California Black Health Network Launches ‘How Do I’ Campaign to Address Health Disparities

The California Black Health Network, in collaboration with the California Healthcare Foundation, has rolled out the "How Do I" campaign.

CBS News Sacramento reports that in an effort to bridge the health gap for Black Americans in California, the California Black Health Network, in collaboration with the California Healthcare Foundation, has rolled out the “How Do I” campaign. The initiative is designed to empower Black Californians to take charge of their health by providing resources to navigate the complex healthcare system.

Rhonda Smith, executive director of the California Black Health Network, emphasizes the challenges Black individuals face despite having health insurance. “About 94% of Black Californians have health insurance, but getting access to the procedures and services they need can often be a challenge,” notes Smith.

The campaign addresses various health concerns, including paternal health, chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, and rare conditions such as lupus or sickle cell. Smith highlights that the lack of knowledge about the right questions to ask or the awareness of their right to inquire is a common issue within the community.

The online platform offers a range of resources, including information on patient rights and a list of questions to ask healthcare providers. Smith believes collective community education is crucial for empowering individuals to advocate for their health.

Recent studies highlight the alarming health disparities among Black Americans, indicating a public health crisis. Over the past two decades, the Black population has experienced over 1.6 million excess deaths and 80 million years of life lost compared to the white population. Dr. Harlan Krumholz from the Yale School of Medicine, the author of the research, identifies heart disease, cancer, and infant mortality as significant contributors to the excess deaths.

Dr. Krumholz emphasizes that race is a social construct and underscores the impact of living conditions, exposures, and systemic biases on life expectancies. The “How Do I” campaign aligns with the goal of addressing these disparities through policy changes, advocacy, and education.

“The bottom line of it all is around patient empowerment and to really help make the healthcare system work better for them,” concludes Smith. The campaign aims to empower individuals to ask the right questions, be aware of their rights, and actively participate in their healthcare decisions to ultimately create a more equitable healthcare landscape for Black Californians.