Dear Community:

Tomorrow, our community has a powerful opportunity to come together in the spirit of health, connection, and collective care. I encourage you to join the Cincinnati and Queen City Chapters of The Links, Incorporated for the Black Family Wellness Expo, part of their National Day of Impact. This free event takes place Saturday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New Prospect Baptist Church and promises a meaningful day of wellness resources, education, and family-friendly activities.

At the Center for Closing the Health Gap, we know that “We Must Save Us.” Events like this are vital steps toward that mission – meeting people where they are and making health accessible, engaging, and empowering.

We’re excited to continue that same momentum at our own Health Expo on April 25, featuring a reimagined experience with expanded screenings, activities, and entertainment. Together, we build healthier futures for all of us, one gathering at a time. Wishing everyone a safe and healthy week ahead!



Renee Mahaffey Harris

President & CEO

APHA and Protect Our Care Analysis highlight how RFK Jr’s health policies affect people of color

A joint analysis released by the American Public Health Association and Protect Our Care sheds light on how cuts to vital health programs and efforts to use disinformation to undermine the effectiveness of vaccines have disproportionately undermined the health of people of color. The review comes as the CDC now reports over 1,360 confirmed measles cases and 14 new outbreaks in 2026. The spread of the disease so far in 2026 is on track to eclipse last year's total, which was the highest since 1991.

“Trump’s health secretary RFK Jr. is making communities of color sicker by putting up even more barriers to access safe and effective vaccines while destroying health programs designed to fix health disparities,” said Kayla Hancock, Director of Protect Our Care’s Public Health Project. “Kennedy has abused his celebrity status and influence to baselessly stoke anti-vax fear and drive down vaccination rates even further, leaving already underserved communities even less prepared to deal with the massive uptick in preventable diseases like measles, flu and hepatitis B. RFK Jr. has put his widely discredited belief that Black people should have less protection from preventable disease into dangerous practice, and it’s costing a lot of people dearly in medical bills and their health.” 

5 Health Care Challenges Leaders Will Tackle at Healthier Together Conference

Hundreds of leaders will gather to explore data-driven strategies for transforming care delivery and reducing disparities in health outcomes at the American Hospital Association’s inaugural Healthier Together Conference. The event — which will take place from May 12-14 in Dallas — will focus on the best ways to support patients and help communities thrive. Attendees from across the country will discuss the latest innovative approaches to expanding access to care, strengthening hospital-community partnerships, advancing person-centered interventions and implementing collaborative community solutions to achieve better outcomes and increase resilience.

“We’re excited to host the inaugural AHA Healthier Together Conference — designed for health care leaders committed to improving outcomes across their organizations and communities,” said Joy Rhoden, AHA senior vice president and executive director of the division of health outcomes and care transformation. “This event brings together experts who are implementing evidence‑based strategies to reduce disparities in health outcomes. Attendees will leave energized and equipped with practical tools, proven interventions and actionable solutions they can immediately apply in their clinical and operational work.”

For Black communities, inconsistent or absent access points contribute to shorter life expectancies and preventable health disparities

By Benny Roberts, Executive Director Hallie Q. Brown Community Center

Longevity, especially in context to Minnesota black life statistics or urban experiences are about more than how long we live—it’s also about how well we live. Quality of life is shaped by access: access to preventative health care, trusted information, early intervention, movement practices or manual activities, nutritious food, and places where people feel safe enough to show up as they are. For too many communities, especially Black communities, those access points are inconsistent or absent, contributing to shorter life expectancies and preventable health disparities. That gap is not about lack of will; it’s about lack of opportunity.



I am so curious about the Blue Zones research- longevity hotspots all over the world that have been studied for their impacting factors to health and the ability to live lives. The Blue Zone research, founded by fellow Minnesotan Dave Better, is an engaging study that has become a phenomenon that has been adapted into multiple book forms and a Netflix documentary—this research is also in line with other local studies around the Social Determinants of Health. The data informs us that people live longer and fuller lives when they have good food, spiritual practices, some healthy movement, and are connected—to care, to resources, and to community.

Rejecting Division and Reclaiming Connection: A Path to Health Equity

This February, I was excited to watch the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist, Bad Bunny, perform at the U.S. Super Bowl halftime show. Through his setlist and production design, his performance seamlessly connected layered symbolism, radiated joy, and delivered on themes of love and cultural pride. He closed his performance with the well-known remark, “God Bless America,” followed by honoring the many different nations that make up North, South, and Latin America. This finale served as a tribute and reminder that the term ‘America’ does not refer to a singular nation, but represents a vast, living tapestry shaped by enduring histories and dynamic cultural identities. It was a beautiful message that our collective strength lies in our diversity, inclusiveness, and unity.

The current moment calls us to reject the existing paradigm that dominant nations, or dominant groups, can occupy the center while others remain at the margins. In the context of health equity, just as no single nation defines the Americas, no single group should define access to health, safety, or opportunity. We live in a world with unprecedented resources and knowledge. The present uncovers opportunities to walk along a shared path; to envision and co-create a system that acknowledges and addresses the inequitable systems that have persisted over time. However, to move forward with clarity, we should first examine the past to gain insight into contemporary challenges. History shows that systems which concentrate resources among a few generate inequity, and when these inequities persist, their effects extend across communities, borders, and generations. We have seen these effects influence the social and economic outcomes for many and create outcomes that harm everyone.

AHA podcast explores Duke Health’s community efforts to reduce hypertension disparities

An encore episode of the AHA’s Advancing Health podcast features Duke University’s Anna Tharakan, lead project manager on Closing the Gap on Hypertension Disparities, and Bradi Granger, Ph.D., research professor at Duke University School of Nursing and director of the Duke Heart Center Nursing Research Program. The pair highlights how Duke’s team is closing hypertension disparities by integrating community health workers, student ambassadors and local clinics.