Generational Wellness Digest
Balance Period is a wellness solutions company that's passionate about health equity. We are on a mission to close the racial health gap by empowering communities to create generational wellness. The resources we provide will help you optimize your health from the inside out and empower others to do the same. Subscribe below!
Vol. 228 | Featured: Social Determinants of Health and Disparities in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases 🫀🩺
This May, as we recognize National High Blood Pressure Education Month, we're highlighting how where you live, work, and play can significantly impact your heart health—sometimes even more than your genetics. Social factors like neighborhood quality, income, and education create substantial disparities in who develops hypertension and heart disease. This week's featured article explores how improving neighborhood conditions could prevent 1 in 4 cases of uncontrolled blood pressure in...
Vol. 227 | Featured: Bridging the Mental Health Care Gap 🙇🏽♂️✊🏾
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the significant gaps in mental health care access that affect communities of color across America. Recent studies show that Black and Hispanic adults are far more likely to face barriers when seeking mental health support, with cost being the biggest obstacle preventing many from getting the help they need. In this week's featured article, you will learn about the structural barriers contributing to these disparities and the importance...
Vol. 226 | Featured: Reimagining Your Relationship with Stress 🙇🏽♂️🤲🏾
As April marks Stress Awareness Month, it's the perfect time to reconsider our relationship with stress. Rather than viewing stress as purely harmful, research suggests that seeing stress as potentially enhancing can transform how our bodies respond to challenges. This mindset shift doesn't just feel better—it creates measurable differences in our physical health and performance. This week's featured article from the Huberman Lab explores Dr. Alia Crum's groundbreaking research on stress...
Vol. 225 | Featured: Catching Cancer Early Can Save Lives 🔬
April is National Cancer Control Month, which reminds us that early detection of cancer dramatically increases survival rates, with many early-stage cancers having survival rates above 90%. Regular screenings can spot cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment is most effective, potentially preventing nearly half of all cancer deaths. Not everyone has equal access to these lifesaving screenings, with Black Americans facing higher death rates for many cancers. This week's featured article...
Vol. 224 | Featured: The Black Maternal Health Crisis – Becoming Advocates for Black Mothers 🤰🏾✊🏾
As we observe Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), we're highlighting a crisis that affects too many families: Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, with 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 19.1 for white women. In today's volume, we'll be exploring the root causes behind these disparities, sharing critical warning signs every pregnant person should know, and highlighting ways we can be better advocates to protect Black...
Vol. 223 | Featured: National Minority Health Month ✊🏾🩺
April is National Minority Health Month, highlighting persistent health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minority communities across the United States. According to CDC data, Black Americans are 40% more likely to die from stroke, Hispanic populations face 50% higher rates of diabetes, and Native Americans experience 60% higher rates of obesity compared to white Americans. This week's featured article explores the social determinants of health driving these disparities,...
Vol. 222 | Featured: Mastering Sleep Hygiene – Your Path to Quality Sleep 💤📈
Quality sleep is vital for mental and physical health, yet many communities of color face significant sleep health disparities. Studies show that Black individuals are more likely to experience short sleep durations, poor sleep quality, and sleep disorders compared to White individuals. Factors contributing to these disparities include socioeconomic challenges, occupational stress, and experiences of racism. This week's featured article discusses how implementing sleep hygiene practices—such...
Vol. 221 | Featured: Health Equity and Chronic Kidney Disease ✊🏾⚕️
March is National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness about kidney health and the importance of early detection and equitable care. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 adults in the U.S., but Black and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately impacted—Black Americans are nearly four times more likely to develop kidney failure than White Americans. These disparities are driven by social determinants of health, including limited access to healthcare, higher rates of...
Vol. 220 | Featured: A Multicultural Guide to Managing Multiple Sclerosis 🖤🩺
March is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Education and Awareness Month–MS is a condition affecting the nervous system and causing diverse physical and emotional challenges. Research shows that Black individuals with MS often experience more severe symptoms, faster disease progression, and higher rates of disability compared to White patients, yet they remain underrepresented in clinical trials. Barriers to diagnosis and treatment, including healthcare bias and limited access to specialized care,...
Vol. 219 | Featured: What are food deserts, and how do they impact health? 🍟❤️🩹
March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight the importance of access to nutritious food and its role in overall health. Unfortunately, food deserts—areas where fresh, affordable food is scarce—disproportionately affect communities of color, contributing to higher rates of diet-related conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Limited grocery store access and transportation barriers force many families to rely on processed, unhealthy options, exacerbating health...
Balance Period is a wellness solutions company that's passionate about health equity. We are on a mission to close the racial health gap by empowering communities to create generational wellness. The resources we provide will help you optimize your health from the inside out and empower others to do the same. Subscribe below!