By Andrew Hall AFRO Intern ahall@afro.com Men’s Health Awareness is recognized each year during the month of June. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the life expectancy of the average man is five to seven years shorter than that of the average woman. This mortality gap exists largely because men are less likely to […]
Category: Health
Posted inHealth
Black voices underscore the lifesaving value of regular HIV testing
As Americans observe National HIV Testing Day 2026, health advocates are encouraging routine HIV testing to promote early diagnosis, treatment and prevention, particularly in Black communities that continue to face disproportionate health disparities. Black men living with HIV and community leaders stressed that knowing one’s status, practicing safe sex and increasing public awareness are essential to reducing stigma and improving long-term health outcomes.
Posted inTV and Film
The Ebony Canal’ tour stops at Morgan State University
Wellpoint and Nadia Care hosted a screening of “The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health” at Morgan State University on May 8. The documentary, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Emmai Alaquiva and narrated by Viola Davis, tells the story of four mothers navigating maternal health and, for some, first time motherhood. The film was inspired by Nina Simone’s song “Four Women.”
Posted inMental Health
After the delivery: The mental health consequences of lost autonomy in childbirth
By Mylika ScatliffeAFRO Health Writer The healthy arrival of a baby is viewed as the ultimate measure of a successful birth, but for many women an unexpected departure from their birth plan can leave emotional wounds that affect maternal mental health long after they leave the delivery room. This impact may be particularly overwhelming when […]
Posted inCommentary
‘Under Babied’: Alarming new language and double standards around the politics of birth
By Crystal Coache Picture this: after hours of contractions, listening to the sound of multiple beeping heart monitors, the breathless he-he-whhhhooooo’s, and constant poking and prodding from nurses, you finally give birth and your doctor looks up at you and says, “Congratulations! You’ve just been babied!” Actually, you don’t need to use your imagination. Recently, […]
Posted inHealth
Greater Washington Urban League set to spotlight paternal perinatal mental health
The Greater Washington Urban League is working to ensure Black fathers are not overlooked in conversations surrounding perinatal mental health. Through a new training initiative for birth professionals, the organization aims to equip providers to better recognize and respond to paternal mood disorders in the Black community.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Ebola outbreak in Congo escalates as treatment centers come under attack
By Justin Kabumba and Wilson McMakinThe Associated Press BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Angry residents of a town at the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo attacked and burned a tent that was part of a health center where people are being treated for the virus, the staff there said May 23. It was […]
Posted inOpinion
We teach algebra before emotional regulation and our students are paying the price
Discover the urgent need for mental health education in K-12 schools. Learn how emotional well-being is tied to academic success and the benefits of SEL programs.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Death toll rises to 87 in Congo’s Ebola outbreak as health workers intensify screening efforts
By The Associated Press undefined BUNIA, Congo (AP) — At least 87 deaths have been reported in Congo’s new Ebola disease outbreak in eastern Ituri province, the Africa CDC said May 16, warning of an “active community transmission” as health workers raced to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Meanwhile, Associated Press […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Morgan State hosts inaugural caregivers conference focused on wellness and support
Morgan State University’s School of Social Work hosted its inaugural Caregivers Conference on April 25 to highlight the mental, emotional and physical well-being of caregivers. The event emphasized resilience, shared experiences and access to resources for those supporting loved ones with serious health needs.
Posted inAfro Briefs
A new reality: Retirement while supporting young adult children or parents
Rising costs of living and cultural expectations have increased the number of retirees still supporting young adult children, with 50 percent of parents now supporting a child older than 18.
Posted inMental Health
A deadly pattern: Violence against Black women raises alarm nationwide
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to The AFRO Brutal cases of domestic violence in the Black community have rocked the nation in recent weeks, highlighting a need to understand the root cause of intimate partner violence and how to prevent it. On April 1, Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen, of Coral Springs, Fla.was found dead in […]
