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Black Women-Run Abortion Funds Bring Reproductive Justice to Life

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Black Women-Led Abortion Funds Are on the forefront of Reproductive Justice in Practice

Abortion funds are usually not your average community-based organization; they live, respiration testaments to radical self-care and community resilience. These organizations provide critical financial, emotional, and logistical support to those looking for abortion care, ensuring that economic barriers don’t prevent people from accessing the services they need.

Even before the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022, states across the United States were imposing increasingly restrictive abortion laws, disproportionately affecting Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ people, youth, and other people living in rural or low-income areas. Abortion funds have been filling these gaps for a while through collective motion and mutual aid, demonstrating that self-care shouldn’t be just a person pursuit but a deeply political and communal commitment to justice and well-being.

Organizations which are spearheading this essential work include black-led abortion funds. ARC Southeast (Access Reproductive Care-Southeast), headquartered in Atlanta, serves six Southern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Its goal is to provide resources to those disproportionately affected by restrictive abortion laws.

“We are directly challenging the narrative that some people don’t deserve access to safe, legal abortion,” says Angel Whaley, co-executive director of ARC Southeast. “When we fund abortions, we are saying you deserve it. You deserve autonomy and control over your own bodies.”

Alexia Rice-Henry, co-executive director, adds, “Our work is about filling gaps where the state has intentionally created barriers. It’s about making sure that people — especially those who are Black, brown, queer, low-income, and living in the South — have the resources they need to make decisions about their own bodies.”

Both emphasize the importance of co-leadership, which reflects the collaborative and collective nature of their work. “As a Black-led organization, we understand that our communities are diverse and have unique needs,” Whaley says. “Our co-leadership model allows us to leverage a range of perspectives and experiences. We are deeply aware of the intersecting oppressions our communities face. This awareness leads us to approach our work from a reproductive justice perspective, recognizing that the fight for abortion access is also a fight against racism, economic inequality, and other forms of oppression.”

Ohio Abortion Fundthe state’s only abortion fund, also plays a key role on this landscape. It provides financial assistance, in addition to emotional and logistical support to people looking for services within the Midwestern state and beyond. The fund has seen an unprecedented increase in demand after Dobbs.

“AFO has never seen this level of need before,” says Lexis Dotson-Dufault, executive director of the Abortion Fund of Ohio. The need for our support has increased by greater than 500 percent because the Dobbs case. We are seeing longer wait times between client intake and appointment dates. We are seeing more people receiving care later in life. We are supporting almost twice as many minors navigating the bypass process than we did last 12 months. The snowball effect of lost access across the country is in full effect. It is leaving nothing but dire consequences for essentially the most marginalized.”

Dotson-Dufault further highlights the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, noting that Black, Indigenous, and other people of color who’re disproportionately affected are already feeling the results across all sectors of society, including housing, education, food, employment, transportation, and health care as an entire.

Reflecting on her personal motivation and the broader impact of her work, Dotson-Dufault emphasizes the importance of providing access within the face of so many barriers.

“Having had abortions myself, I know how life-changing and life-sustaining it is to have access to safe, supported abortion care. It has made me more determined than I ever thought to make sure people have access to the care they want, need, and deserve.”

She adds: “I hear people’s stories. Abortions have allowed them to have the family they wanted when the time was right, to take care of the family they already have, to advance in their careers, to go to college, and so much more.”

Access to Reproductive Justice (Access RJ) is the one state abortion fund in California, serving not only residents but additionally those traveling to the West Coast for care. Based in a state often considered a shelter for reproductive freedomAccess RJ has nonetheless faced increased challenges within the wake of the Dobbs decision. As Jessica Pinkney-Gil, the organization’s executive director, explains, “We provide culturally competent, person-centered care to make sure we meet people where they are. We’re also seeing more Californians reaching out for access to care. We believe this is because people are more confident and comfortable seeking the support they need to assert their bodily autonomy more than ever before.”

She continues: “Navigating the post-Dobbs landscape is about more than just providing support; it’s about addressing the increasing complexities and barriers that people now face, regardless of where they are.”

Pinkney-Gil’s remark reveals a very important truth: Abortion restrictions in any a part of the country are spreading, affecting people all over the place. Even in states with relatively broad reproductive rights, challenges persist. People in these places often face misinformation about abortion services, leading to confusion and delays. Wait times at clinics might be significant, creating barriers for people looking for timely care. In addition, rural areaswhatever the country, they could encounter serious access problems, often exacerbated by the presence of misleading anti-abortion clinics posing as legal providers, also referred to as fake pregnancy clinics or crisis pregnancy centers.

When asked how individuals and communities can support these organizations, she says it’s easy: “Donate to a local abortion fund, preferably one that’s run by Black people or people of color.” She says many abortion funds are run by Black and queer people, and so they’re “right here in your communities,” helping those in your communities.

“We’ve been in the mutual aid business for decades,” Pinkney-Gil adds. “You just have to find us. We exist in every political climate and environment to meet the needs of community members where they are.”

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

Phenergan is no longer recommended for children under 6 years of age due to the risk of hallucinations. Here’s what you can use instead

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The Australian Drugs Regulatory Authority has issued an order safety warning over Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine promethazine.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has stated that over-the-counter products shouldn’t be given to children under six years of age due to concerns about serious unwanted side effects akin to hyperactivity, aggression and hallucinations. Breathing may turn into slow or shallow, which can be fatal.

When high doses are administered to young children, difficulties in learning and understanding, including reversible cognitive deficit and mental disability, may occur. – said the TGA.

The latest warning follows international and Australian concerns about the drug in young children, which is commonly used to treat conditions akin to hay fever and allergies, motion sickness and for short-term sedative effects.

What is promethazine?

Promethazine is a “first generation” antihistamine that has been sold over the counter in Australian pharmacies for a long time for a spread of conditions.

Unlike many other drugs, first-generation antihistamines can cross the blood-brain barrier. This means they affect your brain chemistry, making you feel drowsy and sedated.

In adults, this will likely be useful for sleep. However, in children, these drugs can cause serious unwanted side effects on the nervous system, including those mentioned on this week’s safety alert.

We’ve known about this for a while

We have known about the serious unwanted side effects of promethazine in young children for a while.

Advice regarding 20 years ago In the United States, the drug was not recommended for use in children under two years of age. In 2022, an Australian Medicines Advisory Committee made its own suggestion to increase the age to six. New Zealand released similar warnings and advice in May this 12 months.

Over the last ten years, there have been 235 cases of serious unwanted side effects from promethazine in each children and adults reported to the TGA. Of the 77 deaths reported, one was a toddler under six years of age.

Reported unwanted side effects in each adults and children included:

  • 13 cases of accidental overdose (leading to 11 deaths)
  • eight cases of hallucinations
  • seven cases of slow or shallow respiration (leading to 4 deaths)
  • six cases of decreased consciousness (leading to five deaths).

TGA security alert comes after an internal investigation by the manufacturer of Phenergan, Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare. This investigation was initiated in 2022 advice from the Medicines Advisory Committee. The company has now updated its information for consumers and healthcare professionals.

What can you use instead?

If you have allergies or hay fever in young children, non-sedating antihistamines akin to Claratine (loratadine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine) are preferred. They provide relief without the risk of sedation and other disturbing unwanted side effects of promethazine.

If symptoms of a chilly or cough occur, parents must be reassured that these symptoms will normally subside with time, fluid intake, and rest.

Saline nasal sprays, adequate hydration, a humidifier or elevating the child’s head can relieve the congestion related to hay fever. Oral products containing phenylephrine marketed for nasal congestion must be avoided because evidence shows that this is the case This article was originally published on : theconversation.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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