By Boubacar DialloThe Associated Press FRIA, Guinea (AP) — Kazaliou Balde’s parents started worrying about him when as a small child he avoided eye contact and had difficulty communicating. First, the family in the West African nation of Guinea turned to a traditional healer who suggested protective amulets. Then, as the boy dragged himself along […]
Tag: World Health Organization
Posted inHealth
Men’s Health Awareness Month: Routine care and early screening remain critical for Black males at every ageÂ
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 […]
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 inINTERNATIONAL
Wow!’ Eye surgery marathon restores sight for some South Africans
By Michelle GumedeThe Associated Press TSAKANE, South Africa (AP) — Gladys Khoza had missed being able to see her family. Not because they couldn’t visit, but because the 84-year-old had vision problems. Now that has changed. Khoza is one of 133 people whose sight was restored during a “marathon” of free cataract surgeries conducted by […]
Posted inCommentary
Vulnerable communities left to breathe the consequences as EPA repeals endangerment finding
By Almeta Cooper Nothing brings me more joy than spending time with my beautiful five-month-old grandson. When I am with him, we are in our own special world – the board books, the stuffies, the smiles. I certainly don’t want him to see the dread I am feeling. I work in the climate sector and […]
Posted inCommentary
Fostering inclusive societies: Breaking barriers for persons with disabilities
Wayne Campbell highlights the systemic barriers—attitudinal, physical, transportation and policy-driven—that continue to limit the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Caribbean and globally. He emphasizes the importance of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy and calls for stronger enforcement of inclusive policies, meaningful participation of people with lived experience, and societal commitment to creating disability-inclusive societies.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: World AIDS Day highlights Caribbean’s widening HIV burden
The Caribbean continues to carry a disproportionate HIV burden, with rising infections, disrupted prevention services and deep structural inequalities undermining decades of progress. On World AIDS Day, Wayne Campbell urges renewed political leadership, accurate public education and rights-centered responses to counter complacency, stigma and the risky conditions that fuel HIV transmission across the region.
Posted inHealth
‘Dr. Ohhh’ explores the benefits of juicing with thriving online business
By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFROkmcneir@afro.com Oluwatosin Oluokun, a first-generation Nigerian, wife, and mother of two young children, remembers the day when she first learned she had high blood pressure and accelerated cholesterol levels and would need to go on medication. Her response, however, changed her life and set her on a path toward […]
Posted inHealth
What Black women should know about PCOS risks and treatment
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects up to 70% of women of reproductive age, and can lead to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and infertility if left untreated, but can be managed with various treatments such as hormonal birth control and supplements.
Posted inMental Health
Recognizing World Mental Health Day: How families play a crucial role in suicide prevention
Families and communities play a powerful role in preventing suicide by offering presence, listening without judgment, and connecting loved ones to professional care. Mental health experts stress that genuine support and attention can mean the difference between despair and hope.
Posted inCommentary
From stigma to support: Rethinking how schools address youth mental health
By Wayne Campbell “Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but you are not the rain.” – Matt Haig The youth mental health crisis endures, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data released in August. In […]
Posted inMental Health
Mental Health Awareness Month: Elevating teen voices and the parents who listen
Teen mental health advocate Peyton Griffin and her mother Brittany Williams are sharing their journey with mental health. The two emphasize the importance of early support, therapy and compassionate listening. Their story highlights how open dialogue and emotional awareness can change lives.
