California Black Media

California Black Health Network’s New Campaign Zooms in on Patient Rights, Empowerment

California Black Health Network (CBHN) recently launched its “Health 4 Life: Healthy Black People Campaign.” The campaign aims to empower and educate all Black Californians with “How do I…” (HDI) information and resources needed to effectively navigate the health care system. It also provides tips for advocating for friends, family, and themselves when undergoing medical treatment. In addition, the campaign advises Black patients on how to respond when faced with discrimination.

Published

3 months ago

August 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Courtesy of California Black Health Network

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

California Black Health Network (CBHN) recently launched its “Health 4 Life: Healthy Black People Campaign.”

The campaign aims to empower and educate all Black Californians with “How do I…” (HDI) information and resources needed to effectively navigate the health care system. It also provides tips for advocating for friends, family, and themselves when undergoing medical treatment.

In addition, the campaign advises Black patients on how to respond when faced with discrimination.

“We are working to ignite a Black Health Movement here in California and create a more empowered community of individuals and patients to become proactive about their overall health and well-being, focus more on prevention, and take ownership of their health and healthcare,” said Smith. “We need to know that there is such a thing as a patient bill of rights, and we need to know how we can exercise our rights as a patient to get the healthcare we deserve.

On July 18, CBHN launched a 5-part webinar series titled “Making the Healthcare System Work Better for You,” to help the African American communities in the Golden State understand how to make more informed healthcare decisions and how to make the healthcare system work better for them.

The series featured speaker is Dr. Glenda F. Newell-Harris, a physician, author, speaker, and patient advocate.

Newell-Harris works at the forefront of addressing health disparities and championing equal access to high-quality healthcare for all. Her passion, she says, prompted her to write a book along with a colleague, Dr. Brenda Springs.

“It’s very important that you need to understand you have rights as a patient. You may feel when you are in a medical situation that you’re at the mercy of everybody that is there. But even in that process, you do have rights,” Newell-Harris added.

An example of some ‘How do I’ questions the campaign answers are; How do I take action to protect my health? How do I find the right healthcare provider for me? How do I know what my plan covers? How do I prepare for my visits? How do I speak up for my and my family’s health?

The first webinar focused on patient rights – “Part 1: Know Your Patient Rights. Newell-Harris delivered a presentation that highlighted patient rights surrounding information, disclosure, insurance coverage, choice of providers, emergency services, treatment decisions, respect and non-discrimination, and patient responsibilities.

“Patient rights were created to build trust and confidence within the healthcare system, to strengthen the bond between you and your healthcare provider, and also to empower you to take charge of your health,” said Newell-Harris.

The remaining webinar schedule is as follows:

August 8 – Part 2: How to Communicate with Your Healthcare Provider
September 19 – Part 3: How to Navigate Through the Healthcare System
October 24 – Part 4: How to Advocate for Yourself and Your Loved Ones
November 21 – Part 5: How to Participate in the Decision-Making for Your Care

For more information and to register, visit cablackhealthnetwork.org/events.

This article is supported by the California Black Health Journalism Project, a program created by California Black Media, that addresses the top health challenges African Americans in California face. It relies on the input of community and practitioners; an awareness of historical factors, social contexts and root causes; and a strong focus on solutions as determined by policymakers, advocates and patients.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

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Black History

California Leaders Pay Tribute to Quincy Jones

On Nov. 4, the celebrated life of music producer Quincy Delight Jones came to an end at his home in Bel Air. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Jones leaves behind a rich legacy of music and achievements that spans 70 plus years. His impact on multiple genres of music as well as his contributions to art and education will have a lasting impact.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

Quincy Jones. UCLA Digital Library.

By Reginald S. Webb Jr.

California Black Media

On Nov. 4, the celebrated life of music producer Quincy Delight Jones came to an end at his home in Bel Air.

The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Jones leaves behind a rich legacy of music and achievements that spans 70 plus years. His impact on multiple genres of music as well as his contributions to art and education will have a lasting impact.

“Quincy Jones brought the world endless joy with his optimistic spirit and colossal imagination. Not a day goes by without hearing a masterpiece that Quincy produced or hearing about the good he created with his generous heart,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Jen and I — and all of California — mourn the loss of this great humanitarian and artist.”

Jones was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago. By 10 years old, Jones’s family relocated to Bremerton, Washington where he met his first formal music mentor, Robert Blackwell, a well-known arranger, bandleader, song writer, and producer. He was a vital part of Quincy’s growth as a musician.

In 1951, Jones earned a scholarship to study music at Seattle University. After a semester there, he transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston. His stay at this college was short-lived because he left to tour with the jazz percussionist and bandleader Lionel Hampton.

“I’m deeply saddened to learn of Quincy Jones’ passing. His talent and resilience led him to not only break barriers but become one of the most successful producers of all time, touching countless lives through music,” said Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager (D-CA-37). “We’ll miss my fellow Chicagoan-turned-Angeleno.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Jones “broke barriers in an industry that had long worked to exclude artists that looked like him.”

“Quincy Jones brought laughter, celebration, happiness and joy into the homes of millions. As a musician, composer, producer, and arranger, he changed our culture, and he changed our world,” added Bass.

Film scoring led to another trailblazing moment for Quincy Jones. He became the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for best original film score in 1967 for In Cold Blood. The same year he was also nominated for best original song for, The Eyes of Love, from a film titled Banning.

“He was unmatched in the creativity of his many productions. I will never forget how he worked with me to present Nelson Mandela, where 90 thousand people showed up at the Los Angeles Coliseum following his release from prison in South Africa. Quincy Jones will never be forgotten,” remembers Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43).

Over his career, Jones received 80 Grammy nominations and won 28 of them. He released 16 studio jazz albums, 24 soundtracks albums, three live albums, and four compilation albums.

1n 2011, President Barack Obama honored Jones with the National Medal of Arts.

Jones is survived by his seven children and six grandchildren.

“Jones has provided a soundtrack to the best moments of so many lives – and to the deepest movements of change in this country. Our city is forever bettered by his gifts. We celebrate his life, and we mourn this loss,” Bass paid tribute to Jones.