Dear Closing the Health Gap Community:

June is Black Men’s Mental Health Month—a vital time to shine a light on the unique health challenges faced by Black men, both physically and mentally. Black men often experience higher rates of chronic illness, stress, and depression, yet are less likely to seek care due to stigma and systemic barriers. For example, in Hamilton County, Black men are 1.8 times more likely to experience unmanaged hypertension than their white counterparts.

At the Center for Closing the Health Gap, we are committed to improving these outcomes by raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and creating culturally relevant programs that support health and healing. That includes our June 28 "Brother, Let's Talk" event – check out the details below and share them with the men in your lives. Together, we can uplift the mental and physical well-being of Black men in our community – because everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Blessings for a safe and healthy week ahead.

Renee Mahaffey Harris

President & CEO

Local 12: New research highlights health risks of relentless goal pursuit

New research suggests that the relentless pursuit of goals can have detrimental effects on health, according to public health providers. Renee Mahaffey Harris, President and CEO of the Center for Closing the Health Gap, explained that persistent stress can impact the body’s physiology, particularly affecting the brain and increasing allostatic load, which refers to the cumulative stress or wear and tear on the body over time.

"For women in particular it's like we keep pushing through. So, then those stressors that continue to hit our body end up having an impact on our physiology and our physiological impact occurs in our brain and our allostatic load," said Harris.

Calling All Closing the Health Gap Volunteers!

Be a part of something bigger. Our Volunteer Kickoff and Orientation for Closing the Health Gap is your chance to contribute to the health and wellness of our communities. Every volunteer, past, present, and future, plays a crucial role. Let's be the change together.

Monday, June 23 at 6:00pm

UC Health Business Center

Questions? Call 513-585-9879.

Low Area Credit Scores Linked to Higher Anxiety and Depression

Increasingly, data shows that financial health and mental health are deeply intertwined. While much research has focused on the impact of income on mental health and wellbeing, a study led by Catherine Ettman, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Bloomberg School, shows credit scores are also an important factor. People living in ZIP codes with lower average credit scores are significantly more likely to report frequent symptoms of depression and anxiety, even after adjusting for income and demographic factors. The findings, published in the online American Journal of Epidemiology, suggest that area credit scores—long used by lenders to evaluate financial risk—may also be a proxy for mental health risks.

Structural racism and perinatal mental health – The role of racialized economic segregation

Perinatal mental disorders (PMD) are serious complications that can affect birthing persons during pregnancy and postpartum. These disorders encompass perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) and serious mental illness (SMI), including psychosis and bipolar disorder (O’Hara & Wisner, 2014). Perinatal mental disorders also increase risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and impaired child development (Gavin et al., 2005; Grace et al., 2003; Grote et al., 2010; Lopez et al., 2019).

Racial and ethnic differences in the occurrence of adverse maternal mental health outcomes have also been documented. Several studies have found that minoritized populations, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native birthing persons, experience a higher prevalence of PMD, particularly depression and anxiety, compared with their white counterparts.

Uncovering Social Disparities in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

While colorectal cancer rates have declined in older adults, there has been a significant rise in early-onset colorectal cancer in patients diagnosed before age 50. This prompted a large-scale real-world study by Ontada, presented by Jessica Paulus, ScD, senior director of Observational Research, at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

The research, drawing from a vast community oncology network, aimed to shed light on the characteristics, disparities, and outcomes of early-onset disease, particularly through the lens of social determinants of health. The retrospective cohort study analyzed data patients with colorectal cancer within The US Oncology Network. Of these, almost 15,000 patients were diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, making this one of the largest analyses of this relatively rare but growing population.

AI in the Battle Against Health Disparities

In the health care industry, disparities are differences in treatment access and patient outcomes among various groups. They cause the avoidable loss of lives and dollars, both of which are unacceptable. In the long term, they lead to major consequences for everyone, not just those directly impacted.

Since this issue is so broad and complex, providers should address it with artificial intelligence. This technology has the intelligence of a human and the speed of a supercomputer, so it might be able to resolve pain points humanity has struggled with for decades.

What Are Health Disparities?

Health disparities are the differences in health status, life expectancy and access to care among different population groups. They extend to patient outcomes, including mortality and quality of life. For example, the infant mortality rate could be higher among marginalized groups because they may be more likely to lack prenatal care, live in unsafe areas or face bias during childbirth.

Race and ethnicity are predominant factors. In the United States, around 42% of people identify as people of color, while 58% are white. Even though these groups are almost evenly split, their care is unequal. Hispanic individuals are more than twice as likely to be uninsured. Asian adults are less likely to receive mental wellness aid. Black infants are twice as likely to die.

Black Men's Health Weekly

"We are our brother’s keeper. When one man learns, we all grow stronger. Health is a shared legacy—pass it on."

SECTION 1: SPOTLIGHT

🔦 Expert of the Week: Dr. Charles R. Rogers

Dr. Rogers is a nationally recognized researcher focused on improving early detection of colorectal cancer among African American men.

He is the Founding Director of the Men’s Health Inequities Research Lab and a leading voice on addressing health inequities through community engagement, storytelling, and culturally sensitive outreach.

➡️ His motto: “We can’t change what we don’t talk about.”

SECTION 2: FAST FACTS

📊 Did You Know?

• In Hamilton County, Black men are 1.8× more likely to experience unmanaged hypertension than their white counterparts.
• Hypertension stands as one of the most significant and preventable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

SECTION 3: RESEARCH & BREAKTHROUGHS

🧬 New in Black Men’s Health: DASH for Health Equity

Study Insight: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) plan significantly reduced blood pressure in Black participants when culturally adapted to include familiar ingredients and flavors.

➡️ Lesson: Healthy eating isn’t one-size-fits-all. Customizing dietary advice to culture improves success and adherence.

SECTION 4: LIVING WELL

🍽️ Healthy Living Tip: Spice up your meals with garlic, turmeric, and leafy greens—they're heart-protective and flavorful. Try collards with garlic and lemon!

🧘🏾 Mind Check: “Stillness is strength. Take a moment today to sit, breathe, and listen to your heartbeat.”

SECTION 5: UPCOMING EVENTS / RESOURCES

📅 What’s Happening This Week in Hamilton County

• 💬 The 2025 Think Tank on Equity and Inclusion

 📍 Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati – June 18, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

 🗣️ Topics: Advancing racial health and wealth equity

 👉 RSVP: www.theabercrumbiegroup.com/thinktank

🩺 FREE Screenings for uninsured: Blood Pressure & Glucose

 📍 Student Run Free Clinic 11345 Century Cir W, Saturdays 9am-noon

 ✔️ Walk-ins welcome – No insurance required