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Passing the torch: Dr. Eraka Bath reflects on her mother’s lasting legacy

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In February, we decided to launch our first-ever Black Health & Wellness Pioneers series in honor of Black History Month. The series was an informative and provoking journey through time that recognized and celebrated the invaluable contributions of Black women in the field of health and wellness. The series delved into the stories and achievements of outstanding Black figures who’ve made significant advances in medicine, health care, physical fitness, mental health and holistic well-being. We decided to start out a series with the famous ophthalmologist, Dr. Patricia Bath.

Bath was a black ophthalmologist and a pioneer in her field. In 1974, she became the first woman ophthalmologist to be appointed to the faculty of the Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. In 1983, she became the first woman to chair an ophthalmology residency program in the United States. In 1986, she discovered and invented a brand new cataract surgery device and technique often known as laserphaco. In addition to being a pioneer in the medical field, she was also a gift and loving mother to her only daughter, Dr. Eraka P. Bath, who followed in her mother’s footsteps into the health care industry, becoming a renowned professor and psychiatrist. Dr. Bath has a long-standing interest in community mental health and has dedicated her profession to advancing health equity for ethnic, minority and structurally marginalized youth and families, with a specific focus on youth impacted by the foster care and juvenile legal systems. She has dedicated her time to working with structurally vulnerable populations and recurrently consults with the court system.

Passing the torch: Dr. Eraka Bath reflects on her mother's lasting legacy

Recently, Dr. Patricia Bath was posthumously inducted into the service National Women’s Hall of Famewhich is a testament not only to her achievements, but in addition to the lasting impact she had on future generations, particularly her daughter, Dr. Eraka Bath, who accepted the honor on her mother’s behalf.

“The Class of 2024 Inductees are scientists, activists, performers and athletes who are changemakers today and inspirations for the women of tomorrow,” said Jennifer Gabriel, CEO of the National Women’s Hall of Fame. “Their dedication, drive and talent brought them here and we are thrilled to honor them on a national stage. This move will reinforce the achievements of inductees and help strengthen and increase gender equality across the country.”

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Each candidate was nominated by the public and vetted by an independent selection committee composed of experts from various fields. The Inductee Class of 2024 has broken barriers, challenged the established order and made history.

We recently caught up with Dr. Bath to debate her mother’s legacy and impact on medicine and their intimate relationship.

BEING: What did your mother mean to you? Can you tell us about your relationship?

Dr. Erika Bath: I grew up as an only child with a single mom, so it was almost like she and I were against the world. Given that I’m a single mother, I actually have turn out to be more aware of the importance of this dyadic relationship. The bond, connection and responsibility is amazing. My mother was very much a mother lion and mother bear in how she raised me, cared for me, and provided me with access to numerous activities and opportunities; was very intentional. Even though she was a busy surgeon, she all the time cooked delicious meals from scratch.

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How has her legacy impacted you personally as her daughter?

In many respects, comparable to the alternative of a medical profession, it just isn’t accidental. My mother never said I needed to turn out to be a physician, but exposure to service as a lifestyle helped me understand what was essential. I actually have all the time realized how necessary it’s to present back; that was one in all the values ​​she passed on to me.

Outside of your day job, how do you proceed and honor your mother’s legacy?

I’m more focused on creating joy. My mom liked to be in her community and have a good time, so I’m beginning to make that more of a priority because there’s a number of grind culture in medicine and our American culture, after which I believe the type of pressure that black women need to get things right and do the whole lot to survive, and sometimes it happens at our expense and we want to rest. My mother loved nature, beekeeping and art. So all of those elements are unrelated to being a physician, regardless that that was her most important identity. She was so creative.

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How do you support STEM work?

My appointment at the University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychiatry, focuses on eliminating health inequities, which is multi-faceted and in addition includes desirous about workforce development. We are working on how you can make the staff as inclusive as possible and we’re working on structures that may make them more welcoming and inclusive, from the research questions we ask to the way we design research protocols. I watched my mother mentor multiple generations of physicians, women, blacks, Latinos, and Asians, lifting themselves up as they climbed.

You and your loved ones are thrilled that she was recently inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. So what did this moment mean to you?

It was really special. It’s great to present people flowers. I’m very glad that she might be called, even when it should be posthumous. We are grateful on your recognition. My mother was type of hidden in plain sight. I appreciate the opportunity to raise her legacy. There is a saying: “For it to be it, you have to see it.” People must see that it is feasible.

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Share your efforts to preserve your mother’s legacy and encourage future generations of ladies.

I’m blessed and grateful to produce other champions because as an only child I could not do it on my very own. I’m very committed to doing as much as possible, but I actually have close friends of my mother who want her to get flowers. Whether it’s her lineal sisters from Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Incorporated, a lot of whom are still alive, there are such a lot of individuals who support us because they realize the importance of ladies’s representation. So a lot of our stories go untold.

What is one word to explain your mother’s ghost?

Bold.

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Health and Wellness

Why are we kissing during sleep?

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Putting and turning into bed and random waking up at night is uncomfortable, but as compared with night sweat it could take the dough. Perhaps you suffered from night sweats once on a blue moon or more often; Despite the term, it have to be examined.

Although many different variables could cause night sweats, akin to menopause, home environment (temperature) or drinking alcohol, there’s also also more serious causes, akin to disease (infections and even cancer). To understand why we can sweat in a dream, we should check with several potential causes and prioritize the planning of a medical visit with a basic healthcare provider to know the cause. Talk to your doctor, in case you incessantly experience night sweats and throughout the event that they start to influence the usual of sleep, incessantly life or general health. When meeting a physician, give them problems or concerns about sleep so that you simply just just simply simply simply just just simply simply simply simply simply just just simply just just just simply simply just simply just simply just just just simply just just simply just just simply simply just just simply simply just just simply just just just just simply simply just just simply simply just just just just simply just just just simply simply simply simply just just just just simply simply just just simply just just just just simply just just simply simply simply just simply just simply simply just simply simply simply just just just just just just simply just just simply simply just just just just just simply simply just simply just just just simply simply simply simply just just simply simply just simply simply simply just just just just just just just simply simply simply simply simply just just simply just just simply just simply just simply simply simply just simply just simply just just simply simply simply just simply just just just simply just just just just just just just just simply simply just just just simply just simply just simply simply just just just simply just simply just just just just simply simply simply just just just simply just simply just just just just just simply simply just simply just simply simply just simply just just simply simply just just just just just simply just simply simply just simply simply simply simply simply simply just simply just simply just just simply just just simply simply simply simply simply simply just simply simply simply simply simply just just just simply just just simply just just just simply simply simply simply just simply simply just simply simply simply simply just just just simply simply simply just simply just simply simply just just just just simply just just simply simply just simply just simply just simply simply simply just simply just just simply simply just simply just simply just just simply simply just just simply just just just just simply just just just simply just just just just simply simply simply simply just just just simply just simply simply just simply simply just simply just simply just simply simply simply just just just just just simply simply would supply you with with with the selection to be monitored for sleep apnea or insomnia. See the potential the rationale why you’d offer you the selection to sweat in a dream.

Monitor your sleeping environment: By experiencing night sweat, it’ll be vital to contemplate the sleeping environment. Think about these questions: where do you incessantly sleep? How many blankets do you likely can have? What is the temperature in your private home and bedroom? If you sweat while sleeping, attempt to adapt the sleep environment to make it cooler.

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Hormonal problems: According to Sleep foundationSweating is normal and integral throughout the adjustment of the body temperature. However, in case you sweat an excessive amount of, you’d offer you the selection to experience hormonal irregularities. According to National Center for Biotechnology, as much as 64% Women often report sleep problems and higher insomnia indicators during perimenopause and menopause.

Neurological problems: The reason for night sweats may thoroughly be conditions affecting the nervous system, akin to stroke or Parkinson’s disease (nerves threatened with the brain and spinal cord, which extend to the remaining of the body. In addition, all serious damage or injuries of the spinal cord can potentially cause night sweats.

Potential sleep disorders: Although it has not been proven that sleep disorders, Sleep foundation He informed that a third of people with obstructive sleep apnea (wasp) tends to occur regular night sweats – like people WASP Have difficulty respiratory while sleeping, causing drops of oxygen levels throughout the blood which could produce night sweats.

See easy ways to attempt to stop sweating in a dream:

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Monitor the sleep environment: Try to make your bedroom cool. Spread the window or sleep with a light-weight fan to make sure that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that the sleeping zone mustn’t be highly regarded.

Try to sleep naked: If you sweat at night, try sleeping naked or minimal pajamas.

Consume fluid: Drink a glass of cold water before bedtime, not alcohol.

Think about what you eat: Try to avoid caffeine, spicy food and hot drinks before bedtime.

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Align your fitness routine: Exercises during the day or early throughout the evening, but not only before bedtime.

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

The study states that ingredients causing cancer in many products sold to black women

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The recent study reveals that greater than half of black women and Latina repeatedly surveyed in Los Angeles Use personal hygiene products containing known cancer cancer.

Journal Lists of environmental sciences and technology published Study at On March 7, revealing that out of 64 women surveyed, 53% reported using shampoos, nutrients, whitening creams, eyelash glue and other products containing formaldehyde and formaldehyde components that are known cause cancer in humans.

“It is really disturbing that we deliberately place chemicals that release a carcinogenic factor to our products that we use every day”, ” Robin Dodson, Deputy Director for Research in Silent Spring Institutenon -research process, examining the environmental causes of breast cancer NPr.

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ResearcherS collected data in 2021 disproportionately exposed For formaldehyde in cosmetic products compared to white women. Experts suspected that the frequent use of chemical hair loosens containing formaldehyde releases by black women is one in all the the reason why they die of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer At much higher rates than their white counterparts.

In a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EEC), non -profit organizations, environmental agency, Scientists found that from 4011 personal hygiene products sold to black women, only 21% They were evaluated as a low threat in EWG’s Skin Deep® Cosmetics database.

The FDA announced its plans to propose a formaldehyde ban in 2023. The proposed ban was geared toward protect From health threats with chemical use. The agency planned to implement a proposal in April 2024, but he met with many delays. Last yr, EEC condemned FDA for his failure implement the ban.

“Despite the overwhelming evidence of formaldehyde risks during hair treatment, the FDA did not consistently work definitely,” EEC wrote in a press release.

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From May 2025, the agency has not implemented the proposalEd Ban. Europe banned formaldehyde as a cosmetic component in 2009.

(Tagstranslatate) black women

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

Nara Smith discusses her journey to eczema – essence

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Nara Smith opens on a trip to eczema

Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images

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“I have always had eczema,” he says Nara SmithThe model and creator of the content known for her viral recipes “from scratch”. WITH Beef wealthy in vitamin Cream for anti -inflammatory teas and compotes, the continuing lifetime of the Creator with eczema and lupus later became a day by day routine. But only after she gave birth to her son three years ago, or did she realize how serious her flare may very well be.

“I grew up with eczema, but then just disappeared,” Smith says Essence. “When I was born, I had a small flash on my hand and I thought it would just disappear [again]. “Except for this has never been.

“It basically caused them to chase me for several days,” he says, falling victim to itching, swollen hands and flaky, sipping skin. “I really couldn’t get up and I think that people are not aware of how exhausting it can be exhausting, physically exhausting, because suddenly you don’t feel confident and you can’t look at each other.”

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Eczema, also often known as atopic dermatitis, is chronic skin inflammation 10 percent of adults within the USA. According to the National Ersema Association, two -thirds of individuals say that their mental health is negative on eczema, while others reported interference in other sectors of life, equivalent to relationships, sexual health and even sleep. And with darker shades of skin more susceptible to transepidermal water loss, black women are more in danger.

Some studies suggest that just about 20 percent of Black Americans develop eczema with black children 1.7 times more likely To be diagnosed than white children. According to a dermatologist Dr. Camille Howard-VersovićEczema not only affects darker skin, but additionally looks different. “We usually rely on the word” erythematically “or red or pink in colorful people, [however] People who are deeply concentrated, pink more like gray, blues or purple, “he says.

Unlike dry skin, which could be matte and flaky, the leading symptom of eczema is chronic itching. “You can have an abnormal effect in the epidermis or in a worn -out layer, in which the skin is not so good to keep water,” he says, making the skin more susceptible to irritating and allergens, causing an inflammatory response. Meanwhile, Flare Ups could be brought on by dryness, acute skin and environment care triggers equivalent to allergies, pollen and pollution.

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And although Howard-Versovic claims that the eating regimen doesn’t necessarily cause or cure eczema, the sport A major role In the general health of our skin. For Niery Smith, spending the night on the eczema test meant cutting grains, dairy products and sugar and bending into the world -famous naturopathic agents. “I tried to change my diet and tried to cut things and manage stress,” he says, analyzing every ingredient she put into her body.

It seems that her ongoing life eczema and severe exacerbations were partly brought on by an autoimmune disease, lupus, which was diagnosed with her in 2023 with the specter of infamous “butterfly rash“Like other jumpers related to the lupus, which exacerbates its eczema, the treatment of its” unpredictable flashes “required greater than just the provisions of compensation, but the fragile routine dermatologist routine.

“There is nothing that completely erases them, because it is simply not what eczema is,” he says, but constructing an efficient skincare routine helped her find the mandatory relief.

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Recognized by the National Ersa Association, Smith, which is the most recent partner of Cetafil, complements Restoraderm Cetaphil line Even manage her worst flashes. This is basically due to the range crammed with a protein called “Filaggrin”, which maintains the skin barrier and hydration. “My eczema seems much calmer. It is not so red, it is not so dry, it does not break so much”, it shares, passing through the bottles Eczema rapid relief cream AND A relaxing moisturizing cream In addition to serum, oil and SPF finish.

Although most individuals only speak about eczema on the body, if in any respect, constructing a scalp routine for textured hair also has their challenges. “I used to wear my hair and it used to be full, and then I widen, so my hair began to fall out,” Smith is split by cutting all of it for a brushed bob, from which she is understood. “I think there is such a shame around him because you are so embarrassed [your eczema] Off, “he says, especially within the case of ladies’s beauty standards and skincare routine in social media.

In addition to this latest partnership, the content creator plans to proceed the conversation in regards to the beauty and skincare, constructing an expansive but intimate community to discuss even taboos, personal topics. “Although it is a skin condition, it greatly affects your everyday life in all aspects,” he says. “I think this is something that people don’t understand.”

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