Generational Wellness Digest
Balance Period is a wellness solutions company that's passionate about health equity. We are on a mission to close the racial health gap by empowering communities to create generational wellness. The resources we provide will help you optimize your health from the inside out and empower others to do the same. Subscribe below!
Vol. 236 | Featured: What People of Color Need to Know About Sun Protection and Skin Cancer 🌞✊🏾
July is UV Safety Month, and it's important to remember that sun protection matters for everyone, regardless of skin tone. While people of color have more melanin, which offers some natural defense, they’re still at risk for sun damage and skin cancer, including harder-to-detect types like acral melanoma. Unfortunately, many Black and Brown individuals are diagnosed later, when the disease is more advanced. In this week’s volume, we'll break down the facts and share simple ways to protect...
Vol. 235 | Featured: Disparities in Cataract Care – What You Can Do to Advocate 👁️✊🏾
June is Cataract Awareness Month, a perfect time to spotlight the vision care disparities impacting communities of color across the US. While cataracts are treatable, Black, Hispanic, and low-income patients often face longer wait times for surgery, fewer premium treatment options, and greater barriers to follow-up care. These delays can lead to serious vision loss, impacting quality of life and deepening health inequities. In this week’s volume, we explore the impact of these disparities and...
Vol. 234 | Featured: Racial Disparities in Emergency Care for Myasthenia Gravis Patients 🩺🏥
Did you know that even in rare diseases like myasthenia gravis (MG), where muscle weakness and fatigue can be life-altering, racial disparities affect how patients access acute care? Recent research reveals that Black and Hispanic patients with MG face higher risks of emergency room visits and hospitalizations compared to their White counterparts. This week’s featured article highlights how these disparities in acute care utilization point to a need for targeted patient support programs that...
Vol. 233 | Featured: The Hidden Struggle with PTSD Treatment for People of Color 🙇🏽♂️✊🏾
Have you ever wondered why mental health treatments don’t always work the same way for everyone? When it comes to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the story gets even more complex across different racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. This week, we explore how PTSD affects People of Color differently, revealing gaps in treatment access, engagement, and culturally relevant care. While the symptoms of PTSD are universal, research shows that Black, Hispanic, and other communities face unique...
Vol. 232 | Featured: The Heavy Toll of Alzheimer’s on African American Families 🙇🏽♂️💔
Alzheimer’s disease isn’t just a health crisis; it’s a social and economic one, too. While African Americans make up only 13.6% of the U.S. population, they shoulder a third of the total costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. That’s a staggering burden, one that disproportionately affects women, caregivers, and entire families. This week, we explore how systemic disparities, from healthcare access to neighborhood conditions, contribute to these alarming statistics. Just as improving...
Vol. 231 | Featured: Why Men's Health Matters in the Health Equity Conversation 🧔🏾♂️🩺
As we recognize Men's Health Month this June, it's important to understand that men face unique health challenges that often go unaddressed—they die about 5 years earlier than women and are far less likely to seek preventive care or mental health support. This isn't about taking resources away from other groups, but rather recognizing that true health equity means everyone gets the care they need. In this volume, you'll learn about the specific barriers men face in healthcare, the cultural...
Vol. 230 | Featured: How Diet, Exercise, and Sleep Work Together for Your Health 🍎💪🏾😴
Ever wonder why you crave junk food after a bad night's sleep, or why you sleep better after a good workout? The connection between diet, exercise, and sleep isn't just in your head – it's backed by real science that can transform your health. In this volume, we break down how these three work as a powerful team in your body, share eye-opening stats about why nearly one-third of Americans aren't getting enough sleep, and give you simple, doable steps to improve all three areas without feeling...
Vol. 229 | Featured: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care for Older Adults 👵🏾✊🏾
As the U.S. population ages, ensuring equitable health care for all older adults becomes more urgent—especially as people of color are projected to make up nearly half of adults 65 and older by 2060. While Medicare offers broad coverage, racial and ethnic disparities in treatment, communication, and access still persist, often rooted in longstanding social and economic inequalities. This week’s featured article highlights findings from KFF’s 2023 survey, revealing how older Black, Hispanic,...
Vol. 228 | Featured: Social Determinants of Health and Disparities in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases 🫀🩺
This May, as we recognize National High Blood Pressure Education Month, we're highlighting how where you live, work, and play can significantly impact your heart health—sometimes even more than your genetics. Social factors like neighborhood quality, income, and education create substantial disparities in who develops hypertension and heart disease. This week's featured article explores how improving neighborhood conditions could prevent 1 in 4 cases of uncontrolled blood pressure in...
Vol. 227 | Featured: Bridging the Mental Health Care Gap 🙇🏽♂️✊🏾
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the significant gaps in mental health care access that affect communities of color across America. Recent studies show that Black and Hispanic adults are far more likely to face barriers when seeking mental health support, with cost being the biggest obstacle preventing many from getting the help they need. In this week's featured article, you will learn about the structural barriers contributing to these disparities and the importance...
Balance Period is a wellness solutions company that's passionate about health equity. We are on a mission to close the racial health gap by empowering communities to create generational wellness. The resources we provide will help you optimize your health from the inside out and empower others to do the same. Subscribe below!