The Health In Harlem Podcast

Women, Families, and the Impact of COVID-19

While men are more likely to physically succumb to COVID-19, the social impact has affected women all over the world and is seen by many experts as a major setback in the gains made in gender equity and women's rights. In this episode, we sat down with the Dr. Dara Kass the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Feminem, Females Working in Emergency Medicine, to discuss the challenges facing women from all walks of life and how this disease is impacting work, home and family life, and the education of children and the laws and changes in culture we will need to triumph in the face of the pandemic. Also, please check out the extraordinary work being done by Dr. Kass and Feminem at  https://feminem.org/
Enjoy!
 

COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Mistrust and Hesitancy in Minority Communities

With the pandemic raging on and communities of color heavily impacted by the virus, an effective and safe vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 would seem like a Godsend to outsiders looking in. However, due to the real and sordid history of medical experimentation and exploitation of Black and Brown people, there is a fair amount of skepticism and wariness that could lead to rejection of this therapy by the people and communities that arguably need it most. In this episode we sat down with Dr. Jane Zucker, Assistant Commissioner in the Bureau of Immunizations at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Dr. Noel Manyindo, Assistant Commissioner of the Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; and Dr. Italo Brown, Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Clinical Instructor of Social Emergency Medicine at Stanford Hospital to discuss the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, participation of Blacks, Latinx, and other minorities in clinical trials, and finally the history of medicine as well as looming myths and misconceptions that will certainly make any COVID-19 vaccine a hard sell.
 
Please check out the following links if you want more information about COVID-19 vaccine development and if you would like to inquire about participating in a clinical trial:
U.S. National Library of Medicine-
https://clinicaltrials.gov/
The New York Times-
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/health/volunteer-coronavirus-vaccine-trial.html
COVID-19 Prevention Network-
https://www.coronaviruspreventionnetwork.org/
National Geographic- 
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-diseases/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-how-they-work-latest-developments-cvd/
New England Journal of Medicine-
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2025111
Routine Vaccinations During the COVID-19 Outbreak (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)-
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/vaccination-during-COVID-19.html
Finally, shoutout to Dr. Cedric "Jamie" Rutland and his YouTube series Medicine Deconstructed! Check out this video to understand how a COVID-19 vaccine works and why it might be our best shot in combatting this disease. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBFQ_jbIR84

COVID-19 Update with Dr. Syra Madad

It's still COVID season folks, and we bring you an update on the disease with Dr. Syra Madad, one of the leading experts in special pathogens and emerging infectious diseases. Our conversation deals with everything from where we are in battling this pandemic, to what you and your family can do to lower your risk of acquiring this dangerous infection and finally we go into what we must do as a nation to triumph over this illness. Please check out the links below to learn how to be safe when out and about from the Centers for Disease Control and a risk index (what are high risk situations versus low risk situations with regard to spread of the coronavirus) from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Be safe and enjoy!!!!!
 
Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19-Risk-Factors-Index
https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/novel-coronavirus/communication-materials/covid-19-risk-factors-index-circle-8-5x11.pdf  
CDC Daily Activities and Going Out (guide on safe practices when out and about during the pandemic)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/going-out.html

Disaster Preparedness with Mark Silverberg, MD

On August 4, 2020 in Beirut, Lebanon two explosions rocked the port and sent shockwaves miles away from the blast causing more than 200 deaths, injuring thousands, and leading to billions of dollars of damage. This show is dedicated to our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. Disaster can strike at anytime and it is important that we have plans in place four ourselves, our families, and our communities in order to mitigate damage and ensure our survival and ability to recover. We sat down with Mark Silverberg to discuss how we can MAKE A PLAN, BUILD A KIT, AND BE INFORMED. Finally, we at Health In Harlem are in support of the following organizations and campaigns providing relief in Beirut at this time. Please check out the links below to support the recovery:
 
Ahla Fawda Beirut Blast Victims Relief Fund
https://www.gofundme.com/f/beirut-blast-victims-relief-fund
Lebanese Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org.lb/SubPage.aspx?pageid=1370&PID=158
Lebanese Food Bank
https://donate.lebanesefoodbank.org/
Basmeh and Zeitooneh Relief and Development
https://www.basmeh-zeitooneh.org/bz-campaigns
 

Tick-borne Illnesses

The tick invasion is upon us (well actually, they have always been around, thus not much of an invasion)!!! Not only is it creepy to think that these blood thirsty insects are waiting in the brush for unsuspecting wanderers, but these creatures also carry some really nasty pathogens that can make us quite ill. I know, yet another thing to fret over, but in this episode we empower you with information to protect yourself from ticks; everything from where they like to hang out, what to wear, and the signs and symptoms of serious illness and when to seek medical attention. Enjoy (and please be safe)! 

The Present and Future of Wearables, Health, and Wellness

Wearable technology has emerged as a major force in the health and wellness industry and it will without doubt play a critical role in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and in the prevention, detection, and management of various diseases. In this episode, the Health In Harlem Team interview Dr. Albert Titus, Professor and Chairperson of Biomedical Engineering at the Jacobs School of Medicine of the State University of New York at Buffalo. They discuss the exciting developments in wearable technology, current applications of wearable technology in the management of chronic diseases, and the work being done to make these technologies available to seek and require them. So, take a break from counting those steps and check out this episode of the Health In Harlem Podcast!  

Heat-Related Illness

It's that time of year again, and the heat is upon us! In this episode we discuss the physiology behind body temperature regulation, the spectrum of heat-related illnesses that can arise when those compensatory mechanisms fail or are maximized, risk factors for developing these illnesses, and how we can protect ourselves from complications from illness in extreme heat. Enjoy and stay cool! 

More COVID Facts

With the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increasing, we cannot wait any longer to prevent the spread of this infection. The facts from our first episode have not changed and now there are more FACTS that have emerged including data (and my first hand experiences) that social distancing works and that masks are crucial in decreasing the spread of this illness. As we head into the holiday weekend, we must make good decisions to ensure the safety of our loved ones and our communities and finally, the recovery of our Nation as a whole.   

Building Resilience

In times of stress and adversity, how we respond can determine not only how we cope with the problems and challenges at hand, but also how we might rise above, learn, and even improve in our lives following hard times. With the visionary leader Dr. Robert Gore, the Founder and Executive Director of the Kings Against Violence Initiative, we explore the definition of resilience, the factors that promote it, and lastly how we can bolster our resilience everyday so that we are ready and able to deal with and triumph through life’s trials and tribulations.

Medical Misinformation

 
In the world of information technology, information related to healthy living and wellness is more than abundant. But not all information is created equal. This episode of Health In Harlem explores the crisis surrounding medical misinformation, it’s potential for harm to individuals and the larger health of the public, and finally what we all can do about it.