Here are resources healthcare providers and patients can use to expand public knowledge and improve the health and wellness of Blacks and African Americans – during Black History Month and beyond.

<h2> Black History Month, February 2022</h2>

<p><strong>Black Health and Wellness</strong> is the theme for Black History Month 2022. The resources below, from five leading organizations whose missions are aligned with this year&rsquo;s theme, can help providers explore and expand public knowledge of the many factors which affect Black health and wellness &ndash; during Black History Month and beyond.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/" target="_blank">Association for the Study of African American Life and History</a> (ASALH) outlines several facets this year&rsquo;s Black Health and Wellness theme encompasses:</p>

<ul>
	<li>The legacy of Black scholars, medical practitioners, birthworkers, naturopaths, herbalists, etc. throughout the Western world and the African Diaspora</li>
	<li>Activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have engaged in to pursue health and wellness</li>
	<li>Self-determination, mutual aid and social support initiatives to build hospitals, medical and nursing schools and community clinics</li>
	<li>Economic and health disparities and discrimination found at mainstream institutions, which have become increasingly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic</li>
	<li>Public and community health and health informatics, which have led to a rise in preventive care and a focus on body positivity, physical exercise, nutrition, exploring other dietary options such as veganism and vegetarianism, and gardening</li>
	<li>The physical, emotional and mental health of Black Americans</li>
	<li>Activism and education around Black health and wellness</li>
</ul>

<h2> Black Health and Wellness Resources</h2>

<h3> African American Wellness Project</h3>

<p>The <a href="file:///C:/Users/ashultis/Downloads/AAWP%20Delivers%20%20—%20Health%20Information%20You%20Can%20Trust" target="_blank"><strong>African American Wellness Project</strong></a> (AAWP) is designed to empower African Americans to improve health outcomes and promote wellness. Their mission is &ldquo;to improve the health of the African-American community by serving as a megaphone for trusted information that enables and encourages African Americans to better navigate the healthcare system, advocate for themselves, and receive improved care, regardless of insurance or circumstances.&rdquo; The AAWP website features a health knowledge database and symptom checker to help patients prepare for doctor&rsquo;s appointments, make their own healthcare decisions and manage their own health information. The site also has links to AAWP podcasts, videos, PSA campaigns, news, newsletters and blogs. AAWP is focused on eliminating disparities, providing culturally relevant health information and tools to get the best quality healthcare, promoting community wellness, expanding reproductive freedoms and providing health education programs.</p>

<h3> Black Women&rsquo;s Health Imperative</h3>

<p><a href="https://bwhi.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Black Women&rsquo;s Health Imperative</strong></a> (BWHI) leads efforts in achieving optimal health and well-being for all Black women and girls. BWHI&rsquo;s mission is &ldquo;to target the most pressing health issues that affect Black women and girls in the U.S. through investments in evidence-based strategies, bold programs and advocacy outreach on health policies.&rdquo; Their website offers information on type 2 diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer, HIV, infant mortality and more. Their college advocacy group, My Sister&rsquo;s Keeper, focuses on building leaders who will support healthy choices for women on campus and in the community. Other BWHI initiatives address workplace equity, affordable healthcare, policy development, diversity in clinical research, coaching and education and financial support for HBCUs.</p>

<h3> Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective</h3>

<p><a href="https://beam.community/about/" target="_blank"><strong>Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective</strong></a> (BEAM) offers a unique approach to healing, liberation and wellness of Black and marginalized communities. BEAM&rsquo;s mission is &ldquo;to remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing through education, training, advocacy, and the creative arts.&rdquo; They are focused on holistic healing of generational trauma, and they pursue this through addressing racism, homophobia, transphobia, reproductive justice, economic reform, and HIV/AIDs; encouraging a personal toolbox for wellness; creating community-based systems of care; and building upon community traditions. BEAM&rsquo;s programs include Black Healing Remixed on mental health and healing, Black Masculinity Reimagined on mental health and community violence, Heart Space online support group for individuals, North Star support group for mental health professionals, and Blake&rsquo;s Place support group for transgender, genderqueer, and intersex individuals.</p>

<h4 style="color: #475189;font-weight: 600;font-size: 16px;"> Black Healthcare &amp; Medical Association </h4>

<p><a href="https://www.bhmassociation.org/what-we-do" target="_blank"><strong>Black Healthcare &amp; Medical Association</strong></a> (BHMA) is an international non-profit organization for Black and African-American healthcare and life science professionals. Their mission is &ldquo;to promote deeper and broader professional contact, communication, and resource exchange among Blacks and African-Americans in the healthcare ecosystem, including executives, entrepreneurs, investors, payers, academics, physicians, researchers, scientists, policymakers, and service professionals.&rdquo; BHMA advocates through gaining information and insights in life science trends and R&amp;D issues, accessing talent within the life science field, networking with government, NGO, and academic leaders, and developing expertise in health equity. Efforts are aimed at providing better care for diverse populations, understanding relationships between at-risk populations and costs, strengthening workplace diversity and more. BHMA organizes workshops, educational events, research, recruitment and webinars to promote equity in healthcare.</p>

<h3> National Black Nurses Association</h3>

<p><a href="https://www.nbna.org/" target="_blank">National Black Nurses Association</a> (NBNA) is a professional organization established in 1971 and comprised of over 200,000 African American nurses, nursing student, and retired nurses. Their mission is &ldquo;to provide a forum for collective action by African American nurses to represent and provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color.&rdquo; NBNA is focused on acting as patient advocates, institutional change agents, policy advocates, collaborators and researchers. Their initiatives focus on smoking cessation, heart health, premature infants, youth institutes, global health, diversity, mental health and wellness, vaccination, and preventing obesity and diabetes. Resources on their site include research fact sheets, webinars, conferences, career opportunities, publications, videos, awards and more.</p>


5 Valuable Resources to Advance Black Health and Wellness