Down in the District

Bittersweet Treats

2011-03-28T19:06:00.004-04:00

Today, I witnessed first-hand what misinformation and a stubborn attitude can do to positive change: kill it. GWU's Young America Foundation (YAF), and the College Republicans (CR), hosted an Affirmative Action Bake Sale on Kogan Plaza this afternoon. The trend is spreading nationwide. For at least the past two years, conservative organziations on college campuses from the University of Florida to Purdue University have hosted these "fundraisers" charging students of ethnic or racial minorities lower prices for baked goods, while white students pay full price. At today's bake sale, "Asians" were charged the highest, at $1.25 per baked good. There was also a "Human Price", apparently the sponsoring organizations' attempt to equalize the playing field, and symbolize what they were aiming to preach- "equal opportunity for all irregardless [sic] of race" as one student said. Strangely enough, the Human Price was the same as what white students had to pay, so their attempt to appease those in disagreement fell a few steps short of effective.

The 40+ degree weather chilled the fingertips of members from the NAACP, Black Student Union and Voice Gospel Choir; thier hands ached as they handed out fliers to passers-by, and the bake sale's sponsoring organizations, inviting them to a panel discussion on Affirmative Action this evening at the Multicultural Student Services Center. Sally Nuamah, BSU co-President, said their main objective was to engage in conversation through an "educational protest." When informed by Student Activities that CR and YAF could not be prevented from hosting the bake sale, and despite a last-minute reschedule from last week's bake sale, Sally and other black student organization officers gathered together to figure out how they would respond. "Their clear intention is to spread ignorance," Sally said. They decided to invite the CRs and YAF to the panel because "our main issue is that they are not giving a complete definition of Affirmative Action."

(left to right) Arielle Ford, Freshman- member of BSU, ACE Magazine, and Voice Gospel Choir; Marcus Hendricks, Senior, member of Voice Gospel Choir; Tori Guy, Freshman, member of BSU; Dominique Bozeman, Second Vice-President NAACP

The Young Americans and College Republicans engaged in lively debates with the protesting students, and insisted that affirmative action is racist. In a perfect world, the Magic School Bus would have appeared right ~~in front~~ on top of the table, and Ms. Frizzle would read her copy of Executive Order 10925, clearing up the common misconception that employers and admissions directors are instructed to select applicants based on meeting race quotas. President Kennedy wrote the order to promote equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin (later added by subsequent Presidents were age, religion, color, and various other elements of discrimination). A few students I spoke with were displeased with what the College Republicans and YAF accomplished. Aleks Marciniak, a junior majoring in Russian, said she has friends who were very upset about the bake sale taking place, and she wished they did something else than this "very simplified version" of explaining affirmative action. CR and YAF explained to her, and any one who would listen that it is affirmative action that creates resentment among students who are not given preferential treatment. But, Gina Bochis, a junior Human Services major, said
she came to the event to see what they had to say and learn more about Affirmative Action, but if anything, the bake sale itself created more division among students.

It was frustrating to have a discussion with folks who were unwilling to hear the rationale behind this policy they so vehemently despise. Michael Tapscott, director of the Multicultural Student Services Center, commended all the protesting students on their dedication to the cause, and despite some pleas to shut the event down completely, he reminded us that "one of the most important things you do in this period of your life, is argue for what you believe in." Arguments like "my Italian ancestors made their way in this country without affirmative ation, so why should a black kid who has worst test scores get into a university over a white kid who worked hard to get there?" were thrown out in raised voices, and were mostly met with blank stares. I'll be pleasantly surprised if any of the YAFs or CR show up to the panel discussion- all of them turned down the invitations extended this afternoon. Stay tuned.

This Week: Waves of Change

2011-03-15T05:16:00.000-04:00

The Washington Post sends Breaking News reports to my cellphone all day long. These reports, Express coupons, bank balances, and AlertDC traffic updates crowd the Yahoo! inbox I've demoted to "important slash annoying emails" status. Last Friday, when I got an alert that Japan suffered an 8.9-magnitude earthquake, and was then struck by a 13-foot tsunami, I shook my head, called His name and put my phone down. Admittedly, ever since Hurricane Katrina, I tend to feel a here-we-go-again feeling every time a natural disaster occurs. I've been desensitized by this incessant email feature, making lives lost seem as unimportant as a quick glance at a cell phone. But, when I saw these pictures, I was brought hurtling back to reality.

My mind was bewildered and full of questions: "Seriously, where is all of that water going to go? Who is going to rebuild all these houses? How are the kids supposed to go to school, what if someone is somewhere having a baby, when are the funerals, what are people eating, where are the doctors...what are they going to do?"

I wish, more than anything, that I had an answer to these questions. I wish I could do more than send a text messaged donation, because what is my measly contribution going to do for a little girl who saw her house, engulfed in flames, swept away by the ocean. When disasters strike, I don't think about it being the end of days. Why think of the end and waste moments that could be the beginning of recuperation? Now, with the threat of nuclear plant disaster, there are brand new problems to solve, amplifying the already unbearable waves of destruction.

Do something. Do anything but sit there and ignore what's happening. The end is not here, and if you're up reading this, it's not near either. You have an opportunity, right now, to make a difference.

Ways to help:
1. Pray. Think nice thoughts. Wish for good things to happen. Spread good karma. Whatever you choose to call it, send some positive vibes Japan's way.
2. Pay. Because money makes the world go round, even though the earthquake shifted the earth's axis.
--UNICEF
--Mercy Corps
--AmeriCares
--Save The Children
Or check Google for even more organizations who are accepting donations.

I know Mother Nature's been busy the past few years, but it's imperative that we treat every situation urgently. Don't become jaded by those convenient reminders that turn news into nuisances. Don't allow (in)famous actors to steal the spotlight from the true stars of the show- our fellow world citizens who are desperately in need of our immediate and heartfelt attention.

*Thanks to http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan/100022/ for the photos. View more photos by following that link.*

This Week: U-N-I-T-Y!

2011-03-06T07:55:00.000-05:00

Readers, I'm so excited to introduce BPHSN's faculty advisor, Karen Pomerantz, as our guest blogger for This Week. I hope you enjoy the post and are encouraged to become an an advocate for public health across the world, or right here in our own backyard.

From North Africa to the Midwest, conditions for working people are getting worse. In Congress and state legislatures, Republicans and Democrats have cut funding for housing subsidies, HIV medication programs (ADAP), energy subsidies for the poor, literacy training (Even Start), child care, and education while spending billions to fight wars and prop up dictators.

Yet, people are not taking this lying down! Students have shut down the University of Puerto Rico to oppose new fees, and workers have occupied the state house in Wisconsin to protest union busting. Meanwhile, 10s of 1000s of people in Africa, Iraq and the Middle East have demanded civil liberties, basic services, and jobs.

Why should we care? As public health students, we know that decent living conditions, such as well paid jobs, employment security, access to higher education, paid sick leave, influence our health and health care. As employers push down wages and benefits for higher paid workers and slash the safety net, it will be harder for us to enable healthy choices and policies.

We also have a very personal stake. Most students pay exorbitant tuition rates and leave the University with a burden of debt. We need jobs and economic security for our own well-being as well as for the public. For decades, unions set the standard for union and non-union jobs. But when union workers are forced to take a cut, all working people in the community see their wages, benefits, and working conditions deteriorate. Employers no longer have to compete for workers by offering better jobs.

Therefore, it is in our interest to support labor actions that demand better – and we don’t have to travel to Wisconsin or Ohio. Right here in DC are 2 hot labor struggles we can support.

Washington Hospital Center nurses: The nurses walked off their jobs on a 1-day strike on Friday, March 4 to protest pay cuts in night and weekend shifts and dangerous staffing levels. Nurses on the picket line described how the Hospital is trying to push out experienced nurses so they can hire new ones with less pay. The Hospital threatened to cancel clinical practicums if a nursing school didn’t provide scabs for the strikers! For now, the Hospital has locked out the workers til Wednesday, March 9. You can join them on their picket lines during this time – let them know public health supports nurses!

Metro workers: Members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689, 7,000+ Metro workers, have been working under an expired contract since 2008. In 2010, binding arbitration resulted in a contract that increased workers' payments for their health insurance, eliminated retirement health benefits for new hires, and froze wages for the first year of the contract.

Nevertheless, the union agreed to abide by this contract because it included retroactive 3% pay increases per year – bare minimum cost of living increases, which they haven't had since 2007. Now the court has ruled that Metro workers can’t even receive this small pay increase unless they prove the company can afford it!

Metro's work force is predominantly African American, meaning that cuts to wages and benefits have a racist effect, hitting black families in our area the hardest. This group is already disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, the housing crisis, and cuts and layoffs in public schools. Metro management also continues systemic racism by cutting bus lines and service east of the river, and threatening to cut late night train service – just when workers in food service, health care, and other service jobs end their shifts.

Workers and riders alike suffer from overcrowded trains and buses, broken escalators, and faulty switches. Metro operators and engineers are responsible for the safety of their co-workers and hundreds of riders every day. We cannot protect their health and safety – or our own – by increasing their stress and workload, or blaming the people with the least authority every time a malfunction makes the news.

Metro workers' wages and benefits help support the entire local economy, especially low-income families. A minimum wage worker at Walmart, for instance, may depend on their spouse's health insurance from Metro to cover health costs that would otherwise bankrupt the family.

Developers flock to the area around Metro stations because they know they'll make a profit there. The federal government and businesses like the Verizon Center, Whole Foods, Target, and countless others depend on the Metro system. If the DC government can afford to offer millions in tax breaks to developers, and the federal government can afford to spend millions every day in Iraq and Afghanistan, surely enough resources exist to fund the Metro system safely and fairly.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

- Celebrate International Women’s Month by supporting the nurses. Join the nurses’ picket lines at 1^st and Irving St. NW til March 9^th and check back for updates.

- Rally with Metro workers outside Metro headquarters at the JACKSON GRAHAM BUILDING, 600 5th St, NW (Judiciary Square) on March 10, 8:30am – 12pm to demand that Metro fulfill its contract obligations. Contact movingforward689@yahoo.com for information.

- Circulate this article. Talk to your own union, co-workers, student groups, church, and community organizations. Invite Metro workers to speak with your group about what they experience on the job. Share with them your ideas and experiences. Metro workers will meet with public health and GWU students in early April. Stay tuned.

- Be critical of media coverage of Metro and the Washington Hospital Center. Discuss why accidents are part of a systemic failure, not the shortcomings of individual workers. Think about who benefits by cutting wages and busting unions. What are the public health implications?

This Week: With liberty, justice, (and Plan B) for all

2011-02-20T16:31:00.000-05:00

By now, many of you probably heard the news. On Friday, President Obama approved Secretary Sebelius’ partial annulment and revamp of the regulations regarding health professionals’ ability to refuse medical treatment on religious or moral grounds. The treatments in dispute are those of frequent controversy in our country: contraception, abortion, general family planning treatment and HIV/AIDS treatment for homosexual patients. Back in 2005, pharmacists and untreated patients were up in arms over the morning-after pill. As a 2005 WaPo article reported, there were countless pharmacists who refused to dispense Plan B even to married couples, because it violated their religious or moral beliefs. On the other side, were women who wanted to medically and safely stop a pregnancy they had not planned or were unprepared for. Like Kathleen Pulz, who requested Plan B after realizing the condom broke during intercourse with her husband, countless women had to go from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to obtain the medicine, or at least a referral for a medicine they were old enough and responsible enough to use.

For the purposes of this discussion, let’s leave out those women who rely on Plan B as their main pregnancy prevention. That irresponsibility most definitely weakens the arguments of those who truly need help to be available at all times. At issue are those responsible individuals who have every right to family planning treatment, those who need HIV/AIDS treatment regardless of their sexual orientation, and the healthcare workers who abuse their power and impose an ethics lesson instead of providing medical treatment.

Opponents to the legislation, like Republican Rep. Joe Pitts who is also a major adversary of the Affordable Care Act, argue that there will be more attacks on the conscience of medical workers. Jonathan Imbody, VP for government relations for Christian Medical Society is worried that health professionals can be fired on discriminatory grounds by those who do not support life-affirming health care. And to them, I say- duh! No, it’s never ok to fire someone strictly on the basis of what, or in whom, they believe. But, it’s also never ok to refuse to perform in-vitro fertilization for a woman because her life partner is a woman and not a man. So what will level ensure fair and equal opportunity to treatment, unless physicians and nurses are made to do their job regardless of whether they agree with their patient’s lifestyle or not? If an accused murder is brought into a hospital with a knife in his chest, it is a doctor’s obligation to save his life. The woman holding the scalpel must do what her medical degree and white coat ensure she can do; whether or not the murderer is dealt justice can be decided by a court of law, or God himself.

In the new bill, the provisions that protect from prosecution recipients of federal funding who refuse to use those monies to perform abortions or sterilizations were not removed. Also protected are internship or residency applicants who refuse to perform or participate in abortions or sterilizations. No entity that receives government funding is allowed to deny an applicant on these grounds. The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services is still responsible for receiving complaints of discrimination or coercion rooted in the conscience protection statutes.

In less than 30 days, when the bill becomes law, hopefully we see a shift toward more equality in the treatment of all patients, regardless of their race, gender, creed, religion, or sexual orientation. Wouldn’t you argue that it’s quite hypocritical for someone with such high moral character to refuse to use their talents as a medical professional to help someone in need? It’s hard to play the neutral party in this one, when so many people need an advocate for justice.

So, what say you?

View the regulations here.

This Week: The Kids Aren't Alright

2011-02-12T01:03:00.001-05:00

The epidemic of childhood obesity hit this nation like an over-capacity elevator hits the floor. At their age, school children should not be expected to know enough or have the maturity to make choices that will most benefit their health. Without prompting, some adults may not be able to make those choices, either. Since most Americans 16 and under spend the majority of their daylight hours in and around a classroom, it only makes sense to incorporate healthy behaviors into their daily school regimen.

The Virginia House of Delegates took a running start in the right direction with their new bill. If signed into law, by 2014, there will be a mandatory 150 minutes per week of physical education in all Virginia public elementary and middle schools. I’m not by any means a full-fledged grown-up, but the world of difference I see makes me feel like it was lifetimes ago that my mother had to force me to come inside from our street hockey games. Now the flick of a wrist is made with a virtual hockey stick, from the comfort of the family room. The way I grew up, kids didn’t have choices. Those who knew better, taught us to do better. I hope we realize that someone has to come up with a solution and actually do something about, instead of just talking about, childhood obesity. We can’t watch documentaries and talk shows and pity “those people”, when those people are growing (in size and quantity) every day. Airlines offended us when they made overweight individuals pay for more than one seat on a flight. We watch, from our couches no less, with amusement as our fellow Americans vie to be the biggest loser. Virginia took matters into its own hands when television shows and airline fines did not do the trick. As Americans, we are probably most sensitive about people telling us how to raise our kids. Well, 31% of Virginian 10-17 year olds obese or overweight is not anything to brag about. As Delegate James M. Scott said, “parents need a little help.” So, why not change the status quo?

The opposing team is mostly comprised of school officials who are worried about what the cost of these new mandates will do to already shrinking school budgets. If kids’ waistlines aren’t shrinking, there really is no argument to be made. When mortality from diabetes and heart disease is not shrinking, there is no argument to be made. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a lofty paycheck to supervise a game of basketball, as substitute teachers do it in the place of “PE Coaches” every day. It may sound to some like big government infringing on our personal freedoms. To others, it may be the sound of fewer nickels rubbing together in their pockets. But, to me, 150 minutes a week of sweaty 6^th graders’ sneakers wearing out a gymnasium floor sounds like a healthier nation. Game on!

This Week: The State of the (Dis)Union

2011-02-07T01:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Black History Month, everyone. Another year, another 3rd grade class memorizing the "I Have a Dream" speech. The Super Bowl this weekend will be sure to feature ads about the American spirit, supporting our troops, and of course a stellar national anthem before kickoff. This is one of those days of the year when all Americans come together to do what we do best- eat and cheer for our team! Like the fabric of the Super Bowl team uniforms, our nation is comprised of every shade from black and white to yellow and green.

The theme of the George Washington University's 2011 Black History Month celebration is Marked, and is supposed to serve as a springboard for discussion about all of the different ways in which black Americans have been marked and "how they're still signaled [sic] out today". Our markings come from an incomplete portray by the media of what it means to be African-American. Even the first edition of the highly celebrated CNN Black in America special showed more of the desolation and desperation that black Americans face in the country, than it did of the triumphs and achievements. In a public health setting, black Americans are often marked by statistics showing immense disparity between us and every other race represented in this nation. From HIV/AIDS prevalence to low birth weight, black Americans consistently come out in last place.

Labels and markings have also spurred disagreement within the black community itself. Forgetting for a moment that there is strength in numbers, we pit good hair against nappy hair, light skin over dark skin, and even immigrant blacks over African-Americans. Is there a need for one group to assimilate entirely just because our ancestral origin is the same? Absolutely not. We know that collard greens and calaloo may come from the same plant, but taste entirely different. The African diaspora is the same way. Our roots are the same, but we've sprouted into individually thriving and uniquely beautiful plants. The most important thing that we have in common is that we call the United States home. So, different as we may be, that fabric would be weaker without the thread that each and every one of us contributes.

Simply blaming "the media" for an inaccurate portrayl or ignorant perspective is not enough. We will make no changes by pointing fingers or waving white flags. Opening up the floor for discussion is a great start. Even in a recent BPHSN meeting, the topic was raised about how to have these real conversations with individuals who may have never been exposed to anything or anyone outside of their comfort zone. In the classroom, the library or student lounge, there are opportunities for globilization even among those with whom we share a building every day. Further, we should feel free to speak candidly about what it is that makes us different, and how our individual contributions have strengthened the nation as a whole. That, I believe, is really what Black History Month is all about. Learning our history, reciting speeches and singing the Negro National Anthem are all ways in which we can honor and celebrate our past. Moving forward, we must all individually contribute to building understanding so that our future is just as rich. The work we have to do is what our kids will learn about and reenact during their Black History Month celebrations. Let us have patience to teach others about where we've come from, where we are, and then show them where we are going.

This Week: Help is a Phone Call Away

2011-01-29T01:25:00.000-05:00

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." - e.e. cummings

We often associate youth with a healthy appetite for life. In these moments, which we’ll eventually refer to as the good ol’ days, we have an unwavering devotion to not only having fun, but ambitiously pursuing our goals. While these characteristics can often lead to a fulfilling 80+ years on Earth, the pressure of maintaining a social life and thriving career is often a major source of stress, which can easily lead to depression. While we know “everyone’s dealing with it”, sometimes that reassurance is not enough to quell the feelings of being overwhelmed. In 2007, both the CDC and the National Institute of Mental Health cited depression as a major risk factor for suicide, particularly among young Black males. 2008 studies showed that rates had again started to rise, when the previous level of stability was reached in 2003 after a sharp increase in the '80s and '90s. In 2008, you may have heard about a 19-year old named Abraham Biggs, who committed suicide by overdosing while a populated chat room watched via webcam. You would think that as students, (as individuals between ages 15-24 usually are) who have access to free or discounted health care services on campus, we would have no problem combating depression and other mental illnesses. Suicide rates should be low among our age-group, because we have such ease of access to care, right?

Wrong. The stigma associated with mental illness sometimes causes an even bigger barrier to healing than does access to care. The African-American community has an especially negative outlook on mental illness, which could spur from a number of different cultural influences. Dr. Annelle Primm, deputy Medical Director for the American Psychiatric Association, once cited the religious and spiritual center among many African-American families as a barrier to acceptance of mental illness. There is an association of an inability to deal with depression and sadness with a lack of faith. A large challenge for Black males is a heavy emphasis on masculinity; with the struggles that African-Americans face on a day-to-day basis as a minority population, Black men often serve as the impervious guard for the community. Seeking counseling is often seen as a sign of weakness.

By 2008, rates of completed suicides were still higher among males, while suicide attempts were more common among females. Whites and blacks leveled out in the rate of suicide among males. I found no CDC or other major health institution reports on suicide more current than 2008. A lack of current literature on the topic may mean that the rates of suicide have leveled off or begun to decrease, as another increase would likely spur more research into the issue. I still consider it highly important, however, to continue to market that mental health counseling is nothing to be ashamed about. The CDC recommends using this website to search for inpatient and outpatient mental health counseling. Growing up is hard enough- if you or someone you know need to, seek help so you can continue to pursue your dreams, and live a happy and healthy life. There's a lot to look forward to, and we'll be looking back on the good ol’ days soon enough.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

NBC4 Annual Health Fair

2011-01-22T22:10:00.001-05:00

The Washington Convention Center was jam-packed last weekend for the 18th annual NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo. I paid a visit to the event and got to speak with BPHSN President Chi Chi Anyanwu about her experience. I was pleased to see a huge turn out from the community. The line for free HIV screenings spilled into aisles between participant booths, and the dance floor was packed as visitors exercised to music played by Majic102.3.

The annual event usually offers DMV residents an opportunity to get valuable health information, donate blood, and learn more about improving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There were a wide range of activities, including a blood donation center, a table providing information on Alzheimer's, and even a teeth whitening booth, just to name a few. There were also a number of seminars and interactive workshops for community members to improve their efficacy at various health behaviors. Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn was demonstrating how to make pizza at home, as I made my way to the exit.

Chi Chi, who worked the table for a non-profit org named WomenHeart said, "it was a tiring, but fun experience. It was great to be able to see our volunteers in action and educating women on the importance of protecting their heart health. We reached over 1000 ladies that weekend. It was amazing!"

BPHSN Volunteers on MLK Day 2011

2011-01-22T21:14:00.001-05:00

Usually, MLK Day revolves around three very important things: remembering the man and honoring his legacy, actively engaging in and improving our community, and of course, no school! This year, BPHSN took advantage of their day off to accomplish the two most important traditions, by volunteering at the New Community for Children, located on Rhode Island Avenue and 6th St. NW.

The event was organized by Greater DC Cares, the largest coordinator of volunteerism in the region. Every year, the more than 750 non-profits and over 24,000 volunteers participate in various service initiatives in and around the District. BPHSN joined the ranks on Monday, January 17 to help re-paint the children's community center. After clearing out the space, the DC Cares and BPHSN volunteers livened up the walls with fresh coats of bright-colored paint.

Before any sprucing up began, the event coordinator spoke briefly to the volunteers. He encouraged them to "temper power with love." The volunteers all seemed to echo those sentiments through action, as they worked tirelessly into the afternoon, despite the cold weather and occasional splashing paint.

BPHSN took the time on Monday to answer what Dr. King once posed as life's most urgent question: what are you doing for others? Once that was taken care of, all that was left to ask was...where's lunch?!

For more pictures, and info on BPHSN events, visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=12450053382

This Week: Can't We All Just Get Along?

2011-01-22T01:40:00.004-05:00

Many of you saw a vote for repeal, and resurgence of Republican opposition for the Affordable Care Act coming. However, you might have missed the shoes, bricks, and foul language thrown at both Republican and Democratic legislators who support health care reform. In 2010, just after the bill passed, a brick was thrown into a Niagara Falls representative’s office, and another shattered a window in the Democratic party headquarters in Rochester, NY. Last March, a Tucson-based Democratic representative’s office window was destroyed only hours after she voted in favor of the bill. Now, Gabrielle Gifford is in Houston, about to begin rehabilitation after surviving a gunshot wound to the head on January 8th.

It’s unfortunate to hear these stories, especially when they're juxtaposed with stories about those who this reform benefits. For example, pre-term infants born with chronic lung disease are currently guaranteed insurance because companies are unable to deny coverage due to a “pre-existing condition.” Medicare recipients, like Paul Horne who received a $250 rebate check to help cover his prescriptions once the bill passed, are desperate for someone to keep fighting for the Affordable Care Act. Democrats posit that mandating health insurance for all Americans will ultimately save the government money and reduce the deficit. Republicans argue that these conclusions were drawn from false financial reports from the Congressional Budget Office, and that the bill will ultimately put America in more debt.

Regardless of which side of the aisle you’re pulling for in this debate, remember to also root for civility, compassion and, especially, for common sense. Rhetoric has been toned down, even if only slightly, for the sake of progress.

This time around, we can only hope that the vandalism and threats are kept at a minimum. The real fight needs to exist within the confines of the Capitol building, with lawmakers using only their pens, Pages, and valid arguments as weaponry.

For more information on what the Affordable Care Act means to you, visit www.healthcare.gov. Read the facts, pick a side...in that order!

This Week: "...It's Who You Know"

2011-01-15T18:29:00.002-05:00

January 2011 marks the 10th annual National Mentoring Month, so proclaimed by President Obama just before Christmas last year. Studies* show that both one-on-one and academically-centered mentoring increase college attendance and retention, knowledge of career opportunities, and mentees' self-esteem.

I spoke with Dorothea Parker, the program director for D.C.'s Child Family Life Services (CFLS) Volunteer Mentor Partnership. Mentors are paired with foster youth aged 6-21 years of age, and are committed to a year of service with their mentees. It's an activity-based program, where mentors take their mentees on outings for a total of 4-6 hours a month. Most of the hours are spent exposing the mentees to things that they may be interested in, but have never had the chance to experience. This Christmas, when Dorothea was making rounds to visit various foster families, she delivered gifts to mentees, some of whom told her that it was the first Christmas present they'd ever received. She also told me the story of a young man, age 15, who was ecstatic to bowl for the first time at a group outing for the mentees. By taking mentees to meet professionals in careers in which they've expressed interest, or to auditions for plays, the mentors facilitate personal and professional growth.

In February, Dorothea will enroll at least 25 new kids into the program, all of whom she'd like to match with an appropriate mentor. No matter the race or creed, any one who is willing to make the time commitment is encouraged to contact CFLS. Dorothea noted that gender plays a critical role in matching mentors and students. The issue is not so much safety as it is the ability to relate. For example, some of the young ladies in the program are facing pregnancy, and it's obviously easier for a young woman to talk to a female mentor, because she can more readily relate to, or empathize with, that experience.

January 25 is Thank Your Mentor day. We are encouraged to not only personally thank our mentors, or share a tribute online, but to pass on what we've learned and become a mentor to someone else. So, I implore you, DMV readers, to contact Dorothea Parker at dparker@cflsdc.org, or by phone at 202-247-0511. And, readers across the country, you're not exempt- there are plenty of ways to get involved, which you can find here. Remember, in this world it's not just about what you know. So, do your part to guide others toward success. "Help them get there. Be a mentor!"

This Week: Poetic Justice

2010-12-10T12:06:00.000-05:00

Everybody wants a taste of the ‘hood

Everybody sings a long with the songs about doing no good

But if you laid there, if you stayed there and couldn’t escape

How many hooks would you repeat about the dirty money you make?

When I was younger the cool thing was to wear baggy pants

Have a limp in your step til you hop up in mom’s minivan

Wearing And1’s and Polo, maybe a Nike wristband

Cuz you’re a baller, shot caller, right? That’s how the words go?

What if you knew they’re only expectation was you go to jail or go pro?

What if you did move on and upward, toward a college degree?

And you excel and do well despite their suspect on your pedigree

You’re all black in all-white schools

In the back but you’re no fool

But the last time you sat front row

The professor slowed down when he spoke to you

And every time you speak up they’re surprised at your eloquence

And should you let loose in front of friends

You hear gasps and “Oh my gosh, say that again!”

Like a puppet. A showman. Just a little more well-spoken than those crazy ones in the YouTube video they’re forwardin’

Is it fair for you to anger or be frustrated at this scene?

After all you were in the library with Soulja Boy on your laptop screen

And then your ringtone went off and Kanye crooned “ghetto university”

And that’s where you grew up, in the School of Hard Knocks

Rocks in palms on your block and you did your best to get out without a jump or gunshot

But, who said they needed saving? Who said they needed help?

Plenty are satisfied and don’t fold despite the hand that they’ve been dealt

When “experts” tell them it’s too much for them to bear

That someone must step in and show “the underprivileged” we care

We have what they don’t. We can succeed where they won’t.

They is not black, they is anyone who has ever been held back

And told that they were equal

They is anyone who was put up in a coop, or sat out on a stoop

‘Cause they were not welcome in buildings, though they paid taxes, too.

They is not Muslim, they is anyone who has ever been held back

When they just tried to move forward. But somehow every time they’re chosen from a random assortment

And then holed up in a room. Hold up. You’ll be released soon.

They is not Jew, they is anyone who was imprisoned in a place they were told would have enough room

But because of their looks, because they looked like they could be crooks

Even though they did no crime except to protest what sat on the books

Persecuted for money, of which they had none, and because they were broke the only choice for their first son

Was be cut up and dragged out, before he could witness the warm sun

There’s not enough room on this mattress for plus one

Not enough air in the casket you pay rent for every month

But somehow every Thanksgiving you fit the whole family in

Grateful at least for a meal and a place to block out the wind

So take back your advice and your Superman complex

That attitude is obtuse your spirit is convex

You’re thinking because you were schooled, because you read about it in school

That you know the rules and the needs and the way to save me from this cruel world

You school boy and school girl

you have attended university but still have no concept of adversity

No respect for diversity. And you studied facts but you haven’t learned me

You can’t come in with your theories and stethoscope trying to cure

things of which you’re unsure

So be humble and open your eyes to the reason that I’m hurt, but don’t cry

I don’t have luxury to sit by. There are mouths to feed, clothes to dry

And I take the 6 bus to the Red line then walk a few blocks to the bread line

And get back in an hour so that I can pick my daughter up on time

I don’t lay hands except for prayer, so don’t assume I’ll fight back when you arrive

Come with an open mind. Although you’re degree says you’re qualified

You never lived and haven’t seen,

so step back before you step in to save me from misery

This isn’t a study…but you can learn a lot in this ghetto university.

-CelesteAurora

The Great American SmokeOut

2010-12-07T03:18:00.000-05:00

During the month of November, which is always reserved to promote lung cancer awareness, BPHSN participated in the Great American SmokeOut. Every year, the American Cancer Society designates a day to encourage people to start their smoking quit plan, or to plan ahead and make the Great American Smokeout day their quit date. Of course, BPHSN played an active role in the event that the Student Health Service and Office of External Relations hosted for a GW campus-wide SmokeOut.

Chidimma Acholonu, a BPHSN E-board member and Community-Oriented Primary Care MPH student, hosted a smoking trivia game table on University Yard during the event. Despite the chilly temperature, Chidimma represented BPHSN for 3 hours, asking questions of passers-by and handing out prizes for participants.

Other tables at the event included a Wall of Reasons, where people wrote down why they smoke or don’t smoke and why they’d like to quit on faux bricks and help build a "support wall"; and various resource tables with snacks, prescription information, and other activities that quitting smokers can use to suppress their desires to smoke until the craving passes and addiction is broken. The entire University Yard was covered in bubbles, as people were encouraged to “blow bubbles, not smoke”, and the pathways were lined with interesting facts about the effects of smoking.

Kudos to Ms. Acholonu for representing BPHSN at the SmokeOut! For those of you who would like more info about quitting smoking, visit the American Cancer Society’s website for some starting tips on how to quit; or if you’re a GW student, schedule an appointment with Student Health Service for personal counseling and assistance.

Do well on your finals everyone, and see you at the holiday party on Friday!

This Week: Food For Thought

2010-12-01T23:44:00.007-05:00

Ladies and gents, it is my pleasure to introduce this week's guest blogger, class of 2010 MPH Candidate, Acasia Olson. As a member of the Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association's GetFED: Food Equality in D.C. subcommittee, Acasia has a unique and informed insight into a major health problem occurring right in GW's backyard.

A Google search of the 2010 national health awareness issues will direct you to a site listing a day, week, or month dedicated to over 100 public health issues. From Celiac Disease to nutrition awareness or minority health, individuals and groups alike have organized and rallied to bring attention to preventable and often overlooked health concerns. While some of us may have known that November was American Diabetes Month, how many of you can say you were excited in the days leading up to National Food Desert Awareness Month? No, seriously…For those of you who almost dropped that leftover turkey leg in surprise, I’m here to tell you that September is recognized as Food Desert Awareness Month. You may be wondering why I would be talking about an observance that took place three months ago. Food deserts are a social determinant that cause a huge disparity within the public's health.

The US Department of Agriculture defines food deserts (not to be confused with the decadent sumptuousness of pumpkin pie and peach cobbler), as geographic areas where access to nutritious, affordable, healthy foods is extremely limited, or absent. Instead of shopping at full scale grocery stores or in farmers’ markets, people trapped in food deserts must rely on an overwhelming supply of fast food, carry-out and cornerstore establishments for their daily source of pseudo-nutrients. Further, food deserts are most often found in communities with large minority populations and low-socioeconomic status.

So what does this have to do with you, an aspiring or current public health professional in the nation’s capital? I’m glad you asked. I won’t belabor you with statistics which state that D.C. wards 4, 5, 7, and 8 have the highest proportion of overweight/obesity and diabetes. And, I don’t want to assume you’re oblivious of CDC data from 2010, which reports African-Americans as having a 51% higher prevalence of obesity than Whites, and that related illnesses have become increasingly endemic in low-income communities. You’re probably sharp enough to notice that these days, the “chocolate city” isn’t all that sweet. But it can be, and will be.

The D.C. Council has taken legal action to eliminate the presence of food deserts, through the introduction of the Food, Environment and Economic Development of DC (FEED DC) Act of 2010. Non-profit organizations, such as D.C. Hunger Solutions and Healthy Solutions, D.C. are working with food businesses and residents to increase access to healthy affordable food. The Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association (MWPHA) has also taken action, through the tireless efforts of their GetFED: Food Equality in DC subcommittee, which currently consists of MPH students and interested community members. While members of these groups have made commendable strides, the work has only just begun. Though there may be a shortage of equal access to healthy food within the District, there isn’t a shortage of passionate members within the community of public health…can we count on you?

For more information on ways to eliminate food deserts, visit us at: GetFED, or send us an email at: getfeddc@gmail.com

This Week: Strictly for the Grown and Sexy

2010-11-18T02:44:00.013-05:00

In '04, Usher, Lil John, and Ludacris sang (or yelled, in John's case) about 'Lovers and Friends', and gave casual sex partners a new anthem. They probably didn't anticipate finding a common ground with the 23% of the US population who was recently reported to be taking full advantage of that 'friends with benefits' package. The National Survey for Sex and Behavior reports that 50-somethings were "highly likely to engage in these casual sex encounters." That's right, folks. Swap mid-life crisis for mid-night coitus, and we may have a serious problem on our hands. Why? The study reports that these partners are very likely to engage in casual sex unprotected.

Down here in the District, HIV and AIDS have reached well over epidemic proportions. The generally accepted benchmark for a condition to reach severe epidemic concern is 1%- D.C. is at 3%. And to put this nearing-retirement trend in context, 70% of the people infected in the District are over the age of 40. D.C. officials are making concerted efforts to lower the rates of transmission. There are needle-exchange programs in place, and plenty of interventions to make adolescents and young adults more cognizant about safe sex practices. And, the message is spreading. The study, conducted at Indiana University's Center for Sexual Health Promotion, showed that 80% of male teens (14-17) who were sexually active used a condom the last time they had sex. But, how do we spread the word to those whose Viagra just kicked in and are ro-ar-ring to go? At their age, few are looking for everlasting love, and simply want to enjoy the company of another without any strings attached. The 50+ year-olds' rate for condom use the last time they had sex- a staggering (not!) 25%.

So, health promotion people, I'm talking to you! Do we put Rap-It-Up campaign ad's in More magazine? Offer "FREE CONDOMS!" incentives for prostate exams? There are lives at risk here, and something's gotta give!

This Week: Baby Mama Drama

2010-11-12T23:48:00.003-05:00

"There is something very wrong when a man is good enough to father your children but not good enough to marry and build a life together." -Christelyn Karazin, founder of No Wedding, No Womb

"If you can't get a husband, who am I to tell you no, you can't be a mom?" -Demetria Lucas, relationship editor for Essence magazine, Blogger, A Belle in Brooklyn

In 1991, Tupac told the story of a fictional woman named Brenda, and how her unwed pregnancy "affects the whole community." By the time Fantasia Barrino's 'Baby Mama' hit the airwaves in 2005, many women rid themselves of shame or guilt, and instead sported single motherhood as "a badge of honor."

According to an article in yesterday's Washington Post, 72% of black babies are born to unwed mothers.* Per usual, the rate of this health outcome is higher in the black community than it is in either the white or any minority population. And what's the root of the problem? WaPo offers that it could be because black men constitute the majority of the incarcerated population in the States.** Furthermore, even if a young man doesn't have a record, if he's brought up in a low socioeconomic environment, his education likely won't be enough to get him any occupation paying above the poverty line. So, essentially, we end up with a lot of men who are capable of making kids, but incapable of supporting them.

But we can't just blame the men, can we? Of course not. Not when black women are increasingly adamant on proving themselves as independent women- what do they look like waiting around for a man to start a family? This is a common mentality shared by those who are financially stable enough to support an infant-sized addition to their lives. However, U.S. Census Bureau Statistics show that more often than not, single mother households are not run by mothers with a corner office. Most single black moms have no more than a high school education, and are working class women to whom another mouth to feed is simply an added stress. What other alternative is there but to raise the child as best they can, abortion or adoption?

It's not just an issue of having help, because there are countless friends, grandmothers, or babysitters probably watching babies at this very moment, because mom has to take night classes, or works a double shift to keep food on the table, (or go out to the club, but that's a whole 'nother blog post.) No, the issue is that "...a mother cannot give all that a man can give. A truly involved father figure offers more fullness to a child's life," OB-GYN Natalie Carroll noted in the WaPo article.

As public health professionals, we are supposed to have concern for the greater community, and prevent trends and behaviors that will contribute to allostatic load. Thus, one could ague that allowing women to have babies outside of a monogamous relationship is a failure from a public health standpoint. It is allowing the continued cycle of the proven effects of poverty to endure. The more babies out of wedlock, the more mothers on welfare, the less adequate health care they are able to afford, the more youths getting into a life of crime as a means to survive...and we're right back where we started. So, as supporters of No Wedding No Womb would argue, we need to stop this "problem" at the root. Is it our place to tell a woman not to conceive until she's [happily] married?

You tell me.

*CNN reported this data; their source was the National Center for Health Statistics, who completed the study in 2007
**3,161/100,000 black men were incarcerated in 2008, compared 1,200/100,000 Hispanics, and 487/100,000 whites.

This Week: Mind Your Business

2010-11-06T01:03:00.001-04:00

BPHSN family and followers, it is my pleasure to introduce this week's guest blogger, Jana Baldwin. Jana is the author of www.nwtose.com, an alum of George Washington's School of Public Health and Health Services, and most importantly, a founder of the BPHSN blog! I'll let her do the rest of the talking...

I have been told by many that I am “over-the-top,” “too pushy,” “crazy,” among many other things when I discuss the topic of mental health and illness. I have personally experienced mental health issues in my own life since a young girl and it has been painful to watch my brother go through serious but different mental health issues as well. I am grateful that my mother took me to see a psychologist since I was about 7 years old. I felt like everyone in my class knew that I was different and I knew that I wasn’t “crazy.” My mother always reassured me that I was going to the psychologist to discuss health issues and that was one way of breaking down the stigma. At some point in my life I was diagnosed with ADD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Bi-polar to name a few. At the end of the day I am sure I am all of the above and I am grateful for educating myself around how I can make better choices to treat my chronic illnesses- which happen to be in my brain. I still find myself at 28 years old running into road blocks and getting into situations that I knew I should have avoided, but every time the situation is a little bit easier and a little bit better. Frankly, the best psychiatrist I have ever had told me “fake it till you make it.” I have been doing that very thing ever since. I give a little background about myself before I make statements about anything involving the mental health so you know where I am coming from.

Living in DC for a few years, I have spent many a days, hours, jobs, internships, volunteering, or random conversations talking about mental health and the black community. It is a topic that is near to my heart as I watch people close to me, and people I don’t know struggle to a point that I don’t think is necessary. One could say (and people do) “Who is this white girl and why does she care about me or think she knows anything about me?” Well, I don’t know too much in life but I will say that DC has one of the most comprehensive mental health services in the country. When I was without insurance I was able to go to the local mental health community center and receive services including a case manager, a psychiatrist, Rx coverage etc. In Utah, where I am from this is unheard of. There are no wrap-around services for the poor (yes I just say poor instead of underprivileged). So, I wonder how we as a community reduce the stigma in the black community to encourage people to seek treatment, to know that treatment is available, but mostly to understand the benefits of mental health in general. I wonder how many young men would not meet law enforcement or get locked up, how many more kids would graduate high school, if there had been some kind of intervention. Everyone can benefit from learning how to communicate more effectively, working through anger, etc. Access in the District is available. Sometimes even having an “intervention” doesn’t solve anything. I am not saying that only reducing stigma around mental health issues in the black community will change everything but, frankly, I think it’s a start.

The Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration recently launched a new campaign called “Stories that Heal” geared towards black young adults. Check out the link and tell me what you think!

For all you public health folks that are into stats:

Poverty level affects mental health status. African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are 4 times more likely to report psychological distress.

African Americans are 30% more likely to report having serious psychological distress than Non-Hispanic Whites.

Non-Hispanic Whites are more than twice as likely to receive antidepressant prescription treatments as are Non-Hispanic Blacks.

The death rate from suicide for African American men was five times that for African American women, in 2005.

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?lvl=3&lvlID=9&ID=6474

This Week: Forgive...and Forget?

2010-10-29T02:27:00.001-04:00

Acquaintance rape, or date rape, is "sexual assault by an individual known to the victim." The National Center for Victims of Crime reports that 77% of completed rapes are committed by non-strangers. This dispells the myth that sexual assaults are only carried out by crazed lunatics in a dark alley on the wrong side of town.

Less than 2% of women who are victims of acquaintance rape report their attack, compared to 21% of those who are raped by strangers. The following letter was written by a woman who falls into that 2%. She never reported the incident to the police, but asked for an outlet for her pain- here it is:

I can’t believe you said, “I love you.” I know it’s your first time saying that to a girl and everything, and I know I’ve only been in love twice before. But let me assure you, young man, that this is NOT what love feels like. Love is a listening ear. When I said no, you should have heard me, and obeyed. You should have climbed your scrawny limbs off of me, and gone to sleep. As a matter of fact, you should have gotten out of the bed and slept on the floor. Obviously you didn’t have enough self-control to lie in bed next to me.

Love is a friend. We’ve known each other for almost two years, and before any romantic relationship, we were friends first. You knew how to make me laugh, and you knew what to say when I started to cry. And somehow tonight, you were the reason my cheeks had rivers of salt-water gushing toward my chin.

Of all the times to tell me that ‘love’ is what you’re feeling, you think this moment is appropriate? Just a few minutes ago, I was pleading you to stop trying to make love to me, and my screams fell on deaf ears. ‘I’m sorry’, and ‘I love you’, and ‘I didn’t mean it’ don’t fix what just happened. What if I’m pregnant? When is the last time you were tested? In a week I’ll go get tested and lose sleep until my results come back. And what will you do? Apologize a few more times, and go back to living your life?

I forgive you. I’m more upset at myself for even coming here, and trusting you, and kissing you. I can’t help but feel like I provoked this, like I asked for this disrespect and mistreatment. The long-hand kept ticking and the short-hand got closer and closer to 2, then 3, then 4am before I realized that this watch was telling me it was time to go. But, no. I stayed because I enjoyed your company. It’s like things were the way they used to be. That was back when we were friends, and when I felt like I was falling in love with you. I don’t feel like that any more. I feel angry, betrayed, and scared. So if you're wondering, the answer is no. I don't love you back. I don't hate you either. I forgive you. And I know one day, I'll be able to forgive myself, too. I don't care that you may never read this, or that we may never speak again. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. They forget to mention the recovery portion that hurts like hell until you're healed. That's where I am now- getting stronger and stronger everyday.

I forgive you. But, I'll never forget.

Talk about it.

This Week: Let's Talk About Sex....and Abortion

2010-10-23T01:28:00.001-04:00

Since we were old enough to take sex education classes at school, or have “the talk” with our parents, we’ve discussed pregnancy, and abortion, too. We've experienced first-hand, or consoled a friend through the distress, confusion, shame and depression that accompany this decision. Aside from the political and religious pressures surrounding the pro-choice vs. pro-life debate, there are often familial and societal pressures that play into a woman's decision to abort her pregnancy. But, since it takes two to do the cliche tango, what role do men play in all of this? Some men feel that they have a right to have a significant role to play in the decision-making process. But others, like a college grad I recently spoke with on the issue, argue that “a man can voice his opinion, but it inevitably is the woman’s decision.”

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is sometimes only the beginning of the end. While women face symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression, men are left with feelings of inadequacy and emasculation. Men and women both experience declines in sexual libido and communication, and a sense of partnership is often lost. In fact, post-abortion studies have shown that 40 to 75 percent of romantic relationships end after a woman has an abortion. Another young man I spoke with believes that people don't think about these possibilities until it's too late, and wishes more would realize that "if you're brave enough to take on the risks [of unprotected sex] then you're brave enough to handle the consequences."

Thoughts?

*Names have been changed.

This Week: "Really Oprah? Six years have passed by, and you haven't learned jack-sh*t"

2010-10-15T23:26:00.004-04:00

For the past 24 years, it’s been the O-way or no way. When Oprah Winfrey declares her favorite ice cream on an Oprah’s Favorite Things episode, it’s sold out and on backorder by week’s end. Oprah says stop texting while driving- we sign a pledge and put the phones down (at least until we reach a stop light). Now, during the finale season of the show that has brought to light so many “Aha!” moments in our lives, someone is calling Oprah’s bluff.

Dr. David Malebranche is an Internal Medicine physician, public health professional, and assistant professor at Emory University’s School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. On Saturday, October 9, Dr. Malebranche posted an open letter to Oprah in a Note on his Facebook account. It was in response to the recent episode on the transmission of HIV/AIDS to a woman by her husband who was sleeping with men “on the down low”.

In Dr. Malebranche’s eyes, the story- while tragic- was depicted as one-sided. In his letter, Malebranche argued that “the show remained stuck in a metaphorical time warp.” During my interview with him this past Thursday, Dr. Malebranche pointed out that there is an incessant depiction of women as “innocent victims”, and of gay black men as the villains. “It’s HIV innocent versus HIV guilty,” Malebranche said. He argues that because of this sentiment, the rift between black gay men and women is irreparable. I asked if there was any way that this chasm could be bridged. “Not when shows like this keep airing," he responded. "I felt bad for the woman that was there. But, it was approached with a ‘this really shouldn’t happen to me’ attitude. Do you think any of these people across the world wanted [HIV]?"

Another area that was left untouched in the Oprah episode was why men feel the need to hide the truth from their heterosexual partners. At the root of these down-low brothers’ behavior, is perhaps a troubled past, and the fear and shame that are associated with being an openly gay black man. “How many people are just genuinely dishonest?” Malebranche remarked, “…you have to scratch beneath the surface a little bit.” Dr. Malebranche’s intention in writing the letter was simply to “be clear in my truth.” He received over 300 new Friend requests on Facebook, and 100+ messages in his Facebook inbox by the Sunday evening after he posted the letter. People thanked Malebranche for his voice, and for clarity, since many people got caught up in the sensationalism of the episode.

And where does the public health come into play? Dr. Malebranche suggests that, more so than personalized interventions, social media and mass marketing are the best ways to spread important information. His letter is a prime example- he posted the note at the suggestion of a friend, when he realized he had to stop waiting on “someone” to say something. That someone was him, and the response was viral (no pun intended). Dr. Malebranche’s letter allowed the public to gain a different perspective on a rarely visited, always divisive issue. “I got tired of it. I sat down and watched the show and I was bothered but the one thing that really stuck out in my mind was, 'Really Oprah? Have you really not done any research? Six years have passed by and you haven’t learned jack sh*t.”

Have you?

This Week: An Ode to the Ounces

2010-10-08T02:17:00.001-04:00

First things first: the "This Week" series is a new addition to our blog. Every week, you can look forward to some commentary on a health issue affecting our community. Public Health is a broad field, so expect to see a wide range of topics covered. We only ask two things: if you want a certain topic discussed, email us your suggestions! And secondly, remember that these opinions are put out there to spur discussion , so please leave us your two (or twenty) cents in the comments section. Here goes the first edition of This Week.
--

An Ode to the Ounces

We’ve been told since the release of AOL 2.0, by computer un-savvy old heads, that ‘the media’ was destroying our generation. Blame WWF, blame Eminem’s first three albums, or blame Facebook- as each year goes by, something else is made a scapegoat for low performance in the classroom, or even lower baggy jeans. A consistent theme has been to blame hip-hop music for encouraging these infatuations with the wrong ideas, especially in the minds of young Black men. For once, the grown-ups might be right. Although they may not be able to appreciate the musical genius of Kanye West or Wale, there is a recurring theme in hip-hop music that may be encouraging a harmful habit – marijuana use.

Take, for example, the huge buzz spurred by up-and-coming rapper, Wiz Khalifa. His most recent mixtape, Kush and OJ, was the number one download on Google’s hot search trends, and after the April 14^th release of the mixtape, #kushandorangejuice became the number one trending topic on Twitter, and remained on the list for three days. The mixtape opens with a track entitled Waken Baken, and throughout the mixtape, Wiz Khalifa continues to hail marijuana use- “why can’t everyone smoke like me?/give me a quiet place let me roll my weed” he croons in Still Blazin’. Sure, we aren’t as naive as we once were, way, way back in our impressionable years (also known as, the ‘90s). But, what about the kids who are just now growing up, listening to artists like Wiz Khalifa and trying to emulate those habits? The voice of popular artists is sometimes louder than a parent’s or teacher’s voice; likewise, the messages that are spread will be taken that much more seriously, whether positive or negative in context.

Wiz Khailfa can’t take all the credit, though. Even before the rapper bragged about his expensive taste- “I might spend 10 grand on weed a month,” he said in a recent interview- plenty of hip-hop artists were declaring their love for Mary Jane. “I still stay high and I still got my diploma,” Weezy claims on Cali Dro released in 2006. (The NIH notes that marijuana affects judgment, memory, and coordination- good luck passing finals when you can’t remember what class you’re in). Some artists even glamorize the act, like Jay-Z on the 2003 track, Excuse Me Miss- “You can’t even roll a blunt to this one- you gotta light a J.”Artists spoke, and American youth listened- in December 2009, the University of Michigan reported that over the previous 12 months, marijuana use was at 12% among the nation’s 8^th graders, 27% of 10^th grades, and a third of 12^th graders. Further, since marijuana use itself is still arguably dangerous, the behaviors accompanied with it can certainly pose serious health risks. In 2008, Emory University public health researchers presented a study which found that “black girls who used marijuana had significantly higher rates of incident STDs than non-marijuana users. They also had “more sex partners, and… more recent episodes of [vaginal intercourse] while their partner was under the influence.”

What about taking a step away from adolescents, and looking at marijuana use among college-aged students and adults? A June 2008 report on a study of alcohol and marijuana use by HBCU students showed that violence-related problems appeared to be most frequent among students who used alcohol and marijuana, as opposed to alcohol alone. Another study, published in 2008 in the North American Journal of Psychology, showed that risky sexual behaviors often accompanied marijuana and alcohol use. Accordingly, rates of newly reported HIV infections in the state of study were “higher in black men of all age groups than white men overall.”

Here are some more facts:

Marijuana can cause panic, anxiety, and paranoia; in large doses, it can cause temporary toxic psychosis

From 1993-2000, the number of emergency room marijuana mentions more than tripled

Someone who smokes five joints a week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes a day.

A Columbia University study showed that people who smoked one marijuana joint every other day for a year had a white blood cell count that was 39% lower than normal

This last fact may be the most relevant against arguments for the medicinal use of marijuana. Currently, there are 14 states (plus the District of Columbia) that have legalized a possession of certain amounts of marijuana. Oftentimes, marijuana is prescribed for patients who are dealing with AIDS (to increase appetite) and cancer (as a pain reliever). However, these patients are already immunocompromised, so smoking marijuana is in fact making them more susceptible to potentially life-ending disease.

It wouldn’t be fair to blame hip-hop as an entire genre for the increased use of marijuana among our generation. However, it is important to shed light on the fact that these artists who kids (and even some adults) revere are not setting the best examples. Marijuana can be an expensive and harmful hobby. It alters our health, detracts from education, increases incidence of crime, and overall, leads to poor decision-making. The rockstar drug-filled lifestyle might not make it when the lights dim, and the rest of us are too high to notice.

What say you?

One Saturday Morning

2010-10-07T19:59:00.013-04:00

On Saturday, October 2nd, we could have been in the library. What with the looming threat of midterm exams, we SHOULD have been in the library, or at least had a book in front of us. Instead, the George Washington University BPHSN chapter decided to take some time away from our studies to address some major issues affecting our people, and our nation.

First up was the 24th annual AIDS Walk Washington. This 5K walk/timed run is a fundraiser hosted by and benefiting the Whitman-Walker Clinic. BPHSN President, Chinenye Anyanwu (or as we like to call her, ChiChi) walked for her second time this past Saturday. Despite the early wake-up call and long walk from the metro to Freedom Plaza where the walk began, ChiChi thoroughly enjoyed the event. Most notable to her was the solidarity among everyone who came to participate. "We saw past GW students...entire families came out, some people were wearing t-shirts in memory of loved ones...everyone came together to walk for a good cause," ChiChi commented. And, although the walk was long, there was plenty of laughter to keep people energized. When she reached the quilt at the end of the walk, ChiChi took a moment to inspect some of the patches. "Some were really detailed, others just had encouraging messages..." Although HIV/AIDS affects our community most detrimentally, to her, participating in the walk did not make for a depressing day. "It was fun," she said, and like the impact of HIV/AIDS in families across the world "there were happy moments and sad moments."

First-time AIDS Walk Washington participant, and BPHSN Logistics chair, Tinika McIntosh, had a personal attachment to the cause. In addition to supporting BPHSN, Tinika said, "I was walking for people who can't walk today." She has lost a number of family and friends to causes related to AIDS. Tinika was delighted to see that everyone had so much enthusiasm for the day's causes. "What stood out to me was how much people supported both events," she said. "Everyone was really spirited, and people went straight from the walk to the One Nation Rally."

The One Nation Rally was attended by over 175,000 people. Liberals- gay rights groups, labor unions, and faith-based organizations came out in droves- showed up in response to the rising poll numbers for conservatives in the mid-term elections. According to an article in PekingTimes.com, the purpose of the rally was to "re-energize [Democrats'] political base." There was a controversial issue being addressed, and as ChiChi pointed out, "some people definitely didn't like what we had to say." BPHSN members stood just outside of the rally, holding up their picket signs. They addressed causes such as 'End racist unemployment NOW' and 'BPHSN says Job Loss = Bad Health'.

Overall, both Tinika and ChiChi were glad to spend their Saturday with "people who were like-minded" and attached to similar causes. Legs tired and spirits high, it's back to the library we go.

Tinika McIntosh posing with her One Nation rally sign

Check out more pictures from the rally and AIDS Walk on our FB page

BPHSN Wednesday April 7, 2010

2010-04-07T23:34:00.000-04:00

Event: Free Brown Bag Lunch DC - Working with Young MSM

Date: April 14, 2010

Time: 12-2PM

Location: 651 Pennsylvania Ave SE

Washington, DC

Sponsor: MetroTeen AIDS

A new study by the D.C. Department of Health concluded that 14% of gay and bisexual men in Washington D.C. are living with HIV. This mini workshop will explore best practices for engaging young men who have sex with men (MSM) in prevention efforts in D.C. The session will also look at community resources and include a discussion on how partners can collaborate to reach this population. This Brown Bag is free and lunch is provided.

Space is limited.

To reserve your spot, email an RSVP to iwebster@metroteenaids.org.

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please visit www.metroteenaids.org

Internship: Open Internship Position at DC DOH

Intern with the Capacity Building and Community Outreach Bureau at the DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, & TB Administration (HAHSTA)!

This is a great opportunity to get health promotion, marketing, and social marketing experience in a dynamic office.

Paid internship and practicum opportunity available!

Responsibilities would include (but are not limited to):

· Managing the new Wrap M.C. program and blog to increase condom access in DC Public and Charter High Schools
Working on materials and distribution of Routine HIV Testing campaign, Summer Youth STD Testing Campaign, Condom Distribution campaigns, and Hepatitis C campaigns
Developing condom and youth social marketing campaigns, including multimedia outreach strategies and materials design
Key point of contact between graphic designers, web designers and DC DOH

Flexible work hours in a fun, busy work environment!

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please Megan Jacobs at Megan.Jacobs@dc.gov or 202-671-5072, or Michael Kharfen at Michael.Kharfen@dc.gov or 202-671-4809 if interested.

Job Opportunity: Public Health Analyst

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American! At the Department of Health and Human Services you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer and better for all Americans.

CDOM (Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets within the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality—AHRQ) is recruiting someone to oversee a $9 million contract to evaluate 5-year CMS Quality Demonstration Projects that were mandated by Congress in the Child Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. This is a civil service GS-12 position in CDOM.

For more information please visit: http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=87013849&JobTitle=Public+Health+Analyst&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=b&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=HE33&AVSDM=2010-04-01+10%3a07%3a00

BPHSN Wednesday April 1, 2010-Late Edition!!!!

2010-04-01T12:27:00.000-04:00

Event: The Future of Public Health Leadership: Where Passion Meets Action-2010 Annual Meeting

Date: April 2, 2010

Time: 8:30AM-5PM

Location: KFF Barbara Jordan Conference Center

1330 G St NW Washington, DC 20004

Walking Distance from the Metro Center Station

Sponsor: The Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association

Cordially invites you and your fellow colleagues to the 2010 Annual Meeting

Keynote Speaker: Shavon Arline, MPH, Health Programs Director, NAACP HQ

The conference will include skills-based workshops will cover social enterprise, social media, grassroots organizing, policy making, and more. At the meeting, meet and greet with other passionate change makers in public health and social services. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Speaking, exhibiting, and sponsor opportunities are available.

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact Tambra Stevenson, Vice President and Annual Meeting Chair, at vp@mwpha.org

Event: 2010-2011 Executive Board Nominations for BPHSN

Deadline: April 4, 2010

Time: 11:59PM

Are you looking to have a stronger role in The Black Public Health Student Network (BPHSN)?

Waiting for an opportunity to show us your true leadership skills?

BPHSN is looking for creative, innovative, and ambitious leaders to help continue its legacy of excellence through commitment and service to the promotion of health in minority populations.

Below are the positions available for the 2010-2011 Executive Board:

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Academic Chair

Logistics Chair

Community Service Liaison

Publicity Chair

Fundraising Chair

If any of these roles are of interest to you, please send an email to bphsn.gwu@gmail.com with the subject heading "Nomination". In your email please indicate which position(s) are of interest, and you will receive a reply that includes position responsibilities and instructions regarding the next steps of the process.

Event: NEVER AGAIN: Remembrance of the Rwandan Genocide & A look at Darfur

Date: Tuesday April 6th, 2010 

Time: 7:00-8:30pm 

Location: The George Washington University 

Room B12 

The Elliot School of International Affairs 1957 E st NW, Washington DC

Sponsor: GWU Public Health Student Association

Let's not forget so that it will never happen again. April 7th, 1994 marks the start of the Rwandan Genocide, where approximately a million people lost their lives.  Come join us as we remember the lives lost in the Rwandan Genocide and take action in fighting the Genocide in Darfur!

 We will hear testimonies from Survivors who were in Darfur, the Jewish Holocaust, and the Rwandan Genocide.

Event: Health Care INSURANCE Reform and the Black Community-Webinar

Date: April 12th, 2010 

Time: 5:00-6:30PM

Confused about the new health care insurance reform law " The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act"? Wondering what the law really means for the African American Community. This session will review the bill in a simple, straightforward manner focusing on the potential positive and negative impacts on the African American community.

System Requirements 

PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 Server or 2000

Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Space is limited. 

Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/668940858

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

F.Y.I -Mayor Fenty Releases Third Annual Epidemiology Report on HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Department of Health (DOH) Officials, released District of Columbia HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Epidemiology Report 2009 Update. The report is part of the District’s overall effort to enhance data collection and analysis in an effort to provide effective public health programming for all health issues facing DC residents. This is the third annual report on HIV/AIDS data and the first report that incorporates data on other sexually transmitted diseases…

To view the report in its entirety please visit: http://newsroom.dc.gov/show.aspx/agency/doh/section/2/release/19495

BPSHN Wednesday February 17, 2010

2010-02-17T11:58:00.000-05:00

Event: “The Angry Heart: Cardiovascular Disease in the African American Community”-GBM

Date: February 19, 2010

Time: 6:30PM

Location: Ross Hall Room 643

Come out and join BPHSN in our discussion of cardiovascular disease in the African American Community

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact Omotunde Sowole at drsowole@yahoo.com

Event: Minority Health Conference Volunteer Meeting

Date: February 19, 2010

Time: 5PM

Location: Ross Hall Room 561

On February 26, 2010 BPHSN will be hosting our first Minority Health Conference, which will be a satellite conference to the 31st Annual Minority Health Conference host by the Minority Student Caucus at The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Hosting a conference is a large undertaking and we would like your help. If you are interested in volunteering for the conference, our next conference meeting of the semester will be on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 5PM. The meeting will be in room 561 of Ross Hall

Please RSVP as soon as possible for this meeting by contacting Katrina Byrd at kbyrd4@gwmail.gwu.edu

Furthermore, Ms. Byrd asks that you contact her even if you are interested in helping with the conference but are unable to make the interest meeting.

Event: Minority Health Conference

Date: February

26, 2010

Time: 10:30AM-4PM

Location: Media and Public Affairs Building Room 310

805 21^st NW Washington, DC 20052

On February 26, 2010 we will host our first Minority Health Conference, which will be a satellite conference to the 31st Annual Minority Health Conference hosted by the Minority Student Caucus at The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or would like to volunteer for the event please contact Katrina Byrd at kbyrd4@gwmail.gwu.edu

Fellowship: Allan Rosenfield Global Health Fellowship Program

Deadline: March 30, 2010

Sponsor: Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The ASPH/CDC Allan Rosenfield Global Health Fellowship Program offers global health training opportunities for recent MPH and doctoral level graduates of ASPH-member, accredited schools of public health.

The purpose of the Fellowship program is to enhance the practice-based training of SPH graduates who have a keen interest in global health. Fellowship assignments will emphasize a variety of training areas such as global surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, epidemiology, strategic information and program management, thereby accelerating the fellows’ careers as future leaders in global public health.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for this program, applicants must have received their Master or Doctoral degree prior to the beginning of the Fellowship (no later than August 2010), or within the last five years (no earlier than May 2005). Graduate degrees must come from an ASPH member graduate school of public health (see a list here) accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). All applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a visa permitting permanent residence (“Green Card”) in the U.S. to be eligible for the fellowship program.

To Apply Click on the following link: https://fellowships.asph.org/programs/details.cfm?programID=%21%260%20%20%0A

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact ASPH Graduate Training Programs at trainingprograms@asph.org

Internship: News Reporter Training Program

Deadline: March 30, 2010

Sponsor: Minorities in Broadcasting Training Program

The goal of the program is the development of writing, editing, producing and reporting skills for News Reporter Trainees. News Management Trainees will have had previous experience in any professional working environment. They will be taught leadership skills to help recruit, teach and motivate news people; problem-solving techniques; interpersonal skills and ways to deal with career and management issues. TV/Film Production trainees will work in a variety of entry-level positions and gain valuable hand-on experience.

For more information and application details please visit www.theBroadcaster.com / select the link TRAINEE INFO

Event: Stories of Healing: A Playback Theatre Workshop

Date: February 20, 2010

Time: 10:30AM-12PM

Sponsor: Emergence Community Arts Collective (ECAC)

Location: 733 Euclid St. NW Washington, DC 20001.

In-Her-Light Workshop of the African American Women’s Resource Center presents: Stories of Healing: A Playback Theatre Workshop. Have Fun. Get inspired. Connect with others.

Playback Theatre is an original form of improvisational theatre in which a participant tells a moment or story from their life, chooses the actors to play the different roles, and then all those present watch the enactment, as the story “comes to life” with artistic shape and nuance.

In this workshop you will:

Learn basic Playback techniques
Receive training material outlining Playback structure and tools
Trust your instincts and creative impulses
Enhance your empathy, intuition and group trust
Watch your story re-enacted
Serve others by re-enacting their stories.

Cost: Free

Contact: For more information please contact The African American Women’s Resource Center (www.aawrc.org), Cassandra Burton, at 202-332-6561 or cassandraburton@aawrc.org.

BPSHN Wednesday February 3, 2010

2010-02-03T15:28:00.000-05:00

Event: Life as a Public Health Student

Date: February 3, 2010

Time: 6:30PM-8PM

Location: The Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) at GW

2127 G St., NW Washington, DC 20052

Come out and help BPHSN educate undergraduates about the joys of studying and working in the field of public health and of being a graduate student.

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact Jennifer Barone at jenn.barone@gmail.com

Event: Global Volunteering Fair

Date: February 4, 2010

Time: 6PM-9PM

Location: Google’s Washington office

1101 New York Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20005

The fair will give you the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives of organizations that coordinate volunteer projects around the world, including:

Atlas Service Corps
Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
CDC Development Solutions

At the fair you can also attend workshops on topics like the basics of volunteering abroad, strategies for making international volunteering affordable, and using Google tools to research, document, and share your experiences abroad.

Contact: For a complete listing of organizations that will be present and to register please visit: http://www.idealist.org/globalvolunteering

Any questions? Contact Erin Barnhart at erin@idealist.org

Volunteer Request

Event: Minority Health Conference Planning Committee Meeting

Date: February 5, 2010

Time: 6:30PM-8PM

Location: The Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) at GW

2127 G St., NW Washington, DC 20052

Hosting a conference is a large undertaking and we would like your help. If you are interested in volunteering for the conference, our next conference meeting of the semester will be on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 6:30PM. The meeting will be at The Multicultural Student Services Center in room 304 located on 2127 G St NW Washington, DC 20052.

Please RSVP as soon as possible for this meeting by contacting Katrina Byrd at kbyrd4@gwmail.gwu.edu

Furthermore, Ms. Byrd asks that you contact her even if you are interested in helping with the conference but are unable to make the interest meeting.

Event: Minority Health Conference

Date: February 26, 2010

Time: 10:30AM-4PM

Location: Media and Public Affairs Building Room 310

805 21^st NW Washington, DC 20052

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or would like to volunteer for the event please contact Katrina Byrd at kbyrd@gwmail.gwu.edu

F.Y.I.- Miss DC Pageant

Please pass this information along to women who you think might be interested in competing for Miss DC 2010, a preliminary to the Miss America Pageant.

Eligibility:

Must be between the ages of 17 and 24
Must live, work or attend school full-time in DC

Interview and talent account for 60% of the scoring. Winner chooses a community service platform to work on throughout the year. There is no entry fee.

Miss DC 2010 will receive an academic scholarship and will represent DC in the 2011 Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas.   The Miss District of Columbia Pageant is an open pageant, meaning there is no local competitions held, and every young woman in the District may choose to compete if she meets eligibility requirements.

Information Session: March 2010. Auditions: April 2010. Pageant Date: June 2010 at the Lincoln Theatre on U Street, NW.  

Contact: For more information, please contact Pageant Director, Teri Galvez at missdcamerica@aol.com or 202-332-3403. Website: http://www.missdc.org/

Internship: National Cancer Institute’s Health Communications Internship Program (HCIP)

Deadline: March 2, 2010

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the largest of the 27 institutes and centers comprising the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training.

The HCIP gives highly qualified graduate students and recent graduate school graduates the opportunity to participate in vital health and science communications projects in one of the many offices that make up the NCI. Interns will select an area of emphasis: Health Communications or Science Writing.

Six-month and one-year internship terms are offered.

Successful Health Communications applicants have some science background as well as experience and/or education in any of the following areas: public health, epidemiology, public relations, health education, communications, science writing, statistics, social marketing, or journalism.

APPLY NOW by visiting: http://hcip.nci.nih.gov/

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact The Health Communications Internship Program at HCIP-Contact@mail.nih.gov

Essay Contest

Sponsor: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Prize: $1,000

Deadline: March 8, 2010

KaiserEDU.org announces its Fourth Annual Student Essay Contest. Submit an original essay on the topic below for a chance to win $1,000. Deadline for submission is March 8, 2010.

ESSAY TOPIC  It is January 2015. What do you see as the major health policy challenges still facing the United States? Please identify the top two priorities and discuss how they should be addressed.

CONTEST DETAILS

Eligibility - Submissions will be accepted from undergraduate and graduate-level students enrolled in a university-based, degree-granting program at the time of submission.

Essay length - Essays must not exceed 1,000 words in length and must be original work, prepared by one author only.

Essay submission - Entries must be submitted online only. No emails will be accepted.

Deadline - All essays must be submitted by March 8, 2010, 5 p.m. ET.

Judging - Entries will be judged by a panel of professionals with experience in health policy and politics from inside and outside the Kaiser Family Foundation. Winners will be notified by May 1, 2010.

Prizes - Undergraduate and graduate students will be judged separately and first-place winners will be awarded $1,000; second-place winners will receive $500.

Contact: For more information and complete rules and requirements, visit kaiseredu.org/essaycontest2010

BPSHN Wednesday January 20, 2010

2010-01-20T22:14:00.000-05:00

*Event: Understanding Haiti (General Body Meeting)

Date: January 22, 2010

Time: 6:30PM

Location: Ross Hall Room 101

Come and join The Black Public Health Student Network in our effort to aid the Haitian residents after the earthquake last Tuesday.

Non-GW affiliates please RSVP at bphsn.gwu@gmail.com by 4PM on January 21, 2010.

Contact: If you have any question, comments, concerns, please contact Omotunde Sowole at drsowole@yahoo.com

Event: Minority Health Conference

Date: February 26, 2010

Time: 10:30AM-4PM

Location: Media and Public Affairs Building Room 310

805 21^st NW Washington, DC 20052

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or would like to volunteer for the event please contact Katrina Byrd at kbyrd@gwmail.gwu.edu

Event: Activism and Leadership Workshop

Date: January 23, 2010

Time: 11AM-2PM

Location: George Washington University Hospital

900 23^rd St. NW, Washington, DC 20037

Workshop Objectives

· Increase activism of public health workers, students, and the public

· Build solidarity among community-based organizations

· Organize for housing as HIV prevention and care

If you plan on attending please take the time the read “Social Service or Social Change” by Paul Kivel at http://www.paulkivel.com/articles.php

RSVP REQUIRED

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or to RSVP please contact Karyn Pomerantz at kpomeran@gwu.edu or (202) 994-3623

Event: Free Screening of “Sex in an Epidemic”

Date: January 25, 2010

Time: 11:30AM-1:30PM

Location: North Hall of Eastern Market on Capitol Hill: 225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Brownbag lunch and free film screening of Sex in An Epidemic, a 2009 documentary film about the history of “safer sex” in the US. This groundbreaking film places the history of safer sex education on a trajectory with current HIV prevention while exploring the personal, political and structural challenges that have continually hampered the best efforts of HIV educators and community groups to curb HIV infection rates in the US. Filmmaker Jean Carlomusto and Waheedah Shabazz and Toni Young -- both in the documentary itself -- will attend the screening and lead a Q&A immediately following the film.

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact Jeremy Ogusky at jeremyogusky@gmail.com or 248 219 8779.

F.Y.I.- New Black Owned Hair Company

Tea and Honey Blends is a new hair care company started by two African American women Ph.Ds who are also committed to encouraging young women to pursue careers in science. Please give their website a look over (http://www.teaandhoneyblends.com/index.html).

BPSHN Wednesday Late Edition November 27, 2009

2009-11-27T01:36:00.000-05:00

Event: BPHSN Unwind 2009

Date: Friday, December 4, 2009

Time: 6:30PM

Location: Ross Hall Room

Sponsor: The Black Public Health Student Network and Student Association (SA)

Please join The Black Public Health Student Network for our end of the semester party. We will be celebrating our accomplishments this semester and relaxing before finals.

Contact: If you have any question, comments, concerns, please contact Omotunde Sowole at drsowole@yahoo.com

Event: World AIDS Day March

Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Time: 12PM-2PM
Location: Lafayette Park to Freedom Plaza
Sponsor: DC Fights Back

Celebrate World AIDS Day with a march and rally being organized by DC Fights Back.

The march will begin at Lafayette Park and end at Freedom Plaza in front of city hall. The emphasis is on systems failure (mismanagement of resources, broken promises, and lack of vision) within the District, and we will be rallying for specific demands related to improving the health of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)- i.e. stable housing, harm reduction services and mental health services.

This is a great event to join your colleagues, local advocates and activists, and service providers to show your support for a continued and improved commitment to fighting the epidemic here in DC and internationally.

BPHSN plans to attend this event and if you would like to march with us please contact Katrina Byrd at kbyrd4@gwmail.gwu.edu by 10AM on Dec. 1

Contact: If you are able to attend, please send an email with your name and phone number to hivmwpha@gmail.comhousing

Event: Public Health Grand Rounds

Second Annual Edward N. Brandt Jr.,

Memorial Lecture in Women’s Health

Time: Noon

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Location: GW Hospital Auditorium (basement level)

Please join us for Public Health Grand Rounds, featuring Dr. Vivian Pinn, Director, Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health. Dr. Pinn will present "Women's Health: Where do We Go From Here?"

Dr. Vivian W. Pinn is the first full-time Director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an appointment she has held since November 1991. Dr. Pinn has long been active in efforts to improve the health and career opportunities for women and minorities.

Contact: If you have any question, comments, concerns, please contact Jacqueline Arnold at sphjla@gwumc.edu

Internship: Premier Advocacy Internship

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009

Sponsor: The Black Public Health Student Network and Student Association (SA)

Internships with the Premier advocacy office in Washington, DC provide students with a great opportunity to learn about the public policy side of Premier's work to improve quality of care while safely reducing costs. Interns have opportunities to attend hearings and briefings and learn about specific healthcare issues as well as the legislative and regulatory processes as they relate to health policy Responsibilities include:   

• Working with Premier's grassroots team on outreach to

members of our Federal Affairs Network and building

our database of contacts  

• Assisting our communications team with planning events and publications 

•  Providing support for our advocacy work on specific issues within health reform, including: health information technology,

value-based purchasing, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement  

• Special projects for members of the Advocacy staff

Qualifications:   

• Undergraduate or graduate student, preferably in the areas of business administration, health, health care administration, law, communications and/or political science

• Excellent communication skills  

• Strong interest in healthcare issues and the legislative process 

For more information about Premier Advocacy please visit http://www.premierinc.com/advocacy/

Apply: If interested, please forward a cover letter and resume by December 3, 2009 to Linda_leonard@premierinc.com

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact Sarah Wachtel at sarah_wachtel@premierinc.com or 202.879.8015

Event: Housing, Health and HIV- A free workshop

Date: Friday, December 11, 2009

Time: 1-4PM

Location: 777 N. Capitol St. NE, (Board Room, 3rd Floor) Washington, DC 20002

Sponsor: The Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association (MWPHA)

Participants will be able to:

• Explain how housing stability is fundamental to good health

• Analyze why the market is unable to assure good, affordable housing for all

• Identify the inequities in federal housing subsidies

• Identify 3 ways in which housing serves as both a health care & prevention intervention for HIV

• Identify 3 strategies to advocate for safe, affordable decent housing for people living with HIV/AIDS

The following individuals will present the workshop:

• Sheila Crowley, PhD, National Low Income Housing Coalition

• Nancy Bernstine, Esq., National AIDS Housing Coalition

• Christine Campbell, MSOD, Housing Works

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

*First timers need to register AND choose the program**

Contact: For question about the workshop, write to maphtc@hotmail.com.

For questions about registration, write to maphtc@jhsph.edu or call (443) 287-7833.

Note:

• There is no charge for this conference except for individuals who wish to receive CHES, Nursing, or Social Work credit

• Checks will be the only form of payment accepted for CEUs

• National Capital Area SOPHE has awarded 3 Category I CHES CHECH for this activity.

Event: The Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association (MWPHA) Open House

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Time: 6:30PM-8:30PM

Location: APHA Headquarters 800 I Street NW

Come and meet other MWPHA members, friends and partners. At this event you can learn about the current work of MWPHA. We will be presenting our new program committees and overall vision. Mix, mingle and see what’s new!

Food and Drink will be provided

Please RSVP at http://www.doodle.com/vzuhv2fib73576g5

Event: NAACP Young Adults Meeting

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Time: 6:30PM

Location: 441 4th Steet, NW

Conference Room 1112

Washington, DC 20036

(Walking distance from the Judiciary Square Metro Station)

Discussion Topic:

What is the relevaence of the NAACP to young professionals?

BRING A FRIEND!

This will be a strategic planning meeting to develop a plan to implement a national movement of young professionals within the NAACP. Invite a friend, because we want YOUR thoughts and the input from non-NAACP young professionals too.

This will be an HONEST, OPEN discussion about the relevance of the NAACP to young professionals?

The current objectives of the Young Adults Committee is to develop a new generation of effective young professional leadership within the NAACP through recruiting young professional members and encourage their active participation within the DC Branch.

Contact: If you have any questions, please contact Akosua Tyus, Young Adults Chair at (202) 498-5853 or via e-mail at Akosua.Tyus@gmail.com.