February is Black History Month, a way to show our country’s respect and recognition for the hard work and sacrifices made by African Americans. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. The theme celebrates the contributions and breakthroughs of Black professionals in Western medicine and ‘other ways of knowing’ (e.g., birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. Throughout February, Weekend Reading will feature a story about the contributions of an African American in medicine, science, and mental and physical health.
This month is also American Heart Month, a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the leading cause of death of Americans and worldwide. President Lyndon B. Johnson, among the millions of people in the country who had heart attacks, issued the first proclamation in 1964. Since then, U.S. presidents have annually declared February American Heart Month. February’s Weekend Reading will include articles on heart health!
Weekend Reading for February begins with Tribute to African American History and the story of African American surgeon Charles Richard Drew (1904-1950) who has been called “the father of the blood bank.” Dr. Drew pioneered methods of storing blood plasma for transfusion and organized the first large-scale blood bank in the U.S. His premature death in a car accident generated enduring stories that he was a victim of medical segregation, though this was repeatedly proved false.
Be sure to check out Against the Clock, for quick (less than 5 minutes) healthcare news stories. Next, in It’s Like a Slalom Race, explore healthcare challenges such as Covid-19, opioids, and more that do not have a straight path to the finish line. Do not miss Going for Gold with articles on research breakthroughs. Finally, check out Since 1924 and stories of past Winter Olympic games to what is new in 2022!
I hope you enjoy the following:
1. Tribute to African American History
- National Library of Medicine: Charles Richard Drew – Biographical Overview
2. Against the Clock
- Associated Press: How many times can I reuse my N95 mask?
- Axios: Long COVID is contributing to America’s labor shortage
- WebMD: Anxiety in Men Tied to Risk for Heart Disease, Diabetes
- Healthcare Dive: Most doctors are compensated for volume, not value of care, research finds
3. It’s Like a Slalom Race
- Becker’s Hospital Review: Don’t let the term fool you — ‘Endemic’ can be dangerous
- NPR: Therapists say a new law requiring upfront cost estimates could discourage patients
- Stanford Medicine: Stanford-Lancet report calls for sweeping reforms to mitigate opioid crisis
- Kaiser Health News: Faxes and Snail Mail: Will Pandemic- Era Flaws Unleash Improved Health Technology?
4. Going for Gold
- STAT: Researchers label early CAR-T therapy patient ‘cured’ after living a decade without cancer
- Pharmacy Times: FDA Approves Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System for Individuals Ages 6 and Older With Type 1 Diabetes
- WebMD: Scientists Regrow Frogs’ Lost Legs. Will Human Limbs Be Next?
- Yale Daily News: Yale researchers develop wearable COVID-19 exposure detection device
5. Since 1924
- Yahoo News: 7 notable Black athletes who have made their mark at the Winter Olympics
- CBC Canada: 9 lost sports of the Olympic Winter Games
- NPR: Here are the 7 new Olympic events to watch in Beijing
- Smithsonian Magazine: A Brief History of Snowboarding Rebellious youth. Olympic glory. How a goofy American pastime conquered winter
Enjoy the weekend!
Best,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]
