Welcome to The Healthy Project Podcast, My City, My Health series. In this insightful episode, guest host Brooklyn Lowry sits down with Jazzmine Brooks, a dedicated certified doula, Black maternal health advocate, and community wellness leader.

Jazzmine shares her incredible journey from Southside Chicago to becoming pivotal in Iowa's health community. She discusses her role at the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, her non-profit Jai Olive Wellness, and her work in food security through the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Episode Description:

In this episode guest host Brooklyn Lowry interviews Jazzmine Brooks, a certified doula and Black maternal health advocate. Jazzmine shares her personal and professional journey, shedding light on the critical issues facing Black mothers and families. She talks about her work with J Olive Wellness, the impact of Black maternal mortality, and the importance of community support and education.

Listen in as Jazzmine discusses:

• Her experiences navigating mental health and healthcare in a predominantly white rural area.
• The transformative power of her training as a doula and the significance of cutting her hair as a form of personal reckoning.
• The challenges and triumphs of starting Jai Olive Wellness and providing resources to underserved communities.
• Her miscarriage experience and the impact of restrictive abortion laws on Black women’s health.
• The importance of increasing the presence of Black doulas and training them to support diverse communities.
• The broader social determinants affecting maternal health, including access to healthy food, safe housing, and quality childcare.

Join us for this compelling conversation and gain valuable insights into the complexities of Black maternal health and the steps needed to create a more equitable healthcare system.

Don't miss the My City My Health Des Moines Conference on November 15th. Get your tickets now at www.mycity.health.

Thank You:

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, UnityPoint Health, for supporting this episode and the My City My Health Conference. Your dedication to community health and wellness makes this important work possible.

Tune in, subscribe, and be part of the movement towards health equity and empowerment for all.

In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast's My City, My Health edition, host Brooklyn Lowry sits down with Maria Torres, the Health Equity Coordinator for Pottawattamie County Public Health. They discuss the importance of mental health advocacy, the challenges immigrant communities face, and Maria's personal journey and insights. Don't miss this inspiring conversation and learn how you can contribute to health equity in your community.

Get tickets for this year's My City My Health event to see more panels like this! Visit www.mycity.health for tickets and event details.

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:38 Guest Introduction: Maria Torres
• 01:13 Defining Health Equity
• 02:20 Personal Experiences with Mental Health
• 05:01 Advocating for Mental Health in Underserved Communities
• 07:21 Reducing Stigma in Immigrant Communities
• 08:44 Shifting Perspectives on Mental Health
• 10:28 Advice for Public Health Professionals
• 13:03 Importance of Collaboration
• 13:58 Closing Remarks

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Thank you to our presenting sponsor UnityPoint Health. Learn more at www.unitypoint.org.

Join Corey Dion Lewis in this insightful episode of The Healthy Project Podcast as he talks with Dr. Sandra E. Ford, the former special assistant to the President for public health and science in the White House Domestic Policy Council. She is also the principal author of the White House Action Plan identifying whole-of-government policy actions to address SDoH. This episode dives into the US playbook to address SDoH, offering valuable insights into policies and practices aimed at promoting health equity. Don't miss this essential conversation on transforming health equity and improving public health outcomes.

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Chapter Markers:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 Dr. Sandra Ford's Background and Journey
5:45 Understanding Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
10:30 The Impact of SDoH on Community Health
14:50 Strategies for Addressing Health Disparities
20:10 The Role of Healthcare Providers in Promoting Health Equity
25:35 Policy Changes Needed to Support SDoH Initiatives
30:00 Success Stories and Positive Outcomes
35:45 Future Vision for Health Equity
40:20 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Resources
The U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health

Connect with Dr. Sandra Ford
LinkedIn.

Connect with Corey Dion Lewis:

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In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis engages in a compelling conversation with Bettina Dolinsek, President of the Iowa Council of the United Blind and a passionate advocate for accessible absentee ballot voting.

Bettina shares her journey and the significant strides being made to ensure independent and private voting for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. She delves into the challenges these voters face, the importance of technological solutions, and the advocacy efforts required to bring about legislative changes.

Discover how accessible voting is not only a matter of convenience but a crucial aspect of health equity and civic engagement. Bettina also highlights her work in digital accessibility and her mission to make voting and other everyday activities more inclusive.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Accessible Absentee Ballot Voting Bill
• Technological solutions for secure and independent voting
• Overcoming misconceptions and trust issues in the voting process
• Strategies for effective advocacy and legislative change
• Bettina’s broader efforts in promoting digital accessibility and community education

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on the intersection of accessibility, technology, and social justice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in health equity, voting rights, and the empowerment of disabled communities.

Connect with Bettina Dolinsek:

• Website: ICUBLIND.org
• For more details, contact Corey Dion Lewis for Bettina’s personal information.

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• Website: TheHealthyProject.co
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AcessibleVoting #DigitalAccessibility #HealthEquity #TheHealthyProjectPodcast #CoreyDionLewis #BettinaDolinsek #VotingRights #Advocacy #Inclusion

In this episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Chrissy Dunplanter, a dedicated Community Health Worker from Carelon Health. Dive into a compelling discussion about the impact of community health workers, the daily challenges they face, and the vital role they play in healthcare. Chrissy shares her journey from a medical insurance coordinator to a community champion, offering insights into patient interaction, healthcare advocacy, and the significance of community familiarity in her role.

Shownotes:

• 00:49 - Introduction to Chrissy and her role at Carelon Health
• 01:19 - What motivates Chrissy and her journey into community health work
• 02:19 - A typical day for a community health worker
• 03:19 - The importance of post-hospital care and primary care awareness
• 04:10 - Addressing the misuse of emergency services for primary care needs
• 06:10 - The significance of trust and communication in community health
• 07:31 - Challenges faced by community health workers, like homelessness and food insecurity
• 09:18 - Chrissy's work with Medicaid and helping patients navigate the healthcare system
• 12:08 - How Chrissy's certifications enhance her role as a community health worker
• 13:08 - Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community health work
• 16:38 - Closing remarks and information about upcoming community health events

To learn more about Carelon's initiatives, visit Carelon Health Des Moines Care Center.

Join host Corey Dion Lewis on The Healthy Project Podcast as he welcomes Mighty Fine, MPH, CHES, the Associate Executive Director of Public Health Practice and Policy at the American Public Health Association. In this episode, they explore the intersection of gun safety and public health, discussing innovative strategies to address gun violence through community-focused solutions. Mighty Fine shares insights on broadening the narrative around gun safety, emphasizing preventive measures and the role of public health in crafting sustainable solutions.

Important Resources:

• American Public Health Association Gun Violence Resources: Click Here

What You'll Learn:

• How public health frameworks can address gun violence.
• The importance of community and policy-based interventions.
• Strategies that have been successful in reducing gun violence in communities.
• The role of mental health in the conversation about gun safety.
• How to get involved and make a difference in gun violence prevention.

Join the Discussion:
Leave your thoughts in the comments below! How do you think public health approaches can help reduce gun violence? What actions can we as a community take to promote safety and wellbeing?

Like and Subscribe for more insightful conversations on The Healthy Project Podcast, where we tackle the pressing health issues of our time.

Connect with Mighty Fine:
To learn more about Mighty's work or to reach out for more information, contact him via email at mighty.fine@apha.org.

Welcome to another empowering episode of The Healthy Project Podcast! In this episode, host Corey Dion Lewis has a great conversation with Maria Torres, a passionate advocate for health equity and the Health Equity Coordinator for Pottawatomie County Public Health.

What's Inside This Episode:

Maria shares her fascinating journey from aspiring to be an aircraft mechanic to leading health equity initiatives.
Discover how Maria’s immigrant background from El Salvador and her diverse experiences shape her approach to public health.
Learn about the challenges and successes in promoting health equity and inclusivity in community health.

Key Moments:
00:00 - Introduction to Maria Torres
02:30 - Maria's transition from aviation to public health
10:45 - The impact of COVID-19 on Maria’s career and advocacy
15:20 - Discussing the importance of belonging in public health
25:00 - Real-life impacts of Maria’s work on her community
30:00 - Maria's vision for the future of public health

Learn more about her work and how you can support or get involved in health equity initiatives.

Subscribe to The Healthy Project Podcast for more inspiring stories and insightful conversations that motivate positive change in public health and beyond.

#HealthEquity #PublicHealth #CommunityEngagement #Empowerment #Podcast

In this compelling episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis welcomes Dr. Alison Brown, a distinguished public health nutrition and health disparities researcher. Dr. Brown shares her extensive insights into the critical intersection of nutrition, cultural humility, and health disparities. Here's what you can expect from this enlightening discussion:

Show Notes:

In this compelling episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, host Corey Dion Lewis welcomes Dr. Alison Brown, a distinguished public health nutrition and health disparities researcher. Dr. Brown shares her extensive insights into the critical intersection of nutrition, cultural humility, and health disparities. Here's what you can expect from this enlightening discussion:

• Introduction to Dr. Alison Brown: Learn about Dr. Brown's role at the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, her background in nutrition and health disparities, and what drives her dedication to addressing diet-related diseases.
  • 
    Cultural Humility vs. Cultural Competency: Dr. Brown discusses the importance of cultural humility in understanding and respecting diverse nutritional practices and why it's more appropriate than cultural competency in health care and research.

  • 
    The Impact of Culture on Nutrition: Discover how cultural background influences dietary choices, the significance of culturally appropriate food access, and the challenges faced by communities in maintaining their dietary traditions in the face of health issues like hypertension and diabetes.

  • 
    Food Insecurity and Nutrition Security: A deep dive into the definitions, impacts, and the importance of culturally relevant solutions to food insecurity, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 
    Addressing Health Disparities: Dr. Brown elaborates on the social determinants of health, including the historic and ongoing challenges of food apartheid, and the need for a multisectoral approach to improve nutrition and health outcomes.

  • 
    Innovative Programs and Solutions: Insight into the "food is medicine" movement, including produce prescription programs and medically tailored meals, and the potential for these initiatives to address dietary disparities with culturally appropriate interventions.

  • 
    Optimism for the Future: Despite the daunting challenges, Dr. Brown shares her hope for the future, emphasizing grassroots efforts, community partnerships, and the critical role of the younger generation in transforming the landscape of public health nutrition.

  • 
    Resources and Recommendations: Dr. Brown highlights valuable resources such as the DASH eating plan and other NIH initiatives aimed at promoting healthier eating habits.

• 
  This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricate layers of nutrition, cultural understanding, and health equity. Join us as Dr. Alison Brown offers invaluable perspectives and actionable advice for embracing cultural diversity in the pursuit of healthier communities.

  
  Connect with Dr. Alison Brown:

Linkedin

Closing Thoughts: Corey Dion Lewis wraps up the episode with reflections on the conversation's highlights and a reminder of the importance of culturally informed approaches to health and nutrition.

Don't miss this insightful episode of The Healthy Project Podcast, where we explore the power of nutrition and cultural understanding in building a healthier, more equitable world.