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Policy Advocacy & Action
Evolving Advocacy To Action:
We know that the people you elect as your state, local, and federal government officials have the power to pass policies, regulations and laws that can help—or harm—your health.
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That’s why our expert policy and advocacy team both evaluates and creates national and state policies to hold elected officials accountable for addressing issues most critical to Black women’s health, especially regarding breast and cervical cancers, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, intimate partner violence and sexual assault, maternal health, and reproductive health. Our fundamental policy priorities are: • Access to quality, affordable, and innovative approaches to provide comprehensive healthcare for Black women and girls • Equitable and adequate response for public health emergencies • Sufficient diversity in clinical research • Sustained financial support for HBCUs • Environmental Justice We champion and co-sponsor legislation to require access to quality maternal healthcare, lifesaving health screenings, and abortion care, as well as help push through laws that ensure participation in clinical research and access to treatments for rare diseases. We are also leading the effort to create the first National Health Policy Agenda for Black Women. When we wrote our open letter to the Biden Administration, we were cautiously optimistic. An Open Letter on Health Disparities to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Members of Your National Health Care Team We welcomed the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to improving and expanding the Affordable Care Act and to protecting Medicaid so that all Americans, regardless of age or color, have access to quality, affordable healthcare with intervention and prevention programs to address conditions that disproportionately affect the Black community. But our optimism has decidedly waned.
Advocacy is Fundamental to Who We Are. An Organization that Requires and Drives Action is Now What We Are.
In 2021, as COVID-19 ravaged our people for a second year and the disproportionate burdens of type 2 diabetes continued to plague Black women, we took even greater measures to shift our advocacy into action— action that are informed by research-backed strategies intended to drive change in systems, policies, and healthcare behavior across society. And we achieved results. The following showcases highlights of our policy leadership and impact.
Policy Advocacy & Action
Policy Publication
2022 National Diabetes Agenda in Collaboration with BWHI Programs
The report highlighted the range of issues related to diabetes and factors contributing to inequities in risk factors, prevalence, complications, morbidity, and mortality. It also identified policy gaps and opportunities to close them through action and engagement. We aim to make a difference in Black women’s lives through initiatives that reduce the burden of disease, "improve healthcare access and self-care," encourage innovation; and most importantly, prevent type 2 diabetes.
2022
diabetes cover.indd 1 2/21/22 1:20 PM ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PREPARED BY Linda Goler Blount, MPH President & CEO Black Women’s Health Imperative Angela F. Ford, PhD, MSW Chief Program Officer Black Women’s Health Imperative Tammy Boyd, JD, MPH Chief Policy Officer & Senior Counsel Black Women’s Health Imperative Steven Owens, MD, MPH, MA Kineta Sealey, Esq. Policy Counsel Black Women’s Health Imperative
CONTRIBUTORS Vedette R. Gavin MPA, MPH Principal Consultant Verge Impact Partners Sharon Thompson, MD, MPH, FACOG CEO/Physician Central Phoenix Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Arizona School of Medicine-Phoenix Sharon Hawks, MS, RDN, CDE, LDN CEO and Director Nutrition and Diabetes Education Center Anna Norton, MS Founder and CEO DiabetesSisters Yoko Allen, MPH Senior Program Manager Black Women’s Health Imperative Darlene P. Richeson, MBA President and CEO MaZie Global Solutions, LLC
COPY EDITOR Pam Eidson, MEd
PROOFREADER Laura J. Nadel
COVER DESIGN LaVon Leak / ONYXARTS
DESIGN Dana Magsumbol THIS AGENDA IS DEDICATED TO FORMER PROGRAM PARTICIPANT Helenmarie White.
Helenmarie joined our lifestyle change program in Maryland, weighing 341 pounds and having a diagnosis of prediabetes. Through the telling of her own story, Helenmarie admitted that she was scared about her declining health and really wanted to change her habits, but she had no idea how to do it or even where to start. Over the years, she had lost some weight before but always gained it back. She also knew her family was very worried about her health. When Helenmarie heard about the program, she decided to give it a try but never intended to stay for the required 12 months, even though having her own lifestyle coach was very appealing. After the first few weeks, she actually started believing that she could make the positive changes needed with the lifestyle coaching and group support the program offered. Helenmarie became one of our most committed and inspiring participants, ultimately losing over 100 pounds applying the positive behavior change strategies she learned during the yearlong program. In February 2021, Helenmarie died from complications related to COVID-19. Thank you for your dedication, Helenmarie.
700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 2059 | Washington, DC 20003 202.787.5930 | www.bwhi.org
© 2022 Black Women’s Health Imperative BWHI led introduction of the Sickle Cell Disease Expansion Act – H.R. 7177 U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) and U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-California) introduced H.R. 7177, the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act, legislation that will improve access to treatment, medical care, and quality of life for people suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Specifically, the legislation expands the National Health Services Corps (NHSC) to include the study of benign hematology, the specialty under which SCD falls. NHSC provides scholarships and loan repayment assistance as an as an incentive to attract healthcare providers to specialties where shortages exist.
Policy Advocacy & Action
Policy-Centered Conversations
ANTI-TOBACCO Let’s Clear the Air! March 15, 2022 Anti-Tobacco HBCU - Listening Session
The purpose of the Let's Clear the Air listening session was to help BWHI understand what HBCU students think about flavored tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and vaping, and the culture that surrounds it. We discussed the generational rise and decline of habitual smoking, how isolation and stress during COVID-19 has contributed, consequential smoke-related health issues, and more. The information we collected will contribute to the data used to create a full report on the dangers of flavored tobacco and/or e-cigarettes.
Get Your Advocacy in Shape – A Cultural Conversation Series Webinar February 8, 2022
This webinar aimed to engage and mobilize activists and all other stakeholders by highlighting the opportunities on the table in 2022 to fight against the tobacco industry and finally put an end to the tobacco industry’s targeting of people of color and other targeted communities. The panel discussed the FDA menthol ban, e-cigarettes, and the pending showdowns against Big Tobacco at the state and local levels. ENVIRONMENT AND WOMEN’S HEALTH Clearinghouse Presentation: “Combating Women’s Health and Wealth Inequities”
Women’s Clearing House asked us to speak on a panel centering around women’s health, and focusing on the inequities faced by women, particularly women of color. We covered the intersection between health and wealth, and highlighted the connections between financial inequity, lack of resources, and healthcare equity.
Policy Advocacy & Action
Abortion Access and Reproductive Justice
LIBERATE ABORTION CAMPAIGN Federal Table, Co-Chairs - National Women’s Law Center and Black Women’s Health Imperative
Liberate Abortion Campaign Hill Briefing January 21, 2022
The purpose of the briefing was to introduce the Liberate Abortion Campaign, provide litigation updates on abortion access cases, discuss state legislative attacks on abortion access, and next steps.
H.Con.Res.78 Support for the recognition of March 10, 2022, as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day”
Congressman Andy Levin and Senator Mazie Hirono introduced a resolution to honor abortion Provider Appreciation Day.
Dear Biden Letter Protect Abortion Access March 10, 2022
“An open letter from over 1,000 people (who have either had or provided an abortion) asked President Biden to take immediate action on abortion rights and be more vocal on this important issue. This letter was also featured in an article in the Huffington Post.
Policy Advocacy & Action
COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Conversations
The panel discussed the challenges and questions that school systems, businesses, parents, health practitioners, and government must address to keep the community safe from COVID-19, as new variants of the disease pose ever-changing risks and outcomes. “COVID-19: Class is in Session” Webinar February 9, 2022
The purpose of this webinar was to educate and inform viewers on how COVID-19 has impacted Texas Southern University and K-12 school districts in Texas and neighboring state, Mississippi. Our diverse group of panelists shared their views on how this evolving virus continues to impose challenges on the school system and institutions of higher learning. As COVID-19 continues to rise, it is imperative that educators and administrators are vocal about how this daunting task affects our students, educators, and administration. “Steps to Surviving COVID-19 During The Age of Variants (Houston)” February 17, 2022
Our goal is to increase the amount of vaccinated and boosted individuals in Newark by educating our audience and sharing resources. “Steps to Surviving COVID-19 During The Age of Variants” discussed the challenge and questions that school systems, businesses, parents, health practitioners, and government must address to keep the community safe from COVID-19 as new variants emerge.
Policy Advocacy & Action
Speaking Engagements and Workshops
Kineta Sealey, Esq., Policy Counsel
Photo: Shannon Finney for NWLCAF Counsel
SCOTUS Rally in Support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson March 21, 2022
The National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, She Will Rise, and the Black Women’s Roundtable held a rally in celebration of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic nomination to the Supreme Court.
OBESITY – RECLAIM YOUR WELLNESS:
A Conversation on Obesity Workshop March 5, 2022
As part of the 33rd Annual Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital, Delta Sigma, Inc. is convening this workshop in partnership with the Black Women’s Health Imperative. Over 600 women attended this virtual workshop to discuss obesity and other health issues important to Black women.
Policy Advocacy & Action
Black Women’s Health Imperative Launches a Rare Disease Diversity Coalition
BWHI has officially launched the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) to focus on the extraordinary challenges faced by rare disease patients of color. The non-profit organization’s launch signifies a critical step of development for RDDC, as the coalition strives to bring about evidence-based solutions for rare diseases and alleviate the disproportionate burden on diverse communities and populations. In forming a first-of-its-kind coalition, the RDDC brings together rare disease experts, health and diversity advocates, and industry leaders. The RDDC recognizes the need to demand changes in a healthcare system that had left rare disease patients behind in a rapidly advancing scientific revolution and a strong sense of belief that this coalition can help society drive progress on the continuing struggles regarding health equity and rare diseases. Leading RDDC as Executive Director is Tammy Boyd, JD, MPH who brings a wealth of professional experience, including over 25 years establishing and managing relationships with executive, legislative, administrative and regulatory branches of federal government to implement strategic plans. Most recently, Ms. Boyd served as Chief Policy Officer & Counsel at BWHI. RDDC CELEBRATED RARE DISEASE DAY
How to Advocate for Your Health as a BIPOC Patient Webinars February 28, 2022 In the first panel, we delved into the topic of sickle cell disease with brothers Larenz, Lahmaud, and Larron Tate. The Tate brothers educated our audience on the importance of knowing one’s family medical history and discussed their motivation to join the fight against rare diseases. In our second panel, key experts explored why symptoms of rare diseases are often dismissed by physicians and how patients of color can best advocate for themselves to access the benefits of an early diagnosis.
Congressmen G.K. Butterfield and Bobby Rush Supports Rare Disease Day - The Rare Disease Diversity Coalition Raises Awareness about Rare Diseases and Patients of Color Congressman G.K. Butterfield (North Carolina 1st Congressional District), a Co-Chair of the Rare Disease Congressional Caucus and 24th Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, introduced a resolution recognizing the extraordinary challenges faced by patients of color with rare diseases and the need to identify and promote evidenced-based solutions to alleviate the disproportionate burden of rare diseases on these communities, as well as supporting Rare Disease Day.
