Devonya O'Dubhda’s Post

Have you ever felt unsure of what to say when the topic of #obesity comes up at work? Maybe it’s during a benefits meeting when you're advocating for better coverage, or when a coworker says something insensitive. I totally understand, it feels super awkward. The stigma around obesity makes these conversations uncomfortable. But it’s more than that—it affects how people affected by obesity feel about themselves and how they’re treated at work. That’s why our words matter. The language we use shapes how we see and treat each other, especially with sensitive health topics. So, let’s make it clear. EveryBODY Covered shared terms to avoid and more inclusive alternatives for a more respectful workplace. Swipe to read more👉🏾 But before you scroll, I want to invite you to attend a webinar in partnership with EveryBODY Covered featuring myself, Katrina Jones, CEO of Advancing Equity & Inclusion, and Alliance for Women's Health & Prevention CEO Millicent Gorham on November 7th at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT. We’ll explore how obesity uniquely affects women’s health, especially for Black and Hispanic women. We’ll also discuss the urgent need for employers to provide comprehensive coverage for employees living with obesity, and practical steps HR leaders and employers can take to foster inclusive environments. You do not want to miss it! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eNuerwvk #SponsoredbyAWHP #everyBODYcovered

TNH-Conversations with Women in Public Health Leadership. As the year draws to a close, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the mounting tasks on your to-do list. The demands from work, family, friends, and community can be daunting. But what about taking care of yourself? In our conversation with Angela Bannerman Ankoma, Vice President and Executive Director of Equity Leadership at Rhode Island Foundation, we asked about her self-care routine. As a woman in public health leadership, she emphasized the importance of prioritizing self-renewal. Angie's self-care secrets include regular exercise, nurturing friendships, and making time to rest – without guilt! What's your self-care routine? How do you prioritize self-renewal and maintain balance in your life? Share your tips with us! And if you Haven't seen it yet? Link below or Head to our YouTube channel @Chesids_Ngo https://lnkd.in/ei_xHq3T #PublicHealthLeaders #SelfCare #WomenInPublicHealth #Leadership #Inspiration #TheNextHundredConversations #TNH #Explore #routine #CHESIDS #publichealth

Public health professionals are dedicated to protecting and improving communities with passion and desire for tangible change - but who are they? Women make up nearly 79% of the U.S. public health workforce in 2021; however, men held nearly 74% of the leadership roles in the field. What do we call this? The #PublicHealth Paradox: Driven by Women, But Led by Men. Read more here: https://buff.ly/49XweDU #HealthCommunications #PublicHealth #GenderEquity #Leadership

🔷 Did you know it’s Women’s Health Week 2-6 September? This year the spotlight will be shinning on some of the BIGGEST issues in women’s health with the theme: 🗣 ‘Your voice. Your choice’. 🌟 What a BRILLIANT theme! I believe Women’s Health Week (organised by Jean Hailes for Women's Health) and the lead up to it, is one of the most important periods of the year. Pardon the pun😉 The aim this year is to lift the lid on shame and raise the voice of women who feel unheard. 🧡 AND it is not only about awareness…Women’s Health Week provides an opportunity for women and those who support us, to arm ourselves with the tips, tools and confidence to talk to our doctors, workplaces and families about our health concerns. Most of us know, some health decisions can be hard, but with guidance and resources shared during Women’s Health Week by the trusted guides at Jean Hailes for Women's Health we have the chance to consider options so we can make the choice that’s right for us. This year... 🔑 KEY MESSAGES are: 🔶 Know your options. 🔶 Make the best decision for you. 🔶 Speak up. 🔶 Sex and gender should not impact your health. 📚 DAILY TOPICS are: 🔷 Monday: Know your body 🔷 Tuesday: Courageous conversations 🔷 Wednesday: Shame and stigma 🔷 Thursday: Point of difference 🔷 Friday: Trust your gut ❓ Are you acknowledging and/or celebrating Women’s Health Week? At work, in your community or with family? 🧠 If you would like some ideas, let me know as this is a HUGE passion project for me and one of the top reasons I wrote and published my book, Breaking the Gender Code. #womenshealth #gendercode #wellbeing #womenswellbeing

If you grew up living with #obesity, you probably experienced teasing or bullying from your peers. Fast forward to adulthood and that same discrimination can follow you into the workplace, leading to lower wages and fewer career opportunities. This creates an environment filled with bias and prejudice that severely impacts Black and Hispanic women in particular. Many women don't realize that no matter their current weight, everyone can benefit from workplaces that offer comprehensive obesity care. 👉🏾Consider this: The Journal of Obesity reports that nearly 25% of women in the U.S. who become pregnant are affected by obesity and that number jumps to 70% for women going through perimenopause (NBCI) It’s time for us to recognize obesity as a women’s health issue. Comprehensive obesity care should be covered just as care for other chronic diseases is covered—it’s only fair. 🚨We need leaders to step up and make obesity coverage a standard part of health benefits. I invite you to join me, Millicent Gorham, CEO of the Alliance for Women's Health & Prevention, and Katrina Jones, CEO of Advancing Equity & Inclusion, on Thursday, November 7th, at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT for a webinar and fireside chat on destigmatizing obesity in the workplace. Attendees will also receive a free guide with policies, programs, and coverage options for HR leaders and employers! Save your spot here and share with others in your organization: https://lnkd.in/eNuerwvk #SponsoredbyAWHP #everyBODYcovered

🎓 Companies often express interest in helping address racial disparities within the U.S., but often fall short of galvanizing support for DEI initiatives. What messaging strategies might drive support for DEI and broader social change initiatives?: 👇   ✏️Across 4 studies, behavioral scientists examined which of the following message types were more effective in driving support for DEI and social change initiatives: -Messages highlighting economic-based disparities between Black and White Americans -Messages highlighting health-based disparities between Black and White Americans     🔬 Researchers found that messages about health- (vs. economic-)based inequalities... -Lead to greater engagement with relevant content on social media -More buy-in and support for DEI-related policies   🧠 What is special about health-related messaging? -People view health disparities as violating people’s rights that should not be infringed on -Messages about health disparities invoke feelings of injustice, which galvanizes people's support for change   💊 What does this have to do with healthcare & pharma market research? -Companies in the health and wellness space have a duty to provide equitable care for patients across all walks of life -Recognizing this duty, companies often initiate DEI initiatives; however, they fail to execute due to lack of sustained interest and support among key stakeholders -The current work suggests that highlighting health-related disparities between majority- and minority-group members may spur key stakeholders (e.g., customers making donations, leaders making DEI-related policies) to support DEI-related initiatives  -Highlighting the scope of health-related disparities is also a good in itself: past research has shown that people vastly underestimate the magnitude of social disparities; educating key stakeholders on the scope of health-related disparities may spur a greater portion of them to take action to mitigate it    🎓 Want more B-Sci Bites & practical insights? - Add or follow me James Dunlea, Ph.D. (Head of Behavioral Science) and/or Chris Carles (Vice President) - Follow Healogix and visit our web page: https://healogix.com/    #PharmaMarketing #HealthcareInnovation #BehavioralScience #DEI #EquitableCare #Diversity #Psychology

The impact of the ways boys and men learn about the roles and expectations of masculinities in their lives can also be felt in the way they find, understand and use information and services to benefit their health (Isaacs et al., 2011; Schuppan et al., 2019; Osborne et al., 2013; Macdonald et al., 2022).’ Movember UK released their Face of Men’s Health, aimed at understanding the current state of men’s health in the UK, and the drivers towards better outcomes in the future. It maps the impact of these health issues on men, those who care for men, and the society as a whole. The report identifies multiple drivers for lower life expectancy for men (4 years less than women), with risk taking behaviours, lower health literacy, socialisation into harmful masculine norms of help-avoidance, and lack of training for some medical services on how to work effectively with men. Notably, these issues are impacting some men far more than others, with the rates of premature death 3.5 times higher in the 10 constituencies with the highest rates vs the 10 constituencies with the lowest rates. 47% of Black men surveyed did not believe their health is equally protected by the NHS. A survey of LGBTQ+ people in the UK (LGBT Foundation, 2023) found that 12% of GBTQ+ men (including trans men) had experienced discrimination in the last year. - Health promotion programmes including those which embrace the power of sports and the opportunity of the workplace to reach, respond and retain men. - A responsive health system including health services, screenings, checks and facilities designed with men in mind. - A health workforce with the competencies to respond to men. - Research that works to build, evaluate and translate its findings into practice to reach and benefit all men This is not a binary choice of prioritising men’s health over that women and non-binary people. Instead a gender sensitive approach to health benefits all of us. Beyond Equality contribute through our workshops which break down ‘man up’ stereotypes, helping groups of men better support and care for themselves and each other. Beyond Equality were very happy to contribute to the report, and welcome this important step to mapping out pathways to better health for men in the UK. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eK92EFrN

Women’s health remains a primary concern for our clients aiming to enhance their workforce’s well-being. The gender health gap persists, as women frequently lack the necessary support to thrive in the workplace when confronted with health-related issues. Swati Matta, Head of Women’s Health, and Stephanie Moynihan, Associate Medical Director and Women’s Health Clinical Lead at Dialogue, recently shared key insights on how virtual care helps bridge the gender health gap: - Women spend 20% more of their lives in poor health. - Providing solutions which support women’s health is crucial to maintaining a healthier and more productive workforce. - Employer-funded virtual health can be part of the solution to close that gap through accessibility and reduce stigma. To listen to Dr. Moynihan’s interview with iHeartRadio, click here: https://okt.to/y62QZI To read more on Swati’s piece with Benefits and Pensions Monitor, click here: https://okt.to/wyBa4d

April is recognized as National Minority Health Month in the United States, the month is devoted to raising awareness about the health disparities that persistently affect racial and ethnic minority populations. The aim of this observance is to foster health equity and inspire actions that tackle the social, economic, and environmental determinants contributing to health disparities. It presents a chance for health organizations, communities, and individuals to partake in activities that promote healthy living, heighten awareness of health conditions disproportionately impacting minorities, and advocate for policies and practices that diminish health disparities and enhance health equity. In public health and social sciences, "minority populations" generally refers to racial, ethnic, cultural, or linguistic groups that are numerically smaller than the majority population in a given society or country. These groups often encounter social, economic, or political disadvantages and face disparities in health outcomes, healthcare access, and other social determinants of health. However, the term "minority" itself is problematic. It perpetuates power dynamics, implying that the majority group, often those of White descent, is the norm, while minority groups are seen as deviations from this norm. This can reinforce social hierarchies and stereotypes. In some contexts, minority groups may collectively form a significant portion of the population, or even a majority in specific regions or cities. As such, the term "minority" can be misleading, suggesting a smaller numerical presence than actually exists. It also tends to homogenize diverse groups with different cultures, experiences, and needs, leading to oversimplification and a lack of recognition of each group's unique challenges and strengths. Additionally, the term "minority" often overlooks the complexity of intersecting identities, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, potentially neglecting the multifaceted layers of discrimination and disadvantage some individuals face. Many individuals and communities prefer to be identified by their specific ethnic, cultural, or racial group rather than the broad term "minority," which allows for a more accurate and respectful representation of their identity. Given the problematic nature of the term "minority," it may be time to reconsider its use nationally and adopt a more respectful term that does not marginalize BIPOC communities. #NationalMinorityHealthMonth #HEI #HealthEquityMatters

April marks National Minority Health Month, and this year's theme, "Be the Source for Better Health," urges us to tackle the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) - highlighting the importance of culture, community, and connection in improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities. The 2024 focus is on taking action, convening communities, considering data, committing to culturally appropriate services, and collaborating for innovative solutions. Join the conversation using #SourceForBetterHealth, #MinorityHealth, and #NMHM24 to share insights and actions towards health equity. Let's be the change and pave the way for a healthier future for all. #BeTheSource