Oh, hi. And happy Juneteenth. In honor of the holiday, we focus on the wellness world’s obsession with longevity and why that conversation is very different for Black Americans. Because, unfortunately, racism’s ill effects are ubiquitous — and especially worrisome in health care.
Meanwhile, much of the Midwest and East Coast is under a heat dome this week. If it impacts you, I hope you find somewhere cool, eat an ice pop (or two), and take extra care if you’re on any of these medications. I’m going to focus on hydrating and use it as an excuse to relax.
— Karell Roxas / Editorial Director / West Orange, NJ
well, well, well...
Catch up on the latest health news, tips, and trends.
Racist beauty standards place a heavy burden on Black women — and it could put their mental and physical health at risk.
ADHD medication could soon be harder to get, after the arrest of two healthcare execs. Talk to your doc if you’re worried.
One study found that your risk level for Alzheimer’s may partly depend on your mom. Here’s what you can do now to help your brain.
Just in time for summer, melanoma cases are on the rise. Let it be a reminder to not use olive oil to tan — and to consider SPF for your pup.
The spice-drawer smell test could be a useful tool to keep you healthy. Wake up and smell the…cinnamon.
we have to talk about…
The Longevity Conversation We’re Not Having
From multimillionaires getting injected with young blood to new research encouraging people to make lifestyle changes, the quest for longevity seems inescapable. It might sound like just another wellness trend, “but for a lot of marginalized populations, it feels like a fleeting fairytale,” says Princess Uzoh, chief of staff and director of strategic partnerships at Health in Her Hue.
That’s particularly true for Black Americans, who have one of the shortest life expectancies at 70.8 years, compared to 76.4 years for white Americans, according to KFF data from 2021. For this community, the longevity conversation isn’t just a trend — it’s survival.
Why bike rides and veggies don't solve everything
The problem with the conversation is that “it almost suggests as though we all start at a specific baseline,” explains Uzoh. “And if we make these few adjustments within our daily lives, then we'll be able to boost our longevity. That's just simply not true.” Many of the barriers to longevity — food deserts, income disparities, access to healthcare, gun violence, and treatment by medical providers — are largely out of your control.
There’s also the daily wear and tear of structural racism that “constantly [puts you] in this fight-or-flight mode,” says Uzoh. “It actually makes us susceptible to chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, [and] autoimmune diseases.” Permission to scream into a pillow.
Your move
“A more achievable goal might be to create a healthy baseline for Black folks and folks of color before we think about shooting for the stars,” says Uzoh. To make that happen, we’ll just need a massive change within our racist health care systems. In the meantime, focus on your health at this moment, Uzoh says. That includes:
Getting enough sleep
Meeting your nutritional needs (as much as you can)
Finding a culturally competent doctor. Health in Her Hue (where Uzoh works), Find a Black Doctor, and the Association of Black Women Physicians are good places to start.
Getting appropriate mental health support
ask an expert
Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:
What makes pregnancy after 35 considered “geriatric”?
FEATURED EXPERT:
Nancey Hahn, MD
OB/GYN, Axia Women's Health
Let’s set the record straight: “Geriatric pregnancy is definitely an outdated term,” says Hahn. The more commonly used phrase is “advanced maternal age” (not much better, tbh). But this helps providers quickly ID patients who are in a different risk group, she says.
“Moms after age 35 are at higher risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, pregnancy-induced diabetes, having babies that are small for gestational age, or preterm delivery,” says Hahn.
But...that's not the whole story. Read more on how prenatal care looks different, too.
thing to know
3x
That’s how much more common multiple sclerosis (MS) is among women compared to men. Oh, and it's even more prevalent in women of childbearing age. Just what we want to hear.
MS is a chronic neurological disease with symptoms like fatigue, blurred vision, hand tremors, and difficulty walking, among others. Receiving a diagnosis for MS may feel daunting — but with a personalized treatment plan and support from friends, family, and the MS community, you can still find ways to do what you love. Read these real patient stories to learn more about living with MS.
smart follow
In honor of Juneteenth, this week's Smart Follow features not one, but *three* recs we think you'll enjoy.
Follow
Kera Nyemb-Diop, PhD, aka @black.nutritionist
Why we follow: Nyemb-Diop uses sarcasm, humor, and unfiltered honesty to call out the racism behind the nutrition advice we’ve heard all our lives.
One of our fave posts: This one.
Read
Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons With Racism in Medicine by Uché Blackstock, MD
Why we read: As both a Harvard-trained physician and a patient, Blackstock has experienced the racism of the medical system firsthand — and she’s not keeping it secret.
One of our fave chapters: The Way Forward: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Listen
Why we listen: Both our mom-editor and non-mom-writer enjoy this one. The hosts cover everything from IVF to painful periods in a way that makes you feel like you're hanging out with your best friends.
One of our fave eps: This one.
quote of the week
"Blue mind theory"
The idea that being near water can make you less stressed. Now we sea why we feel so calm after a beach vacation.
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