Lifestyle

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a significant rise in syphilis diagnoses among pregnant women, with the national rate more than tripling from 2016 to 2022. American Indian and Alaska Native mothers experienced the most substantial increase, attributed to improved testing and a genuine surge in infections across various racial and ethnic groups.

The World Health Organization has confirmed two instances of the Nipah virus in an eastern Indian state, highlighting a significant public health concern due to its zoonotic nature and high mortality rate. Despite its lethality, there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments available for this virus.

Black Americans face a disproportionate burden of medical debt, a financial strain exacerbated by rising healthcare costs. In response, two nonprofit organizations have released a comprehensive guide aimed at equipping consumers with strategies to effectively manage their medical bills and prevent unwarranted charges.

Pastors, bishops, rabbis and imams from over a dozen states have responded to the killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti by ICE agents, calling for a moral struggle against the "lynching" of Alex Pretti and urging people to "Shine a Light" in their communities.

Admin nights offer a structured approach to tackling mundane tasks, fostering accountability and enjoyment through social collaboration.

Word In Black has established the Insights & Research Division, a strategic initiative aimed at amplifying the perspectives of Black Americans through data-driven analysis. This division seeks to address critical issues, including organ donation and breast cancer, by reshaping narratives and centering Black voices in the discourse.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has introduced a groundbreaking payment model that enables federal negotiation with pharmaceutical companies over the cost of gene therapies for sickle cell disease. This initiative holds drugmakers accountable for the treatment's efficacy, offering a potential cure for many of the 100,000 predominantly Black Americans affected by the condition.

Nolan Williams Jr.'s newly composed hymn, "Just Like Selma," made its debut at a worship service in Houston, Texas. This social justice hymn pays tribute to the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, while also highlighting ongoing challenges to voting rights nationwide.

Mount Zion Women's Ministry is hosting its 84th Anniversary Prayer Breakfast this Saturday, featuring Rev. Dr. Julie Vaughn, Emmy Award-winning producer Chelsea Riddick-Most, and Rev. Romanita Hairston as the keynote speaker.

While imprisoned in Birmingham, Martin Luther King Jr. penned his seminal "Letter from Birmingham Jail," urging faith leaders and scholars to abandon complacency and actively pursue justice and equality, echoing the activism of Jesus.