The Health In Harlem Podcast

With the Delta Variant surging across the country,  rates of COVID-19 diagnoses in children have increased significantly. While the direct complications of COVID are rare in children, the indirect effects are perhaps the biggest threat to the health well-being of children in this country and around the world. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Ramon Gist, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at SUNY Downstate Medical Center to discuss the challenges facing children and families as the pandemic rages on and strategies needed to overcome.
 
Washington Post: 'This is real': Fear and Hope in an Arkansas Pediatric ICU
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/08/13/children-hospitalizations-covid-delta/
American Academy of Pediatrics: State Level Data Report
https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/children-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Families and Children
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/groups/families-covid-19.html
 
 

It's the hottest time of the year for many places in the continental United States and with the rise in temperature comes a rise in heat-related illness. More than 600 people die each year in the United States from complications related to heat illness, especially heat stroke. In this episode we discuss the the spectrum of heat-related illnesses, risk factors, treatment and perhaps most importantly, how to safeguard yourself during the torrid days ahead.
 
Tips to Avoid Heat Illness Amid Record U.S. Heat Wave
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20210715/avoid-heat-illness-amid-us-heatwave-tips
 
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/05/07/heat-stress-2021/
 
National Weather Service- Heat Index
https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex
 

We've made tremendous progress in dealing with COVID-19 as hospitalization rates and death rates continue to decline. But be wary of the Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) which is gaining traction in the continental United States and is likely more contagious and potentially causes more severe disease than prior variants! In this episode of Health In Harlem we bring you important updates about the pandemic including the specter of "long COVID" as well as the progress of the vaccination campaign and the emerging data on complications of myocarditis and pericarditis linked to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. We hope you enjoy the program and please don't be afraid to share with anyone that will listen. Hit us up on Facebook or Instagram and you can also leave questions, comments, or concerns on our Podbean website. Enjoy, mask up, get vaccinated, and be safe!
 
The New York Times- Covid's Delta Variant: What We know
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/22/health/delta-variant-covid.html
Centers for Disease Control: Post-COVID Complications
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html
Centers for Disease Control: Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/myocarditis.html
 

Man Up! This is a call to all men around the world to take charge of your health as you have never done before. We must get out and be active and get our heart rates up! We must eat those fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and lean meats! Throw out the processed garbage (aka junk food)! We must engage those around us and build long-lasting meaningful relationships as this is crucial not only to our physical health but for our emotional and mental health! And for the ladies out there, this show is for you too, so that you can empower that special man in your life (significant other, father, brother, uncle, good friend, cherished co-worker, bartender, etc.). In short, this is a call to action to live the healthiest life possible. We know you can do it and in this show we talk about the biggest health challenges facing men and what to do about it. With that said, Happy Fathers Day to all of the Fathers and Father Figures out there and please hit us up with any questions, comments, or concerns you have about the program. Enjoy and be safe!!!!!
International Mens Health Week
http://www.menshealthmonth.org/imhw/imhw.html
Twitter: Men's Health Week 2021
https://twitter.com/search?q=mens+health+week+2021&ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Esearch
NPR: No Amount of Alcohol is Good for Your Health, Global Study Says
https://www.npr.org/2018/08/24/641618937/no-amount-of-alcohol-is-good-for-your-health-global-study-claims
Centers for Disease Control: How to Quit Smoking
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/index.html?s_cid=OSH_tips_GL0004&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TipsQuit+2021%3BS%3BWL%3BBR%3BIMM%3BDTC%3BCO&utm_content=Cessation_E&utm_term=smoking+cessation&gclid=CjwKCAjwiLGGBhAqEiwAgq3q_pwP0iUlp4ogCVjQoODH2fqhn4fHgtiP5R6XmU6An6Bpc0_4_v2AyhoC7YMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Mayo Clinic Health System: 3 Reasons Young Men Need a Primary care Provider
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-reasons-young-men-need-a-primary-care-provider
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health/
 

June 12, 2021 is National Family Health and Fitness Day and the Health In Harlem Team is poised to help you make the most of it with solid information help you live the healthiest life possible.  Fit N Play Mama Founder, Nutritionist, and Personal Trainer, and Youth Fitness Instructor Danielle Medina joined us to share some of her best tips and tricks to encourage healthy living amongst your family and friends.  This is the day to get you and your family moving toward a brighter, healthier future!
 
National Recreation and Park Association Family Health and Fitness
Day
https://www.nrpa.org/events/family-fitness-day/
 
NYC Parks Events Calendar 
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/p4
 
Fit N Play Mama  
https://www.fitnplaymama.com/
 

Saturday June 12, 2021 is National Family Health and Fitness Day! Sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association, National Family Health and Fitness Day is a day to promote the importance of parks and recreation spaces in living happy, healthy and productive lifestyles. From Staten Island to Midtown Manhattan, there will be countless free and very-low cost events that will feature activities for all age groups. Check out this episode of Health In Harlem to learn about the goings-on about town and how you and your family can get moving this Summer and beyond!
National Recreation and Park Association Family Health and Fitness Day
https://www.nrpa.org/events/family-fitness-day/#:~:text=Family%20Health%20%26%20Fitness%20Day%20will,recreation%20in%20keeping%20communities%20healthy.
NYC Parks Events Calendar
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/p3

Harlem has a new batch of frontline heroes and heroines in the fight against COVID-19. The COVID-19 STEM Community Education and Empowerment Internship is a partnership between the Cornell Center for Health Equity and the Diversity Center for Excellence, Mentoring In Medicine Inc, 6 area medical schools that has harnessed the energy, talents, and enthusiasm of young people to distribute information, and combat misinformation about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines! We sat down with the superstars Dr. Lynne Holden, the Founder and President of Mentoring In Medicine and Dr. Susana Morales, Director of the Diversity Center of Excellence at Weill Cornell Medicine to discuss their revolutionary approach to community outreach and health education in Harlem and beyond. Enjoy, and as always we would love to hear any questions, comments, or concerns about Health In Harlem and the topics covered in our discussion.
COVID-19 STEM Community Education and Empowerment Internship
https://centerforhealthequity.cornell.edu/education/diversity-center-of-excellence/covid-19-community-education-empowerment-program/
 
Mentoring In Medicine Inc.
https://medicalmentor.org/
 
 

The fight against SARS-CoV-2 continues and fortunately, here in the United States it's like we have a wave of reinforcements that can potentially join the fray as the Food and Drug Administration revised the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents ages 12-15 as eligible to receive the jab. The race continues to vaccinate as many people as possible in order to get better control of this outbreak and thus get to some sense of normalcy in our lives. In this latest episode of Health In Harlem we discuss the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, their safety, the rise of variants, and our charge to herd immunity (yes, there is still some hope; especially if more folks roll up their sleeves!). Enjoy, and be sure to check out the resources below for more information:
 
Food and Drug Administration: FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Adolescents in Another Important Action in Fight Against Pandemic
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-use
 
The New York Times: FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for Children 12-15
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/health/pfizer-vaccine-children-kids.html
 
The New York Times: Reaching 'Herd Immunity' is Unlikely in the U.S., Experts Now Believe
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/03/health/covid-herd-immunity-vaccine.html
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
 
 

That's right ladies and gentlemen, this is our 6th COVID-19 vaccine update and we have some great new information for you all! With hospitalization rates and death rates amongst the most vulnerable (e.g. the elderly, nursing home residents) falling all over the country, it appears the vaccines are doing exactly what they were designed to do. There is even data emerging that highlights the effectiveness of the vaccines against many of the variants that have caused great alarm in the general public and experts alike. Finally, there is encouraging data that the vaccines are very effective (moderna reports 96% reduction in risk of acquiring COVID-19) in adolescents, leading talks of the United States Food and Drug Administration possibly approving the vaccine for use in children 12-15 years of age by next week! All very exciting news and with that said, it is so critically important that everyone consider getting the jab as it is a crucial step in our collective journey to get back to some sense of normalcy. As always, we bring you the most reliable and up-to date information in the episode of Health In Harlem so that you can make an informed choice when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine. Check out the resources below for more information. Finally, please hit us up with questions, comments, concerns that you have as we would love to engage you in these conversations about living the healthiest, happiest, most fulfilling life possible!
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Updated Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Use of the Jannsen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine After Reports of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Among Vaccine Recipients
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7017e4.htm
 
Centers for Disease Control: When You've Been Fully Vaccinated
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
 
The New York Times: FDA to Authorize Pfizer Vaccine for Adolescents by Early Next Week
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/03/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html?s_cid=11236:should%20i%20take%20the%20covid%20vaccine:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21
 
 

“Black Women in our country are facing a Maternal Health Crisis.” This statement could have been a headline across any newspaper in the country (hopefully this is not news to anyone as Black women have been suffering for decades), however these are the words of Vice president Kamala Harris. On Tuesday April 13, the White House issued its first-ever presidential proclamation marking Black Maternal Health Week, bringing awareness to the decades-long problem of Black women having a significantly higher number of pregnancy-related complications including a 3 times higher rate of death in Black women compared to White women. Joined by obstetrics and gynecology experts Dr. Marvelle Maloney and Dr. Praise Augustus, we discussed the health challenges faced by black mothers in the United States, the significance of systemic racism and oppression its role in the disparities of pregnancy-related deaths and poor outcomes. Finally, we discuss tips and strategies that Black women can employ to increase their chances of having complication-free pregnancies and births. Please check out the resources below to learn more and as we always ask, whatever you learn on this show, please share it with anyone that will listen!
 
The White House: A Proclamation on Black Maternal Health Week, 2021
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/04/13/a-proclamation-on-black-maternal-health-week-2021/
 
Black Mamas Matter Alliance
https://blackmamasmatter.org/bmhw/
 
National Partnership for Women & Families
https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/health/reports/black-womens-maternal-health.html
 
Centers for Disease Control and prevention: Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality
https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html