investment in our community’s future health and a validation of the past work by GRAAHI over the past 20 years,” said Paul Doyle, GRAAHI Board Chair. “Since being established in 2002, GRAAHI has worked to improve access to healthcare for marginalized populations, provided health services to uninsured residents and improved the overall wellness of Black and Brown populations in the greater Grand Rapids area. This grant validates our work and sets the foundation for an even greater impact in the coming years.”

Recently our CEO, Vanessa Greene, spoke with Shelley Irwin at WGVU. Listen here.

It’s Time To Champion Better Healthcare For African-American Seniors

November 24, 2022 by Barbara Lash

Written by Aileen Hope, for The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute

The U.S. healthcare system has had a long, rocky reputation, and across the different demographics older Americans have it the worst. The Conversation notes 11 million older adults are struggling to make ends meet, and skip much needed healthcare as a result.

The numbers are worse for older people of color, and the national disparity between Black and white economic insecurity is 17 percentage points. The inaccessibility of healthcare is thus shown to disproportionately impact people of color and other marginalized groups.

Let’s take a closer look at what this means for African-American seniors.

A look through the medical facts

Statistics show that African-Americans bear the brunt of these healthcare challenges. This was further exposed under the recent Covid-19 pandemic wherein the NCBA highlights 37% of Covid-19 hospitalizations in 2020 and 2021 were older Black adults. This is despite the population comprising only 9% of the 65-and-older demographic.

Furthermore, the death rate from Covid-19 for older Black adults was more than twice the rate of older white adults. This is a recurring pattern that has occurred throughout history — African-American adults are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, are 30% more likely to die from heart disease, and also 50% more likely to have a stroke.

The crucial factors

Experts have thus confirmed the pervasiveness of underlying health conditions within the African American community. In particular, gaps in wealth limit their access to the commercialized healthcare system.

Maryville University suggests that senior poverty has the potential to get even worse in the future. The median net worth of U.S. white families is nearly eight times greater than that of Black families. Social security benefits are based on the person’s earnings and are thus also lower on average for people of color, with the typical older Black family receiving annual benefits about 24% lower.

Acquiring a high-paying job and overcoming poverty is easier said than done, too. While we’ve come far since the 13th Amendment, African-American communities continue to lack access to the high-quality education that prepares young people for well-paying careers. They are also less likely to own a home and other assets, which reduces their ability to build wealth.

Seniors bear the biggest brunt of these effects, having survived their youth in a community that had even less access to wealth than it does today. This further puts people of color at disadvantages that can extend throughout their lifetime and pass onto future generations.

What can be done

As society progresses, means to help everyone build financial security for retirement have been developed. However, progression can go two ways, for the better or worse.

A critical program in the history of healthcare for people of color is the ACA or the Affordable Care Act. This allowed states to expand eligibility for Medicaid to everyone below 138 percent of the FPL, and from 2013 to 2019, the coverage gap between Black and white adults dropped by 4.6 percentage points.

In 2016, though, national progress stalled under the Trump administration and coverage eroded for all groups. This goes to show that systemic change is the key. This includes investing in public education, ensuring fair access to stable employment, and promoting financial literacy.

Government assistance programs such as SNAP benefits for food and housing subsidies, and the foundations of a secure retirement, Medicare and Social Security, must be improved as well. On the other hand, organizations or foundations can also do their part by making sure health programs consider African-American seniors’ specific needs and health conditions. Individuals can join the call and spread awareness in their own capacity, too.

As seen by ACA in 2016, the movement towards better healthcare for African-American seniors will naturally be inclusive of other demographics. It is thereby key that we collectively champion the rights of our seniors and African-American communities, in order to improve the lives of all.

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)

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.

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/

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

March into a Healthier You — Get Screened for Colon Cancer

March 21, 2022 by Barbara Lash

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

6 Notable Quotes From Chadwick Boseman’s Howard 2018 Commencement Speech

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

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

What to Know About Binge Drinking

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021 by Barbara Lash

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 group: Do 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