In the midst of everything that is going on, February and March, Black History Months have been uplifting and awesome, helping our community view our current circumstances through a historical lens.
Now welcome to April, Priority Health Month. This is a good time to remind readers that Real Men Charities have prioritized health and wellness since 1999 and Men-tal Health with the late Dr. Carl Bell, since 1992. And we continue to do so. The ongoing COVID crisis has made us realize that health equity is perhaps the most import-ant challenge faced by the Black community. Even more than, or at least equal to economic equity.
Good health is the great equalizer. I’m talking physi-cal and mental. Without it all you can do is lay back and reminisce.
COVID has been an indiscriminate truth-teller. For decades we have been complaining about all types of dis-crimination. COVID showed that everything we have been saying is true:
• We don’t live as long, especially Black men
• We have fewer economic opportunities
• Our air is not as clean
• Our communities are less safe
• We have access to fewer services that could improve our condition
We continue to be enslaved, without the cotton and chains
But, there is some recent evidence that things might be changing. The fact that COVID had such a devastating impact on the Black community, made some of the policy makers ask why. It prompted some of them to begin moving in a different direction. Actions that if continued will re-sult in a stronger, healthier, and wealthier Black community.
After decades of demanding that the community be included in decisions made about new programs and policies, it seems that “they” are finally listening.
Chicago Health Plan 2025 is an example. The comprehensive plan had extensive input from community organizations and community leaders as it was being developed. Our priority must be to have our city deliver on that plan, which has as a priority Closing Our Life Expectancy Gap CHICAGO 2020–2025, you can download the entire plan from the Chicago Department of Public Health or City of Chicago website.
This is a major change. One that our community has demanded for years. Nobody knows the needs of our communities better than those who live, work, play and die there.
Other Priority Areas:
• Housing
• Food Access
• Environment
• Public Safety
• Neighborhood Planning & Development
• Health & Human Services
• Public Health Systems Organizations
That’s pretty inclusive. Although economic access and development are not specifically mentioned…If these priorities are enacted, economic opportunity for those in the community will follow.
And, guess what? For a change, Black Chicagoans are at the top of the priority list! The rest of the list in order include:
• Latinx Chicagoans
• Low-income Chicagoans
• Communities disproportionately burdened by pollution
• Disinvested and gentrifying communities If properly and timely enacted the Chicago Health Plan 2025 will significantly improve the conditions in Black communities citywide. We are at the table able to offer input on what we want to see in our communities. Take advantage of this long-overdue opportunity.
• Come to the meetings on time
• Come with fresh ideas
• Make it clear that you are representing your community, not just yourself
• Be active and engaged
• Make sure the policymakers know you are serious This is serious business. It is reported that between 2012-2017, life expectancy in Chicago fell for all groups except white, non-Latinex Chicagoans. There is report-edly an 8.8 year life-expectancy gap between Black and white Chicagoans.
Currently we are supposed to be in some kind of a post-pandemic period. Even with more in our commu-nity getting vaccinated, there remain many who hesitate, for one reason or another.
Also, recent studies project that COVID has reduced Black male life expectancy by 3 years, and the gap be-tween life in some neighborhoods is as much as 30 years. We recommend you view Beyond Survival Prescriptions for Black Men, on our Real Men Charities website, www. RealMenCharitiesInc.org. It is our, #PriorityHealth-Month contribution in addition to this issue, which we trust you will thoroughly enjoy.
Membership Makes A Difference
Quarry Memberships allow you to support the continuation of the 75th Street Jazz Legacy and support the art and culture commitment of
Real Men Charities.
#FridayJazzattheQuarry returns this month after the only Black-owned supper club experience was halted in April.
Please consider a membership, by visiting www.thequarrychi.com.
To donate to support Real Men Charities, Inc:
Cashapp $realmencharities or
www.realmencharitiesinc.org
