The Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC), launched by the Schultz Family Foundation, is expanding to 11 states — including Maryland — deploying 600 young adults to provide near-peer mental health support in schools, nonprofits, and clinics. The program aims to address the youth mental health crisis by training diverse young adults, ages 18–24, to offer culturally relevant support while earning credentials and exploring careers in behavioral health.
Author Archives: Mylika Scatliffe AFRO Womens Health Writer
Thousands to lose in-network access to Johns Hopkins Medicine if UnitedHealthcare contract expires Aug. 24
Johns Hopkins Medicine and UnitedHealthcare are in a dispute over a new contract, which could result in 60,000 patients in the mid-Atlantic region losing in-network coverage if an agreement is not reached by August 24.
A look at how adoption agencies provide invaluable service to community
Advocates for Children and Families (ACF) and ACF+ are advocating for the well-being of children and families, and are helping to place medically complex children with families who are prepared to meet their needs.
Caregiver Action Network: Advocating for the caretakers in the family
The Caregiver Action Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting family caregivers, with CEO Marvell Adams sharing his personal experience of caring for his mother and sister, and offering tips for caregivers to take care of themselves.
Living on the fence line; how incinerators affect public health.
The South Baltimore Community Land Trust, represented by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Environmental Integrity Project, have filed a complaint against Baltimore City Department of Public Works for not adequately addressing the health of residents living near the Baltimore Refuse Energy Systems Company, which is located in a low-income and minority community.
Experts speak on colorectal cancer, recommend screenings at younger ages
Colorectal cancer is becoming more common in younger people, and the American Cancer Society recommends adults aged 45-75 be screened for it, as it disproportionately affects the Black community and early diagnosis is crucial for a positive outcome.
School-based initiatives could be the answer to looming shortage of health care workers
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Mastery Schools have partnered to design a high school that will prepare students for well-paying health care careers, with a focus on preparing students for high demand health care jobs in the United States.
Autism in the Black community: Moving from awareness to acceptance
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects two areas of functioning, and pediatricians play a vital role in managing children and youth with autism, as well as in facilitating early intervention and managing medical and mental health conditions.
Learning to navigate and manage medical debt
Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, and there are steps consumers can take to manage and perhaps reduce or eliminate medical debt, including requesting an itemized bill, comparing your EOB with your bill, making an appeal, checking for financial assistance, and negotiating your bill.
Black faith leaders seek innovative solutions to suicide in the Black and Brown communities
By Mylika Scatliffe, AFRO Women’s Health Writer For centuries, church has been the pillar of the Black community with members and non members coming to the church and its leaders for solace, refuge, prayer and respite. With increasing rates of suidice among people of color and historical taboos and stigma surrounding suicide among Black people […]
Doctors on a mission: A look at the health care professionals advocating for change
By Mylika ScatliffeAFRO Women’s Health Writer mscatliffe@afro.com “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane because it often results in physical death.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. In the 55 years since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., we are still grappling with the institutional and systemic […]
Alzheimer’s Association to host 19th annual African American Community Forum at Morgan State University
Morgan State University, By Mylika Scatliffe, AFRO Women’s Health Writer The Alzheimer’s Association Community Forum will take place on Dec. 9, 2023, at Morgan State University. This will be the 19th year of the Pythias A. and Virginia I. Jones African American Community Forum on Memory Loss. This free annual event is designed to advance […]

