#Not62 Steering Committee Hosts “A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in The Bronx”

 

Dr. Jane Bedell was one of four panelists who spoke at the webinar, 

“A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in the Bronx.”

On July 29th, the #Not62 Steering Committee, of which Bronx Health REACH and the Institute for Family Health are founding members, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. hosted, “A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in the Bronx.” This virtual panel discussion featured former NYC Department of Health and Mental Health Commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot; Dr. Jane Bedell who was the Medical Director of The Bronx Neighborhood Health Action Center and the Assistant Commissioner of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Dr. Lessie Branch from Metropolitan College and Dr. Denise Nunez from SOMOS Community Care Network.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. was the moderator of the event, introducing panelists and asking questions about the work being done to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Oxiris Barbot spoke briefly about a COVID-19 mobile testing site in the Bronx. It was set up in Tremont where NYCDOHMH knew that not many people were getting tested, and the ones that were getting tested were testing positive for COVID-19. They were hoping to use this data in other parts of the Bronx so more people could be tested.

Dr. Bedell's presentation, "Building a Healthier Bronx," began with data about the Bronx: population, breakdown of age, race, number of parks, libraries, etc. "The policies and practices of yesterday are determining the health outcomes of today. COVID-19 is a case study of how past practices and current inequities converge in an emergency. The Bronx has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths." To improve the health of Bronx residents Dr. Bedell advised that we all get out and vote and complete the 2020 Census so the Bronx gets more federal money to support much needed services.

Dr. Lessie Branch spoke about defining systemic racism and how it makes people sick. She highlighted how COVID-19 disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities in the Bronx. "COVID-19 has made policy violence leveled against Black and Brown communities visible in the same way that smart phone cameras and police body cameras have made the disproportionate police violence against Black and Brown communities visible." Dr. Branch also noted the importance of everyone completing the census. "For every individual that is uncounted in the census, New York will lose $2,687 in federally funded programs."

Dr. Denise Nunez is a pediatrician for the SOMOS Community Care Network in the Bronx. She spoke about the importance of educating younger children to take control of your health. "We teach the younger children how to eat healthy. And by doing that, the children are also educating their families about the importance of having regular wellness visits with a doctor."

Panelists fielded questions for the remainder of the webinar and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. wrapped up the webinar by advising everyone to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19. "Practice social distancing, use hand sanitizer, wash your hands, and be sure to wear your mask anytime you leave your house. We do not want a second wave of COVID-19."

Click here to view "A Discussion of Health Disparities and COVID-19 in the Bronx.

Racism and Our Families’ Health: Connecting the Dots Webinar Held in June

 

Milta Vega Cardona gave a presentation, "Health Disparities as Symptoms of Structural Racism."

In the summer, members of the Bronx Health REACH Faith Based workgroup hosted a two part webinar, "Racism and Our Families' Health: Connecting the Dots." The two part webinar featured experts on undoing racism and advancing health equity. The goals of the webinar were to create  awareness of the role of racism in health outcomes, facilitate a community conversation on race and racism, and provide resources for those wanting to address racism and health inequities.

Speakers for the first session included: Charmaine Ruddock, BHR Project Director, Pastor John Udo-Okon, from Word of Life International, Dr. Uche Blackstock, Founder/CEO of Advancing Health Equity, and Milta Vega Cardona from The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond.

Charmaine provided a background on how Bronx Health REACH was formed, our mission and the history of the Bronx Health REACH Coalition. She also spoke about #Not62 - The Campaign for a Healthy Bronx! Pastor John Udo-Okon not only provided information on the important work that his church, Word of Life International is doing by feeding the community, but his experience being a Black man in America. "When I arrived in the U.S. years ago I visited a store in Dallas. The staff would follow me around the store. I asked my wife, 'Why is the staff doing this?' She said the staff was following me because I was a Black man. She spoke to them and told them we are not here to steal, and asked them to stop following us. That experience made me realize that being Black [in America] is a liability, and the racism we face every day is a challenge."

Dr. Uché Blackstock's presentation provided background on the social determinants of health, and the impact on people of color. "Inequities exist because of differences in the quality of care, access to healthcare, and differences in opportunities. Policies, economic systems, and social hierarchies impact health outcomes." She also made the connection between the devastation that COVID-19 has brought upon Black and Latino communities. "Housing segregation and income inequality have led to overcrowding and increased transmission of COVID-19, and the pandemic has unveiled underlying inequities that contribute to racial and ethnic health disparities." Dr. Blackstock offered some short-term strategies to overcome COVID-19 such as targeted testing, contact tracing and hazard pay and personal protection equipment for essential workers.

Milta Vega Cardona from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond made a presentation, "Health Disparities as Symptoms of Structural Racism" focusing on the root causes of health disparities. Milta provided key facts on health and health care by race and ethnicity. She also asked, "If health disparities are a symptom, what is the underlying cause?" She covered topics such as implicit or cognitive bias, structural and social racism. "Many of these inequities are man-made situations. If we created them, we can undo them," said Milta.

Speaking at the second session was Immaculada Moronta from Bronx Health REACH, Badr Fuad from the United States Census, Adolfo Abreu and Shen'naque Sean Butler from the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, and Milta Vega Cardona from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Immaculada spoke about the significance and influence faith based organizations have, not only on their members, but on the community as well. "Houses of worship serve as a powerful medium for social, economic and political change. They continue to be key players in improving the health and well-being of their members and the community that have been historically underserved."

Badr Fuad spoke about the importance of completing your census form. "Responding to the census is important to ensure an accurate count of community members, so that adequate funding can be brought into communities. If people do not respond to the Census, we will not have the funding we deserve for another ten years. We want to make sure all are counted in the 2020 census so we have funding for better schools, hospitals and many other services that we are currently missing in the Bronx."

Adolfo Abreu and Shen'naque Sean Butler gave an overview of the work the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) has been doing. "NWBCCC advocates for safe, affordable and energy efficient housing, healthy communities with green space, high-quality public schools, community-led economic development, living wages, green jobs, and immigrant rights. We provide Social Determinants of Health training, where community members learn the roles and responsibilities of the health system, communities, and governments in addressing the social determinants of health, and identify local resources to address these challenges," says Adodlfo.

Milta Vega Cardona from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond continued from the previous session with her presentation, "Race/Racism, Implicit Bias: the Road Towards Structural Racism." In this presentation Milta spoke about the types of racism, the dynamics of implicit bias and the principles for doing anti-racist work. "Everyone has implicit bias which needs to be overcome to address systemic racism. It is automatic, involuntarily activated, and below our consciousness. Anti-racism entails knowing and sharing history and culture, using a common language, practicing accountability, developing leadership, understanding the manifestations of our socialization, and valuing our humanity and the humanity of others."

You can view Part I  and Part II  of the webinar.

COVID-19 as Experienced in the Bronx Discussed at June and September's Coalition Meeting

"Community Conversations on COVID-19 as Experienced in the Bronx" was the theme of the June and September Bronx Health REACH Coalition meetings. 

On June 5th the topic of discussion at the Bronx Health REACH Coalition Meeting was, "Community Conversations on COVID-19 as experienced in the Bronx." The meeting featured Pastor John Udo-Okon, from Word of Life International, Bronx Health REACH Community Outreach Worker Cheikhou Ann Oumar, Gladys Roman from Manna of Life Ministries, Assistant Principal Nicole Smith from The Family School-PS 443, and Dr. Eric Gayle, Vice President, Medical Services at the Institute for Family Health.

Word of Life International runs a weekly food pantry serving hundreds of clients, and was forced to close after family and staff working at their food pantry became infected with COVID-19. They were able to re-open in May, but to better serve the influx of Bronx residents returning to the pantry, Pastor John spoke about the need for personal protection equipment (PPE) to protect the staff from getting sick again. "If our staff gets sick, we will have to close our doors again, forcing many Bronx residents to seek other places for food." Manna of Life Ministries also has a food pantry and soup kitchen that now has 300 people coming in daily for food. "We serve a large undocumented population and there is a need for more food to meet the demand," says Gladys Roman.

Bronx Health REACH Community Outreach Worker, Cheikhou Ann Oumar spoke on how the Muslim community are at a higher exposure to COVID-19 due to many performing essential jobs such as cab drivers. Cheikhou also mentioned other challenges COVID-19 has brought upon the community. "There have been many at-home deaths and families are unable to send their deceased family members home for burial," said Cheikhou.

“We are building the plane as we are flying it,” has been Family School-PS 443 Assistant Principal Nicole Smith's experience running a Bronx public school during COVID-19. She added, "There has been some push-back from educators about remote-learning, but the pandemic has also made us re-imagine how to best teach our students in a remote setting."

Dr. Eric Gayle, from the Institute for Family Health shared how there has been a lack of awareness surrounding telehealth and virtual visits with the IFH health centers. "Better messaging is needed. Even in the current healthcare crisis, physicians are still available to treat and serve patients."

Also speaking at the Coalition meeting were Maria Angela Soto and Jaime Gutierrez, from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Division of Disease Control. Maria provided stats on COVID-19 deaths and current cases in New York State and New York City, and steps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Jaime spoke about NYC's Contact Tracing initiative and tracking those diagnosed with COVID-19.

At the September 11th Coalition meeting the conversation continued around COVID-19. Joining the conversation were Dennis Derryck, CEO of the Corbin Hill Food Project, Anita Reyes from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Bronx Health REACH's Mike Johnson, Alison Hirsh from the New York City Department of Education, Principal Rowena Penn from PS443 and Parent Gloria Corsino from the Citywide Council on Special Education.   

Dennis Derryck spoke about COVID-19 through the lens of racial equity. Corbin Hill Food Project provides an opportunity for low income communities to purchase fresh, farm grown food while supporting farmers of color. "Out of the 57,000 farmers in New York state, 139 are Black farmers. Even though the food industry in NY State is a $42 billion industry, the net income for a white farmer is $42,000 and the net income for a black farmer is -$900. To change this we are asking people to make larger financial investments over longer periods of time to make our program sustainable."

Anita Reyes gave a presentation about the Test and Trace program and the importance of stopping the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a facemask, washing your hands, and getting a COVID-19 test. Mike Johnson spoke about Bronx Health REACH being one of 38 community-based organizations that have been selected to distribute signage and information about where people can go to get a COVID-19 test.

Alison Hirsh from the New York City Department of Education gave an update on what steps are being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools for those students, teachers and staff returning to NYC public schools. "We have established a rapid response team comprised of members from the NYCDOHMH Test and Trace team and NYCDOE staff so that if any DOE staff or student tests positive, we have a communications plan and process to address it. If a person in a single class tests positive, then all others that were in that classroom will be quarantined for 14 days. If there is more than one case in a school, then that school will close for a minimum of 24 hours to determine if the spread happened in the school or elsewhere."

PS443 Principal Rowena Penn spoke about the many challenges COVID-19 has brought about for her school, especially for those students trying to access the internet for remote learning. "We have the highest number of shelter students in our school district. Even though many of my students have a laptop, there is no internet access in the shelters."

Parent Gloria Corsino from the Citywide Council on SpecialEducation recommended a 3 point plan for the NYC DOE to enact so students, teachers and school staff can safely return to the schools. "We want to make sure all school staff has personal protection equipment and classrooms have proper ventilation. I encourage all families to continue wearing masks and to get a COVID-19 test."