Author: Joslyn

Advancing Health Equity in Boys and Men of Color Fund

Posted on by Joslyn

The Health Disparities Institute is taking part in #UConnGives

BMOCFund

Affiliates, alliances, friends, you know that the UConn HDI is a recognized force multiplier for the advancement of health equity among boys and men of color (BMOC). BMOC are essential to sustaining innovation and economic vitality in Connecticut and around our nation. Yet, we often lose them to poor health conditions long before they reach their fullest potential. As a result, we established CT’s first Multisector Alliance for Health Equity among BMOC, which culminated in the production of the 2018 statewide report card on health equity in boys and men of color – a document that is being leveraged by leaders to transform care delivery processes. We take a collective impact approach to design youth-centered, community-led initiatives, and arts-based strategies. Our goal is to help BMOC radically heal, grow, and thrive.

Our HDI team is excited to participate in UConn Gives, the fourth annual giving day for UConn! UConn Gives will be taking place on March 30-31, 2022. For 36 hours, all of UConn Nation will be coming together to support the university we love. 

During those 36 hours, we will be raising funds to enhance a range of research, programs, and policy initiatives designed to promote positive mental and physical health outcomes among BMOC and enable BMOC to live their healthiest lives.

Here are 3 ways you can support our cause:

  1. Spread the word about our cause to your friends and professional networks to give to the BMOC Fund.
  2. Follow us @UConnHDI on Twitter, IG, & Facebook and/or via our email newsletters. Re-share our posts and tag us @UConnHDI and/or forward our emails to your networks. Get involved in the conversation:  How does your organization help BMOC heal, grow, and thrive in CT? Let us know using the hashtags #BMOCAlliance, #BMOCFund, and #UConnGives. 
  3. Give to the Advancing Health Equity in Boys and Men of Color (BMOC) Fund.

Can we count on you?

Best,

UConn HDI Team

P.S. Follow along with the hashtags #BMOCAlliance, #BMOCFund, and #UConnGives on your social media. 

Announcement: New Policy Brief

Posted on by Joslyn

Telehealth

The onset of COVID-19 resulted in unprecedented changes in the preferred modality of health services delivery. Safety concerns regarding in-person visits and risk of COVID-19 transmission led policymakers to fully embrace telehealth for clinical care delivery. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented a number of COVID-19 flexibilities and waivers to make telehealth visits more accessible for patients and providers. Many states also implemented additional polices to further improve the availability of telehealth. This report presents initial findings regarding potential racial/ethnic differences in the geographic distribution of and access to Medicaid-eligible behavioral health services and facilities in Connecticut.

DOES TELEHEALTH REDUCE GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE FOR CONNECTICUT’S MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES OF COLOR?
Willie C. Frazier III, M.P.H., Emil Coman, Ph.D., Thomas P. Agresta, M.D., M.B.I.; Wizdom Powell PhD, M.P.H.

Funded by the Commonwealth Fund’s Medicaid program to study behavioral health disparities, this grant supports HDI’s efforts to investigate the patterns of behavioral health services use among Black adult male Medicaid beneficiaries in Connecticut, and the geographic distribution of the behavioral health in-person and telehealth services they access. This is the first brief in the series.

HDI is participating in #UConnGives! All Paws In!

Posted on by Joslyn

Save the Date!

Mark your calendar for #UConnGives on March 23-24 and team up with the UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI) in gearing up for the #BMOCSummit.

What is the #BMOCSummit? Held during Men’s Health Month in June, the community-centered, virtual State of Health Equity among Boys & Men of Color Summit & Ideas Lab will propel research, practice, and policy transformation innovation to advance health equity and radical healing among boys and men of color.

#UConnGives, the third annual giving day for UConn, will take place on March 23-24, 2021 and we are participating to raise funds for the #BMOCSummit! For 36 hours, all of UConn Nation will be coming together to support the university and communities we love. We hope you will join us and support the #BMOCSummit.

Can we count on your support on March 23-24th? Be part of the change! Be a Summit donor.

Best,
HDI Team

P.S. Help us promote or follow us using the hashtags, #BMOCSummit and #UConnGives. Tag us @UConnHDI on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram too! All Paws In!

Uconn Gives

Advancing Public Health Policies for Radical Healing

Posted on by Joslyn
Radical Healing

Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) is excavating and exposing bones buried in basements of America’s health systems and public health infrastructures. Radical healing is the antidote to racial injustice. It is the medicine that promotes wellness in the face of identity-based “wounds.” These wounds include those sustained by racist policies and practices, including exclusion from citizenship and the polity, extreme violence by those paid to serve and protect, and provision of substandard medical care..... continue reading to advance the 5 Radical Healing Principles to advance health equity.

Publication Release: BREATH, EYES, MEMORY: Transforming Health Systems and Advancing Public Health Policies for Radical Healing

Wizdom Powell, Ph.D., M.P.H., Hector Y. Adames, Psy.D., Jioni A. Lewis, Ph.D., Della V. Mosley, Ph.D., Nayeli Chavez- Dueñas, Ph.D., Robyn Anderson, M.S., & Helen Neville, Ph.D.

Save the Date BMOC Summit 2021

Posted on by Joslyn
Save the Date BMOC Summit 2021

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars, write it down, or add to your mobile wallpaper! The State of Health Equity among Boys & Men of Color Summit will be held on June 8th - June 10th. Details for registration out soon! You are the change! 

*The 2.5 day summit is created WITH boys and men of color and in service to transforming systems for behavioral health equity AMONG boys and men of color.