Here are 8 Black female doctors you should be following on Instagram for everything related to your physical and mental health. 

Keep in mind action off-screen is still required for optimal health.

1. Dr. Janelle Howell DPT WCS – Pelvic Physical Therapist

@vaginarehabdoctor

Dr. Howell is passionate about creating what she calls Vagina CEOs. These are people who are in charge of their vaginal health. What I love about her page is that she not only talks about the importance of having a healthy pelvic floor and vagina, she gives us practical and useful information. I learn something new from almost every post. She also gives us exercises and nutritional recommendations to keep things below the waist strong and healthy.

2. Dr. Justine Willams Roper DPT-Pelvic floor doctor

@doctorjus and @inherphysiquept 

Dr. Roper’s motto is “Bridging the gap between pelvic education and movement mindset.” That’s exactly what she does on her feed. Her content is great for fitness junkies or people who want to get a little more out of their workouts. Her videos demonstrate simple and accessible exercises for most bodies. 

3. Dr. Kera-Nyemb-Diop-Nutritionist

@black.nutritionist

As a person who loves to eat carbs such as cornbread and other hearty foods, I feel that Dr. Nyemb-Diop speaks directly to me with her content. In reality, she speaks to anyone who has ever felt shame about what they eat. She doesn’t just use her platform to get people to eat healthier, she explores and breaks down how racism can make us think negatively about the cultural foods we eat. 

If you want to learn to eat healthy while honoring and enjoying foods from your culture, follow Nyemb-Diop to learn how.

4. Dr. Sarah G Jamison, MD-Board Certified ER Doctor

Dr. Sarah Jamison makes me look forward to Mondays. Why? Because of her medical myth-busting Mondays. As a person who spent years getting medical advice from family members, friends, and cold medicine commercials, I need the truth from a professional. Dr. Jaminson provides factual information about weight loss fads, medications, manicures, and many more activities that affect your health.

5. Dr. Raquel-Martin- Psychologist-Assistant Professor at Tenn State

@raquelmartinphd

Dr. Martin is a multi-talented psychologist whose superpowers include being a writer, podcast host, researcher, professional speaker, and professor. She speaks directly to the Black community on the importance of mental health. Her direct, informative, and intellectual videos give listeners data-driven information about mental health issues.

Podcast: @mindyourmentalpodcast

6. Dr. Erica Marchand – Sex therapist and Psychologist

@hertherapysecrets

For the intimate side of health, Dr. Erica is a psychologist that helps people have better sexual relationships with themselves and their partners. Much of her content focuses on increasing women’s pleasure and how couples can explore this pleasure together.

Dr. Erica presents this somewhat taboo topic in a way that is accessible and comfortable for viewers to consume.

7. Dr. Adeline Kikam – DO, FAAD Dermatologist

@brownskinderm

Skincare can be complicated, especially for Black women since most of the products on the market aren’t for darker skin tones. Dr. Kikam has fun and informative content on which products are best to use for different skin and which products to avoid. She also talks about serious skin conditions and gives practical tips for treating certain irregularities.

My favorite videos include her testing out sunscreens to show which products lie about not leaving a white residue on the skin.

8. Dr. Aaleeyah Alim, DMD – Dentist

@doctorleeyah

There aren’t many people that like to go to the dentist — I am one of those people. Although I brush my teeth twice a day, I’ve been guilty of not regularly flossing and not thinking about overall oral health. Yet, with Aaleeyah’s gentle and friendly content, she has helped me see that my oral health is just as important as my mental and physical health.

Check out her Tooth Tuesdays videos where she breaks down certain oral habits such as chewing sugar-free gum. She also tackles uncomfortable topics such as gingivitis, bleeding gums, and braces. Her funny and informative videos are honest and make oral care less scary and less of a burden.

After putting together this list, I felt extremely inspired to put down my phone and look at all sides of my health, including mental, physical, oral, and sexual health. I hope this list has inspired you to follow these women and apply some of the information they are sharing to improve your health.

Remember that no matter how good the advice is, it doesn’t substitute seeing your physician and getting care directly from your doctor.

The post 8 Black Female Doctors You Should Be Following on Social Media appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Endometrial cancer primarily affects the lining of the uterus and is most common among postmenopausal women. Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and changes in urinary habits. Early detection is crucial, as the prognosis improves significantly with timely intervention.

Screening for endometrial cancer is not as standardized as it is for other cancers, like breast or cervical cancer. It is recommended that women report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare providers, who may then suggest diagnostic tests such as transvaginal ultrasound or endometrial biopsy. However, these tests can produce false negatives — results indicating no cancer when, in fact, cancer is present.

Research shows that Black women are less likely to receive accurate diagnoses during screenings for endometrial cancer. Some studies suggest that Black women are more likely to have aggressive forms of the disease, which might not be detected by standard screening methods. There also may be genetic and biological factors that affect how endometrial cancer presents in Black women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), access to quality healthcare can differ significantly based on socioeconomic status and geographic location. Black women are often at a disadvantage in terms of access to preventive care, which can lead to delays in diagnosis. Implicit biases among healthcare providers can also affect how symptoms are interpreted. Black women’s concerns are often dismissed or underestimated, leading to missed or delayed diagnoses. Clinical trials and research studies have also underrepresented Black women, leading to gaps in understanding how they experience diseases like endometrial cancer.

Receiving a false negative result can have serious consequences. Delayed treatment may result in the cancer advancing to a more severe stage, reducing the chances of successful intervention. Black women, who already face higher mortality rates from various cancers, may find these disparities even more pronounced when it comes to endometrial cancer.

The implications of false negatives extend beyond physical health. The emotional and psychological toll of navigating cancer symptoms, seeking help, and facing a healthcare system that may not prioritize our concerns can be overwhelming. This is what leads to feeling invisible and unheard in healthcare settings, as well as having a lack of trust in medical professionals.

Historically, there have been incidents that provide context for mistrust in medicine, particularly towards Black women. In the 1840s, Alabama physician James Marion Sims conducted experimental gynecological surgery exclusively on Black women, bound to the surgical table by chattel slavery, physical force, and opium. The drug did not alleviate their pain, and some historians think that they became addicted to it.

Sims wanted to repair disabling complications of protracted childbirth — including vesicovaginal fistulas — that cause constant leaking of urine. The resulting pain, infection, odor, and skin problems left many women of that era pariahs. For enslaved women, the condition also meant that they could not work, and as a result became valueless in the eyes of their owners and white society. Sims was faced with justified accusations of surgical violence and forcible exploitation but insisted that the women were willing participants. His use of Black bodies as subjects in medical research echoes a troubling history that includes the Tuskegee syphilis experiment and the case of Henrietta Lacks.

Given the challenges associated with endometrial cancer screenings and the higher risk of false negatives for Black women, advocacy becomes necessary. We have to stay informed about the signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer. It’s also important that we are familiar with the various screening methods available to us. If you feel that your concerns are not being taken seriously, don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. Persistence is key; advocating for your health may require multiple conversations or consultations.

I find it comforting and helpful to take a trusted friend or family member with me to appointments. They can provide support and help me to articulate concerns. Another aspect that makes me feel more comfortable is having culturally competent and sensitive doctors. We have unique challenges as Black women, and I need healthcare professionals that look like me and understand the challenges I face. Building a trusting relationship with a healthcare provider who understands your background can increase communication and your level of care.

Endometrial cancer screenings present a complex challenge, particularly for Black women who may face a higher risk of false negatives. By understanding the unique challenges within the healthcare system and actively advocating for our health, we can better navigate this landscape. Remember, your health should always be a priority, and seeking the care and attention you deserve is your right. Stay informed, be persistent, and advocate for yourself and your health.

The post Endometrial Cancer: Addressing Screening Gaps for Black Women appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Scrolling social media, it would be easy to think self-care is just perfectly curated Instagram posts, candles, and your favorite ice cream. In some respects, I suppose it can be. However, I gained a different perspective about self-care, while listening to activists Angela Davis and Ericka Huggins speak on a Zoom webinar. Both trailblazing women are former members of the Black Panther Party who were incarcerated for their activism.

Huggins discussed asking her attorney for a yoga book, because she wasn’t able to stretch in her cell. The time she spent in solitary confinement sparked a meditation practice that she still does to this day. Davis struggled with bouts of anxiety and depression, as she awaited her trial in solitary confinement. She was prescribed medications and even tranquilizers but nothing seemed to help. One day, the Black Panther Party’s primary doctor suggested yoga and gave her a book. Both women began to think less about their incarceration and more about their well-being.

One of my favorite writers, Audre Lorde, amplified what self-care looked like as she documented her battle with cancer. Her book, A Burst of Light: and Other Essays, is now a statement for the Black woman identity. Lorde writes, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

By the time we had to self-quarantine last year, I had been working from home for five years. I had no transition to make; however, I quickly started to feel confined. Part of my self-care routine was working from my favorite coffee shop or bookstore a couple of days a week. I no longer had that to look forward to. Also, meeting in person with my writing group took away a much-needed community.

So, here is where I further changed my perspective: Self-care is not about being selfish. Self-care means taking care of yourself, so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can be creative, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish.  

As someone who has battled anxiety all my life, I lean into practices that focus on my emotional and physical health — writing, reading, journaling, walking, and meditation. Within my four walls, I began to check in with myself every day, to see how I was doing and what my mind and body were telling me. I stayed in touch with family through FaceTime, opened the cookbooks I had on the shelf, and rediscovered how much I love to create in the kitchen. I started showing myself grace if I was having a rough day, downloaded the Calm app (which helped me sleep better), and spent less time on social media.

With the uncertainty of a global pandemic glaring at me each day, it was more about expanding my scope of what self-care actually looked like. It’s different for each person. As self-care has become more mainstream, the definitions have started to become more relatable. Self-care is anything that you do for yourself that feels good and nourishing. That can certainly be something relaxing or calming, or it can be something that is spiritual, intellectual, or physical.

On Instagram, celebrities shared their self-care routines and tips. Kourtney Kardashian offered calming techniques and advice on sexual health. Gwyneth Paltrow advised people to “write a book, learn an instrument or language, or learn to code online, draw, or paint.” Our favorite girl Lizzo played her flute in a room filled with crystals promoting healing.

Resources such as BetterHelp and Talkspace have not only made professional counseling accessible but affordable. Through online chat, video, or phone, people can speak with a licensed therapist from anywhere at any time. I found both services were covered under my insurance.

There’s no right or wrong way to practice self-care because everyone’s definition is their own. It doesn’t have to be about spending money or having extravagant experiences (though it certainly can). Whatever brings you more joy, do that.

Truth is, self-care requires a personal commitment and intention to invest in your well-being. It’s a personal choice that is well worth the time and effort. If the pandemic year taught us nothing else, it’s normalizing being kind to and taking care of ourselves.

We all experienced various forms of change and indifference last year — not being able to mentally or physically stretch. It caused us to develop our own definitions of self-care so that we could survive through a difficult time. We also realized that self-care doesn’t have to be something to practice during difficult times, but it’s more about maintaining peace and focus at all times. It’s what we all deserve.

The post What Self-Care Really Looks Like appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

The progress towards a cure and lowering breast cancer mortality could be accelerated primarily through raising awareness. While October is internationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raising awareness is crucial year-round, and involving friends and family in the process can boost the cause and also provide a supportive community for everyone affected. So, in the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing seven ways to rally your friends and family to raise breast cancer awareness together.

Charity Runs or Walks

One of the best ways to engage your friends and family is to host or join a charity run, walk, or marathon and raise funds for breast cancer research. Regardless of whether you’re organizing or just participating in an event, charity runs are walkathons/marathons in the name of breast cancer and typically gain a lot of interest from participants and women (and men) who have survived breast cancer or have seen others struggling with the disease.

If you’re organizing a run, it’s really important to promote the event over social media and get as many people engaged as possible. Or, if you’re participating in an organized event, you can help your local organization set up and promote its own event. So, gather up your friends and family and form a team. Designing matching T-shirts, coming up with a catchy team name, and just socializing during the event provides a shared experience that’s both meaningful and fun.

Crafting for a Cause

This is a rather interesting proposition. Involve your friends and family in organizing or joining a DIY craft day, where everyone comes together to create pink-themed crafts — the pink ribbon is synonymous with breast cancer. This could range from jewelry, designing T-shirts, or creating art pieces. These can be sold at the event, and the proceeds can be donated to a breast cancer charity. Crafting is actually a great therapeutic exercise, as well as a practical way to contribute to the cause. If you have some crafts remaining, you can use them at the following point.

Host a Pink-Themed Party

Ask your friends and family to help you organize a pink-themed party — it’s actually easier than people believe. You need a local venue that serves drinks and is willing to provide the space for free and a local band that’s willing to play and contribute to the cause — some local bands might do it free of charge in exchange for the exposure. The venue can provide and charge for the drinks — though you could ask them to donate their profit margin to the cause as well. You can set up donation boxes and sell all the DIY items that you’ve made or have left over from your DIY craft day.

Bake Sale Fundraiser

Who can resist a delicious treat for a good cause? Charity bake sales are always a hit among various age groups. Organize a bake sale, and encourage your friends and family to bake a variety of goods. Opt for pink-themed treats, like pink frosted cupcakes or strawberry cookies. It’s also a good idea to promote the bake sale fundraiser on social media and advertise that all the proceeds go towards breast cancer research.

Educational Movie Night

Hosting a movie night featuring films, short movies, or documentaries about breast cancer is also a good idea to raise awareness among friends and family. It also gets them involved in raising awareness for breast cancer. It provides an opportunity to learn about the disease and the struggles of those diagnosed and to help open up a discussion about breast cancer and raise awareness. Good movie titles that center on breast cancer-related topics are Five, Mondays at Racine, Her Only Choice — starring Denise Boutte — and The Long Goodbye. Oh, and don’t forget the popcorn.

Start a Digital Awareness Campaign

Leveraging social media to spread breast cancer awareness is actually a good idea and one that’s rather easy to execute. You can easily start a social media challenge that promotes breast cancer awareness by posting a photo of yourself wearing something pink. Caption the photo, add some facts about breast cancer, and tag your friends and family to do the same. The virality of social media challenges can actually help send your message far and wide.

Memory and Hope Lantern Release

Memory and hope lantern releases offer a visual and emotional spectacle that symbolizes remembrance and hope, so invite your friends and family — and tell them to spread the invite — to an evening event where they can write messages of hope, love, or remembrance on paper lanterns, and release them into the sky together. This can serve as a tribute to those who battled breast cancer, support for those who still struggle, and as a symbol of hope for a cancer-free future. You can also make the event educational by providing pamphlets and info cards about breast cancer awareness.

In the end, raising awareness for breast cancer doesn’t have to be a formal event or affair. Remember, raising awareness about breast cancer is all about leveraging education to inspire and rally support to help drive change for this disease that affects so many. By incorporating fun and creativity, you, your friends, family, and acquaintances can make a significant impact and make a difference that could cause lasting change.

The post 7 Fun Ways to Get Friends and Family Involved in Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer! appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

The news was extremely shocking, especially given that the disease had progressed to such a late stage. Her doctors recommended she undergo a double mastectomy, which would remove both of her breasts and ultimately reduce the risk of it developing further. In an effort to be as natural as possible, she opted not to get the surgery and instead changed her way of living by choosing to alter her diet and incorporate a variety of therapies.

After fighting the natural way for 4 years, Lewis updated her fans with the news that her condition had worsened, progressing to stage 4. She always stood by her decision to go the natural route, but in June of 2025, Lewis sadly passed away after putting up a strong fight for over 7 years. As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s reflect on some things we learned from Lewis over the years.

During her journey, she became an advocate for women’s health by encouraging them to get mammograms regularly, as well as pay attention to what women consume and how they take care of their bodies. She took to her social media platforms to film videos talking about her journey and new ways of detoxing and wellness. She was extremely motivational and encouraging, but most importantly, her tone and confidence spoke volumes as she stood tall and refused to waste energy on giving in to cancer.

She heavily emphasized that, while cancer is incurable, there are many steps we can take in our day-to-day lives to prevent getting it as best we can. In an issue of Essence, she discusses how prevention is the cure and that we should do our research. She says, “I encourage people to look at the information and studies that exist. Seek them out, learn from them, and apply the changes to your life, so that you can continue to thrive and live as long as you can.” She even takes it a step further by pointing out that women of color should be more alert. “As Black women, we have all kinds of factors we’re not even aware of that contribute to cancer impinging upon us. Increase your knowledge about how to prevent getting here in the first place. Prevention is the real cure.”

It’s important to note that most insurance plans cover getting your regular women’s wellness check-ups and mammograms. It is our responsibility to make sure we are taking advantage of the resources afforded to us, and Lewis spoke on that quite often. One of her biggest lessons was that women who opt for the natural way of tackling cancer often do so due to the fear of the unknown. ABC spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a breast oncologist at NYU Langone Hospital, who offered further insight into why many take the unconventional route like Lewis. Comen says, “Many patients who decline conventional treatments do so due to fear of side effects, distrust of the medical system, or a desire for control. They often choose natural remedies, believing these are safer or better for their health.”

One of the best things about Lewis was her refusal to stay silent and her determination to raise awareness. Her social media is full of photos of her going through treatments from liquid IVs hooked up to her to CT scanning machines. She documented her journey to make sure that what she went through could be a learning opportunity for others. She was such a motivational voice for women who might have either been battling cancer or were simply not well educated on prevention. She was so positive in all of her videos and was loud about informing women about the importance of not ignoring check-ups. She led a tough fight until the very end, and her story was extremely impactful.

Ananda always remained transparent about the choices she made, even the potential consequences that came with avoiding standard cancer treatment with medicines and chemicals. There’s no telling how many lives she saved by advocating, thus leading to some potential early detections. Lewis shed light on a very important debate: how can patients get the support they need to make informed decisions based on what’s best for them? In addition to that, how can medical specialists and doctors tackle the growing distrust and fear women face when presented with treatment options? Lastly, how can the healthcare system offer better options that are affordable so women don’t avoid getting the exams and care they need simply because of a price tag? 

Lewis has left many conversations on the table, and, as we approached 2025, she gave some advice to urge women to take action now, rather than later. “Do everything in your power to avoid my story becoming yours. If I had known what I know now 10 years ago, perhaps I wouldn’t have ended up here. I would have been cold plunging, exercising consistently, making sure my vitamin D levels were good, detoxing my body on a monthly and yearly basis, and sleeping better.” Even though she is no longer with us, her impact has left a mark as many women continue to be inspired by the lessons she leaves behind.

The post Lessons from Ananda Lewis: Don’t Ignore Breast Cancer appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

It could be new brake pads, a cavity, or any other financial emergencies that can make you contemplate how you can rob a bank and get away with it. 

The common advice is to save money for emergencies. However, in this economy, saving money seems like a luxury. According to the consumer price index, prices are 26% higher than before the pandemic. Higher prices translate into using every cent of your paycheck to make ends meet, which can cause stress, anxiety, and overall eat away at your mental health.

You might think that if something happens, you’ll find the money, you’ll figure it out. However, your nervous system is pleading for you to stop living in a constant state of fight or flight. To do your mental health a favor, it’s vital to be financially prepared by having an emergency savings account. 

Money isn’t evil, but it’s the root cause of your stress

Financial stress can take a toll on your mental health. While everyone may occasionally experience money-related stress from time to time, your perception of the situation can make all the difference. 

If your phone slips from your pocket and hits the concrete, shattering your screen, you’d probably start panicking. Your heart would start thumping out of your chest. This moment of panic can last for a few moments or hours and days, depending on your financial circumstances. If you had $10,000 in your savings, you’d probably mourn the loss for a moment, buy a new phone, and continue with your life. 

However, if you only have $100 saved, you’d most likely panic, start praying to whatever God you believe in, and hope your rich aunt will take pity on you and gift you $500.

According to Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, a professor of social work at the University of North Dakota, people who view financial setbacks as something difficult to recover from can trigger health problems such as substance abuse, high blood pressure, heart problems, and depression. 

So, how do you stop waking up in the middle of the night, wondering how you’re going to pay for groceries and repair your bathroom toilet that keeps on overflowing? The simple answer is emergency savings. Let’s talk about how you can realistically build that savings on a tight budget. 

Realistically building your emergency savings

Building your savings will take time, willpower, and the ability to say no to buying shiny new things. However, once you have solid emergency savings, you can go back to enjoying the finer things in life, without worrying how you’re going to pay for something you need.

Assess your financial situation

Before you start saving money, it’s important to know how much you’re making and how much you’re spending. Take a look at your recent pay stubs. Understand how much on average you’re making, and how much is being taken out for taxes.

Next, assess how much you’re spending on your basic needs. This is everything you need to pay for, like rent, gas, food, insurance, etc, to survive. Add up your total for your mandatory expenses and subtract it from your average income. Whatever is left over is what you’ll divide between your savings and spending on things that are nice to have but not necessary. 

When reviewing your finances, it’s important to be honest with yourself. If you notice you’re overspending in some areas, take the opportunity to create new spending habits. 

Have a goal

Depending on how much you have left over when you pay your bills, you want to create a savings goal. The key here is to start small. Setting a goal for $100, $300, or even $1000 will help you get started. 

Once you get into a routine of saving, you can start to increase that goal number. 

Create a system for saving

Once you have your goal, you want to create a system that helps you prioritize savings. This can look like

• Automating your savings so that a certain amount gets deposited from each paycheck
• Prioritize savings, don’t fall into the trap of saving money at the end of the month, save right when you get paid. 
• Have more than one savings account. You can have one account where you put money you’re not using at the moment. The other is strictly for your emergency savings. When you put money into this account, you are not to spend it, unless you meet your goal or there is an emergency. 

Creating friction between you and your emergency money

Make sure you’re emergency savings account isn’t connected to your checking account or debit card. You want to make sure wherever you keep your money, whether in a bank or a lock box, that it’s not something you can easily dip into.

Extra money just for savings

Any extra money you get, whether a tax refund, birthday money, bonus from your job, put that money towards your savings. 

Ask for help

It’s okay to ask for help from a financial advisor or a financial coach. They may be able to provide you with the tools you need to make financial improvements. You can also work with a professional to receive compassion for your particular situation. 

Remember that building your emergency savings and creating financial wellness isn’t just about having more money. Taking care of your finances is a form of self-care. It’s a way to take care of yourself now and in the future. 

The post Why Living Paycheck to Paycheck in 2025 Is Destroying Your Mental Health appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Starting with the author’s note, McCullough takes readers on a relatable journey grounded in history, self-awareness, social justice, and community care. Straight out of the gate, the author’s notes chapter is a succinct and moving recap of the losses Black communities experienced alongside the racial awareness and uprising during the pandemic. We get this recent history through the lens of the pandemic’s impact on McCullough’s career as a therapist and her personal life.

McCullough found herself bombarded on all sides and decided to step away from a practice that was not in alignment with her ethics and values, realizing that if she did not leave her job, her mental and physical health would suffer. So, with the added attention of the need for Black therapists during the pandemic, she took the brave step of leaving a soul-draining practice and stepping out on her own. The writing in this book is impressive. McCullough’s tone is like she is in the room, having a loving and informed conversation with you. 

Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within is part history lesson, part inspirational text that educates as it takes the time to work through the nuances of the challenging items discussed. A key element of this self-care resource is that before the author dives into a subject using “social-justice lingo,” she takes the time in the early chapter “A Few Key Terms and Concepts to Situate Us” to define the terms and concepts she will be using throughout the book. She describes the terms eating disorder vs. eating imbalance, colonization, capitalism, trauma, epigenetics, and what it means to be embodied in ways that are informative and engaging for people who use these terms regularly or not.

The book is a perfect example of how to engage complex topics from a trauma-informed perspective. Some chapters come with deeply thought-out content warnings at the beginning of the chapter to prepare the reader for what is to come.  One that stood out for me was Chapter 5: “Fatphobia and the Black Community.”  The content warning states, ”This chapter will discuss examples of fatphobia, anti-fat sentiments, and weight stigma. While I intend to describe these terms and experiences to offer more content and aim to discuss these things in an honest and responsible way, I understand that this topic may be triggering or activating for those who are fat or in larger bodies and for those who live with eating imbalances.” At the end of each chapter, there are questions for reflection where readers can pull out their journals and use the writing prompts to dive deeper into the material. McCollough writes in a kind and loving style that welcomes readers with clarity, deep knowing, wisdom, empathy, and compassion. 

Instead of just being a book that gives unrealistic exercises that are hard to execute and understand, Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within recognizes the challenges that Black people face every day as human beings on this planet, folds in how systems impact the Black community’s ability to nourish ourselves while we also coexist with systemic racism, and then celebrates the fact that we are still here, and does so in a relatable way. The wisdom is down-to-earth and accessible.

Eating disorders in Black communities do manifest in ways that we commonly see in other communities, but what Alisha McCullough exposes are the unique and subtle ways we see eating disorders appear in Black communities that are traditionally ignored. For example, how abstinence culture in conservative Christian Black culture defines a young Black woman’s worth by her ability to limit her calories and keep her dress size as small as possible, factoring into her worthiness and ability to attract a mate. The book also discusses the impact of a hip-hop culture that created a body image for women that negatively impacted generations of Black girls attempting to achieve an almost impossible big bust, thick thigh, small waist combination to be considered to be attractive, worthy, and dateable. It also gives a candid look at the rise of toxic veganism in Black communities as a class issue, as well as the illusion that one style of eating is the only style of eating that all humans need to achieve optimum health and wellness.

Many people in Black communities love talking about cooking and eating soul food, but beyond fat shaming, most Black folks have not had time to discuss eating disorders. Early on, when defining the terms she will be using in Reclaiming the Black Body, McCullough talks about how, in order to survive, Black people have had to be disembodied. Our ancestors were placed under such extreme physical trauma that their coping mechanisms were to be disembodied from the pain and suffering that their physical bodies were going through, without the proper nutrition to survive. These coping mechanisms have been passed down through family lines, and in some cases, this kind of disembodiment is perceived to be strength. Only recently have we begun to scratch the surface of how to process this trauma in different ways. 

After Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within lays out the history, challenges, and complexities, it gives the reader different perspectives and provides the opportunity for readers to start the process of formulating how to create individual solutions and connect to community. I’ve been practicing yoga asana since 2001 and recently completed my 500-hour yoga guide certification. I’ve always liked yoga and recognize the African roots of the practice. I always have to translate the teachings to be relevant to my experience as a Black American woman descendant of enslaved Africans from South Carolina and the West Indies.

Reading Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within did not require additional mental gymnastics; this book felt like coming home. McCullough was able to capture a knowing that has always been inside me, but no one has dared to articulate. I’m so grateful that McCullough had the knowledge, compassion, and wisdom to be the vehicle through which this powerful wisdom can enter the world, particularly now.

Black people have continuously educated one another beyond systems. Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within is like the Our Bodies, Ourselves for Black folks. A must-read, essential for any Black person who feels a gap in self-care beyond rest, plant-based diets, potions, and lotions.

The post ‘Reclaiming the Black Body: Nourishing the Home Within’ is a Vital Resource for Self-Love appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

During Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate confirmation hearing on January 30, Angela Alsobrooks, Democratic senator from Maryland, questioned him about his past remarks suggesting that Black people have stronger immune systems than white people and should follow a different vaccine schedule. “What different vaccine schedule would you say I should have received?” Alsobrooks, who is Black, asked him. Kennedy responded by citing a “series of studies” that he claimed show Black people have a stronger immune response to certain antigens. There has been no medical evidence to support this.

Watching this raised all the red flags and disturbing concerns, as it highlighted how someone with medically racist views is now the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Historically, Black people have faced systemic racism in healthcare, from being subjected to unethical medical experimentation (like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study) to being denied proper care due to biased assumptions about pain tolerance and health. The perpetuation of harmful theories about Black people’s bodies and immune systems can undermine trust in medical institutions, potentially discouraging individuals from seeking care and exacerbating health disparities.

Unfortunately, I see mistrust in my own family. From my dad to older uncles and aunts — they have very little faith in doctors or the healthcare system as a whole. They don’t trust what is being told to them and certainly don’t trust medications or treatments. My mother-in-law is in her 70s and went to the doctor for severe shoulder pain and a swollen hand. After waiting over eight hours in the emergency room, she was given pain reliever and sent home. The doctor called the next day to tell her she had a urinary tract infection — which was not true. There was no mention of what she went to the ER for.

The myth that Black people have a higher pain tolerance than white people may be due to a significant number of medical professionals believing that Black people have thicker skin than white people. A 2016 study highlighted that Black people receive pain treatment less frequently than white people. When they receive treatment, they tend to receive lower doses of pain medication.

In 2012, researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found doctors with “unconscious racial biases tend to dominate conversations with African-American patients,” ignoring patient needs causing mistrust, discomfort, and a decreased likelihood to return for necessary follow-ups. In my mother-in-law’s case, she’ll never return.

Medical racism is the ongoing discrimination and bias within the medical field based on race, often resulting in unequal treatment and poorer health outcomes for marginalized racial groups. The roots of medical racism can be traced back to colonialism, slavery, and the exploitation of Indigenous and African peoples.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, European colonizers used pseudoscientific theories like phrenology and craniometry to justify the enslavement of African people and the mistreatment of Indigenous populations, claiming these groups were biologically inferior. These ideas were perpetuated by medical professionals and academics.

In the United States, medical racism became entrenched during slavery, with Black people often treated as experimental subjects. One of the most well-known examples is the forced medical experimentation on enslaved Black women by Dr. J. Marion Sims, known as the “father of modern gynecology.” Sims’ research was conducted on enslaved Black women without using any anesthesia.

After the Civil War and into the 20th century, Black people were frequently denied access to quality healthcare such as discriminatory practices like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and Henrietta Lacks. Even today, medical racism continues to manifest in disparities in treatment, outcomes, and access to healthcare, largely due to both historical inequities and ongoing biases in the healthcare system.

If a doctor’s views on race don’t influence their perceptions of Black pain, what does?

Racist misconceptions about Black people’s tolerance for pain and suffering has helped rationalize centuries of cruelty and brutality against Black people. Because pain can present itself in many ways, its management remains at the medical professional’s discretion — which creates an opportunity for biased decisions. The media has perpetuated stereotypes associating Black people with drug abuse, and medical professionals need to recognize their resultant preconceptions.

The notion of Black immunity to pain is a form of magical thinking, grounded in deeply ingrained and scientifically unfounded beliefs that dehumanize Black people. What is most disturbing about what Kennedy said is the implications that mindset holds for the medical undertreatment of Black people or the way those attitudes affect everything from policing to violence against Black women.

It shouldn’t be lost on us how these ideas about pain — who is and isn’t capable of feeling it, and whose pain does and doesn’t deserve recognition — go beyond the physical. The harmful belief that Black people are less affected by pain than white people goes beyond just the physical body. It reaches deep down into other areas where Black suffering is also perceived not to go.

The need to constantly reiterate Black humanity is exhausting and infuriating. Pain is universal, and no community is uniquely immune. Ignoring Black pain produces more pain, and as long as white America refuses to see it, no change will come.

The post Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Claims About Black People’s Immune Systems and Tolerance for Pain appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Ozempic is part of a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by mimicking the action of a natural hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar and appetite. These drugs are considered effective not only for managing type 2 diabetes but also for weight loss, as they help curb appetite and slow gastric emptying, making patients feel fuller for longer. The drug has become a go-to option for individuals who struggle with obesity, a condition that disproportionately affects Black communities. Yet, despite the clear benefits of Ozempic, reports suggest that Black patients are less likely to be prescribed this medication.

Black Americans consistently face barriers to receiving appropriate care for conditions like diabetes and obesity. According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Black patients are less likely to be prescribed newer medications like Ozempic, even when they meet the criteria for such treatments. This is particularly alarming because Black people are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Despite this burden, these patients are often excluded from receiving the latest treatments that could improve their quality of life.

Several factors contribute to this healthcare inequality. One of the most significant is implicit bias among healthcare providers. Doctors tend to not prescribe medications like GLP-1 drugs to Black patients, even when they exhibit the same symptoms and conditions as white patients. These biases can be rooted in stereotypes about race and body weight, with Black patients sometimes being viewed as less likely to adhere to treatment regimens, or just plain racism.

Another factor is the systemic issue of unequal access to healthcare resources. Many Black patients, especially those in lower-income communities, face significant barriers when it comes to accessing quality healthcare. These barriers can range from a lack of health insurance to limited access to healthcare facilities, all of which contribute to lower rates of prescription for medications like Ozempic. In some cases, healthcare providers may not even be aware of the benefits of newer treatments or may be reluctant to prescribe them due to financial concerns or skepticism about patient adherence.

Cost is another factor. While Ozempic has proven to be an effective treatment for weight loss and diabetes, it is expensive, and many patients just can’t afford it. For people without adequate insurance coverage or with high-deductible health plans, the out-of-pocket costs can be unaffordable. Unfortunately, Black patients are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, and can face barriers to obtaining these medications.

Healthcare systems that fail to adequately address these disparities perpetuate the cycle of inequality, making it harder for marginalized communities to access leading treatments. The result is that many Black patients miss out on the potential benefits of medications like Ozempic.

A friend of mine was prescribed Ozempic and experienced significant weight loss. She struggled with obesity for most of her life, which led to the development of type 2 diabetes. Despite trying various diets, exercise, and medications over the years, she found it nearly impossible to manage her weight and blood sugar levels. After consulting with her doctor, my friend was prescribed Ozempic. Initially, she was skeptical, having heard mixed reviews about weight loss medications in the past. However, after starting the medication, she noticed a dramatic difference. Within just a few months, she lost over 30 pounds and saw a marked improvement in her blood sugar control. She no longer had the constant urge to snack and felt more energized. Her doctor continued to monitor her progress, adjusting her treatment plan as needed, and my friend was able to achieve a level of weight management and blood sugar control that had seemed out of reach.

While my friend’s story is inspiring, she is also white. It highlights a critical issue: she had access to a healthcare provider who was informed about the benefits of Ozempic and was willing to prescribe it. For many Black patients, however, this access to appropriate care and modern treatments is not a given.

The disparity in the prescription of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs to Black patients has to be addressed through systemic changes in healthcare policy and practice. With the current administration, I don’t see this happening. For many of us going to the doctor for any reason at all, we know that it makes a huge difference when healthcare providers are trained to recognize and overcome their implicit biases. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve healthcare access for marginalized communities, including expanding insurance coverage and reducing the costs of essential medications.

The inequality in the prescription of Ozempic to Black patients is a blunt reminder of what Black communities face within the healthcare system. While some people, like my friend, benefit from access to the drug, many others are denied the same opportunity due to structural barriers, biases, cost-related issues, and racism. Implicit bias requires a multilayered approach to improve access to care, and reduce financial barriers to treatment. Then we can ensure that all patients, regardless of their race, have access to the healthcare they need to lead healthier lives. We all deserve that.

The post Ozempic Inequality: Black Patients Are Far Less Likely to Get Prescription for GLP-1 Drugs appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Mary Eliza Mahoney, Rebecca Crumpler, Jane Cooke Wright, and Marilyn Hughes Gaston may not be names you’ve heard of but, they were four Black women who paved the way for future generations of doctors and transformed the landscape of American medicine.  

Mary Eliza Mahoney

In 1879, Mahoney made history by becoming the first African American licensed nurse in the United States.

Born in 1845 in Boston, Massachusetts, Mahoney wanted to help others from an early age. As a teenager, she started working at the New England Hospital for Women and Children. This hospital was unique in its dedication to treating only women and children and for being staffed entirely by female physicians. For 15 years, Mahoney held various roles, including janitor, cook, and laundress. She also worked as a nurse’s aide, gaining valuable hands-on experience that deepened her understanding of the nursing profession.

In 1878, Mahoney was admitted to the hospital’s rigorous 16-month professional graduate nursing program. The program combined intensive coursework with hands-on hospital training, Of the 42 students who enrolled in 1878, only four successfully graduated in 1879 — Mahoney among them.

Mahoney chose to work as a private nurse, focusing on individualized patient care. She primarily served wealthy white families along the East Coast, earning a reputation for her professionalism, patience, and compassionate bedside manner.

Mahoney remained an active advocate within the nursing profession. In 1896, she joined the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada (NAAUSC), later known as the American Nurses Association (ANA). After facing hostility with ANA, Mahoney co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses.

Rebecca Lee Crumpler

Rebecca Lee Crumpler overcame racial and gender barriers to become the first African American woman in the U.S. to earn an M.D. degree. 

Born in 1831 in Delaware, Crumpler was raised in Pennsylvania by an aunt who cared for sick neighbors, likely inspiring her medical career. By 1852, she worked as a nurse in Charlestown, Massachusetts, before being admitted to the New England Female Medical College in 1860. She graduated in 1864, becoming the only Black woman to do so before the school merged with Boston University in 1873.

After a brief practice in Boston, Crumpler moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1865, and joined other Black physicians in caring for freed slaves, working with the Freedmen’s Bureau and community groups despite facing intense racism. 

In 1883, she published A Book of Medical Discourses, drawing from her years of practice to provide medical advice for women and children. By 1880, she had retired and moved to Hyde Park, Massachusetts. 

Jane Cooke Wright

Jane Cooke Wright’s work focused on developing and testing new chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment. By 1967, she was the highest-ranking African American woman in a U.S. medical institution. 

Born in 1919 in New York City, Wright followed in the footsteps of her father, who founded the Cancer Research Center at Harlem Hospital. She graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1945 and became chief resident in 1949. 

Throughout her career she conducted extensive research on tissue culture techniques, enabling the study of cancer cells in a controlled environment. This innovative approach allowed her to test the effectiveness of various drugs on cancer cells, transforming the field of cancer pharmacology. Wright’s research led to the development of several important chemotherapy regimens used to treat various cancers.

In 1955, she became director of cancer chemotherapy research at NYU Medical Center, making groundbreaking advancements in treatment.  

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Dr. Wright to the President’s Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer, and Stroke, leading to the creation of a national network of treatment centers. In 1967, she became Associate Dean at New York Medical College, the highest position held by an African American woman in a U.S. medical institution.  

Dr. Wright became the first woman president of the New York Cancer Society in 1971 and continued her work in cancer research until retiring in 1987. Over her 40-year career, she published numerous studies and led international research delegations, leaving a lasting impact on the field of oncology.

Marilyn Hughes Gaston

Marilyn Hughes Gaston‘s research significantly advanced our understanding of sickle cell disease and its impact on children, particularly in poor and minority communities.

Gaston was born in 1939 in Cleveland and was inspired at age nine to become a doctor. She earned a medical degree in pediatrics from the University of Cincinnati in 1964. Instead of pursuing private practice, she helped establish a community health center in Lincoln Heights.

In 1986, while at the National Institutes of Health, her research proved that early treatment could prevent sickle cell complications, influencing U.S. health policy. Congress soon funded nationwide screening programs, and within a year, 40 states had adopted them.

In 1990, Gaston became director of the Bureau of Primary Health Care, the first Black woman to lead a major U.S. public health bureau. She expanded community and migrant health centers and strengthened the National Health Service Corps, improving care for underserved populations.

Her groundbreaking research led to nationwide newborn screening programs, significantly reducing suffering and mortality.

Remembering these remarkable women reminds us how far Black people have come and encourages us to keep going to make more groundbreaking moves in the medical field and beyond.

The post Trailblazers: The Black Women Who Changed Medicine appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.