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Black maternal health matters: What Black gynecologists want you to know before giving birth

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The health crisis for Black moms in America deserves our immediate attention. Black women within the US are 3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. And while this shameful statistic has been true for a very long time, we still see evidence that little has modified lately.

Just just a few weeks ago, former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader Krystal Anderson died of sepsis-related organ failure shortly after giving birth to her stillborn daughter, Charlotte Willow. Anderson was only 40 years old. In 2018, tennis champion Serena Williams famously shared that she developed blood clots after giving birth to her first child via Caesarean section and that doctors ignored her symptoms until she insisted on a CT scan. These harrowing women’s stories are a startling reminder that Black women proceed to be at the middle of a world maternal health crisis that has not improved.

Every 12 months within the United States, black women die during or after pregnancy. Worse still, within the US it accounts for over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths will be prevented, According to the CDC. Unconscious racial bias in medicine, in addition to a scarcity of adequate resources in Black communities, are believed to be the driving forces behind the Black maternal health crisis in America. As the stories of Anderson and Williams have shown us, the risks for black women are still present no matter our level of wealth, education or fame.

It’s no surprise that statistics show that black patients, including black moms, feel this fashion higher outcomes when treated by black physicians. Unfortunately, only about 5% of physicians within the U.S. are black. For Black women who’re currently pregnant or fascinated by getting pregnant within the near future but don’t have access to Black doctors of their area, doctors want you to know many things in order that you can equip yourself with the appropriate information and fight for myself. We talked to two of them – OB-GYN Constants Adams of Chicago and Dr. Kimberly Middleton, a board-certified family medicine physician and vein surgeon from Garland, Texas, who previously specialized in high-risk pregnancies – and asked what Black moms should know and do before giving birth.

Plan before you get pregnant

If you know you want to get pregnant in the longer term, start talking to your doctor now. The sooner you discover existing risk aspects, the earlier you can mitigate them. “What I encourage quite a lot of people to do is come together [their OB-GYN] before they get pregnant,” Adams says. “I will have people come and meet me and talk about their future pregnancy plans. We review their history and find out if there is anything that increases their risk of getting pregnant so that we can hopefully address that risk before they get pregnant. This is the best way for us to optimize their overall health.” The pre-pregnancy period is also the perfect time to check hospitals in your area and their rates for cesarean sections, read doctors’ opinions, and develop a contingency plan in case your doctor is unable to attend your delivery. “Before you get pregnant is a terrific time to do it,” says Adams. “When you’re pregnant, it may be really difficult to see a health care provider because it may lead to disruptions in your health care.”

Find your birth team

Speaking of doctor shopping, part of getting a secure and peaceful birth is finding a medical team you can trust and have a superb relationship with. While you may have already got a gynecologist who you often see for annual exams, pap smears, and other reproductive health visits, do not forget that not all of them deliver babies. Find out in case your doctor can do each, and if not, ask her or him to refer you to an obstetrician who can accommodate your birth plan.

When in search of an OB-GYN, Adams recommends listening to your intuition and paying close attention to how they respond to your concerns. “To read [their] body language. Is it someone who’s more dismissive of my questions? Do they make me feel inferior or silly for asking these questions? Do I get along well with them? Are they communicating with me in a way that I actually understand and find effective?” – he asks, asking himself. Middleton agrees that doing research about your doctor and his success rates will give you added peace of mind.

“You need to check with your doctor, just like anyone else,” he says. “We check reviews of restaurants, we check reviews of hotels, so you have to check the reviews of your doctor. If you dig deep, you can check your doctor’s lawsuits or complaints. Much information is public. By doing research, you make yourself known. If you find a health care provider you are considering, talk to others and get their suggestion.

Black maternal health matters: What Black gynecologists want you to know before giving birth
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Stay as lively as possible

Exercise is important for overall health, however it is very necessary while pregnant. Middleton says staying lively by walking or doing moderate exercise will help you maintain healthy blood flow. “It’s really important not to be sedentary and try to move as much as possible,” he says, “because the more blood stagnates in the veins, the more likely the veins are to collapse, which increases the risk of a devastating blood clot.” She also recommends keeping track of any changes in your body and never ignoring “normal” pregnancy symptoms, which can signal an issue comparable to swelling, redness across the ankles or frequent and chronic headaches.

Know your history

Middleton advises that knowing family history, including any birth complications the birth mother has faced, is crucial for pregnant Black women since it helps get a transparent picture of risk aspects and what the care team ought to be looking for. “I find that when people come into my office, they don’t know their family history, they don’t know anything about what has happened in the past with their family members, and that’s a key factor in determining the outcome when you’re pregnant,” Middleton says .

“Genetics play a huge role during pregnancy and birth, and often what happened to your mother often happens to you, too,” she adds. “That’s why it’s important to know your family history and your own medical history.” Keeping an up-to-date family medical history in your phone or notebook, together with an inventory of specific questions you want to ask your doctor about your birth plan, is the easiest way to be prepared for every doctor’s visit. And because the saying goes, be ready so you do not have to prepare.

Consider working with a doula

The positive impact a doula can have on a pregnant woman’s life has been well documented. Research shows that black moms particularly have higher birth outcomes after they are supported by one person. Doula care is now recognized as a invaluable resource for pregnant and birthing women, including several states within the U.S. doula care under Medicaid programs.

While you might imagine that doulas are only there to help you give birth, they can even step in to help you in your pregnancy journey and can be found to provide postpartum care. Middleton believes they’re the right addition to the motherhood tribe.

“I think an important part of providing good health care is recruiting your own support team,” he says. “This could be your partner, mother, grandmother, doula or midwife. I think it’s very important because you have a second set of ears and voices. Sometimes you are in a situation where you cannot express your opinion, [a doula] you recruited can express these concerns on your behalf.” Adams agrees and recommends that when vetting your care team, ask your practice what they give thought to doula care. “There is a lot of really great evidence that shows that having a doula in BIPOC populations can be a huge resource and a great way to reduce risk because you have someone who is your personal advisor.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Why Elon Musk’s Grok Could Pose a Threat to Medical Privacy

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elon musk, DEI, remote work, jobs


Owner of X and candidate for the White House cabinet Elon Musk asked users to submit MRI results, CT scans and other medical information to its AI chatbotGrok reviewed it and a few people fell for it, he reports.

Musk presented this concept to X in late October 2024.

“Try uploading X-rays, PET, MRI, or other medical images to Grok for analysis. It’s still early stages, but it’s already quite accurate and will be extremely good,” he wrote. “Let us know where Grok is doing it right or where it needs work.”

Some individuals who voluntarily submitted photos were comfortable that Grok “did do well” together with his blood test results and breast cancer detection, but others waved red flags against the platform.

Josh Sharp, who goes by @showinvestment on social media, identified how a broken collarbone was viewed as a dislocated shoulder.

Radiologist Docteur TJ provided an in-depth evaluation of the MRI image, which he described partially as “too gross.”

Another example is a robot confusing a mammogram of a benign breast cyst with a picture of the testicles.

Grok was launched in May 2024 after raising $6 billion in an investment financing round through Musk’s tech startup, xAI. Grok is just not the primary of its kind: Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT also enable the transfer of medical images.

While some praise the technology’s potential advances, medical privacy experts don’t not on this camp.

“It’s very personal data, and there’s no telling exactly what Grok will do with it,” said Vanderbilt University biomedical informatics professor Dr. Bradley Malin, according to “Sending personal information to Grok is more like, ‘Whee!’ Let’s throw out this data and hope the corporate does what I need it to do.”

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects medical information shared with physicians or in a patient portal because federal guidelines protect it from being shared without consent. However, the protection doesn’t cover social networking sites – it only applies to doctor’s offices, hospitals, health insurers and a few firms they work with.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Health and Wellness

Essence of the week: Cherry Blossom EDT L’Occitane is a fragrance inspired by spring, perfect for any season – Essence

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We all know L’Occitane almond shower oil gets a lot of love – and for good reason (I’m taking a look at you #BeautyTok).

But there is one other gem of this brand that deserves just as much attention: Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette. Since its launch in 2007, this fragrance has remained a favorite amongst my group of friends, appreciated for its delicate and refined elegance. To be honest, I feel this is what L’Occitane is known for as a brand. And although this scent is often related to the airy freshness of spring, it is a scent that brings a touch of beauty and heat to any season.

The first spritz of Cherry Blossom EDT is soft and alluring, with a subtle hint of cherry and freesia that feels fresh without overdoing it. It’s light and uplifting, like the kind of scent you employ when you would like to feel good but not an excessive amount of (like me most days). As it settles on my skin, notes of cherry blossom and lily of the valley bloom, striking the perfect balance of femininity without feeling overly sweet or dated. There’s nothing heavy or “old school floral” about this scent – it’s fresh, modern and understated in a way that feels sophisticated.

What really makes this fragrance stand out is the base. Brazilian rosewood, amber and musk give it a soft warmth that wraps you want your favorite cashmere scarf. It’s cozy but never heavy, beautifully balancing the delicate flowers. The overall effect is a scent that feels effortlessly polished – the olfactory equivalent of “quiet luxury.”

I do know, I do know – cherry blossoms evoke spring, but that is why this scent works so well all 12 months round. In the colder months, it is a refreshing break from heavy, spicy scents. I mean, I like my ouds and cognacs, but no… Bright notes of cherry and freesia bring a breath of fresh air, while warm base notes of amber and musk give the composition a comforting, grounded feel. It’s like carrying a little bit of spring with you, even when the weather is not sunny. And given the conflicting rumors we’re hearing – at the very least on the East Coast – about how much snow will fall this season, you would possibly just should keep it in your radar.

Why I find it irresistible: While everyone gravitates towards the Almond L’Occitane collection, their EDT Cherry Blossom has turn out to be an unexpected favorite of mine that I still reach for. What I like most about it is how versatile it is. It’s lightweight enough to accommodate skilled meetings or running errands during the day, but still feels special enough for dinner dates or quiet moments at home. The way it evolves on the skin – from a fresh, floral burst to a soft, warm texture – makes it feel personal, like a fragrance created just for you. It’s not flashy or trendy, but that is what makes it timeless.

Perfect pairs: As an eau de toilette, Cherry Blossom advantages greatly from thoughtful layering that highlights its delicate character and prolongs its presence throughout the day. And because Cherry Blossom has a softer sillage, it’s perfect for on a regular basis wear. If you would like to extend its durability or make it a bit more dynamic, layering is the best solution. Start with L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Shower Oil to create a fragrant base, then follow with the Shimmering Body Milk for extra depth and hydration.

If you wish to mix and match, pair Cherry Blossom EDT with complementary fragrances. Kayali Vanilla 28 adds a cozy sweetness that blends beautifully with the floral notes, while Commodity Milk+ brings out the creamy warmth of the base. On the fun side, the marshmallow and ambrette notes of Ellis Brooklyn SWEET add a delicate, sweet touch that prolongs the persistence of the cherry blossom accord. Spray the fragrance base first, let it settle, after which top with cherry blossom for a custom scent that can last all day.

EDT Cherry Blossom by L’Occitane is a masterclass in subtle sophistication. Founder Olivier Baussan put it perfectly: “It is because cherry blossoms fly away with the first breath of spring that they are so rare and precious.” This fragrance captures ephemeral beauty in a bottle. Final Verdict: If you appreciate fragrances that whisper slightly than shout, that talk of sophistication slightly than trends, L’Occitane’s Cherry Blossom EDT is value considering. It’s the olfactory equivalent of finding the perfect light – subtle, beautiful and absolutely fascinating.

Fragrance is deeply personal, but some fragrances gain universal appeal due to their masterful composition. This is one of them.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

You don’t have to add sugar to your cranberry sauce this holiday season – a food scientist explains how to cook with less sweeteners

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Holidays are stuffed with tasty and filling dishes and drinks. It’s hard to resist dreams of cookies, special cakes, wealthy meats and exceptionally spicy additions.

Many of the healthy ingredients utilized in holiday dishes could be overshadowed by sugar and starch. While adding extra sugar could also be tasty, it isn’t necessarily good for your metabolism. Understanding the food and cuisine science behind what you cook means you may make a few changes to a recipe and still have a delicious dish that won’t loaded with sugar.

Especially for those who’re someone with type 1 diabetes, the vacations can come with an additional layer of stress and soaring blood glucose levels. However, this just isn’t the time to despair – it’s the vacations in spite of everything.

Cranberries are a seasonal, tasty fruit that could be tweaked in recipes to make them more Type 1 diabetic-friendly – or friendly to anyone searching for a sweet dish without the added sugar.

I’m a food scientist and sort 1 diabetes. Understanding food composition, ingredient interactions, and metabolism literally saved my life.

Type 1 diabetes has been defined

Type 1 diabetes it lasts all day, without sleep breaks, without holidays and weekends, without remission and without cure. Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, a hormone essential for all times, which promote the absorption of glucose, i.e. sugar, into cells. Glucose in your cells then provides the body with energy on the molecular level.

Therefore, people with type 1 diabetes take insulin injections using an insulin pump attached to their bodies and hopefully it really works well enough to stabilize our blood sugar levels and metabolism, minimize health complications over time, and keep us alive.

Type 1 diabetics have in mind mainly type and amount of carbohydrates in food when determining how much insulin to take, but in addition they need to understand the interactions of proteins and fats in food to use it, or bolusappropriately.

Apart from insulin, type 1 diabetics don’t produce one other hormone, amylin, which slows down gastric motility. This means food moves faster through our digestive tract and we regularly feel very hungry. Foods high in fat, protein and fiber can keep you from feeling hungry for a while.

Cranberries, a seasonal snack

Cranberries are native to North America and grow well within the northeastern and midwestern states, where they’re in season from late September through December. They dominate holiday tables everywhere in the country.

Cranberries are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but cranberry sauce tends to be high in sugar.
bhofack2/iStock via Getty Images

One cup of whole, raw cranberries comprises 190 calories. They are composed of 87% water, trace amounts of protein and fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates and just over 4 grams of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber combines well with water, which is sweet for digestive health and might slow the rise in blood glucose levels.

Cranberries are tall IN potassiumwhich helps maintain electrolyte balance and cell signaling, in addition to other essential nutrients similar to antioxidants, beta-carotene AND vitamin C. They also contain vitamin Kwhich helps in healthy blood clotting.

The taste and aroma of cranberries comes from compounds present in fruits similar to cinnamates, which add a hint of cinnamon, vanillin for a vanilla note, benzoates AND Benzaldehydethat tastes like almonds.

Cranberries are high in pectin, a soluble starch that forms a gel and is used as a binding agent in making jams and jellies, in order that they thicken easily with minimal cooking. Their beautiful jewel tone red color belongs to a class of compounds called anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins with which they’re associated treating certain forms of infections.

They also contain phenols, that are protective compounds produced by the plant. These compounds, which appear like rings on the molecular level, interact with proteins within the saliva, causing a dry and tight feeling that causes the mouth to pucker. Similarly, the so-called benzoic acid naturally occurring in cranberries, it adds sourness to the fruit.

These chemical components make them extremely sour and bitter and difficult to eat raw. To moderate these flavors and effects, most cranberry recipes call for plenty of sugar.

All this extra sugar could make cranberry dishes difficult for type 1 diabetics to devour since the sugars cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly.

Cranberries without sugar?

Type 1 diabetics – or anyone looking to limit their sugar intake – can try some cooking tactics to reduce their sugar intake while still having fun with this holiday treat.

Don’t cook the cranberries too long once they pop. You’ll still have a sticky cranberry liquid without having to add a lot of sugar, because cooking concentrates a number of the bitter compounds, making them more visible within the dish.

A row of spoons, each filled with a pile of powdered spice.
Adding spices to cranberries can improve the flavour of the dish without the added sugar.
klenova/iStock via Getty Images

The addition of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and other warming spices gives the dish a depth of flavor. Adding heat with hot chili pepper it might make a cranberry dish more complex while reducing sourness and astringency. Adding salt can reduce the bitterness of cranberries, so you will not need a lot of sugar.

For a richer flavor and glossy quality, add butter. The butter also moisturizes the lips, which reinforces the natural tartness of the dish. Other fats, similar to cream or coconut oil, also work.

Adding chopped walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts may decelerate the absorption of glucose, so your blood glucose levels may not rise as quickly. Some recent forms of sweeteners, similar to allulosethey taste sweet but don’t raise blood sugar levels and require minimal or no insulin. Allulose has GRAS – Generally Regarded as Safe – status within the US but just isn’t approved as an additive in Europe.

During the holiday season, you may easily reduce the quantity of sugar added to cranberry dishes and revel in the health advantages without spikes in blood glucose levels.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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