African American Issue

HealthCurrents African American Issue

Inside this special issue
"Our understanding of what creates and sustains health is changing. We’re learning that optimal health requires more than visits to the doctor’s office, taking medications, and having surgery. We know that our daily living conditions—where we live, work, go to school, and play—have more powerful effects on our health than health care. We also know that, while there are deep reservoirs of human potential and rich cultural assets, African American communities are unfairly burdened by living conditions that negatively impact health and create deep and entrenched health inequities. In this special issue, we explore the topic of health equity, and how it can be achieved by leveraging and building on the resilience of African American communities."

Lynn Todman, PhD
Vice President, Health Equity
Executive Director, Population Health
Spectrum Health Lakeland

In this issue:

• Parenting during the time of COVID-19
• What makes us healthy?
• Sharing the story of grief
• Resilience: Blooming from concrete
• Journaling for mental health