Recognizing HIV Awareness Month

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN The month of December brings so much joy and love, but we should also stay aware that it is HIV Awareness Month.  We must continue to protect ourselves during sexual intimacy — especially if relationships are not exclusive.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported its first cases […]

HEALTHIER YOU: Pregnant or looking to be? Family history matters

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN Expecting a baby? You may be wondering whether your bundle of joy will have mommy’s eyes or daddy’s dimples — but they will inherit much more than that.  Learning about parents’ health history can help give your child the best possible start. It is important to know whether your baby […]

HEALTHIER YOU: Black Women And Breast Cancer

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important time to focus on the health disparities that characterize this disease. The facts are clear: although Black and white women are diagnosed with breast cancer at virtually the same rate in the U.S., Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from […]

HEALTHIER YOU: Sickle Cell Disease and Pregnancy

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN The month of September is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month. SCD is an inherited blood disorder present at birth. Healthy red blood cells are round and move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. A person with SCD has sickle-shaped red blood cells […]

HEALTHIER YOU: Breastfeeding for Black mothers

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN The month of August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Breastfeeding is the optimal source of nutrition for most infants. Although breastfeeding rates in the United States have increased during the past decade, racial/ethnic disparities persist. Breastfeeding surveillance typically focuses on disparities at the national level, because small sample sizes limit examination […]

BLACK EXCELLENCE: AVERY FORD, M.D.

In his practice, medicine is more than a healing Avery Ford, M.D. received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he graduated with distinction as a Health Justice Scholar. He earned a master’s degree in Medical Health Sciences from Touro University Nevada and bachelor’s degrees in both Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology […]

HEALTHIER YOU: Understanding uterine fibroids in Black women

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN The month of July is Fibroid Awareness Month. As African-American women, we are accustomed to hearing many of our friends, family members and others speak about having uterine fibroids or knowing someone who is suffering from them.  It is no secret that African-American women suffer disproportionately, yet we understand little […]

HEALTHIER YOU: Lupus and Pregnancy

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN A healthy pregnancy with lupus is possible — but lupus raises your risk for certain complications. If you have lupus and are planning to get pregnant, work with your doctor to plan a healthy pregnancy.  Before getting pregnant, talk with your doctor about your plans at least three to six […]

LET’S GO TO THE DOCTOR | Care for Black men’s skin

BY CLIFFORD L. WILLIAMS Black men have beautiful skin — whether it’s a dark chocolate complexion, a caramel delight, or a light cream color. It’s all pleasing to the eye.  According to BlackDoctor.org, African-American skin has larger melanosomes (cells that determine skin color), and the melanosomes contain more of the pigment melanin than those found […]

HEALTHIER YOU: Putting a focus on Black maternal health

BY DR. MARGUERITE BRATHWAITE OB-GYN Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17, bringing attention and action to improving the health of Black mothers.  Each year in the United States, hundreds of people die during pregnancy or in the year after. Thousands more have unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery with serious […]

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