Dear Closing the Health Gap Community:

Tomorrow begins Black History Month, a time to honor the rich legacy, resilience, and achievements of Black Americans while recognizing the work still needed to achieve true health equity. At the Center for Closing the Health Gap, we remain committed to breaking down systemic barriers that disproportionately impact Black communities in Greater Cincinnati. The month of February serves as both a celebration and a call to action—an opportunity to amplify Black voices, uplift our community, and drive meaningful change. By addressing disparities in healthcare, education, and economic opportunity, we can create a healthier, more just future for all. Together, we move forward. Together, We Must Save Us.

Have a safe and blessed week ahead!

Renee Mahaffey Harris

President & CEO

OJPC: January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, "January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month – an important time to reflect on the resilience of trafficking survivors and recognize the efforts of those who work tirelessly to prevent and eliminate this inhumane and devastating form of abuse and exploitation." 

Devin Perry, OJPC's Anti Human Trafficking Attorney Fellow, recently wrote a blog post explaining more about human trafficking. "The term itself is relatively new, and the act of trafficking another human being is deeply rooted in oppression and power dynamics. Victims and survivors themselves often don’t self-identify, and thus the extent and prevalence are largely unknown." Devin goes on to explain how Ohio legislators recognized the unique struggles of human trafficking survivors, and in 2014 passed a law permitting a special type of expungement called Safe Harbor. They then updated the law in 2024 through Senate Bill 214 which Governor Mike DeWine is seen signing in the image above. Read more about human trafficking and Safe Harbor in Ohio in the blog post linked below. 

Click here for the full blog post.

Statement from Melicia Whitt-Glover, Executive Director of Council on Black Health, on Executive Orders Affecting Healthcare

The recent executive orders on healthcare have caused significant uncertainty, especially for organizations serving historically marginalized communities. While the Council on Black Health is not fully reliant on federal funding, many of our partners are, and they now face disruptions that threaten their ability to continue their vital work. This impacts the communities we serve and exacerbates health inequities.

Our commitment to achieving optimal health for Black communities is unwavering. While these orders may lead to confusion and delays, we must continue our work to prevent setbacks in health progress.

Here’s how we can take immediate action:

1. Stay Informed: Designating trusted partners to provide regular updates on executive orders.
2. Research Actionable Steps: Clarifying what’s enforceable and what actions are needed.
3. Prioritize Collaboration: Focusing on collective action and resource sharing.
4. Support Local Groups: Strengthening organizations already serving communities.
5. Stay Focused: We will not be deterred from our mission of health equity.

The need for transformative healthcare policies has never been clearer. Together, we will continue to fight for bold, inclusive policies that ensure equitable healthcare access and outcomes for the communities that need it most.

Webinar: Black Americans in Recovery – Addressing Racial Challenges in Addiction Treatment

The impact of substance use disorders on Black Americans is a complex issue. Understanding it requires an examination of racial inequity, inequality, and racism. Research shows long-held stereotypes about race and addiction are impacting access to treatment and patient outcomes. It is critical for the behavioral health community to discuss these differences.

Join James George, a BrightView Health Director of Operations, as he leads a discussion that identifies the key components of this issue to improve recovery outcomes for all patients.



Click here to register.

Colorectal cancer care disparities in an urban diverse population: A tale of two hospitals in the nation’s capital.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) disparities by race and ethnicity are well-documented nationally. In the District of Columbia (DC), Black Americans have an 18% higher incidence and 46% higher mortality rate compared to overall rates among all races/ethnicities. These disparities often stem from long-standing inequities in the social determinants of health, which affect access to cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. MedStar Georgetown serves a large, urban, diverse population at 2 hospitals: the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) and the MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC). MWHC serves a higher proportion of minoritized patients (pts) with multiple social determinant barriers to care, including those without private health insurance. We hypothesized that disparities would be found in CRC pt care and outcomes when comparing MWHC with MGUH.

Click here for the full story.

Life expectancy by county and educational attainment in the USA, 2000–19: an observational analysis

Educational disparities in life expectancy in the USA have been documented nationally but have not been comprehensively explored at the county level. Such geographical granularity is necessary for determining how these disparities vary across the country, thus highlighting the populations that could benefit most from increased access to educational support. We aim to estimate life expectancy at age 25 years for US counties from 2000 to 2019 for four educational attainment populations: less than high school, high-school graduate (including certificate of high school equivalency or other alternative credentials), some college (including associate degrees and incomplete college), and college graduate (including graduate and professional degrees).

Click here for the full story.

Enquirer: A guide to Black History Month events in (and around) Cincinnati

February is Black History Month, and what better way to celebrate African American culture than by attending one of these events around town? From inspirational and thought-provoking to educational and fun, you're sure to find plenty to do in Greater Cincinnati.

Click here for the article.