February Newsletter

Community News Newsletters February 9, 2021

February Newsletter

Black History Month

Every February in the United States is Black History Month. It is a month in which we, as a country, celebrate the achievements made by African Americans. The origins of Black History Month began in 1915, approximately 50 years after the abolition of slavery in the United States. In September of that year, Carter G. Woodson and a minister named Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which is now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. In 1926, this Association sponsored a History week during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Soon after, schools and organizations around the country joined along in putting together celebrations and established clubs.

Each year there is a different theme for Black History Month. This year, the theme is entitled “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” exploring the diaspora of Black families throughout the nation.

Source:https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

Health Disparities

Here at EndsideOut we work hard to decrease health disparities in the communities we serve. Health disparities are preventable issues that when addressed results in a healthier community for everyone. Even though there are many disparities, we know that by eating healthy and staying physically fit we can reduce a lot of the problems our communities face. We would like to focus on
food insecurity, heart disease/hypertension, mental health, and COVID-19.

Food Insecurity

Food security has become more difficult with the pandemic. With some kids getting less guaranteed meals because schools are not in person and the difficulty to afford more groceries due to everyone being home food insecurity has grown. In the Baltimore area initiatives like the Baltimore Hunger Project and Baltimarket are working to make sure Baltimore has access to food. You can check out any of these resources for food pantry information and access to food donations.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one related cause of death in the United States and it disproportionately affects communities of color. Some of the most common conditions include hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. All of these diseases can either be prevented or managed by eating healthy and staying active. Taking the time to talk with family to know which of these runs in your family and talking to a medical provider can make a huge difference on how heart disease can affect you in the long run for a longer and healthier life.

Mental Health

In our January newsletter, we discussed the importance of mental health and you can check it out on our website. The main reason why mental health is a disparity is because of stigma or shame. It is very difficult to fight an illness that you can’t see or easily found with a few tests. Disorders like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and more are more serious but that doesn’t mean that we all don’t periodically have declines in our mental health. An example of this is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which happens in the winter months. If you have questions about mental health and treatment call the SAMHSA hotline at 1-800-622-HELP (4357).

COVID-19

“Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. The term “racial and ethnic minority groups” includes people of color with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. But some experiences are common to many people within these groups, and social determinants of health have historically prevented them from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health. There is increasing evidence that some racial and ethnic minority groups are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Inequities in the social determinants of health, such as poverty and healthcare access, affecting these groups are interrelated and influence a wide range of health and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. To achieve health equity, barriers must be removed so that everyone has a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic may change some of the ways we connect and support each other. As individuals and communities respond to COVID-19 recommendations and circumstances (e.g., school closures, workplace closures, social distancing), there are often unintended negative impacts on emotional well-being such as loss of social connectedness and support. Shared faith, family, and cultural bonds are common sources of social support. Finding ways to maintain support and connection, even when physically apart, can empower and encourage individuals and communities to protect themselves, care for those who become sick, keep kids healthy, and better cope with stress.

Community- and faith-based organizations, employers, healthcare systems and providers, public health agencies, policy makers, and others all have a part in helping to promote fair access to health. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must work together to ensure that people have resources to maintain and manage their physical and mental health, including easy access to information, affordable testing, and medical and mental health care. We need programs and practices that fit the communities where racial and minority groups live, learn, work, play, and worship.”

Sources:
Baltimore Hunger Project – About Food Insecurity
Baltimore City – Food Access
CDC – Heart Disease Spotlight
SAMHSA
CDC – Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups

Children ‘s Dental Health Month

The month of February is Children’s Dental Health Month. Click the link below to read more about dental health from Children’s Dental Health!

Cli ck here to read more!

Books for Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Lauren Numeroff
Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney
Love from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt
Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day is Cool by James Dean
Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright
I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi
What the World Needs Now is Love by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
When an Elephant Falls in Love by Davide Cali

Books for Black History Month

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed