Black Health Matters Launches National Campaign to Combat Health Disparities

NEW YORK, NY – March 31, 2026 – The Black Health Matters Foundation (BHMF) has officially launched a major national campaign aimed at closing the profound health and wellness gaps plaguing under-resourced communities across the United States. The initiative, titled “Our Health Our Wellness” (OHOW), kicked off its month-long observance for April 2026 with a strategic introduction at the American Cardiology Conference (ACC.26) in New Orleans, signaling a determined effort to engage healthcare leaders directly in its mission.

OHOW is designed as a comprehensive, multi-platform movement to empower Black and Brown communities through prevention, intervention, and increased access to culturally relevant health resources. By providing information in both English and Spanish, the campaign seeks to improve health literacy and drive meaningful behavior change in populations disproportionately affected by chronic and acute health conditions.

The Stark Reality of Health Inequity

The urgency for a campaign like OHOW is underscored by staggering statistics that reveal deep-seated inequities within the American healthcare landscape. For the specific health areas targeted by the initiative—including Alzheimer's, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and heart health—communities of color face a significantly higher burden.

Research shows that Black Americans are approximately twice as likely as White Americans to develop Alzheimer's disease, yet they are less likely to receive an early diagnosis. This disparity is projected to worsen, with cases among Black adults expected to more than double by 2060. Similarly, chronic kidney disease (CKD) disproportionately impacts these communities. Black Americans are nearly four times more likely to experience kidney failure, and while they constitute 13.5% of the U.S. population, they account for over 35% of all patients on dialysis.

In oncology, the disparities are equally stark. Despite recent gains, Black men still have 16% higher cancer mortality than White men, and Black women face a 10% higher mortality rate despite having a lower incidence of the disease. This points to systemic barriers limiting access to timely prevention, detection, and state-of-the-art treatment. These inequities extend to mental health, where Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious conditions but far less likely to receive care, and even to routine preventative measures like vaccinations, with Black and Hispanic adults showing lower uptake rates for the seasonal flu vaccine.

A Movement for Holistic Wellness

OHOW positions itself not merely as an awareness campaign but as a catalyst for empowerment and systemic change. The initiative addresses a wide spectrum of health topics, from chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension to mental wellness and the importance of vaccinations, recognizing that health is a holistic journey.

“Being healthy and having access to proper services for wellness are essential as we age,” said Roslyn Y. Daniels, CEO and Founder of Black Health Matters, in a statement. “I want OHOW to be a movement where people can learn about what's impacting them and their families. Then know how to speak with their doctor and have guidance on the next steps.”

This vision of empowerment is central to the campaign’s design. By delivering population-specific education, OHOW aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. The goal is to shift the national dialogue from one of reactive treatment to one of proactive, preventative wellness, giving communities the tools to reclaim control over their health outcomes.

Forging a United Front Through Strategic Partnerships

A cornerstone of the OHOW strategy is its emphasis on multisectoral collaboration. The decision to launch the campaign at the American Cardiology Conference was a deliberate move to engage healthcare professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical stakeholders—the very groups on the front lines of medical care and innovation. By establishing a presence at such a high-profile event, Black Health Matters aims to build a coalition of allies dedicated to health equity.

This approach builds on the Black Health Matters Foundation’s existing track record of collaboration. The organization has previously received grants from major health institutions like the American Cancer Society and AARP, demonstrating its ability to forge partnerships that amplify its reach and impact. The OHOW initiative intends to expand this network, bringing together community organizations, public health departments, and corporate partners to create a unified front.

Effective community health interventions often rely on this type of collaborative, place-based model. Research has shown that programs are most successful when they are culturally grounded and utilize trusted venues like churches, community centers, and even barbershops to disseminate information and services. By building a broad base of support, OHOW aims to embed its resources deep within the fabric of the communities it serves.

From Awareness to Action: A Month of Engagement

Throughout April, OHOW is translating its mission into a series of tangible events and resources designed to meet people where they are. The campaign’s schedule demonstrates a clear commitment to action over simple awareness.

Following the launch in New Orleans, the campaign moves to Houston, Texas, for a health fair focused on cardiology, oncology, and mental health. In a creative and practical outreach effort, the initiative will be present at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, offering mobile mammography services to promote breast cancer prevention.

Beyond in-person events, OHOW is leveraging digital platforms to maximize its reach. A series of webinars scheduled throughout the month will cover critical topics, including the importance of lifelong vaccination plans and a three-part series on cancer, covering prevention, living with the disease, and the future of treatment. These virtual events provide accessible, expert-led information to anyone with an internet connection, breaking down geographical and logistical barriers to health education.

“With OHOW, people can become the healthiest version of themselves,” Daniels stated, encapsulating the campaign’s ultimate aspiration. It is a call to action for individuals, communities, and the healthcare industry at large. By combining culturally relevant information, community resources, and direct access to wellness screenings and educational events, OHOW is not just observing a month; it is actively building a foundation for lasting change. The campaign is more than a monthly observance; it is a call to action that promotes increased literacy, advocacy, empowerment, and improved health.