Dear Community:

April is a powerful month of recognition and action. It is International Black Women’s History Month, honoring the achievements, resilience, and global contributions of Black women, leaders whose impact in technology, politics, the arts, and beyond has too often gone overlooked.

It is also National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about health disparities and advance equitable access, education, and outcomes for all communities. And during National Donate Life Month, we are reminded that more than 100,000 Americans are waiting for transplants – and that each of us has the power to give the gift of life through donation.

At the Center for Closing the Health Gap, these observances reflect our mission in action. We’re also proud to support Cincinnati Public Schools’ All-Star Showcase tomorrow, April 4, which has raised $60,000 for CPS Project Connect, helping students and families experiencing homelessness.

Together, we honor the past, and take meaningful steps forward in the present. Because always, We Must Save Us. Wishing all of you a safe and healthy week ahead!



Renee Mahaffey Harris

President & CEO

CPS All-Star Showcase on Saturday

The Center for Closing the Health Gap is proud to partner with Cincinnati Public Schools to present its annual All-Star Showcase. This event has helped raise $60,000 for CPS Project Connect, directly supporting students and families experiencing homelessness.

Economic, cultural barriers lead to disparities in type 2 diabetes rate

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing diseases in the world. According to a 2023 study, the number of people with the potentially deadly condition is expected to double in the next 25 years, according to the American Journal of Managed Care.

Unlike chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or even arthritis, many people can reverse their risk for type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise. So why is it such a pervasive problem?

Investigative reporter Kristin Crowley went to Colorado in search of that answer. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said there are things people can do to reduced the risk, including taking control of their nutrition and exercise and having glucose, A1C and insulin levels checked.

As political pressure mounts, medical school accreditor drops requirement to teach about health equity

The leading medical school accreditation body in the U.S. has removed language from its standards that had required schools it validates to teach about health inequities.

The action comes as initiatives to diversify the medical workforce and study disparate health outcomes have come under fire from the Trump administration, and as the accreditation body itself has been subjected to political pressure. On Wednesday, the Department of Justice contacted three medical schools, asking for data as part of a probe into their admissions practices. “At this time, our investigation will focus on possible race discrimination in medical school admissions,” Harmeet K. Dhillon, the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, wrote in each of the letters, according to The New York Times, which first reported on the investigations.

Health as wealth: The $24 billion-dollar case for closing the Black maternal health gap in the U.S.

Black maternal safety is directly tied to improved health outcomes and economic success. The racial divide in maternal and infant health is stark: Black women face a risk of pregnancy-related death four times higher than women from other backgrounds, with Black infants dying at more than double the rate of other babies during their first year of life.

The McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility estimates that by narrowing the Black maternal-health gap and improving access to high-quality care, the lives of 3,100 Black mothers and 35,000 infants could be saved by 2040. By addressing these disparities, the United States could generate an estimated $24.4 billion in GDP over the lifetimes of women giving birth today. The financial cost of the Black maternal health gap is staggering, impacting everything from healthcare spending to workforce participation. Improving outcomes could save lives and restore the potential for thousands of women to contribute more fully to their families and communities.

Sesame Workshop Launches New Resources in Celebration of Autism Acceptance Month

Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, released new resources today in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. These free resources in English and Spanish aim to help autistic children and their families build confidence and self-determination skills, while also fostering understanding and acceptance of autism among all children and adults.



The new resources are part of the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative. They add to the wealth of content for children, families, community providers, and educators, which includes books, videos, articles, and professional development tools.

BREAKING THE SILENCE: TEENS FIGHTING SUICIDE

A new campaign is designed to raise awareness, encourage education, and foster hope about the importance of the mental health of someone that you love. Students across Cincinnati are invited to submit PSAs.

What is a PSA? A public service announcement, or PSA, is a message shared with the general public that raises awareness about an issue and inspires the public to take action or make a change.

PSA length? Make sure that your PSA is exactly :30 seconds in length.

Who can enter? High School-aged children in the Fox19 broadcast area.

Last day to enter? May 31, 2026.