I’ve always centered my work on the health and well-being of Black families and women in my neighborhood, community, and city. This focus has led me to founding the Progress Center for Black Women and proudly serve as District 17 alder on the Madison Common Council for the city I’ve called home for, interestingly, also 17 years.
Black families, in particular single-income homes headed by Black women, have the deck stacked against them, especially in Wisconsin. This is made clear when trying to address health equity issues, which are rooted in a lot of different factors like systemic racism, environment, and genetics. These factors compound on top of each other seen through unequal access to things like healthy foods and transportation, mental health implications, and income which combine to make it hard for some Black families to address healthcare needs. Simply put, it’s a complicated issue.
The example I’d like to emphasize is the disproportionate impact of the disease of chronic obesity on the Black community in Wisconsin. Folks who live with chronic obesity experience their lives in different ways. Some people can go about their day feeling little to no impact on their routine or livelihoods. For others, obesity can have a significant impact on their mobility or what they can do with their families.
Treatment is additionally complicated. Lifestyle interventions, like incorporating different foods or exercise, can work for some people. For others, it can make little to no difference. It is necessary that I center my advocacy in a framework that will allow the most freedom and choice for Black women. This is where anti-obesity medications (AOMs) can be an effective tool in combating chronic obesity. Unfortunately, many of those who do need to pursue this option are unable to because of AOMs outrageous price tag.
It is vital to ensure Black women and families are able to have access to the full continuum of care and, through this, have more freedom of opportunity and liberate themselves from unfair health barriers. To do this, Congress and our healthcare champion, Senator Tammy Baldwin, must act to make AOMs more accessible by including them as standard coverage in Medicare Part D. There is strength to be found in making health decisions that are best for you when unobstructed by fear of financial obstacles, and I look forward to the day when everyone has the same opportunity to do just that.
