This submit was initially printed on Michigan Chronicle
By Amber Ogden
Black ladies in america are 41% extra more likely to die from breast most cancers than white ladies, regardless of being recognized at decrease charges. This alarming disparity is only one instance of the pressing well being disaster going through Black ladies, who additionally expertise increased mortality charges from cervical and colorectal cancers.
In response to those troubling statistics, Oprah Winfrey Community (OWN) and its well being and wellness initiative, OWN Your Well being, have introduced a transformative partnership with the American Most cancers Society to help VOICES of Black Girls a first-of-its-kind, long-term examine designed to uncover the social, environmental, and healthcare elements driving these disparities.
Launched throughout the first week of Girls’s Historical past Month, the partnership goals to recruit 100,000 Black ladies, ages 25 to 55, to take part within the groundbreaking examine. Via OWN’s expansive attain throughout tv, digital platforms, and social media, the marketing campaign will guarantee Black ladies throughout the nation perceive how their voices and experiences can gasoline life-saving analysis and reshape the way forward for most cancers prevention, therapy, and survivorship for generations to return.
Via this partnership, OWN Your Well being will make the most of OWN’s in depth media platforms corresponding to tv, social media, and digital channels to help the VOICES of Black Girls marketing campaign in recruiting 100,000 Black ladies aged 25 to 55 for the groundbreaking examine. The information collected will help researchers in creating personalized options to reinforce well being outcomes and deal with most cancers disparities which have affected Black ladies for a lot too lengthy.
A few of the the analysis will discover how way of life, environmental elements, social experiences, and entry to healthcare have an effect on most cancers outcomes amongst Black ladies.
As a part of this highly effective new partnership, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Community will launch OWN.television/Voices, a devoted digital hub offering Black ladies with important details about the VOICES of Black Girls marketing campaign and clear steps to affix the groundbreaking examine.
This multi-platform marketing campaign brings consideration to OWN’s ongoing dedication to elevating well being fairness and making certain Black ladies aren’t solely seen and heard, but in addition instantly concerned in analysis that may finally affect their care and outcomes.
Tina Perry, President of OWN, highlighted the significance of the partnership.
“We’re honored to face alongside the American Most cancers Society in amplifying the VOICES of Black Girls marketing campaign,” Perry stated.
“Via OWN Your Well being, we now have the chance to leverage the ability of OWN’s platform — throughout tv, social media, and digital — to achieve Black ladies instantly and empower them with the data, instruments, and help they should prioritize their well being.”
For a few years, in depth research have persistently demonstrated that Black ladies expertise disproportionately excessive most cancers mortality charges and exhibit shorter survival durations in comparison with all different racial and ethnic teams in america. These alarming disparities spotlight a important public well being difficulty that warrants pressing consideration. Regardless of the gravity of this case, Black ladies proceed to be considerably underrepresented in medical analysis initiatives.
This lack of illustration leads to important questions remaining unanswered concerning the distinctive organic, social, and environmental elements which will affect their most cancers outcomes. As a consequence, tailor-made interventions and therapy methods that would probably improve their survival and high quality of life are sometimes ignored.
By leveraging its deep connection to its viewers, OWN is uniquely positioned to mobilize Black ladies throughout the nation, encouraging them to take part on this historic examine that may assist researchers uncover the foundation causes of well being disparities and develop options tailor-made to the distinctive wants and lived experiences of Black ladies.
Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, interim CEO of the American Most cancers Society and ACS CAN, emphasised the marketing campaign’s urgency.
“The arduous reality is that regardless of advances in most cancers analysis, Black ladies nonetheless face unacceptable disparities in most cancers analysis, therapy, and survival,” Frederick stated.
“By instantly participating Black ladies on this groundbreaking examine, we are able to acquire invaluable insights into the elements driving these disparities — and finally create simpler, tailor-made options to enhance well being outcomes.”
To study extra about OWN Your Well being, go to OWNYourHealth.television or comply with the marketing campaign on Fb, Instagram, and X.
For extra details about the VOICES of Black Girls marketing campaign, or to affix the examine, go to OWN.television/Voices.
