Weekly Report 2-38

Black Women Why Are More at Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer

By d-mars.com News Provider

Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Yet, according to a recently released report, Black women in the United States face a perfect storm of issues spanning across every aspect of the healthcare system and society at-large that are causing them to die about 40% more often from breast cancer than white women. Indeed, in some metropolitan areas, the gap can be as high as 74%

Why is this happening? As the report, “Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save Lives of Black Women in America,” by breast cancer leader Susan G. Komen highlights, despite advances in science and increased access to early detection nationally, Black women face the combined effects of racial, gender, ethnic and other forms of bias while navigating systems and institutional structures in which entrenched inequities remain the status quo. This experience is felt by Black women nationwide, regardless of their income, education or insurance status.

For example, one Black health care professional who participated in a focus group for the report noted that her own experience is poor when she goes for treatment without her “white coat.” “I was ignored until the doctor came into the room and started asking me very specific questions. The way I answered made the doctor stop and ask my background. I asked, ‘why does it matter?’ She said, ‘Do you work in the health care field?’ I said, ‘More or less.’... She stopped, and she said, ‘Oh, so what's your title?’ I said, ‘It’s Dr.,’ and within 30 minutes I was upstairs in a room. If I get treated this way, then what do other people go through? I really felt like I was just another Black face, until they understood that this Black face came with a level of influence and authority.”

These issues are exacerbated by the socioeconomic impacts of segregation, unfair employment practices and racist policies like redlining that still divide many metropolitan areas today. For example, many Black women face difficulties finding high-quality cancer care located near them. In the report, one Dallasarea health care provider recounted how a 65-year-old woman walked about 10 miles in the July heat to get to her screening mammogram. By the time she got to

the hospital she was dehydrated and had to go to the emergency room to get fluids before her screening. And those who rely on Medicaid or similar insurance are often turned away once they arrive or are forced to wait hours to see someone.

These transportation and insurance issues are just a few of the barriers

tragically impacting Black women today. Whether it’s substandard care, the availability and affordability of diagnostics and follow-up care, unfair public policies, insurance practices and implicit bias and racism, the report authors stress that Black women are dying more than white women because our systems are failing them at every step in their breast cancer journey.

Leveraging the insights and solutions recommended in the report, Komen is launching a new initiative called Stand for H.E.R. – a Health Equity Revolution, to take specific action in each of the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas where disparities are the greatest. Made possible by funding from Robert Smith and the Fund II Foundation, this initiative will include several specific interventions to improve the quality of care and to overcome obstacles and bias, including connecting women to care through culturally competent patient navigators.

The hope is that by launching this initiative, other organizations and community stakeholders will join with Komen to address the long-ignored issues that continue to marginalize the Black community.

Source: StatePoint

Minority Serving Institutions Initiative (MSI) Developing in Oil and Natural Gas Industry

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

With individuals of color expected to fill about 54 percent of the projected 1.9 million job opportunities in the natural gas, oil, and petrochemical industry over the next two decades, the American Petroleum Institute (API) has added more historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) along with Minority Serving Institutions to its Minority Serving Institutions Initiative (MSI).

API is providing Grambling, Southern, Prairie View A&M, Fort Valley State, and New Mexico State University, among the universities, free access to a library of worldclass standards for oil and gas equipment, processes, and systems.

This access will allow the schools to introduce their students to practical knowledge and industry standards, and the tools will apply to their future careers.

“API is proud to make our standards catalog available to educate and prepare our nation’s future energy workforce,” said Debra Phillips, senior vice president of API’s Global Industry Services.

“A diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce is an essential part of our industry’s future success and API is honored to play a small part in supporting progress toward these students’ bright futures.”

Reportedly, the mission of the MSI Initiative is to develop and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the natural gas and oil industry by providing API’s

700+ standards catalog to students at HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions.

API standards are widely used by the natural gas and oil industry globally to ensure health, safety, and environmental protection and advance sustainability.

Therefore, students will benefit significantly by increasing their familiarity and understanding of the standards themselves and the development process.

The MSI Initiative reflects the commitment by API and the industry to help people of color thrive in professional careers, officials noted.

Officials stated that partnering with these highly regarded institutions fosters the oil and natural gas industry’s drive toward a more diverse, equitable, and

inclusive workforce.

API is continuing to partner with additional HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving institutions as they grow the MSI Initiative.

Access to these standards will enhance the students’ overall educational experience, making them more knowledgeable and competitive in the job market.

In addition to standard catalog access, API’s Global Industry Services division is offering internships to students at participating schools. Applications are currently being accepted for the internships.

API has operated as the global leader in establishing and maintaining standards for the natural gas and oil industry since 1924.

API standards help enhance operational safety, environmental protection, and sustainability while ensuring that industry knowledge is accurately transferred amongst engineers and across organizations.

These standards and recommended practices are also relied upon by regulators worldwide, with more than 600 references in U.S. federal regulations, 3,800 citations in U.S. state regulations, and over 789 references by international regulators.

If you would like to learn more about the initiative or have a connection with a qualified institution, contact API’s Scott Garten at gartens@api.org or go to https://www.api.org/products-and-services/standards/ msi-initiative.

Source: NNPA

5 Things To Know While Searching for Life Insurance

By d-mars.com News Provider

In today's environment, when many things may seem like they're not in your control, finding ways to help your family feel more financially secure and protected is important. As anyone who has suffered a loss in their family is likely to tell you, having life insurance in place beforehand made a huge difference for their financial situation - and their peace of mind.

However, a recent study found that only 54% of Americans currently have life insurance coverage. This is a decline from just a decade ago when 63% had life insurance coverage, according to the 2020 Insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA). In the study, 44% of families said that if the primary wage earner died, they would face financial hardship within just six months, and 28% would experience financial hardship within just one month.

Having life insurance in place helps to protect your loved ones, ensuring they will have financial resources to rely on, giving both you and them peace of mind.

What do you need to know about life insurance? Here's a quick guide.

ply trying to save money over the years. So when you're making a financial plan, consider whole life insurance as a crucial piece of your overall financial planning puzzle.

5

Look for affordable, flexible and portable protection

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Don't wait

According to the "2019 Insure Your Love Consumer Survey" by Life Happens, 69% of consumers with life insurance said that they felt less stressed knowing their loved ones were financially protected. Beyond establishing that protection right away - before it's needed - another advantage is that typically, you can secure lower rates for life insurance when you're younger.

Life

insurance is a vital part of an overall financial plan

A good financial plan for you and your family should include life insurance as a key component. When assessing your family's overall financial picture, one crucial fact can't be overlooked: Your family's financial health may be in jeopardy if you or your spouse is no longer around to provide income. As an article by Michael Aloi in Kiplinger entitled "Whole Life Insurance: It's a Swiss Army Knife for Financial Planning" explains, whole life insurance offers long-term protection - and peace of mind - that very few can achieve through sim-

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about more than immediate expenses

It's

Providing life insurance for your family does a lot more than just pay for funeral expenses, debts or medical bills not covered by health insurance that you may leave behind. It can help provide financial stability for your family for years to come.

Nearing retirement? Whole life insurance can be an effective investment.

Whole life insurance offers benefits that are especially helpful for older Americans, even if they may think that they no longer need life insurance.

"If you are nearing retirement, your financial obligations may look different than they did 10 years prior. This provides a great opportunity to focus on your own future," said Jim Jacobsen, executive vice president, Distribution and Underwriting at Boston Mutual Life Insurance. "With whole life coverage, your plan can be continued after retirement, at the same premium."

If you're looking for an affordable plan that's right for you, with whole life insurance coverage from Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, you can choose the amount of insurance or the premium amount that best suits your needs and your budget. Their coverage includes:

• Family coverage options for you, your spouse, your children and grandchildren

• Guaranteed premiums, coverage amounts and minimum cash values

• Portability: if you change jobs, you can take your plan with you, at the same rate

END-95 (ESO)(20/21)

"Boston Mutual offers working Americans and their families products and services that are designed around their needs," said Jacobsen.

To learn more about your life insurance options, contact your HR department or visit BostonMutual.com.

Source: BPT