Dear Community:

Exactly 58 years ago today – on March 27, 1968, just eight days before his assassination – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before students in Newark, New Jersey, calling on young people to lead with courage, education, and nonviolent action. His message was clear: lasting change comes when communities organize, stand together, and act with purpose.

That call still resonates today.

Tomorrow, March 28, communities nationwide – and here across Cincinnati – will gather for No Kings protests, grounded in the same principle Dr. King championed: nonviolent, collective action in pursuit of justice. These moments of civic engagement reflect the power of people coming together to advocate for healthier, more equitable communities.

At the Center for Closing the Health Gap, we know that health is shaped by more than healthcare. It is shaped by the strength and voice of our communities. As we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, let us recommit to showing up, speaking out, and supporting one another. Wishing all of you a safe and healthy week ahead!



Renee Mahaffey Harris

President & CEO

Cincinnati leaders, Ohio advocates warn of rising health care costs on ACA anniversary

Cincinnati leaders and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care Ohio March 23 to mark the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and raise concerns about recent policy changes they worry are threatening access to affordable, quality health care for working families. The virtual press conference featured Cincinnati City Council Member Seth Walsh; Renee Mahaffey-Harris, CEO of the Center for Closing the Health Gap; and Cincinnati residents Diahanna Kinsley and Andrea Oberschlake, who will share personal stories about the importance of access to affordable health care.

Speakers highlighted the ongoing impact of the ACA, which has expanded coverage to hundreds of thousands of Ohioans, including those with pre-existing conditions, and improved access to essential services such as preventive care and prescription drugs. Advocates warn that recent actions eliminating enhanced premium tax credits have led to significant increases in health insurance costs. Opposition to the Affordable Care Act in Ohio has intensified as rising costs and declining enrollment have raised concerns about its sustainability. Recent reporting shows that after federal subsidies expired, insurance premiums surged and more than 100,000 Ohioans dropped coverage, contributing to an overall enrollment decline of roughly 20% in one year, according to Health Policy Ohio.

When breast cancer and heart disease intersect: racial differences in survivorship

Survival after breast cancer has improved dramatically over the past few decades. Earlier detection and better treatments mean that many women now live for years, and often decades, after diagnosis. But these gains have not been shared equally. In the United States, Black women still face a higher risk of dying after a breast cancer diagnosis than White women. At the same time, cardiovascular disease has emerged as one of the leading causes of death among breast cancer survivors. Together, these trends raise an important question: when survival differs between racial groups after breast cancer, how much of that difference comes from the cancer itself, and how much from heart disease?



A recent study published in Cardio-oncology, led by Dr. Kerryn Reding of Fred Hutch Cancer Center and colleagues, approached this question using data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), one of the largest and longest-running studies of women’s health in the United States.

Why are Black people dying so young in Boston?

In the latest episode of the DotLife podcast, host Erin Caldwell talks with Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission, to unpack Boston’s first-ever Black life expectancy report and what it reveals about widening health disparities in the city. They explore why Black residents—especially Black men—are dying years earlier, and how factors like housing, income, and systemic inequities shape these outcomes.

Questions to ask your doctor after 60

After decades of facing various social, economic, racial and health disparities, it’s no surprise that some Black elderly patients are hesitant to visit the doctor for regular screenings or may not always know what to ask. This month theAFRO spoke with medical professionals to discuss the importance of preparation prior to appointments, regular screenings and medication questions to consider before each appointment.

For Dr. Jacquetta George, a certified registered nurse practitioner who practices family medicine at Medstar Health, the advice for those preparing for an appointment is to write down any essential questions that they feel need to be answered. “That’s how they can remember the important stuff,” George told the AFRO. For Dr. Thomas Cudjoe, who specializes in geriatric medicine at Johns Hopkins, preparation can be especially important—particularly for those who bring a “medical visit companion,” such as a friend, family member or other trusted advocate to support their needs. “Sometimes people that are close to us can notice things that we can’t,” Cudjoe said.

He added that having appointments be something that is discussed in advance with consistent planning and scheduling can make room for both the patient and their advocate to discuss what the patient’s needs are and ensure they are addressed. He expressed the importance of planning and engaging with the patient without overtaking the visit. He also advised advocates to reflect with the patient following the appointment.

AHA launches innovation summits, revamped reducing disparities in health outcomes webpage

The AHA is now offering custom innovation summits — proven, high-impact workshops designed to convene health care leaders and co-design solutions for organizations committed to reducing health disparities. These one-day interactive sessions are tailored to the organization’s objectives and audiences, fostering collaboration to ensure actionable insights and tangible outcomes. Visit the new custom innovation summit webpage for more information. Additionally, the AHA has launched an enhanced reducing disparities in health outcomes webpage. This centralized hub offers resources and tools to support member hospitals in reducing disparities in health outcomes, improving quality of care and enhancing patient experience. New topics and resources will be added in the coming months.

New Study Sheds Light on Health Disparities of Bi+ Dementia Caregivers

An estimated 11+ million adults in the U.S. provide unpaid care to family members, friends, and other people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (ADRD). For ADRD caregivers, the physical, social, emotional, and financial tolls are often substantial; for LGBTQ+ caregivers, these tolls are frequently exacerbated by additional stressors and health disparities experienced by minority populations.

With an estimated 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ adults serving as a caregiver to a family member or friend with a disability or health problem, it’s important to understand the substantial physical, mental, and emotional burdens faced by this population of caregivers. Data indicates LGBTQ+ caregivers report fewer financial and social resources and caregiver supports as well as elevated depressive symptoms and below average health when compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Additionally, they may be caring for someone who does not accept their LGBTQ+ identity, which can increase the psychological impact of caregiving.