Urban Call - Healthy Living Edition April-May 2023 publication

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is truly a lifesaver, and you may be able to sign up for affordable health insurance right now. Although the main time to get health insurance is November 1 through January 15 each year, you may qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP).

For free help to sign up call 336-759-7477. Or email SMjones@smsi-net.com.

GREAT BENEFITS! LOW COSTS!

All ACA policies cover annual physicals, mammograms, colonoscopies, and many vaccines at no cost to the consumer. About 1/3 of the consumers pay less than $10 a month for their insurance premiums, and many pay no premium at all.

Be a lifesaver: if you are covered, share this, Urban Call publication with a loved one or friend who might need health insurance.

WHO CAN GET HEALTH INSURANCE NOW?

Miller Jones SMSi Healthy Living Solutions, Inc. Founder & CEO Lafayette Jones Publisher, Urban Call; SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc. President & CEO

Everyday living can put so many demands on us that we sometimes forget that our most important asset is our health. We know that the right things to do are to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Although these things are easier said than done, we can’t stop trying. Since our mental health is also vital, take advantage of the mental health counseling that is covered in all ACA health insurance plans. Stay healthy!

Sandra

Dr. Tunde Sotunde Serena Williams, tennis star Tyler Perry, filmaker

Simone Biles, Olympian

Suggs,

Income figures key to lower insurance cost

 Ask your health insurance agent why this matters

Organizations expand educational opportunities

Issuu.com/Smsiurbancallmarketing.com n SegmentedMarketing.org

SMSi-Urban Call Marketing, Inc.

President and CEO; Urban Call Publisher: Lafayette Jones

Executive Editor: Alan Cronk

Editor: Rose Walsh

Production Manager: Jodi S. Sarver

Integrated Marketing Manager: Jessica De Valle Hale

Digital Services Director: Jimmy Davies, Every.Black

Video Production Manager: Chris Downey, Downey Digital, LLC

Photographer/Videographer: Donevan Cherry, CherVeli Media

Financial Services: Roslyn Hickman

Warehouse, Collation & Shipping Manager: Vincent Harris

SMSi Healthy Living Solutions Inc.

SMSi Founding Chair and CEO: Sandra Miller Jones

National Project Manager: Constance Baker Harris

National Logistics Manager: Camille Allen

Director, Financial Services: Roslyn Hickman

Agent Ambassadors: Charlie Bethea, Alvin Borders, Yvette Canty, Constance Baker

Harris, Talaya Loyd, Sharon Lyles, Natalie Nicholson, Debra Shore, John Wall

SMSi Community of Networks

The Goler Community Development Corporation and the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce are expanding their workforce programs to increase employment in the information and technology sector. According to Goler CDC President and Chamber Board member Michael Suggs, “Goler CDC’s flagship workforce development program, TechCareers, has been serving the Greater

Winston Salem community since 2018 in an effort to foster economic growth, job creation and increased wealth while improving quality of life for residents.” TechCareers links participants to the technical education, industry-recognized credentialing, employability skills training, intensive case management, and community resources needed to secure a rewarding position in the Information & Technology industry.

Dr. Tunde Sotunde President & CEO of BCBSNC

Tunde Sotunde MD, MBA, FAAP is the President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). Blue Cross NC is North Carolina’s largest insurer and provides coverage to more than 4.3 million members across all 100 counties. Blue Cross NC is leading the transformation of health care across the state and is fully committed to improving the health and the health and well-being of its customers and communities. Prior to

his current role, Dr. Sotunde held leadership roles as a physician, educator, and a health plan executive. He has an accomplished record of implementing innovative health care delivery models and improving quality of care for patients.

During his career, Dr. Sotunde has worked handin-hand with health care providers, consumers, employers, brokers, policymakers, and state and federal regulators to navigate complex changes and lead health transformation across both public and private sectors.

Dr. Sotunde is a graduate of the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Nigeria (1988) and Howard University’s Hospital Residency Program in Pediatrics (1995). He completed his Executive MBA at the University of Memphis (2001) and completed a Health Care Management Executive course at the Wharton School of Business (2003).

Dr. Tunde Sotunde, President & CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Goler CDC President & CEO Michael Suggs (left) and Garrett Bolden, CFO.

Meet the SMSi ACA Licensed and Certified Agent Team

Here is the team of experienced Agent Ambassadors who are available at no cost to help you get health insurance now and to be your agent year round. All team members are fully licensed by the state and certified by the federal government to provide expert assistance.

Health champions

Tennis great Serena Williams became the third woman in history to win the US Open, the Olympics and Wimbledon in the same year. She says, “I want women to know that it’s okay. That you can be whatever size you are and you can be beautiful.”

Filmmaker Tyler Perry has a long list of philanthropic credits to his name. Most recently, he received the COVID-19 vaccine on-camera in order to help de-stigmatize vaccinations.

Seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles raised awareness of the importance of mental health when she withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (and later returned). Biles urgently the public to not look at her and her peers as “just athletes or entertainment.”

Marketplace health insurance plan benefits

All plans offered in the Marketplace cover these 10 essential health benefits:

• Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)

• Emergency services

• Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)

• Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care(both before and after birth)

• Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)

The Links community organization champions community health

A major focus of the Winston-Salem Chapter of the Links, Inc, which is led by LaJoi Wilson-Moore, is providing healthy living education and events, especially for underserved communities. The Links’ Health and Human Services (HHS) Facet sponsors an annual Walk for Healthy Living, provides health education materials, sponsors health seminars and panel discussions and supports the efforts of numerous health organizations. According to Links HHS Facet Chair, Emma White, “An exciting example of our work is the “Share the Link” campaign on which the organization is working with SMSi Healthy Living Solutions, Inc. to support the American Heart Association‘s stroke awareness and prevention program, FAST.

“FAST aims to raise awareness of the signs of stroke and encourages people to get help quickly when these signs appear. The letters

stand for F-face drooping, A-arm weakness, S-speech difficulty, T-time to call 911. The Links are encouraging their members, friends, and associates to digitally share information on this effort. Other Link HHS Facet members include Alison Ashe-Card, Dr. Pamela Dockery-Howard, Sharon JeffriesJones, Sandra Miller Jones, Dr. Pamela Oliver, Prennessia Salder-Lambert, Dr. Linda Taylor and Shanita Wooten.

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, with membership of 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters. Link members contribute more than 1 million hours of community service annually to help enhance the welfare of their communities. In addition to Health and Human Services, other Links facets include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services and International Trends and Services.

• Prescription drugs

• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)

• Laboratory services

• Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management

• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)

• Additional benefits

Plans must also include the following benefits:

• Birth control coverage

• Breastfeeding coverage

• Essential health benefits are minimum requirements for all Marketplace plans. Specific services covered in each broad benefit category can vary based on your state’s requirements. Plans may offer additional benefits, including:

• Dental coverage

• Vision coverage

• Medical management programs (for specific needs like weight management, back pain, and diabetes)

Constance Baker Harris (336) 965-4140 constance harris@live.com

Alvin Borders (336) 987-1256 bordersalvin@yahoo. com

Sharon Lyles (336) 422-0224 SharonKLylesBusiness @gmail.com

John Wall (704) 905-4451 jfwall50@ hotmail.com

Yvette Canty 336-491-4552 ycanty62@gmail. com

Sandra Miller Jones (336) 414-0905 smjones@ smsi-net.com

Talaya Loyd (336) 734-9196 taloyd5@gmail.com

Charlie Bethea (336) 414-0032 bfsinsureme@gmail. com

LaJoi Wilson Moore, President, Winston-Salem Chapter

Emma White, Chair, Health and Human Services Facet, Winston-Salem Chapter

Stroke Can Happen At Any Age

Leslie Jordan, a mom and former attorney from Charlotte, NC is one of 12 women nationwide selected to be the face of heart disease and stroke for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® 2023 Real Women Class of Survivors. The Association's Go Red for Women movement selects every day, “real” women to serve as cause ambassadors and represent a diverse sisterhood of survivors. Often the surprising faces of cardiovascular disease, the Go Red for Women 2023 Real Women Class of Survivors come from all walks of life and share uniquely inspiring stories.

In 2018, two days after giving birth, the 33-year-old new mom suffered several major strokes, very abrasive seizures followed by two or three small strokes and experienced many seizures later. Her strokes may have been a result of complications from preeclampsia, or gestational high blood pressure, that developed in her third trimester. The first sign of trouble was a creeping, painful headache. She remembers waking up in the ICU and discovering only part of her body could move, and the part that moved was severely weakened. She mustered all the strength she could to say “I’m having a stroke!” to her medical team and immediately blacked out. Her memories of her son ’ s first days are few, and she had to learn to walk and talk again, all while taking care of a newborn. Five years later Leslie is still recovering, but her positive outlook and attitude are infectious.

Her advice to other women who may get diagnosed with preeclampsia is to take it seriously. She recognizes that Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate and doesn’t want stroke or death to happen to anyone. In her words, "God gave me a second chance. I’m doing the best I can with it.”

Learn how to spot a stroke

How does stroke impact Black Americans?

Black Americans have a higher prevalence of stroke and highest death rate from stroke than any other racial group. Those who have diabetes and have an ischemic stroke, which is caused by a clot, are more likely to be black. Also, Black stroke survivors are more likely to be disabled and struggle with doing daily activities.

Why are Black individuals at higher risk for stroke?

Not all of the reasons are clear why African Americans have an increased risk of stroke. But over two-thirds of Black Americans have at least one risk factor for stroke:

High blood pressure

Over half of Black adults have high blood pressure. It develops earlier in Black Americans and is often more severe.

Overweight and obesity

Almost 70% of Black men and over 80% of Black women are overweight or obese.

Diabetes

African Americans are more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic white individuals.

High cholesterol

Nearly 30% of Black Americans have high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Sickle cell anemia

This common genetic disorder in AfricanAmericans is a risk factor for stroke.

Smoking

Over 15% of Black adults smoke, doubling their risk of stroke.

Eating too much salt (sodium)

Research shows that African Americans may have a gene that greatly increases sensitivity to salt and its effects.

Stress

African American adults face daily stressors that may increase risk for stroke.

#3forHeart CPR Challenge

The American Heart Association is honored and excited to be working with Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin for Damar Hamlin’s #3forHeart™ CPR Challenge.

On January 2, 2023, Damar Hamlin suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He received immediate lifesaving CPR on the field, was rushed to the hospital where he continued treatment, and is now at home and on the road to recovery.

Damar is hoping to use his story to help educate the public on the importance of learning CPR.

#3forHeart is a social media-based challenge launched by Damar, with the support of the American Heart Association. #3forHeart is Damar’s personal call to action for everyone to learn CPR and pay it forward, after his own life was saved by CPR. Head to heart.org/3 to take the challenge!

Damar Hamlin’s #3forHeart™ CPR Challenge has 3 steps:

1. Learn: Visit Heart.org/3 and watch the video to learn Hands-Only CPR.

2. Give: Donate to the American Heart Association to fund CPR education and training, and other lifesaving programs and scientific research.

3. Share: Show us your heart using #3forHeart to share that you took the challenge and tag 3 friends to do the same.

“The world watched in fear when Damar collapsed during that game, ” said Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association. “But if you follow his advice, you can become a lifesaver in 3 steps, and you’ll know what to do in the event an adult or teen suddenly collapses in your presence Because most cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital occur in the home, the life you save will most likely be a loved one. The volunteers, supporters and staff of the American Heart Association are so grateful that he is paying it forward and helping ensure others also have a better chance for a positive outcome.”

Copyright Jaster Athletes / Shane McFarland

A business case for supporting poverty reduction efforts

By Mayor Allen Joines CITY OF WINSTON-SALEM

The number of people living in poverty in Winston Salem is predicted to be higher post-COVID, meaning there will be more people in our community living without access to basic goods, services, and opportunities for a steady source of income or higher income generation. Meanwhile, businesses are constantly interacting with people living in poverty as workers, producers, and consumers. There is a need for multi-stakeholder partnerships created to drive inclusive prosperity and generate value for their business while creating a more

sustainable and inclusive path to economic growth, prosperity and well-being. Greater prosperity means a healthier, wealthier, and more able population that will produce the customers, suppliers and employees that companies need for sustainable growth.

Businesses can influence public policies, and their taxes help to fund essential public services. The private sectors’ active engagement in poverty reduction can promote improved productivity and quality of life through increasing income opportunities, expanding poor people’s choice and voice, and empowering communities by building skills and creating access to decent

jobs. And public-private-partnerships are pivotal in transforming rural women, with close to no employment perspectives, into the next generation of managers and leaders.

To accomplish this, businesses can take the following steps:

•First, businesses can transfer profits to charitable causes.

•Second, the business should reduce their prices.

•Third, business should employ more staff.

Businesses can prioritize the human capital of their own staff: paying them more or providing them with training or support.

Glossary of Sociological Terms

Lived experiences: Personal knowledge about the world gained through direct, first-hand involvement in everyday events rather than representations constructed by other people.

Marginalization: The process that occurs when members of a dominant group relegate a particular group to the edges of society by not allowing them an active voice, identity, or place to maintain power**.

Justice: The process required to move us from an unfair, unequal, or inequitable state to one which is fair, equal, or equitable, depending on the specific content. Justice is a transformative practice that relies on the entire community to respond to past and current harm in society. Through justice, we seek proactive enforcement of policies, procedures and attitudes that produce equitable access, opportunities, treatment and outcomes for all regardless of the various identities that one holds**.

Intersectionality: Coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, this term describes how race, class, gender, and other aspects of our identity “intersect,” overlap and

interact with one another, informing how individuals simultaneously experience oppression and privilege in their daily lives interpersonally and systemically. Intersectionality promotes the idea that aspects of our identity do not work in a silo. Intersectionality provides a basis for understanding how these individual identity markers work with one another**.

Food Sovereignty: The ability of communities to determne the quantity and quality of the food they consume by controlling how their food is produced and distributed.

Reconciliation: Not simply the cessation of hostilities or the willingness to coexist, but the cultivation of friendship and the creation of a community that bears witness to life beyond estrangement; to lives of embrace, yielding to the work on the reform and repair of institutional wrongs. – Gregory Thompson and Duke L. Keon, Reparations.

Sustainability: Enough – for all – forever! – African Delegate to Johannesburg (Rio+10)

Equity: The effort to provide

different levels of support based on an individual’s or group’s needs to achieve fairness in outcomes. Achieving equity acknowledges unequal starting places and the need to correct the imbalance**.

Inclusion: A state of belonging, when persons of different backgrounds and identities are valued, integrated, and welcomed equitably as decision-makers and collaborators. Inclusion involves people being allowed to grow and feel and know they belong. Diversity efforts alone do not create inclusive environments. Inclusion consists of a sense of coming as you are and being accepted, rather than feeling the need to assimilate.

Collaboration: The act of working together, especially on a goal or shared project.

Collaborative: Being collaborative means “getting outside of yourself” — not just listening to others’ ideas, but really hearing them

** CSSP (2019). “Key Equity Terms and Concepts: A Glossary for Shared Understanding.” Washington, DC: Center for the Study of Social Policy. Available at: https:// cssp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Key-EquityTerms-and-Concepts-vol1.pdf

Mayor Allen Joines City of Winston-Salem Derwin Montgomery Government Relations Director, American Cancer Society

Debbie Wilson Chief Impact Officer, United Way of Forsyth County

Rogan Kersh, Chairman Wake Forest Provost Professor of Politics & International Affairs

Cindy Gordineer President and CEO, United Way of Forsyth County

Vivian Perez Chandler Executive Director, Asset Building Coalition of Forsyth County

Santiago Ramos Entrepreneur & Comm. Organizer Navigator Lead, Love Out Loud

Paula McCoy Director, Partnership for Prosperity

Art Gibel Retired President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of Northwest N.C.

Arleatha Patterson Partnership for Prosperity

Not Pictured: Kimberlee McNeil Community Ambassador